Best Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Mexican Restaurants in Mid-City
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Tacos 5 y 10 (Tacos Cinco y Diez)
Classic LA taco stand with real neighborhood loyalty.
Worthy Picks
Evening street-stand tacos under the freeway that locals line up for. The appeal is simple: well-charred meats, properly warmed tortillas, and quick, no-frills satisfaction.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada taco, Al pastor taco, Mulita
What Makes it Special: Classic LA taco stand with real neighborhood loyalty.
7.8
A casual Oaxacan kitchen where moles, memelas, and tlayudas lead a menu built for everyday cravings. It’s strip-mall simple inside, but the flavors hit with regional depth and steady quality. Review volume is solid for the area, reinforcing its role as a dependable neighborhood workhorse.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole negro plate, Memelas with asiento, Tlayuda Oaxaqueña
What Makes it Special: Oaxacan staples at everyday prices with real mole craft.
#3
Pobres Tacos
7.6
A family-run street-style taco stand known for juicy birria and seafood tacos, operating on a limited evening schedule. It’s a low-key stop with serious flavor payoff, especially when you want something local and unpolished rather than a full sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria tacos, Shrimp tacos, Quesabirria with consommé
What Makes it Special: Old-school taco-stand birria with a cult-local following.