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Billy Vasquez, the 99 Cent Chef, has put together a blog and video guide to "dining and drinking establishments within the shadows of the arriving and departing giant silver birds" at Los Angeles International Airport. He starts at Randy's Donuts, and why not?
Crowned by a giant 22-foot sculpted glazed doughnut, this landmark drive-thru features coffee and classic all-American pastries for under a dollar. Or quench your thirst with $5 Cokes at a strip club on Century Boulevard featuring performers sans pasties. How about a fresh-made fruit cup for a few bucks at a fruit cart? And down the street is El Sabroso Mariscos taco truck, with an incredible red snapper fish ceviche tostada for a buck twenty-five (one of the best deals around) and carnitas tacos that are just as satisfying. For a thirst-quencher, drop into the all day happy hour at Bar Melody, where pints of draught beer go for $3, paired with a killer appetizer of "Elvis (jumbo buffalo) Wings." Finally, grab a double-double right across the street at In-And-Out Burger, and see why the locals consider it a California classic.
Not everything he recommends costs under a buck: "the Chef has opened his pocketbook wide for these dining deals."
Semi-related: The price of Trader Joe's swilly Two Buck Chuck would go over $2 if the state tax on wine bumps up to 29 cents (from four cents now.)