Cheap Fast Eats in the Valley: Iconic hot dogs, classic Cubanos and hip-hop gyro platters for around $10

The vast swath of land over the hill known as the San Fernando Valley has its own vibe, and we're diving in.

At this point, LAist has explored over 60 restaurants in and around L.A. in our never-ending journey to discover the best meals to be had across Los Angeles for around $10. But somehow, this is our first proper outing to the Valley itself.

The West Valley neighborhoods of Canoga Park and Winnetka felt like a great place to start, with everything from classic eateries to immigrant-owned establishments.

Here are five of our favorite dishes — including bites from Latin America, L.A.-style chili dogs, Halal chicken and lamb platters, Korean barbecue burritos — that make for a perfect summation of the valley's rich tapestry of cultures and cuisines.

Cupid's Hot Dogs

A chili dog with cheese, and the Chicago Dog.

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This hot dog stand brims with the kind of retro charm we can never get enough of, with a menu to match. Cupid's Hot Dogs has delighted locals for nearly 80 years. It’s been owned and operated by the Walsh family for generations, expanding to several locations. Now it's run by sisters Morgan and Kelly, who took over from their father, Rick, who took it over from his parents, Richard and Bernice Walsh, who started the business.

Start with a Cupid Dog ($5.75), featuring an all-beef hot dog with a natural casing that provides a good snap when bitten into — the mark of a quality dog. It's then topped with their signature chili, made with finely ground beef swimming in a velvety sauce, no beans. It provides an exquisite topping for the dog lying underneath a thin drizzle of yellow mustard and finely diced white onions. I suggest adding grated cheese for that hint of sharpness to the flavor profile.

Given each dog is only a little over $5, you might have room in the budget for a second. It’s a tight menu with only about five options to choose from. So go for the Chicago Dog ($6.75), with yellow mustard, diced white onions, the requisite Chicago-style neon-green relish, two half moons of sliced tomatoes tucked into the bun along a pickle spear, pickled sport peppers for just a touch of briney heat and a dusting of celery salt.

Cupid's take on this Midwestern favorite is accurate, minus the poppy seed bun. However, the fresh-tasting toppings are so transformative you'll barely miss it. Wash down your two hot dogs with a shot of a fountain drink of your choice (.99 cents) and revel in the glory of one of the San Fernando Valley's most iconic bites.

A Cupid Dog — that's a dog with chili — being prepared at Cupid's Hot Dogs.

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Aye Papa Que Rico

1/2 Chicken Combo and Cubano sandwich at Aye Papa Que Rico.

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A place that's almost as fun to visit as it is to say. At Aye Papa Que Rico in Canoga Park, you'll find various dishes best described as pan-Latino. Let us explain: The owners are Cuban, but they noticed most of their customers came from other parts of Latin America, including Mexico, El Salvador, and Colombia. So, they expanded their menu offerings to accommodate everyone's tastes. There's also a full-service panaderia and a juice bar serving up licuados (Mexican-style fruit smoothies).

The first item that caught my eye is the Cubano ($14.99). I’m a lifelong sandwich fan, and the Cubano is one of the all-time greats. The foot-long affair arrives at your table, sliced on the bias, revealing the roasted pork, mortadella, melted Swiss cheese, mayo, mustard and sliced pickles inside. It's all pressed together on Cuban bread, which rides the line between a French baguette and an Italian-style sub roll with the textured outside and soft inside making for an excellent bite.

It also comes with a side of green salsa. Yes, you read that correctly. Aye Papa embraces a sense of Latinidad, down to the condiments. A proper splash of the good green stuff brings a rush of spice-tinged acidity that will make you wonder why more people aren’t doing this to their Cubano.

For the same price as the Cubano, you can also opt for their 1/2 Chicken Combo ($14.99), which is citrus-marinated and then flamed grilled that will make you think of backyard barbecues with friends and family while an oldies soundtrack plays in the background. The meal includes your choice of sides: black or pinto beans, rice, plantains, tortillas and salsa, enough to feed two people or take leftovers home.

Make sure to take advantage of the Latin American sodas available. We opted for Ironbeer (not really beer), a Cuban soft drink with a similar taste to Dr. Pepper but more fruit-forward. You'll undoubtedly say to yourself, "Que rico!" at the end of your meal as you lick your fingers afterward.

The exterior at Aye Papa Que Rico, where Latin foods all come together.

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Chilenazo

Spinach and cheese empanadas at Chilenazo, served alongside a green salad and dipping sauces.

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There’s a strip mall everywhere in this part of town. But sometimes, you get lucky, and there are two gems situated right next to each other: Chilenazo is located only a few doors down from Aye Papa Que Rico.

The humble yet cozy space specializes in bakery and cafe items from Chile. When quality empanadas are on offer, we are there. Favorites include the seasoned ground beef, made with minced onions, hard-boiled eggs, black olives, and raisins. There's also a range of vegetarian options that include spinach, as well as a mushroom and cheese version — $4 each. All featured a golden brown crust that gives the impression they were made with the utmost care. If you are there for lunch, opt for one of the specials, which comes with two empanadas with a side of fries ($12) or salad ($13).

There’s also the humita ($8), a South American tamal originating with the indigenous Quechua people. The name refers to the preparation method: Fresh corn is pounded into a paste and then formed into a coarse masa dough seasoned with onion and basil and then wrapped in a corn husk. Another distinguishing aspect is their size. They're enormous, almost double or triple that of a Mexican-style tamal. Once unwrapped, pour some of the signature salsa for a bite that encapsulates sweetness and a slight spice.

Let's top off the meal by grabbing a chilenito ($4). It’s an elegant cookie sandwich dessert that is a close relative of the Argentinian alfajores, only it’s filled with manjar, Chile's version of dulce de leche, and then lightly dipped in meringue. The combination of textures from the cookie wafer, the creamy filling, and the tanginess of the outer layer of the meringue makes a perfect final chorus.

The interior at Chilenazo, where there are many bites to choose from.

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New York Chicken & Gyro

Drip wings at New York Chicken & Gyro.

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We have long been fascinated by New York City's halal street carts. Like the taco stands in L.A., they're primarily immigrant-operated and found on almost every corner.

Much to our delight, popular chains like The Halal Guys, which originated in NYC, have finally spread West. Now, enter New York Chicken & Gyro, which has locations here, West L.A. and Pasadena. There’s a lot tp love about this place, starting with a large graffiti mural that's an equal ode to New York and Los Angeles culture, signifying their peaceful coexistence. Then there's the booming hip-hop score along with the many flatscreen TVs playing seemingly everything from sports to cult films, all of which manage to capture a specific vibe.

There are plenty of options, from gyros made with fluffy pita bread to burgers and fries. But it was the platter section of the menu that we ended up drifting towards. There's seemingly a little bit of everything to choose from, including fried swai and falafel. We decided to go with the mix platter ($11.43). It contains a combination of marinated chicken chunks and ribbons of grilled lamb, mixed with grilled onions and served over a bed of basmati rice alongside a simple house salad topped with their savory sauce that provides a bright, creamy acidity. It's plenty of food, that's for sure, so you can plan on leftovers. Stir it up with your fork for a stellar combination of textures and flavors we couldn't seem to get enough of.

If you want to kick things into overdrive, go for the Drip Wings ($12.47). These half-dozen fried chicken wings are drowned in house-made sauces, including white, barbecue, and hot sauce sprinkled with paprika. Something about the Frankenstein combination of the sauces and the crispy texture of the fried chicken batter seriously appeals to the senses. Just remember to grab a few extra napkins beforehand.

The exterior of the New York Chicken & Gyro.

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Maru Bowl-ritto

The Bulgogi Kimchi Ritto at Maru Bowl-Ritto.

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For our last and final stop, we visited, you guessed it … another restaurant in another strip mall. That's right, but this time, and maybe we’ve just entered the “curiouser and curiouser” portion of our voyage through the wild and wonderful West Valley, the spots seem to be getting smaller. No worries, though, as it only adds to the charm.

Maru Bowl-ritto is a name that piqued my curiosity. The counter-only space offers Korean rice bowls and what they playfully call Korean burritos. But what exactly is a Korean burrito here? Picture a giant sushi roll enveloped in a generous seaweed sheet with an outer layer of white rice. Inside, you'll find a delightful mix of marinated beef bulgogi, fresh Kimchi, fried onion, curly bits of lettuce, cucumber and a fried egg. And if you're up for a kick, you can make it spicy. Trust me, it's a pleasant heat that won't overpower your taste buds but only enhances the flavors. The spicy kimchi, sweet-tasting bulgogi and the added vegetables sing perfectly together, making this an excellent lunch on the go.

Maru Bowl-Ritto

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