GREENWICH VILLAGE — Greenwich Village has some of the best restaurants in the world — but they can be tough to afford on an NYU student's budget.
After spending big bucks on high rents and skyrocketing tuition, students looking to save some money can still find ways to eat well, thanks to a handful of affordable neighborhood cafes and restaurants.
To help students find the best deals, DNAinfo New York has found seven great Village meals for less than $7.
119 MacDougal St. at Third Street
This one is for the vegetarians. You can get a platter — an entree served on a bed of salad and two pita breads — for $5. Their falafel is often called some of the best in the city. Wash it down with a drink for $1.25 and you've got yourself a great meal for less than $7. The place is small and fills up during the dinner rush, but with a little bit of luck you can get a table or eat at the a counter.
246 Mercer St. at Third Street
This grocery store has solid weekly specials. You can get a big salad bowl or a rotisserie turkey breast for $4.99. Since you’re already at a grocery store, you have a lot of cheap drinks to choose from. It isn’t gourmet, but it's still tasty.
137 Fourth Ave. at 13th Street
NYU alumni remember this place long after forgetting what their commencement speech was about. They make great California-style Mexican food, and you can get carnitas or pollo asado tacos for $3.90, a soda for $1.61 and chips for 96 cents. The place is a bit small but it has large doors that stay open so you get plenty of fresh air and sunlight in the summer.
333 6th Ave. at Fourth Street
Papaya Dog has become a New York City classic. There aren’t many places where you can get two hot dogs and a drink for $4.95 — what's known as the "recession special." If you’re really hungry you can get fries for $1 and still spend less than $7 on a meal. Show up after 2 a.m. for entertaining people-watching.
111 MacDougal St. at Minetta Lane
You can get cheaper pizzas (2Bro’s sells their slices for a dollar) but if you want a quality slice Artichoke is the place to go. Their classic margherita — olive oil, plum tomatoes and fresh basil — is $4.25. If you like more toppings on your pie you can get a slice for $4.75. That and a $1.50 drink is a great meal. If you can’t get a seat, just walk over to Washington Square Park and eat outside.
92 Third Ave. at 12th Street
This burger joint renowned for its fresh, delicious patties is the In-N-Out of downtown Manhattan. Their $6.50 lunch special gets you a cheeseburger, fries and a drink. They also have smoothies and milkshakes for $4.25. It’s a little far from campus, but this burger joint has plenty of seating.
500 Sixth Ave. at 13th Street
If you want an authentic New York City bagel, you have to go to Murray’s. You can get a plain one for $1.45 or put a spread on it for $3.50. Breakfast bagels will cost you $3.50 and all of their drinks are between $1 and $3. Murray’s has a no toasting policy, but their bagels are so good that you won’t mind.