Best Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Mexican Restaurants in Mid-City
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Comedor Tenchita
A 76-year-old Oaxacan grandmother cooks rotating Zapoteco moles and handmade antojitos on a backyard comal every Sunday in Mid-City
Notable Picks
8
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Doña Hortensia Melchor runs a Sundays-only backyard comedor in Mid-City, rotating handcrafted Zapoteco moles and Tlacolula antojitos that shift weekly—rare regional preparations like higaditos that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere in LA. The format is a residential backyard with colorful tablecloths, a live comal, and festive energy, so come for the depth of the Oaxacan home-cooking tradition rather than any polished dining experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tlayuda, Molotes, Black Mole with Chicken and Rice
What Makes it Special: A 76-year-old Oaxacan grandmother cooks rotating Zapoteco moles and handmade antojitos on a backyard comal every Sunday in Mid-City
Worthy Picks
7.8
A casual Oaxacan kitchen where moles, memelas, and tlayudas lead a menu built for everyday cravings. It’s strip-mall simple inside, but the flavors hit with regional depth and steady quality. Review volume is solid for the area, reinforcing its role as a dependable neighborhood workhorse.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole negro plate, Memelas with asiento, Tlayuda Oaxaqueña
What Makes it Special: Oaxacan staples at everyday prices with real mole craft.
Evening street-stand tacos under the freeway that locals line up for. The appeal is simple: well-charred meats, properly warmed tortillas, and quick, no-frills satisfaction.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada taco, Al pastor taco, Mulita
What Makes it Special: Classic LA taco stand with real neighborhood loyalty.
#4
Pobres Tacos
7.6
A family-run street-style taco stand known for juicy birria and seafood tacos, operating on a limited evening schedule. It’s a low-key stop with serious flavor payoff, especially when you want something local and unpolished rather than a full sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria tacos, Shrimp tacos, Quesabirria with consommé
What Makes it Special: Old-school taco-stand birria with a cult-local following.