Pa Ord’s tom yum boat noodle soup, $4

In no particular order, here’s my Top 10 Best Los Angeles Eastside Cheap Eats Under $5. Cheap doesn’t mean low-quality, it means exceptionally tasty food! This is what l love and happily devour over a sad little truffle-sauced whatever any day.

1) Thai Boat Noodle Soup from Pa Ord in Hollywood: Savory broth, your choice of noodles, toppings and heat quotient for the price of a Sunday paper! Pa Ord Noodle, 5301 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, 323-461-3945

Taiwanese shaved ice with dough balls – my fave! $3

2) Taiwanese slush from Shau May in MPK: Greatest post-Chinese meal dessert. Your choice of 3 toppings ranging from boba to sweet oatmeal, a mountain of finely shaved ice topped with sugar water and condensed milk. Delish! Shau May, 104 N. Garfield Ave., Monterey Park, 626-571-2727

El Sauz’ carne asada burrito & Vicious Dogs’ Sweet N’ Spicy, $3.99

3) Carne asada burrito from El Sauz in Glendale: Two-handed burritos with the greatest street-quality mounds of joyously-flavored carne asada stuffed in a fluffy, deliciously lardy flour tortilla. El Sauz, 4432 San Fernando Rd., Glendale, 818-246-9701

4) Sweet & Spicy Kielbasa from Vicious Dogs in NoHo: I’m a hot dog connoisseur. This is hands down the best hot dog in L.A. Vicious Dogs, 5231 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-985-3647

Family Pastry’s pineapple buns, rice cake and pork dumpling–as pictured, $3.50

5) Pineapple bun & friends from Family Pastry in Chinatown: Three generations of Hong Kong Chinese can’t be wrong! These are the best pineapple buns anywhere. The sweet rice cakes and pork dumplings are pretty damn good too. Family Pastry, 715 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, 213-622-5255

Pupusas revueltas from Atlacatl, $3.75

6) 2 Pupusas Revueltas & a side of black beans from Atlacatl in L.A.: The best pupusas in L.A. meet the most flavorful, lardyful black refried beans in L.A. For all the talk of lard, everything is surprisingly not oily and packs a bounty of porky-cheesy flavor. Atlacatl, 301 N. Berendo St., Los Angeles, 323-663-1404

2 (giant) carnitas tacos at La Fuente, $4

7) 2 Carnitas Tacos from La Fuente #3 in Eagle Rock: The tastiest, crispiest carnitas I’ve ever had. Made fresh daily! La Fuente #3, 2256 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, 323-258-4303

Sam Woo in Alhambra: My favorite wonton soup in the SGV

8) Wonton Noodle Soup from Sam Woo in Alhambra: The last of the OG Sam Woos with the familiar smells, sticky floors and “C” rating on the window. Like my family has said for years–the “C” just means it’s authentic “Chinese.” Flavorful broth, al dente noodles and mounds of porky goodness for $4.50. Yes please! Sam Woo, 514 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra, 626-281-0038

Avocado shake made from real avocados at Pho Hut, $3

9) Avocado shake from Pho Hut in Glendale: I have their number on speed dial so I can swing by after lunch to pick up their decadent and surprisingly heat-busting avocado shake — made with real avocados! Pho Hut, 312 1/2 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, 818-247-6955

Tamale ladies: street tamales made with love for $1.50

10) Tamale ladies on the corner of Irolo & W. 8th in Ktown: No less than 5 tamale ladies (and gents) hang out on this corner. For $1.50, you can eat a TLC’ed mound of flavorful masa (Mexican and wet S. American style) with pork, chicken or veggie filling. Shout out to the atole and champorado. Tamale ladies, Irolo & W. 8th in Ktown, weekend nights with quick sell-outs