Best cheap eats in Astoria, Queens

La Papa

Photograph: Lizz Kuehl

Brasilia Ville Grill
Hit these steam tables for heaping plates of by-the-pound traditional Brazilian food, including the national dish of offal-packed feijoada, a hefty, stewed assortment of salty pork parts, like ear and tail trimmings, and black beans ($4.95/lb). 43-12 34th Ave at 44th St (718-472-0090)

Mundo Café and Restaurant
Eat your way from the Middle East to Eastern Europe for less than $10 at this veggie-friendly spot. The Hungarian cold sour-cherry soup ($5) may sound like a dessert, but its slightly savory, slightly tart flavor is a refreshing way to start a meal. 31-18 Broadway at 32nd St, store E (718-777-2829)

La Papa
Try the La Papa Classic at this spudcentric joint: a cheese-injected baked potato stuffed with an unexpectedly satisfying combination of beef franks, Russian salad, tangy green olives and corn ($6). 25-13 30th Ave at Crescent St (718-777-7879, lapapaonline.com)

Latin Cabana
The $6.50 lunch special is a supersized meal that comes with a rotating entrée option (a recent offering was goat fricassee), fried plantains or garlicky yucca, and yellow, black or white rice. Make sure to check out the exotic fruit-and-milk-based shakes, like the tropical guanábana ($3). 34-44 Steinway St between 34th and 35th Aves (718-729-3900)

Little Morocco
This takeout-only joint serves Moroccan sandwiches. Try the Saucisse de Foie, a spiced, earthy sausage made with a mix of lamb, heart and liver ($6), or just take a skewer to go ($3). 24-39 Steinway St at 25th Ave (718-204-8118)

Djerdan Burek
The oversize, hand-stretched bureks ($4.95) served here—flaky pies filled with either beef, cheese or spinach—are exemplary versions, with crispy exteriors giving way to sumptuous, spiced fillings. 34-04A 31st Ave at 34th St (718-721-2694)

Euro Delights
The menu features two full pages of sweet and savory crêpes, most less than $10. Forgo the traditional Nutella for the unconventional combo of feta cheese, green peppers and olives ($9). 32-02 Broadway at 32nd St (718-777-2270)

Grand Avenue Pizza
This no-frills pizza parlor serves up Sicilian and regular slices for low cost ($2.50 each); but don’t expect anything like goat cheese or pesto here. You won’t need it: The sauce can rival that of the heavy hitters and is at its best in a spicy version slathered on a slice of focaccia served with or without cheese ($1.50 per slice). 34-24 30th Ave at 34th St (718-728-8879)

Kebab Café
Get a taste of Alexandrian soul food with dishes like creamy lamb’s brain sauteed with butter and capers ($10), which is decadent enough to match the lavish red-and-gold décor of the tiny nook. 25-12 Steinway St at 25th St (718-728-9858)

La Espiguita
The focus is on huaraches, a Mexico City street food made of fried masa topped with a variety of ingredients. Here, it’s best to get the deeply fatty carnitas or crispy, meaty lengua ($5 each) topped with beans, lettuce, cheese and red or green sauce. 2-44 31st St between Broadway and 34th Ave (718-777-1993)

San Antonio Bakery #2
One of the original “haute dogs” can be found here: the Completo. The Chilean-style link is surrounded by a freshly baked, perfectly toasted bun and topped with tomatoes, avocados, sauerkraut and mayo ($3.50). 36-20 Astoria Blvd between 36th and 37th St (718-777-8733)

Astoria, Queens

Park Slope/Prospect Heights

Penn Station area

East Village

Long Island City, Queens

Murray Hill

Chinatown

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

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