Eating Like a King on $30 a Day

Everyone thinks you need to spend big money to eat well in NYC. I'm here to prove them wrong.

Here's my perfect $30 food day - three incredible meals that will leave you satisfied and your wallet happy.

Breakfast: $8

Hit up any bodega for a bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll ($4) and a coffee ($2). But the real move? Add a hash brown inside the sandwich ($2 extra). Game changer.

Lunch: $12

The Halal Guys - Yeah, it's famous now, but there's a reason for that. The combo platter with chicken and lamb over rice is $12 and will fuel you for hours. Extra white sauce is mandatory.

Dinner: $10

Mamoun's Falafel in the Village. The falafel sandwich is $6, and it's perfect. Add a side of baba ganoush ($4) and you're set. Been going here for years and it never disappoints.

The Wildcard:

If you want to swap lunch for something different, Xi'an Famous Foods is my go-to. The spicy cumin lamb noodles are $11 and will ruin you for other noodles.

Late Night Bonus:

Got a few extra bucks? Joe's Pizza for a $3 slice. Or if you're in Midtown late, Gray's Papaya hot dogs are $2.95 each. Two dogs and a papaya drink is the move.

The Real Secret:

The best cheap eats in NYC aren't about finding "hidden gems" - they're about recognizing that some places became famous because they're just that good. Don't be a snob about touristy spots if the food slaps.

Trust these spots. I've eaten at all of them at least 50 times.