Real Cheap Eats NYC
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- 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
- QNS
- $3.00 per quarter lb.
- VEG
- STREET
Just holding this little paper bag of twelve or so charcoal-roasted chestnuts on a cold day brings warmth. Cracking one open to reveal the yam-tasting nut brings further satisfaction. By the eighth one, you’ll master the art of peeling back an entire shell, leaving the meat inside unscathed. Three dollars for a quarter pound may not seem cheap, but it’s a small price to pay for this much nut-busting fun.
Chestnut King Stand
Main St. at 40th Rd. (map)
Southwest Cornwer
Queens, NY 11354
- 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
- $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
- QNS
- $5.00
- SPICY
Tender tripe is the sign of a good cook, and this beef tripe soup is clearly cooked with love and no small amount of expertise. Although the meat is cut a bit haphazardly (the larger pieces of tripe can be overwhelming), the red broth is tangy, spicy and satisfying. Add some lime, cilantro and onion to enjoy a textural contrast in every spoonful.
New Yorker Bagel on We Heart Astoria
3108 36th Ave. nr 31st St. (map)
Queens, NY 11106
(718) 361-9500
We are sad to report that Badri, the baker at Georgian Bread on Neptune Avenue in Brighton Beach, has retired. According to sources, Badri retired due to Sandy, but the bakery is still open under new management. In what is a remarkable silver lining, the ever-intrepid Dave Cook reports on Chowhound that a new Georgian bakery is slowly springing up on Kings Highway. Meanwhile, Robert Fernandez has a first look at another new Georgian bakery in Sheepshead Bay, Apani. Expect more reports on both establishments.
On Eating in Translation, Dave has many more great finds. Most intriguing is a restaurant featuring the cuisine of Belarus in Sheepshead Bay and a creepy looking, heart-shaped cookie in Borough Park. He also dines at Lao Dong Bei in Flushing, which recently replaced M&T Restaurant and is quickly becoming a Chowhound favorite.
Joe DiStefano knows what to get from the paan wallah in Jackson Heights and tries a sweet pandan dessert at Curry Leaves in Flushing. Also be sure to check out Joe’s report of a Gastronauts meal at Sik Gaek.
Wilfrid finds the Schnipper’s cheeseburger to be just fine, while Chris Crowley can’t get enough street-side sweet potato cake in the Bronx.
Jamie Feldmar is currently eating her way across Southeast Asia. Fuel your jealousy and hunger by following Jamie’s travels on her Tumblr, Jamie’s Stomach and her reports on Serious Eats. Trust us, this is essential reading.
Happy eating!
Check out what’s new in the Real Cheap Eats universe:
Despite ostensibly being on vacation at the Jersey Shore, Dave Cook is busy, sampling donuts, onion-y focaccia, salt-water taffy, and, of course, fried clams.
In Montreal, James Boo is fed up with Au Pied de Cochon, but is seduced by the half-grilled chicken and fries at Rotisserie Ramados.
Closer to home, Andrea enjoys the “Sloppy Jose” BBQ pulled pork sandwich at Cafe Habana in Nolita, but finds it not sloppy enough. Meanwhile, Robyn Lee gets her deli on at Mile End and Eisenberg’s.
In Queens, City Spoonful is keeping tabs on the Indonesian Festival.
Craving a cold lassi popsicle in Midtown? Brownie has got you covered.
Happy eating!
