Los Angeles' LAX airport isn't renowned for good food. But fortunately it's surrounded by interesting neighbourhoods -- and great places to eat.

With Inglewood, El Segundo, Westchester and Manhattan Beach nearby, there are plenty of options for a decent meal on your next LAX layover, whether you're connecting on Virgin Australia, Qantas, United or Delta flights. 

We grilled a local for the best food within a reasonable distance by taxi or rental car from LAX. Here's what she came up with.

The oldest Mexican joint in the South Bay

Pancho's Restaurant
3615 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (map)
+1-310-545-6670

Pancho's is a South Bay landmark, and its margaritas are legendary. Try the Carnitas or go properly American Mexican with one of the combo plates. The sweet-toothed will love the bunuelo pastries for dessert.

It's got a Flash-based auto-playing music website (sorry), but here are the menus for brunch, lunch and dinner.

Steak, shrimp and Sinatra

The Buggy Whip
7420 La Tijera Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045 (map)
+1-310-645-7131

Fancy a steak? The Buggy Whip is an old LA staple, with a Rat Pack piano player, lunch specials and lots of atmosphere. The shrimp plate comes highly recommended.

Here are lunch and dinner menus.

American modern grill and some shopping

Salt Creek Grille
2015 East Park Place (Plaza El Segundo mall)
El Segundo, CA 90245 (map)
+1-310-335-9288

This signature grill from chefs Tim McCune and Pete Truxaw is in a shopping centre, yes, but it's a good bet for American modern, with meat and fish cooked in an open kitchen. The pork chops come recommended by our local friend.

The website is in Flash, with auto-playing music -- but here are PDF menus for lunch, dinner and wine. 

Signature Californian fast-food burger chain

In-N-Out Burger
9149 South Sepulveda Boulevard
Westchester, CA 90045 (map)

It's not haute cuisine, but it's quintessentally Californian and a real trip.

In-N-Out is everywhere in the Golden State, and the nearest one to LAX is immediately north of the airport on Sepulveda. There's outdoor seating right next to the landing path for the airport, if watching planes land over your head is your thing.

There's even a secret menu. (Try the Animal Style fries.)

Your favourites

What's your top tip for a decent bite to eat near LAX? Share your insider tips with other AusBT readers in the comments below, or join the conversation with us on Twitter: @AusBT