In a city where meals topping $300 per person are not unheard of, "cheap" is a relative term. Of course, New York has its share of fast-food, and sometimes, when in unfamiliar environs, a taste of the familiar is a comforting break, but for those intent upon partaking of the local flavor and doing it on the cheap, New York offers a citywide buffet of options for both visitors and natives.

 The first thing to remember is that those who live here, for the most part, are not Donald Trump or his friends, and they are in search of affordable eats too. Eating cheaply also has other benefits, for example, managing to sneak in breakfast and lunch for less than $10 might free up enough in your travel budget to allow you to treat yourself to a more special dinner at one of New York's more upscale restaurants.

 Dynamic Duo

  When discussing cheap eats on the streets of New York, the conversation has to begin and end with its two local culinary institutions: pizza and hot dogs.

New York style pizza is distinguished by its large diameter and its thin, oil-less crust. You can find pizza just about anywhere, and most will fit into that broad, general description, but don't be fooled: New Yorkers are very passionate and picky about their pizza, and most will tell you that varieties exist from borough to borough, and even neighborhood to neighborhood.

 New York pizza can usually be purchased by the "slice", which is usually a one-eighth wedge of a large pie. Toppings can be added by the slice as well, though most pizzerias have slices pre-made with the most popular toppings. The standard New York pizza toppings are sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, sliced meatballs, onions, peppers, eggplant (sliced, breaded, and fried), black olives, and anchovies. Many places now offer more "exotic" toppings like pineapple and chicken, but they're not considered traditional pizza toppings by native New Yorkers.

A special type of pizza that you can find at most traditional New York pizzerias is the Sicilian. The Sicilian pie is distinguished from the standard New York pizza by:

its shape - rectangular rather than round

its crust - once rolled out into its rectangular pan, the tomato sauce is spread on top, then the crust is allowed to rise again, producing a thick, chewy crusty, more focaccia-like than regular New York pizza

Although rectangular instead of round, the Sicilian pie still yields eight pieces, and natives will ask for a "square" versus ordering a "slice" of the traditional pizza.

Hot dogs also invoke great passion from native New Yorkers. Some swear by Nathan's Famous. Some will only eat a grilled dog from Gray's Papaya. Others believe that the true New York hot dog is the boiled pushcart variety.

Whatever your preference, it's interesting to know that almost all of the hot dogs in New York come from the same manufacturer in East Rutherford, NJ. Most "standard" New York hot dogs are a combination of beef and pork, kosher hot dogs are obviously all beef. You can find the kosher all-beef varieties at some pushcarts and most of the well-known delis like Katz's or the Carnegie.

Your standard New York hot dog can sport several toppings, including sauerkraut, mustard, and stewed onions. Real New Yorkers do not put ketchup on their hot dogs, but if you must, you can usually find it at most hot dog outlets. In comparison to their Chicago counterparts, the New York hot dog looks rather naked and under-dressed, but purists will say that a high-quality hot dog does not require such puffery to make it a gustatory treat.

If you're stopping at a typical New York street vendor for your hot dog, you might also be able to order what has always been referred to as a "hot sausage". This is a fatter, spicier sausage that is served on the same bun, split open length-wise, and topped with the same usual condiments. Pushcart will also usually carry the New York soft pretzel, which can be another quick, cheap snack.

The Original Bagel

Before you could find Einstein's and Bruegger's and Noah's from coast to coast, and the nearest approximation was the Lender's in the freezer section, the only place for a decent bagel was New York. Some people will tell you that that's still the case, but one thing's for sure: bagels are another staple for those searching for cheap eats on the streets of New York.

Again, native New Yorkers, Jewish and not, are very passionate about their bagels, and everyone has their favorite bagel shop, favorite variety, and favorite topping or schmear. Regardless of personal loyalties, New Yorkers all agree that a bagel, fresh from the oven, is a special New York treat.

The most popular toppings are probably butter, cream cheese, lox, and whitefish salad, a delicious mixture of smoked whitefish, celery and mayo. 

The New York Pushcart: Variety On Wheels

If you spend any time on the streets of Manhattan, you will soon find that pushcarts are everywhere, and sell many things. From breakfast at dawn, to tasty snacks at midnight, these stalwarts of entrepreneurship and New York hutzpah can be your friends to bargain dining if you're picky.

Your standard pushcart is the hot dog vendor. They generally will carry boiled hot dogs, hot sausages, soft pretzels, and drinks. There are some more elaborate hot dog carts that feature grilled hot dogs, but these are far fewer in number, but because of their size, often carry other items than the standard fare.

Coffee wagons are also a staple, and usually are only found in the AM. They will appear, usually pre-dawn, and are gone by lunch time at most locations. For a quick cup of coffee and perhaps a donut or coffee roll, they're just the ticket for the native or visitor on the go.

Fruit is another popular choice nowadays, and often can be a very inexpensive yet nutritious and satisfying meal or snack.

Beyond these basics, there are carts that sell just about any cuisine that you might imagine in New York, from soup to baked potatoes to grilled meats and falafel sandwiches. If you're feeling adventurous, or curious, or are in the mood for something different, try one of these more exotic pushcarts for a change of pace.

With few exceptions, most of these cart operators are small business men and women, and the quality of what you get can vary greatly, but a good tip is to look for people who look like natives lining up for a cart. New Yorkers are famously picky and not prone to wait for anything unless they're getting something good at the end of the line. If you see a cart with a long line, especially at lunch time, that's usually a good sign.