Lincoln Lunch: Mexican
Drum roll please. My first picture of an actual Lincoln Lunch is above. I finally bought a camera, remembered to bring it to work and took a picture of my meal - albeit a few bites in. Ta da!
I'm learning that to find a continuous stream of Lincoln Lunches, what I call a $5 meal because Lincoln is on the five dollar bill, one has to love Mexican food.
Initially I had hoped to find a non-Mexican cheap meal at Los Chilenos in Canoga Park, a Chilean restaurant that specializes in empanadas. It's not that I don't love Mexican food, I just wanted variety. But the prices at Los Chilenos were above my threshold. (The lunch buffet was $7.95, not a good sign).
So I headed next door to Taqueria El Parian, where a TV broadcast a futbol game in Spanish and burnt red tile floors and tables filled the restaurant.
Table service was speedy and I ended up getting...
...my order of two mini tacos with rice and beans before finishing the ample basket of free chips and salsa. The pico de gallo salsa was delicious, really fresh with just a hint of spice. The chips were average.
The $4.50 taco combo, which is not on their printed menu but appears on a board displaying specials near the register, was also satisfying. I chose a chicken and a carnitas taco, which I ate with the rice, beans, sour cream, lettuce and guacamole on my plate. When the tacos were gone I scooped up the left overs with my chips. Everything was tasty except for the guacamole, which was watered down.
There are a few other Lincoln Lunch options on the menu. The regular burrito is $4.20, tortas are $4.50, and a tostada with meat is $3.50. A super burrito is $5.55 and a combo plate with three tacos, rice, beans and a soda is $5.55. Not too shabby.
Visit them at 8414 Topanga Canyon Blvd north of Roscoe on the east side of the street. (818) 704-0256.
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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There's always Carney's on Ventura if you're looking to go for $5 or under.
I believe you can also do it at Bronco (Mexican) on Woodman & Moorpark. Excellent tortas.
Salad bars should count as well.
Baja Fresh isn't bad for tacos, etc. I also like Stonefire Grill at Victory and Fallbrook. Also, I think Bronco (mentioned by Chuy) is now located inside a market at Burbank and Hazeltine (northeast corner, I believe). I don't know whether the Moorpark location is closed, or whether this is a second location for them. I got a coupon for their new location, which is good thru Monday. I still like Subway for a deal, especially when they have coupons in the newspapers.