Recession Obsession: Eating On The Red Line

The Official Recession has been upon us for thirteen official months. It’s still not a reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we’ve got plenty of cheap options! We last enjoyed our pick of big plates of Korean food at the Koreatown Galleria Food Court.

Those who bemoan Los Angeles' lack of underground transportation haven't discovered the Red Line. Metro's Downtown-to-North-Hollywood (and back) line stops at a variety of wonderful places. It's also clean, fast, and runs shockingly close to schedule.

A Red Line ride adds up to zero parking-induced headaches, and interesting dining options -- it traverses below a landscape that features, perhaps, speakers of a hundred languages. There's plenty of this grub doesn't cost much. The only expense is more shoe leather than you'd spend in your Prius. That's why Eating On The Red Line is LAist's latest Recession Obsession. Expect $5-$10/person meals, along with your $1.50 fare.

Red Line Dating

The jazzy alt-marching band Killsonic, will play the Red Line on Saturday January 31st. If you mix this performance with a meal from one of the below eateries (listed according to station,) you'll have a recession-friendly date which won't soon be forgotten. Catch Killsonic from 4pm to 10pm.

North Hollywood

• Philadelphia Sandwiches on Magnolia serves up guiltily delicious cheese steaks.

Universal City

• In-N-Out Burger is one you already know.
• Good breakfast is served at Good Neighbors.

Hollywood & Highland

• Mediterranean Fresh is open late.

Hollywood & Vine

• Get Molly’s Charbroiled before the bulldozer does!

Hollywood & Western

• Thai Town is loved by Thai people and suburban gringos alike.
• Rincon Oaxaqueno is a treat for those who enjoy Oaxacan Mexican food.

Vermont & Sunset

• Yuca’s On Hollywood is the sit-down version of the Los Feliz institution.
• Paru's Indian Vegetarian has a specialty. Can you guess it?
• There’s a Fruit Cart parked up a block from the Metro. It’s $3 for the small mix (with lime and chili,) and $5 for the large which seems enough to feed a few.

Vermont & Santa Monica

• El Gran Burrito is a reliable, outdoor Mexican cafeteria, open 24/7.
• Guatemalteca Bakery Restaurant has Central American meals and desserts.

Vermont & Beverly

• Get your pupusa fix at Atlacatl.

Wilshire & Vermont

• Kowloon Dim Sum is known for really cheap shu mai, dumplings and steamed buns.

Westlake & MacArthur Park

• Mama’s Tamales has more kinds of tamales than you knew existed.

7th Street & Metro Center

• Nazos is a cheap Downtown lunch alternative.

Pershing Square

• Grand Central Market has something for everyone and then some.

Civic Center

• Critics and wallets alike love Little Tokyo's Daikokuya.

Union Station

• Phillipe's has been making delicious French Dip sandwiches for about 100 years. Their longevity is no accident.
• Doomie’s Home Cookin’ is popular with your herbivore friends.

Thanks to LAist staffers for their contributions!

Mediterranean Fresh photo by Tom Andrews for LAist
Ord Noodle photo by Zach Behrens for LAist
Grand Central Market photo by Caleb Bacon for LAist

Where do you like to eat off of the Red Line that doesn’t cost a million bucks? Comment below!