The L.A. food scene is known for its high-end sushi bars and celebrity chefs, but some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles don't exactly have business casual dress codes. Instead, they're hole-in-the-wall taco joints, greasy-spoon grills, and counter-serve seafood spots. With that in mind, we've rounded up 10 things to order when you want a great meal but don't want to be scared to look at the check. Here are our "Cheap Eats Los Angeles" champions:

1. Carnitas at Los Cinco Puntos

3300 Cesar Chavez Ave. | Boyle Heights

Instead of boiling and then frying its carnitas, Los Cinco Puntos braises whole shoulders of pork in a traditional cazo pot. This makes them tender, moist, and extremely in-demand with the line snaking up to the counter during lunch. Customers also rave about the handmade corn tortillas and hot salsa. $2.39 per taco or $8.99 for a super burrito.

Click to claim a 30% cash-back deal at Los Cinco Puntos.

2. Gyro at Papa Cristo's

2771 W. Pico Blvd. | Pico-Union

In business since 1948, Papa Cristo's became an L.A. institution by serving the tastiest spit-roasted gyro meat in the city. You get a huge portion of the heavily seasoned lamb-beef blend, so there's no need to order sides unless you're starving. The place is also a Greek market, so you can grab spices and other hard-to-find ingredients while you're there. $9.99.

3. Fried Chicken at Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken

9537 Culver Blvd. | Culver City

Honey's achieves its signature crispy chicken skin with a stainless-steel kettle-cooking process and a special batter made to withstand the unusually high temperatures it uses. It's a method head chef Vincent Williams settled on after 40 years—and literally millions of pieces—of fried chicken cooking. $10.25 for a two-piece lunch plate.

Click to see deals at Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken starting at $20.50.

4. Chili Cheese Dog at Pink's Hot Dogs

709 W. La Brea Ave. | West Hollywood

Pink's is as famous for its perpetually long line as it is for its food, especially since it's one of the most reliable spots for celebrity sightings outside of Spago. But your patience is rewarded when you bite into your long-awaited dog, topped with cheese, mustard, onions, and hearty chili. Grab a table out back if you can, or else be ready for a messy standing meal. $4.95.

5. Tamales at Me Gusta Tamales

215 W. 6th St. | Downtown L.A.

Me Gusta has made a name for itself at the Larchmont Farmers Market, but you can always take a trip downtown if you can't wait for your weekly Sunday fix. Each of the eight fillings, from pork to pineapple, is worth a try, but you can't go wrong with the popular rajas tamale, made with roasted green chiles and heaps of melted cheese. Starting at $2.25 each.

Click to see deals at Me Gusta Tamales starting at $12.50.

6. Triple HiHo Cheeseburger at HiHo Cheeseburger

1320 2nd St. Ste B | Santa Monica

It didn't take long for HiHo to make a splash in Santa Monica. Since moving to its current location from Ojai in summer 2017, it's become the hot spot to grab a burger thanks to its distinctive 100% Wagyu beef patties. Factor in that a half-pound triple burger costs less than 10 bucks and the buzz makes even more sense. $9.25.

7. Jumbo Shrimp at Mel's Fish Shack

4524 W. Jefferson Blvd. | Crenshaw

When Mel Powell opened his fish market in 1982, he knew nothing about fish. In fact, he didn't even have a permit. Somehow he kept the business afloat long enough for it to find its footing, and these days it operates as a beloved neighborhood fried seafood joint, churning out platters of catfish, red snapper, and of course, the ultra-crispy, dark brown fried shrimp. $14.95 with two sides and bread.

Click to claim a 25% cash-back deal at Mel's Fish Shack.

8. Chicken and Waffles at Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles

Multiple Locations

There was a time when serving fried chicken and waffles together seemed crazy to most people. We no longer live in that time, mostly thanks to Roscoe's founder Herb Hudson, whose business now comprises seven different Los Angeles restaurants. Order your plate smothered in gravy if the regular doesn't sound decadent enough. Combos start at $8.99.

9. Spicy Miso Ramen at DTLA Ramen

952 1/2 S. Broadway | Downtown L.A.

After choosing how spicy you want your ramen—only go "extra" if you really mean it—your bowl arrives filled to the brim with pork belly, veggies, shredded chili, and, if you're smart, soy-injected egg. Pair it with the gargantuan gyozo if you want to go all out. Just make sure you pencil in a little nap time afterwards. $12.

Click to see deals at DTLA Ramen starting at $20.

10. Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich at Diddy Riese

926 Broxton Ave. | Westwood

Ok, so it's not a meal per se, but for sheer value, few foods on earth deliver like a cookie ice cream sandwich from Diddy Riese. The best part is you get to choose both the cookies and the ice cream, so you can mix and match combos like chocolate chip walnut cookies with strawberry cheese chunk ice cream. Fair warning: this place isn't exactly a secret, so expect to wait in line with hungry students from the nearby UCLA campus. $2.50.

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