Cheap Eats: Gordita

(not my actual lunch)
Headed to Los Altenos Taqueria in Canoga Park with a fiver in my hand and a hole in my belly. Was it possible to get lunch for $5 or less there? The menu had a handful of choices, along with more than a dozen options between $6 and $8.

Lincoln Lunch choices included a torta for $4.65, a tostada de ceviche for $1.70 each, and these options for $5 each: a torta with sauce, huevos with ham, huevos rancheros, scrambled eggs with rice and beans, and a gordita.

I ordered the pork gordita and it came with a basket of chips that the server refilled without me asking. This was my first gordita and very tasty. In case you haven't had one, a gordita is a four-inch round, thick corn pancake, grilled on both sides and slightly bland, which nicely complements the delicious filling. Mine was cut in half, with the top was spread with refried beans and the bottom topped with chunks of stringy pork in red sauce, shredded lettuce, and salsa. On the side was scoops of guac, sour cream, and more salsa. It looked small on the menu, but hours later I'm still pleasantly full.

The total with tax came to $5.41, plus a dollar tip. Visit the Taqueria at 21109 Sherman Way in Canoga Park. 818-992-1814.