Real Cheap Eats NYC
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- BK
- $1.25
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- SPICY
- (Photo by Robyn Lee)
These flatbread delicacies are delicious, combining a flavorful curry with sharp tamarind sauce and spice. Three doubles are most certainly enough for a filling lunch, making this an economic dream.
A & A Bake & Doubles on Eating the World in NYC
481 Nostrand Ave. at Fulton St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(718) 230-0753
- CLOSED
The “Sauce Claire” at this unassuming Senegalese joint on Nostrand Avenue is fantastic. After tasting the dish, a thick tomato sauce with chunks of potatoes, carrots and a mix of fresh fish and guedge (a dried, fermented fish), you’ll hardly need to eat anything else. Try it with Aicha’s incendiary, homemade hot sauce (you’ve been warned).
Aicha Restaurant on Law & Food
602 Nostrand Ave. at Atlantic Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(347) 533-7200
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- $3.90
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- Photograph by Robyn Lee
If ice cream can be called intense, then that’s the best description for Salted Crack Caramel from Ample Hills in Prospect Heights. The dark flavor of caramel bumps up against a salty kick, and just when you think there’s not much more this ice cream can offer, you’re hit with a chunk of the “crack.” It isn’t an illicit substance, but saltines coated in chocolate, butter and sugar. The shop’s flavors rotate, but they seem to always have this one on the menu.
Ample Hills Creamery
623 Vanderbilt Ave. at St. Marks Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(347) 240-3926
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- $3.00
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Antonio’s grandma slice is loaded with garlic over a bed of fresh mozzarella. It’ll leave your mouth tingling. The sauce is specially made for this pie, burnt a bit to torque the flavor. It might be so named because only a grandmother could love you (and your garlic breath) after eating a slice.
Antonio’s Pizza on Jeffrey Tastes
318 Flatbush Ave. at Seventh Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY, 11238
(718) 398-2300
- BK
- $4.00
- (Photograph by James Boo)
Deep fried balls contain so much mystery. Luckily, the risotto balls served at Arancini Brothers reveal rich, cheesy secrets. The classic ragu arancino is the standout, filled with a pork ragu dotted with green peas. Though the balls could be hotter (you can always ask for them to be fried a bit longer), these flavors still sing beneath their crisp exterior and the not-too-tender risotto. Vegetarian arancini are also on the menu.
Arancini Bros. on Law & Food
940 Flushing Ave. at Evergreen Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn NY 11206
(718) 418-6347
- BK
- $4.50
A perfectly crisp baguette, chewy roast pork, fresh cold cuts and pickled veggies. These are a few of the components that make a great banh mi, and Ba Xuyen’s #1 has them all and more. It’s a bit out of the way for most, but the fresh ingredients and oddly addictive “secret sauce” make for a delicious Vietnamese sandwich that is definitely worth the schlep.
Ba Xuyen
4222 8th Ave. at 43rd St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11232
(718) 633-6601
- BK
- $8.00
- Photograph by Robyn Lee
The word “omelette” is defined loosely in this dish, which really should be called “simmering cast iron cauldron of aromatic ground lamb and sauteed vegetables topped with a sizzling egg.” Mix the whole thing together, then scoop up the heady, comforting creation with a chunk of the house-made clay-oven bread and imagine the Middle Eastern breakfasts you never had as a child.
Bab al Yemen
413 Bay Ridge Pkwy. at Fourth Ave. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11209
(718) 943-6961
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- $3.50
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- Photograph by James Boo
Salvadoran food isn’t exactly widespread along the L, but Bahia, on Grand Street in East Williamsburg, offers a legit taste of Central America. Although Bahia boasts a full menu and dining area, the best value lies in the takeout-friendly pupusas, stuffed with everything from loroco (an edible flower) and cheese to bits of pork and refried beans. Served hot off the griddle, each greaseless pupusa comes with generous portions of thin tomato salsa and a pickled cabbage, carrot and onion slaw called curtido. One is a hearty snack; two is enough for dinner.
Bahia Restaurant
690 Grand St. at Graham Ave. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 218-9592
- BK
- $5.95
- SPICY
Cold salads are a staple of Sichuan cuisine and make a perfect shared appetizer before jumping into more substantial dishes, like double-cooked pork or tea-smoked duck, at Bensonhurst’s Bamboo Pavilion. Ox tongue and tripe are a classic duo; the thin, beefy slices and springy ribbons of stomach taste like more than humble organ meat when drenched in fiery chili oil and dusted in Sichuan peppercorns and raw minced garlic. Your chopsticks will barely get a rest after the first spicy, buzzing mouthful.
Bamboo Pavillion on Goodies First
6920 18th Ave. at Bay Ridge Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11204
(718) 236-8088
- BK
- $5.95
- SPICY
Brooklyn’s newest Malaysian restaurant has a soup that is off the charts. Banana Leaf’s asam laksa starts with an intense combination of sour and spicy flavors within a base of lemongrass broth. There are two types of noodles in the dish: smaller, almost glassy noodles, and round, thicker, homemade noodles. Add fish flakes, onions, pineapples and more, and you are in for a supreme treat.
Banana Leaf on Eating the World in NYC
5216 Eighth Ave. at 53rd St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11220
(718) 851-3818
- BK
- $8.50
A highlight of Bedouin Tent’s “pitza” menu, this hefty rendition of mid-eastern lahmacun tops a large disc of just-baked pita with a spread of minced lamb, onion, tomato and herbs. The lambajin’s browned topping crumbles into juicy, meaty morsels with each bite, its sweet-and-savory flavor dominated by well done lamb and tomato. It’s an expressive slice of immigrant cuisine, Brooklyn-style.
Bedouin Tent on The Eaten Path
405 Atlantic Ave. at Bond St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 852-5555
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- $3.50
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The best of the best coming out of the wood-burning oven at this new Williamsburg pizzeria is the white slice. The leopard-spotted crust, usually on the thinner, crispy side, remains remarkably pliant in support of pockets of ricotta, while caramelized onions and sesame seeds (and once in a while, a sprinkle of orange zest) elevate the too-often bland white slice to a higher realm of pizza.
Best Pizza on Law & Food
33 Havemeyer St. at N. 8th St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 599-2210
- BK
- $.80
A new Chinatown is emerging in Sheepshead Bay, and Bing Bakery makes some of the best baked pork buns in the neighborhood. The bread has a light, chewy texture very similar to challah. The diced pork filling, tender and moist, comes in a sweet BBQ-style sauce that’s bursting with flavor. With a nice filling-to-bread ratio, there’s meat in every bite.
Bing Bakery on Sheepshead Bites
1415 Gravesend Neck Rd. at E. 14th St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11229
- BK
- $6.25
If you’re looking for a Shake Shack-like burger in Williamsburg, Blue Collar is your best bet. It’s no compromise—their cheeseburgers are great, featuring thin, well seared and juicy patties topped with fresh lettuce, a few slices of tomato and raw onion, pickles, American cheese and secret sauce on toasted potato rolls. Throw in an order of their crisp, skinny fries while you’re at it.
160 Havemeyer St. #2 at S. 2nd St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 725-3837
- BK
- $2.50
Blue Sky Bakery redefines the muffin for anyone used to dense clumps of chewy, greasy cake. A thin coat of sugar brushed atop each blueberry muffin glistens just slightly on a sunny morning, and when your teeth penetrate the surface, they’re met with a confident crunch. Beneath the crust is a moist, fluffy texture that never dips into excess, and at the center of each muffin lies a cluster of moist berries, often warm to the touch. Try one at the main bakery in Park Slope, open until 1:00 p.m. on weekdays and until 2:00 p.m. on weekends.
Blue Sky Bakery on The Eaten Path
53 Fifth Ave. at Bergen St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 783-4123
- BK
- $7.00
- STREET
Fish fingers of the world, bow down. Bon Chovie’s Jersey-style anchovies arrive before you in a head-on collision of briny freshness and deep-fried goodness. “Head-on” is the key: You eat the whole fish, head to tail, plus tiny bones and everything else in between, dressed to your content with sweet pickled peppers and smoked paprika mayo. A headless, tail-less rendition, which amounts to less anchovy per order, is also available. But you might as well listen to your favorite rockers on AM radio. Get the uncut version.
Bon Chovie on Eating in Translation
Saturdays at Smorgasburg, East River State Park
Kent Ave. and North 7th St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 355-0658
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- $6.00
It’s not hard to find cheap rotisserie chicken in the city, but Brancaccio’s Food Shop brings take-home chicken to the next level. Dressed with lemon, garlic, herbs and spices, then roasted perfectly, it’s just the kind of chicken dinner you’d put on the table if you had the time. Lines queue early for chickens, so your best bet is to reserve one in advance or follow Brancaccio’s on Facebook for updates on when the chickens make it out of the oven. Round out your meal with their sinfully delicious, double-smoked bacon macaroni and cheese and roasted Brussels sprouts.
Brancaccio’s Food Shop
3011 Fort Hamilton Parkway at 3rd St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11218
(718) 435-1997
- BK
- $5.50
This sandwich is so unappealing to look at that I neglected to take a photo of the thing the first few times I ate it. The soggy mess simply can’t be picked up, so patrons throughout the restaurant dig in with knives and forks. Start hacking off bites and you’ll find some of the best roast beef of your life, along with a dipping sauce that saturates the bun to the point of ecstasy.
Brennan & Carr on Eating the World in NYC
3432 Nostrand Ave. at Ave U (map)
Brooklyn NY 11229
(718) 646-9559
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- $4.00
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The protein by the pound at Williamsburg’s BrisketTown exceeds the price limits of cheap eats. But for a fraction of the price, early birds can get a taste of the Central Texas-style barbecue in the form of Austin-style breakfast tacos. Hunks of smoked beef are mixed with scrambled eggs, a tomato-based chile sauce, cilantro and pickled red onions, then tucked into a soft flour tortilla. Even with all of the accoutrements, the salt-pepper-and-smoke flavors of the brisket shine through.
BrisketTown on Goodies First
359 Bedford Ave. at S. 4th St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY, 11211
(718) 701-8909
- BK
- $9.00
- Photograph by James Boo
This isn’t your grandma’s pork chop—unless your grandma’s expertise lies in Vietnamese comfort food. Double portioned, chargrilled, marinated with lemongrass and served with a side of rice, pickles, tomatos and a sunny-side up egg, the pork chop platter is a complete meal for $9. Don’t forget to add a drizzle from the tin ramekin of tangy nước chấm (a sweet-and-sour fish sauce).
Bún-ker Vietnamese
46-63 Metropolitan Ave. at Woodward Ave. (map)
Ridgewood, NY 11385
(718) 386-4282
- BK
- $3.75
“Everything is homemade,” proclaims this new Sicilian spot, nestled in a thicket of Middle Eastern restaurants along Atlantic Avenue. Those looking for southern Italian specialties would do well to make this an essential stop. Everything on display behind the long counter looks fabulous—from the piles of pastries to the pastas—but go for the “Siciliana,” a particularly enticing fried calzone filled with anchovies, olives, green onions and mozzarella. Its piquant bite will leave you craving Catania’s enticing desserts.
Cafe Catania
193 Atlantic Ave. at Court St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 522-2880
- BK
- $7.50
- SPICY
- Photograph by James Boo
The lagman at Cafe Kashkar, one of the city’s few Uyghur restaurants, is a great introduction to the cuisine of this Muslim community from the Northwest Chinese province of Xinjiang. Thick, chewy noodles doused in cumin and chile are stir-fried with bits of onion, bell pepper, long beans, cilantro and tender lamb, then topped with a fluffy scrambled egg. Mix it all together with chopsticks and dig into this spicy, complex comfort food.
Cafe Kashkar
1141 Brighton Beach Ave. at Brighton 14th St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 743-3832
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- $5.75
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- Photograph by Robyn Lee
Arepas aren’t the only food being given clever treatments at this hip downtown spot. The yo-yo, a classic Venezulan side that is a kind of cheese-stuffed plantain-wich, gets a sugary makeover at Caracas. Sweet plantains are fried in a cinnamon-spiked plantain batter to produce a crisp, aromatic crust; then they’re stuffed with a subdued, slightly chewy, fresh cheese. Dunked in the honey dipping sauce that comes on the side, they’re an irresistable way to start your meal.
Caracas Arepas Bar
93 1/2 East 7th St. at 1st Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 529-2314
291 Grand St. at Havemeyer St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 218-6050
106-01 Shore Front Parkway at Beach 106th St. (Map)
Queens NY 11694
(718) 474-1709
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- $1.50
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Caucasus Garden takes you to Azerbaijan with its amazing kutabs, flour pancakes stuffed with lamb or greens, pan fried in butter and topped with sumac. Filled with tender and mild lamb or a blend of spinach, parsley, dill and green onion, this dish is the perfect introduction to Azerbaijani cuisine. Top each kutab with some yogurt sauce, roll it into a wrap and enjoy.
Caucasus Garden on Sheepshead Bites
2715 Ave. U at E. 27th St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(718) 769-7003
- BK
- $6.00
Even in a neighborhood overflowing with kebab houses, the Bosnian foods of Ćevabdžinica Sarajevo II stand out. The chefs work hard to bring the experience of a homemade dinner in Sarajevo to the streets of Brooklyn. Ćevapi, a lamb and beef sausage, is said to be the national dish of Bosnia. Judging from the flavorful and tender version sold here, that claim is certainly believable.
Ćevabdžinica Sarajevo II on Sheepshead Bites
2556 Coney Island Ave. at Gravesend Neck Rd. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11223
(718) 758-5454
- BK
- $6.50
- STREET
- Photograph by Bethany Wong
At this bumping food truck, which can be found blaring Socca tunes down Myrtle and Gates, the eponymous “Chimi Mundo” is essentially a Dominican Big Mac. The thin beef patty (you can get a second for a dollar more) is topped with the regular fixings of tomato, mayo, ketchup, lettuce and American cheese—plus bacon and hot sauce—all layered between two halves of a griddled roll. It’s a late-night meal satisfying enough to make you swear off the White Castle just down the street.
Chimi Mundo
1550 Myrtle Ave. at Wyckoff Ave. (map)
Brooklyn, NY
(347) 500-7734
- BK
- $8.00
- SPICY
Located in the back of a bodega on a grungy strip of Myrtle Avenue, this tiny restaurant serves up authentic Mexican food. The eponymous cemita is a beast of a sandwich, stuffed to the gills with perfectly spicy chorizo, ham, tender pork, quesillo and a single egg. What stands out the most, though, is the papalo, a Bolivian herb that tastes like a much more bitter cousin of cilantro. Chinantla piles it on, while most other taquerias do the opposite.
Chinantla
657 Myrtle Ave. at Skillman St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 222-1719
- BK
- $3.00/pint
- SPICY
- Photograph by James Boo
As you approach this narrow Clinton Hill storefront, lined with red plastic barrels holding pickles in various stages of fermentation, you may experience a sense of déjà vu. It’s no coincidence; there’s a very similar sight on the Lower East Side. Formerly the owners of Guss’ Pickles, the mother-and-son team behind this shop lost their legendary moniker when they relocated to Brooklyn in 2011. They still serve some of the best pickles in town: no fancy labels—just simple, honest pickles. The spicy sour pickles are especially extraordinary, with a clean crunch and a singeing heat that lasts.
Clinton Hill Pickles
431 Dekalb Ave. at Classon Ave. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(212) 334-3616
- BK
- $3.50
- VEG
Some days a lazy weekend brunch is perfect, but on days I need to be up and at ‘em, a slice of Cookie Road’s egg frittata is exactly what I want. Fluffy, yellow eggs are baked together with young spring peas, chunks of asparagus and sliced shallots on a tender potato crust. The ample slice is enough to get me through any hectic morning without needing a second breakfast.
Cookie Road
94 Franklin St. at Oak St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 383-8094
659 Manhattan Ave. nr Bedford Ave. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
- MAN
- BK
- $5.00
At this tiny East Village (and Williamsburg) spot, your favorite meat product in tube form gets a nice upgrade. The Good Morning Dog, also pretty tasty as a late night snack, is a hot dog wrapped in bacon and padded with melted cheese and a fried egg. The bacon is fried up nicely for that perfect, salty-crunchy bite that all bacon lovers crave. Cheese fries sold separately.
Crif Dog on Eat to Blog
113 Saint Marks Pl # 2 at Ave. A (Map)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 614-2728
555 Driggs Ave. at North 7th St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 302-3200
- BK
- $1.00 for small
If you’re looking for something quick and easy to eat while trying to catch the bus, try the meat burek (a.k.a. “meat cone”) at Damascus Bread & Pastry Shop in Cobble Hill. Curry-flavored ground lamb is wrapped in phyllo dough then deep-fried until golden. Most of the flavor comes from the ground lamb and spices. For $1, these make great snacks. Don’t worry, vegetarians – there are also cheese bureks.
Damascus Bread & Pastry Shop
195 Atlantic Ave. at Court St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 625-7070
- BK
- $7.00
- (Photo by Robyn Lee)
There’s a lot to say about a place that can raise prices across the board by a dollar and still be considered cheap. Yet in the spectrum of Kosher-style NY delis, David’s is the anti-Katz’s. Tiny, utilitarian and completely untethered to tradition (despite its winding, 50-year history), David’s sandwiches rival any in town. Order up the pastrami, brisket or corn beef in descending order of preference, and no one will bat an eye if you have it on white bread with mayo. Even the “small” will ensure a full stomach.
David’s Brisket House on Law & Food
533 Nostrand Ave. at Atlantic Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11216
718-789-1155
7721 5th Ave. at 78th St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11209
718-333-5662
- BK
- $6.00
- Photograph by Noah Arenstein
Dear Bushwick, a popular neighborhood joint, will serve you a full meal at full cost, but it also has a list of fine bar snacks. Sausage rolls, varying in flavor from season to season, are the standouts. Spicy sausage and pork marinated in whiskey are just two examples, but whatever the accents, you can expect juicy, house-ground meat and super-flaky pastry (nothing like the pasty filling of a commercial pig-in-a-blanket). The roll comes with a horseradish dipping sauce, and you can add a dish of salt-and-vinegar potato peelings for a few dollars more.
Dear Bushwick
41 Wilson Ave. at Melrose St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11237
(929) 234-2344
- BK
- $0.70
- VEG
The plain glazed doughnut at The Donut Shoppe (a.k.a. Shaikh’s Place) is one of those foods that immediately transport you to another era. The glazed, oddly shaped ring is fluffy, light and just sweet enough. The handmade dough collapses to the touch and almost melts in your mouth at each bite. This is artisanal food at its finest.
The Donut Shoppe on Sheepshead Bites
1503 Ave. U at E. 15th St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(718) 375-2572
- BK
- $8.00
When Eastern District opened in the fall of 2010, they brought delicious artisanal cheese and meat to Greenpoint while offering cheap sandwiches made with supremely high quality ingredients. All of the sandwiches are $7 or $8, but it’s the Prosciutto & Ricotta you’ll want to check out. The salty, meaty and well-marbled La Quercia prosciutto comes from Iowa and is considered some of the world’s best. Topped with tangy, fresh Salvatore Bklyn ricotta and sweet sun-dried tomatoes, it’s the perfect sandwich for a picnic in the park.
Eastern District on Blondie & Brownie
1053 Manhattan Ave. at Eagle St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 349-1432
- BK
- $7.50
- SPICY
Meltingly tender chunks of lengua (tongue) layered with ripe avocado slices, crema, crisp red onions, chopped iceberg lettuce, mashed black beans and white cheese in a toasted sesame seed topped cemita roll make for a hefty sandwich that could last for two meals—but probably won’t, because you’ll want to eat it all in one sitting. If you’re averse to feeling like your mouth is burning, make sure to ask for it without the default spicy sauce.
El Tenampa Deli Grocery on Serious Eats
706 4th Ave. at 22nd St. (Map)
Brooklyn NY 11232
(718) 369-7508
- BK
- $8.00
- SPICY
Festac Grill’s goat pepper soup is some serious stuff, almost as if a goat was hacked up and thrown in a pot. Unlike its more accessible counterparts in Clinton Hill, which are made almost exclusively with more familiar meats, it is heavy on the offal—as Nigerian foods tend to be. Dive right in!
Festac Grill on Eating the World in NYC
263 Hendrix St. at Liberty Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11207
(718) 627-5151
- BK
- $9.00
- VEG
- (Photo by James Boo)
The marinara pizza at the newly opened Forcella doesn’t hide behind the cover of cheese or the forgiving flavors of Italian cured meats. It’s a three-component dish: a tremendously zesty, herbal tomato sauce amped up with garlic and spices atop a perfectly pliant, charred crust with a stray leaf of basil. Behind this blistery crust is the culmination of years of experience by pizzaiolo Giulio Adriani, top notch ingredients and a very hot Acunto oven. No matter how homely this pie may appear, such simple pleasures are not without their rewards.
Forcella
485 Lorimer St. at Grand St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 388-8820
- BK
- $1.00
G&S Pork Store serves prosciutto balls just like your little Italian grandmother would make, if you had one. These fried balls of ricotta, mozzarella, provolone and prosciutto covered in light bread crumbs are amazingly grease-free and strangely light — not to mention, highly addictive.
G&S Pork Store on Sheepshead Bites
2611 Ave. U at E. 26th St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(718) 646-9111
- BK
- $6.00
- VEG
- (Photo by Robyn Lee)
“Artisanal” is a word that’s thrown around a lot these days, but Badri, the baker at Georgian Bread, embodies this tradition in its truest, most elemental sense. There’s no glamour to be found in this grueling work, but Badri still turns out bulging loaves of shotis puri every day but Monday. Though he’s significantly cut back on making his world-class cheese khachapuri (a Georgian bread baked with fresh cheese), going early on a weekend will ensure a cheesy, buttery round straight from the oven. There are few purer pleasures to be found in the city, or in life—just don’t expect Georgian Bread to be around forever. Rumor has it that Badri will retire soon.
Georgian Bread on Law & Food
265 Neptune Ave. at Brighton 6th St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 332-8082
- MAN
- QNS
- BK
- $7.50/lb
This Turkish bakery and café excels at baklava, and a visit wouldn’t be complete without picking up a few pistachio and phyllo treats. Don’t ignore the savory offerings, though. Gül böreği, an eggy pastry that is more quiche-like than flaky, comes stuffed with spinach and feta, potato or spinach and ground beef. Paired with an intense shot of Turkish coffee, this is a perfect breakfast.
Gulluoglu
231 Brighton Beach Ave. at Brighton 2nd St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11223
(718) 645-1822
982 Second Ave. at E. 52nd St. (Map)
New York, NY 10022
(212) 813-0500
30-92 31st St. at 31st Ave. (Map)
Astoria, NY 11102
(718) 406-9100
- BK
- $4.00 per pound
- VEG
Henry’s Deli is one of few old-school, German-style delis left in South Brooklyn. Most dishes here have been replaced by more modern offerings, but Henry’s still bakes its own rice pudding every week. Made from long grain rice, milk, vanilla and several secret ingredients, the pudding is rich, creamy and smooth. It’s sweet without being cloying, and thick without being heavy. It’s just about perfect.
Henry’s Deli on Sheepshead Bites
2921 Ave. S at Nostrand Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(718) 375-8580
- BK
- $6.00
- SPICY
- (Photo by Robyn Lee)
The distinctive scent of jerk chicken cooking on a steel drum grill, sending plumes of smoke billowing down Fulton Street, is impossible to miss. Select a particularly hefty piece, and the counterwoman will take it into the kitchen for a meeting with the cleaver before placing it in front of you to top with jerk sauce and scotch bonnet-filled pepper sauce as you desire. The rich, smoky flavor of the jerk sinks deep within the still moist chicken, but it’s the spicy sweet jerk sauce that will catch your attention with its lingering heat.
JR’S & A Jerk Spot on Law & Food
1450 Fulton St. at Tompkins Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY
(347) 787-1515
- BK
- $5.00
- (Photo by Robyn Lee)
Usually available on Sundays, cow foot soup is a good introduction to Atlantic Coast Panamanian cuisine (less Latin, more African), in which you do not actually have to eat the foot.
Kelso Dining on Eat the World NYC
648 Franklin Ave. at St. Mark’s Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 857-4137
- BK
- $3.75
The home-style white borscht (zurek) at this modest Polish standby in Greenpoint exemplifies comfort food. Chunks of garlicky kielbasa and hard-boiled egg dot a rich, tangy, broth—made from fermented rye in the traditional way. Plus, at this price tag, you’ll have plenty of cash left for as many blintzes and pierogi as you can stomach.
Lomzynianka on Law & Food
646 Manhattan Ave. at Nassau St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 389-9439
- BK
- $6.50
- SPICY
“Welsh rarebit” may conjure thoughts of bland cheese melted on white bread, but Long Bow’s rendition has a spicy kick with Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces, pepper, aged cheddar, and beer combining for a forthright flavor. Stout slices of toasted country bread are extra, extra-absorbent, whatever your poison (coffee by morning, a pint by night). And supplementing your order with crumbled bacon ($2) adds an essential and restorative dose of fat.
Long Bow Pub & Pantry on Eating in Translation
7316 Third Ave. at E. 74th St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11209
(718) 238-7468
- BK
- $2.25
- VEG
Old school, new school, who cares? Honesty, integrity, quality ingredients, and pride; this is what makes Luigi’s one of the best pies in the city. Start with a regular or a fresh mozzarella slice. They won’t miss.
Luigi’s Pizza on Jeffrey Tastes
686 Fifth Ave. at 21st St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11232
(718) 499-3857
- BK
- $10.00
How would you improve on a classic like mac and cheese? Mama Joy’s, a locals’ bar featuring classic Southern dishes like fried chicken and shrimp and grits, responds by serving theirs with duck confit. Yes, that’s right: The “Mac N Quack” is a big plate of creamy macaroni and cheese, with tender pieces of duck mixed in. Add a bit of hot sauce and a “Mama Mimosa” (a $2 blend of orange juice and Pabst Blue Ribbon), and you’re good to go.
Mama Joy’s
1084 Flushing Ave. at Porter Ave. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11237
(347) 295-2227
- BK
- $8.17
- VEG
Kumpir, baked potato stuffed with black and green olives, corn, pickles and Russian salad, is a street food in its native Turkey. The potato is as large as a small child’s head. Topped with ketchup and mayo, this is truly an outstanding meal. Take it from the menu, which literally reads, “YOU SHOULD TASTE THIS, once in your life.”
Masal Cafe on Sheepshead Bites
1901 Emmons Ave. at Ocean Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn NY 11235
(718) 891-7090
- BK
- $9.50
The Bravcovy Rezen so Zemiakmi—a heaping plate of breaded, expertly fried pork chops flanked by a mound of salty, tender boiled potatoes and caraway-scented red cabbage—is the very definition of Slavic soul food. Add a pint of Bernard, an unpasteurized lager from the town of Humpolec, and you’ll be well insulated against whatever winter throws your way. Better yet, if you’re willing to cross the $10 barrier by 60 cents, your pork chops will come crusted with potato pancake batter.
Milan’s
710 5th Ave. at 22nd St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11232
(718) 788-7384
- BK
- $6.50
- VEG
Nectar, a juice bar, also serves a great avocado and sweet potato sandwich. The combination of avocado, mashed sweet potato, sprouts, onion, jack cheese and slices of multigrain bread is enough to make any meat lover crave a vegetarian meal.
Nectar on Eat to Blog
198 Court St. at Congress St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 855-6166
- BK
- $7.00
It’s easy to get hooked on Nha Toi’s playful selection of gourmet banh mi, but a hidden gem at this locals’ favorite in Williamsburg is Pho Ga, a Vietnamese chicken noodle soup that teases out a comforting slurp between richness and clarity. A clean-tasting broth, spiked with black pepper, takes center stage here; no Sriracha is required, though a fistful of Nha Toi’s pickled chilies can back up that flavor with a slow burn.
Nha Toi on The Eaten Path
160 Havemeyer St. at S. 2nd St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 599-1820
- BK
- $9.50
The creamy red pepper sauce that tops this lightly cooked fish combines with the other tastes on the plate very nicely. Nordic Delicacies’ homemade mashed potatoes are a good touch for all of its meals. It is unclear, after spending time in here, whether you are in Brooklyn or in a gift shop in the Oslo airport.
Nordic Delicacies on Eating the World in NYC
6909 Third Ave. at Ovington Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11209
(718) 748-1874
- BK
- $3.00
- VEG
Long before Bedford Avenue filled its storefronts with hip restaurants and boutiques, there was Oasis atop the North 7th L station. Its glowing lights have welcomed students, suits, and drunks at all hours of the day, most popping in for a $3 falafel sandwich. In a matter of minutes, you’re handed an overstuffed pita, filled to the brim with lettuce, red cabbage, pickles and freshly fried falafels. The Palestinian-style balls aren’t overly spiced, so be sure to ask for hot sauce if you like a little heat.
Oasis
161 N. 7th St. at Bedford Ave. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 218-7607
- BK
- $6.00
- SPICY
Move up in line, order your bird, watch it get hacked and collect your prize. Peppa’s jerk chicken is best known for its lovely, crisp skin, but be sure to soak your entire order in their wonderful jerk sauce. You’ll find it on the counter—just don’t confuse it with the BBQ sauce.
Peppa’s Jerk Chicken on Eating the World in New York City
738 Flatbush Ave. at Clarkson Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11226
(646) 683-6012
- BK
- $1.00
- VEG
At Peter Pan, the star of the show for me isn’t the famous red velvet doughnut, but a few trays to the left: the toasted coconut. A perfectly fluffy yeast doughnut lightly glazed and generously sprinkled with pieces of nutty, toasted coconut shavings. Sweet, messy, and unpretentious, it’s everything a doughnut should be. Try to stop by before noon, when the kitchen is still turning out fresh trays.
Peter Pan Bakery on Blondie and Brownie
727 Manhattan Ave. at Norman Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 389-3676
- BK
- $6.00
- SPICY
Forget the namesake thighs and head straight for the chicken biscuit, a crispy fried chicken cutlet doused in hot sauce, smothered in honey butter and sandwiched between the sides of a flaky biscuit. It’s a sweet-salty-spicy combo that satisfies for breakfast, lunch or dinner and will leave you with money to splurge on a slice of killer pie or a house-made doughnut.
Pies ‘n’ Thighs on Blondie & Brownie
166 S 4th St. at Driggs Ave. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 529-6090
- MAN
- QNS
- BK
- BNX
- SI
- Under $10
- SPICY
Popeyes founder Al Copeland, a man whose taste for life was so unhinged that he literally met his end by cancer of the salivary gland, wasn’t messing around when he flipped us this particular bird. It may be made from factory-grade chicken parts uncomfortably close to the margin of cost, but Popeyes’ spicy fried chicken is consistently moist on the inside, crunchy on the outside, fluffy in the folds and loaded with artificial and natural flavors. Even as new, gourmet fried chicken options abound, New York is hard-pressed to find a cost-to-pleasure ratio as golden as this.
Popeyes Chicken on The Eaten Path
Let’s assume you know where the nearest Popeyes is.
- BK
- $7.00
The word torta means many things. In Mexico it’s a sandwich, and a good torta is the stuff of dreams. Puebla Mini Market in Sunset Park makes a torta with layers and layers of pork, avocado, jalapenos and oaxacan cheese. The bread is slightly toasted and has a nice outside crunchy texture. It gets a little messy toward the end, but with food this good, it doesn’t really matter.
Puebla Mini Mart on Eat to Blog
3908 5th Ave. at 39th St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11232
(718) 435-3326
- BK
- $7.75
Heavy, fatty soul food has disappeared from many Harlem menus, but the Polish equivalent in Greenpoint has hunkered down for the winter. The meat and gelatinous trimmings in these two golonka—also called pork hocks, or pork knuckles—deliver a caloric double punch. The accompanying sauerkraut, spiked with mushrooms and fried kielbasa, is no lightweight, either.
Relax on Eating in Translation
68 Newell St. at Nassau Ave. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11222 (718) 389-1665
- BK
- $3.00-$5.00
- VEG
Cupcakes were never the plan at Robicelli’s, a mom-and-pop good eats shop that closed its doors to South Brooklyn in 2009. Since then, Matt and Allison Robicelli have earned a reputation for perseverance, becoming city-wide cupcake distributors. Their reputation is earned: Robicelli’s cupcakes—with over 100 flavor combinations in rotation to date—are always well executed, never too sweet, and topped with a silky French butter cream that puts the world of overkill cupcake frosting to shame.
- BK
- $1.50
- SPICY
Somehow, while standing in a Trini bakery on Nostrand Avenue in the middle of Brooklyn, I was transported to my Jewish grandmother’s kitchen in suburban Ohio. I had just taken my first bite of a saltfish pie, and the flavor, like a mouthful of ocean, eerily evoked her homemade gefilte fish. But at Royal Bake & Roti House, the fish was enrobed in a flaky, buttery pastry crust whose fat served the sole purpose of coating my mouth with flavors of fish and heat.
Royal Bake & Roti House on Law & Food
618 Nostrand Ave. at Pacific St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(718) 604-0200
- BK
- $6.50
Stumble one block off the Brooklyn end of the L train, and you’ll find an oasis of Jamaican eats and sweets at Tastee Pattee Bakery and Grill. The saltfish and cabbage, served hot from the steam table atop fluffy rice and peas flavored with coconut milk, is worth the haul to Canarsie. Fried saltfish melts into silken cabbage, mixed with tomatoes, freshly grated carrots, onions, flecks of black pepper and thyme in this soul-satisfying dish.
Tastee Pattee Bakery and Grill on Tina’s Nom Noms
1431 Rockaway Pkwy. at Glenwood Rd. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11236
(718) 257-5400
- BK
- $9.00
- VEG
A lot of ink has been spilled on this precious, tiny Williamsburg sandwich shop, but it’s well-deserved. With just three vegetarian ingredients—ultra-creamy ricotta, loosely scrambled eggs, and salt-studded, homemade foccacia—the Ships Biscuit will satisfy even avowed carnivores. Tackle it for breakfast or lunch; either way, the Biscuit is proof that sometimes a handful of well-executed ingredients can exceed the sum of their parts.
Saltie
378 Metropolitan Ave. at Havemeyer St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 387-4777
- MAN
- QNS
- BK
- $3.50-$7.00
Shake Shack has appeared on many a cheap eats list throughout the years, and with good reason. Danny Meyer’s nod to fast food serves up, pound for pound, some of the best burgers in Manhattan. At Shake Shack, order a Shackburger and you’ll receive a freshly ground Pat LaFrieda blend cooked on a sizzling flattop grill. These crusty patties are paired with screamingly fresh lettuce, tomato and a “Shacksauce” that puts McDonald’s secret sauce to shame. There’s usually a line at any one of the Manhattan locations, but it’s always worth the wait.
Shake Shack
Multiple Locations
New York and Elsewhere
- BK
- $6.00
Smoked and cured fish are the thing to get at Shelsky’s in Brooklyn, but be sure to try some of their spreads, which are available by the pound. The baked salmon salad works really well with a warm, toasty bagel; in one bite, the combination is cool, warm, crunchy and soft. The salad tastes fresh and will satisfy any salmon lover. It’s also very good hangover food.
Shelsky’s Smoked Fish on Eat to Blog
251 Smith St. at Douglass St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 855-8817
- BK
- $2.99/lb
- VEG
Israeli couscous is not couscous at all, but a small round pasta made of hard-wheat flour. It’s considered kid’s food in Israel, but in Brooklyn we spice it up. This Israeli couscous takes its flavors not from Jerusalem or Brooklyn, but from Bollywood. Flavored with Indian spices, raisins and red peppers, it whisks you away to India from your first bite.
Silver Star Meat Market on Sheepshead Bites
3838 Nostrand Ave. at Ave. Z (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 934-8520
- BK
- $3.00 for 1 scoop
- VEG
The portions at Sky Ice leave much to be desired—mostly because there’s so much to desire from the Thai cafe’s menu of house-made ice creams. Sky Ice’s Black Sesame Seaweed ice cream is a perfect example. It balances the deeply roasted notes of black sesame with a particularly milky ice cream, while bits of dried, salted seaweed added to the ice cream make each small scoop pop with unexpected umami. The price goes down as your portion goes up, but a single scoop packs a punch.
Sky Ice on The Eaten Path
63 5th Ave. at St. Marks Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 230-0910
- BK
- $1.00
- VEG
La Newyorkina may have popularized Mexican popsicles as part of NYC’s ever-growing food fair scene, but Sley Deli’s paletas have been stocked in shops all over the city for years. Go to the source, an unassuming bodega in Borough Park, and ogle the rainbow of more than 30 flavors stacked in the freezer case. Choose from tropical fruits like guava or passion fruit, creamy arroz con leche, cookies and cream (it’s not Latino 24/7 here) or spicy-tart tamarind spiked with chile.
Sley Deli
4217 Fort Hamilton Pkwy at 43rd St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11219
(718) 435-5343
- BK
- $8.50
A family-style dish, this sizzling platter of stewed meats is served with a crepe that comes in handy for soaking it all up. An everyday food in Belarus, mochanka is unique addition to a national cuisine that often shares foods with its neighboring countries. This almost-stew is a mixture of fatty pork and, in this case, Spam—certainly not what the recipe calls for. Still, it’s undeniably enjoyable, even if your table is not downing vodka to cut through the grease.
Syabri on Eating the World in NYC
906 Kings Highway at E. 9th St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11223
(718) 645-2299
- BK
- $6.00
- SPICY
This gut-busting Mexican sandwich is a cousin to the torta. The bread of the pambazo is dipped in a red guajillo pepper sauce and seared on the outside, meaning your fingers will be seared in sauce, too. But when the filling—potatoes, chorizo, avocado, refried beans, queso fresco and shredded lettuce—is this good, a little pepper stain is worth it.
Tacos Xochimilco
4501 Fifth Ave. at 45th St. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11220
(718) 435-7600
- MAN
- $11.00
- VEG
- STREET
Editor’s Note: Since this dish was added to Real Cheap Eats, its price has risen past $10.00. It’s still a part of the guide as a part of our “grandfather” policy.
Almost nothing is lost in the transition from Taim’s West Village brick-and-mortar store to Taim’s street truck. The housemade hummus is still lavishly rich with tahini and a drizzle of olive oil, lusciously smooth and utterly satisfying. Drag a bit of their pillowly, za’atar-glazed pita through the dreamy hummus and you get a bite of food that’s so good you’ll swoon. The star of the show is Taim’s falafel, which sports a reliably crunchy exterior and fluffy interior. Served with a myriad of salads and sauces, it may be the best meal from a street truck—vegetarian or otherwise.
Taim Mobile Falafel and Smoothie Truck
Schedule available at taimmobile.com and twitter.com/taimmobile
- BK
- $9.50
- SPICY
- Photography by Bethany Wong
Give me half a dozen micheladas, a soundtrack of Selena and Los Bukis and a pile of chilaquiles (stale tortillas cut into wedges and simmered in salsa), and we’ve got a brunch that I can get behind. At Taqueria Cocoyoc the chips are neither too stiff or soft, maintaining their form in a tart, garlicky salsa verde. Try the chilaquiles with Cocoyoc’s invigoratingly spicy carne enchilada (spicypork). The meat is sliced into impractically long strips, so be sure to request it diced—all the better for smothering in that punchy salsa.
Taqueria Cocoyoc
211 Wyckoff Ave. at Greene Ave. (map)
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 497-4489
- CLOSED
Taste of Romania serves up some of the smokiest pastrami east of Bucharest and north of the Mason-Dixon line. This in-house, cured and smoked pastrami on a house-baked roll easily challenges Katz’s for the pastrami house throne, and at a fraction of the cost.
Taste of Romania on Sheepshead Bites
1652 Sheepshead Bay Rd. at Shore Parkway/Voorhies Ave. (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 743-2424
- MAN
- BK
- $7.00
What could be better than a big bowl of classic comfort—spicy pork meatballs topped with a deliciously creamy Parmesan cream sauce? Look no further than the Meatball Shop, which boasts ever-so-slightly spicy pork meatballs that melt away under a cloud of dairy-based sauce, helping temper the heat. Dip the accompanying focaccia liberally into the bowl. You’ll want every last drop of that heavenly concoction, lovingly described on the menu as “alfredo on steroids.”
The Meatball Shop on Feisty Foodie
84 Stanton St. at Allen (Map)
New York, NY 10002
(212) 982-8895
64 Greenwich Ave. at W. 11th (Map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 982-7815
200 Ninth Ave. at W. 23d St. (Map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 257-4363
170 Bedford Ave. at N. 8th (Map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 551-0520
