Any great "cheap eats" on the Upper East Side?
 

Please help me out here. I'll be staying on the UES for a three nights and need to find some good cheap eats. Ethnic, breakfast, anything will do and if there is also a fun atmosphere, good view, or includes entertainment, so much the better.

The upper east side is a very large area. If you want suggestions, provide location or at least 60s vs 70s vs 80s and nearest avenue. First, second and third aves. will have the largest selection of cheap eats. And btw, what's your definition of cheap?

If you dont't mind eating your main meal before 2pm, most nice restaurants, in ny have 3 course lunches for $20.04. Go to www.nycvisit.com for a list.

I suggest walking along Second Avenue anywhere between 65th and 86th Streets. You'll see literally dozens of great restaurants on that stretch.

Enjoy the UES!

Thanks all. You've given me a good start. By the way, I'll be staying near 80th and 3rd and if anyone has a specific recommendation, I'd love to hear about it.

Divino on 2nd & 80-81 is an inexpensive neighborhood Italian. I think they have music on weekends. Triangolo on 83 betw 1st-2nd is better. Beyoglu 3rd & 81 Turkish very good, inexpensive. Zocalo 82 & Lex for Mexican, noisy, good margaritas. Luke's bar & grill on 3rd between 79-80 is great for burgers, meatloaf, Sunday brunch, a beer etc. Next door, Parma is a good Italian.

For late night entertainment, Brandy's Piano bar on 84th betw 2nd-3rd is fun. It leans a bit gay but welcoming to all. There's also a comedy club in the 70s (can't remember which one) and a place called Session 73 for jazz (www.session73.com)on 1st & 73rd.

EJ's Luncheonette is great for breakfast or lunch -- old fashioned diner/coffee shop place with really good food. On 3rd at 73rd.
The very crowded and popular, and cheap Jackson Hole has a location at 2nd Ave, between 83rd and 84th.
As I recall the oddly named Chinese called Pig Heaven was pretty cheap, and certainly very good. It's on 2nd around 80th.

Hi Jahlie, I used to live up there. There are TONS of restaurants and bars on 2nd Avenue, one after the other. There's nothing up there with any kind of view, but you can tell the atmosphere just by looking in the window. Anyway...here's some of my old hangouts:

Mo's Caribbean, 76th & 2nd:
Cheap Caribbean/Mexican food, hopping bar area. Great if you're in your mid-20s. Mon nights is a cheap lobster special, Tues night is live reggae.

Penang, 83rd & 2nd:
Cheap Malaysian food, restaurant/bar has an interesting design & young crowd from what I remember.

Liberta, 82nd & 2nd:
Fairly cheap, yummy Italian food. Not much of a scene, definitely more of a quiet date place.

Mimma's Pizza, 84th & 2nd:
Mmm...they've got great slices - I miss it!

Jasmine, 84th & 2nd:
Good, cheap Thai & nice atmosphere.

Mustang Grill, 85th & 2nd:
Southwestern food, busy, young bar scene. I don't remember it for the food, only the margaritas!

DTUT, between 84th&85th on 2nd:
One of those places that's full o' couches & cushy chairs. You could get coffee, drinks, & fondue there. Definitely fun for hangng out w/friends. They sometime have TV nights (though I don't know what shows, these days).

Hope this was helpful!

To all - a million thanks. It seems I've hit the jackpot! I love Turkish food so I'm glad to see it on the list. I'll certainly try some of the above recommendations and post a review when I return. Again, thanks so much.

Istanbul Kebap on 80th St between 2nd & 1st.

You used to be able to get a plate of maybe 10 baby lambchops for less than $10.

Yum!