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In these troubling economic times, feeding the beast seems like the hardest thing to do. Well lucky for you, I’m a starving college student living in my dad’s garage and struggling to feed my girlish figure without totally going chapter 11. So, I’ve been hard at work looking for the best places to grab a bite without going broke.

1. Thai House Express

2099 S Atlantic Blvd

Monterey Park, CA 91754

The lunch special from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is one of the best deals in food I’ve seen so far that’s not greasy fast food. For someone who likes to eat (like yours truly!), this deal offers a salad, an entrée and your choice of a milk tea, thai tea or soda for only about $6 and some change. My favorite is the Orange Chicken, but the Pad Thai is also really good.

You can order out or sit inside, but for both be prepared to wait. Since the food is made there, it can take a while to get your food but it’s totally worth it. There is also a sit down version of the restaurant with the same name in the Atlantic shopping center across the street, but it’s more of a sit down restaurant and, rumor has it, the prices are a dollar more so you can leave that for your splurging days.

Thai House Express only accepts cash, but the sit down restaurant accepts all major credit cards with a minimum purchase of $20. The location is a little confusing because technically it’s located on Floral Ave. across from the McDonalds, but it’s address is on Atlantic Blvd.

2. El Ranchero

511 S Garfield Avenue

Alhambra, CA 91801

Ah, tacos. Who doesn’t love a good taco now and then? Well, luckily for us El Ranchero has graciously provided my friends and I with a new Monday night ritual: $0.50 tacos! It was like a sign from heaven the first time I tried them. If you’re not brave enough to venture out into the wide world of taco trucks, then this is the next best thing. As you might guess though, it tends to get pretty packed so it’s best to just order it to go then grab some beers and then eat 'em at home. They have all the usual meats --even lengua for those brave enough to eat it. Also, try not to be too hard on the girl at the counter. She looked pretty exhausted when she took our order, but there were still like 10 people behind us. El Ranchero is cash only.

3. Chai For Tea

2 E Main Street

Suite 2

Alhambra, CA 91804

The cool thing about this place is that if you order any of the teas and it’s too sweet for you, they’ll remake it to your liking free of charge. The people are totally friendly and the food is pretty darn good. Like Thai House, they have a pretty moderately priced lunch special though it doesn’t come with any extra amenities. The other cool thing about this place is that it also has a selection of board games to play while you wait. It’s located in the heart of downtown Alhambra across the street from the Renaissance Plaza so if you happen to have some extra cash you can hit a movie or satisfy that chocolate craving you know you have at Temptations.

Food wise, everything is pretty good, but my favorites include the steamed or fried dumplings, orange chicken and the green tea chicken salad. Everything on the menu is priced under $8 and they also have a pretty decent menu for our vegetarian friends. They don’t deliver, but you can order ahead and they accept all major credit cards.

4. King Torta

4507 Valley Blvd

Ste 102

Los Angeles, CA 90032

If you live in Alhambra, you’ve probably heard of the deliciousness that is King Torta. If not, then let me educate you. It’s bomb. Plain and simple.

I like to think of myself as somewhat of an authority on tortas because I’m pretty sure I’ve tried every torta from here to San Diego, but I’d have to say that I’ve always compared each to that of this restaurants delicious creations. I’ve been going there for as long as I can remember and, it seems, that they get even more delicious over time. And at less than 4 bucks each, the price isn’t bad either.

The other thing that isn’t bad: the hard shell tacos. At only a buck-fifty they are, by far, the best tacos for the price. The best part is that they pack the tacos with cheese, lettuce and tomatoes so even when you’re done with the taco; you still have mountains of leftovers to fill you up even if the tacos don’t. The hard shell tacos are only offered with carnitas, but the soft shell tacos can be made with the meat that you want. They also offer nachos, quesadillas, other staple Mexican foods and the Orchata is also something to marvel at. As is the Jamaica. They don’t deliver, but they accept all major credit cards.

5. Wendy’s

Various locations

Okay, so Wendy’s isn’t the healthiest place to eat, but from experience it’s the one fast food restaurant that doesn’t make me want to chuck it in the parking lot. The food is slightly less greasy than the others and the deluxe meals give you a lot of food for really cheap. You either get a deluxe cheeseburger or a chicken deluxe, medium fry and medium drink, all for under 5 bucks. That’s pretty damn good if you ask me. Plus, if you live in Alhambra and you’re hurting for gas, the Alhambra Community Transit quarter-bus (25 cents!) will drop you off right in front of both locations.

Eat Good. Eat Cheap.

By Anastacia