For all you new yorkers out there.. any ideas for good cheap dining in Manhattan?

Answer 1

Fast & Delicious
Brazilian
48-19 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City
718-729-9988
Restaurants with adjectives for names rarely live up to them: Fast & Delicious, though, delivers on both counts. The specialty of this spotless Brazilian takeout canteen is a top sirloin churrasco ($14.95) deftly carved from the spit and finished on the charcoal grill. It’s six or seven good-sized slabs of beef, remarkably flavorful and tender enough to cut with a plastic fork (though you get the deluxe steakhouse model if you dine in). Sautéed collard greens and black beans and rice make fine accompaniments. And good rotisserie chicken ($7.50)—?arinated in Corona beer,” boasts the cook—not to mention Saturday’s feijoada ($12.95) are likewise swift and satisfying.
Another good one is
Brazil Grill
787 Eighth Ave.
at 48th Street
New York, NY
212-307-9449
Brazilian cuisine, as diverse and passionate as the Brazilian people, incorporates seafood, fish, and chicken and puts a strong emphasis on grilled fresh meats. A Brazilian cut of grilled sirloin comes to the table still sizzling in a cast iron skillet. Top it with fresh salsa or, if you dare, Brazil Grill’s hot pepper sauce. Churrascos, or skewers, hold marinated chicken, flank steak, juicy sausage or succulent beef kebabs that have been grilled to perfection. Seared steak with red wine and calves’ liver with onions are some other meat choices. A separate churrascaria specializing in this particular cooking method will open next week on the lower level of the restaurant.

If you prefer fish and seafood, there are plenty of choices on the menu, as well as daily specials. Bacalhau, or codfish, is cooked with onions, potatoes, olives and olive oil for a traditional meal. Salmon in a yucca crust is served with vegetables and white wine cilantro sauce. Shrimp sautéed in coconut milk is served in a coconut for a tropical treat. A Brazilian paelha combines shrimp, fish, mussels, scallops and clams over saffron rice.

Because of its location, Brazil Grill is a great pre-theater restaurant. They offer a special three-course, prixe-fixe menu for just $24.95. First course choices are black bean soup, Brazilian salad or Caesar salad. Entrée choices include feijoada, skewer of half chicken, beef shish kebab brochette or fettuccine with shrimp. Dessert choices include passion fruit mousse, creamy rice pudding or flan. That price simply can’t be beat, and you’ll make it to your Broadway show in plenty of time. If you’re not going to the theater, relax while you listen to soothing music and enjoy a leisurely meal. The service is friendly and efficient and everyone on the wait staff smiles.

http://www.qgazette.com/common/dining_reviews/030.html

Answer 2

You have to go searching. The best places are the ones you find on your own....and are not on the "beaten path".

One of my favorites that has been "discovered" as the neighborhood has improved is Wondee Siam...thai. It's on 9th Ave b/w 52 and 53rd Street. Great Thai food, try the bbq chicken.

Many of the best bargains are also the lunch menus of much more expensive resturants. Many have summer specials for lunch only...which are usually 3 course meals for $20 or so.

Look in the NY Times and search on the $25 and under resturant column. They have some great suggestions.

Best cheap eats in NY is usually Pizza, Chinese, and Burgers.

Answer 3

In the mood for Thai food? Here's a couple places:

If you want a more romantic upscaleish place at a good price, go to Holy Basil. It's at 149 Second Ave, between 9th and 10th street. They have an AWESOME Duck Kaprow and Fried Bananas. They are to die for I swear!!! Here's the website for their prices: www.holybasilrestaurant.com

A more cozy restaurant that's more like home-cooking is Montien at 90 Third Ave between 12th and 13th street. I love ALL their appetizers and especially the Pad See Ew noodle dish. It's cheap too. They don't have a website, but you can find their menu and stuff at www.menupages.com

Answer 4

Well, I'm not a New Yorker, but I went there with this spring. My favorite place was Ellen's Stardust Diner, in the midst of Times Square and Broadway. All the servers are broadway singers waiting for a new gig. While you eat, they perform kareoke. They were all REALLY good. The food is great too.

Answer 5

Last week's New York magazine lists the 101 best cheap eats in New York City. I would start there.

Answer 6

there are hundreds of good restaurants in Manhattan, and very few bad ones, but for cheap eats you can't beat the delis that have hot and cold salad bars. my personal favorite is Azure at 3rd and 52nd, which features fresh soups, fresh fruit, two fresh fish dishes daily, and numerous other dishes -- at 6.00/pound.

Answer 7

Chinatown

Answer 8

i just asked the same question. But here is one that I know of: DOJO - two locations, one in greenwich village and one on St. Mark's Place. Pretty good and very cheap.

Answer 9

Try any of those food pushcarts on the corners. Or go down to Chinatown.

Answer 10

how cheap?

try kenka, japanese place on st marks between 3rd and 2nd ave. great menu, very affordable.

also check out www.menupages.com. you can actually see menus of many ny restaurants.