When was the last time you experienced that familiar moment of indecision when all you could do was stare blankly at the arrangement of foods before you, and wish your stomach—and wallet—were large enough to house them all? 

In the midst of pricey Los Angeles, Chinatown Station survives as an oasis of delicious and inexpensive food. It is affordable for all residents and visitors of downtown L.A.

The restaurant, located in Pico Union on the corner of Pico Blvd. and Hoover St. (there are two other L.A locations on 1245 South Union Ave. and 3184 E. Florence Ave), is a small business where workers greet each customer with broad smiles and cheerful welcomes every time.

And we do mean every time; even after standing dumbfounded at the front of the restaurant, asking the name of each displayed food item. A cheerful, “It’s ALL good!” from the staff will always offer reassurance.

Each side order by itself sells for less than $2.00--Teriyaki chicken, black pepper chicken, chow mein, fried rice, or any of the other side plates (all pictured to the right) will not deplete the wallet.

Furthermore, the restaurant’s combos, whose weighty portions literally overflow off the plate, provide any combination of rice, chow mein, and one or two entrées for $5 or less; and for those who prefer a more Americanized style of food, the restaurant also offers Louisiana fried chicken.

The cooks integrate broccoli, carrots, peas, mushrooms, and other vegetables seamlessly into the meals, providing a tasty way to remain healthy. Names such as “broccoli beef,” “mushroom chicken,” and “vegetable chop suey” on the menu represent this healthy succulence. 

The only downside is their “cash only” policy; make sure to come prepared with a crisp $5 bill. 

Smaller, underrated restaurants like these sometimes suffer from being overlooked. After eating, or even while the food is in your mouth, feel free to scream to the world about the inexpensive sampling of heaven you just experienced.

To contact Raishad Hardnett, email him or follow him on Twitter.