Best Cheap Mexican Food in Anaheim and other Anaheim, CA Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Pepe's

It would be really easy to miss Pepe's. Looks like another whole in the wall fast food Mexican joint. Sitting next to a McDonalds doesn't help. But for fast food Mexican, this stuff is the real deal. There are only four of these around the Southern California are. People drive from all around to get to them, and for good reason. If you are in the mood for some quick, cheap, great tasting food, you have to hit Pepe's

Favorite Dish: The simple basic bean and cheese burrito. Make sure to ask for their hot sauce on the side. Other recommendations: "nacho" fries, carne asada tacos, carnita's burrito, or if it's still early you can get the machaca breakfast burrito.

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Theme: Mexican
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 714-952-9410
Address: 2429 W Ball Rd , Anaheim 92804
Directions: Only about 3 miles west of Disneyland on Ball road.

Restaurant Name: Zankou Chicken

This restaurant is definitely a case of "don't judge a book by its cover". I debated whether to put this in the "off the beaten path" section. Snugly tucked in a little strip mall next to Magnolia High School, sandwiched between an Armenian Bakery and a Head Shop, is this Anaheim gem. The best roasted chicken ever. You can get other middle eastern fair: hommus, mutabbel, falafel, tarna, shawerma, etc. But it's all about the garlic sauce. Ask for extra. It is completely addicting.

Favorite Dish: Try the #6 - Chicken Pita. Simple. Delicious. And only $3. Make sure to ask for an extra garlic sauce.

Also, the half chicken plate is great. Comes with hommus and pita.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (714) 229.2060
Address: 2424 W. Ball Rd., Anaheim, CA 92804
Directions: On Ball Road between Brookhurst and Magnolia. Only about 3 miles from Disneyland. Across the street from Pepe's and McDonalds.
Website: http://www.zankouchicken.com/

Restaurant Name: Essential Thai

At least, that is what the neon sign in the window says. It would be really easy to miss this little place, sitting quietly at the end of a low-rent strip mall next to a Mexican Bakery. But don't let the humble exterior fool you. This place really does have great Thai food. I spent a couple of years working in the Cambodian and Thai community in Long Beach, so I know a little about it.

Essential Thai is a family run place, where you can get a great Thai meal for under $10. The menu is very extensive, and is actually quite easy to get lost in. The soup pots are fabulous. The glass noodles even better. My personal favorite is the "Beef Salad" (also known as Yum Nuah) Try the Special Crab Dinner. Everything is fresh and tasty.

One word of advice: Make sure to order your stuff "mild" when they ask how spicy you want things. I am Mexican, and love my spicy food, but the Thai use these ungodly peppers in their cooking that will strip the roof off your mouth. So order it mild, just to be safe. It will still be plenty spicy. Trust me.

Favorite Dish: Beef Salad (Yum Nuah). Stir Fried Glass Noodles (Pad Woon Sen). Any of the soup pots.

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (714) 761-4585
Address: 2415 W Lincoln Ave # H, Anaheim, CA 92801
Directions: Northwest corner of Lincoln and Gilbert. Next to the Subway Sandwich place and the Mexican Bakery.

Restaurant Name: Wine Country Trattoria

There are very few "nice" restaurants in California Adventure. Only one really stands out. The Golden Vine is a great place to sit and eat. There are actually two restaurants here. My favorite is the Wine Country Trattoria . It is on the cheaper side with typical California fair. The food is great, and the wine is even better. They offer wine tasting outside on the patio and they have a pretty decent menu to boot. The ambiance is very "Napa Valley". You can learn a bit about the grapes and wine we generate here in California. They even have fairly informative shows and demonstrations on the weekends. All in all, the best place to eat in California Adventure.

Upstairs is the another restaurant the Vineyard Room . This is "fine dining". Much nicer atmosphere and food offerings, but it will run about $35 a person. Nice place for a quiet romantic dinner for two. But for your typical meal, stick with the Wine Country Trattoria.

Favorite Dish: Chicken Panini is pretty tasty. The Brocolli Cheddar soup is great. Try the Riesling. It is awesome.

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Theme: Wine Bar/Wine Tasting
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Golden Vine Winery in California Adventure
Website: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/listing?name=DisneysCaliforniaAdventureDiningListingPage