Best of SGV

Where can I eat well for under $20 in the SGV?

Big flavor, small bill. The SGV specialty.

Fresh ranking. Your vote shapes it.

The short answer

Locals' current top pick for cheap eats in the SGV is Banh Mi Hoa Phat 2 in San Gabriel, followed by The Hat in Monterey Park and L'moon Creamery in Arcadia. Best is relative, so filter by price and vibe below, and vote for the pick you'd stand behind.

#1Banh Mi Hoa Phat 2San Gabriel · Vietnamese · $4.9

"Vietnamese spot in San Gabriel. Banh mi."

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#2The HatMonterey Park · American · $4.7

"American spot in Monterey Park. Pastrami."

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#3L'moon CreameryArcadia · Dessert · $4.7

"Dessert spot in Arcadia. Ice cream."

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#4Nick'sPasadena · American · $4.7

"American spot in Pasadena. Breakfast."

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#5Y.our CafeSan Marino · Cafe · $4.7

"San Marino cafe with a modern Chinese and drinks menu."

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#6Navis BakeryRosemead · Mexican · $4.6

"Navis Bakery in Rosemead might give your favorite Cuban spots a run for their money. Their chicken tamales pack heat from the salsa verde, and the meat stays surprisingly moist."

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#8Super BurgerPasadena · American · $4.6

"American spot in Pasadena. Burgers."

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#9Connal'sPasadena · American · $4.6

"American spot in Pasadena. Burgers."

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#10Pronto DonutsMonterey Park · Donuts · $4.5

"In Monterey Park, Pronto Donuts is slinging donuts, burgers, and subs all under one roof."

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#11Guadalajara ExpressEl Monte · Mexican · $4.5

"Budget-friendly Mexican breakfast stop."

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#12Tortas MexicoPasadena · Mexican · $4.5

"Mexican spot in Pasadena. Tortas."

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#13Hue Thai BakeryRosemead · Vietnamese · $4.4

"Hue Thai Bakery in Rosemead is a go-to for banh mi done right. Their #1 special is packed with all the meats, crisp veggies, and a perfect mix of pate and mayo."

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#14Burrito ExpressPasadena · SGV · $4.4

"If you're craving a fast and delicious burrito, Burrito Express in Pasadena has been doing it right since 1978."

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#15Tacos La DoñaMonrovia · Mexican · $4.4

"Mexican spot in Monrovia. Tacos."

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#16Lucky BoyPasadena · American · $4.4

"American spot in Pasadena. Breakfast burrito."

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#17Namaste SpicelandPasadena · Indian · $4.4

"Indian spot in Pasadena. Vegetarian."

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#18Tori Tori Shabu N SushiArcadia · Japanese · $4.4

"Arcadia shabu and sushi spot combining hot pot and Japanese fare in one sitting."

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#19Secret TacoSan Gabriel · Mexican · $4.3

"If you love tacos packed with flavor, Secret Taco is a must-try. The smoky char on the meat is incredible, and their al pastor with pineapple on top is delicious."

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#20Kim Kee Noodle CafeMonterey Park · Cafe · $4.3

"Affordable Chiu Chow/Hong Kong style noodle and cafe dishes with strong value."

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#21Big E’s TeriyakiRosemead · Japanese · $4.3

"Japanese spot in Rosemead. Teriyaki."

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#22Saigon Bakery & SandwichesSan Gabriel · Vietnamese · $4.3

"Vietnamese spot in San Gabriel. Banh mi."

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#23Pho HuynhEl Monte · Vietnamese · $4.3

"Vietnamese spot in El Monte. Pho."

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#24El Picosito Mexican FoodDuarte · Mexican · $4.3

"Mexican spot in Duarte. Tacos."

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#25Factory Tea BarSan Gabriel · Boba · $4.3

"Boba spot in San Gabriel. Boba."

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#26Oh My Pan Bakery & CafeSan Gabriel · Bakery · $4.3

"Bakery spot in San Gabriel. Bakery."

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#27El Taco NazoBaldwin Park · Mexican · $4.3

Order: Fish tacos

"El Taco Nazo in Baldwin Park came through the SGV Eats sweep around fish taco recommendations. It is a casual SGV taco stop with fish and shrimp tacos as the obvious move."

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#28Panda Innovation KitchenPasadena · Chinese · $4.2

"Panda Innovation Kitchen in Pasadena has stuff you won't find in regular Panda Express locations, like the scallion pancake burrito and more."

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#29Yi MeiSan Gabriel · Taiwanese · $4.2

"Taiwanese spot in San Gabriel. Taiwanese breakfast."

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#30Tasty ChoiceSan Gabriel · Chinese · $4.2

"Chinese spot in San Gabriel. Rice plates."

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#31KW CafeRowland Heights · Cantonese · $4.2

"Hong Kong Cafe spot in Rowland Heights. HK cafe."

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#32Curry TimeEl Monte · Indian · $4.2

"Indian spot in El Monte. Indian."

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#33Harlam’s KitchenRosemead · Chinese · $4.1

"Affordable Chinese hole-in-the-wall."

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#34Tacos EnsenadaEl Monte · Mexican · $4.1

"Mexican spot in El Monte. Fish tacos."

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#36Oriental Express CafeSan Gabriel · Cafe · $4.0

"Budget-friendly Chinese cafe and lunch-special stop."

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#37President Square Food CourtArcadia · Food Court · $4.0

"A compact Arcadia food court where seven or so stalls cover a lot of ground: hand-cooked noodle soups, a Taiwanese-style combo deli, Korean tofu, ramen, sushi, pastries, and boba."

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#38Fuxing SpringMonterey Park · Chinese · $3.9

"If you're looking for value, Fuxing Spring in Monterey Park is tough to beat."

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#39Kang Kang Food CourtAlhambra · Chinese · $3.9

"Kang Kang Food Court is the kind of place you go to when you want something affordable, filling, and packed with flavor."

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#40Mojie NoodleArcadia · Chinese · $3.9

"Affordable Chinese noodle hole-in-the-wall."

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#41Grand HarborTemple City · Dim Sum · $3.8

"If you want a spot in SGV with a huge menu and a touch of elegance, Grand Harbor in Temple City might surprise you. You can go for dim sum or dinner."

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#42CocohodoRowland Heights · Dessert · $3.7

"Dessert spot in Rowland Heights. Walnut pastry."

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#43MJ Valley CafeAlhambra · Cafe · $3.5

"MJ Valley is the type of neighborhood restaurant people return to when they want a reliable meal."

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#44Milk & Co CafeMonterey Park · Cantonese · $3.5

Order: Rice Rolls

"Milk & Co. is the kind of Hong Kong cafe where you come for affordable comfort food, big portions, and old school flavors that still feel hard to find in SGV."

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