Cheap New York Restaurants

For the quintessential New York hot dog, check out Gray's Papaya. At either of its two locations (Upper West Side and the Village), you can enjoy a yummy hot with spicy mustard for a buck fifty. Get the Recession Special: two franks, one drink for $4.45.

Even the green-minded can fill their hungry stomachs at a cheap New York restaurant. Budget-constrained diners with a hankering for tasty, locally-grown American food will find happiness at Northern Spy Food Co. The $7 pumpkin marscapone mousse is not to be missed.

A hit since its opening, Cascabel's has just moved into a larger spot a couple of doors south on Second Avenue. It's another one of the cheap New York restaurants specializing in Mexican fare. Go for the chorizo tacos -- $8.50 for two -- or the cemita poblano for $9.50.

Vietnamese food in Little Italy? Yes, indeed. Banh Mi Saigon offers one of the city's best bargains for cheap, flavorful Vietnamese sandwiches. The foot-long banh mi Saigon (pork) sandwich is well under $4.

Penelope is a cheap New York restaurant with a delectable brunch deal. There's a $14.50 prix-fixe menu that features a choice of nine entrees; a mimosa or juice and coffee/tea included. The Nutella french toast goes down real smoothly.

You can't go wrong at Hummus Place, where the infamous chickpea dip is varied enough and large enough for sharing. It's also cheap. Try the $6.95 hummus masabacha and for dessert, order up malabi ($4.25).

It might take longer to read the menu at this cheap New York restaurant than to eat whatever Chinese dish you've ordered. With more than 100 menu options at Big Wong King, there's plenty to satisfy everyone in your party. Try duck congee for $4.50 and wonton soup for $3.75.

Do you have a giant sweet tooth but a small-scale budget? We're betting the answer is "yes," so here's our recommendation: Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery on the Lower East Side concocts some of Manhattan's most scrumptious cupcakes with a sticker price under $1.50. Try pistachio, peppermint chocolate, or red velvet.

A little bit of Mexico by way of San Franciso winds up in Manhattan. What's this? Dos Toros, a cheap New York restaurant in the East Village where you can pick up tasty and cheap tacos. Take your pick of steak, chicken, or pork for less than $4 each. Also try the carne asado burrito for $8.

Attention vegetarians! B and H Dairy on Second Avenue is the place for you. This venerable and cheap spot dishes up huge portions of delights like veggie soup for $4.50 and cheddar cheese and apple omelette for $5.75. Unlimited servings of challah toast before 10am.

Cheap Japanese fast-food and pastries are yours for the asking at Cafe Zaiya on E. 41 St. A few hours of shopping along Fifth Avenue will whet your appetite for bento boxes that include free miso soup after 12pm. Still hungry for dessert? Try the green tea cake for $1.95.

Among the cheap New York restaurants you're bound to stumble across the best cheap watering hole with a piece of history on the side. That would be McSoreley's Old Ale House, the oldest bar in Manhattan. Five dollars gets you two beers -- light or dark.

The competition is hot for the best budget Asian noodles in Manhattan. X'ian Famous Foods is one serious contender. At this East Village restaurant you shoud try savory cumin lamb hand-pulled noodles for $5 or liang pi noodles for $4.

It's hard to beat the prices for the quality at Empanada Mama. Over on 9th Avenue in Midtown you can fill up on cheap, top-notch empanadas like the Philly cheesesteak, Brasil (ground beef), or Viagra (seafood). Prices vary from $2 to $3 each.

A favorite of Hell's Kitchen locals, this bar and grill is duly appreciated for its $2 Rudy's blonde, $3 Rudy's red, and $7 pitcher. Eat as many hotdogs as you can because they're free and yummy!

This is one pizza bargain. Just slap a buck on the counter at 2 Bros. Pizza in the East Village and a steamy, fresh slice is yours. For an even better deal, grab two slices and a soda for $2.75.

This cheap New York restaurant is the place to stop for tasty Korean barbecue as you wander around Midtown. Order the eel and rice special with miso soup, and remember to try the kimchi. Figure on spending about $6 or $7 for a hearty meal.

Some of the best cheap burritos in New York are found over on Avenue A at Zaragoza. An enormous burrito filled with meat, cheese, and mouth-watering sauces costs only $6.

Looking for a burger at a cheap New York restaurant? Give Corner Bistro a try. This West Village spot serves up a terrific $6 burger; another 75 cents gets you the bistro burger, stacked with bacon, cheese, lettuce, and tomato. If it's frieds you want, the crispy kind go for $2.50.

Dumplings cross culinary boundaries, but if it's the Chinese variety you crave, Vanessa's Dumpling House is the place for you. Load up on a plate of dumplings for less than $5. Sesame pancakes cost 50 cents each and get three pork fried buns will set you back $1.

There's no shortage of cheap dumplings in Chinatown. Prosperity Dumplings features deliciously cheap fried pork and chive dumplingd -- five for $1. Should you need a fix on a rainy day, just buy a bag frozen dumplings to take home - 50 dumplings for $8. Make sure to hit up the ATM first: cash only at this cheap New York restaurant.