Working in Laguna definitely has its perks – fresh ocean breezes, boutique shopping at lunch, and dozens of cute cafes.  Since Laguna is a top tourist destination, dining there isn’t exactly *ahem* cheap.  Fortunately, I’ve recently discovered a couple of great places to grab a bite that won’t hurt your wallet!

Discovery #1: The Stand

The Stand is a small, well, stand, that sells delicious vegan meals, fruit smoothies and other healthy snacks at a completely affordable price.  There are cute picnic tables outside so you can sit and enjoy your food, and the people who work there are some of the nicest you’ll ever meet.

One of my favorite items at The Stand is the hummus and guacamole pita.

It’s a pita stuffed with delicious hummus, guacamole, sprouts, beets and tomatoes.  It’s one of those pita sandwiches that you just feel healthier after eating it.  If sandwiches aren’t your thing The Stand also has yummy salads, soups, and even vegan cupcakes!  I can’t wait for it to get a bit warmer so I can try some of their fruit smoothies.

Discovery #2:  Taco Loco

Continuing the theme of small stands with outdoor patio seating, Taco Loco is a cheap little taco stand that offers a variety of tacos, burritos, salads and burgers.  It’s not exclusively vegan like The Stand, but offers a lot of vegetarian options such as tofu and mushroom burgers and veggie quesadillas.

Since it was my first time at Taco Loco, I decided to try the tacos!  One chicken, one potato, and one mushroom.

It’s hard to tell which taco was which in this photo (even with the Instagram awesomeness) but fear not – the tacos were delicious and the potato one came in a whole wheat tortilla which made it even more awesome.  They were also extra generous with the guacamole which is always a good thing.  If you are looking for some quick and cheap Mexican food, this is your place.

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, I can’t wait to get my hands on more yummy Laguna treats (Banzai Bowls I have my eye on you), but it’s nice to know I have two good options when I want to get my veggie and/or Mexican food fix.

The Stand

238 Thalia St
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Taco Loco

640 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651