It's on 2 of my lists. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- Cost$
- Address198 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
One of the most reliable cheap eats in New York City hails from Banh Mi Saigon, a no-frills restaurant in Chinatown in Manhattan. Banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich made with a crispy baguette-style bread that’s generously filled with meats and veggies (like a delicious carrot slaw).
The signature BBQ pork sandwich is a fan favorite, clocking in at a mere $10. The baguette is perfectly crisp, the BBQ pork is juicy. And the vegetables offer a refreshing crunch. For a restaurant that doesn’t even have a website, the lines can be hard to believe. But thankfully, lines move quickly because this Chinatown restaurant doesn’t offer seating (you’ll need to grab that bad boy to go).
Local’s tip. If you don’t plan on eating the sandwich right away, ask for it to come prepared “for tomorrow.” They’ll set the veggies aside so your sandwich doesn’t get soggy.
If there’s anything you take away from this roundup of NYC cheap eats, let it be this. Chinatown is a goldmine of options. One of my favorite spots in the neighborhood is Banh Mi Saigon, famous for (you guessed it) banh mi.
A tour de force, the popular Vietnamese sandwich is made with crisp baguette-style bread, pickled carrots, daikon, chiles, cucumber slices, cilantro, mayo, and a protein (typically marinated pork). The best part? It’s a mere $10 at Banh Mi Saigon.
My adviceIf you don’t plan on eating the sandwich right away then ask for it to be prepared “for tomorrow.” The veggies will be set aside so the sandwich doesn’t get soggy.