This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
All This For Under $10
A Recession Obsession is, 1) a meal so great that it sticks in your mind long after digestion's end, and, 2) plays nice with your sensitive wallet. Is there a better place than Los Angeles to eat a wide variety of amazing food that so happens to be inexpensive? Probably not. We're as lucky as we are well fed. We last obsessed over @theGastrobus, and El Pollo "Loco." Today we obsess...
“Oh, look at that place,” said a friend of a small coffee shop tucked away behind a Downtown Culver City parking structure. “We should totally go there sometime.”
“Yeah riiight,” I replied snarkily. “Who would voluntarily grub at a coffee shop in an alley?”
For a moment, I forgot who I was, because the answer clearly was: this Recession Obsessionst. That breakfast-and-lunch-only spot (with according hours) features one of the cheapest meals I’ve had in Los Angeles. (Look, I’m not talking about a meal that consists of one lonely taco and LA River water, Smart Guy.) This meal was of enjoyable, standard breakfast diner fare.
That tucked-away coffee shop in Culver City is Tokyo 7-7, and it’s LAist’s latest Recession Obsession.
See. I Told You.
Breakfast is Served (But Not Dinner)
The menu features three breakfast specials (good before 11 a.m.) which are $2.95 each. While none of these standard morning-time specials are so large that they'll break the weight of Denny’s largest Grand Slam (or equal its caloric mass,) these specials are definitely full meals. (Sorry Smart Guy, you can't get me on the size technicality this time.)
Pictured are two of those specials, plus an extra two eggs and English muffin. All of the above cost under $10. The proof of this sizable meal for two is pictured to the right.
While the sheer joy of this discount is enough to want to run down there, the food is a crowd pleaser. Yelpers rate this joint four stars, across 174 reviews. (And, yes, Smart Guy, I know that McDonald’s has served over a terrabillion hamburgers.) While popularity doesn’t equal the highest quality, no one here is claiming to have been this close to making this season's "Top Chef." These days, I find that refreshing.
While the fare is that sort of simple greasiness which isn't too hard to mess up, Tokyo 7-7 definitely doesn’t mess it up. Dig between your couch cushions, find a $3 bill, and head down to the coffee shop behind the parking garage on Cardiff. What do you have to lose other than a $3 bill?
Photos by Caleb Bacon (Twitter) for LAist.
Comment Below!
