It's no surprise that New York City is one of the most expensive cities out there, but that doesn't mean that you should have to break the bank to get a good meal.
A number of the city's best kept secrets and hidden treasures can offer you some seriously epic eats, without that luxe NYC price tag.
With its variety of cultures, foods, and crowds, New York has a cheap meal out there for you, no matter what your craving or occasion is.
All of these spots have great food for under $10.
With deals like these, why not save that trip to Peter Luger Steakhouse for when your parents (or your sugar daddy/mommy) are in town?
1. Cien Montaditos (176 Bleecker Street)
What part of a hundred different types of mini sandwiches each $3 and under isn’t awesome? Why not try them all?!
Featuring authentic Spanish staples such as tortilla Española with alioli and cured Serrano ham, Cien Montaditos is down-to-earth, great food with fabulous happy hour specials to help you treat yourself without hating yourself after.
2. Pommes Frites (123 2nd Avenue)
This East Village eatery has mastered the art of fries, served in a paper cone starting at $4.25.
You’d be silly not to fork over an additional $1.50 to try one (well, we dare you to try just one) of their specialty dipping sauces like curry ketchup or roasted garlic mayo.
And although they are currently no longer in business due to that unfortunate gas explosion which occurred in March 2015, the owners have vowed to come back, bigger and better than before.
You can make contributions to help get this legendary spot back on its feet here.
3. Crif Dogs (113 Saint Mark's Place)
Switch the basic ballpark frank for one of Crif's famous bacon wrapped hot dogs that comes in a variety of outfits such as the tsunami, which is topped with teriyaki, pineapple, and green onions for under $5.
4. Sticky’s Finger Joint (484 3rd Avenue)
Sticky’s is open late on the weekends to satisfy those unbeatable late night cravings.
Get the regular box, which comes with three chicken tenders, or about 12 to 15 popcorn chicken bites, and your choice of one of their sauces for $7.35.
5. Prosperity Dumpling (46 Eldridge Street)
At just four dumplings for $1 (I repeat, four freaking dumplings for one dollar!), your taste buds will be surprised at how you got awesome food without splurging.
Or, you could get $20 worth of dumplings and feast for the rest of your life.
6. Mamoun’s Falafel (119 Macdougal Street)
Falafel and other vegetarian options start at $3.50 for a sandwich, while meats like lamb shawarma and chicken kebob start at $6.00 for a sandwich.
The portions are generous and delightful, and since you saved all that cash during lunch, don’t forget to try their baklava for dessert.
7. Wafels & Dinges
These trucks have become a staple around the city.
The lesser known Liège Wafel is sweet and chewy, and you can add your choice of topics from whipped cream to delicious Belgian chocolate fudge starting at $6.
,8. Hu Kitchen (78 5th Avenue)
Who said clean eating had to have a huge price tag? Check out Hu Kitchen for perfect portions, like the organic berry coconut concoction.
For $5.95, you’ll get a healthy serving of nuts, fruits, and vanilla chia pudding mixed together.
9. Momofuku Milk Bar (various NYC locations)
Revisit your favorite cereals, after they’ve been infused into milk and made into soft serve ice cream.
Pure awesomeness for only $4.50.
10. Artichoke Basille’s Pizza (328 East 14th Street)
Would this list even be complete without pizza?! We think not.
We all love Artichoke Basille’s, and for obvious reasons. You can’t go wrong with the artichoke slice-- it’s worth every penny at the $4.75 price tag.
11. Burrito Box (885 9th Avenue)
From burritos and nachos to tacos and quesadillas, Burrito Box is best for takeout, but truly delivers nothing but the best of your Mexican favorites.
Their menu items are all around $10, but the burritos are generously stuffed with your choice of meat, rice, beans, lettuce, and sour cream, and every meal comes with a free small bag of tortilla chips and their homemade salsa (take note, Chipotle!).
12. Kimchi Grill (766 Washington Avenue)
I imagine that Kimchi Grill would be the result if Korean barbecue and Mexican food had a love child.
This Korean-Mexican fusion is unreal and super cheap.
Check out their tacos. They’re all under $4 each or three for $10. Combinations like Korean fried chicken and barbecue short ribs served on a warm, fresh corn tortilla have been seducing Brooklyn since this spot first opened.
13. Melt Shop (various NYC locations)
Say cheese-- speciality grilled cheese, that is!
All of their sandwiches are under $9 and will do you one better than the original with combinations like maple bacon and fried chicken slabbed inside a grilled cheese.
14. La Casa Del Pollo Peruano (81-12 Roosevelt Avenue)
Jackson Heights is known for having some of the best Latin American food and culture in NYC.
At La Casa Del Pollo, you can get half of a Peruvian rotisserie chicken with fries or rice and beans and a side salad for only $6.95.
Need more incredible food spots in New York City? Check out 10 Delicious Spots for When You Have the Munchies in NYC!