Los Angeles Eating... On A Budget.

Amy L's , Los Angeles Recession Specials:

1. Gloria's Cafe

10227 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 838-0963

Category: Latin American 5 star rating 3/12/2008

it's a good thing that i don't live close to gloria's cafe because i'm pretty sure i'd be over there weekly. i have a real soft spot for beans, cheese, and rice and BOY do you find all of that and then some over at gloria's!! the food really is tasty here and the prices are reasonable. i typically order the combo meal (because of the beans, cheese, and rice...hello? is there an echo in here?) and usually get my enchiladas or chili rellenos because these are some of my old favorites. i can't wait to try some of their other dishes though because everything looks pretty spectacular. more reasons to drive to that side of town!

one of the best things about gloria's is their sangria. holy crap this sangria deserves it's own paragraph. it's smooth and sweet...but packs a punch because the alcohol hits you slowly. you typically want to order more than one cup, but i suggest you pace yourself because the alcohol slowly creeps up on you and you're going to find yourself to be a sleepy drunk.

i love the fact that there's good food, good service, reasonable prices, consistency, and you get seated immediately. if you've never been here before, i suggest you try. little gems like gloria's are hard to find. you will definitely get your grub on!

2. Dumpling Master Restaurant

423 N Atlantic Blvd
Monterey Park, CA 91754
(626) 458-8689

Category: Chinese 5 star rating 01/20/2008

i'm not afraid of hole-in-the-wall exteriors or lack of coolness interiors when it comes to restaurants. all that matters to me is good food and good company...and it would be a perk if it looks relatively clean. when i was introduced to "da masta," it was love at first bite. there is something super yummy about their pan fried dumplings...the crispy exterior and the flavorful interior of each dumpling really makes me hanker for more even though the next bite might lead to an early death because i've inhaled so much already. i usually order pork pan fried dumplings, but i can imagine that the other animal groups and vegetarian ones are just as tasty. but the trick is, and HARK my words, you must mix the perfect sauce for your dumplings. at your table are some condiments. start with a base of soy sauce, a dribble of vinegar, and a tiny spoonful of that oily chili. you should modify the amounts base on your preferences. of course, mine is always perfect just for me...and it is the perfect sauce to go with that perfect little pan fried dumpling.

do supplement your meal with their scallion pancakes and hand made soup noodles with beef. not only will you leave this joint feeling pleasantly stuffed, you will also leave with enough dollars in your wallet to go get some dessert if there's still space in your belly. the food is HELLA CHEAP! what isn't there to love about this place?

and oh, they have this special delicacy: pig ears. they are thinly sliced and when eaten, the texture is rubbery and crunchy. i really like it even though it's not everybody's cup of tea. i usually order an ear, and sometimes two. this bit of information should in NO way make you question my taste buds...hahahahaha. my tastes are pretty diverse.

3. Rodeo Mexican Grill

1721 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 483-8311

Category: Mexican Neighborhood: Echo Park 4 star rating 04/14/2008

#27 please.

that means a tasty enchilada burrito with red sauce, a side of well seasoned rice, and refried beans with a cheese topping.... yum! this typical meal costs me $7.57 and i'm never disappointed with it. their other menu items are just as tasty...in fact, i get pretty consistent rodeo grill cravings.

the restaurant itself doesn't have the best decor so if you EVEN think about bringing a date to this place, then it will be obvious to her after your meal that it's best just to be "friends." it's not bad, it's just not a place to impress. the restaurant is relatively clean, there's parking on the streets or in their tiny parking lot in the back, or, you can do what i do and park across the street where masa is located. there's metered parking in a lot back there.

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