Zoe Burnett / BuzzFeed
Eating in NYC can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. We asked chefs from some of the city's best restaurants for their favorite under-$10 eats. Here's what they said:
1. Mamoun's Lamb Shawarma Sandwich
the.delicious.life / Via instagram.com
Price: $3.50
Location: Multiple locations
"Tried and true is a lamb shawarma sandwich from Mamoun's topped with their hot sauce — which is liquid masochism. Filled with so much pleasure, yet is almost equally painful." —Chef Hugh Mangum, Mighty Quinn's
2. Arepera Guacuco's Arepas
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Price: $7.50
Location: 44 Irving Avenue, Brooklyn NY, 11237
"Arepas at Guacuco in Bushwick OR anything that rhymes with tacos." —Joshua Pinsky, Momof*cku Nishi
3. Samurai Mama's Lunch Special
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Price: $10
Location: 205 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
"The lunch special at Samurai Mama in Williamsburg — you can have a super tasty soup, a salad, a side of picked vegetables, and a big main dish for only $10! I go there about twice a week." —Chef Felipe Mendez-Candelas, La Superior
4. Joe's Pizza
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Price: $2.75
Location: Multiple locations
"After all these years, my favorite cheap eat is the quintessential Joe's Pizza by the slice!!!" —Chef Sohui Kim, Insa
"A Slice from Joe's." —Chefs Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo, Prime Meats
"Joe's Pizza is always a go-to." —Chef Luke Holden, Luke's Lobster
5. Tehuitzingo Deli Grocery's Tacos
ohhikenny / Via instagram.com
Price: $6-8 for two
Location: 695 10th Avenue New York, NY 10036
"Tehuitzingo in Hell's Kitchen is my favorite cheap eat under $10. Amazing Mexican food tacos and tortas out of the back of a bodega." —Chef Sarah Thompson, Extra Fancy
6. Lumpia Shack's Sisig Bowl
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Price: $13
Location: 50 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10011
"A Sisig bowl from Lumpia Shack Snackbar: this one is just north of $10 but it is so freakin' insanely good and satisfying that the extra buck or two shouldn't matter. It's got everything you want and need — perfectly cooked rice, fresh vegetables and herbs, pickled vegetables, and perfectly cooked pork parts... Crispy, tender and caramelized. Top it off with a sunny side up egg and their chili sauce and say hello to one of the best bowls of food you have ever had... Period." —Chef Hugh Mangum, Mighty Quinn's
7. Shake Shack's Shack Burger
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Price: $5.09 at most NYC locations, $7.50 at Citi Field
Location: Multiple locations
"I love the original Madison Square Park location, but I think the best way to have a Shack Burger is sitting in your seat at the ballpark, watching the Mets play." —Chef PJ Calapa, The Penrose
"A burger from Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. The burger itself is good and moreover, the atmosphere at night goes wonderfully with it. It makes the burger taste better." —Chef Yurum Nam, Jongro BBQ
8. Tacombi's Tacos
tacombi / Via instagram.com
Price: $3.95-$6.95
Location: Multiple locations
"I like the tacos at Tacombi on Elizabeth Street. I get either carnitas or fish, and a watermelon juice." —Chef Nick Testa, Bua
9. Wrapido's Falafel
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10. Vanessa's Dumplings
Price: $1.79-$2.49 for four
Location: Multiple locations
"I like Vanessa’s dumplings. For $10, two people can eat there and be super full." —Chef Daniela Soto-Innes, Cosme
"Dumplings at Vanessa's in Chinatown." —Chef Roberto Paciullo, Zero Otto Nove
11. The Halal Guys' Rice Platter
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Price: $6.99
Location: Multiple locations
"I like the Halal guys on 6th Ave and 53rd Street, though eating in a park by the street truck is a little risky because of potential bird droppings. I've gotten hit twice before. Watch out." —Chef Yurum Nam, Jongro BBQ
"Halal. I love the chicken and lamb combo with white and hot sauce. It always works!" —Chef Alex Tak, Miss Korea
12. Acapulco's Tacos
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13. Taim's Sabich Sandwich
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Price: $8
Location: Multiple locations
"Not to blow my own horn, but I can't get away from Taim's Sabich sandwich. Even when I decide to go on a diet. It's made with fried eggplant, boiled egg, cabbage, and the combo is just perfect and one of my favorite things in the world. Forget the falafel. It should be as popular as the falafel because it's better." —Chef Einat Admony, Balaboosta, Bar Bolonat, and Taïm
14. Momof*cku's Pork Buns
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Price: $12-13
Location: Multiple locations
"You can’t beat the pork buns at Momof*cku Noodle Bar, and the great thing is that you can also get them at Milk Bars." —Chef Rodrigo Nogueira, Burke & Wills (Note: the buns offered at select Momof*cku Milk Bars are different than what is served at Momof*cku restaurants.)
15. Hampton Chutney's Dosa
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Price: $8.95
Location: Multiple locations
"I love the dosas at Hampton Chutney. They're basically huge, crispy Indian pancakes made with dahl, masala potato, and other fillings. It's a huge dish, and I love the crispy texture. It's hard to find in New York, but one of my favorite things." —Chef Einat Admony, Balaboosta, Bar Bolonat, and Taïm
16. Banh Mi Zon's Bahn Mi
Price: $6.50
Location: 443 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
"For a quick cheap eat, I love Banh Mi Zon on 6th Street in the East Village.
I always seem to order the same thing — either the Zon Sandwich with paté, Vietnamese ham and shredded pork, or the shrimp summer rolls." —Chef Chris Rendell, Flinders Lane
17. Jacques Torres' Ice Cream
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Price: $3.81 per scoop
Location: Multiple locations
"The ice cream over at Jacques Torres. Every flavor, including the sorbets, is delicious." —Chef Mario Gentile, Adoro Lei
18. Dizengoff's Hummus
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Price: $9
Location: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
"Best hummus in NYC and great for a quick lunch alone." —Chef Melia Marden, The Smile
19. Everything at Smorgasburg
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Price: Anywhere from $2 to $15
Location: Kent Ave & N 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
"I really like to go to Smorgasburg in Williamsburg on Saturday mornings." —Chef Andrea Bucciarelli, Sant Ambroeus
