Cheap Places to Eat in Time Square

Times Square has never been the greatest place to dine on a budget, and most New Yorkers try to avoid the area altogether. And for some weird reason, tourists visiting one of the world’s greatest culinary destination seems to be content with the same old mediocre restaurant chains that they frequent at home.

However, things have taken a turn for the positive with a handful of affordable restaurants opening their doors to the public in the Theatre District around Times Square between the Sixth and Eighth Avenues from east and West and 57^th to 40^th streets between north and south.

In the end, selecting a restaurant depends on your appetite and what draws you. Here is our list of eateries that serve up budget meals.

1. Xi’an Famous Foods

If you are in the mood for some Chinese, head over to Xi’an Famous Foods, a small restaurant that offers freshly prepared handmade noodles. From its initial hole in the wall location in the basement of a Queens Center to its current location on the banks of the river in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown, New Yorkers cannot seem to get enough of Xi’an’s fiery noodles.

Head to one of the two locations for some ‘hand-ripped’ noodles that is neatly served in dishes or bowls with a variety of freshly-prepared meats and vegetables. There is also a unique selection of dumplings on offer and Xi’an’s version of a burger, which is basically shredded meat on a bun.

First timers should definitely try out the Spicy Cumin Lamb Noodles, or if you are in a hurry, the Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger. If lamb does not sound appealing, try out some of the other crowd-favorites such as the Spicy and Tingly Beef Noodles, Stewed Pork Burger or the Liang Pi Cold Skin Noodles.

Since the joint is located in an office ecosphere, it remains crowded during the peak lunch hours. Tourists are advised to visit Xi’an on the weekend between 2 and 6 PM.

2. Shake Shack

The original location of Shake Shack, which veteran restaurateur Danny Meyer converted from a hot dog cart, is as good as ever, despite the chain now operating over 150 restaurants around the world.

Regulars love a ShackBurger with fries and lemonade for breakfast, which is the first breakfast joint to open for business during the day. Although their crispy chicken sandwiches and hot dogs are critically acclaimed, Shake Shack is all about its juicy burgers and signature beef blend.

Although Shake Shack has a decent sitting capacity, the queues outside often wind through a short maze indoors before spreading out onto the Eighth Avenue on a busy day. Service is fairly quick, but that also means that you will have to play a game of musical chairs with the other customers, unless you visit on the weekends of during the slack hours of the day.

The Shake Shack concrete is a must-try, and if you just want a frozen beverage, custard, wine or beer, jump on the shorter C-Line for quicker service.

3. Gray’s Papaya

An average New Yorker is always busy and running late is quite common. This makes hot dogs the perfect affordable and portable comfort food for a majority of the office going citizens. Before venturing any further into hot dogs, it is time to debunk a myth that regularly haunts tourists.

Hot dog carts are not the dicey food stalls that you believe. In fact, they are the staple diet of a number of people who regularly eat here, while some even serve up gourmet specialties. So, when in Times Square, you are never a block away from some amazing hot dog.

Gray’s Papaya is somewhat of a legend here and what set it apart is that it is always open for business. Famous for its Recession Special where it serves 2 hot dogs and a tropical drink for $5, you cannot get a better deal anywhere in midtown Manhattan!

Gray’s Papaya gets its name from the tropical beverage that it serves. Some of the crowd favorites here include piña colada, grape, orange, banana daiquiri and coconut champagne apart from soft drinks.

4. Empanada Mama

Although this gem of a place is located in Hell’s Kitchen, the short walk is well worth the effort! Carrying big flavors in small packages, Empanada Mama features some staple Latin American dishes in their menu. There are close to 40 empanadas on their main menu, each under $4, and based on a mix between traditional and conventional tastes.

When in the mood for something traditional, try out the ground beef, basil, olives, potato or sautéed onion, or Desayuno Colombiano with cheddar cheese, Colombian pork sausages, Spanish onion and eggs.

If fusion is more to your liking, consider El Ruben, which features sauerkraut, shredded beef, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing. Pepperoni pizza with tomato sauce, cheese and of course pepperoni is always a crowd favorite.

5. The Halal Guys

Perhaps the best example of an upscale food cart is The Halal Guys, which began its humble journey with one food cart in the Theatre District and garnered immediate attention from the Muslim cab drivers of the city, who simply loved the food. The Halal Guys is now an international restaurant phenomenon and according to Andrew Eck, the company’s Marketing Manager, The Halal Guys is the third most Yelped business in all of the United States.

Their original offering is still the crowd favorite and includes a combo platter of chicken and beef gyro over rice. They serve both meat types and some of the best falafel in platters, on pita and with sandwiches with a choice of toppings. Customers can also choose from a variety of sauces.

With plenty of fans in the busy intersection along 53^rd street, The Halal Guys is not that difficult to locate.

What are your views on the restaurants mentioned in this list? Fill us in on your thoughts via the Comments Section below.