Best Cheap Eats in New York

It's a long-held belief among Philadelphians that no one anywhere else can make a cheesesteak the right way. That's exactly what they aim to do at 99 Miles To Philly, which takes its name from the distance to the famous Pat's Steaks. Owner Brad Kranz takes his experience from a stint at Carl's and mixes it with the traditional Whiz-n-onions cheesesteak construct for a Lower East Side eatery that's a little taste of home.

Amsterdam Restaurant & Tapas Lounge, a New American fusion restaurant and lounge located on the Upper West Side across from Columbia University, reopened to the public in November 2004 with an all new modern and warm decor. Executive Chef Michael Kalajian offers an inventive and diverse menu of culinary delights influenced by a fusion of Asian, Mediterranean and Latin cuisine.

Delicious and dependable Venezuelan joint in Williamsburg.

It should probably be called Bagel Hole In The Wall, given its Manhattanesque slim margins, but the kitchen that stretches back from the front counter delivers some of Brooklyn's tastiest bagels, with a selection of cream cheese spreads you will marvel at. Not ones to give in to the new school of bagelry, Bagel Hole makes fresh-baked, New York-size bagels that fit in the palm of your hand, using only the highest quality ingredients for the best flavor and texture.

A quick-casual restaurant serving fresh, healthy Korean-inspire rice, noodle and salad combinations, with a variety of seasonal toppings and sauces.

Bill's has quickly become a place of much contention in the burgeoning New York burger scene, pitting factions against each other who either want to dethrone or crown them forever. The jury is still out, but in the meantime, they definitely serve burgers.

Brown Cafe offers a generous seasonal menu that focuses on organically grown local produce, free-range meats, and fish from conscientious purveyors.

The Morningside Heights Italian joint relaunches itself as Il Cibreo, with a new menu of reasonably-priced and tasty cuisine. A favorite of Columbia and Barnard students, the place evokes Italy with its decor, and youthful energy with its patrons.

Casual Mexican joint on the Upper East Side with a stunningly deep menu full of innovative-yet-authentic cuisine.

The 'inoteca brothers Jason and Joe Denton's Italian cantina in the Financial District.

Columbia students love this diner, making for a congenial atmosphere to sample their traditional American fare.

This college-kid hang out features a nicely designed interior, clean and tidy dining room, and an Asian-inspired menu. The prices here are fit for a student who will no doubt soon graduate at least $50,000 in debt, and thus the place is crowded with them for a greater part of the day.

It is a hard claim to make in Asian restaurant rich New York but Dumpling Man on St. Mark's makes dumplings better than anyone else. They range from traditional to exotic flavors. Dumpling places used to be the domain of Chinatown eateries, but not anymore. The North Asian style dumplings served here give the East Village reason to raise the dumpling flag here. It's a genuine feat and a place to be proud about.

Consistently rated one of the best slices in New York, Famous Joe's Pizza is around the corner from some of Bleecker Street's finest pizzerias. Whether by the slice or whole pies to go, Famous Joe's always hits the spot.

A great restaurant for traditional Indian cuisine, it's also one of the few places you can secure a pudina paratha, or layered bread with mint, among other classic Indian specialties.

Great ambiance, service, and wine distinguish this Italian eatery from the rest.

Huge sandwiches and delicious deli offerings on the Upper West Side.

The former Katina's, now run by the folks from the further north Purity Diner.

Japanese food in Murray Hill.

The Noodle Bar is easily what it says it is: aside from the few tables (slightly more during the warmer seasons, although one table is always precariously positioned near the cellar door), most of the seating is set around a long bar that wraps around the speedy noodle cooks. Offering a delicious mix of Asian cuisine--and perhaps the best bee hong goreng in the city--the Noodle Bar is a cash-only, quick-to-serve and eager-to-please establishment perfect for its Greenwich Village and Lower East Side locations.

We are reminded of places in Tokyo by this subterranean restaurant, located in the basement of an office building. Not just the decor and service are truly Japanese, but the food preparation is as well. You won't find many places that make their own soba in New York, and you certainly won't find ones that make both their own soba AND have a pastry chef! Lunches are mostly box affairs, and the selection is terrific. Service is attentive, polite and helpful. Desserts are quite interesting, with both à la carte and tasting menus, and don't miss Sakagura's beloved green tea truffles.

Famed restaurateur Danny Meyer opened the Shake Shack as a novel way to bring high quality summer food (burgers, fries, hot dogs, shakes) to the masses. The burgers are juicy and come on a great bun; the fries are crisp and t more...

Shake Shack, a modern day "roadside" burger stand acclaimed for its delicious burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and more, has debuted its second location on the Upper West Side. The new Shake Sh more...

From the proprietor of (and right next to) Spuyten Devil and (across from) Fette Sau, St. Anselm bills itself as a "haute snack bar" focused more heavily on wine than it's cocktail-loving older brother and offering a menu of w more...

Coronoa's best little Mexican joint.

Another gastropub in the millennial ocean of such eateries, Wilfie & Nell's offers the usual fare of the British and Irish islands, as well as some traditional American cuisine, all in a subdued and rather enchanting space in the West Village.