Eating in NYC

For our daughters 16th Birthday my wife and I gave her a trip to the destination of her choice with my wife.  We gave her a budget and the task of planning the entire trip.  She has decided on NYC (against my better judgement).  I have searched the restaurant section of this website but am looking for additional personal in put on budget friendly eats in NYC.  I believe they are staying near Times Square.  Any suggestions in that vicinity would be greatly appreciated.

Try the Search function as well.  Plenty of threads about eating in NYC.  When you say budget friendly, could you be more specific?  How much are they looking to spend per person, per meal?  A New Yorker's inexpensive meal may be an out-of-towner's splurge.  Times Square is mostly chains and places geared towards tourism.  The further away from there you are willing to venture, the more interesting the eats.  Here is a post about a NYC tour I put together last November:  http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/A-Grand-Day-in-Manhattan-with-the-NYC-Nosh-November-14-2010-with-pics-m623421.aspx
Are there specific restaurants or iconic NYC foods they want to try (bagels, pizza, pastrami sandwiches, egg creams, knishes, hot dogs, etc...)?
 

I was going to comment on eating in Times Square as well, but billyboy hit it on the nose.  Put your head down and get outta that area as soon as possible.  

Or you could walk into the TGI Friday's, see that the burger that they serve at every other Friday's costs $17 at this location and walk out.... Your choice. 

Just went to NYC.
 
Houndstooth Pub. One of the best burgers I've ever had. 3/4 lb angus. I chose gorganzola cheese, and I had them add bacon, mushroom and cooked onion. Freaking fantastic. My wife loved her Shepherd's Pie - they also have a children's menu if you have young children with you. The service was excellent, staff was extremely friendly. Prices were very reasonable. They even had a $5 beer on tap! (a decent beer) I would definately return. SE Corner of 8th Ave and 37th. http://www.houndstoothpub.com
 
There's a Gray's Papaya nearby the Houndstooth (on 8th, across the street), if you're looking for a real NY Hotdog - but there's no seating.
 
They can split a sandwich at Carnegie Deli. We got the Woody, which was a combination of pastrami and corned beef on rye. Should I go back, I'd just get a corned beef. Not that the pastrami was bad at all, but the corned beef was significantly better.
 
For the pizza slice experience (keeping in mind most pizzarias sell by the pie, not the slice - then there are pizza slice places), I like Famous Ray's Pizza in the Village (6th Ave and 11th St). It's usually on our to-do list when we go to NYC. We usually spend almost all of our time in the Village and SoHo, so it's easy. But, there's a Famous Original Ray's on 7th Ave near 49th - only caveat is that I've heard mixed reviews of this version of a Ray's Pizza.
 
Billy's recommendations, though, are going to be spot on. So be sure to see his link.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I'm sensing that the OP is a little anxious about his wife and daughter visiting NYC on their own, so I'd just like to chime in, as a female Roadfooder.  I go to NYC alone on business several times a year, and have, since the early 1980s.  I even lived there one summer while studying for the NY bar exam, but that's another story.  (And for what it is worth, I'm originally from Indiana, too.)
 
Regardless of what one might think, good or ill, about the former Mayor Giuliani, his administration did "clean up" Times Square, and although it used to be a combat zone, it is a very safe area nowadays.   One of the things I've always liked about NYC is that there's someone out and about at virtually all hours of the day or night, so it's really safe (if you use common sense) in any of the areas your family would be likely to frequent - and there is safety in numbers.  Times Square really bustles around theater showtimes, of course, but almost all of Manhattan is very walkable.   The subway is safe, too, although it can be a little intimidating (not in terms of safety, but just figuring out how to make transfers, for instance -- the signage isn't always crystal clear), and the bus system is straightforward if you spend a few minutes with a map. 
 
So, I agree -- don't be afraid to venture away from Times Square in search of good food!

In that area (Times Square), for a reasonably priced family meal with a New York vibe that should appeal to everybody, I ususally recommend John's Pizzeria at 260 W44th street. Debates are endless as to whether it's as good as the original in Greenwich Village but I find it close enough if not equal.
 
http://www.johnspizzerianyc.com/index2.htm
 
Don't let the word "pizzeria" scare you off, it's a nicely done full scale restaurant in a great space (it used to be an old church).
 
As for the "safety" of the Times Square area, let's not go overboard and equate it to a suburban evening walk or a stroll thru Disneyland. There's still enough shaky and or weird characters roaming the streets that you need stay aware and basically not act like a bumpkin if they start talking to you, just keep walking.

Keep it civil folks. I just cleaned out the last 2 posts. Any more and this thread gets locked.

Wow, Ken, Johns looks awesome!

If looking for an nice, but inexpensive (for NYC) restaurant in the Times Square/Theater area, I recommend Marseille, a small French restaurant on 9th Ave.at 45th St. This is  in addition to the noted NYC food such as deli, pizza and bagels.

If your family's willing to go with middle eastern and african cuisine, I'd recommend Meskerem (Ethiopian), Akdeniz (Turkish), and the Azuri Cafe (Israeli). I'd give links to their sites, but apparently I don't have enough points. They should be fairly easy to google, though.
 
If that's too adventurous for your family, then the only cheap eats I can recommend are burgers, either from Burger Joint (which has a listing on this site) or the midtown Shake Shack.  
 
Mostly, though, I'd second the above recommendations for getting away from midtown.

My family and I go to NYC often...we love Times Square....It's safer now than it has been in decades....I always felt it perfectly safe to take the wife and kids...don't be scared away...it's a vibrant, exciting place to visit...and so many great places to eat...pick one and enjoy!!!

What an exciting 16th birthday present.  You neglect to say what kind of food your wife and daughter like, and what "budget" means.  But they're likely to find everything in Manhattan expensive, so I'll interpret budget to mean as cheap as possible.  New York food can be an adventure in the world's cuisines; contemporary NYC's take on the world's cuisines (think Momofuku); and historic NYC classics.  I'm guessing the first and the last option are more to your family's needs on this trip.
 
If they like Thai food, there are very nice, cheaper places in Hell's Kitchen/Theatre District.  The best is either Pam's Real Thai (49th and 9th) or Wondee Siam (there are 3 locations near 9th Ave).
 
If they like Japanese food, they might enjoy trying "ramen" -- this can be had in this part of the city as well, at Sapporo (49th and 7th), or the real happening outlet would be Ramen Totto (just profiled on CBS Sunday Morning) on 52nd and 9th. 
 
Certainly no trip to NYC would be complete without an experience in a Jewish Deli.  The best is the 2nd Avenue Deli (33rd and Lex, confusingly).  But the Carnegie Deli is also not bad, if they are reluctant to leave the tourist cradle of midtown.
 
Also, how could one visit NYC and not eat at the Grand Central Oyster Bar?  It's wonderful, and a very New York experience, and of course, you'll want to see Grand Central anyways.  The oysters are actually reasonably priced -- and if they don't like oysters, the chowder and She-Crab soup are divine -- the menu is huge.
 
Pizza-wise, I always take out of town visitors on a trek across (that would be walking) the Brooklyn Bridge to eat pizza at Grimaldi's.  I think it's the absolute best pizza (outside of New Haven, CT), but be prepared to wait in line outside (an hour or so).  Another option for real NY-style pizza would be Arturo's on Houston (remember, it's pronounced "how-ston").  John's would probably suffice, if time or sense of adventure is lacking.  The key is to avoid the slice thing -- the places that serve real NY pizza do not tend to sell by the slice.
 
For the budget eater, Chinatown is a must.  (They will probably want to seek knockoff bags and such anyways, right?)  I would recommend Nice Green Bo (formerly New Green Bo) for really great Shanghai style cooking, on Bayard St.  If they like Vietnamese Pho, that can be a wonderfully cheap meal, and plenty of places in Chinatown for that.
 

Hey bristaylor...great first post...nice report.....I'm sure you helped Rocky Enfield...I'd echo ChinaTown......I didn't know of Raman Toto...my daughter is into Ramen big time...next trip in,we'll try it...sounds fun....thanks for a thoughtful post!!!

Well folks you have replied in spades (as I knew you would) and have given my wife and daughter some food for thought .  I do have an update, we changed plans on where they are staying and it is now on Central Park West.  So any further in put for that area would be greatly appreciated.  I assure you that we will be doing some searches for the places that have been recommended.
 
Thanks so far and I look forward to additional input.
 
Rocky
 
PS Those that sensed the nervousness of a Dad sending his 16 yr old daughter and wife into NYC on their own were spot on.  Maybe I have watched to many episodes of Law & Order

I just returned from a trip to NYC, to which I've been a number of times in recent years, and the focus of my trip, as always, was sampling NYC restaurants.
 
I'll echo what others have said about getting away from Times Square.  That simply is not where you'll find the best of what NYC has to offer in terms of food or ambience.  I have had a few good meals there, but not in places suitable for a birthday celebration IMHO.  For example, I like the Carnegie Deli which is on 7th Ave. a few blocks north of Times Square but it's crowded, busy and not cheap.  I prefer the 2nd Ave. Deli on 33rd St between 2nd and 3rd Ave--not that far from Times Square.
 
I had a good meal this trip at Brick Lane Curry House on East 53rd St, but again Indian food (even delicious Indian food) isn't everyone's thing and Brick Lane is very small.
 
If I were planning a birthday celebration in New York, I'd ask to be taken to Roberto in the Bronx--just off Arthur Ave. in the Bronx's Little Italy near Fordham U.  Best Italian food, and not cheap but reasonable, I've found in New York.
 
Somebody mentioned Momofuko.  I ate there this trip and, frankly, wasn't impressed.  On a previous trip I got my noodle fix at Ippudo and like it better (neither are near Times Square or very appropriate for a group meal).
 
Again, Thai was mentioned.  There are little Thai places all over New York and most of them are OK.  But why not consider hiking to Queens for some of the best Thai food I've ever had (and I've eaten Thai in Thailand as well as eating it regularly in San Francisco) at Sripraphai--it's only a couple of blocks from the subway from Times Square, the neighborhood is ethnic but fine, and the ambience is large, modern and very nice.
 
Speaking of ambience, if you are partial to German food, I found a place with great ambience this trip and pretty tasty food as well:  It's a newly opened Austrian wine bar made to look like an old barn inside called "Edi and the Wolf" (the two owners are Edi and Wolfgang)--superb Austrian wines and excellent schnitzel plus the trimmings--and it would be nice for a group because the seating in on long communal tables.  It's on Avenue "C" at 7th St.

Rocky Enfield

Those that sensed the nervousness of a Dad sending his 16 yr old daughter and wife into NYC on their own were spot on.  Maybe I have watched to many episodes of Law & Order  

 
You probably have watched too many New York crime shows.  In recent years I have found New York a very friendly place in which people look out for one another and there is a strong sense of "we're all in this together" after 9/11.  Quite frankly the bus drivers and other transit  staff are far more friendly and helpful than their equivalents back home in San Francisco (who tend to be surly and entitled).  It's a big city but many millions of Americans live in big cities and you have a greater chance of being a crime victim in most other American cities today than in New York.
 
Bed bugs on the other hand . . . .

Great first post, bristaylor
 
However, regarding

bristaylor

avoid the slice thing -- the places that serve real NY pizza do not tend to sell by the slice.

I suspect many NYC'ers would tell you that the slice is THE true way to experience ny-style pizza.  This based on years of reading, I am not a NYC resident

I wonder whether your daughter and wife would enjoy going somewhere for afternoon tea?  I recognize that's not a traditional "roadfood" option, but there are some great places to go in New York for afternoon tea. (They often call it "high tea," though technically, that's a British term for an early evening supper.)
 
Many of the hotels near where your family will be staying (near Central Park West) serve afternoon tea, like the Astor Court at the St. Regis. 
 
Another option is the Tea Box cafe. http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/tea-box-cafe/menus/afternoon-tea.html
 
There's also a small "chain" (three places) called Alice's Tea Cup, but I've never been there, and my sense is that they may cater more to mothers bringing younger daughters -- which, if that's the case, a 16 year old would find "lame" and humiliating. http://www.alicesteacup.com/
 
These places are  not cheap, but they would offer a  memorable experience.  If they think they want to go, though, they should be sure to call ahead for a reservation.

Wow, terrific reponses! 
Rocky, how long are they staying in the city?  The subway is a great way to get around and yes, it can be confusing if you're not used to it but it can also be an adventure!  Rides are $2.25 per single ride.  They used to have an unlimited one-day Fun Pass for $8.25 but they eliminated that at the end of 2010.  They can buy a declining balance card at any Metrocard machine in the subway system.  The machines always take cash and most take credit/debit cards. 
 
Is the city safe?  Is it dangerous?  If you reguarly read the top three news stories about NYC it would probably seem like dangerous place but then again the media here tends to have a "if it bleeds, it leads" mentality, fwiw.  I go running along the Hudson River and in Central Park after dark and I have never had a problem, mind you, people don't usually hassle someone of my girth.  That said, I would not recommend walking through Central Park after dark no matter how pretty it may look covered in snow. 
 
Bristaylor, love your recs!  9th Ave between 43rd and 53rd Streets is a hotbed of Thai restaurants.  I would say though that slice shops are just as much real pizza as are whole pie pizza places.  If Rocky's wife and daughter are up to the task of splitting a whole pie, that would be my first choice.  Lombardi's, Grimaldi's (keep in mind CASH ONLY and they don't take reservations so a fairly long wait in line is standard).  If not, then a slice shop such as Bleecker Street Pizza, Joe's Pizza, Ray's Pizzeria (on Prince Street) or New Pizza Town would be my recs.
 
If they do go to the Grand Central Oyster Bar, make sure they check out the Great Hall and just people watch.  A very beautiful building.  Also, the Whispering Corridor is nice too right outside of GCOB. 
Wo Hop (#17) on Mott Street in Chinatown is a divey old-school Chinese restaurant under the sidewalk.  I took my family there when they came down for Thanksgiving 2009 and they were really unsure but ended up loving it!
Sripraphai is awesome as BT said.  My friends took me there for my birthday a few years ago and I loved it.
Alice's Tea Cup has really good food but it is set up for mom's and their little girls so the atmosphere might not be a good fit. 
If they are staying on CPW. might I suggest these places as well:
Shake Shack (UWS) - Shackburger and a concrete is the way to go!
Grandaisy Bakery - great flatbread pizzas.  My favorite is the rosemary, olive oil and sea salt.
Gray's Papaya - cheap hot dogs.  NYC institution.
Levain Bakery -  excellent chocolate chip cookies.  Pricey, but huge.
H & H Bagels - another NYC institution.  No frills, buy 'em and get out.  No tables or chairs, non toasting.  Just hot, fresh bagels to go.
Zabar's market - fresh olives, cheeses, cookware and all manner of foods.  Crowded and but worth checking out.
New Pizza Town - corner of B'Way & 78th Street.  Classic NYC slice.  May need to few napkins to dab the grease on top, but good stuff.

bristaylor

 The key is to avoid the slice thing -- the places that serve real NY pizza do not tend to sell by the slice. 

 
Perhaps there are exceptions to every rule or perhaps the rule is wrong.  In any case, on my recent trip I tried NYC's highest-rated pizza joint (in this case, the term "joint" hardly begins to describe it), Di Fara in Brooklyn, and found it wonderful--and THEY DO SERVE SLICES.  On the other hand, they open when they feel like it (of course, Mr.Di Fara actually still makes the pizzas). 
 
Of course you did say the "no slices" rule was a "tendency", not a rule.
 
By the way, I've also been to John's and found it OK--nothing to write home (or Roadfood.com about).
 
And speaking of cheap Chinatown, "my" spot--the Dumpling House--is still busy as ever serving up pork/chive wonders at 4 for a buck (when I first found them it was 6 for a buck).  But it's no place for a birthday bash.  I sooner get a large take-out order and hold the bash in my hotel room.

My apologies -- it appears the Tea Box Cafe is closed, because the Japanese department store that housed it is closed.  I guess it shuttered last summer.  Sorry.  I didn't know.

I don't agree with the slice comment either. NY slices, while different than their coal or wood oven cousin pizzarias, are nevertheless, a NY staple. It's the slice havens that make the NY Style pizza what the world knows as NY Style pizza. The thin-ish crispy crust with soft chewy tops, the large slices you have to fold, the cheese unique to these pizzarias. It's food on the go.
 
It is, indeed, a different experience than Grimaldi's - which I've been to, and love, and return to - and I don't get bent out of shape with the wait with all the tourists who just followed their Fodor's map, crossing the brooklyn bridge and getting a pie there. But, a NY slice is more NY than apple pie - which isn't NY unless there's a piece of NY Sharp Cheddar Cheese next to it - and even then, it's more upstate, NY than NYC.
 
My parents like John's Pizzaria, and go there everytime they're in NY.  But I think they dig the atmosphere at least as much if not a little more than the pizza.
 
BTW - the best subs are made in NJ. and that pains me to admit that. But everytime I'm in NJ, I seem to stumble across a local corner grocer deli that makes made to order subs in the back of the store, that blows my freaking head off. With all the Jets paraphernalia that abounds there, I'm almost too queesy to eat, but they're so good, I can overlook that.
 
Finally, I found a nice french bistro in midtown that was recommended by a NYC parent magazine. Good french bistro food, family friendly, not stuffy, reasonably priced: La Bonne Soup. 48 W. 55th. Near Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue $$ stores. It reminded me of some bistros off the beaten path in Montreal and Quebec. Just plain old french bistro food. Nothing fancy or overdone. This isn't haute cuisine. It's omelettes, hors d'oevres, crepes, quiche, salads, fondues, burgers and soups. Breads and cheese and fresh vegetables and table wine for the adults - the way the real French eat.
 
I'm loving all the tips in this thread. So many neat finds in NYC. And, they're ever changing. So, eat new trip, means new places to find. Which reminds me, did anyone see that episode of How I Met Your Mother, about the search for a burger joint the secondary character once went to when he was new to NY, but because he was new at the time he stumbled across the place, he could never find it again? Very good. So true.
 
 
 
 
 
 

<<BTW - the best subs are made in NJ. and that pains me to admit that. But everytime I'm in NJ, I seem to stumble across a local corner grocer deli that makes made to order subs in the back of the store, that blows my freaking head off.>>
 
I don't agree at all. I live in NJ, and while I know of some great sub places, if someone asked me where the best subs are, without hesitation I'd direct them to several Mom & Pop groceries in the outer boros of NY City. There's Sal, Kris & Charlie in Astoria, Mama's in Corona, Lioni's in Dyker Heights Brooklyn, A&C Superette on Staten Island, and those are just off the Top of my head. (Of course, in NY they are called Heros, not subs.) 
 
In Manhattan, Manganeros on 9th avenue used to be great, but I haven't been there for several years and I hear it's gone downhill. However, the legendary DeFonte's Deli of Brooklyn has opened a branch in Manhattan, and it's probably up there with the best in Manhattan.   
 
<<With all the Jets paraphernalia that abounds there, I'm almost too queesy to eat, but they're so good, I can overlook that.>>
 
Huh? I'm not sure where you've been going, it seems to me the Giants are everywhere in your average New Jersey sub shop/deli. Very little Jets presence at all.  (Doesn't matter to me, if the food's good, I'm there regardless).

ken8038


In Manhattan, Manganeros on 9th avenue used to be great, but I haven't been there for several years and I hear it's gone downhill. However, the legendary DeFonte's Deli of Brooklyn has opened a branch in Manhattan, and it's probably up there with the best in Manhattan.   

 
Agreed that Manganaros, and/or Hero Boy next door seem to be on the down hill side of their peak. Another formerly great place I went to recently and found it even further on the down hill side of its zenith was the Italian food Center on Grand St. What a dump!
 
Faicco's on Bleeker is still excellent for its sandwiches and rice balls and is in a neighborhood out of town visitors would likely visit. 
http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Overview/1182/faiccos-pork-store

I have a just turned 17 year old, and for the last 2 years we've celebrated her birthday with shopping in SoHo and a splurge-ish lunch. In fact lunch might be a way to experience some New York restaurants without breaking the bank. Is your daughter interested in fashion or art? (By that I'm wondering what neighborhoods they'll be in) She might like the hipster boho vibe of Williamsburg, and Dumont Burger or Pies and Thighs, cute boutiques to wander in and out of, too. Will your family be going to museums? What time of year are they coming? I could recommend something (like a walk on the Highline) that's cheap or free, but probably not fun in the snow.

nixienox


I have a just turned 17 year old, and for the last 2 years we've celebrated her birthday with shopping in SoHo and a splurge-ish lunch. In fact lunch might be a way to experience some New York restaurants without breaking the bank.

 
Hmmm. I did that last week and it wasn't even my birthday.  Of course lunch was less than "splurgish" (12 dumplings and a coke, $4,  from the Dumpling House in Chinatown), and I only bought some wooden spoons at Sur La Table and some socks at Icebreaker.  

ken8038


<<BTW - the best subs are made in NJ. and that pains me to admit that. But everytime I'm in NJ, I seem to stumble across a local corner grocer deli that makes made to order subs in the back of the store, that blows my freaking head off.>>

I don't agree at all. I live in NJ, <<With all the Jets paraphernalia that abounds there, I'm almost too queesy to eat, but they're so good, I can overlook that.>>

Huh? I'm not sure where you've been going, it seems to me the Giants are everywhere in your average New Jersey sub shop/deli. Very little Jets presence at all.  (Doesn't matter to me, if the food's good, I'm there regardless).

Um, when the sports market created the Jets, Nets and Mets, it appealed greater to NJ than Manhatta in the 60s when these teams were founded.
 
Every time I've ditched off the highway in NJ in the NYC metro area, and found a corner grocer, it was covered in Jets paraphernalia. I don't care for Jets or Giants. Either on makes me queesy. But I've seen the green and white more in NJ.
 
I'm from NY. Grew up in NY, and lived in the State of NY for the first 28 years of my life. have fraternity brothers from NJ, they are all Jets fans. and Nets fans. Mets and Yankees are divided. They're also Devils fans.
 
That's the experience I've had with NJ/NYC. Yeah, there are Giants fans too, but on the whole, with my myriad of NY/NJ friends. NJers tend to be Jets country, and NYS/LongIsland tend to be Giants fans. Obviously, given the localty the rule is not harden-fast. Both teams "represent" Ny even though the only true team in the state of NY, is Buffalo.
 
Traditionally, though, the "_ets" teams were designed for non-city. The stadiums were built outside the city. The Jets, have pretty much been a NJ team from the get-go, while the football Giants have a NYC history then later moved to Meadowlands.
 
Anyway, the main point is, I have stumbled across some corner grocers in NJ with mind-blowing subs that are made in their subs in their "deli area" in the back of the corner store, and they have impressed me more than NYC subs. On the other hand, I prefer a NYC pizza slice to the NJ slice, despite their similarities.
 
 

TJ Jackson


Great first post, bristaylor

However, regarding

bristaylor

avoid the slice thing -- the places that serve real NY pizza do not tend to sell by the slice.

I suspect many NYC'ers would tell you that the slice is THE true way to experience ny-style pizza.  This based on years of reading, I am not a NYC resident

As someone that was born & lived 50+ years in the NYC area, I'll back you up on that! I'd estimate that around 75% of the pizza comsumed in the area was purchased "by the slice."

Not taking any position on slice versus whole pie, but I thought I'd pass along some useful food blog links. http://slice.seriouseats.com/  has a good pizza map
http://midtownlunch.com/   also with map
 
 
 

I'd advise them against staying in Times Square. I realize that's where a lot of cheap hotels are, but that is my least favorite part of NYC. It's extremely touristy and unpleasant, with few decent restaurants. If they can afford it, they should stay in Midtown but to the east of Times Square, or on the Upper East or Upper West Sides, which are real neighborhoods and give a better feel for what Manhattan is like. Times Square is like Disney's version of Manhattan.
 
If they are near Times Square, it's not too far a walk to the Carnegie Deli, and John's has a pizzeria over there as well.