The Best NYC Restaurants For The Munchies

August 9, 2023 | 8 min read
The Best NYC Restaurants For The Munchies

New York City is home to more than 26,000 restaurants, street vendors, and food trucks, so food choices are abundantly available everywhere you go. The beautiful thing about eating in the Big Apple is the sheer variety of options to choose from. The streets are lined with street food vendors, food trucks, and restaurants ranging from cheap eats to swanky five-star bistros serving an enormous selection of cultural cuisines and regional dishes. 

After enjoying your favorite kind of cannabis from Doobie, you will undoubtedly be on the hunt for some yummy grub that won’t break the bank. After all, it’s vital to prioritize your next legal cannabis purchase, so you’ll want to save money when you can. 

Lucky for you, New York City is bursting with budget-friendly cheap eats, and we have done the legwork to find the best restaurants in NYC for the munchies. 

Street Food Selections 

Our first stop for cheap eats is street food, also known as mobile food vendors. While street food may not be the healthiest option, the taste and price are unbeatable.

Billy’s Hot Dog Cart

Regardless of your palette and sense of adventure, everyone (except folks with dietary restrictions) needs to experience a New York hot dog, and Billy’s Hot Dog Cart is the stuff of legends. If you’re in Central Park, head to Billy’s for a juicy hot dog served on a fresh pretzel. 

Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck

Get yourself a slice (or the whole pie) at Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck near Park Avenue and Wall Street. This authentic Sicilian pizza is made by an Italian family whose love shows through in their renowned and delicious pizza pie. 

Korilla BBQ

To experience the best Korean cooking on the street, add Korilla BBQ to your list of street food to try. Staples include Chosun rice bowls and Korean theme custom burritos (known as ssms), which are a huge hit. Their menu has something for everyone, including vegans and gluten-free folks. For those near Hell’s Kitchen, you can quell your cravings at their sit-down venue. Otherwise, you’ll have to track down Korilla BBQ’s trucks that change location daily.

Food Truck Meal Deals Near You

Food trucks are plentiful in New York City and almost always inexpensive. Selections range wildly from traditional, well-loved comfort food options to completely original and new creations.

El Toro Rojo

Tacos are always satisfying, and these beloved street eats perfectly match the munchies. For the tastiest NYC tacos at a fair price point, look no further than El Toro Rojo. Their truck is loaded with Oaxacan-inspired favorites like chips and guacamole, quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and tacos. However, this food truck has one key difference- it comes to you!  Like Doobie, their truck delivers simple yet savory Mexican specialties right to your door. Not only that, but El Toro Rojo caters, too. Something to keep in mind when planning your next 420 bash or Cinco de Mayo fiesta. 

NY Dosas

NY Dosas is a food cart specializing in vegan dosas (Indian crepes) and Indian snacks. Almost every NYC magazine and newspaper has written up this highly sought-after truck, so it’s always busy, and there’s usually a line.

Lil Zeus

Lil Zeus is an incredibly popular food truck in Midtown Manhattan — don’t be surprised to find many office workers lined up during the lunch rush. Everything is delicious, but the gyros and platters are the most popular menu choices.

Sammy’s Halal Food

Sammy’s is just as excellent. They have a small counter-service joint in Midtown and a food cart in Greenwich Village. Their chicken or lamb sandwich is only around $5, while bigger platters, perfect for sharing with friends, will set you back around $8. Especially in New York City, these delicious menu items are a steal at such a low price.

Cheap Restaurants Near You

Rising prices are a challenge everywhere, and for many New Yorkers, finding budget-friendly food is necessary. The city has seen many small, locally-owned restaurants frequently run by immigrants flourish. After extensive testing, we’ve found the most delicious munchies that won’t break the bank.

Calle 191 Pescaderia 

Calle 191 Pescaderia is a Dominican restaurant and fish market in Washington Heights near Fort Tyron Park and Roberto Clemente State Park. Their extensive menu includes Latin Caribbean and Spanish-inspired seafood dishes like asopao, lobster patty, and sauteed conch meat. You can order online for carryout or delivery.

Jerk House

For a taste of Jamaica, check out the Jerk House’s Caribbean cuisine. The intensely flavorful and spicy jerk seasoning is a staple at this small chain that started in the Bronx and includes locations on Manhattan’s West Side and East Side. Specialties include jerk chicken dinner, spicy jerk ribs, and Caribbean oxtail stew. Their website proudly proclaims “Be happy! Be proud! Be a total jerk!” Delivery options include UberEats, GrubHub, and DoorDash.

Bigoi Venezia – Dishes from the Italian Vento

Bigoi Venezia is a sweet solution for gourmet pasta on the go. Their specialty pasta is a tube-shaped spaghetti offered with various sauces and accompaniments like turkey, ham, sun-ripened tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, cream, and more. Dishes include the Venetian bigoi at Bolognese Classica, Piselli & Prosciutto, Al Pomodoro, Pizzaiola AI Funghi, Puttanesca, Ragu Di Manzo, and more. Located at 1415 Second Avenue on the Upper East Side.

Terra Thai

Terra Thai serves up savory Thai street food with classic dishes like Pad Thai,  Basil Chicken, Tom Kha soup, satay chicken, and green curry. Their specialty is a Thai-style stew made with five-spice braised pork and served with a poached egg, pickled mustard green, and hot sauce. 

Mama Kitchen

At Mama Kitchen, everything at this kosher Israeli restaurant is cooked to order. Entrees include Ashkenazi schnitzels, Sephardic North African tagines, and even a shakshuka sandwich. Mama Kitchen’s small dining area is located in Brooklyn at 7 Rochester Ave, and they offer take-out and free delivery on orders above $30 up to 5 miles from their Brooklyn location.

Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream, NYC

When you’re craving All-American classics like hamburgers, French fries, and shakes with specialty ice cream made in small batches, Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream is just the place. This contemporary ice cream parlor serves up smash burgers, ice cream cones, sundaes, pints, ice cream cakes, and soft serve at their original flagship at 88 West Houston Street in Greenwich Village, and Morgenstern’s Bananas is now open at 2 Rivington Street. For those of you who may not be in the New York City area, Morgenstern’s offers nationwide shipping.

New Park Pizza

New Park Pizza, one of Queens’s most cherished brick oven pizzerias, has been tossing dough since 1956. One look at their family photo, and you know it’s gonna be authentic and made with love. Serving melting hot pizza oozing with cheese and goodness plus calzones, this family-owned establishment is open daily from 11 am – midnight. 

Dog Day Afternoon

Dog Day Afternoon in Brooklyn specializes in Chicago-style Vienna beef frankfurters with a few minor innovations like New York-style pickles and sweet miniature plum tomatoes. Everything is made with the finest local ingredients, including Italian fennel sausage and freshly baked bread, and every hot dog comes with a free bag of chips. They have a vegan dog option and side dishes such as Jambalaya, fried oyster mushrooms, Frito pie, and their own creation, the pizza puff. Dog Day Afternoon is located at 266 L, Prospect Park West, and they offer delivery services through Caviar, GrubHub, and DoorDash. 

Next Step: Doobie Delivery

The good news is that the next time the munchies hit, there are endless options for finding cheap eats in New York City. Even if you weren’t hungry before reading this, looking at the photos of amazing food probably has your mouth watering. Whether you prefer savory vs. sweet, spicy vs. mild, or adventurous vs. safe, there is something for everyone to try in this guide.

The recent advent of food delivery services has made it easier and more convenient to stay home where it’s quiet and cozy. For a night in, make sure you have everything you need, starting with a good supply of your favorite cannabis flower or weed products. Bring the dispensary to your home and order online with Doobie.
The experts at Doobie can guide you through their extensive menu to help you choose the right cannabis products based on your unique needs. The Doobie Concierge can even place your order for you! Give them a ring at 1-888-8 DOOBIE or chat with them online.

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