Compari's, Los Angeles

When you think of an old-school, family-run Italian restaurant, Compari’s Trattoria Pizzeria is it. There’s nothing fancy about its décor or menu, this Centinela Avenue outpost simply pushes out tasty, inexpensive Italian food served by nice people that you might have seen around the neighborhood. From its candlelit red-checkered tablecloths to the mural of Venice and overhanging grapevines, this small, cozy eatery doesn’t only provide the intimate atmosphere, they deliver when it comes to the authentic northern Italian cuisine. Noted for its pizza and pastas made with fresh ingredients, the food at Compari’s is very well-priced –even their specials are priced at less than $15, and a glass of wine hovers under $6. Lunch specials are popular with the workaday crowd, and their LAX-adjacent strip mall location makes them a good fit for travelers looking to dine out before hitting the tarmac.