Living in LA is expensive. Ridiculously so. Between the $2,500 studio apartments in Silver Lake and the fact that a basic smoothie now costs $14, we’re all looking for a break. That’s why Too Good To Go Los Angeles has become a literal obsession for people who hate wasting food but love a good deal.
The premise is dead simple. You open an app, see a map of local spots with "Surprise Bags," pay a third of the retail price, and show up at a specific time to grab whatever is left over. It sounds like a dream. In reality? It’s a chaotic, high-stakes game of food roulette that depends entirely on whether you’re picking up from a high-end bakery in Santa Monica or a random juice bar in Koreatown.
The Real Deal Behind the App’s LA Surge
Food waste is a massive bummer. In a city like Los Angeles, where we throw away tons of perfectly edible food while thousands go hungry, the app feels like a moral win. But let’s be honest: most of us are here because we want five expensive croissants for six bucks.
The expansion here hasn't been slow. What started with a few early adopters has ballooned into a massive network of thousands of vendors. You’ll find everything from the legendary Lodge Bread Co. to tiny family-owned pupuserias. The variety is actually staggering. You can get sushi in Little Tokyo, vegan donuts in Echo Park, or even full-sized pizzas in Mid-City.
But there’s a learning curve. You can’t just buy a bag and expect a gourmet feast every time. Some spots are notorious for giving you exactly the minimum value required by the app’s terms—usually 3x what you paid—while others, the "unicorns," will hand you a heavy bag that feeds you for three days.
Why Most People Get Too Good To Go Los Angeles Wrong
A lot of newcomers treat this like a standard takeout app. It isn’t. If you go in with specific cravings, you’re going to be miserable. You are paying for the salvage.
The biggest mistake is ignoring the ratings. If a place has a 3.2-star rating on the app, stay away. Seriously. In the world of Too Good To Go Los Angeles, a 3.2 means people are getting moldy bread or, worse, showing up only to be told the store "ran out" of waste. You want the 4.5+ crowd. Places like Tartine or Erewhon (yes, even the celebrity-favorite grocery store participates) are the gold standards because their "waste" is often higher quality than most restaurants' fresh inventory.
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The Midnight Hunger Games
If you want the good stuff, you have to be fast. The best bags in LA drop at very specific times, usually right after the store’s current pickup window ends or at the crack of midnight.
- Erewhon Bags: These disappear in seconds. Literally. You have to be refreshing the app like you’re trying to buy Coachella tickets.
- Bakery Hauls: Spots like Donut Friend or Milton Biscuit Co. are usually safer bets because bread doesn't "go bad" in an hour; it just gets slightly less fluffy.
- The Juice Trap: Be careful with juice shops. Sometimes you pay $6 for a "bag" valued at $18, and you get two bottles of green sludge that expire in two hours. If you aren't going to drink it immediately, it's a waste of money.
The Economics of the Scramble
Why do these businesses do it? It’s not just out of the goodness of their hearts. For a small cafe in Highland Park, every croissant thrown away is lost capital. By selling it through the app, they recoup at least the cost of ingredients and labor, and they might even find a new regular customer.
According to data from the Refed organization, which tracks food waste, the environmental impact of diverting these meals is significant. We're talking about massive reductions in CO2 emissions because that food isn't rotting in a landfill. But for the user, it’s mostly about the thrill of the hunt. You’re essentially gambling on your dinner.
Local Favorites and What to Actually Expect
Let’s get specific. If you’re hunting in the San Fernando Valley, you’ll see a lot of Mediterranean spots and bagel shops. Bagels are the safest bet for beginners. They freeze beautifully. If you get a bag from a place like Western Bagel, you’re likely getting a dozen or more for the price of two.
In West Hollywood, the bags are flashier but the competition is fierce. You might find high-end prepared meals from boutique grocers. These are the ones where you might actually get a balanced dinner—protein, veg, and a carb—rather than just a pile of carbs.
But honestly? Some of the best value is found in the "Grocery" category. Small local markets often give away produce that is just slightly bruised. If you’re a fan of making soups or smoothies, this is your playground. You might get three bell peppers, a bag of spinach, and a bunch of bananas for $5.
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Navigating the Logistics of LA Traffic
This is the part nobody talks about. If you live in Palms and you buy a "Surprise Bag" in Pasadena because it has a 4.9 rating, you’ve already lost.
Between the gas prices in California and the hour you’ll spend on the 110, that "deal" just cost you $20 in transit and mental health. The golden rule of Too Good To Go Los Angeles is to stay local. Use the "Search in this area" feature and keep it within a three-mile radius. The app is a tool for the community, and it works best when you’re hitting the spots you already walk past.
The Ethics of Rescuing Food
There is a minor debate happening in some LA circles about whether middle-class foodies are "taking" these bags away from people who actually have food insecurity. It’s a fair question. However, the app's founders have often pointed out that this isn't a replacement for food banks. Most food banks cannot accept the "prepared" leftovers or day-old pastries that TGTG specializes in because of health regulations and logistics.
By buying these bags, you are preventing the food from hitting the trash, which is the primary goal. If you want to help with food insecurity specifically, LA has incredible organizations like Hollywood Food Coalition or Los Angeles Regional Food Bank that handle large-scale donations.
The Reality Check: When It Goes Wrong
I’ve had bags that were incredible—six massive slices of gourmet pizza for $5.99. I’ve also had bags that were genuinely depressing. Once, I picked up from a cafe and received a single, dried-out muffin and a small cup of fruit that looked like it had seen better days in 1998.
Here is how to handle a bad experience:
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- Check the value: Did you actually get 3x what you paid? If the bag cost $6, the contents must be worth $18 at full price.
- Contact Support: The TGTG support team is surprisingly good. If a store gives you clearly inedible food or the value is way off, take a photo and message them through the app. They usually refund you pretty quickly.
- Don't be a jerk: The workers at these restaurants are often tired and closing up for the night. They aren't "chefs" plating a meal for you; they are clearing out inventory. Be kind, grab your bag, and head out.
Surprise Bag Strategy for Different Vibes
If you’re a Vegan, LA is arguably the best city in the world for this app. Use the filters. There are dozens of plant-based bakeries and cafes that struggle to move their specialized inventory by end-of-day.
If you’re a Student, look for the bags labeled "Meals" rather than "Baked Goods." Bakeries are fun, but you can't live on scones alone. The Mediterranean and Indian spots often provide heavy containers of rice, lentils, and curries that can last for two separate meals.
Maximizing Your Haul: Pro Tips for Angelenos
To truly win at Too Good To Go Los Angeles, you have to be a bit of a strategist. It's not just about clicking "buy."
Bring your own bag. Many LA spots are moving away from plastic, and some will even charge you for a paper bag at the counter. Having a sturdy tote in your car makes the handoff smoother.
Watch the clock. Some pickup windows are tiny—like 15 minutes total. If you’re late, the store is legally allowed to mark you as a "no-show," and you don't get your money back. In LA traffic, a 15-minute window means you should start driving 30 minutes early.
Inspect on-site (discreetly). Before you walk out, just peek. If something is leaking or visibly spoiled, mention it politely right then. It's much easier to fix a mistake while you're standing in the shop than after you've driven back to Los Feliz.
Actionable Next Steps for New Users
- Download and Filter: Don't just look at the "All" tab. Set your preferences for "Vegetarian" or "Vegan" if that's your life, and set your distance to under 5 miles.
- Set Notifications: If there is a specific spot you're dying to try (like Gjusta or Sidecar Doughnuts), "favorite" them. You'll get a ping when they post bags.
- Check the Pickup Time: Before you hit pay, look at the time. A lot of LA pickups are between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM. If you’re an "in bed by 9" person, this app might not be for you.
- Have a Backup Plan: Don't rely on a Surprise Bag for your only dinner. Sometimes the store cancels at the last minute because they actually sold out of everything during regular hours. That's a win for the business, but a loss for your stomach.
- Freeze the Excess: If you score 10 bagels or a whole loaf of bread, slice it and freeze it immediately. It’ll stay fresh for weeks, and you’ve basically hacked your grocery bill for the month.