12 Cheap But Iconic Restaurants In California That Locals Swear By
There’s more to California’s food culture than celebrity hangouts and Instagram-worthy fusion trends. Scattered across the state are small, unpretentious eateries serving the kind of crave-worthy meals that keep people returning year after year.
Think iconic LA hot dogs and San Francisco tacos so good, they’ve secured a permanent place in California’s culinary story.
1. Philippe The Original – Los Angeles
Home of the original French dip sandwich, Philippe’s has been serving hungry Angelenos since 1908. The sawdust-covered floors and vintage decor aren’t for show – this place is genuinely frozen in time.
Order at the counter where carvers dip fresh bread into savory meat juices before piling on roast beef, pork, lamb, or turkey.
Don’t skip their legendary hot mustard, but be warned – a little goes a long way unless you enjoy breathing fire.
2. Pink’s Hot Dogs – Los Angeles
Standing in line at Pink’s is practically a Los Angeles rite of passage. Since 1939, this hot dog stand has grown from a simple pushcart to a Hollywood landmark serving creative dogs topped with everything imaginable.
The chili cheese dog remains their signature item, a messy masterpiece that somehow tastes better at midnight. My aunt once waited two hours in line just to try their famous Rosie O’Donnell Long Island Dog – she said it was totally worth it.
3. The Apple Pan – Los Angeles
Time stops at The Apple Pan, a tiny burger joint that’s barely changed since opening in 1947. The U-shaped counter surrounds grill masters who prepare each hickory burger to perfection while you watch from worn red stools.
Now cashless (cards accepted) and no reservations keep things old-school authentic. I remember my first visit as a teenager – the server wrote our order on the same small pad they’ve used for decades, and the burger came wrapped in paper with a pickle on top.
4. Original Tommy’s Hamburgers – Los Angeles
Tommy’s chili-topped burgers have fueled late-night cravings since 1946. The original shack at Beverly and Rampart remains mostly unchanged – a simple stand where every item comes smothered in their famous meat chili.
The true Tommy’s experience happens at 2am, standing at outdoor counters alongside a diverse crowd of night owls.
Their burgers aren’t fancy, but that thick layer of chili creates a messy, delicious experience that somehow tastes even better after midnight.
5. Tito’s Tacos – Culver City
Tito’s hasn’t changed its recipe or prices much since opening in 1959, and loyal fans wouldn’t have it any other way. This no-frills taco stand serves American-style hard shell tacos that spark fierce debates among purists.
What’s undeniable is the constant line of customers waiting for those crispy shells filled with shredded beef and topped with finely shredded iceberg lettuce and orange cheese.
Back in college, my roommate from San Diego swore these weren’t “real” tacos until one bite converted him for life.
6. The Hat – Alhambra
When a restaurant’s claim to fame is a pastrami sandwich so massive it barely fits in your hands, you know you’re getting your money’s worth. The Hat’s “World Famous Pastrami” has been feeding hungry San Gabriel Valley residents since 1951.
Their pastrami dip comes piled impossibly high with thinly-sliced meat on a soft roll, best enjoyed with their crispy onion rings and a cold drink.
A single sandwich could feed two people, but regulars somehow manage to finish them solo.
7. Taqueria El Farolito – San Francisco
In the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District, El Farolito serves what many locals consider the definitive Mission-style burrito. This cash-only taqueria stays open late, drawing crowds even at midnight.
Their carne asada super burrito – stuffed with meat, beans, rice, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa – weighs about two pounds and costs less than most fancy coffee drinks downtown.
The tiny dining area fills quickly, but nobody minds standing while devouring these foil-wrapped masterpieces.
8. Saigon Sandwich – San Francisco
Blink and you might miss this tiny Tenderloin shop, but your taste buds would never forgive you. Saigon Sandwich serves the city’s most beloved banh mi at prices that seem impossible in expensive San Francisco.
The roast pork and chicken varieties draw the longest lines, with each sandwich featuring the perfect balance of meat, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and jalapeños on crackling French bread.
I once watched a tourist buy one sandwich, take one bite, then immediately get back in line to order three more.
9. Top Dog – Berkeley
Berkeley students have been fueling late-night study sessions with Top Dog’s grilled sausages since 1966. The tiny standing-room-only space on Durant Avenue serves up dogs with political manifestos posted on the walls – perfectly fitting for this college town.
The simple menu offers various sausage varieties grilled to snappy perfection right before your eyes. Grab the condiments yourself from the self-serve bar and enjoy this Berkeley institution where both the hot dogs and libertarian philosophy come unfiltered.
10. Cheese Board Pizza Collective – Berkeley
A worker-owned collective with a cult following, Cheese Board makes just one vegetarian pizza variety each day. Whatever they create becomes an instant hit, with lines forming down Shattuck Avenue before they even open.
Their sourdough crust comes topped with seasonal ingredients and an extra slice thrown in “for the road.” The sidewalk outside transforms into an impromptu picnic area as customers enjoy their pizza while local musicians play jazz.
My first visit coincided with their corn and cherry tomato pizza day – I still dream about that perfect combination years later.
11. Las Cuatro Milpas – San Diego
Family-owned since 1933, Las Cuatro Milpas keeps things remarkably simple. The short menu features handmade tortillas, rolled tacos, and chorizo con huevos that have barely changed in nearly a century.
The line forms early each morning in Barrio Logan as locals queue for these humble yet perfect dishes. Cash only and limited hours (they close after lunch) haven’t deterred the faithful who consider this San Diego’s most authentic Mexican food experience.
12. Hodad’s – San Diego
License plates and surfboards cover every inch of wall space at this Ocean Beach burger institution. Hodad’s serves burgers so massive they’re almost architectural challenges – towering creations of beef, bacon, cheese, and fresh toppings.
The bacon cheeseburger achieves legendary status thanks to bacon prepared as a patty rather than strips.
Tourists mix with locals and surfers fresh from catching waves, creating the quintessential laid-back San Diego vibe that perfectly matches these overstuffed burgers.