Very Cheap Eats in New York City

A travel journal to New York by jim

When I'm looking for quick, cheap takout or delivery, I call these places.

  • 7 reviews
Picky diners might avoid these establishments, but when I want cheap, quick food with a little flavor, I don't hestitate to call these places:

Fresco's: Mexican (great fajitas)
Teriyaki Boy: Japanese (great teriyaki chicken)
Metro Diner: Open 24 hours but I go for breakfast
Burritoville: Mexican (a little healthier than Fresco's)
Obento Delight: Sushi (the sushi is very fresh)

Quick Tips:

Have the food delivered or order takeout. These places provide relatively good food at cheap prices, but the ambience of the restaurants leaves a lot to be desired.

Best Way To Get Around:

Teriyaki BoyBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The food is cheap and you get a lot of it. People either love this place or hate it (I love it with the qualification that it is good, cheap, fast food). I really enjoy the chicken teriyaki and the shrimp shumai. Look to spend about $10 and be completly full. The seating is limited, so delivery or takeout is the best option.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jim on August 3, 2000

Teriyaki Boy
885 9th Avenue New York, New York 10019
(212) 307-7202

Fresco'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The tortillas are made fresh in front of you and they are great. Plus they make everything that much better (i.e. fajitas, enchiladas, etc.). My favorites include the steak fajitas (but I ask them to leave the onions off) and chicken and rice dish (very cheap for the quality and amount of food given).
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jim on August 3, 2000

Fresco's
New York, New York

BurritovilleBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

If you want a cheap, good meal that is healthy, try Burritoville. I love the vegetarian burritos (particulary the 'Route 66' with vegetarian chorizo sausage). The hardest part about eating here is choosing the burrito that is right for you (there are so many good choices). When you dine in you get free chips and some pretty spicy salsa. I am always full after every meal.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jim on August 3, 2000

Burritoville
141 Second Ave New York, New York 10003
+1 212 260 3300

Obento DelightBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The sushi is fresh and you get a lot for the money. I also enjoy the edimame (green pea pods with salt), the vegetable fried rice (a lot of food), and the shrimp shumai. Not much atmosphere, but the owners are very nice and make you feel welcome. Ask for extra wasabi if you and soy sauce because they don't provide enough with deliveries.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jim on August 3, 2000

Obento Delight
210 West 94th Street New York, New York 10025
(212) 222-2010

Metro DinerBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

I eat here for breakfast every weekend if possible. You get a great omellete, or waffle, or french toast, or whatever else you want cheaply and quickly. Also, the quality is great considering it is breakfast, diner food. Always reliable, and a good place to begin a weekend day reading the paper.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jim on August 3, 2000

Metro Diner
2641 Broadway New York, New York 10025
(212) 866-0800

Two Boots to Go WestBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Two Boots Pizza"

This is pizza I will go out of my way for. The Two Boots refer to the boot of Italy and Louisiana (think of the shape of the country and state). So you get great pizza with a cajun twist. The pizzas are named after obscure tv personalities so it is fun to pick what you will be eating. My favorites are the Larry Tate (white pizza, spinach, garlic and tomatoes), the Mr. Pink (cajun chicken, tomatoes, and garlic) and the Neuman (of Seinfeld fame). The thin crust is perfect, the ingredients are fresh, and the combinations make every slice worth trying. The sandwiches and cajun dishes are also pretty good.

As for the atmosphere, this branch of the chain (I think there are a total of 7 of these restaurants throughout the NYC area) is pretty small. But the memorabilia, the colorful atmosphere and the laid back crowds make this a fun place to eat.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jim on May 13, 2001

Two Boots to Go West
201 West 11th St New York, New York 10014
+1 212 633 9096

About the Writer

jim
jim
Charlotte, North Carolina

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