I am taking my sons (ages 12 & 14) to NYC for the long Easter weekend. I would appreciate any suggestions for restaurants that would appeal to them, but that would also be affordable. (However, I draw the line at fast food & Bennigans/Applebees!). My sons are somewhat adventurous, but I don't see the need to spend outrageous money on dining. They like most cuisines - Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Continental, Mexican, etc. We're staying in Midtown, but we'll be touring all over Manhattan. Thanks!!!

Gotta do the Stage or Carnegie deli. Likewise can't be a teenager and go to NYC without have real New York Pizza. Pick the best local near your itinerary. Should do the diner experience. Empire Diner is mid town.

I know boys that age can sure eat a lot of food, so how about Carmine's or Becco? Italian food with family style servings that would be a good bang for your buck.

If y ou want to keep prices low you're best sticking with ethnic - Chinese (there are a couple of Ollie's that aren;t bad), Thai, Indian etc - which often have buffets at lunch - or very inexpensive dinners. Check out menupages.com - you can search by neighborhood and cuisine and get diner reviews and actual menus.

Also - don't forget to get a couple of dogs at Gray's Papaya. And many of the city delis have salad bars and giant sandwiches they can fill up on.

If they like baseball as well as food you can go to Mickey's...

www.mickeymantles.com

...or try the Delta Grill, a Cajun restaurant...

thedeltagrill.com

Pjk

All along 9th ave. in the 40's-50's there are small, ethnic restaurants that are pretty affordable.
>Basilica is good for Italian, >Blockheads (50th st) for Mexican, >Breeze for Thai/French/American.
>Vynl is fun for teens (American/Asian).

>John's pizza in Times Square (west 44th st.) or in the village (2 locations).
>Two Boots is a fun local pizza chain-one spot in downstairs in Rockefeller Center.
>The Burger Joint in the Parker Meridien hotel (near Central Park) is great for burgers.
>Shake Shack at Madison & 23 st. (in the park) is worth a special trip.
http://www.shakeshacknyc.com/
>Virgil's or Dallas BBQ for ribs and BBQ.

There are now several Whole Foods markets around town (one in Union Square, one at Columbus Circle at the south end of Central Park, one near Chinatown) that have every imagineable food and places to sit.
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/list_NY.html

We eat a lot at delies. They are all over NYC. Doesn't have to be a name deli, but just your neighborhood one, for great corned beef sandwiches, pastrami, egg salad, chicken salad. They are big and good to go.

There are a lot of places that sell great muffins and bagels for breakfast. Also many good diners around. If you aren't sure, ask the cops. They always know the good places to eat on the cheap. My uncle loved pubs, good grub not too expensive... Also pizza by the slice. I used to eat this all the time. Street food, hot dogs, knishes.

Pick a place or two for dining out. Carmines is great. Or how about a trip down to Little Italy or China town. Better prices and food, imo.

Thanks to everyone who made suggestions - I printed out the thread and am taking it with me!

As far as street food goes, there's nothing like a "dirty-water dog" for a quick bite. ;o)

As Heavens mentioned, just walk around and pick a place.

Great suggestions above, one other thought is the wonderful Indian lunch buffet at Utsav between 6th and 7th off 48th. Wonderful food and very reasonable -- of course with unlimited quantity to fill them up.