Real Cheap Eats NYC
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Currently viewing the tag: "$5 or Less"
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- (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
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- $3.00
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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
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- $3.50
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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
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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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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
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Mexican Coke can be elusive, but Indian Coke? Get a real sugar bite way in the back of the Apna Bazar. The soda’s black color shines through the bottle, without even a sliver of Coca-Cola red. For a Coke collector or a soft drink enthusiast, this is a nice pick-up.
Apna Bazar on Jeffrey Tastes
72-20 37th Ave. at 73rd St. (Map)
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(718) 565-5960
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- $1.30
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Flushing is dotted with tiny Chinese bakeries, and Apollo Bakery is one of the smallest; yet, its square-shaped pork floss bun is one of the biggest. A cross between bread and pastry, the top of the bun is flaky and layered, while the bottom is dense and chewy. Inside, Taiwanese dried pork shavings puff up the bread like a decorative couch pillow.
Apollo Bakery on Food Mayhem
135-36 39th Ave. at Main St. (Map)
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 961-0596
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- $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
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- $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
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- $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
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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
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- $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
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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
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- $.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
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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
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- $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
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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
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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
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- $2.50
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At Brother’s, nearly everyone orders a regular slice—oregano-tinged, thick-sauced and well heated over a smokey, crackling crust. There’s nothing behind a sneeze glass, and you won’t see a chicken-and-broccoli or buffalo-and-bleu-style slice. Instead you’ll see a regular and a square behind the counter and the ever-working pizza man making another.
Brother’s Pizzeria on Jeffrey Tastes
185-04 Horace Harding Expressway at 185th St. (Map)
Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
(718) 445-7888
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- $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
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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
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- $1.65
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Cheburechnaya’s cheburek—a popular snack of Crimean origin that looks like a flattened Indian samosa—embodies the Rego Park eatery’s Central Asian, Bukharian Jewish cooking, which blends Eastern European and Asian traditions. Cheb’s cabbage chebureki contains a piquant mixture of cabbage and pureed tomato, still crunchy after a thorough deep-frying. The mushroom variety is filled with tender, deeply savory bits of seasoned funghi. Diners can order one of each with a Baltika brew ($5) and enjoy this oil-rich, classic drinking snack as it was intended—all for less than $10. -Anne Noyes Saini
Cheburechnaya on City Spoonful
92-09 63rd Dr. at Wetherole St. (Map)
Rego Park, NY 11374
(718) 897-9080
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- (Photo by James Boo)
Flimsy styrofoam plates come overflowing with chili oil, and the old man behind the counter has a heavy hand with mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorns. His “House Special Salad” is stunningly perfect: Glass noodles, carrots, seaweed and chopped scallions accompany a hot and numbing dressing with a vinegary zip. The natural sweetness of the carrots mellows the whole dish out, but your mouth will be buzzing for hours. A convincing case for (occasionally) eating vegetarian.
Chengdu Heaven on Law & Food
Golden Shopping Mall
41-28 Main St. at 41st Rd. (Map)
Flushing, NY 11354
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- $3.00 per quarter lb.
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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
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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
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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
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- $3.00/pint
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- 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
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- $3.50
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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
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Coqui Mexicano’s owners hail from Mexico and Puerto Rico, and their creative, home-style cooking straddles both countries’ cuisines. From the tortillas to the tamales, everything at this three-table Melrose eatery is made fresh, from scratch. Try the chayote salad, a traditional Puerto Rican dish that tosses the tender, squash-like vegetable—lightly sautéed in onion, garlic, cumin and other spices—with roasted red peppers, Spanish olives, vinegar, fresh avocado, tomatoes and cilantro. Add a few shakes of Coqui’s homemade hot sauce and dig in. -Clare Trapasso
Coqui Mexicano on City Spoonful
871 Brook Ave. at 3rd Ave./St. Ann’s Ave. (Map)
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 450-3477
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- $1.00
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A $1 Peking duck sandwich at Corner 28′s streetside window is one of the cheapest and tastiest things to eat in downtown Flushing. The steamed bun is a taste of heaven, cradling a bit of duck blanketed by hoisin and topped with green onion. And it won’t spoil your appetite for any of the neighborhood’s other delicacies.
Corner 28 on World’s Fare
40-28 Main St. at 40th St. (Map)
Flushing, NY 11355
(718) 886-6628
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- $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
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- $3.00
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Roti canai, a thin crepe served with chicken curry, is often miscategorized as a pancake on Malaysian menus. The true Malaysian flapjack is apam balik, a popular hawker snack filled with sweet corn and ground peanuts. Save the plane fare and find it at Flushing’s Curry Leaves for $3.00. Take note: It’s only available from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., when the restaurant serves various and sundry soups, noodles and other night market fare to a motley crew of night owls, club kids and homesick Southeast Asians lining up at the counter.
Curry Leaves on World’s Fare
135-31 40th Rd. at Main St. (Map)
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 762-9313
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- $2.50
Lo mai gai, or lotus leaf sticky rice, is interspersed with various goodies. Though a dim sum staple, it’s rarely seen in our fair city’s Malaysian eateries, but Flushing’s Curry Leaves serves an exemplary version. The dome of rice is pleasingly chewy with chicken, egg, char siu and mushroom pressed into the top. At $2.50 it’s a rib-sticking bargain. Take note: It’s only available from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. when the restaurant serves sundry soups, noodles and other night market fare to a motley crew of night owls, club kids and homesick Southeast Asians who line up at the counter.
Curry Leaves on World’s Fare
135-31 40th Rd. at Main St. (Map)
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 762-9313
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- $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
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- $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
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- $4.25 for 10
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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
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- $1.15
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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
- BK
- $0.70
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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
- 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
- BNX
- $4.00
I’m convinced that burek is like sex and pizza: Even when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good. But when burek is really good, it’s soft and gooey and awesome. The bureks at Dukagjini Burek, a four-table operation in Bronxdale, are even better than “really good.” Pulled straight from the oven, the meat burek is crisp on the outside, blissfully doughy on the inside and stuffed with wonderfully spiced ground beef.
Dukagjini Burek on United Nations of Food
758 Lydig Ave. at Holland Ave. (map)
Bronx, NY 10462
(718) 822-8955
- BNX
- $3.00
- SPICY
- STREET
El Atoradero is a tiny Pueblan grocery that seems to be expanding its territory—if not in size, than at least in the hearts of the local Mexican and Central American community. Unfortunately, its kitchen is only open on the weekends, starting in the morning and continuing through an early lunch. Walk in on a Saturday and you’ll be rewarded with the scent of a deep cauldron of carnitas simmering before you. Picaditas are similar to sopes, and I figure the difference is really just in size, but here the fresh corn tortilla is elongated and even larger than usual. El Atoradero’s salsas are excellent, but the tomatillo truly shines for freshness and variety. They make only a small amount of picaditas daily, so ask for a taste, and marvel at their complexity. Weekends only.
El Atoradero on Eating the World in NYC
800 E. 149th St. at Tinton Ave. (Map)
Bronx, NY 10455
(718) 292-7949
- QNS
- $1.75
- VEG
Empanada Cafe is a short distance off the Long Island Expressway, but people travel from all over to partake in the delicious empanadas. The maduro y mozzarella white flour empanada might sound a bit odd, but somehow, the sweet plantains and mozzarella work wonderfully well together, creating a sweet, creamy, cheesy center surrounded by a crisp, crunchy shell.
Empanada Cafe on Feisty Foodie
56-27 Van Doren St. at 108th St. (Map)
Corona, NY 11368
(718) 592-7288
- BNX
- $1.50 for small
- VEG
(Photograph by Miriam Finkelman)
The tacos and cemitas at this Michelin Guide-recommended joint are some of the best in the Bronx. In winter weather, though, you may want something more than mole to keep you warm. Estrellita’s champurrado, a rich, hominy flour and chocolate-based beverage, is thick as pudding. If you’re looking for a jolt, try the soothing café de olla. Flavored with cinnamon and panela (unrefined whole cane sugar), it’s devoid of bitterness and uncharacteristically sweet. Take it black.
Estrellita Poblana 3 on Serious Eats New York
2328 Arthur Ave. at Crescent Ave. (Map)
Bronx, NY 10458
(718) 220-7641
- 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
- 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
- MAN
- $2.50
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- 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
- QNS
- $5.00
An alum of the Golden Shopping Mall, Gourmet Noodles and Delicacies is best known for spare rib noodle soup, and rightfully so. While a juicy slab of pork that practically falls off the bone is the star of the show, the topping of minced, salted vegetable is a strong supporting actor, serving as a tangy counterpart to the meat, noodles and broth.
Gourmet Noodles and Delicacies
42-15 College Point Blvd. at Pople Ave. (Map)
Flushing, NY 11355
(718) 886-0123
- 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
- QNS
- $1.00
$1.00 tacos are exciting. $1.00 tacos al pastor with meat actually sliced from a revolving spit are even more exciting. These $1.00 tacos al pastor, overflowing with spiced pork, topped with bits of sweet pineapple and doused with a bright red, spicy salsa, are the most exciting of all. Not much more needs to be said about these tacos; they are delicious, done well, and cheap, cheap, cheap.
Guadalajara de Noche
85-09 Roosevelt Ave. at 85th St. (Map)
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(718) 397-9666
- QNS
- $1.00
- VEG
Just off the well worn trails of Main Street in Flushing is Halal Food/BBQ Chicken, wedged into a tiny storefront shared with Home Noodle. The chef, who hails from Tianjin, produces a litany of meats (mostly lamb and chicken) and cold dishes. Subdue your carnivorous urges, and instead snag a couple of lǘ dǎ gǔn, a cake of sticky rice rolled in cooked soybean powder and stuffed with homemade red bean paste. A characteristic dessert of the Beijing region’s Muslim population, it’s sweet in that Chinese dessert kind of way—which is to say: not at all.
Halal Food/BBQ Chicken
41-28 41st Rd. at College Point Blvd. (Map)
Queens, NY 11355
(718) 888-9208
- 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
- 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
- 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
- $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
- QNS
- $3.50
- VEG
Bing bika ambon at Java Village, an Indonesian spot in Elmhurst, Queens, is as fun to say as it is to eat. Resembling a corn muffin in size and color, it has a spongy texture and pronounced, yeasty flavor, enriched by plenty of coconut milk. They come three to an order, a perfect serving size if you’ve put too much of this shop’s blazingly hot sambal on your noodles.
Java Village on World’s Fare
86-10 Justice Ave. at 52nd Ave. (Map)
Elmhurst, NY 11373
(718) 205-2166
- QNS
- $2.50, $5.00
- VEG
- SPICY
Kering kentang, or Javanese potato chips, are the stuff of a snack lover’s dream. The crunchy spuds are tossed with chili peppers, sugar, peanuts and fried shallots. There’s also a goodly amount of salt and a touch of sweet Indonesian soy sauce, kecap manis. Each bite is simultaneously crunchy, sweet, salty, nutty and fiery. Find them at Java Village, a superb Indonesian steam table joint by Grand Ave. station in Elmhurst.
Java Village on World’s Fare
86-10 Justice Ave. at Broadway (Map)
Elmhurst, NY 11373
(718) 205-2166
- 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
- QNS
- $3.50
- VEG
When New York becomes unbearably hot, cool off with Joju’s black sesame milk shake. The taste of black sesame, simple but strong, is neither overwhelming nor disappearing under the creaminess of the ice cream. Delicious and refreshing, this is a worthy warm weather treat.
Joju
83-25 Broadway at Dongan Ave. (Map)
Elmhurst, NY 11373
(347) 808-0887
- QNS
- $5.00
- VEG
Cholados are sold all over Jackson Heights, especially in the summertime. Made from shaved ice topped with fruit, fruit syrups, condensed milk and a cherry on top, they’re fruit salads transformed into the perfect summer refreshment. At Jugos Prontito y Algo Mas, the cholado isn’t just good—it’s exceptional. Here, the usual mix is accompanied by real passion fruit puree—seeds and all. Loaded with fresh chunks of banana, pineapple, papaya, melon and apple, it’s an extra special, tropical treat.
Jugos Prontito y Algo Mas
90-02 43rd Ave. at Ithaca St. (Map)
Queens, NY 11373
(347) 556-4950
- 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
- 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
- QNS
- $3.20
Xian dou jiang (salty soy milk) is a Taiwanese dish that introduces vinegar to soy milk, causing the milk to curdle into pillowy clouds of tofu soup. Downtown Flushing’s King 5 Noodle adds hunks of Chinese doughnut (you tiao) and a pinch of dried pork, then tops the bowl with scallions and tiny dried shrimp. The fluffy, half-curdled soy milk ($1.95) is thin enough to be soaked up by a second doughnut ($1.25 more). But it’s also hearty enough to be gulped straight from the soup spoon, with a savory, slightly sour flavor that stays within the boundaries of comfort food.
King 5 Noodle / Nan Bei He on The Eaten Path
39-07 Prince St. 1G at Roosevelt Ave. (Map)
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 888-1268
- 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
- $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
- QNS
- $1.00
The tamales at Taqueria La Casa Del Idolo are generously stuffed with chicken and a spoonful of spicy salsa, either red or green. The masa, or corn dough, is perfectly cooked—not too dry or too wet—and wrapped up tightly in a corn husk. These are close to tamale perfection, and only cost a dollar each. What’s not to love?
La Casa Del Idolo on Serious Eats NY
91-07 Corona Ave. at 91st Pl. (Map)
Corona, NY 11373
(718) 271-0384
- 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
- BNX
- $2.00
- STREET
This festive Puerto Rican snack truck’s eponymous lechón (here, heavily salted and roasted pork belly and rib meat) is one of New York’s best. Just below the rack of pork, though, is a tray of alcapurria, a fritter typically made from mashed yuca and filled with spiced meat. If you get the chance to step into the truck, try La Piraña’s banana alcapuria. The edges are deep fried to a crisp brown, the mashed banana is mildly sweet, and the ground beef inside is well spiced. Weekends only.
Lechonera La Piraña Truck
E. 152nd St. at Wales (Map)
Bronx, NY 10455
(347) 609-9714
- QNS
- $5.00
In the back of Tibetan Mobile, a trinket shop in Jackson Heights, you’ll find Lhasa Fast Food. Try the thukpa. Always made fresh, when ordered in multiples, it can overload the woman running the shop. The noodles are obviously pre-packaged, but the pile of greens and crumbled beef on top of this bone-broth soup make it nearly impossible to find something to complain about.
Lhasa Fast Food on Jeffrey Tastes
(Tibetan Mobile)
37-50 74th St. at Broadway/Roosevelt Ave. (Map)
Jackon Heights, NY 11372
(718) 205-2339
- 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
- QNS
- $3.00
- VEG
Here’s the challenge: Find a better grandma slice in the city. This one, which supposedly originated on Long Island, has fresh mozzarella cheese on the bottom, garlic and plum tomato sauce on top and a sprinkling of parmesan and basil leaves. Cooked in a pan, the bottom of the pie is essentially fried, leaving the middle perfectly elastic.
Louie’s Pizzeria
81-34 Baxter Ave. at Ithaca St. (map)
Queens, NY 11373
(718) 440-9346
- QNS
- VEG
- $2.25
- Photograph by Yvo Sin
Notice the generous movement of cheese, especially when folding the slice, exposing dimples formed from the crust-warping sauce. It’s a fun, burn-the-roof-of-your-mouth slice. And it’s a slice that was created by one of the original owners of the legendary Gloria Pizza of Flushing. Most customers don’t care about the history, though—they just come for the slice.
Lucia Pizza on Real Pizza of NY
136-55 Roosevelt Ave. at Union St. (Map)
Queens, NY 11354
(718) 445-1313
- 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
- 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
