Top 3 Holes in the Los Angeles Walls

The sensors of budget travelers are acute to the signs of a cheap eat.  The steam rising from the table-length stovetops, its fog smelling vaguely of onions and disinfectant; the symphonic crackling of grease drowning out the chatter at the red-checkered picnic tables in the back; the restaurant barely visible on the street, growing from a wall as a flower from a sidewalk crack. Luckily, in Los Angeles, you won't need to look very hard. Lots of eating is at holes-in-the-wall, and a list of only three is so inextensive it's a travesty. Nonetheless, here are the top three places this intrepid traveler has found so far. 

Pink's is an experience. The line wraps around this hot-dog stand, and it's not all tourists—I saw families in Mercedes pulling into the small parking lot. Pink's is even a stop on the Star Line tour buses. But fame hasn't done anything to the prices. You can still get a 9in. chili dog for under $4. The line moves pretty quickly (about 30min.) and the beautiful dogs (and burgers) are well worth it. Located on the corner of Melrose and La Brea, it's a great break from the shopping you'll be doing at Melrose's thrift stores. It's hard to miss: the place in pink.

Cactus Taqueria is truly local. Located right near the intersection of Vine and Santa Monica, it's an easy jaunt from the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (a must-go if you want to see Hollywood stars on a budget— even though they're in the ground). It's only open for lunch (10:30am-3pm), so grab a fish burrito, cactus salad, and a horchata for about $10 and you won't need to eat until the sun's long set.

Krazy BBQ—okay, it's not a "hole in the wall." It's a truck. But trucks are your friend when you're in Venice or Santa Monica and all the bars just closed on you. Krazy BBQ was parked near the intersection of Abbot Kinney and Venice Blvd. when I was out in Venice, where there's a thriving no-cover scene. It wasn't as popular as the truck right next to it, but the food is more than greasy enough for a vodka-lined stomach, and I got it in 10min. as opposed to 30.  Steak burrito: $7. 

These are just the gems I've found, and they're in the areas where you'll probably be hoofing and hungry. No matter where you go, though, you should be able to find a place that'll serve you a meal on a styrofoam plate.