There is a wealth of cheap eats in non-manhattan areas. Astoria/Jackson Hts are loaded with some great Greek, Indian, Italian, Egyptian, Argentinian, etc. all below the usual Manhattan prices, but many of equal or better quality.

And the chain places seem to be getting better. The first few times I went to Chipotle I didn't even know it was a chain. And Sophie's for Cuban doesn't feel like a chain either.

Good rec for that cart, huh? haha. For a lot of those carts most people do fear death more than bad food, though. And if you're downtown and see 20 men and 1 woman in line - that's me! :)

Yeah, they are not exactly cheap eats; more of places that are inexpensive for good meals. But not necessarily "quick" like a food cart or Chipotle. The places I listed were those restaurants that we included in the guide that were on the lower end price wise. I agree that they are not the kind of places that New Yorkers would eat lunch in everyday.

Looking back at the book, we do also mention throughout more casual options including:
The Dosa Man in Washington Square Park
Pop Burger (58 9th Avenue)
La Esquina (106 Kenmare Street)
Dumpling House (118 Eldridge)
Chickpea (23 3rd Ave.)
Hummus Place (109 St. Mark's Place)
Hallo Berlin pushcart (5th Ave. and 54th st.)

I too love Chipotle---I actually waited in line at the midtown location not too long ago for over 30 minutes. So...maybe it's not that quick after all. =)

I also love for burritos a place on 9th avenue at 57th--- Burrito Box.

Dojo! Excellent cheap food there.

I would also like to nominate the Red Hook Ballfields vendors (Saturdays and Sundays during the summer season.)

Great food, authentic, home made, cheap, filling.

Worth the trip to Brooklyn!

re:
Looking back at the book, we do also mention throughout more casual options including:
The Dosa Man in Washington Square Park
Pop Burger (58 9th Avenue)
La Esquina (106 Kenmare Street)
Dumpling House (118 Eldridge)
Chickpea (23 3rd Ave.)
Hummus Place (109 St. Mark's Place)
Hallo Berlin pushcart (5th Ave. and 54th st.)

Pop Burger was a once-supposedly-hot spot and La Esquina is a the same--those don't really qualify for the casual cheap in my book, more like PIA.

Dumpling house is a super cheap hole in the wall to die for, but only has meat(pork) dumplings.

My 2 cent offerings are:
Village Mingala, Burmese on 7th St b/t 2nd & 3rd Aves

Fatty Crab for lunch only--too crowded at night, Hudson @ Gansevoort Sts.

Frankie's (for antipasti only, prices are higher on the entrees), Clinton b/t Rivington & Stanton

2nd Vote for The Hat/El Sombrero Stanton @ Ludlow, also El Castillo De Jaguar (Essex/Stanton Sts.) and El Nuevo Amanecer (Rivington b/t Essex & Ludlow) are good latin/mexican choices

Tiny's Giant on Rivington @ Norfolk Sts for sandwiches and giant salads

Christine's on 1st Ave b/t 10th & 11th is a cheaper alternative to Velselka

Amaya Thai, 4th St @ Avenue B

Kate's Joint 5th @ Avenue B--Vegan/Veg.

Essex on Essex & Rivington Sts has all you want $14 Moules Frites on Tuesdays and $1 oysters on Thursdays, 1/2 price drinks both days until 9pm

Il Bagatto, crowded, 2nd b/w Aves A & B

That is all I can think of at the moment. Guess it is clear where I live :)

For Japanese comfort food, Katsu-hama on E. 47th Street, in back of a take out sushi place. Most of the lunch specials are in the $10 range, lots of Japanese clientele which reflects the quality of the food served.

I haven't been there for several years, but I agree with Eisenberg's for their generous tuna and egg salad sandwiches.

cherrybomb-- I hate at Frankie's last night; I had the sweet potato ravioli with sage butter($13). Delicious! You're right-- I wouldn't say that it qualifies as really cheap but that is my go to place for a nice meal/special occasion that doesn't break the bank. They have a fair number of well-priced (under $30) bottles of wine too. I like the Brooklyn location more though--it's bigger.

The Red Hook vendors---I've heard so much about them? What's so special? Is there one cart to go to over the others?

The original Mary Ann's (Mexican) on 16th & 8th. Sangria! They don't take credit cards.

Island Burgers and Shakes on Ninth Avenue.

I love Island Burgers and Shakes and almost mentioned it, but while I think the burgers are great and worth it -- $6.75 to $ 9 for just the burger is hardly "cheap".

I had a burger and water. Lee had a burger and a shake. Our bill was $27 with tax and tip.

K when I wrote my last post at 11:23AM EST it was really 5:32AM HST time & before coffee. I Stand by those observations but here are some alternatives.

Little Poland Restaurant is cheap cheap polish. 200 2nd Ave Btwn 12th & 13th St. For 2 split your gut sized stuffed cabage with mushroom sauce, + 2 sides $7.50 BABY!!! I think one stuffed cabbage and 2 sides is $4.95.
Yummy stew like hot bortche $3.50 a bowl. Don't forget the sour cream, not typical but I still add it.

Second suggestion for Spice. I have taken guests here that were visiting the city, people were happy with the meal shocked with the low bill. I like their volcano chicken w broccoli but only at the location on univeristy upper east side spice dries it out.

A favorite of mine from my super broke days like little poland above is also between 5th and 6th on 1st Avenue (UPSTAIRS). Two restaurants here compete for business. Its a college hang out but still worth your while if you have pre-teen kids with you or in a hurry and don't want fast food. Very tiny, dark room with a bazillion lights hanging from the ceiling and they set them on strobe and play an indian style happy birthday at least once or twice a night. Someone else help me out with the name!!! The true crack up of this place is that the host shakes your hand recognize you and your meal is like $6.95 (entree and 2-app). I usually get vegitable Korma, banana Pakora, cheese poori and maybe coconut poori. My memory meal from when I use to train in from Brooklyn in the 80's.

Awlain, I love your suggestions, I use to frequent some of them but all you can eat Korean-Japanese for $10???Are you going to give us a title and location,wanta go.

All of you that are seeing or suggestioning chain restaurants to the surprise of others....this is what is happening to Manhattan. High real estate drives out creative small business everyday and you are just starting to notice it in chains.


Here is an article from NY Times where one journalist got sick of this trend and up and moved to China! Check it out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/19/ga...yt&emc=rss

OK everyone, in Hawaii and you all have made me home sick!!! too soon for that!!! Some one start a cheap eats Hawaii thread!!!

Cheap eats Hawaii? I think that's even less likely than cheap eats in NYC!!

HOLD IT. He got sick of the trend of chains moving in -- so he moved to CHINA?

You're kidding right?

And actually I'm not interpreting the article the same way you are, but totally the opposite. I didn't see him say anything about chains driving out "creative small boutiques" in New York. I did see him say "I was annoyed at spending $20 for a hamburger, depressed by designer boutiques on Bleecker Street. . ." Somehow I don't think those $20 burgers were at chains, and I suspect he was talking about being annoyed by "creative small boutiques", not Old Navy and GAP. What am I not seeing here?

Hi Patrick,

Your right, not one mention of chains in that article. Its just a discussion I have heard over and over in NYC with the losses she mentions, why I lumped everything together. Read that article last month too.

Fun article don't you think? Did you check out the $1500 apartment she got? She is probably taking years off her life living in China just breathing in the air though.

dmlov" you would be surprised. the best plate lunches run $7.50., Ahi Nigiri Sushi $5.95 gorgeous, red, thick, you would never see in NYC this cheap...........

K sorry to take off topic

Agree with posts regarding Chipotle--who cares if it's chain? The food is absolutely great!
My favorite of the cheap eats is Gray's Papaya--2 dogs and a drink for about $5

It is an adventure, that's for sure, but I'm curious how long before the rapid inflation and rise of capitalism will turn her off there too?

The Shake Shack.

Any stand selling Nathan's and any place with a "slice"(preferably in the Village).

Speaking if 'slice', Joe's pizza on Carmine St. Once I saw a wedding party, complete with limos, and wedding attire, stop at Joes to stand up (no real seating to speak of there), and chow down some slices. It was in the afternoon, so I think it may have been post-ceremony, but pre-reception. A trule "only in New York' moment.