Cheap Food in New York City

Life in New York City is rushed. Stop moving - even to eat - and you'll feel guilty. It's important to find restaurants that offer good, cheap food fast. Here are a few of my favorites.

La Esquina (Kenmare St. at Lafayette): You won't find a better tacqueria in Manhattan. There are three restaurants at La Esquina: the cafe on Lafayette, the diner and lunch bar on Kenmare, and the "secret" restaurant and bar downstairs. For a quick bite, take the simple option: the diner. It can get very crowded at night, and confusing, since people will be gathering in the diner to venture downstairs to the main restaurant. During the day, though, the wait is rarely long.

What to order: Get a fish taco. The type of fish used changes daily, but it usually seems to be mahi mahi. The fish is fresh, the red onions crisp, and the sauces wonderfully spicy. I also enjoy the steak taco - very high-quality beef - and the cochinita pibil, with its contrast of slightly sweet pulled pork and habanero pickled onions.

Price: Tacos range from $3.00 - $4.00 Tortas (sandwiches) run $7.00 - $8.00.

Shake Shack (Madison Square Park): Danny Meyer's Shake Shack offers the best fast-food hamburger you'll ever eat. Brisket is ground into the patties, creating a unique, tasty burger. The meat is cooked with care, too, so that it's actually juicy when you lay your hands on it. The restaurant also offers popular custards and, as its name suggests, shakes. The main problem with Shake Shack is its lines. At peak hours, expect to wait an hour to be served. The restaurant's website does have a videofeed of the line, though, so be sure to check before leaving. Getting a seat at the tables set up nearby can be difficult.

What to order: Shack burger. Cheese, lettuce, tomato, special sauce. Yum.

Price: Single Shack burgers cost $4.75. Fries are $2.50 ($3.00 with cheese).