The LA area has terrific Mexican food restaurant chains, and Baja Fresh is definitely one of the more prolific: There…More are many locations all over town.</p> <p>This South Pasadena spot in the Vons Shopping Center is spacious and closes fairly late. Its a decent night dining option versus a full-service place or a drive-thru.</p> <p>As the name of the chain goes, its food is impressively fresh but still very affordable. Here again, Mexican restaurants like Baja Fresh are a great inexpensive alternative to fast food.</p>

Carmine's Italian Restaurant & Bar is the perfect example of just that – a staple spot for Italian cuisine,…More drinks and lots of live entertainment at night. Carmine's is open late and has a wealth of menu items that keep the plates coming.</p> <p>While the rest of the menu is standard but tastefully done Italian restaurant fare, the individual pizzas are a special part of the menu. The selection of diverse "Bambino" pies is short but very sweet indeed, with a "no sauce" white pizza added to the interesting mix.</p> <p>Nothing here costs more than $20 a plate. Carmine's is a great place for affordable, high quality dining for lunch or a night out for drinks and live music.</p>