How to Eat in New York City on the Cheap

Eating in New York ' like just about everything else in New York ' can be very expensive. There are lots of good budget dining options available, though, if you know where to look and what areas of the city to avoid.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Local Guidebooks
• Maps
• Local Newspapers
• Travel Services

1. Buy a good budget guidebook before you head to New York. Most travel guides contain restaurant listings organized by neighborhood, price range and type of cuisine.
2. Eat street food. New York is famous for the quantity and quality of the food sold by street vendors. Hot dogs, pretzels, roasted chestnuts and peanuts, burritos - the variety is practically endless, and prices are reasonable.
3. Check out some of the ethnic dining options around town. New York is famous for great Jewish and Italian food, but there are many other ethnic specialties. Asian eateries (with the exception of Japanese) may be cheaper than European restaurants, but check prices before you sit down.
4. Eat at a deli or lunch counter ' these old New York institutions serve huge sandwiches and blue-plate specials. Ask around or keep your eyes open for a place that looks good.
5. Find out about local specialties in the neighborhood where you're staying. Your hotel staff should be able to make some useful suggestions. Some hotels keep sample menus from nearby restaurants at the front desk.
6. Look at New York dining and entertainment Web sites before you leave home or at an Internet café after you arrive. You'll probably find lots of listings, restaurant reviews and other useful information.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a copy of the "New York Times" as soon as you arrive and check out the restaurant listings and reviews. Also check other local papers and magazines.
• Stray off from the tourist track whenever possible ' high-profile franchise restaurants around Times Square or other tourist destinations can be fun, but they will almost certainly be expensive.
• When eating at delis or lunch counters, you may get stereotypically brusque New York service ' try not to take it personally.
• Steer clear of the more expensive districts when searching for good food deals. If you see celebrities or supermodels heading into a restaurant, you will almost certainly not find a budget meal there. Your guidebook should give you a good overview of the various neighborhoods in and around New York City and help you figure out which areas to avoid.