Best Cheap Eats Restaurants in Midtown East (10017)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Los Tacos No. 1
Ultra-focused taco menu with proven, high-volume consistency.
Notable Picks
8.8
A Grand Central-area counter that stays laser-focused on a tight menu executed with speed and repeatable precision—fresh tortillas, properly seasoned meats, and a salsa bar that lets you tune heat and acidity to taste. It’s best when you order simply and eat immediately: two tacos plus one quesadilla/mula is the move for peak texture.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada Taco, Carne Asada Taco, Adobada Quesadilla (or Mula)
What makes it special: Ultra-focused taco menu with proven, high-volume consistency.
#2
JoJu
8.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
JoJu’s Midtown outpost brings the Elmhurst-born banh mi shop to 5th Avenue with modern Vietnamese sandwiches, rice bowls, and loaded fries built for office-hour lunches. Fans praise the crackly bread, deeply marinated proteins, and efficient counter system that keeps lines moving even at peak weekday rush.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Sweet (JoJu) Banh Mi, Caramel Pork Bowl, JoJu Fries
What makes it special: Modern Vietnamese banh mi and bowls with serious flavor and speed.
8.5
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Midtown East Shanghainese dining room built around xiao long bao that stay consistently hot, juicy, and wrapper-forward—meant to be eaten immediately. It works best as a tight order: soup dumplings plus one pan-fried dumpling and a simple noodle or veg plate to round out the meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork soup dumplings (xiao long bao), Crab & pork soup dumplings, Pan-fried pork dumplings
What makes it special: Soup dumplings that deliver broth, balance, and repeatable texture at scale.
#4
Bối-licious
8.0
Tucked on East 44th Street, Bối-licious turns out pho, bun bo hue and Vietnamese-style sandwiches in a compact counter-service space geared to takeout. Broths are praised as deeply flavored for the price, making it a go-to for workers and UN staff looking for a warming bowl without Midtown markups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Banh Mi Saigon, Pho Saigon, Beef Shin Bun Bo
What makes it special: Tiny Grand Central-adjacent shop serving sharp, inexpensive Vietnamese classics.
8.0
A short walk from the UN, The Casual Greek serves gyros, souvlaki, salads and a few heartier plates in a bright, blue-and-white space that feels more like a neighborhood taverna than a Midtown cafeteria line. Generous portions and fair pricing keep it on rotation for nearby offices and residents.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro Pita (Pork or Chicken), Loukaniko with Sauteed Spinach, Mixed Souvlaki Platter
What makes it special: A neighborhood Greek taverna balancing quick counter-service lunches with full-bar dinners and well-executed tavern classics.
Worthy Picks
#6
Mala Kitchen
7.8
Mala Kitchen is a small Chinese spot near Fifth Avenue focused on Sichuan-leaning stir-fries, noodle soups and customizable mala dry pot. It’s popular with nearby office workers who want something bolder and spicier than standard steam-table takeout while still landing in weeknight-friendly price territory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mapo tofu, Dry-fried green beans, Dan dan noodles
What makes it special: Sichuan-forward heat with the classic mala numb-and-spice profile done cleanly.