NYCheap Eats and BYOYou will never go hungry or unsatisfied in NYC if you have less than $20 in your pocket and are a foodie. The one thing that NYC provides is an array of Cheap Eats all over the city and this is the BEST time to find these gems with the growing popularity of Street Carts, Focused Cuisine, BYO joints and the fight over best Pizza and Burger. Here is a LIST of places to go for Budget Bites, categorized by theme. Also, I have included 2 websites from TIme Out New York and New York Magazine's choices for Best Cheap Eats in 2010.
ASIAN Holy Basil - Delicious Thai food in a very cozy environment which also has a lounge to have a drink in before dinner that feels more exprensive then what you are going to pay. One of my first haunts when I moved to the city. www.holybasilrestaurant.com Republic - A variety of Asian cuisine focusing on their delicous and healthy noodles for a reasonable price. A chic, urban feel with bar seating, communal seating in the large dining area. Conveniently located in Union Square making it an easy stop for a quick bite or relaxing meal while you stroll around town. www.thinknoodles.com Grand Sichuan - Like Spicy Cuisine? I order from this chain franchise quite often for some spicy chinese. They sepcialize in Sichuan, so don't think Moo Shoo Pork and Egg Roll. Great dishes are the Cumin Beef, GuiZhou Chicken and XieLao Ban's DanDan Noodles. They also allow outside wine with a small corkage free of $10-$15 per bottle. Since it is SPICY cuisine, think off-dry wines such as Riesling. www.thegrandsichuan.com Phoenix Garden - I frequent this Cantonese style restauarant about 4 times per month with friends because I am in love with the pure, fresh flavors. PERFECT FOR LARGE GROUPS because they serve family style. The dishes that are not to be missed are the Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Squab with Lettuce Wraps, Peking Duck, Spicy Beef w/ Scallions and Ginger and Whole Steamed Flounder. It is also BYO w/ small corkage and the food goes with ANY WINE!!! www.thephoenixgarden.com
BURGERS & HOT DOGS Burger Joint - This is such a fun place for burger and fries, because this dive is hidden in a chic hotel off 57th street. When you go inside the Park Meridian Hotel at th 57th street entrance you will go past the lobby, take a left and see a neon burger sign luring you to enter. Inside you'll find wood benches and booths and mostly likely a line to get their delicious hamburger, cheeseburger, order of fries and beer. The burger is excellent and I love the fact that you don't need a knife and fork and it fits perfectly in your hands. CASH ONLY!! http://www.parkermeridien.com/eat4.php Shake Shack - My favorite burger in NYC! This is the most consistent burger that is fresh and made to order with high quality beef, toppings and a yummy special sauce. This is a one hand burger too, so you can also indulge on their crinkly cut fries and delicious custard. The original is in Madison Square Park and you can check the SHACK CAM on their website to see how long the line it. There are also other locations thruout the city. The one with the least amount of lines for lunch is the UWS location. However, you won't be sorry if you have to wait. www.shakeshack.com Corner Bistro - An oldie, but goodies Burger/Bohemian Bar in the cozy West Village. Classic, greasy, juicy big burger that runs down the side of your mouth. The Bistro Burger is still under $7 too. If you like it RARE, make sure you can handle their bloody version. www.cornerbistrony.com Crif Dog - LIke Hot Dogs? This is the place for you!! Almost 20 different types of hot dogs from Philly Cheesesteak, Bacon Wrapped or Veggie. Before you indulge on the weiners, have a drink first at P.D.T. next door. Can't find it? When you go into Crif Dogs, take a left and you'll see a phone booth. Pick up the phone,speak to the host and they'll show you the way to this undergorund speakeasy. www.crifdogs.com Gray's Papaya - Considered the Best Hot Dog in NYC and is featured in dozens of TV shows and movies. A staple for students & new yorkers who are "hungry, broker or in a hurry"; they stilloffer a great value. Try the "recession special". Two hot dogs,drink for $4.45. http://www.yelp.com/biz/grays-papaya-new-york
PIZZA Di Fara - One of the few reason why I travel to Brooklyn. The BEST pizza I have had in NYC. Dom DeMarco still works his pizza oven using his bare hands to take your pie out of the oven. HE then drenches the pie in Olive Oil and tops with fresh Basil he grows outside his window which is what makes these pizzas pop with flavor. No slices, just whole pies. Go with a group, for you will need people to talk to while you wait. www.difara.com Motorino - Considered the city's best pizza by the NY TIMES, a charred thin crust style gives this pie a nice rustic flavor with fresh ingredients and a tangy sauce. www.motorinopizza.com Two Boots- Unique, thin crusted pizza with a delicious whole wheat crust option and creative topping choices and combinations. Try The Divine or Cleopatra Jones. www.twoboots.com Pizza by LaGrolla - Some of you may remember La Grolla Ristorante on the UWS and the charming owner, Danny. Just a few blocks away from the original location, he offers gourmet pizza in rectangular slices with fresh combinations and flavors. He also offers individual round pizzas, whole pizza, fresh soups and salads w/ La Grolla Flare! www.pizzabylagrolla.com
STREET CARTS and TRUCK TREATS Halal - This Middle Eastern food cart on 53rd and 6th avenue features chicken&rice and lamb kabob sandwiches and a variety of hot sauces. An inexpensive lunch stop on your way to Radio City or Ziegfield Theatre. Daisy May - Texas Style Chili on the go, pulled pork sandiwches and brisket sandwiches at this BBQ cart which is considered one of the top 'Q' joints in NYC. http://www.daisymaysbbq.com/streetcarts.html TRUCK TREATS: http://nymag.com/restaurants/cheapeats/2010/67139/
MORE CHEAP EATS and BYO Cafe Reggio - A charming coffee cafe serving breakfast , paninis and pasta with low prices you wouldn't believe. Located in Greenwich village with outdoor seating for watching characters run up and down Macdougal St. Nook - A neighborhood, eclectic restaurant that is BYO and quite delicious and easy on the wallet. Nook is properly names, for this is a super tiny restuarant and easy to miss on 9th avenue. www.nynook.com Ino - I LOVE this tiny wine bar which features light fare form panini, salads, antipasti, tramezzini, bruschetta and a few simple sweets. Wine list is all Italian and very good. You can do 1/2 carafe's or full bottles. http://www.cafeino.com/home.html The Smith - American cuisine in a modern day saloon featuring many classic American dishes. Chicken Pot Pie, Tomato Soup, Deviled Eggs, Burgers and Fries, Pork Chops and NY Strips. A great beer list and affordable wine list. http://www.ctrnyc.com/THESMITH/index.html Poke - Fresh Sushi in a serene, upscale environment on a tree lined side street on the UES. Amazingly fresh fish here with nice roll selection and specialties. Also BYO, but there is a limit on the number of bottles. http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/poke-restaurant/
Articles: Time Out New York: http://nymag.com/restaurants/cheapeats/2010/67146/ New York Magazine: http://newyork.timeout.com/restaurants-bars/restaurants/80798/cheap-eats-in-new-york-city-2010
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