35 best new cheap eats

Aamchi Pao
Why we love it: Erstwhile Indian Bread Co. is reborn as a sleek sandwich shop that specializes in upmarket spins on Bombay-style street food, with a focus on pao—meat and vegetable sammies served like sliders on ghee-griddled buns.
Top picks for $10 and under: We drool for potato and coconut chutney pao ($3), chicken and chili ketchup pao ($4) and the copious side of fiery fried Manchurian cauliflower ($3). 194 Bleecker St between MacDougal St and Sixth Ave (212-228-1909)

Acquedolci
Why we love it: Soho’s newest Italian deli boasts a sizable menu; imported Italian groceries like bottled Fernet bitters; and made-to-order specialty sandwiches such as the vegetarian-friendly Il Siciliano, a sesame hero with fried eggplant, ricotta salata and roasted red peppers ($8).
Top pick for $10 and under: Sink your teeth into the filling New Orleans–style muffuletta sandwich, with ham, salami, provolone and fresh mozzarella cheeses on a doughy focaccia roll, for $8.50. 181 Grand St between Baxter and Mulberry Sts (212-219-8911)

Arepa Arepa
Why we love it: Despite its obnoxious location (surrounded by Laundromats, bodegas and whooping car stereos), this minimalist 30-seater stands to dethrone the Caracas outpost around the corner.
Top picks for $10 and under: You’ll forget where you are as soon as you sink your chompers into a pescado ($6), loaded with feathery tilapia and studded with bits of onion, tomato and parsley. A simple plate of fried plantains ($3)—fanned out, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with Venezuelan queso blanco—works as an elegant side, especially when chased with a pineapple, cilantro and lime smoothie ($4). 160 Havemeyer St between South 2nd and 3rd Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-388-5797)

B-Bap Fusion Rice Bar
Why we love it: This narrow slice of storefront exclusively peddles bibimbap—Korean rice bowls overflowing with veggies and meat that you can either customize or order à la carte. The portions are so generous it’s nearly impossible to eat the whole thing in one sitting.
Top picks for $10 and under: Unless you go hog wild designing your own bowl, nothing on the menu surpasses a Hamilton. A standout is the Spicy Chicken B-Bap ($8.50) made with fragrant green-tea rice, egg, mixed greens, crunchy nuts, steamed mushrooms, zucchini and chili pepper sauce that will have your lips burning long after you’ve devoured it. Put out the three-alarm fire with a pulpy Haitai crushed apple drink ($2.50). 830 Ninth Ave between 54th and 55th Sts (212-315-0033, b-bap.com)

Ballaró Caffé Prosciutteria
Why we love it: An Italian café with a real old-country vibe, Ballaró offers top-notch espresso, along with a fine selection of purist panini (the bread is grilled, the fillings are not), all priced under $10.
Top picks for $10 and under: Mortadella with artichokes on spongy focaccia ($8), caffe macchiato ($1.50)77 Second Ave between 4th and 5th Sts (212-228-2969, ballaronyc.com)

Baoguette
Why we love it: Michael “Bao” Hyunh’s second outpost of Baoguette, perhaps the most inviting of the bunch (the brand is rapidly colonizing New York), is about much more than sandwiches. Along with classic banh mi ($5), there are refreshing cold noodles with charred proteins on top and exceptional bowls of soup.
Top picks for $10 and under: Beef B’un Bo (cold rice noodles topped with grilled Vietnamese beef, $9), spicy beef pho ($8), or a Sloppy Bao ($7) keep us coming back for more. 37 St. Marks Pl between Second and Third Aves (212-380-1487)

Boneshakers
Why we love it: This bike-messenger pit stop shills salads, burgers, bagels and Balthazar pastries, but the menu’s real stars are its enormous vegan sandwiches. The Makeout Party ($8.50), for example, ain’t kiddin’ about the name: A ciabatta hero crammed with spicy tofu, sauerkraut, creamy garlic hummus and enough onion to make a drill sergeant bawl.
Top picks for $10 and under: The $7 Rebel Cruiser showcases barbecued seitan and coleslaw on a kaiser roll, and leaves just enough moolah for dessert—like a $2.50 vegan cupcake in a rotating variety of flavors, such as Earl Grey with lemon frosting. 134 Kingsland Ave between Beadel and Lombardy Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-963-0656, brooklynboneshakers.com)

Bouley Bakery
Why we love it: It’s not often that you can eat the cuisine of a star chef for less than a tenner, but at David Bouley’s casual café and market, that’s exactly what you get. Everything is self-service (no tip!) and there’s a comfortable dining room with upholstered chairs and marble tables, where you can feast in a civilized setting.
Top picks for $10 and under: Unless you’re loading up on cold salads (recommended: string-beans-and-walnut or olive-and-almond salad), skip the often-tepid $10-per-pound gourmet food bar. More satisfying is a meal of the chicken-avocado sandwich served on a crusty baguette ($7.50), followed by a flaky pain pear au chocolat ($3.50). It is a bakery, after all. 120 West Broadway at Duane St (212-608-5829, davidbouley.com)

Brooklyn Ice House
Why we love it: Owner Trevor Budd’s expertly crafted, extensive international and local beer list belies the Big Buck Hunter game, $4 draft-beer happy hour and homemade patio tables at this lovable, low-key dive.
Top picks for $10 and under: Stick with the lowbrow and order two smoked pulled-pork sandwiches on soft white buns with neon-green pickles and barbecue sauce on the side ($5).318 Van Brunt St at Pioneer St, Red Hook, Brooklyn (718-222-1865)

Calexico Carne Asada
Why we love it: The Vendley brothers earned their stripes with an überpopular Soho street cart named after their hometown of Calexico, California. This new Carroll Gardens spot is just what you’d expect from the Vendy winners: a no-frills West Coast–style taqueria. Despite the meaty name, vegetarians can indulge in tofu-filled tacos, burritos and tortas.
Top picks for $10 and under: Though you can’t go wrong with the obvious main attraction of a rare-meat carne asada taco ($4), the multilayered pulled-pork torta ($7) is a filling concoction smothered with spicy crack sauce (a.k.a., chipotle mayo). 122 Union St between Columbia and Hicks Sts, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (718-488-8226)

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Best cheap eats in New York City
Everything under $10!