For cheap food in New York City, it’s hard to beat the food carts or trucks.
Peddling diverse cuisine, these food carts/trucks are now as much a NYC landmark as the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty or Times Square.
Unfortunately, police action in the form of expensive tickets has forced some food truck owners to abandon the sanctuary of Midtown to other nooks of Manhattan.
While food trucks may be disappearing from some corners of Manhattan, there’re still lots of food carts, more than enough to feed an army.
Important: Most food carts and food trucks are cash-only and do not accept credit cards.
So, sweetie make sure you have at least $10 cash on you on when heading out to one of these cheap lunch/dinner options in NYC.
Biryani Cart
6th Ave at W.46th St
New York, NY 10036
Famous for flavorful Biryanis. Also offers other fine items like Chicken Tikka and Kati Rolls.
Chicken Tikka on Rice
Buy the Biryani and head to Bryant Park where there are chairs and tables.
Subway: B, D, F, M to 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr; N, Q, R to 49 St; S to Times Sq-42 St
Blue Halal Cart
SE Corner of 46th St and 3rd Ave
New York, NY
Fresh Fried Falafel Balls over Rice $5
Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7 to Grand Central-42 St
King of Falafel
E.53rd St & Park Ave
New York, NY 10022
Astoria legend arrived in Manhattan on March 12, 2012
Falafel Sandwich (pocket pita) $4, Falafel Platter over Salad $6, Chicken Shawarma (pocket pita) $5
Subway: E, M to 5th Ave-53rd St; 6 to 51st St; E, M to Lexington Ave-53rd ST
Web site: https://www.facebook.com/kingfalafelxpress
Bob & Jo Truck
Midtown Manhattan
Korean Fusion fare. Try their Chicken Baguette ($7.00) or Chicken Rice Platter ($9.00)
Location: Check their Twitter http://twitter.com/bobjotruck
Web site: http://www.bobjo.net
53rd and 6th Ave Halal Cart
6th Ave & 53rd St
(Southwest Corner)
New York, NY 10019
Combination (Chicken & Lamb) Platter with Rice, Pita Bread and Lettuce $6
Hours: Daily, 7:30PM-4AM
Subway: B, D, E to 7th Ave
Taim’s Mobile
Hummus Sandwich ($5.50) is a good deal as is the Harissa Falafel
Location: Check http://taimmobile.com
Tuk Tuk Boy
W.50th St
(Between 6th Ave and 7th Ave)
New York, NY
Thai food cart. Pad Thai $5.99; Chicken Satay $3; Red Curry $5.99
Subway: N, Q, R at 49th St; B, D, F, M at 47-50 Sts Rockefeller Center
Phil’s Steaks
Midtown & Other Locations
Philly Steaks, half (6”) for $6
Location: Check Twitter status http://twitter.com/philssteaks
Seoul Food Truck
W.51st Street
(Between Park Ave and Madison Ave)
New York, NY
Ph: 212-612-3070
Korean Tacos. $3.25 each, 3 for $8.95 Rice Platter $8.50
Location: Check http://twitter.com/seoulfoodnyc
Kwik Meal
SW Corner of 45th Street and 6th Ave,
New York, NY 10036
Falafel over rice, lamb on rice $9 or Lamb in a Pita $8
Hours: Daily 11AM-6PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to 47-50 Sts Rockefeller Center
Aamir Halal
W.46th St
(Between 5th Ave & 6th Ave)
New York, NY
Chicken Tikka over Basmati Rice $6. Ask for Spicy Green Sauce.
Subway: B, D, F, M to 47-50 Sts Rockefeller Center
Desi Food Truck
5th Ave and W.27th St
New York, NY
Ph: 212-961-6193
Haleem soup ($4 for 8oz), Puri Bajji (2 for $4), Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice & Salad $6
Location: See Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/DesiFoodTruck
Web site: http://www.desifoodtruck.com
Hallo Berlin Cart
Northwest Corner of 54th St and 5 th Ave
New York, NY 10019
Some folks swear by its Sausage/Wurst
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30AM – 3:30PM
Subway: E, M to 5 Av/53 St; F to 57th St; N, Q, R to 5 Av/59 St
Trini Paki Boys
South East Corner of W.43rd St and 6th Ave
New York, NY 10036
Caribbean-Indian/Pak food. Baingan (Fried Eggplant) Patty $1; Rice Pudding $2; $6-$8 Curry Chicken over Rice, Curry Beef over Rice, Vegetable over Rice, Lamb Gyro on Pita, Jerk Chicken. See Daily Specials.
Subway: B, D, F, M to 42nd St-Bryant Park; N, Q, R, S, 1, 2, 3, 7 to Times Square-42 St
Joe’s Kitchen Cart
SE Corner of 44th St and 6th Ave
New York, NY
Chicken over Rice $3.50
Subway: B, D, F, M to 42nd St-Bryant Park