Best Cheap Eats Restaurants in Torrance
23 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Baba's Deli Subs
Independent deli laser-focused on overstuffed subs with top-tier ingredients.
Notable Picks
8.8
Baba's Deli Subs is a dedicated sandwich counter on Pacific Coast Highway known for stacked cold cuts, soft dark-sweet rolls, and a long board of signature creations. Regulars come for generous portions, crisp produce, and consistent execution that has quickly made it a go-to sandwich stop in South Torrance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baba's Deli #1 Sandwich (bold Cajun turkey on dark sweet wheat), Italian Submarine Sandwich, The Monster Special Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Independent deli laser-focused on overstuffed subs with top-tier ingredients.
8.4
Family-owned since 2001, TNT Aloha Cafe serves all-day Hawaiian breakfasts from a modest space in the Village Center at PCH and Vista Montana. Loco moco, fried rice plates, and Spam musubi skew hearty and comforting, drawing loyal regulars for island-style mornings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Loco Moco with hamburger patty and egg, Aloha Royal breakfast scramble, Spam Musubi
What Makes it Special: All-day Hawaiian breakfast plates like loco moco and fried rice in a casual, family-run setting.
8.3
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Kitchen Sodam is a newer, homestyle Korean spot off Crenshaw where the focus is on carefully cooked daily specials rather than spectacle. With a small dining room, tight menu, and very consistent praise for execution, it feels like a neighborhood canteen for stews, bibimbap, and lunchboxes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef bibimbap, Fish cake soup, Dosirak Korean lunch box
What Makes it Special: Compact, homestyle kitchen turning out carefully seasoned everyday Korean plates.
#4
Fanoos Grill
8.3
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
Fanoos Grill is a Persian-Mediterranean kebab house on Crenshaw where combo platters, stews, and charbroiled meats dominate the menu. Regulars come for saffron-scented rice, koobideh, and lamb chops that feel closer to a family gathering than a corporate chain. It’s one of the South Bay’s more complete Persian grills, with huge portions that make it easy to share.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combo #1 Beef & Chicken Koobideh, Chicken Shish Kabob Dinner, Ghormeh Sabzi with Lamb Shank
What Makes it Special: Persian kebab and stew specialist with big portions and depth.
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Tucker's Market & Deli is a family-run corner market that has quietly anchored Walteria for decades, with a deli counter turning out hefty Boar’s Head sandwiches. It’s the kind of place where locals grab an Italian sub, browse the coolers, and eat at the small outdoor setup after a round at the nearby golf course.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot Pastrami Sandwich, Italian Sub, Turkey Bacon Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Long-running market deli pairing Boar’s Head meats with throwback neighborhood charm.
8.2
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Ubon Thai Kitchen is a busy South Torrance standby inside the Torrance Crossroads center, known for deeply flavored curries, wok-fired noodles, and a broad menu that works for both dine-in and takeout. High review volume and steady crowds point to reliable execution, with standouts like khao soi and crispy pork drawing regulars from around the South Bay.
Must-Try Dishes:
Khao Soi, Crispy Pork with Chinese Broccoli, Pad See Ew
What Makes it Special: High-volume neighborhood Thai spot with broad menu and strong value.
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Y-Not Burgers is a long-running, family-owned stand on Hawthorne that has been serving hefty burgers, breakfasts, and drive-through comfort food to the South Bay for more than 30 years. Regulars lean on it for turkey and ostrich burgers, old-school combos, and fast, no-nonsense service that makes it an everyday burger option instead of a once-in-a-while splurge.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quarter-Pound Hamburger Combo, Ostrich Burger, Chili Burger
What Makes it Special: Decades-old family-run burger stand with turkey and ostrich options.
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Rosa’s La Cabana is a longstanding, family-run Mexican restaurant on Hawthorne Boulevard known for its wet burritos, rice and beans, and chile rellenos served in a mural-lined dining room. Regulars treat it as an everyday spot for comforting combination plates, friendly service, and prices that stay gentle even for big family dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada burrito wet in green sauce, Red tamales with rice and beans, Cheese enchiladas with house salsa
What Makes it Special: Decades-old family spot for classic combo plates at friendly prices.
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Seafood Town is a long-running Cantonese seafood spot known for big family-style platters of salt-and-pepper everything, whole fried fish, and bargain-priced lunch and dinner specials. It’s the South Torrance standby when families want classic banquet-style dishes without driving to the San Gabriel Valley.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salt and pepper pork chops, Honey walnut shrimp, Salt and pepper calamari
What Makes it Special: Classic Cantonese seafood house with big portions and sharp pricing.
8.1
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Jack's Pizza & Subs is a strip-mall standby where East Coast-style subs share the spotlight with pies, giving South Torrance a casual spot for toasted sandwiches and game-night takeout. Beyond the pizza, locals talk up the meatball, Philly-style cheesesteaks, and classic cold-cut combos built on sturdy rolls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Meatball Sub, Philly Cheesesteak, Jack's Special Cold-Cut Sub
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood pizza shop that takes its toasted subs as seriously as its pies.
8.1
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Pho Hana Restaurant is a long-running South Torrance staple for big bowls of Vietnamese noodle soup, vermicelli, and rice plates in a compact strip-mall dining room. Regulars rely on it for a broad menu, steady portions, and the convenience of quick service before or after errands along Hawthorne Boulevard.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Hana Special (rare steak, flank, brisket, tendon, meatball, tripe), Spring Rolls, Char-Broiled Pork Rice Plate
What Makes it Special: Broad Vietnamese menu with reliable pho, vermicelli, and rice plates at everyday prices.
#12
Mashawi Grill
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Mashawi Grill is a fast-casual Mediterranean counter on Crenshaw focused on shawarma plates, wraps, and kebob combos. It’s a go-to for quick chicken shawarma, gyro plates, and vegetarian sides when you want something more substantial than a sandwich but still relatively fast. The space is simple, but the pricing and portion size make it a strong everyday option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Plate, Mashawi Salad, Falafel Plate
What Makes it Special: Counter-service shawarma and kebob spot with generous, affordable plates.
#13
Good Vibes Pizza
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Good Vibes Pizza is a compact Hawthorne Boulevard shop focused on thin-crust New York–style pies, gluten-free cauliflower crusts, and a surprisingly broad menu of pastas, salads, and sandwiches. It’s a go-to for takeout and delivery when you want crisp, well-topped pizzas that stay light rather than greasy. Outdoor seating and vegan options make it easy for mixed dietary needs and casual family dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combination specialty pizza with sausage, pepperoni, and vegetables, Double Green pesto chicken and artichoke pizza, Garlic knots with marinara
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood pizzeria with strong value, gluten-free options, and broad toppings.
#14
Snax Superburger
8
Snax Superburger is a vintage-style counter on Sepulveda where griddled burgers, breakfast burritos, and Mexican plates share the same generously portioned menu. Locals treat it as a reliable all-day stop where a cheeseburger, wet burrito, or steak sandwich feels equally at home.
Must-Try Dishes:
Super Cheese Burger, Double Cheeseburger, Wet Burrito
What Makes it Special: Old-school Superburger counter layering big burgers with a full American–Mexican menu.
#15
Mama Says
8
Mama Says is a fast-casual Italian-leaning spot in a small Pacific Coast Highway center where lasagna rotates alongside lighter pastas, salads, and wraps. Regulars appreciate being able to pair a hearty baked pasta with greener options in a counter-service setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Lasagna (when available), Spaghetti Bolognese, Chicken Pesto Pasta
What Makes it Special: Mixes baked lasagna and pastas with customizable, lighter counter-service options.
Worthy Picks
#16
Sue's Kitchen
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Sue’s Kitchen is a bare-bones strip-mall shop that locals lean on for Taiwanese-style beef noodle soup, homestyle stir-fries, and generous portions at wallet-friendly prices. The room is tiny and no-frills, but regulars treat it as their everyday Chinese comfort stop on the Crenshaw corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taiwanese beef noodle soup, Beef roll, Green onion pancake
What Makes it Special: Tiny, no-frills spot with standout beef noodle soup value.
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Saffron Food Mart is a Persian market on PCH with a back counter serving daily Mediterranean and Middle Eastern plates. Shoppers and nearby workers drop in for stews, kabobs, and salads that feel homemade, then pick up breads, pastries, and pantry items on the way out. The setting is utilitarian, but the flavors and prices punch above what you’d expect from a grocery counter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Greek Salad, Chicken Kabob Plate, Lamb Shank Stew
What Makes it Special: Persian market with a full hot line of Mediterranean comfort plates.
#18
Kozo Sushi
7.7
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Kozo Sushi at Rolling Hills Plaza is a counter-service, takeout-forward sushi shop focused on affordable rolls, bowls, and party trays. Originating as a to-go concept, it’s popular with shoppers and nearby workers who want quick, reliable sushi without committing to a full restaurant meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salmon Lovers roll, Manager’s special spicy tuna bowl, Eel steak roll
What Makes it Special: Takeout-focused sushi shop delivering fast, inexpensive rolls and bowls.
#19
Wilson Burgers
7.7
Wilson Burgers is a small, family-run burger stand on PCH turning out hefty patties, breakfast burritos, and teriyaki plates at everyday prices. South Torrance regulars treat it as a no-fuss stop for drive-through comfort food and quick counter-service meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pastrami Cheeseburger, Breakfast Burrito, Teriyaki Chicken Plate
What Makes it Special: Old-school burger stand with breakfast burritos and drive-through convenience.
#20
Bamboo Song 2
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Bamboo Song 2 is a casual Vietnamese-focused spot at the edge of Torrance Crossroads where pho, vermicelli plates, and fried rice share menu space with a few Japanese-style combo plates. Diners use it as a convenient, budget-friendly option near Costco and the big-box cluster when they want a straightforward bowl of noodle soup or a quick sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bamboo Song Special pho, Spicy Bamboo Song Special pho, Vietnamese Crepe
What Makes it Special: One-stop, budget Vietnamese pho and plates right by Torrance Crossroads shopping.
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
El Burrito Jr on PCH is a no-frills drive-thru and counter-service joint focused on oversized burritos, breakfast plates, and basic tacos at very friendly prices. It’s the grab-and-go choice for surfers, students, and commuters who want something filling and familiar without getting out of the car.
Must-Try Dishes:
Super deluxe carne asada burrito, Carnitas burrito with salsa roja, Ceviche tostada with extra lime
What Makes it Special: Classic South Bay drive-thru for huge, budget-friendly burritos.
7.7
Artiano's is a counter-service Italian deli and pizzeria where antipasto salads, trays of pasta, and solid pies are built for take-home family meals. It’s more of a grab-and-go operation than a dine-in destination, but the comforting food and value-forward pricing make it a useful back-pocket option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni Pizza, Antipasto Salad, Meatball Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Italian deli-style counter turning out pizzas, pastas, and party trays.
#23
China Buffet
7.5
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Happy Hour Hotspots
China Buffet is a casual, high-volume all-you-can-eat option where families and groups graze on steam tables of chow mein, garlic fish, sushi, and honey chicken for a set price. Quality can vary by time of day, but for an inexpensive, mix-and-match Chinese-American buffet in 90505, it’s the default choice.
Must-Try Dishes:
Honey chicken, Garlic fish, Mongolian beef
What Makes it Special: Inexpensive all-you-can-eat Chinese-American buffet with wide variety.