Best Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Restaurants in Union Square
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Los Tacos No. 1 (Union Square)
High-volume taqueria delivering street-style tacos with rare consistency.
Essential Picks
A Mexico City–style taqueria that runs on speed and precision, turning out deeply seasoned adobada, carne asada, and pollo tacos on supple tortillas. The line moves fast, and the salsa bar lets you dial in heat and acidity to your taste. It’s the area’s most reliable stop for classic street tacos with big, repeatable flavor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada taco with pineapple, Carne asada taco, Chicken taco with salsa verde
What makes it special: High-volume taqueria delivering street-style tacos with rare consistency.
Worthy Picks
#2
Smashy Club
7.9
A Hungarian-born smashburger counter near Union Square with shockingly low prices and a clean, classic build. Thin patties, crisp sear, and a direct ketchup-mustard-pickle hit make it easy to love. A true budget-friendly stop that still respects the fundamentals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double Cheeseburger, Single Cheeseburger, Fries
What makes it special: Serious smashburgers at almost throwback prices.
#3
WingBox NYC
7.6
A delivery-first wing operation run out of a shared kitchen, focused on straightforward, sauce-heavy comfort. Not a destination dining room, but a useful neighborhood option when you want wings fast, hot, and without markup.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Buffalo Wings, Lemon Pepper Wings, Honey Garlic Wings
What makes it special: Reliable, no-frills wings optimized for takeout and delivery.