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Eat cheap

April 12, 2007

Who doesn't like to save a buck? In a city where restaurant prices have hit the stratosphere -- $55 mac and cheese, anyone -- it's about time somebody scouted out the cheapskate's choice. Here -- from budget barbecue to tightwad Thai -- we offer 16 bargain restaurants where even a pennypincher can feel like a high-roller.

BARBECUE
Daisy May's. The beer-can style half chicken with two sides (try the bourbon peaches and don't miss the cole slaw) sets you back $13; if all you want is a sandwich, go for the pulled pork with cole slaw ($9.50). (623 Eleventh Avenue; 212-977-1500)

BRITISH

ChipShop Fish and chips, shrimp and chips, sausage and chips, chicken fingers and chips. All fried, heaven help us. But they sure are good. ($9.50 -$12.50). Plus steak and kidney pie, bangers and mash -- all the usual suspects. (Two locations, both in Brooklyn: 383 Fifth Avenue; 718-832-7701 and 129 Atlantic Avenue; 718-855-7775)

BRUNCH
Teddy's Bar & Grill Mae West was born upstairs. How much more authentic can you get? For weekend brunch there are pancakes, challah toast, and great omelets, plus house specialties like crabcakes Benedict. (Brunch entrees, $7-$11; 96 Berry Street, Williamsburg; 718-384-9787)

CHINESE
Noodle Bar Any of the noodle soups ($7-$11) are good, also the authentic spicy dumplings ($5); maybe best is the wok-fried baby bok choy ($4). It's not the cheapest noodle bar in the city, but it's a very good deal in the West Village. (26 Carmine Street; 212 524-6800)

GREEK
Kefi Greek food on the Upper West Side delivers a bargain; roast chicken is $13.95; mousaka goes for $11.95. (222 West 79th Street; 212-873-0200)

INDIAN
Calcutta We happen to like the chana shag -- chickpeas and spinach in a spicy sauce ($7.50). And we also like the chicken tikka makhnl ($9.95) in creamy almond sauce. (324 East Sixth Street; 212-982-8127)

ITALIAN
Frank Restaurant If you know what's good for you, order the rigatoni with Grandma Garmela's gravy. ($10.95; 88 Second Avenue; 212-420-0106)

Frankie's Spuntino The meatballs ($9) are great. The braciola ($15) is to die for. And the cavatelli ($15) is delish. If all that seems too much, consider the soups ($6), the crostini ($3) and the inventive salads ($7-$11). Two locations, one in Brooklyn, one on the Lower East Side. (17 Clinton Street; 212-253-2303; 457 Court Street; 718-403-0033)

JAPANESE
Fishtail Spicy lobster roll for $6.75? Sashimi for $2.25? Soups, $1.50-$4.50. You get the picture. (543 East Fifth Street; 212-529-2156)

NEW AMERICAN
Nook. Talk about a cheap lunch: asparagus quiche with a side salad goes for $6; for dinner, there are peppered tuna with a salad or a plate of spicy goulash for $12. You want a steak? add $4. (746 Ninth Avenue; 212 247-5500)