In the arbitrary yet wonderful tradition of days/weeks/months being claimed in the name of food, we are excited to recognize that May is Hamburger Month! To celebrate New York City’s full burger potential, Robyn Lee has compiled a list of several mouthwatering deals and events happening throughout the next few weeks. She also has the scoop on where you can pick up “burger passes” for free ShackBurgers from May 19 to 22.

Of course, Hamburger Month doesn’t stop our contributors from eating anything and everything they can.

Anne Noyes Saini, who’s become a newly minted columnist over at We Heart Astoria, kicks off her monthly segment, United Nations of Astoria, by shining the spotlight on Arepas Cafe’s Venezuelan-style arepas and other small bites.

In Flushing, Joe DiStefano interviews Tyson Ho, master of the Carolina barbecue and creative mind behind Hog Days of Summer, a series of pop-up events this summer in Long Island City and Greenpoint, where Tyson will be slow-smoking whole pigs. Joe also gives a curious reader the scoop on some delectable insect-filled dishes at Playground Thai Bistro in Woodside. Partnered with Dave Cook, Joe checks out Mamak House, a new, Indian-influenced Malaysian restaurant that lends an authentic touch in a city saturated with Malaysian food.

Speaking of Dave, he’s trying hotteok, or brown sugar and nut-filled cakes, over at Pajunia in Elmhurst where the scent of the freshly griddled treats wafts through the window. If you’re craving something savory instead, the kubdari khachapuri at Apani Georgian Cuisine in Sheepshead Bay is a good pit stop. Though khachapuri literally translates to “cheese bread,” not all variations are filled with that oozy, dairy goodness. Instead, Dave opts for a khachapuri with an onion and pork mixture.

Over in Williamsburg, Krista Garcia approves of the vegetable and white slices served at Best Pizza, while Brownie can’t stop ordering the garlicky rigatoni caprese served at Brancaccio’s Food Shop.

Now that Winter’s slowly creeping away, it’s time to put away those down jackets and venture out to try some of our contributor’s latest food discoveries.

Smorgasburg is back in business and one of its many new arrivals is Scharf & Zoyer, a Jewish sandwich stand co-founded by RCE’s very own Noah Arenstein. It’s already received a lot of praise, including fellow contributor Dave Cook’s write-up of the kugel double down, and you can follow Chris Crowley’s coverage on his Serious Eats miniseries, “Anatomy of a Smorgasburg Pop Up“. Noah is also writing for A Hamburger Today about both locations of Burger Joint.

Speaking of Chris, he’s got us the scoop on Nano Billiards, which he touts as serving “the best Dominican food in the Bronx.” It’s more of a casual bar and pool hall than a restaurant, but who needs conventional when there are delicious and affordable rotating lunch specials like stewed goat, pork with okra, and ribs? Chris also found the best cheap eat near Yankee Stadium: curbside pupusas.

On Downtown Lunch, Andrea Heisinger tries out a Korean food cart called Gangnam Style (and just when we thought the song’s glory days had passed), but though the name suggests young and trendy, the marinated, sliced ribeye is actually low-key and tasty.

Hello again, Real Cheap Eaters!

Spring is here, and it’s about time for a fresh batch of cheap eats highlights from our food writers’ collective. This time we’re featuring 50 tasty dishes along the L Train. The L cuts across Manhattan at 14th Street, marking the boundary in the eternal struggle between downtown and uptown and tunneling into Brooklyn by way of Williamsburg and terminates in far-flung Canarsie. This guide to good eats shouldn’t take you more than a 10-minute walk from any given L Train stop, though a few dishes demand just a bit more adventure the rest.

Befitting its reputation, we’ve included nods to some of the hippest eats in North Brooklyn—like BrisketTown, where a breakfast taco offers a taste of premium barbecue, and Pies & Thighs, whose chicken biscuit has been representing since it was first served from the back room of a dive bar. In addition to treading familiar ground, our writers have used their nose for gems in plain sight, turning up $2 pupusas at Bahia in East Williamsburg and a serious pork chop platter from Bun-ker (a new Vietnamese restaurant that is entirely worth a short trek from the Jefferson St. station).

These are just a taste of what we’ve covered, so jump to the full guide to see all 50 dishes (including 22 new additions to Real Cheap Eats NYC).

Do you live near an L stop? Did we miss something crucial in the food commute from Canarsie to 8th Ave? There’s territory that this guide doesn’t even touch, so let us know what’s worth jumping off the train for by leaving a comment below. You can also drop some knowledge on our Facebook page, or send us a tweet.

• 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

• 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

• MAN
• $2.75
• VEG

Joe’s Pizza, an outpost of the famed Greenwich Village pizzeria, is a welcome taste of old New York City in a neighborhood besieged by chain stores. For just a few bucks, Joe’s serves up the perfect street slice: a crisp crust that remains pliant enough to fold and stroll with, topped by a vibrant, slightly sweet sauce under a bronzed canopy of cheese.

Joe’s Pizza on Serious Eats
150 E. 14th St. (map)
New York, NY
(212) 388-9474

• MAN
• $3.50
• Photograph by James Boo

After a long Friday night of drinking in the East Village, it’s still hard to top a hangover-preventing spot like BaoHaus, where Chairman Bao is the cure of choice. The hearty steamed bao (bun) envelops a melt-in-your-mouth slab of Berkshire pork belly, topped with fresh cilantro and crushed peanuts, while the Huang brothers’ favorite Taiwanese red sugar gives the classic sandwich a pinch of sweetness. Add a second bao and a side of taro fries while you’re there, and you’re sure to feel better in the morning.

BaoHaus
238 E.14th St. at 2nd Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10003
(646) 669-8889

• MAN
• $6.00
• VEG

You can brave the pizza line at sister restaurant Artichoke Basille’s Pizza to score a stuffed artichoke, but you’re better off heading over to Chubby Mary’s, where you can wait for the dish to heat up in a more relaxed environment. The softball-sized ‘choke is packed with bread crumbs and anointed with artichoke stock. Take it home if you must. Better yet, sit on the one of the benches in front of the pizza shop and make passersby jealous of your Sicilian treat.

Chubby Mary’s Heroes
328 E. 14 St. btwn 1st and 2nd Ave. (map)
New York, NY
(212) 228-2807

• 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
• $4.00
• SPICY

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

• MAN
• $1.25 per paczek
• VEG
• Photograph by Dave Cook

Paczki (pronounced punch-key) are Polish jelly-filled doughnuts traditionally made and devoured on “Fat Thursday” as a way to finish all the fat, sugar and fruit in the household before Lent. Luckily, the husband-and-wife duo running this homey Eastern European deli sells paczki year-round. These circular treats are prepared and deep-fried to a rich, golden brown color every morning. The dough is light and airy, and the dollop of strawberry and raspberry jam in the center has a sweet and slightly tart flavor, making this pastry an ideal snack.

Polish G.I. Delicatessen
109 1st Ave. at E. 7th St. (map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 982-7893

• MAN
• $2.50
• VEG

Almost everything on the shelves of Breads Bakery is an ode to truly great bread, each loaf a testament to quality ingredients and serious craft. If you’re only looking for a small bite of greatness, the bakery has you covered with a full assortment of pastries and savory baked treats for single servings. The Jerusalem Baguette, a slightly sour take on a French baguette, heightens the pleasure of a crackling crust with a coat of toasted sesame seeds. The simple but forward flavors make a surprisingly good match for a cup of strong coffee.

Breads Bakery
18 East 16th St. nr. Union Square West (map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 633-2253

• MAN
• $3.50
• VEG
• 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

• MAN
• BK
• $0.00-$1.00 With Beer
• VEG
• Photograph by James Boo

The business model is a modern classic: For every drink you order, the bartender gives you a ticket. Bring it to the oven at the back of the bar to exchange for a free personal pizza. By the end of the night (if you’ve had enough fun), you’ll have a slew of unused tickets and piled up fantasies about all the pizza you could potentially eat. Even though the price jumps to $1 at 8:00 p.m., each miniature pie is more than satisfying, since it it comes straight from the oven. Don’t forget to tip!

Alligator Lounge
600 Metropolitan Ave. at Lorimer St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 599-4440

Crocodile Lounge
325 E. 14th St. btwn 1st and 2nd Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 477-7747

• 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

• MAN
• $6.00
• VEG

This Vietnamese sandwich gets all the small, but important, details right. A rice flour baguette—crisp outside, soft within—cradles tangy, crunchy shreds of pickled carrot and daikon, a thicket of fresh cilantro, a crisp cucumber wedge, and creamy mayo (applied sparingly to moisten the bread). But it’s the tofu—stir-fried with soy sauce and garlic, and imbued with distinct smoky “wok essence”—that really steals this show. The sandwich would be delicious all on its own, even without a symphony of supporting flavors and textures. (Only available before 5 p.m.) -Anne Noyes Saini

Sao Mai
203 1st Ave. at 13th St. (map)
New York, NY
(212) 358-8880

• MAN
• $8.50 (price varies at Smorgasburg)
• Photograph by James Boo

Since beginning as a stand at Smorgasburg, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque has expanded to include a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Manhattan. The smokehouse’s “Texalina” style combines Texan dry rub with the vinegar sauces of the Carolinas, creating a clean sweetness in the beautifully marbled brisket. It makes for a substantial sandwich, with meat that falls gently apart, bits of fat with a hint of smoke, and flakes of Maldon salt. The complimentary slaw and pickled vegetables cut through the richness, but with this meat, extra barbecue sauce is unnecessary.

Mighty Quinn’s
Saturdays at Smorgasburg, East River State Park
Kent Ave. and North 7th St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211

103 2nd Ave. at E. 6th St. (map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 677-3733

• $3.00
• VEG

Whirlybird in south Williamsburg does one thing and does it well: breakfast tacos. Served in a single tortilla, the taco combines scrambled eggs, roasted peppers and Oaxaca cheese, topped with salsa and crushed jalapeño potato chips. The salsa is slightly spicy but not enough to give off much heat, and the crunch from the potato chips is a nice touch. Most importantly, they do not skimp on the fillings in each taco. The vibe of the place is relaxed and chill. The owner, a musician, is usually inside, spinning records for hungry customers.

Whirlybird
254 S 2nd St. at Havemeyer St. (map)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 384-1928

• MAN
• $6.40

The menu welcomes diners to create their own burger combinations, but when it comes to Paul’s bacon burger, no adjustments are necessary. The patty is loosely packed, topped with slices of crisp bacon and laid atop a fluffy bun. A swipe of mayonnaise brings it all together, creating the just-right bite. Of course, with such reasonable prices and extensive topping options, you may just want to invent the burger of your own monstrous dreams.

Paul’s Da Burger Joint on Feisty Foodie
131 2nd Ave. at St. Marks Pl. (map)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 529-3097

• 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