The essential, but cheap, Manhattan?

Somewhat unexpectedly, for both planning and budgeting, I'm going to New York for the first time in years. I'm not sure yet where we'll be staying, but it's somewhere in the Times Square vicinity.

The budget won't stretch to Le Bernardin or WD-50.

So I'm looking for uniquely New York experiences -- or at least things I cannot get here in Chicago -- that are also inexpensive. Food, especially, both dining and shopping, but any other tips for doing Manhattan cheaply will be welcome. Since it apparently costs $15 just for a corned-beef sandwich there these days, I can see that's going to be a challenge.

I'll have some local guidance, but they aren't as familiar with what we have here as LTHers are. Obviously, I'm not looking for Mexican, Italian, Korean, steak or other cuisines Chicago does as well or better than New York.

The best value meal I had was a low-ambience, high authenticity Spain (see my NYC post. Very good paella and other similar items.

But sometimes, it's worth the splurge. With all the high-end restaurants I haven't been to in Manhattan, I'd go back to Babbo in a heartbeat. You can get out of there, with a modest amount of wine, in the $100pp range.

I agree that Spain is a fairly reasonable option in the West Village for good paella.

Underneath the Rock Center is a dining concourse with a place called Cucina and Company. Breakfast and Lots of good sandwiches, soups and pastas for a fairly reasonable price by Manhattan standards. There are tables at which you can eat in the concourse.

Frankly, I'm not sure how the average street deli pops out a bacon egg and cheese on a roll for $1.99 with a cup of coffee. Breakfast at these places is one of the great values in Manhattan. These places are everywhere. But, do move away from the tourist district. You'll get your best deals between Fifth and Sixth Avenue in the 40s (where people work). They're all good and cheap. At lunch, there are pretty good soups and the like. Avoid the by the pound buffets that many of these places have. They're not really a good value nor are they of good quality.

As you head down Eighth Avenue toward Greenwich Village, around 14th Street, there is a great Puerto Rican/Dominican place called La Taza De Oro. Very filling delicious plate lunches for $8-10. You can find similar food and a pretty darn good Cuban sandwich up Eighth Avenue a bit at Havana Chelsea.

Slightly North at Eight and 29 is a great Salumeria that serves very good sandwiches for around $7. All sorts of Italian style cured pork products are available here. Adjoining the retail store is a more formal restaurant. Honestly, I have never eaten in it.

La Taza De Oro
96 Eighth Avenue

Havana Chelsea
190 Eighth Avenue

Salumeria Belliese
376 Eighth Ave

Way North at 110th Street, near Columbia University, really good soul food can be had just blocks from St. John the Divine Cathedral (worth seeing even if fried chicken wasn't in the mix for reasons to go). Mis Mamie's Spoonbread Too serves fresh fried chicken, short ribs, smothered chicken and biscuits, and some of the best sweet potatoes I have ever eaten for around $11-15 a plate. It sounds expensive. But, the portions are both huge and delicious. The owner, Norma Jean, is an absolutely lovely woman, too. It was my go to place on weekends when I lived in NYC.

Miss Mamie's Spoonbread, Too
366 W 110th Street

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine
1079 Amsterdam Avenue

A good morning walk downtown will likely take you past Bubby's and their monstrously large and delicious breakfasts in Tribeca. Go early because the line forms long on the weekends. There will be lots of neighborhood families here, so if kids aren't your thing...

Bubby's
120 Hudson Street

And finally, one of the great dishes that I miss in the mornings in Manhattan are the lemon ricotta pancakes served at the weekend brunch at Good in Greenwich Village. Light, airy and lemony topped only with powdered sugar and strawberries. Mmmm. Delectable.

Good
89 Greenwich Avenue

A recent thread you may enjoy:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=18489

My suggestions from within:

Shang Hai Cuisine
89 Bayard Street at Mulberry
New York, NY

This is written Shanghai Cuisine in some places and Shang Hai Bar and Restaurant in others. Decor is 1930s, service is usually very friendly, and the xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are excellent, exactly what we're missing in Chicago. The fish-flavor (garlic) eggplant rivals Lao Sze Chuan and Ed's.

Djerdan
221 W. 38th, in the basement
New York, NY

http://djerdan.com/

To me, the burek here is a whole different realm from Deta's: flakier, meatier, and less cigarette-flavored. Their dumplings and home-made sour cream are fantastic. Staff couldn't be nicer and the room, while dark and cavernous, has considerable character. I can't vouch for their other locations.

You can get both Chinese and Upper Balkan in Chicago, but here are two inexpensive, shining examples, which to me edge out their corresponding exemplars here (only for these selected dishes, not the whole restaurants).

JoelF wrote:But sometimes, it's worth the splurge.

The fact that I'm going at all is kind of a splurge, and sacrilegious as it may seem here, if we can eat well for cheap -- and based on the suggestions so far, it looks as if we can -- I'd rather spend any extra pennies I can scrape up on theaters and museums.

Also, our schedule is very uncertain and changeable (this is a business trip), so places that require reservations more than a day in advance are probably out.

Thanks for the ideas so far, folks.

My local guide tells me to get on the train to Queens. We'll likely do that, at least once. We only have a few days, and as I said, other constraints, but if there's something remarkable that's reachable by subway, I'm interested.

I want to hear from all the ex-New Yorkers about the things they're mourning, too.

Here are some of my favorite cheap eats in NYC:

Manhattan Diner (Greek diner--Broadway, Upper West Side)

Gray's Papaya (hot dogs--Broadway, Upper West Side)

Veselka (Ukrainian--Second Avenue, East Village)

Topaz (Thai--W 56th Street, Midtown)

Diamond Dairy of New York Restaurant (Kosher--W 47th Street, Diamond District)

Arturo's (pizza--West Houston Street and Thompson Street, Greenwich Village)

Bubby's (comfort food, pies--Hudson Street, Tribeca)

John's Pizzeria (pizza--W 44th Street, Theater District)

LAZ wrote:

JoelF wrote:But sometimes, it's worth the splurge.

I want to hear from all the ex-New Yorkers about the things they're mourning, too.

Famous Ray's Pizza, 6th Avenue at 11th Street.



Chinatown - particularly, the Thai Restaurant on the corner of Bayard and something across the street from the courthouses. Flushing Asiatown offers some great places, though I've only been a couple of times. Sadly, the Manhattan Chinatown bakery where I used to get Banana Soft Cake is gone - but if you see some of that somewhere (made with glutinous rice flour) - get some!

The Fatty Crab http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2384/2345097843_8d5e31b02c_o.jpg

Hot pretzel off of a charcoal cart.

Kasha and Potato Knishes from Knish Nosh and from Yonah Shimmel's.

When I was a college student, I have to admit that breakfast in Manhattan always involved bagels and lunch was generally a pretzel or two off of the various street vendors.

I haven't been to NYC in years, so I can't make recommendations, but I've taken to reading Robert Sietsema's Counter Culture column in the Voice online. His "beat" seams to be mostly these kinds of restaurants. You may have already looked over the archive, but if not, it's worth checking out.

Also check out the New York magazine feature on Street Food from last year.

This article in the New York Times talks about Chez Napoleon, a classic, almost last-of-its-kind bistro on the west side of Manhattan. I've had dozens of wonderful meals there over the years, and it probably won't be around that much longer, given rents these days.

germuska wrote:I haven't been to NYC in years, so I can't make recommendations, but I've taken to reading Robert Sietsema's Counter Culture column in the Voice online. His "beat" seams to be mostly these kinds of restaurants. You may have already looked over the archive, but if not, it's worth checking out.

Excellent suggestion. Like going to Los Angeles without reading Jonathan Gold, I can't imagine visiting New York without consulting Robert Sietsema. His book, The Food Lover's Guide to the Best Ethnic Eating in New York City, is only slightly out of date and less expensive than many NY deli sandwiches.

I often go to the New Green Bo (66 Bayard St) in Chinatown. There is a very good ice cream place across the street, too - maybe Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. Lots of fun flavors.

Ate at a pretty good Malaysian place in Chinatown last month, too, but I do not remember the name and can't seem to find it online.

Not sure that the Asian stuff is that different that what you can get here, tho.

NYC Pizza for sure, but no single rec (I am sure you know who the contenders are).

Vaguely hoped to make it out to try some of the Russian spots at Brighton Beach - I think you can do a real feast at a good price at a few of them, though I do not have specific recommendations. That is on my to-do list.

And I would have at least one deli meal, even if it definitely would not be cheap eats. Again, no specific rec just like for pizza.

I also love heading out to Newark (not too difficult or costly, take the Path) and hitting the Portugese places in the Ironbound district. Of all the food Chicago lacks, this is the one I miss the most.

If any of the above is of interest, I can get some specific recs if you want them.

Pommes Frites (2nd ave - East Village) has great Belgian fries with 25+ dipping sauces.

123 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003

Right next door is Toy Tokyo

Every time this thread pops up I keep thinking I'm going to find an inexpensive source for Angostura Bitters

The only place in the US that I've found that makes gelato exactly like what I had in Italy is Il Laboratorio del Gelato on the Lower East Side. It's right next to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, one of my favorite museums. After a conference session there, the group had dispersed to lunch at either a Chinese or a Dominican place in the vicinity (can't remember the names). As I was debating between Chinese and Dominican, I looked up and saw the Il Laboratorio sign. I knew what I was having for lunch...And oh it was worth it. Truly the best gelato I've had outside of Italy.

Il Laboratorio Del Gelato
95 Orchard St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 343-9922

I haven't been back there for a few years but I was a big fan of the Grand Sichuan chain (of 3-4 restaurants) when I lived there. There are several locations (one on 7th avenue). There is a really nice strip of cheap, dive-y spots on 9th avenue in the high-40's, low 50's featuring Indonesia, Ethiopian, Cuban, etc. Definitely worth checking out.

Looks like my New York trip has been postponed, perhaps indefinitely. Thanks for helping me imagine, though.

Since we are talking NY, a good site to go to and read user reviews, menu's etc is NY magazine. I still visit it frequently to read some of the articles, posts about the up and coming as well they always distribute lists like, the top 10 cheapest eats, top 10 burgers, etc....

http://nymag.com/restaurants/

Also, has a great section on bars.

Shaggywillis wrote:Since we are talking NY, a good site to go to and read user reviews, menu's etc is NY magazine.

And as of last Saturday, at least, the current newstand issue of New York Magazine had a cover feature on Cheap Eats. I realize now that I should have picked it up, since I'm going to be headed that way a couple of times this fall...

I apologize in advance for this. The essential, but cheap manhattan is made with Maker's Mark.

jpschust wrote:I apologize in advance for this. The essential, but cheap manhattan is made with Maker's Mark.

No, don't apologize... every time I see this thread I think it's about the cocktail, even though I've been reading it all along!

You should try Katz Delicatessen at 205 E. Houston St. It's not cheap but you can share a sandwich. No other place like it. Very NY...puffed up by it's own celebrity but the vibe is unique.

I thought I had been clear with my instructions, but apparently not. My brother posted on this INCREDIBLE FREE FRIED CHICKEN at Bobby Van's at 50th St. and 7th Ave. on "the other board". Here is the link:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/556029#4108572

The best cheapest thing I had in New York in October was a pancake with beef at Prosperity Dumpling in Chinatown.

It might have been $1.50, definitely no more than $2. The steamed dumplings there were no great shakes, but the pancake was incredible. Note that Prosperity is about the size of a phone booth. No place to eat, so we went over to the nearby park where we happened to catch a performance in action:




Prosperity Dumpling
46 Eldridge St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 343-0683‎

I lived downtown for some time. Here are my recommendations for cheap eats in nyc in no particular order:

1. vodka sauce slice at pomodoro on spring street
2. the lunch set at aburriya kinnosuke in midtown
3. Kenka-a japanese bar with great snacks, i like the mackerel, takoyaki, assorted skewers
4. sesame pancake from vanessa's dumpling house on eldridge sesame pancake with beef brisket, cilantro, carrots
5. Pio Pio on the UES is delicious

A friend of mine from Chicago recently lamented the lack of good and reasonably priced food choices in midtown Manhattan. I'm here for work now, and have decided that my friend must not have tried very hard. In 7 hours, I've had an awesome gyros sandwich, a perfect bagel with whitefish salad, and the quintessential black and white cookie.

Gyros sandwich from the Rafiqi cart on 48th and 5th, one of four carts manned my brothers who hail from Afghanistan. Charred, crispy bits, heavy seasoning, good yogurt sauce mixed with mildly spicy, smooth tomato sauce. $3.99:





Whitefish on bagel came from Grand Central Market, a cornucopia of good, artisan food in what I consider one of the world's most beautiful railroad stations. Bagel from Corrado bakery stand, whitefish salad from one of the two excellent fish purveyors in the Market.





Black and white from Zaro's Bread Basket, also inside Grand Central Station. Pictured below is a view of from the south end of the station. Up the stairs pictured at the north end is my favorite place in NY to grab a drink: Michael Jordan's steakhouse. Yes, you'll pay tourist prices, but the view and the people watching from that balcony can't be beat.

Wow Kenny, I just had a gyro sandwich on Friday from that same cart! I wanted to try some one of the other plates, but I needed something I could walk with and eat. I thoroughly enjoyed it (scarfing it down without even thinking of photographing it until too late). The quotes and testimonials from food review sites on the cart made me stop.

Also, I must admit I enjoyed 2 pretzels during my hikes around NYC this weekend (from bar to bar mostly). One on 5th, had that wonderful smoky quality only a NY pretzel can have (from roasting on the cart, or taxi fumes, I can't tell). The second one, late at night from a cart in front of Grand Central, had a nice, almost doughnuty sweet quality to it. Both huge, and 2 bucks.

Apparently the economy has forced many restaurants to offer some really good deals - I ate at Oceana - a 3 star fine dining, seafood focused - on 54th and Park, and they had some very good deals on their wine list (20% or 30% on bottles over 50 or $100) and a reasonable (for this caliber place) $88 four course menu. While certainly not in the cheap category, it was still a good deal.

Oceana
55 E. 54th St. NYC
http://www.oceanarestaurant.com/

I'm so happy this thread has popped up,
Since Daughter and I will be doing a girls in NYC trip the first week in March.
I'm completely overwhelmed thinking about where to eat!
We have theater tix, and are staying near times square,
and could do nice lunches and quick dinners or might be eating in museums and then have nicer dinners.
Will probably want to do a steak one night, but doubt I'll want to haul my caboose over the bridge to Lugars. ? Maybe Ben & Jacks?
Will want to get some seafood for certain...
Intrigued by Momofuku ssam, but not sure if we can brave a no reservations policy.
Chowhound reviews make me think twice about Babbo, even if I could get a res., or want to spend that much $
I'm overwhelmed into inactivity....
and with everything 3 weeks away I know I should do some reserving...
the saving grace is we'll be there on weeknights tues, weds, thurs....
help

Iris, if you're doing a quick dinner, you won't be far from the Midtown Korean enclave with a few KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) spots to choose from.

I can't remember which one I went to, maybe Baden Baden as it was on the second floor, but it actually had a lounge-y brewpub vibe that was different from your average storefront. Highly recommended if you're into trying KFC in one of the hotspots in the country.

Of course, the real deal KFC is supposed to be out in Queens, but if you don't want to schlepp across the Williamsburg bridge for Peter Luger's then I'm guessing Flushing and Jackson Heights are out.

I'm pretty open minded, and want to balance out the more pricey meals with less expensive ones- even tho I'm not a pizza nut- will have to expose the daughter to some great NY pizza- maybe Johns, to throw in the bonus of the beautiful architecture, since she's into that...
and some great NY deli is on the menu as well...
I was also thinking of one of the Jeean-George budget menus, but not sure which (theres a whole slew of restaurants....
overwhelmed....LOL
and yeah, since our time is so tight, and we're trying to squeeze in so much, we're pretty much going to stay on the isle Manhattan!
(besides as a native born Staten-Islander, I've seen the others before, and likely will again, this is more for having fun with the art student!)
It's actually Manhattan we never spent as much time on...