Cheap eats (lunch) on 50st and 8 Ave

[ilanklein]

I recently started a new job in this area and it's been a while since I worked in midtown/west.
Any suggestions for good eat-in or takeout lunch spots that are under $8 in walking distance? Thanks!

[ballulah]

I second the recommendation for Island Burgers, but be prepared to put yourself in a food coma and to be a MESS. The burgers and chicken sandwiches are phenomenal, but they tend to be messy because they are often served on non-traditional breads (like massive slices of sourdough). The salads are excellent as well, and one is enough to share really. The milkshakes are pretty damn good too.

For good, homey Italian I like Basilica on 9th between 46th & 47th.

For Mexican I liked the taco take out from Ta Cocina, just a few doors down from the main restaurant on 49th and 9th.

And whoever recommended the Amish Market, I strongly agree, and yes it is the Amish Market. It's good on those days when you either don't know what you want and want to browse lots of options, or when you might have to pick up something for home.

For after work drinks and food I recommend the Russian Vodka Room on (I think) 52nd and 8th. It's sort of bizarre, but in a really fun way, if you can enjoy the kitschy piano bar singer, and the unnecessarily plush (if threadbare) surroundings. Great vodka selection, naturally, and some good Russian food, if that's not a contradiction in terms.

[devil]

Mexican: Tehuitzingo, 695 10th Ave

[yumyumyogi]

Yesterday I went to check out Amy's Bread on 9th Ave, between 46th & 47th.

I ordered a really great salad with quinoa, roasted beets, and walnuts with a choice of a roll. I got the oat, nut and raisin one - delicious! I also treated myself to a chocolate chip cookie.

Total? $9 and change. All super-scrumptious and satisfying. I think I got me a new lunch destination!

[AKR]

Dont forget the Afghan Kebab House, esp for dining in.

[piccola]

Empanada Mama. Any other suggestion I might have has already been made.

[yumyumyogi]

There's a place I go almost every Friday for sushi on 52nd between 8th and 9th, on the south side. It's next to a new burger joint, down a small flight of stairs. Too bad I don't know the name of it! They have really great lunch specials.It's best to order in or pick up as they have very limited seating. Or drop in off peak hours.

[ultbil]

Aki Sushi II...and that new burge joint is lousy - dry, flavorless burgers

[yumyumyogi]

Thanks! Never tried the burger place - looks a bit scary.

[cheftamara]

Check out http://www.midtownlunch.com

There's a bunch of eateries from 42nd+ on 9th Ave.

And if you can, run, don't walk to Daisy May's!

http://www.daisymaysbbq.com/about.html

[elecsheep9]

When I lived in the area (going back 7 years already, the Renaissance Diner in the low 50s and either 8th or 9th (it really has been a long time) was always a dependable standby. Also you are not too far from Island Burgers which makes terrific chicken sandwiches (the el camino was my favorite). The burgers can be quite good also.

[ultbil]

I feel that Renaissance has slipped a bit. Try Cosmic on 8th and 52.

[ilanklein]

What is Island Burgers address?

[yumyumyogi]

9th between 51st & 52nd

[ultbil]

The house rolls at West Side Sushi are pretty good (~$5 a roll, 9th and 49th).

Fresco tortilla is cheap. Probably not the best tex-mex ever made but not bad for a quick bite (9th b/t 51 and 52).

Thalia take out has a few good pre-made items (on 50th, east of 8th).

Ray's Pizza has a decent slice (8th b/t 51 and 52)

[a_and_w]

I personally prefer La Paloma (45th off 9th) and Tulcingo del Valle (47th and 10th) for inexpensive mexican. Try the chorizo tacos at the former, and the torta al pastor at the latter (ask for fresh avocado instead of guac).

[eatfood]

Saigon 48 on 48th St between 8th and Broadway has a good lunch deal also. Most are $5.45 if I remember correctly and there's a wide variety of Vietnamese/Chinese food.

[marlosse]

Wondee Siam and Wondee Siam II are on 9th ave around 50/54th. It's good Thai food. Also, a popular inexpensive restaurant is Vynl, on 9th Avenue between 50th and 52st. I second Azuri, as well.

[pennie]

It's kind of a tough area. Sosa Borella is a little more than that depending on what you order, but a good standby...it's right on the corner of 50th and 8th. The Amish market(not sure if that's the actual name) is on 9th Avenue b/t 49th and 50th and has good soups and sandwiches. Hale and Hearty is on 49th, just past 7th, as is Sapporo for pretty decent ramen. Also just tried Aki on 48th b/t 8th and Broadway and they had some great sushi lunch deals (2 rolls for $8?).

[twiggles]

Azuri Cafe for really good falafel sanwiches (around $4-$5) (51st between 9th and 10th), you could also just walk down 9th and see if anything interests you.

[a_and_w]

Strongly second the Azuri rec. Best deal is the small falafel combo platter.

[ilanklein]

As an Israeli I appreciate good falafel. I will send you my report. thx for this info

[a_and_w]

You should also try Taim in the Village if you're Israeli...

[randumbposter]

Luigi's pizza on 8th and mid 50s was not so bad when I worked in that area.
There's a wendy's and mcdonalds on 56, 57th or something .

Avenues are fairly long though.

But definitely hit 9th avenue.

double cooked pork lunch special at Grand Sichuan. It's a dollar more to sit inside than take out.

pad see ew, pad kra kow, lard na from Pam Real Thai. avoid the curry. You'll probably be drinking water fountain water and taking out. As it's probably close to 8 dollars after tax.

Go sushi. Not sure I would eat the sushi there (a lot of people do though) but the other stuff is fine. Don;t think you need to tip as it is self service.

10th avenue has
cheap 2 dollar taco joints like tulcingo de valle or Tehuitzingo Deli
and cheap indian places like desi deli.

[RGR]

Presuming that <$8 has to cover a beverage (soft drink?), tax and, possibly, a tip...

Uncle Nick's, on 9th Av., b/t 50th & 51st Sts., has gyro and souvlaki sandwiches for $4.95.

[a_and_w]

I prefer Greek Kitchen on 10th at 58th for gyros and souvlaki.

[twiggles]

I second the greek kitchen rec!