Grand Central Market downtown is complete tourist hell now. $12 for Eggslut's mediocre sandwich - cold eggs, soggy bread, awful line system. Total ripoff for Instagram bait.

Real LA eats: Mariscos Jalisco truck at corner of 1st & Boyle in Boyle Heights. $2.25 fried shrimp tacos made to order - they butterfly fresh shrimp right there. Their salsa verde will melt your face but it's proper technique. Cash only, open daily.

Guelaguetza (3014 W Olympic Blvd, Koreatown) for legit Oaxacan mole. Skip tourist-level negro mole - order coloradito if you want heat. Night + Market WeHo (9041 Sunset Blvd) does Thai that actually respects the cuisine instead of dumbing it down.

Both spots under $25 per person, no markup BS. Real food, real prices, real flavor.