Are You a Commuter Student? Here Is Where to Find the Best Fast Food in LA Right Off the 405 Freeway

With a busy class schedule, a long drive, and endless midterms, you need an easy meal that is fast, inexpensive, and delicious. When deadlines are too short and stress seems to be the only thing you’re feeling, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Instead of letting anxiety take over, smart students search for writing services to ‘write my essay, please’ and for ways to refuel quickly before returning to their tasks. Avoid the huge, slow-moving drive-thrus, and instead take a break at these authentic, low-key spots to get the top LA fast food options just off the highway.

If you're cruising through West LA and your fuel light is on, make sure to exit on Santa Monica Boulevard. A quick turn onto Sepulveda Boulevard brings you to Zankou Chicken. It is a well-known favorite of California fast food that leaves the standard hamburger chains behind.

Forget the oily fries. Zankou offers surprisingly quick and delicious spit-roasted chicken and pita wraps to keep you satisfied through a three-hour lecture. The star of the show is their famous, extremely delicious garlic sauce. It's so rich and tasty that it can wake you up faster than a triple-shot espresso. Take a handful of mints prior to entering your study group, though.

If you're in a situation where only a classic burger will suffice, avoid the snarl of the National Blvd exit. Use the Pico/Olympic off-ramp and head for The Apple Pan at 10801 W. Pico Boulevard. It's one of the most well-known fast food places in California.

Since 1947, the restaurant has served hickory burgers and egg salad sandwiches from a U-shaped counter. The service is blindingly quick. Sit down on a stool, order a Hickoryburger wrapped in wax paper, eat it with some of the crispiest fries you can find, and end with a slice of fresh apple pie. It's easy and nostalgic. It also puts typical modern drive-thrus to shame.

If you're driving south into the South Bay, the Artesia Boulevard exit is the best choice to find an Eat Fantastic location. This is a fresh, high-quality take on the traditional Southern California diner-style fast food restaurants in Los Angeles, and it is a popular choice for El Camino College students.

They offer a highly efficient menu that includes everything from loaded breakfast burritos (available all day) to freshly breaded chicken tenders and their famous "G.O.A.T." burgers. The service is lightning-quick, the portions are massive, and the house-made sauces are worth a stop on their own.

Dinah's is a local institution that has reopened in its newest phase as Dinah's Comfort Kitchen, located at 4130 Sepulveda Boulevard. It is easily the best fast food restaurant for a quick bite if you are coming from El Camino College or heading toward the South Bay.

They are famous for their original recipe fried chicken. It is crispy, well-seasoned, and astonishingly quick for takeout. Getting a three-piece meal with warm rolls and potato salad is quicker than waiting in a traditional drive-thru adjacent to the 405, and it tastes like a Sunday family dinner. What can beat that?

If you're stuck in the bottleneck near the airport, avoid the usual airport traps and go to Aliki's Greek Taverna located at 5862 Arbor Vitae St. It's a favorite local spot for the best fast food in LA, Greek-style.

Their gyro wraps and chicken souvlaki plates are made in just a few minutes and packed with fresh tzatziki, onions, and tomatoes. It's a delicious and refreshing contrast to the boring, greasy choices at the typical fast food restaurants in California.

Tito's Tacos is a cherished institution when it comes to fast food in Los Angeles. Just a few steps away from the Venice Boulevard exit in Culver City, this restaurant has been serving the same basic, comforting menu since 1959.

If you're looking for a quick, simple meal, try their signature hard-shell beef tacos topped with a heap of cold, shredded cheddar cheese. It's nostalgic, crunchy, salty, and very delicious. The line moves fast and the prices are student-friendly. They also include an enormous bag of crisp chips and warm salsa with each purchase (hungry students’ favorite!). It's the perfect comfort food after a tough midterm.

As you get closer to the harbor area, the Carson Street exit offers easy access to the legendary Fantastic Cafe. It remains the most iconic diner-style fast food Los Angeles restaurant that fuels South Bay commuters.

The menu is huge. It has hefty breakfast burritos, giant turkey clubs and chili cheese fries. The service is fast and consistent. The portions are large. It's also highly affordable for college students trying to stretch a budget.

For CSULB students and anyone commuting near the 405/710 interchange, avoid the confusion of other local eateries and go straight to MVP's Grill & Patio. This popular local establishment is known for its super-sized sandwiches and burgers named in honor of famous athletes.

Take a bite of the "George Foreman," which is a gigantic burger loaded with avocado, bacon, and Jack cheese. Or, grab the "Shaquille O'Neal" cajun chicken sandwich. They serve everything fast, hot, and with an abundance of seasoned fries. It's a cult-favorite local institution that easily outdoes the standard fast food restaurants Los Angeles offers.

The next time you encounter gridlock on the 405, do not settle for mediocre fries from a giant national chain. The best fast food in Los Angeles is diverse and top-tier, and plenty of the beloved local eateries are just a few hundred yards from the off-ramp.

Take a break from the highway rush and grab a tasty dinner. Take on the rest of your journey with a full stomach and a happy wallet.