New York City is home to probably one of the most brutally competitive restaurant scenes. Practically every block in Manhattan is crammed with great eating spots varying from Ethiopian to steakhouse to sushi to Caribbean fare. It comes as no surprise then that many visitors to the city, as well as many NYC natives, spend plenty of their time poring over dining reviews, restaurant guides, and trying out any random new spot they walk by. All of this great eating can really add up though, on average about twenty to thirty dollars per meal per person (and that’s a decently priced meal!). Off the beaten path, tucked away from the snazzy midtown hotspots, are many casual, dirt cheap places with great food. All it takes is an open mind, an empty stomach, and five bucks to have the best cheap eats in New York City.

The All-American Hot Dog

Gray’s Papaya is a famous, NYC chain that serves up one of the best deals in town: two hot dogs and a drink for two dollars and seventy-five cents (Ninety-five cents for one hot dog). Gray’s Papaya isn’t known just for this great deal, but for the amazing freshness of food and great service. Hot dog street vendors are immortalized in many tv shows and films taking place in NYC, but for the real native favorite, make a trek to one of the Gray’s Papaya locations. They are open at almost all hours, and there are often lines even at 10pm on a weekday night. Lines move fast as each customer picks up their order and moves away to the narrow counter running along the wall to eat, or out to the street to munch up their fare quickly. Gray’s has signature drinks, like papaya juice of course, but also other creamy, fruity beverages and regular soft drinks. Their sauerkraut and onion toppings are always freshly made and delicious, tubs of ketchup and mustard are found past the cashier. Recently there have been Gray’s Papaya knock-off locations, notably the Papaya Dog on 6th Avenue and West Fourth just across the street from a real Gray’s Papaya. This knock-off is almost exactly alike and tastes just about the same, but purists need only jaunt across 6th Ave if they wish to have the original deal.