Best Cheap Eats Restaurants in Long Beach
22 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Milana's New York Pizzeria
Real NYC-style pizza from Brooklyn native owner with authentic thin crust
Notable Picks
8.4
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Authentic New York-style pizzeria serving thin-crust pies and Sicilian squares since opening downtown. The Brooklyn Square pizza with vodka sauce and mascarpone draws transplants and locals alike to this subway-themed spot where you can watch pizzas being hand-tossed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Brooklyn Square Pizza, Pepperoni Slice, Grandma Pizza
What Makes it Special: Real NYC-style pizza from Brooklyn native owner with authentic thin crust
8.3
Family-run neighborhood institution serving classic glazed, crullers, and apple fritters since 1998. The legendary coffee bar features 30+ house-blend varieties and artisan creamers creating a self-serve experience locals swear by. Fresh-baked donuts sell out by early afternoon, with the nutty doodle coffee earning cult status.
Must-Try Dishes:
Glazed Donut, Apple Fritter, Ham & Jalapeño Croissant
What Makes it Special: Self-serve coffee bar with 30+ blends and unmatched creamer selection
8.2
Latin American-inspired bakery specializing in scratch-made baked empanadas since 2014. Chef-owner Cesar Villarreal brings Colombian heritage to creative fillings like chicken curry and BBQ pork, plus Cuban sandwiches and breakfast burritos served alongside specialty coffee drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Curry Empanada, Cuban Sandwich, BBQ Pork Empanada
What Makes it Special: Hand-made empanadas baked every half hour with Colombian family recipes
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Walk-up smash burger stand delivering LA-quality burgers at prices that recall In-N-Out's golden era. Mini-chain perfected crispy-edged patties with gooey American cheese, caramelized onions, and bright pink house sauce, though the fried chicken sandwich may steal the show.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double Cheeseburger, Fried Chicken Sandwich, Hand-Spun Milkshakes
What Makes it Special: Double patty smashburger for $7.50 rivals pricier competitors
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family-owned neighborhood pizzeria serving Long Beach since 2000 with a unique cornmeal crust and generous toppings. The casual spot offers huge slices and whole pies at budget-friendly prices, with locals returning for decades to this East Side staple.
Must-Try Dishes:
Meat Lovers Pizza, Veggie Pizza, Italian Calzone
What Makes it Special: Distinctive cornmeal crust recipe and exceptional value with enormous portions
#6
Taco Shore
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Late Night Legends
Women-owned taqueria serving Baja-inspired Mexican favorites since taking over from Taco Surf in 2013. The carne asada, fresh guacamole, and signature Baja sauce draw consistent praise from locals who appreciate the generous portions and authentic flavors. Counter-service spot on bustling 2nd Street delivers reliable quality at unbeatable prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
California Burrito, Carne Asada Tacos, Potato Flautas
What Makes it Special: Generous portions and unbeatable value with signature Baja sauce
8.1
Chef Enrique Perez brings Jalisco street-taco traditions to this counter-service spot where thin white corn tortillas cradle super-fresh carne asada, al pastor, and crispy shrimp. A salsa bar lets diners customize their tacos, with the avocado salsa earning particular praise from regulars who appreciate the no-frills approach and quick service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Tacos, Fried Shrimp Tacos, Al Pastor Tacos
What Makes it Special: Authentic Cuquio, Jalisco street-taco techniques with exceptionally fresh meat and house-made tortillas
8.1
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Family-owned newcomer established in 2023 by an aunt-nephew team combining 23 years of chef expertise with American hospitality savvy. Specializes in hard-to-find dishes like authentic khao soi and features adjustable spice levels that respect traditional Thai heat.
Must-Try Dishes:
Khao Soi, Drunken Noodles, Pad See Ew
What Makes it Special: Authentic family recipes from a chef with 23 years Thai cooking experience
#9
Super Mex
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Happy Hour Hotspots
Family-owned since 1974, Super Mex serves Manuel and Socorro Orozco's traditional recipes from Villa Jimenez, Michoacan. The signature Super Mex Burrito exemplifies classic Mexican comfort food with distinctive homemade authenticity. Recently remodeled Belmont Shore location maintains the original vision while offering solid value.
Must-Try Dishes:
Super Mex Burrito, Carnitas Plate, Chicken Flautas
What Makes it Special: Over 50 years serving authentic Michoacan recipes passed down through generations
#10
Sideburns
8
Smash burger specialist adjacent to The Stache Bar serves 100% grass-fed patties alongside extensive vegan options including Beyond burgers, Chicago-style dogs, and dairy-free sides. Chef Thomas masters the art of cooking multiple burgers simultaneously while maintaining quality across both meat and plant-based options.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Smash Stache Burger, Vegan Smash Stache Burger, Chicago Dog (Vegan Available)
What Makes it Special: Equal commitment to quality for both meat and vegan burgers rare in burger joints
#11
Flamin Curry
8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Business Lunch Power Players
Since 2018, this counter-service spot in Bluff Park has built a following for straightforward North Indian dishes served cafeteria-style with fresh-daily preparation. The streamlined approach focuses on curry plates with rice and naan, delivering solid garlic naan and well-spiced chicken tikka masala at prices that appeal to students and weeknight diners seeking quick, flavorful takeout.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan, Butter Chicken
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual format with authentic flavors at budget-friendly prices
Worthy Picks
#12
Potholder Cafe
7.9
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
No-frills neighborhood diner serving massive portions of American and Mexican breakfast classics in a homey, vintage atmosphere. Famous for the 18-inch "Mac Daddy Frankie" pancake challenge and hearty scrambles that draw weekend crowds willing to wait.
Must-Try Dishes:
18-Inch Pancake, Chilaquiles, Turbo Scramble
What Makes it Special: Giant pancake challenge and generous portions at budget-friendly prices
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Northern California-based fresh pasta cafe established 2014 at 2nd & PCH shopping center, offering customizable pasta dishes with imported ingredients from Italy's Romagna region. Counter-service format with both indoor and outdoor marina-view seating creates a casual, affordable Italian experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gnocchi with Pesto, Fettuccine Bolognese, Butternut Squash Ravioli
What Makes it Special: Build-your-own fresh pasta with authentic Northern Italian ingredients under $20
#14
Cocorenos
7.9
Mexican cantina adjoined to the Reno Room bar serves elevated street food with vegan and carnivore options in Belmont Heights. Famous for $1.50 Taco Tuesdays and strong Cadillac margaritas in a hip atmosphere with pool tables and late-night hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cancun Salad, Shrimp Tacos, Breakfast Burrito
What Makes it Special: Taco Tuesday deals with bar atmosphere and late-night availability
7.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Family patriarch Nicolaniello Buono brought Old Country traditions to America in 1967, maintaining hand-kneaded dough made fresh daily, homemade sauces and sausages, and gas-fired brick ovens. The third-generation pizzeria serves authentic Italian specialties like lasagna and linguini e vongole alongside their signature pizzas with fresh mozzarella.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Pizza with Homemade Sauce, Lasagna, Eggplant Parmigiana
What Makes it Special: Three-generation family operation since 1967 with Old Country authenticity
#16
Eat Fantastic
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Brunch Bliss Spots
Family-owned fast casual operation evolved from Burger City Grill heritage, making everything from scratch with locally-sourced ingredients. Buns hold up impressively on long drives while quality house-made patties deliver freshness that stands apart from typical food service suppliers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fantastic Burger, Lunch Box Combo, Breakfast Burrito
What Makes it Special: Multi-generation LA burger legacy with everything made in-house from scratch
7.8
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Popular Long Beach breakfast chain serving American and Mexican comfort dishes with legendary challenges like the Mac Daddy Frankie 18-inch pancake. The downtown location opens at 8am daily with generous portions of classic breakfast fare and creative items like Flaky French Toast stuffed with cream cheese.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mac Daddy Frankie (18-inch Pancake), Flaky French Toast, Baja Omelet
What Makes it Special: Local institution with four Long Beach locations offering legendary pancake challenges
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
This waterfront market and counter-service eatery sits in a corrugated metal bungalow next to working fishing boats, serving fresh-caught seafood grilled or fried to order. Picnic table seating overlooks the industrial harbor, where locals have been coming for over 20 years for no-frills quality at fair prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Clam Chowder in Sourdough Bowl, Grilled Seabass Plate, Fish Tacos
What Makes it Special: Three-generation family favorite with live crab selection and harborside authenticity
#19
Nick The Greek
7.8
Fast-casual Greek concept opened in 2023 by locally-operated owners Aristos and Evegenia Mantas, bringing fresh-made-to-order gyros and bowls to Belmont Shore. The counter-service model emphasizes speed and value with generous portions, authentic flavors, and late-night hours on weekends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef/Lamb Gyro Pita, Mediterranean Bowl, Nick's Fries with Feta
What Makes it Special: Fresh ingredients made-to-order with catering options and Greek frozen yogurt
#20
JJ Italian Deli
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
An Italian-Vietnamese deli counter built around Boar's Head cold cuts, scratch-made eggplant parmesan, and homemade meatballs — with Vietnamese coffee as a quiet left-field addition that regulars know to order. The portions run generous for the price, making it a reliable lunch stop for anyone who treats a good sandwich as a serious meal. Expect a bare-bones deli setup next to a Taco Bell parking lot; come for what's between the bread, not the ambiance.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Longshoreman, Eggplant Parmesan, The Long Beach Special
What Makes it Special: Italian-Vietnamese deli built on Boar's Head premium meats, homemade meatballs, and scratch-made eggplant parmesan — with Vietnamese coffee on the side.
#21
Donburi Cafè
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Business Lunch Power Players
Family-run donburi specialist tucked in Pine Square courtyard serves generous rice bowls with quality proteins alongside katsu curry and fusion ramen. Counter-service format and affordable pricing make it a downtown value destination with loyal local following.
Must-Try Dishes:
Katsu Curry Don, Galbi Don, Spicy Pork Don
What Makes it Special: Generous donburi portions with miso soup and fruit sides deliver exceptional value
7.6
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Neighborhood coffee shop serving breakfast sandwiches, supreme croissants, and specialty lattes on Belmont Shore's 2nd Street. Scratch-made menu includes Hawaiian breakfast egg sandwiches and hash brown wraps alongside creative coffee drinks like banana cream pie latte.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hawaiian Breakfast Egg Sandwich, Supreme Croissants, Hash Brown Wrap
What Makes it Special: Local coffee shop with creative breakfast sandwiches and specialty drinks