Long layover in LAX?

When trying to find a cheap flight it's almost impossible to fly non-stop so you do have to have a layover, usually a long layover.

Last weekend I flew from Mexico City to Denver via LAX with a 5 hour layover! It is a long layover but there are definitely longer.
Many people did recommend me to go to Santa Monica or Venice Beach, but that would cost me about 50-70 USD in a roundtrip taxi, and a shuttle would take a lot of time. And I don't think it's smart for people that take this cheap flights save 100 dollars and then spend them on a taxi.

So I decided to stay, so what should you do if you want to stay at LAX?
If you are a bit hungry you should definitely go to Encounter.
Remember that strange building at the middle of the airport? Well, that's a restaurant.

The food is ok, the service is good and to be honest the prices are a bit high but do remember it's an airport restaurant.
So what is the special thing about this restaurant?
THE VIEWS!
You are able to see tons of airplanes arriving and departing LAX and time just flies by.







You can also check out the several new stores that will open in this year.  Specially in Terminal 7 and 8 and you can find a Food Court at TBIT,