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cheap eats in nyc.
because we're all broke. stupid economic downturn.
66 Places
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Peter’s 5-star review: Pop Quiz. Q: What is the #1 cheapest, most satisfying thing to be enjoyed in NYC? A: Your girlfriend.* Q: What is #2? A: Prosperity Dumplings. $1 = 5 dumplings. God I love dumplings. God I love NYC. _________ *Oh, relax, I was just kidding. She's definitely not better than the dumplings. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Who says money can't buy happiness? I think the problem with most people is that they are shopping for happiness in all the wrong places. Boats, cars, houses...you need to get your happiness at a discount, people. Here, $1 here will get you delicious roast pork wrapped in a slightly sweet, tender bun. If that isn't happiness, I don't know what is. After one bite I said, "Ohhhh. So THIS is where you get the good roast pork buns." I've tried so many different bakeries in the various Chinatowns across this city, and this is my favorite so far. Not only is the slightly sweet, signature char siu bao flavor better, but the ratio of pork to bun is infinitely higher than a few of the rip-offs I've seen where you're eating all bun and no meat. Plus, it's a dollar, people. What do you have to lose? -
Peter’s 5-star review: Don't come here for a light, healthy meal. Don't come here looking for great service. Don't come here if you only eat organic meat/produce. Don't come here looking for food that's going to blow your mind with it's subtlety and presentation. Come here for absurdly large portions of hearty, satisfying comfort food. Come here for an official cubano. Come here when you need some solid arroz con pollo. Come here for maduros as good as you can get anywhere. Come here for awesome mofongo that can feed two, for $4.50. Come here for a breakfast of two eggs, toast, homefries and coffee for $4. Come here to pay as little as $15 for a huge, delicious dinner for two, AND have enough leftovers for another full meal. Come here for the best value in the area. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Banh mi might just be the perfect sandwich. When done right, it strikes a flawless balance between savory meat and fresh vegetables, it is texturally intriguing thanks to a slightly crunchy yet still soft baguette, and the crisp carrots and daikon that are pickled enough to balance out every bite with acid. Add a touch of cilantro to brighten it up and a bit of hot sauce to add heat, and you're there. Ba Xuyen, if not the best banh mi I've had in NYC, is tied for the crown. Every element of their sandwich is excellent, with the layers of flavors combining to create delicious, delicious harmony. The classic is always a winner, but I'm actually partial to the grilled pork option, as the huge flavors of the marinated meat get me every time. It seems they've hiked their prices over $4 apiece, but this sizable sandwich is still a steal. Go get yourself one of these sandwiches. Find yourself a seat among the jabbering and occasionally screaming Vietnamese of the neighborhood, and enjoy. -
Peter’s 5-star review: This is a bodega. Unremarkable at first glance, but inside lies some of the most unexpectedly delicious Mexican cuisine around. You might not be observant enough to pick up on all the little clues, but I read some Encyclopedia Brown books as a kid, and I saw them all: The huge bin of jalapeños off to the side. The bunch of fresh cilantro slung over the counter. The menu of Mexican food. The glowing Yelp reviews about their excellent Mexican food. I'm not sure what, but something told me I would enjoy their tacos. And I do. I also love their carnitas torta. Piled high with juicy pork, it was a very, very good sandwich on its own. With a ladleful of the homemade hot sauce they keep behind the counter? It was perfection. Oh, and perfection in the South Slope costs only $7, with a bottle of Poland Spring. -
Peter’s 5-star review: If you ask someone for a recommendation, and they look at you and say, "Viagra." What does that say about you? Turns out the guy behind the counter at Empanada Mama wasn't able to diagnose impotence at a glance, he was just recommending the empanada stuffed with seafood stew (shrimp, scallops and crabmeat). My ED aside, I'm still glad he did. This thing was action-packed with seafood, and well worth the $3, despite the small size. I'm not sure I could've been more pleased with a snack, and I'll definitely be back next time I need a little pick-me-up. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Sandwiches are not a laughing matter. Especially not at Sal, Kris & Charlie's. These. Things. Are. SERIOUS. The Bomb is not a refined, delicate combination sandwich with ingredients carefully selected to complement each other beautifully. On the contrary, it is a haphazard mix of quite literally everything they have. On a 13 inch hero. Unsurprisingly, it is overwhelmingly massive. Jane said, "I can't fit my mouth around it." Truly, too big for its own good. The absolutely absurd amount of meat is layered carefully, along with cheese and various other accoutrement...but it's all for naught. Because after one bite, it's abundantly clear just how messy a meal this will be. There's simply no way to contain all the goodness between the two halves of the hero. The only sensible solution is stuff it all into your mouth, as quickly as possible. The bomb is extravagant and excessive, spicy and indulgent. It's sandwiches like these that make the rest of the world hate us. It's more over the top than my man Sly Stallone. But it's like three meals for $7, it's damn good, and I want another. -
Peter’s 5-star review: The best thing I've eaten in months cost $2. The al pastor tacos are actually incredible. They are the best tacos I've ever eaten, and I don't say that lightly. The BEST. I don't want to debate this with you, but if you have eaten the al pastor tacos and you didn't love them...there is something wrong with you. More so than usual, in this case. Also, that's an ugly shirt you're wearing. As an added bonus, Taqueria el Fogon is a wonderfully friendly place. Por ejemplo: As I was uncontrollably stuffing my face, some guy walked in, clapped his hand on my shoulder, and yelled something unintelligible at me in Spanish. Then he looked down, realized I wasn't who he thought I was and laughed long and heartily at his mistake. This man is now going to be the best man at my wedding. That last sentence wasn't true. But the rest of it is. Including the part about the best tacos ever. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Every culture has their own version (at least one) of carbs wrapped around meat, because that's basically the best combination you can have. Not only is it delicious, but it's usually portable and fairly tidy: The Indians have samosas, the Italians have calzones, the Mexicans have tacos (and burritos, I suppose), Asians all have their own types of dumplings, the Latin Americans have empanadas, the Caribbeans have doubles and beef patties and so on and so forth. The Texans, like true Americans, appropriated theirs from another culture (the Czech) and made it their own, and now they have the kolache. Having spent more time than I care to in Houston, I've determined the kolache to be one of the only redeeming qualities of that sweaty strip mall of a city. And thanks to the Brooklyn Kolache Co., I no longer have to go there to get my fix. This spare, airy shop on DeKalb is serving up these slightly sweet, deliciousness-filled pastries, and they are serving them well. They do seem to sell out quick though; by the time I rolled in at 3:30 or so, the nice lady running the joint informed me that they were out of everything savory except the chorizo, egg & cheese ($3.25) and the smoked beef sausage ($2.75). I took one of each, and sat down to stuff my face. The place itself is surprisingly big, and even has a nice backyard (someday, if the SLA cooperates, I hope to drink beer and eat kolaches out there). The ceilings are high, and most importantly the kolaches are fluffy, filling and GOOD. There really aren't many tastier, more affordable snacks around. They might not be as cheap as in Texas, but two of these is more than enough for a meal, and I'll be back soon and often to try the other options. P.S. I like that you grab your napkins out of a birdcage. -
Peter’s 5-star review: East Harbor Seafood Palace. By the Numbers. 12: people in our party. 7: white people in our party. 2: half-white people in our party. 99.6: percentage of non-Chinese people in EHSP and surrounding area that our aggregate 8 white people comprised. 5: women in our party under 5 feet tall. 96: years my grandmother has been alive. 0: people more awesome than my grandmother, worldwide. 4: buttons on the suit of the man on the (table-calling) mic. 0: places, other than EHSP and the NBA draft, that I have ever seen 4 button suits buttoned all the way. 20+: shrimp dumplings, seafood dumplings, veggie cake things, stuffed eggplant, shrimp wrapped in rice sheets, fish-stuffed peppers, spareribs, etc. consumed by yours truly. 0: plates of phoenix talons (chicken feet) ordered. 2: people who claimed to be sad about not getting to eat chicken feet. 0: people who were actually sad about not getting to eat chicken feet. 120: dollars that our meal cost including tip (for 12!). 12: satisfied people in our party. -
Peter’s 5-star review: This place is just so much nicer than I expected. I assumed I was walking into a dirty little counter taco shop with the types of meat scrawled on a board above the kitchen. Well, I haven't been this wrong since I thought people cared what I thought. This is a clean, well-appointed RESTAURANT with table service, actual menus, and a very nice staff. Honestly, I didn't care which type of joint it turned out to be, because nothing else matters besides these gorgeous, gorgeous tacos. Al pastor is my jam, and El Bronco knows what they're doing. These things are action-packed with pork, pineapple, and FLAVOR. (The lengua is also juicy and meltingly tender, but I prefer my al pastor.) They come out tantalizingly wrapped in warm corn tortillas (fresh makes ALL the difference here), with paper-thin slices of radish, lime and grilled spring onion on the side. On their own, the tacos are excellent. With the punch of red and/or green salsa, they are sublime. And at $2.50 for the regular, they are an excellent value; three will make a fatty (me) happy, and two will satiate most normal human beings (her). Tacos El Bronco is easily among the best in Brooklyn, which of course puts it atop the best in NYC. Because we all know which one is the best borough. -
Peter’s 5-star review: On summer afternoons, I play soccer at the Brooklyn Tech field down the street. As I'm sure you can imagine, running around in 95 degree heat with the sun at its peak is an excellent idea for an pathetically out-of-shape, depressingly unhealthy "man" who's just realizing how old he really is. After particularly brutal games where I've gone through both water bottles I brought with me, I stumble into nearby bodegas to get cold, life-saving bottles of Poland Spring. I recently discovered that Yafa not only carries said bottles, but they also have the crispiest, saltiest, most heart-stoppingly delicious fried chicken at criminally low prices that actually vary depending on who you talk to. It's somewhere between $1 and $1.50 per piece, and when you're half dead, two pieces might actually save your life. -
Peter’s 5-star review: PBR and a shot of Evan Williams: $4. Two delicious pulled pork sandwiches: $5. That means for $10 (including a shitty tip), you can gorge yourself on the messiest, most delicious pork around, AND start yourself down the long road to Drunkenness. Or quickly cross the city limits of Drunkenness. Or set up permanent residence, befriend the townsfolk and eventually become the mayor of Drunkenness. It all depends on what part of your night finds you here. The fact that there's Batman pinball, Buck Hunter and an enormous yard in the back with picnic tables is just gravy. Like a beautiful woman who doesn't find you repulsive, and also happens to know the difference between 'your' and 'you're.' It's a good thing this bar is in Red Hook, or my life would be in danger. -
Peter’s 5-star review: I don't know about you, but I love my stomach. He's put up with my nonsense for my entire life (the drinking, the disapproving looks when he puts on a few pounds, etc.). To show him that this isn't a one-sided relationship, I feed him doubles. At A&A, they only cost me $1.25 each, and they are easily double the deliciousness of pretty much every other snack in that price range. Doubly delicious, if you will. If you ever find yourself on the A (or C) train, do your stomach a solid and stop off at Nostrand for a doubles. With tamarind sauce. It'll make everyone involved happier. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Things I Love About V-Nam Cafe. 1. They spell out what the spice levels mean. (Mild is Sriracha. Medium is Sriracha with jalapenos as well. Hot is all of it plus Thai chiles.) It helps me make an informed decision. 2. You can add an egg to your banh mi. Why would anyone not want a tasty egg on top of everything (except milkshakes)? 3. The owner once gave me an "oversized" sandwich for a reason I couldn't understand. But I like oversized sandwiches. 4. It's next to Igor's, so every time I get a haircut I can also get a banh mi. 5. Last time there was a Maxim on the table that tackles hard-hitting questions like, "Is everything better with a monkey?" Uh, obviously yes. I can't believe you need a magazine to answer that. 6. The classic banh mi was juicier and far more flavorful than any banh mi I've had in the East Village in years (I'm looking at you, Nicky). I don't know (or care) if it's authentic, or if authenticity is something to be legitimately valued in a sandwich created by French colonialism in Asia, and the subsequent marriage of those flavors. I do know that I loved this thing, and even if they dropped the ball on the other five Things I Love About V-Nam Cafe, I'd come back for this porky goodness anyway. I actually want it right now. -
Peter’s 5-star review: I wouldn't be surprised if someone just plucked this little bakery out of Eastern Europe and dropped it here on Neptune Ave, without changing a thing.* Because this is exactly what bakeries are like in Georgia (the country).** The entire shop consists of a counter, a few shelves of jarred sauces, and the oven. There's some homemade feta in the display case, and not much else. Basically, there aren't many options, and as such I've only tried two things from the shop: 1. The regular loaves of bread. They cost $2 apiece, and are surprisingly soft and airy. It's somewhere between a baguette and a ciabatta, and it looks like a WWF championship belt: skinny on the outsides, with a large, round buckle in the center. It is excellent bread, but not necessarily going out of your way for. What is worth any trip you have to take is... 2. The khachapuri. Reminiscent of a pizza crust sans toppings of any kind, this unassuming carby delight is a round, flat wonder of the world. It looks just like one of those crappy premade pizza crusts you can get at the supermarket, but it's actually two shockingly thin layers of bread, and in between is all sorts of cheesey, buttery, creamy deliciousness. For $6, you can have one of these fine things. Of course, it is better fresh and hot, but I took a couple extra home to stuff in the freezer, because I never want to be without khachapuri, ever again. __________ *Well, I suppose I would. Bakeries are not easily plucked and dropped. **I don't actually know what I'm talking about here. Never been to Georgia. But that's the way it seems.
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Peter’s 5-star review: I love dumplings. They are perhaps my greatest weakness. If you want anything from me...money, presents, sweet, sweet lovin'...giving me dumplings would be a good start. This place makes such a cheap, amazingly tasty dumpling, that I cannot walk within 10 blocks without stopping by. It's just such great value. Also, I have nothing but good things to say about the new space. There is more room to stand and wait, and there is about 5x the amount of seating. Sure, the new, expanded setup is reflected in the price, as now you get only 4 dumplings per $1 (as opposed to the 5 you used to get). But you can still get lunch for two at under $5, so you have no business complaining. I always resolve to buy a huge bag of the frozen dumplings so I can just have them at home, but the dumplings will obviously be better in-House, and then I'll miss out on the experience as well. Lots of people tend to come in alone, and that guarantees that people will end up sharing their table with strangers, which often leads to wonderfully awkward interaction. The table next to us was occupied by a ~83 year old white man, and a ~19 year old black girl. He struck up a friendly conversation with her about how he never eats the soup because he doesn't believe in eating anything out of plastic. Because "the chemicals will leach out and kill you." It didn't seem to faze him that this was the very soup she was eating at the time. She was remarkably polite under the circumstances, and just continued to nod agreeably and drink down the (delicious) soup as he was matter-of-factly insisting it would kill her. I like to think it's because everyone is calm and unflappable in the presence of delicious, 25 cent dumplings. Dumplings: bringing people together. -
Peter’s 5-star review: The Side Street Deli has an overwhelming number of specialty sandwiches. There are sandwiches that are turkey-based, chicken-based, bacon-based and more. There are sandwiches on rolls, on heroes, in wraps. There's sandwiches named after customers: Crazy Vinny, Big Al, Handsome Peter.* There are sandwiches that are just named: The Goose has bacon, mozzarella, honey mustard and macaroni salad (he's lucky Tom Cruise killed him before the heart attack). The Marilyn Monroe has chicken breast and pepperoni (insert vulgar joke here). With all these sandwiches, the only thing they all have in common is that they are well-made, delicious and so very affordable. My favorite so far is the Roast Beef Delight. It's loaded up with the beef and bacon, and topped with melted mozzarella and gravy. On a hero. For only $5.75. This is what I'm talking about. _________ *No relation. Obviously. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Purbird seems to have embraced what I believe to be the best route for small businesses: Do one thing, and do it very well. Their one thing happens to be chicken, and in my experience, everything they make is so juicy. So flavorful. So chickeny. They use quality birds, and they complement their simple recipes with ingredients that let the flavor of the poultry shine through. Personally, I'm a fan of the chicken burger. At only $6, it's an excellent deal in the Slope, and can be a snack or a meal (depending on where you rank on the gluttony scale). This mix of dark and light meat, topped with grilled onions and a house sauce infused with zucchini and Indian spices hits whatever spot you want it to, and it doesn't even need the cheese that you are more than welcome to add. And I must say, I love the staff. They are friendly, visibly happy, and rock out to the Zeppelin, Dylan and Beatles that are constantly coming through the speakers. It's nice to eat in a place where people don't look like they hate their jobs. I've come in at off hours, and it seems that they all eat off the menu, which is always comforting as well. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Advice: Get the $12.50 Grand Slam: a huge portion of chicken and pork cutlet, fried shrimp, sausages and a boiled egg. The meat is all tender and fresh, and it comes out in 5 minutes. Fantastic. Bring someone smaller than you to share it with, and then take advantage of the fact that they eat slower, and have a smaller appetite. Don't feel bad. They probably wouldn't survive in the wild anyway, so you're just teaching them a valuable life lesson. Eat all the sausages first. Hide them in your pockets if you have to. They are by far the best things on the plate. Go Go Curry Now. -
Peter’s 5-star review: I went into Crown Fried Chicken to procure food for the Yelp staff prior to the B.East Elite Event. I ordered their largest chicken combo, and assorted extras. The Guy Behind the Counter (GBC) said it would take about 20 minutes, because he was going to make it fresh. So I sat down to wait. People kept walking in and out, but essentially it was just me and a guy with a long scar on his face drinking beer out of a paper bag, who I eventually found out was named Hector. This really happened. Hector (unprompted): I like fat girls. peter d: ...OK. Hector: I do! peter d: I...believe you. Hector: 200 or better. *points to GBC* Don't I like fat girls? GBC: *nods wearily* Hector: *grins* Gordita... I pull out my phone and pretend to do things on it. Hector: Who you calling? Wifey? peter d: Something like that. Hector: You know what the most important thing in life is? peter d: Nope. Hector: *holds up thumb and index finger in the rough shape of a "C"* peter d: *blank stare* Hector: Hold up your hand like this. *He puts his C up to mine, so it forms a heart.* Love! peter d: That's...deep. Hector: *smiles and gives me a pound* I'm Hector. peter d: Hi Hector. Hector pulls a Score magazine out of his bag, flips open to picture of a heavy woman, naked and *ahem* spread eagle. Hector winks. Hector: And you thought your bitch was bad. peter d: *uncharacteristically speechless* Hector: Hey, can I get a dollar? peter d: *silently hands over a dollar* Hector: Two dollars? peter d: *to GBC* How's my chicken doing? ___________ As I was contemplating how to rate Crown, I thought about what generally makes my decision for me. The most important factors are: 1. Food: Suddenly, everyone I work with pretends to like me, and I owe it all to the fries, popcorn shrimp, mashed potatoes, onion rings and greasy chicken. 2. Value: I fed 8 people for $33. $35 if you include the $2 I gave to Hector. (What? He showed me porn, and taught me a valuable life lesson.) 3. Service: The GBC made my food fresh, got a huge order right, and confirmed Hector's love for big women. 4. Overall Experience: Priceless. That sounds like 5 stars to me. -
Peter’s 5-star review: I go out to dinner a lot; more than anyone reasonably should. It is perhaps my favorite thing to do. It's why I've got a gut, and it's why I'm broke.* But as much as I eat out, I am not a regular anywhere. I have places I go back to, sure, but there is nowhere I regularly dine. That's why it was so out of character for me to go to Arcane two nights in a row. We walked in on Saturday night, and it was LOUD. But in a fun, lively way. At times, it was annoying that I couldn't hear what my girlfriend was saying over the drunken party of 8 incoherently "singing." But overall, it was just a festive place filled with people having a good time. The thing that stood out was how well-seasoned all the food was. Everything we ate was bursting with outstanding flavor, from the oil that was served with the warm, crusty bread, to her shrimp salad, to the fried calamari with their house marinara that tasted strongly of cilantro. And ESPECIALLY my hanger steak with the delicious peppercorn sauce. Served with haricot vert or another side, it was honestly fantastic, despite being medium rather than medium rare. Normally $16, you can also order it as part of a $20 prix fixe from 5-7:30 every day. And it's a STEAL on Sunday nights at $10 (they have a $10 meal every night), which is why we decided to go back the next evening. This time, she ordered the hanger steak. The fries were crispy and wonderful, as was the shallot sauce,** although she also ordered the peppercorn sauce after it arrived because it is certainly the better of the two. I opted for the prix fixe, and started with the papaya salad, served with jicama and a sweet chili sauce. It was presented nicely in a red cabbage leaf; summery and refreshing, but with good heat. The Columbo de Porc was exactly as described, a "traditional French Caribbean pork curry stew." And although I enjoyed the tenderness of the pork, I envied her hanger steak the entire time. We ended the meal with a huge portion of tasty lemon sorbet, topped with mint as a perfect finishing touch. If there is a drawback to Arcane, it would be the service. On Saturday night, the waitress was just overworked. She was covering the entire, packed dining room, which although small, is too big for one server. We sat for 15 minutes before she asked us if we wanted tap water, then disappeared. The hostess and bartender ended up bringing us water and then drinks. On Sunday night, I think they bring out the B Team. We were one of two tables in the place, and this woman couldn't handle it. I really don't think she's ever waited tables before. We were seated next to the hostess stand, and we repeated our order to her as she entered it into the computer, and she still forgot a side.*** And after she ran my card (AMEX only), she disappeared without giving me a pen to sign my check. But you know what? I don't care. Because this steak frites, at $10 on Sunday, could very well be the best, most delicious deal in Manhattan. Apparently brunch is also $10, including a cocktail AND coffee. As the governor says, I'll be back. _______ *As a joke. **It's not really a sauce so much as shallots that were marinated in some sort of red wine reduction. You can't pour it out of it's little container. ***We wanted to try the banana gratin. I still don't know what that's like, and it pains me.
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Peter’s 5-star review: Immortal Technique once said, "I don't eat pork. Not because I'm a Muslim, I just don't really like it. But I really will f*ck a bird up. And fish is good when that sh*t is fresh." I could've said that, if I was a bit more eloquent. And if I didn't love pork. Anyway, whenever I want to f*ck a bird up, I go to Pio Pio, because they roast a MEAN BIRD. This thing is delicious. And it's CHEAP. The first time there, we got a Matador Combo, which for $30 is entirely too much food for two people. You get a whole chicken, rice and beans, an avocado salad, salchipapas and tostones. Being the pig that I am, I ordered maduros as well. Because I like maduros. And I didn't realize that the Matador Combo could feed a family of five. The tostones and the rice and beans were nothing to write home about, but the avocado salad was all avocado (that's a good thing) and the maduros were delicious. Dip them in the green sauce. Pio Pio plays to its strength; they serve exceptional chicken at a good price, and they don't waste anyone's time with anything else. This is how a business should be run. -
Peter’s 5-star review: When I say that I love you, Fast & Fresh Deli, I don't mean some cheap, fleeting love at first sight. I'll be the first to admit that in the past, I've been sucked in by a greasy taco at a vulnerable time in my life. However, the deep, abiding affection I feel for you is a friendship, a mutual respect that's been built up over time through trust and burritos. You've been there for me whenever I've been betrayed by the inconsistency of a slutty sandwich shop whose initial promise had me flying high one day, and sobbing into soggy bread the next. You've been there for me with a quick and greasy torta during prime brunchtime, when waits are interminable and no one seems to care that I might die if I don't get some food in me fast. Sure, there might be tastier tacos around,* and your al pastor isn't really al pastor...but I truly appreciate that you always offer such excellent value, and that your chorizo burrito is consistently satisfying. I don't just love you; I like you too. __________ *Not in the immediate area though. This joint absolutely poops on Pacifico's food. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Arepa Pabellon. That's what's good. And to be perfectly clear, one of these arepas over-stuffed with juicy, marinated shredded beef, black beans, maduros and queso blanco is almost enough for a full and delicious meal. And therein lies the only downside of Arepas Cafe: one arepa is JUST under how much food I want for dinner. Perhaps just because their arepas are so cheap and tasty, but I feel like I need a LITTLE bit more. Unfortunately, ordering two arepas would make me a fat boy. Well, if history is any indication...I guess I'm a fat boy. If the fat boy in your head always wins too, you might as well get The Mami (porky goodness) or the Guayanesa Tropical (Guayanes cheese, maduros and avocados) too. It's all good; slather on some green sauce and enjoy. -
Peter’s 5-star review: There's lots of things you can buy in NYC for a dollar. -a floppy, mediocre slice of pizza from 2 Bros. -a Peking duck sandwich (right down the street from here). -4-5 dumplings from the right establishment. -worthless hip-hop demos. -the thanks (and more importantly, the silence) of a panhandler. -various items at various dollar stores. I think I would put these deliciously spiced lamb skewers up against any of them, with the possible exception of the dumplings. There might be a faint chemical taste, but that's just part of the charm. -
Peter’s 4-star review: Keybar. The Horse Box. Dropoff Service. Common Ground. Double Wide... This is the list of excellent bars within spitting distance of Zaragoza, and it goes on and on. And anytime I go and get inappropriately intoxicated at any said bars, you better believe I'm going to Zaragoza. Because the East Village has lots of bars -- if I'm not mistaken, it might have more bars per block than anywhere in the world* -- but as far as I know, there are very, very few places where you can get a good burrito/taco. And that's where Zaragoza gets you. Don't come in here expecting to sit down and get treated like you matter. It's actually just a bodega with a few pots of awesomeness brewing. The service is a bit frantic at times, but always pleasant, and even though they refuse to give me half one meat and half another in my burrito, I'm going to keep coming back for cheap, tasty tacos. ___________ *It certainly has more bars I may or may not have vomited outside. -
Peter’s 4-star review: I don't often forget to eat lunch. I never skip meals. In fact, it's much more likely that I slip extra meals into the day than skip one. But I was having a rough day, and somehow food slipped my mind. By the time I realized I needed to eat, I NEEDED TO EAT. My buddy says, "Go down to Gloria's, and ask for two doubles." For the first time in my life, I didn't even look at a menu. I didn't ask any questions. I just walked into the spot, and did what I was told. In about two minutes, I was handed a small paper bag. In my eagerness, I just thanked the pretty girl behind the counter and started to walk away. Amused, she asked, "Are you gonna pay me?" So I shouted, "HELLLLL no, bitch!" And ran out of the store. Or maybe what I actually said was, "Of course. How much?" And then I probably fell in love with her a little bit when she relayed the price of $3 and it sounded like "Tree." I'm a sucker for an accent. Doubles turned out to be the tastiest treat I had ever tasted: greasy, flaky dough wrapped around a curry chickpea concoction. And at tree dollars for two, I couldn't have asked for a cheaper, faster, more delicious snack. -
Peter’s 4-star review: Thank you. Yes, you. Since it's tucked onto an unassuming block of Duffield I've simply never had any cause to walk down, I never would have discovered Golden Fried Dumpling without your diligence, you gorgeous yelper you. You've given me the gift of 4/$1,* delicious dumplings with the platonic ideal of a dumpling dipping sauce. You've given me the gift of absurdly cheap, lightning-quick lunches that I will eat entirely too often. You've given me the gift of a non-relationship with the woman who takes orders, to whom I am literally just a number ("Thank you, #5!"). You've given my girlfriend the gift of a fat(ter) boyfriend as a result of between-meal dumpling snacks. And you've given everyone I know the gift of wildly stinky burps that inevitably result from the magical combination of pork and chives. We are now best friends; I'll be over later. It'd be nice if you picked up some dumplings before I get there. __________ *That's only $.25 a dumpling, for those of you who aren't math majors. I don't even care if you don't like dumplings, everything is worth trying at $.25 apiece. -
Peter’s 4-star review: I was told that Pita Pan is the best Mediterranean joint in Park Slope. And based on their messy, wildly flavorful lamb shwarma, I can't even argue. It's also pleasantly cheap, and a reliable delivery option when it's raining or (more likely) you are a lazy, disgusting animal of a human being. That said, their cheesesteak sandwich is NOT a good idea. And let's just say your significant other makes a point to tell you that getting a sandwich made famous in Philly from a place specializing in Mediterranean cuisine is a terrible idea...you are not allowed to then get angry at said SO for not wanting to split his delicious shwarma because your Philly cheesesteak turned out to be foul. Of course, that little side note has nothing to do with me or anyone I know. I'm just saying. PIta Pan is solid though.
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