Real Cheap Eats NYC
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- MAN
- $5.50
- SPICY
- STREET
This truck offers an African take on street meat, and one of its most popular dishes is simply called “tilapia.” An outsized chunk of the flaky white fish is fried and doused in a spicy sauce of stewed onions, peppers and herbs, then placed on a mound of rice flecked with chickpeas. The side of curried potato, carrot and cabbage seals the deal as a welcome alternative to lamb or chicken over rice.
$5 Lunch Truck on Midtown Lunch
Ann St. at Nassau St. (Map)
New York, NY 10038
- MAN
- $6.00
- SPICY
- STREET
The beef, pork and chicken dumplings here are longer and skinnier than the variety normally found at the five-for-$1 shops in Chinatown, but no less tasty. The bottoms ideally have a dark crust, and if you can take the heat, add some of A-Pou’s incendiary hot sauce, bright red and full of chili seeds.
A-Pou’s Taste Cart on Midtown Lunch
Liberty St. at Broadway (Map)
New York, NY 10038
- MAN
- $8.95
It is never a bad idea to order A-Wah’s house special, which (like all the others) comes in a very large, very hot clay pot. If you dine with a friend, you won’t need two of these—and the server will most likely tell you this. The dish is mainly rice, but it’s delicious rice with a crispy layer at the bottom of the pot. The meats could be more plentiful, but they are incredibly good. If you’re hungry, you can add more for $2.
A-Wah on Eating the World in NYC
5 Catherine St. at Bowery (map)
New York, NY 10038
(212) 925-8308
- MAN
- $3.00
- VEG
- STREET
At this narrow East Village coffee mecca, a small assortment of pastries matches some of the city’s best brews. Baker Elizabeth Quijada’s acclaimed olive oil cake, which arguably sparked a renaissance of its own in coffee house food, is unequaled. Moist and prone to minor crumbling, it harbors a simple and unassertive flavor, like a more flavorful angel cake.
Abraço
86 East 7th St. at First Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 388-9731
- MAN
- $3.50
- VEG
Stateside scones get a bad rep for being overly dry and crumbly. Alice’s Tea Cup will change that perception in a minute with its exceptionally moist, caramel-capped pumpkin scones. Whether you enjoy these for dessert, breakfast or as a pre- or post-lunch snack, no trip to Alice’s is complete without one.
Alice’s Tea Cup on Blondie and Brownie
102 W. 73rd St. at Columbus Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10023
(212) 799-3006
156 E. 64th St. at Lexington Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10065
(212) 486-9200
220 E. 81st St. at 3d Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10028
(212) 734-4832
- MAN
- $10.49
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.
In Korean eating culture, weather often dictates what’s for supper. Kar-jaebi, a hearty soup made with sujebi (hand-torn flakes of dough) is appropriate for rainy days. However, the chicken kar-jaebi at Arirang is craveable on all days. This jumbo bowl of chicken noodle soup teases an unbelievable amount of flavor from the humble fowl. In fact, it’s so chicken-y, it serves as a reliable reminder of what the bird can and should taste like. Arirang is located on a non-descript, slightly divey feeling third floor space in Koreatown, but don’t you dare chicken out—the kar-jaebi here is the best in New York.
Arirang
32 W 32nd St. (3rd Floor) at Broadway (Map)
New York, NY 10001
(212) 967-5088
- MAN
- $4.50
Topping a hot dog with more meat may sound like overkill, but opting for the BBQ pork belly, cucumber and scallion topping called “wangding” at Asiadog only makes the frank better. The sweet-sauced pork belly is applied sparingly, and cool cucumber slices help balance what could otherwise be fat overload.
Asiadog on Midtown Lunch
66 Kenmare St. at Mulberry St. (Map)
New York, NY 10012
(212) 226-8861
- MAN
- $9.50 for 4
- VEG
In the gentrified East Village, B&H Dairy is still churning out tasty old-school dishes, including “tastes-like-homemade” soups. On any night at this vegetarian diner you’ll find special combos, like four pierogies (boiled, Polish-style dumplings) plus a cup of soup. The pierogies, filled with potato or cheese, are plump and unusually large. They’re great with the hearty, but not heavy, barley and mushroom soup. Sop up any leftovers with the two slices of challah, smeared with generous amounts of butter, that come on the side.
B & H Vegetarian Restaurant
127 Second Ave. nr St. Mark’s Pl. (map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 505-8065
- MAN
- $5.99 per lb.
Unfamiliar with the cooking of central Africa? Don’t worry. Just dive in at this inexpensive Chelsea steam table. If it looks like collard greens, it’s probably stewed cassava leaves. If it looks like goat, it’s probably goat. You’ll also find meaty braises of heart, liver or kidneys for the adventurous; beans with chunks of tender goat or lamb meat; plantains, corn bread, several types of rice and vegetables I still can’t identify. Spicing is very mild, the flavors unusual, and there’s usually soccer on TV.
B&B Restaurant
165 W 26th St. at Seventh Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10001
(212) 627-2914
- MAN
- $7.00
- VEG
Falafel is everywhere in New York City, but falafel that stands out is a rare treat. Ba’al Café & Falafel opened in Soho in 2011 without a media blitz, but news has spread about its cheap and well-crafted food. The word of mouth was right: This falafel is fresh and light, while the pita is fluffy. Throw in some of their lemony hummus, and you might find yourself thinking about this falafel for days.
Ba’al Cafe & Falafel on Midtown Lunch
71 Sullivan St. at Spring St. (Map)
New York, NY 10012
(646) 368-9957
- MAN
- $6.25
In New York, the Vietnamese sandwich known as bánh mì tends to be a heavy affair, loaded with grilled pork and closer to a hero than a street-side snack. Bánh Mì Zon captures the best of both approaches with a filling bánh mì that tastes light and fresh. Each layer of the sandwich—a flavorful pâté, terrine, thin-sliced ham, dried pork floss, pickled vegetables and cilantro—is applied in careful balance, and the baguette holding it all together is just crusty enough to crackle. It’s a bit more expensive than clunkier counterparts in Chinatown, but the extra cost is worth it.
Bánh Mì Zon
443 East 6th St. nr Ave A. (map)
New York, NY 10009
(646) 524-6384
- 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
When people say “bacon makes everything taste better,” they’re pretty much right. At the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop, you can have soft serve ice cream with sea salt and dulce de leche dipped in chocolate, but what you should really try is the Choinkwich, an ice cream sandwich made with chocolate cookies from the Treats Truck, chocolate soft serve ice cream and a layer of Bacon Marmalade. It’s chocolatey, bacony, smokey, salty, sweet and most definitely delicious.
Big Gay Ice Cream Shop on Eat to Blog
125 E. 7th St. at Ave. A (Map)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 533-9333
- MAN
- $6.00
- STREET
During lunch hours Biryani Cart always has a line, but it moves quickly as the cooks quickly fill kati rolls. The flaky and ultra buttery wrap used in this roll is somewhat like a scallion pancake without the scallions. Fillings include chicken, lamb or vegetarian with different sauces, but communication is rocky, so what you get may be a surprise. As long as you can take some spice, it’s all good.
Biryani Cart on Food Mayhem
W. 46th St. at Sixth Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10036
(917)628-3269
- MAN
- $3.50
- VEG
The standout slice at Bleecker St. Pizza is the Nonna Maria. It’s not overwhelmingly garlicky, like other grandma slices, but the basil, smooth tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese come together beautifully above the crisp crust. Order one for your date, and you are gold. Order one for yourself, and (though lonely) you’ll still be happy.
Bleecker Street Pizza
69 Seventh Ave. South at Bleecker St. (map)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 924-4466
- MAN
- $5.50
Don’t be fooled by the geography in this dish’s name; Cambodia has nothing to do with the noodles at this chiu chow (also called chaozhou and teochew) restaurant serving a Chinese cuisine not common in Manhattan. Available in rice or egg form, the chewy noodles lay a foundation for fish balls, shrimp and sliced and ground pork garnished with chopped scallions and cilantro. Ask for broth on the side—the traditional way of eating it—and dole out the soup as you like, or simply slurp as you go. Don’t forget to add chile-infused vinegar and the robust, house-made chile oil with dried shrimp and peanuts for the full effect.
Bo Ky
80 Bayard St. at Mott St. (Map)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 406-2292
New Bo Ky
216 Grand St. at Mott St. (Map)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 219-9228
- MAN
- $8.50
The fried chicken sandwich (a sweet-tea-brined behemoth) and seared pork chop sandwich (coated with a vibrant chowchow relish) are both solid choices at this Virginia-descended fried chicken joint in Alphabet City. Bobwhite’s fried catfish sandwich, however, trumps them both. The cornmeal-crusted filet is tender, fresh and just barely crumbly around the edges. The cole slaw scooped atop is thankfully light, and the entire sandwich comes together beautifully with a splash of Bruce Louisiana hot sauce (look for the yellow-and-red bottle at the counter). Catfish may be bottom feeders, but this sandwich flies high.
Bobwhite Lunch & Supper Counter
94 Ave. C at E. 6th St. (map)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 228-2972
- 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
- $9.00
- SPICY
They call this dish “mouth watering” for a reason at this chic Murray Hill Chinese restaurant, which is done up with a 1930′s Shanghai aesthetic. The bone-in chicken is poached to tender submission, arriving in a bowl slicked with neon-colored chili-and-sesame oil. Garnished with sesame seeds and finely sliced slivers of scallion, the cold chicken somehow manages to be refreshing and incendiary all at once.
Cafe China
13 East 37th St. at Madison Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 213-2810
- MAN
- $7.99
- VEG
- SPICY
- Photograph by James Boo
Some Tibetan food is light on the spice, but the chili dofu from Cafe Himalaya is not one of those dishes. One wrong bite of the bright red, pepper-laden sauce can leave you in a coughing fit, though the basmati rice that comes with it helps soothe the burn. Alongside firm strips of tofu, you’ll find red and green pepper, onion, tomato and other spices that make the dish a panoply of textures.
Cafe Himalaya
78 E. 1st St. at First Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 358-0160
- MAN
- QNS
- BK
- $5.75
- VEG
- 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
- MAN
- $6.50
- (Photo by James Boo)
This New-Orleans-style sandwich shop takes an expertly-fried chicken cutlet, adds lightly-dressed coleslaw and finishes it with cream gravy before putting it all inside a sturdy buttermilk biscuit. This is a sandwich built for curing a hangover.
Cheeky Sandwiches on Midtown Lunch
35 Orchard St. at Hester St. (Map)
New York, NY 10002
- MAN
- $8.50
The shop itself is too dressed down to bother with a sign, unless you count the picket fence out front. By contrast, Cheeky’s oyster po’ boy is fully “dressed,” which on a New Orleans sandwich denotes the addition of lettuce, tomato, mayo and pickles, and, on Orchard St., also calls for Tabasco, ketchup and a squeeze of lemon. The oysters are generous, the dressings well-balanced.
Cheeky Sandwiches on Eating in Translation
35 Orchard St. at Hester St. (Map)
New York, NY 10002
- MAN
- $4.00
- STREET
The Dominican community’s influence is evident at every turn in Washington Heights and Inwood, but locals know that the best version of the Dominican street-food burger, the chimi, is at Chimichury El Malecon’s truck. El Malecon’s massive sandwiches are stuffed with freshly ground beef—the precise blend is the well-kept secret of owner Manuel Cruz—as well as cabbage, tomato, onion and generous slathers of ketchup and mayo.
Chimichury El Malecon
204 Sherman Ave. at W. 204th St. (map)
New York, NY 10034
- MAN
- $1.50
- VEG
A Fujianese lady curates this stoop-line stand; many of her wares likewise have roots in southeastern China. Perhaps the most intriguing, sold by the pair, are pastries filled with sweet potato, crushed peanut and some cryptic candied-looking tidbits. What might they be? Unless you speak Fujianese, there’s no telling; let your tastebuds be your guide. Like most of the lady’s wares, these pastries are unlabeled, but you can recognize them by their whorled shape and deeply indented top.
Chinese Snacks Table on Eating in Translation
Chrystie St. and Grand St. (Map)
Northwest Corner
New York, NY 10002
- 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
- MAN
- $9.95
At City Sandwich, a Hell’s Kitchen newcomer featuring Portuguese and Italian inspired sandwiches, the ‘Nuno’ sandwich is the one to try. It’s an inspired concoction of morcella (blood sausage), broccoli rabe, mozzarella and fixins, scrunched between City Sandwich’s superbly crusty and fresh sandwich rolls. Texturally, it’s near perfect, brimming with flavor from an appealingly pungent morcella, earthy greens and creamy cheese.
City Sandwich on Midtown Lunch
649 Ninth Ave. at W. 45th St. (Map)
New York, NY 10036
(646) 684-3943
- MAN
- $8.50
- VEG
Natto is a fermented soybean with a strong taste, but is ultimately not something most people would object to. On cold soba mixed with egg, soy, onions and crushed sesame seeds, this dish is an amazing taste experience, sour and sweet and salty at the same time.
Cocoron on Eating the World in NYC
61 Delancey St. at Allen St. (Map)
New York, NY 10002
(212) 925-5220
- MAN
- $9.95
Congee offers much more than just the humble rice porridge that’s its namesake. Don’t miss their salt baked squid, featuring a mountainous pile of lightly battered and tender chunks of crisp, well seasoned cephalopod, sprinkled with salt and pepper and mixed with cashews and strips of bell pepper and onion.
Congee on The Girl Who Ate Everything
98 Bowery at Hester St. (Map)
New York, NY 10013
212-965-5028
- MAN
- $8.95
- VEG
- SPICY
Supper at this 24-hour Cuban-American diner will set you back $20, but an affordable selection of breakfast plates is available all day. Coppelia’s Huevos Rancheros, served over a deep-fried corn tortilla and flavorful moros (black beans and rice), are especially good. Sparing no detail, the two fried eggs atop are splashed with a tart salsa verde and garnished with pickled onion, crema and queso fresco. The impeccable contrast of textures and flavors makes this a noteworthy (and addictive) spin on a Mexican classic.
Coppelia
207 W. 14th St. at 7th Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 858-5001
- MAN
- $7.95
You could have breakfast all day at this modern 24-hour Latin diner, but that means you’d miss out on the Pan con Lechon, a toasted and pressed sandwich to rival the more famous Cubano. The roast pork and garlicky mojo would be enough on their own, but the addition of crackly chicharrones pushes the porcine quotient over the top, while pickled red onions cut all that richness. If you like additional heat, be sure to ask for the house hot sauce, made powerfully spicy by habanero peppers.
Coppelia
207 W. 14th St. at 7th Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 858-5001
- 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
- MAN
- $7.95
This Indian hole in the wall on the edge of Chinatown has a lot of cheap eats competition from Asian eateries nearby, but it’s worth a diversion. The namesake chicken kebabs are juicy and flavorful on their own, but they’re best when wrapped in made-to-order naan, creating a kind of Indian burrito.
Curry & Tandoor Corner on Midtown Lunch
369 Broome St. at Mott St. (Map)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 334-9144
- MAN
- $2.25
Though D’Aiuto bakery is best known for its crustless “Baby Watson” cheesecake, the hidden gem here is the apple fritter. Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, studded with apple pieces and covered in plenty of sweet glaze (so much that it soaks through), this beauty clocks in at well over a half pound. It’s more than big enough to share, but you might not want to. D’Aiuto’s fritters are sold at Dean & Deluca’s around the city for $3.50, but you can get them from the source for $2.25.
D’Aiuto on Midtown Lunch
405 Eighth Ave. at W. 30th St. (Map)
New York, NY 10001
212 564-7136
- MAN
- QNS
- $2.00 per piece
There are mandoo (Korean dumplings) and there are wang mandoo, which roughly translates to “king-sized dumplings.” At Daheen Wong Mandoo, the first U.S. outpost of a popular dumpling shop in Seoul, Korea, jjin (steamed) mandoo are stuffed with peppery minced pork, tender sweet potato noodles and a fine mince of vegetables. One is enough for a snack, and two to three could be a meal. Despite the regal moniker, these hefty dumplings are only $2 a piece.
Daheen Wang Mandoo on Serious Eats NY
2 W. 32nd St. nr. Fifth Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10001
(212) 510-7332
153-24 Northern Blvd. nr. 154th St. (map)
Queens, NY 11354
(718) 321-2007
- MAN
- $7.95
- VEG
- Photograph by James Boo
To make its Cookies and Cream Sundae, Dessert Club Chikalicious cuts up three of its cookies—The Situation (chocolate chips, corn chips, peanut butter chips, marshmallow and pretzel), Situation Dark (chocolate cookie with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, toffee popcorn and pretzel) and Chocolate Chip—then mixes the crisp chunks with super creamy vanilla bean soft serve. Each dessert is great on its own, but together they form the best combination of cookies and ice cream you may ever eat. Just make sure to share with one or two people; the portion is huge.
Dessert Club Chikalicious on The Girl Who Ate Everything
203 E. 10th St. at Second Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 475-0929
- MAN
- $6.00
There is a well-known shop in the city with expensive porchetta sandwiches, and then there is Di Palo’s. If you ever walk in and see this roll of pork cooling on the counter, do yourself a favor and ask the staff to make you a sandwich with it. You’ll get a generous portion of crisp, fatty, salty pork strewn with herbs and celery. To avoid disappointment, call ahead to make sure they have the porchetta before paying a visit.
Di Palo’s Fine Foods on Midtown Lunch
200 Grand St. at Mott St. (Map)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 226-1033
- MAN
- $5.95 for 2 pieces
Chicken is cooked three ways at this purveyor of organic, free-range birds. The white-meat strips and rotisserie varieties have their charms, but it’s the buttermilk-dipped fried chicken that Dirty Bird does best. You could muddle things by getting a side of mac ‘n’ cheese or kale sauteed with garlic, but the two-piece box (a leg and gigantic breast) will sate most appetites. For added zing, be sure to request the vinegar-based, jalapeño-spiked sauce.
Dirty Bird To Go
204 W. 14th St. at Seventh Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10011
2120620-4836
155 Chambers St. nr West Broadway (map)
New York, NY 10007
212-964-3284
- MAN
- $4.25 for 10
- VEG
During Dominique Ansel’s tenure at Michelin-rated restaurant Daniel, meals famously ended with a basket of freshly baked madeleines, their lemony scent wafting from beneath a white napkin. When Ansel left Daniel, he left diners yearning for such delights. Fortunately, those madeleines are now available every day at his bakery. Stop in for a treat that’s a fraction of the cost of three Michelin stars, but just as memorable.
Dominique Ansel Bakery on Feisty Foodie
189 Spring St. at Thompson St. (map)
New York, NY 10012
(212) 219-2773
- MAN
- $9.00
At Don Antonio Neapolitan Pizza, owned by Kesté’s Roberto Caporuscio and his mentor Antonio Starita, there’s generations of pizza-making wisdom behind every pizza and panini—not to mention a very expensive (and very hot) Acunto oven imported from Italy. Despite all of this, they serve reasonably priced paninis, such as the Pagnotello, a hefty panini stuffed with sausage, bitter Italian rapini, creamy smoked, buffalo mozzarella and a touch of extra virgin olive oil. The paninis are baked in the Acunto, giving the dough a Neapolitan puffiness with an extra bit of char and chew. Lunchtime only.
Don Antonio by Starita on Midtown Lunch
309 West 50th St. at Eighth Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10019
(646) 719-1043
- MAN
- $1.15
- VEG
Remember the days before New York was overrun by cupcake shops, artisan pies and exotic doughnuts? I actually don’t, but the Donut Pub embodies everything good about classic American desserts. If you’re looking for a Valrhona triple-chocolate doughnut or exotic ingredients like matcha, you won’t find them here. What you will find is the epitome of a glazed doughnut (they call it a Honey Dip). The dough melts in your mouth, yet has a certain resilience upon biting. With an oh-so-thin layer of honey-based syrup drizzled over this magical bread, you have an intoxicating blend of sugar, carb, and pure sensual feelings—quite possibly a benchmark for any doughnut in the city.
Donut Pub on My Inner Fatty
203 West 14th St. at Seventh Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 929-0126
- MAN
- $3.90
Offering tasty, fresh tacos for under $4, Dos Toros brought a little slice of Bay Area Mexican food to Union Square. The carnitas (pork) are seared and slow cooked, leaving them juicy and flavorful, with the right amount of salty kick before being wrapped in corn tortilla along with toppings of your choice. The meat is purposefully left mild, so feel free to be adventurous with Dos Toros’ tangy homemade sauces.
Dos Toros
137 Fourth Ave. at E. 13th St. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 677-7300
11 Carmine St. at Bleeker St. (Map)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 627-2051
- MAN
- $7.25
Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop is an old-school diner that, as the menu proudly touts, has been “raising New York’s cholesterol since 1929.” The vintage atmosphere is a bigger draw than the food, but if you’re going to eat a sandwich in the Flatiron, better to sit on a red vinyl stool at a long counter where you can chat with a friendly sandwich maker than wait in line at a generic deli. The tuna salad sandwich is just right—no bells and whistles: a thick layer of creamy (canned) tuna salad topped with a few slices of tomato and crisp iceberg lettuce on toasted rye (the bread choice is up to you), with a sliced pickle on the side.
Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop
174 Fifth Ave. at W. 22nd St. (map)
New York, NY 10010
(212) 675-5096
- MAN
- $1.00
- STREET
Canal Street is home to more than bad fake designer bags; it also has one of the only food carts in the city that will fry its entire menu on the spot. The menu ranges from fish balls to octopus—all ready to be eaten on a stick. One thing is perfect for the less adventurous: excellently fried chicken. Crunch your way thought the drumstick’s crispy shell, and you’ll be rewarded with juicy, moist chicken meat. It’s the perfect meal on the go.
Fried Food Cart on Blondie & Brownie
Canal St. at Baxter St. (Map)
New York, NY 10013
- MAN
- $2.50
- VEG
- STREET
- Photograph by James Boo
For most young people, “egg cream” evokes hazy, black-and-white memories of an older generation of New Yorkers, sharing the once-ubiquitous drink over doo-wop music at a 1950’s-era diner. Thankfully, the humble egg cream, a mixture of chocolate syrup (the purists demand Fox’s U-Bet), milk and soda water, lives on at Gem Spa, a ramshackle bodega on the corner of St. Marks and 2nd Ave. Grab one on a hot afternoon for a refreshing, cross-generational treat.
Gem Spa
131 2nd Ave. at St Mark’s Pl. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 995-1866
- MAN
- $7.75
When Glaze Teriyaki Grill opened in 2010, it aimed to channel the best of Seattle-style teriyaki in its all-natural, homemade sauce. Glaze brushes this seriously tasty sauce over a variety of proteins, but the best value on the menu—or in all of Midtown for that matter—is the beautifully plump, juicy, organic teriyaki chicken thigh, served over white or brown rice with crisp and fresh side salad.
Glaze Teriyaki Grill on Midtown Lunch
638 Lexington Ave. at W. 54th St. (Map)
New York, NY
(212) 935-3400
- MAN
- $7.50
Sushi and ramen get all the love, but ask a Japanese expat what she misses most, and she might say curry. Neither Indian nor Thai, this curry is a Japanese riff on a British interpretation of an Indian classic. Flavored with pureed apples, ketchup, curry powder and garam masala, the brown gravy is sweet and mild (even if you order a spicy version) and is popularly topped with tonkatsu, a breaded, fried pork cutlet. A drizzle of thickened Worcestershire sauce adds a savory finishing touch.
Go! Go! Curry
273 W. 38th St. at Eighth Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10018
(212) 730-5555
- MAN
- $4.95 for 2 dogs and drink
- STREET
- Photograph by Robyn Lee
A cheap eats stalwart—both west-side locations have been operating since 1973—Gray’s Papaya offers what is quite possibly the original budget-friendly meal. Avoid the sad looking dollar pizza slices and head straight for the hot dogs. The tart sauerkraut and spicy mustard (both free) add some depth to the otherwise generic, greasy dog, making this the perfect snack after you’ve had one too many at the local bar. Plus, at $4.95 for two dogs and a drink, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better deal along this stretch of Sixth Avenue.
Gray’s Papaya
402 Sixth Ave. at West 8th St. (map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 260-3532
2090 Broadway at 72nd St. (map)
New York, NY 10023
(212) 799-0243
- 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
- MAN
- $7.00
- STREET
The Halal Gyro Express cart toiled under the moniker “Xpress Power Lunch” for seven years, serving the usual trinity of lamb gyro, chicken and falafel. In 2011 the men running the cart added four Afghani dishes to the menu, including lamb chops and a tender, well-spiced lamb tikka. Try the tikka with Halal Gyro’s fantastic green sauce, and bring a book—these Afghani dishes are cooked to order.
Halal Gyro Express on Midtown Lunch
William St. at Maiden Lane (Map)
New York, NY
- MAN
- $4.95
- Photograph by James Boo
Happy Garden Palace is a nondescript little restaurant on Chinatown’s East Broadway that offers Fujianese immigrants inexpensive, generously portioned cooking from home. A great many things here are under $10, but be sure to order the salted fish and chicken fried rice. For about half of what other places charge, you’ll get a sizable mound of moist rice with egg, cabbage, carrot and bits of salted fish, which give this dish subtly earthy, anchovy-like undertones.
Happy Garden Palace on Mahlzeit!
54 East Broadway nr Market St. (map)
New York, NY 10002
(212) 925-9888
- MAN
- $7
- SPICY
For those who are disinclined to trek to Flushing for quality Sichuan, newcomer Hot Kitchen provides a surprisingly solid alternative in the heart of the East Village. Their hot pot is great, but if you’re without a group, stick to this appetizer. The name is misleading—the noodles are actually vermicelli—but forgive the misnomer and just enjoy the mouth-numbing sensation of slippery noodles bathed in a hot chili-oil broth, studded with bits of ground beef, peanuts and cilantro. Taste- and texture-wise, it’s a workout for your tongue—in a good way.
Hot Kitchen
104 Second Ave. at 6th St. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-3090
- MAN
- $5.00
- (Photo by James Boo)
Bento boxes are to Taiwanese culture as bagged lunches are to American culture. Taking this analogy one step further, pork chop over rice is the Taiwanese working man’s equivalent of peanut butter and jelly. Hua Ji Pork Chop Fast Food executes this combination of meat and rice as if it were a science. A fatty slab of a pork chop is pounded thin and fried until golden brown, then paired with white rice and a sauce comprised of coarse ground pork and pickled vegetables. The pork chops are pretty damn good, but the sauce… that’s their real showstopper.
Hua Ji Pork Chop Fast Food on My Inner Fatty
7 Allen St. at Canal St. (Map)
New York, NY 10002
(212) 219-9876
- MAN
- $5.99
Most non-pizza items at this tiny Italian shop (that also occasionally sells Uzbek food) are made to order—including the salsiccia e burro pasta, brimming with sausage and bacon. The salty, fatty meats in this pasta dish are balanced by a chunky tomato sauce that may make you ask for bread to sop up the last bits.
It’s a Pizza on Midtown Lunch
20 John St. at Nassau St.(Map)
New York, NY 10038
(212) 964-0999
- MAN
- $5.49 per pound
- VEG
Jacob’s expansive buffet offers a constantly refreshed selection of soul, Southern and Caribbean chow. Hot food is the focus, supplemented by cool salads. Chilled banana pudding is worth a second trip to the buffet—not least because you wouldn’t want the gravy on your smothered chicken or the run-off from your okra gumbo to slop over the ‘nilla wafers in your pudding. A delicious mess, the banana pudding deserves its own plate.
Jacob Restaurant on Eating in Translation
2695 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 8th Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10030
(212) 283-3663
373 Lenox Ave. at W. 129th St. (map)
New York, NY
(212) 866-3663
- MAN
- $3.35
- VEG
At this Japanese-inspired, Vancouver-born hot dog joint, even dessert comes on a warm bun. The Age Ice (pronounced “ah-gay ice”) consists of three plump scoops of ice cream in your choice of flavors—vanilla, strawberry, green tea or black sesame—set inside a bun that is lightly deep-fried moments before being served. The bun’s texture and light coating of granulated sugar are reminiscent of a good raised doughnut.
Japadog on Eating in Translation
30 Saint Marks Pl. nr Second Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10003
(646) 476-2324
- MAN
- $10.25
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.
This nearly 40-year-old burger joint is rightfully famous for its griddled burgers, featuring juicy and flavorful loosely packed patties on simple toasted white buns. Like the restaurant itself, the burger isn’t anything fancy. The cheeseburger comes with thinly sliced red onion and pickles on the side, but it’s still worth going out of your way to get it.
JG Melon
1291 Third Ave. at E. 74th St. (Map)
New York, NY 10021
(212) 744-0585
- 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
- $4.75 for 1/4 lb.
- SPICY
The term “jerky” might inspire thoughts of half-chewed shoe leather, but the unassuming gang at Malaysian Beef Jerky has mastered the art of making dried meat gentle on your jaw. Tender in texture and feisty in flavor, the spicy sliced pork jerky is a treat at $4.50 per quarter-pound. Beef, chicken, shrimp and non-spicy variations are also available for a similar price.
K.L. Malaysia Beef Jerky
95A Elizabeth St. at Grand St. (Map)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 965-0796
- MAN
- $7.99
- VEG
The steam table specials at Kalustyan’s second-floor deli change daily, but you can always stuff yourself with a gigantic Middle Eastern veggie combo plate. On any given day you might receive a monstrous container overflowing with sautéed spinach, mujadarra (lentils with fried onions), a green salad, warm pita, pickled vegetables (celery, carrots, cucumbers) and dolma (stuffed grape leaves). It’s more than enough fiber to make you squirm, but the food is well worth it.
Kalustyan’s on United Nations of Food
123 Lexington Ave. at 28th St. (Map)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 685-3451
- MAN
- $8.00
- SPICY
Kimchi Taco Truck’s bulgogi kimchi bowl, which would be recognizable as dup bap in Korea, is simply protein and vegetables over rice. You could find a similar meal in Koreatown for about the same price, but the fact that a dish this fresh, filling and tasty can be served out of a food truck is a game changer. The rice is fragrant, while the grilled beef is meaty, juicy, well caramelized and complimented by pickled radish for crunch and zest. It’s topped with kimchi that’s made in house using Chef Youngsun Lee’s grandmother’s recipe, which utilizes red pepper powder imported from Korea. A meal that channels Grandma’s home cooking from a truck? I swoon.
Kimchi Taco Truck on Midtown Lunch
Check Twitter for truck location.
- MAN
- $8.99
- SPICY
In Manhattan Koreatown, a good bowl of soon dooboo chigae (silken tofu stew) usually runs $10 or more, plus tip. Not so at Food Gallery 32, the neigborhood’s bustling bargain bin of a food court. Every type of soon dooboo at Hanok is tasty, but the seafood stew (haemool soon dooboo) is especially good. Whole shrimp, mussels, octopus and squid give the spicy, red-pepper broth a faint flavor of the ocean. The bubbling stew comes with a bowl of white rice, nibbles of ban chan and an egg cracked into the soup (only on request). The combination makes a good meal anytime you need a spicy pick-me-up, but it’s perfect on a cold day.
Korean House (Stall #4)
Food Gallery 32
11 W 32nd St. nr. Broadway (map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 967-1678
- MAN
- $3.75
- VEG
- (Photo by Dave Cook)
Maybe the cheese isn’t the highest quality, maybe the crust isn’t as finely “charred” as fancier establishments, and maybe the amount of oil on top will give you a heart attack. I can’t say for certain. What I do know is that for $3.75, this is a slice of fairly decent pizza, 14” in length and wider than your face. If you’re looking for the finest slice in all of Manhattan, you’ll probably want to keep looking. If you’re looking for the greatest cost-value slice in the entire city, Koronet delivers.
Koronet Pizza
2848 Broadway at W. 111th St. (Map)
New York, NY 10025
(212) 222-1566
- MAN
- $6.00
- STREET
Many New Yorkers associate lamb and pita with pale and impaled bricks of street meat, rendered irresistible typically by way of inebriation. Those who have yet to experience a spit racked with the genuine article would do well to try the lamb shawarma at Kuti’s, where layers upon layers of fatty lamb meat roast in their own juices as they await the next order. Rolling lamb, stewed peas, green beans, tomato and onion into a lavash-style flatbread, then grilled to a chewy crunch on a panini press, this wrap is a sobering shot of flavor for those used to noshing on street meat under the influence.
Kuti’s Place on The Eaten Path
355 W. 116th St. at Manhattan Ave. (Map)
New York NY 10026
(212) 222-1127
- MAN
- $6.99
One of NYC’s only Hawaiian restaurants serves carb-heavy plate lunches that are the textbook definition of gut bomb—in the best possible way, of course. Anyone who needs to stay awake the rest of the day should stick with a small portion (pictured), which adds only one scoop of white rice and macaroni salad to your protein. BBQ chicken, teriyaki beef and breaded pork chops are all fine choices, but for something uniquely Hawaiian pick the loco moco, a thin hamburger patty smothered in brown gravy and topped with a fried egg. It’s like breakfast, lunch and dinner in one.
L&L Hawaiian BBQ
64 Fulton St. at Gold St. (Map)
New York, NY 10038
(212) 577-8888
- MAN
- $4.50 for small, $5.50 for large
- VEG
The West Village is home to a handful of good ice cream and gelato shops. My favorite, which most reminds me of Italy, is L’Arte del Gelato. Their freshly made gelati and sorbetti are invariably creamy and smooth, and their seasonal menu offers a wide variety of flavors—from chocolate-y, to nutty, to fruity, to creamy, to spicy and more. Don’t miss their intensely nutty pistachio gelato, made with Bronte pistachios from Sicily. Pair it with a fruity gelato or sorbet; I’m fond of strawberry, peach, banana and grape.
L’Arte del Gelato
75 Seventh Ave. South at Bleecker St. (map)
New York, NY, 10014
(212) 924-0803
75 Ninth Ave. nr West 15th St. (in Chelsea Market – map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 366-0570
- MAN
- $8.50
Lechón, a roast pork dish, seems to be the specialty of multiple Spanish-speaking nations, taking a slightly different form in each one. When passed across the bare-bones dining counter of this buzzing Puerto Rican diner, this lechón “asado” brings to mind a deep braise more than a pit-skewered roast. The meat is tender, unapologetically tasting of pork and served in a bowl of juices that’s salty and savory enough to season the mountain of rice and beans set alongside it. La Taza De Oro offers a rotating cast of daily specials, but in the spirit of the diner, this one’s a regular.
La Taza De Oro
96 Eighth Ave. nr. W. 15th St. (map)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 243-9946
- MAN
- $3.00
Though Lam Zhou’s marquee dish is its hand pulled noodles, the fried dumplings are no slouch either. Thin skins, fried perfectly crisp, yield to your bite to reveal juicy nuggets of pork and chives so flavorful that no sauce is necessary. A single order of twelve fried dumplings costs $3, making this meal hard to beat.
Lam Zhou on Feisty Foodie
144 East Broadway at Essex St./Rutgers St. (Map)
New York, NY 10007
(212) 566-6933
- MAN
- $8.00
- Photograph by James Boo
Luke made his name by slashing the price of NYC lobster rolls in half. So it’s no surprise that many customers overlook his other sandwiches featuring less expensive seafood alternatives, like crab and shrimp. The bargain shrimp roll—a buttered, split-top bun packed with juicy shrimp lightly tossed with herbed salt and a hint of mayo—is worth a detour from the more famous lobster roll (and half the price).
Luke’s Lobster
93 E 7th St. at First Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 387-8487 (EV)
242 E. 81st St. at Second Ave. (map)
New York, NY 10028
(212) 249-4241 (UES)
426 Amsterdam Ave. nr West 80th St. (map)
New York, NY 10024
(212) 877-8800 (UWS)
26 South William St. at Beaver St. (map)
New York, NY
(212) 747-1700 (FiDi)
@LukesLobsterNY (Truck)
(917) 881-7866
- MAN
- $3.00
- SPICY
- STREET
A couple of lunchtime carts can be found near the J/M/Z subway exit on Centre Street, just south of Canal Street. For budget-minded lunchers, “Mai Cart” (closer to Canal) is definitely worth a second look. Mai, the cart’s genial owner, has been serving up congee (traditional Chinese rice porridge), tea eggs and tripe for more than fifteen years. Don’t miss her steamed rice noodles with spicy curried fish balls, topped with a sweet and salty mix of peanut sauce, hoisin, soy sauce and a sprinkling of sesame seeds.
Mai Cart
Centre St. at Canal St. (Map)
Southwest Corner
New York, NY 10013
- MAN
- $2.75
- VEG
This square slice, covered in crushed tomato sauce and fragrant garlic, is love at first sight. While the pizzeria doesn’t skimp on fresh basil leaves, cheese is applied sparingly. The thin crust takes a backseat to the fresh toppings and is basically a vehicle to get them in your mouth—nothing more, nothing less.
Majestic Pizza on Midtown Lunch
8 Cortlandt St. at Broadway (Map)
New York, NY 10007
(212) 349-4046
- MAN
- $2.50
Mark serves a perfect rendition of a classic slider. A proprietary beef blend is chopped right on the premises. The patties are pressed into a cast iron griddle with onions, flipped, and topped with cheese, which is then left to steam underneath the bun until gooey and soft. The result is the perfect hamburger experience in a bite-sized package.
Mark on A Hamburger Today
33 St. Mark’s Pl. at 2nd Ave.
New York, NY 10003
(212) 677-3132
- MAN
- $.90
If you’re craving a quick, savory snack in Chinatown and you’re a fan of fatty pork, head to Mei Li Wah for their famous baked, roast pork buns. These soft, lightly glazed buns don’t skimp on the saucy, sweet and savory roast pork filling. Mei Li Wah also makes a steamed version, but it has a higher bread-to-filling ratio. Stick with the baked buns.
Mei Li Wah
64 Bayard St. at Elizabeth St. (Map)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 966-7866
- 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
- MAN
- $6.25
- VEG
Minar does a brisk business in the lunchtime steam table trade, but their chana bhatura daily special is worth the extra wait. The chana (chickpea) curry is moderately spiced and served with a side of cool raita, or yogurt sauce, and small cups of tamarind sauce and cilantro chutney. It’s available with bread or rice. Choose Minar’s made-to-order poori, and you’ll find yourself staring down two hot and poofy deep fried breads that make the meal.
Minar on Blondie and Brownie
5 W. 31st St. (Map)
New York, NY 10001
(212) 967-2727
138 W. 46th St. at Seventh Ave. (Map)
New York, NY 10036
(212) 398-4600
