Hi. I'm taking a group of 8 High School Art History students on a museum tour of New York in March. We have our hotel (near the Plaza) and our tickets to see Wicked but now I'm wondering if anyone knows some fun and inexpensive places to eat. I know last time I took kids they loved stopping at the hotdog place (Gray's Papaya?) Since this is the first NYC trip for all of them shouldn't I take them to at least one diner/deli for pastrami? Thanks so much.

Carnegie Deli (featured in the Woody Allen movie "Broadway Danny Rose") is not far from the Plaza. The kids should probably share sandwiches as portions are huge. One sandwich can feed 2 or 3. There's a charge for sharing but it's worth it. You can ask for extra bread.

There are a bunch of theme restaurants in the area (Ellen's Stardust Diner, Jekyll & Hyde, Mars 2112) but the food's not great. The Brooklyn Diner on west 57th st is actually quite good.

In the theater district, Virgil's BBQ is very good. John's pizzeria is an off shoot of the "famous" John's in Greenwich village and it's in a converted church (west 44 st). No slices though, just whole pies. They'd also probably like Carmine's, an Italian with huge portions good for large groups. Again, mandatory to share.

JWH: just avoid places like TGIF (Fridays - which I wouldn't consider "fun" or good for that matter) because they over-charge for their food in NYC as opposed to other places. My son was shocked to find that a burger cost $6 more in NYC than in the burbs or Boston, for that matter.

Have a great trip!

There was just an "expose" on one of the local news programs about TGI Friday's jacking up prices in their restaurants -just the ones around Rock. Ctr.- at this time of year.

Unfortunately, I think there aren't many cheap places to eat in the vicinity of either Times Square or the Plaza. The restaurants seem to be trawling for tourists, so to speak. So, I would avoid the "Carnegie-style" delis and diners in Times Square. Under the Rock Center complex is a whole series of restaurants -- some self-serve -- that have a variety of foods and different price points. You might find some good sandwich/salad type places there.

On 57th and 7th (I believe) there is a Pick-A-Bagel. It is a good place for breakfast or even lunch. The bagels are huge and inexpensive.

For dinners, you might head to 9th Ave where there are lots of cheap ethnic eats. You can wander until you find something that suits or you can try Uncle Nick's (I think that's it) a Greek place with lots of grilled fish. They have a tapas-style place right next door where the kids could order several plates and share -- lots of fun.

Also near Rock Center for burgers is Burger Heaven. There is one on Madison around 55 and one on 53rd between 5th and Madison -- great burgers and good diner-style breakfasts.

Another thought is to try the food court at Grand Central. Lots of different local, non-chain options. Plus, you get to see Grand Central, which is a marvel in and of itself.

Have fun!

When I say to avoid the "Carnegie-style" delis and diners in Times Square, I am referring to the "Lindy's" and "Roxy's" places in and around Times Square. I do not mean to suggest that either the Carnegie Deli or Stage Deli are tourist ripoffs. They are pricey, but the portions tend to be generous, as previously noted.

How about tieing in a visit to Grand Central and dining on the lower level, where there are a group of inexpensive food places to choose from.

Go to chowhound.com and ask for advice!!

I ate at least one meal a day during my last trip to NYC at the great Whole Foods at Columbus Circle.
Cheap, great quality and awesome people watching. Plenty of seating, too.
Have fun!

Just to elaborate a little... I would get a big do it yourself bowl salad with all sorts of great ingredients for about 6.00
Hot entrees from the bar can run a little higher but you can eat great for 10.00

Street vendors for a real NY lunch...hot dogs, hot pretzels or chestnuts, and knishes, choose one, grab a soda sit outside and do a little people-watching. Also, see if you can find an egg cream. If you go over to 32nd street between 5th & 6th you will have a choice of marvelous Korean restaurants. I second an authentic deli like Carnegie. remember, with deli corned beef & pastrami, fatty= more flavour! Enjoy.

Yoshinoya is a Japanese Fast Food chain that has two outlets in the city. One is in the Times Square area- it's on 42nd between 7th and 8th Avenues.

It's very cheap, authentically Japanese, and kind of wacky.

Midtown is expensive -- both because of tourists and expense accounts.

Plus, your high school art students don't want to hang out "near the Plaza" anyway. It's lame (after they've seen the "wow" sites).

Head downtown, to St. Mark's Place, Broadway, Canal, Bleecker. You'll find many many options for cheap eats.

Good Luck & Enjoy!

IN the theater area there are some brazialian places that are fairly inexpense on 45th St. One is Cabana Carioca. ALso in the area is John's pizza which is a regular restaurant service pies and I think some pastas and salads. I tihk the theme restaurants in the area are overprices and generally have bad food, and I agree to stay away from the chains.

The are many regularly delis around where you can pick up a sandwich, much cheaper than a sit down meal at Carnegie Deli. Chinese restaurants in general tend to be reasonable. Gray's Papaya or Papya king are always good. Pizza by the slice is everywhere.

Also check menupages.com where you can search by area and type of food and view the actual menus.

We just returned from our first NYC trip. I second Broadway for fun, cheap eats. Pizza is all around. McD's is there in Times Square - with regular prices - in case anyone is in withdrawal from fast food. In Times Square, you shouldn't have a problem finding food or fun. It was our favorite. And Wicked is wicked!!!!!!!

You should take them down to the village area, around washington sq park. The street south of the park (McDougal, SUllivan) have maye cheap places to eat. ALso on E. 6th st near 1st Av in the e. village is little India. Meals in the restaurants there are very inexpensive. Local chains like L'ANnan (vietnamese), osso buco (family style italian), John's pizza, Burritoville, etc. are inexpensive and decent.

Osso Buco is one of my favorite restauranmts in the Village, and only a few blocks from Strand book store.

Ollie's Noodle

Cheap tasty Chinese. Very quick service and they can easily service a huge 10 person round table.

A few locations...in the theatre district West. 44th, between Broadway & 8th Ave. Another one uptown at Lincoln Center, 67th/68th St. and Broadway.

The kids would really enjoy Katz's Deli downtown on Houston St. Great NYC atmosphere and delicious deli food. Easy to get to on the subway or bus. The shops on the Lower Eastside are funky and the Tenement Museum is truly enjoyable. Check out Gus's Pickles and also Economy Candy. Do 'Google' searches for them both.

I'll second the Yoshinoya. This summer while in New York, my 17 year old son and I stumbled upon this place and he was so excited (he'd read about them on the internet). They serve rice or noodle dishes with vegetables and meat. I had already eaten, so I didn't order anything, but he said it was very good.