Best Cheap Eats Restaurants in Gramercy & Flatiron (10010)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Hill Country Barbecue Market
A Texas meat-market format with live-music energy in Flatiron.
Notable Picks
8.6
A Flatiron Texas-style BBQ market built for line-ordering, butcher-paper trays, and a loud, social room that can handle groups without turning dinner into a logistical mess. The best move is to go brisket-forward, add one sausage for snap, and let the sides do the comfort-work while the bar and live-music energy carry the night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Moist brisket by the pound, Jalapeño cheddar sausage, Longhorn cheddar mac & cheese
What makes it special: A Texas meat-market format with live-music energy in Flatiron.
#2
Summer Salt
8.2
A fast-casual taco-and-burrito shop that prioritizes clean, well-seasoned proteins and a reliable build-your-own rhythm. It’s strongest when you go crispy fish or shrimp, then round it out with one side and a simple sweet. Use it as a repeatable weekday Mexican fix, not a linger-long destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja crispy fish taco, Pollo asado burrito, Churros
What makes it special: Fast-casual Mexican that stays consistent on tacos and burritos.
#3
Milu
8.1
A fast-casual Chinese-leaning spot built around clean, comforting bowls that hit hardest at lunch pace—fast ordering, steady execution, and flavors that stay bright instead of heavy. The cheap-eats move is one signature bowl plus a single add-on, not a sprawling sampler.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken rice bowl, Dan dan-style noodles, Scallion pancake (as the add-on)
What makes it special: Fast-casual Chinese comfort bowls with reliable lunch-day execution.
#4
Mista Oh
8.0
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Trendy Table Hotspots
A family-run Korean comfort-food room where the value is how much satisfaction you get from one focused order—stews, rice, and hot plates that land best when you keep it classic. It’s a strong cheap-eats pick when you want warmth and fullness without the KBBQ bill.
Must-Try Dishes:
Korean BBQ set (mixed meats), Soon dubu (soft tofu stew), Kimchi fried rice
What makes it special: Classic Korean BBQ-and-stew comfort in a flexible, group-friendly format.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
A Thai street-food-leaning counter that wins on fast, high-flavor bowls and stir-fries that stay punchy even at peak hours. The cheap-eats move is one noodle or rice plate plus a single crispy side—don’t over-order and dilute the value.
Must-Try Dishes:
Blue Crab Fried Rice, Curry Puffs, Chicken Roti Wrap
What makes it special: Thai street-food energy in a counter-service format built for speed.
#6
S&P Lunch
7.9
A revived old-school lunch counter where the cheap-eats win is classic New York sandwich discipline—one main, one simple side, done. It’s best when you keep it traditional and let the execution do the talking instead of trying to customize your way into something else.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna melt, Classic egg salad sandwich, Griddled patty melt-style sandwich
What makes it special: A classic NYC lunch-counter menu that prioritizes simple satisfaction.
#7
Grill 21
7.7
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
A small Filipino neighborhood spot where the cheap-eats win is comfort and portion value—simple dishes that feel homey and filling without a lot of fuss. Order one rice plate plus one shared appetizer and you’ll leave satisfied without chasing extras.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken adobo, Pancit noodles, Lumpia
What makes it special: A low-key Filipino comfort-food stop with strong portion-to-price value.