Best NY Meals Under $3

Cheap Man's Best Friend by ronsaari.com

Times are tough these days. The recession is still in full swing for a large majority of Americans, and everyone is still tightening their belt a bit.  And that can be tough in one of the most expensive cities in the world. So here are a few pointers from a local New Yorker for eating on the cheap around Manhattan. And by eating on the cheap, I mean eating for under $3… yes $3.

4) Two Bro’s Pizza - All over the city - The brothers dish dollar slices that certainly don’t taste only 40% as good as your standard $2.50 slice. If you’re feeling particularly deep-pocketed you can get a slice of pepperoni or mushroom for $1.50, Mr. Moneybags. Best part is that new locations are popping up everywhere, so you don’t have to go out of your way to get a cheap slice.

3) Mei Li Wah Bakery - 64 Bayard St. - With pork and chicken buns for under $1, you can pretty much have a feast at Mei Li Wah. The food is absolutely delicious and works as either an afternoon snack or a veritable meal.

2) Gray’s Papaya - 72nd & Amsterdam, 8th St and 6th Ave, 8th Ave and 37th St - You’ll find $1 hot dog stands around the city (e.g. 43rd and 6th Ave or Canal and Centre St.), and they can make you feel frugal, but if you want a real grilled hot dog instead of a soggy, saggy piece of meat head to Gray’s.  The dog’s are delish and cheap, and the papaya juice is a great way to wash those nitrates down. Despite hot dog snobs decrying Gray’s knockoffs, I find Papaya King and Papaya Dog to be suitable alternatives for a cheapskate in need.

1) Mamoun’s Falafel - 119 MacDougal, 22 St. Marks - There are definitely a few places around NY where you can snag falafel for under $3, but Mamoun’s is definitely the best.  You’ll be good to go at either their MacDougal St. location or their St. Marks, but just remember to ask for hot sauce, or you’ll be missing out.

New Yorkers

Can you identify this New Yorker? (portrait made avail by Wikipedia)

Hey folks,

Gotta keep it quick this week, so figured I’d do a little “Did You Know?” style blog about some people born in NYC.  We’ll keep it to 5, since this list could go on for a long time.

• Michael Jordan - Greatest Basketball Player ever - born in Brooklyn, but moved to North Carolina as a toddler. Came back to NYC to destroy the Knicks on an annual basis on his way win 6 NBA championships.
• Jonas Salk - Discovered and developed the Polio Vaccine - born in Manhattan. Grew up in Harlem, the East Bronx, and Queens. Got his undergrad at the City College of NY and did Med School at NYU. Oh yeah, then he invented THE POLIO VACCINE.
• Herman Melville - Novelist, Author of Moby Dick - Born and raised in Manhattan for most of his childhood. After schooling traveled around a lot until returning with the wife and kids at age 44 (1863). It was there he stayed until he died and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx in 1891.
• Humphrey Bogart - Academy Award Winning Actor - Born in Manhattan. Attended prestigious schools in and outside of NYC, only to be expelled. Joined the Navy at 18. Returned after his service to try his hand at many things, including acting. Bolted for Hollywood after his first film contract, eventually starring in The Maltese Falcon, The African Queen, and, of course, Casablanca.
• Billy the Kid - Thief, Murder, Outlaw, Folk Hero - reportedly born in an Irish slum in NYC, his family moved to Indianapolis when he was a teen. He quickly got caught up in the wrong crowd, took to a natural ability at stealing and killing, and made a career of it. He was gunned down at age 32 by Sheriff Pat Garret in New Mexico.

The Good Samaritan Scavenger Hunt

courtesy of NYTimes.com

We New Yorkers are a wee bit competitive, especially when it comes to showing up Philadelphia (this is coming from a Mets / NY Giants fan who rarely has the privilege).  So when it comes to its reputation as the City of Brotherly Love, we resent our reputation a little bit for being rude, uncaring urbanites and think ourselves just as generous, kindhearted and good-natured as the Philadelphia folk.

In the spirit of things, I’ve put together a little scavenger hunt of sorts, for us New Yorkers to help improve our city (and in so doing to kindheartedly out-love them).  Not only is it a fun little set of challenges, but each one will add to the warmth our city shines over the rest of the East Coast.  So I encourage you to do this hunt, whether you try to complete it in a day, a week, a month, or a year.  I have a feeling you’ll get a lot out of it, and so will NYC.

TOTAL POINTS FOR DOING EVERYTHING ONCE: 210

1. Go to a Park, pick up a piece of litter. and throw it in the garbage. This doesn’t count if it’s your litter - 5 points / piece of litter
2. Let someone go ahead of you in line (preferably because they appear to be in  rush, not because they are attractive) - 10 points
3. Say hello and ask the name of someone you see every day (whether its the clerk at a store, the neighbor down the hall, or someone you ride the subway with) - 10 points (15 bonus points for saying hi and remembering their name the next day)
4. Give up your seat for someone who needs it more than you, or someone who just looks like they could use it - 15 points
5. Buy a homeless person some food or a bottle of water - 20 points
6. Give directions (that you know to be correct) to someone who appears lost. Hold back on the condescension - 15 points
7. Go into an empty restaurant and try the food for yourself - 15 points
8. Help someone carry something (and give it back to them) - 20 points
9. Wait for the next train if the first one is too crowded - 15 points
10. Bring a set of clothes you don’t actually where anymore to a Goodwill store or the Salvation Army. (While you’re there pick up something second hand that will up your street cred.) - 30 points
11. When you have the urge to go to a major chain (coffee, fast food, drugstore) go to a Mom & Pop shop instead - 10 points
12. Hold a door for someone (same recommendation for #2 applies) - 10 points
13. Say “Bless You” or the like when someone sneezes - 10 points (10 bonus points for giving them a tissue)

Tuesday Trivia on Twitter

Nice Pic Wally G! http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2523608643/

A couple weeks ago, we started doing a weekly trivia contest (any of our regular blog readers will know by now that these stray boots dorks like their trivia).  So now every Tuesday at noon (EST) we post a trivia question about New York on Twitter .  The first person to reply with the answer gets two free tickets to play New York: The Game.  Anyone else who answers correctly within 24 hours gets a $5 off coupon. It’s pretty fun, and its been great to see the response we’ve gotten.

The first week we asked how many statues of Civil War Generals there are in NYC.  The answer: 9.  For two of the most noteworthy, check out Sheridan Square, named for General Philip Sheridan, or Grand Army Plaza outside The Plaza Hotel for a glimpse of a gilded William Tecumseh Sherman. Christina from NJ became our inaugural winner, so we congratulate her on a victory well won.

This week, we asked a slightly easier question (it required slightly less research): Which of the 5 boroughs of New York City does not have a bridge named after it.  The answer: Staten Island. We received a flurry of responses to this one, and a common (erroneous) response we received was, not surprisingly, The Bronx. It was a bit of a decoy, because the Whitestone bridge is officially named the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. The other three are the much more known Queensboro Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and, of course, the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge.  Within 20 minutes, we had our second winner Aneta from New York, and more than a handful of runners up.

So here we are on the cusp of our third week, with our runners up salivating at a chance to win tickets outright (if you ask me, I’m guessing they went to the NY Public Library and took out books on the history of NYC, which they’ve been reading sleeplessly since Tuesday).  Who knows what next Tuesday’s contest brings, but you should tune in if you’re up for a good challenge.

For details on how the contest works and how you can win tickets visit our page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/strayboots. To get the trivia, follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/strayboots

NYC Watering Holes

Since my last post on where to stay cool over the summer, I’ve been wrought with guilt on having left out bars. I mean a cold glass of beer is arguably the best alternative to jumping in the east river, despite anything Cosmo Kramer may tell you about its health benefits for your back (was that two Kramer references in two consecutive weeks? Giddyup!)

So here’s a quick list of some of my favorite places to cool off the old fashioned way.

5) Brass Monkey - 55 Little W 12th St - If you find yourself in the Meatpacking district not sure where you can find a casual place to drink, one always refreshing option is Brass Monkey. Not only do they now have a beer garden, but you’ll find it comparably chill and more reasonably priced than some if its more chic next door neighbors.

Of Note: If you’re looking for something a little cozier, check out Entwine down the block or for a more representative meatpacking take on beer, try the new Biergarten at The Standard Hotel.

4) George Keeley’s - 485 Amsterdam Ave - Though I’m now a Brooklynite, the Upper West Side will always be home, having been born and raised there, but I didn’t visit Keeley’s until I was properly of age. Only then did I discover the wonders of their 100 Beers club, of which I am sadly not a member. Still, their constantly and delightfully rotating draft selection still brings me back to visit my parents every now and again.

Of Note: Also visit their equally quaint sister spot The Dead Poet a few blocks south for outdoor seating or a game of pool.

3) Grassroots Tavern - 20 St. Marks Pl - I don’t often venture to St. Marks for fear of the NYU crowds, but when you’re in need of a true dive (the sort that makes you feel a bit disgusted with yourself), there are few better options in Manhattan. Put on your swim trunks and dive into a $6 pitcher of domestic or $9 pitcher of import and forget the sun is even out.

Of Note: Patriot Saloon on Chambers St is also a filthy good option, especially since it’s divy siblings the Village Idiot and Yogi’s have now closed their doors.

2) Markt - 676 6th Ave - Just thinking about Belgian beer makes me giddy, and Markt is the Mecca (Brussels?) of all things Belgian in New York. Household names like Chimay and Duvel are certainly available here, but you’ll also find more than a few brands of beer that you’d wish you’d known about years before.  If you get hungry graze on mussels and fries while you use you book a flight from JFK to BRU for later in the afternoon.

Of Note: If you find yourself craving Belgian beer in midtown, hit up BXL Cafe at 125 W 43rd St for a great alternative to the countless Irish pubs in the neighborhoods.

1) Drop Off Service -211 Ave A - I’m a broken record (see my post on favorite places in NYC), but this continues to be my favorite bar in Manhattan. The atmosphere is chill and relaxing (dogs are allowed), the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and the beer….oh the beer (we’re talking an outstanding selection of draft beers that come in 20 oz pint glasses for just $3-$4 at happy hour….a thirsty entrepreneur’s best friend).  The best part, is that it’s clearly filled with people from the neighborhood and everyone is cordial, polite, and just happy to be there. Fancy that.

Of Note: For a similar Brooklyn alternative, check out Great Bar Harry on Smith St in Cobble Hill.

Unmentioned places that deserve recognition (and reasons)

Astoria Beer Garden - previously written about, and having just one beer is simply impossible

Peculier Pub - Awesome place, 1000 beers, too unoriginal of a choice for me to live with

The Modern - Seriously amazing. Great beer, top notch service. Find me there when Stray Boots goes public

Water Taxi Beach(es) - Pretty sweet, but no indoor space for the real scorchers

I’m feeling hot, hot hot

Pools in NYC are about as hard to come by as politeness. Hence this blog.

First, of all, that might be one of the most annoying songs ever written. I can’t say I’ve heard it except at a wedding or Bar Mitzvah…and for that, I am thankful.

But I invoke it’s gut wrenching refrain because this past week, NYC has seen record highs in terms of temperature, and for a man who has no air conditioning in his living room, this can be the source of much discomfort, both physical and psychological. Fortunately, over the years, I’ve become good at finding places to keep cold around the city (not to mention use the bathroom), so here’s a short list for anyone who’s sweating it out.

(Quick note: this is a non-alcoholic version. Any bar with A/C should be considered the ideal method for staying cool).

Chelsea Market - 75 9th Ave - If you’re gonna be indoors, why not be surrounded by amazing smells and free samples?  Whether your into meat and cheese or cookies and cupcakes, you’ll forget that the rest of the world even exists as you browse the Markets shops, indulging in some of the freshest food New York has to offer.

Of Note: Once the sun goes down, you can pop out to the new Highline Park for a great view of the sunset over the Hudson.

Barnes and Noble - All over NYC - At B&N you can sip coffee while you read as many of their books and mags as you want without having to fork over a dime.  Now they’ve got free WiFi, their restrooms are in surprisingly good shape, and the dozens of other loiterers will make you feel like less of a jerk.

Honorable Mention: New York Public Library - A coffeeless and somewhat stuffier alternative, but the painted sky in the Astor reading room in the main branch at 42nd and 5th Ave makes up for it.

Museums - Those places know how to crank up the air conditioning to power outage levels. The Met is always a great choice for passing the time. Other favorites include the smaller and less intimidating Rubin Museum of Art (150 W 17th St) and the excellent Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway).

Cosi - All over the city - 3 words…air conditioning, free WiFi, refillable fountain soda (okay, 7 words)

Of Note: Try mixing Cherry Coke with Diet Coke. In the words of Cosmo Kramer “It’s very refreshing” (though he was referring to Junior Mints, I feel he would agree re this makeshift Diet Cherry Coke).

Paley Center for Media (formerly Museum of TV and Radio) - 25 W 52nd St - Still, somehow, one of the most under-appreciated gems this city has to offer. For just $10 ($8 for students and seniors, $5 for kids) you can watch thousands of old TV shows all day, from I Love Lucy to Lost. The Center makes for seriously Happy Days, so Cheers! (sorry for the corny, it comes out in the heat)

Honorable Mention: Movie Theaters - The skyscraping prices ($12.50 / ticket) and the recent bed bug scare have made this hallowed summer go-to a little less appealing.