Great list.

I always mention this place, but it really is a great deal.

Broiled tunny lunch special at Fuleen Seafood (on Division). When I worked in Chinatown it was $5.50, though the price might have gone up. Included soup and rice, and you got 4-5 whole fried fish with a nice soy-based sauce.

Also, at Excellent Pork Chop House (on Doyers), I used to get a great fried chicken leg and an order of wontons in spicy oil for, I think, $5.75.

It always disappoints me that these lists don't mention items in Midtown Manhattan; they are almost invariably in Brooklyn or downtown. What about those of us who can't get there? We need a wider range of options!

if you want crap banh mi, you can always go to nickie's and the overrated trendy bao. in the meantime, go to the real deal.

After universal taco crawls I will have to go with Mexico 2000 on Broadway in Willy B for the Grand Prize. Taco Santana around the corner and Cocoyoc on Wyckoff pretty close. And what about the $5 Di Fara slice?

Sarah DiGregorio

Hmm. Can't say I *ever* want crap banh mi--the places on the list (Saigon Bakery and Ba Xuyen) are excellent, and cheaper than the trendy places, too.

Sarah DiGregorio

Hi Noel-- I thought long and hard bout the $5 DiFara slice, but decided that one medium-ish slice does not really make a meal, so although it's wonderful pizza, it doesn't quite make it on value.

wow, i can't believe the fried chicken at yafa got some love. i am always extolling the virtues of the fried chicken there -- it tastes soooooo good after a night of boozing, especially when i only have a couple of bucks to my name.

One can assemble a good lunch for $6 at Woorjip on 32 St b/w B'way/5 ave in Midtown. The truth is that best value is in Brooklyn and Queens.

The night trucks aren't convenient for me. El Dugout has opened a store on Grand Ave. in Elmhurst near Queens Blvd. The jury is still out.

Sarah-Got it about the pizza. I tried the Hua Ji place. Really amazing. But the poor proprietor had no idea about the list. She was so excited! And you get free Cantonese soup with it too!

Fried Dumpling on Mosco in Chinatown has the best dumplings, 5 for $1, and delicious soup for $1 a bowl. Tasty Dumpling around the corner on Mulberry is great too, with 6 fried pork for 1.25 and a lot of other good dumplings (my favorite are boiled chicken and mushroom, 8 for $3), and soups as well. On Bayard is a little bakery called Me Lei Wah, with the best pork buns imaginable for 80 cents each. Also in Chinatown, Noodle King at the corner of Henry and Catherine offers a half pound of roast pork and a white rice for $4.25. If you're in Astoria, El Grill on 30th Ave and 30th St has amazing Tortas for about $5, and BZ Grill on Astoria Blvd, while usually pretty pricey, has Felafel for $3.25.

Sarah DiGregorio

Hi Matt-- Thanks for all these great recommendations. There are so many great cheap eats in Chinatown! I also like Fried Dumpling, and Mei Lei Wah. You might want to try Golden Steamer on Mott at Grand--they have great steamed dumplings for 80 cents, and with 13 different fillings. I really like the jumbo bun with greens, pork, and egg, although you have to pay $1.25 for that one.

Thanks for the Astoria recommendations, too, haven't been either of them, and will have to check them out.

Sarah DiGregorio

Hi John-- Good call on Woorjip, I really like that place. I haven't been to the El Dugout store in Elmhurst yet, either, but it looks like Joe DiStefano liked it:

http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2009/11/off-the-beaten-path-patacon-pisaos-carne-mechada-patacon-elmhurst-queens.html#comments

Don-Don on Swanston Street, Melbourne Australia.

Their Don-Don box is world famous and under 8 bucks!

Well i'm sad to inform you that you missed this small cheap restaurant in Astoria. It's called Arepas Cafe and it's located on 36th Avenue between 33rd and 34th st. Its small space availability does not account for the quality of the food; it is cheap, and sincerely fresh. Their main dishes are Arepas, which can range from 3.75 to 5.75. Arepas here are bigger than most sold elsewhere and are filling for the quantity of the food. They can be filled with stewed chicken, beef or pork can their flavors dont vary to just those. This small place can fill in a matter of minutes. Don't miss this high quality food for this cheap prize.

1/2 pollo with rice and beans at Casa Adela on Ave. C for $8.50.

There is a place in CHelsea called "From Earth to You" on 10th avenue by all the galleries. Nothing on the menu over $10

Ever wonder why there aren't any stray cats in Chinatown?

Cheap eats indeed!

I'm from Chinatown and I can't believe Mamoun's Famous Falafel is not on this list. At $2.50 - it's one of the best meals.

I agree with Ed! Mamoun's Falafel is the best in the city (actually, the best I've had outside Israel), and it's super cheap! The original is on MacDougal Street, but the one on St Mark's is just as good.
On 86th and Lex there's a taco truck selling excellent tacos for 2.50 each. They're served with two tortillas, so I usually split the filling between them and end up with two delicious tacos :D The cilantro sauce is awesome.

As an aside, the lack of vegetarian options in this entire list makes me incredibly sad. Especially since meatless food tends to be cheaper.

yeah, what is with this meat only list? Can't you throw in even one vegetarian option?

Sarah DiGregorio

Marisa-- Actually, vada pavs, which come in at #3, are vegetarian (and usually vegan as well).

Hmmm...

Prosperity Dumpling on Eldridge street actually goes by the name Vanessa's Dumplings now, and they sell you 4 dumplings, not 5.

How do I know? I live down the block. Go there all the time.

Ed and College Kid are right, Mamoun's is the greatest and open til 4am!