Can't Spend a Fortune on Mom's Day? Show Your Love With These 5 Quality Eateries in NYC

Those of us with foodie moms know that they’re hard to please, especially given the diversity of New York City eateries, on Mother's Day.

But not to worry, New Yorkers, as we have come up with 5 delicious (yet still affordable) eateries in NYC that'll cover the most finicky motherly tastes-- in terms of both food and atmosphere.

And yes, we’ve even got you covered if you’re on a mac ‘n cheese and Fluffernutter sandwich budget... now be sure to enjoy your Mother's Day this Sunday with your loved ones, will ya?


1. Puff Cha (457 West 50th Street)

1puffcha, jenb
[via Jen B./Foursquare]

Ok, so this place is about as wide as your studio apartment, and only about two or three times as long.

Still, it’s got possibly the most authentic Thai curry puffs in Manhattan-- and they'll only set you back $3 each. Also, fantastic bowls of meat over ramen run $12 or $13, and they’re quite difficult to finish because of their size.

For $5, you have your choice of elegant desserts including a green tea éclair overflowing with custard, or one of dozens of types of bubble teas.

Service is lightning-fast, so you'll look like a hero to your Mom-- for a grand total of about ohhh... $40! #winning


2. Juniper Bar NYC (237 West 35th Street)

3Juniper Bar NYC
[via Juniper Bar NYC]

This Midtown West eatery looks like the world’s most elegant hangout.

There is a ton of unmatched repurposed wood panels on the wall, paired with space-age chandeliers and elegant push-button banquets.

We are sending you here because it'll give you a chance to show Mom one of The Big Scrapple’s very best grilled cheese sandwiches. (Trust us, it is most definitely not what she used to prep for you on cold, winter days when you were little.)

That monster of a sandwich is a meal for two people, so it’s well worth the $14. Served on sourdough bread, it features Camembert, avocado, and mango chutney on grilled homemade sourdough bread.

A close second is the seam-splitting lobster mac and cheese featuring Maine lobster, Havarti, white Cheddar, and mascarpone. Oh, and if you’re a tightwad, take Mom to their super-cheap happy hour, every night from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.


3. Café El Presidente (30 West 24th Street)

4Café El Presidente_mikechau_foodspott
[via Mike Chau/foodspotting.com]

This extra-large, vintage Mexican restaurant/cafe looks like something you’d pull into on the side of the road in Baja, California.

There’s a cute, tortilla making couple at a station in the back, and tacos/quesadillas are served for breakfast here as well. They source local meat and produce (generally from upstate New York and Pennsylvania), and everything seems to come out in just six minutes or less.

You won’t believe it, but the Tacos Al Pastor classic (full of juicy pulled pork marinated in chipotle and achote) will set you back a total of $1.95.

They also have freshly-pressed juices including Naranja, which is a mix of papaya, carrots, pineapples, and oranges, for $4.95 (portion is about 12 ounces).

Quesadillas are about $3.95 and the most popular is the knockout Quesadilla Maiz Azul, made of blue corn, full of yellow-charred corn, and super-melty Chihuahua cheese for just 5.95.

Killer Mexican coffees abound as well, as you’ll be watching late-night TV for five days running after just one cup of their double macchiato (made with special custom coffee beans roasted in Veracruz, Mexico).

,

4. Burger & Lobster (39 West 19th Street)

[via Dave/foodspotting]
[via Dave/foodspotting]

This Flatiron eatery just splintered off from their famous location in London, and it's actually even a little cheaper than the original one across the Pond.

For $60 (without tax and tip), you and Mom can eat 8 ounce burgers with unlimited toppings (including bacon and three kinds of cheeses), 1 ½ pound lobsters, unlimited fries, salads, and soft drinks.

Plus, two awesome desserts (including a crustless homemade berry cheesecake that'll have Junior’s employees crying into their aprons) will round out your amazing meal.

There are plenty of artisanal beers on tap as well, and if you’re a big spender, you can buy one of their super-large lobsters (up to 12 pounds) in the tank upfront for about $20/pound.


5. Spring On Park (360 Park Avenue South)

[via Anne Raso/Flickr]
[via Yelp]

The site of the former Hurricane Club has been transformed into a restaurant that changes its name with the seasons; it's reminiscent of an old-school, Cuban gambling club circa the 1950s-- with even a small touch of Soho, as there's an exposed pipe, loft-look way back in their private room.

This mid-priced eatery creates dishes with seasonal, local produce. You'll fall in love with the Cured Lemon Caesar Salad featuring skin-on, lemon slices that almost have the taste of limonata liqueur direct from Italy.

Their hangar steak is grass-fed and as tender as a filet mignon, and it also has a slightly spicy/salty coating of perfection.

Entrees range in the lower $20 range, and are generously (but not overbearingly) portioned.

They are happy to take requests for those with special dietary needs, but Mom needs no shame when ordering that Sticky Toffee Carrot Cake (which comes covered with a robust, chunky pineapple sauce and cream cheese sorbet) for dessert.

If you enjoyed this article, check out Don’t Break the Bank! 8 Intimate Places to Wine and Dine Your Next Big Date in NYC!

get spoiled in your inbox

recent