This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at MMM chapter.
Everyone’s been to a Chipotle at some point, but have you ever noticed they basically only have one thing on the menu? While you can choose how to wrap it up, Chipotle has made popular the idea of the one menu item fast-casual place. It’s the perfect idea for college students: cheap, casual and quick. Manhattan has loved this trend, with tons of places popping up in the past few years. Here, in no particular order, are my five all time favorites, most of which cost you under $10!
Peanut Butter & Co
Type of Food Offered: Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches
Location: 240 Sullivan St (near the A, C, E, B, D, F, M lines)
Pricing: Most sandwiches hover around the $8 mark, and a sandwich and glass of milk will cost roughly $12.
Dietary Considerations: This is obviously not the place to go if you have any serious nut allergies, but they do offer vegan/vegetarian, lactose-free and gluten-free options!
Coke or Pepsi: Coca-Cola, plus Stewart’s in glass bottles!
What I love: This small, Washington Square joint is the perfect place to go if you’re feeling nostalgic. Every pb&j is served with a packet of potato chips and celery sticks on a ceramic place, just like mom would make. They have everything from classic sandwiches (Lunchbox Special, $5.75), to unusual- but tasty!- combinations (The Heat Is On, $7.75, features grilled chicken and pineapple jelly). My favorite is the Pregnant Lady ($6.75), which is a peanut butter of your choice and pickles (don’t knock it ’till you try it!). For drinks, they offer three types of cow milk, rice and almond milk (perfect for lactose-free snackers!), as well as yummy milkshakes.
Potatopia
Type of Food Offered: Any type of potato you can think of!
Location: 378 6th Ave (near the A, C, E, B, D, F, M lines) (plus spots in NJ & Staten Island!)
Pricing: Around $9 for a Build-Your-Own with protein
Dietary Considerations: Because you can build your own potato combination, Potatopia is great for anyone with dietary restrictions, whatever they may be- including vegans, gluten-free, lactose-free and nut-free.
Coke or Pepsi: Coke- plus free refills!
What I love: Potatopia is a potato lovers dream- and my all time favorite place to grab lunch (the flagship location opened in my hometown while I was in high school). Although they offer preset menu options, the fan favorite is the Build-Your-Own, which gives you the freedom to choose whatever you like! Potato choices include skin chips, baked potato, au gratin, and sweet potatoes, and you can load up on different veggies, cheeses and sauces. My all time favorite? Curly fries with broccoli, cilantro, cheddar cheese and chipotle sauce!
The Nugget Spot
Type of Food Offered: Chicken Nuggets and comfort food
Location: 230 E 14th St (Near 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, and L trains)
Pricing: $7 for just nuggets
Dietary Considerations: The menu features two vegetarian nugget options, but is not the friendliest to gluten- or dairy-free munchers.
Coke or Pepsi: Coke, and they have bendy straws!
What I love: The Nugget Spot puts a new twist on an old favorite. Nugget options include crusts made out of Captin’ Crunch, Cheeze-Its, or pretzels. They have 12 (!!) different types of dipping sauces, but be warned- an extra one is 75 cents. If you’re extra hungry, they also offer mac & cheese, biscuits, and coleslaw side options (a combination meal including nuggets, a side and a drink is available if you want a little bit of everything). Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? For $3, you can get CSB’s, which are deep fried, pretzel coated chocolate chip cookie balls. Need I say more?
S’MAC
Type of Food Offered: Macaroni and Cheese however you like it
Location: 157 E 33rd St (near the 6 line) (They also have an East Village spot, but it’s always super crowded)
Pricing: Around $7.75 for a Nosh (the smallest size)
Dietary Considerations: For an extra charge, you can get gluten free or whole wheat pasta, as well as reduced-lactose or lactose free cheese. They also offer vegan and vegetarian options.
Coke or Pepsi: Both! They serve soda in cans.
What I love: Full disclosure: I’m lactose free, so being able to eat macaroni and cheese again is reason enough for me to love this spot. S’MAC offers classic mac & cheeses, like the All-American or the Cheeseburger, as well as more sophisticated choices, like the Mediterranean (goat cheese and olives anyone?). They also offer a build your own option, where you can mix and match any ingredients they have on hand. Mac & cheeses come in three sizes- nosh, major munch and mongo. Nosh is usually plenty for me, but ambitious eaters will want the major. As for the mongo, I would plan on either sharing or taking some home. My go-to order? Lactose-free cheese, broccoli and hot dogs.
The Melt Shop
Type of Food Offered: Grilled Cheese
Location: 601 Lexington Ave is the closest for MMMers (near the E, M, and 6) but they have 3 other Manhattan spots too.
Pricing: Sandwiches range from $5 to $9, depending on how fancy you get.
Dietary Considerations: Although perfect for vegetarians, they don’t have any lactose free sandwich options. Gluten-free bread is a choice for 92 cents more.
Coke or Pepsi: Coke, plus great milkshakes.
What I love: The Melt Shop is right outside the 53rd&Lex subway station, making it a perfect quick stop for busy students. With 11 different sandwiches, there’s a choice for everyone. They have a Classic grilled cheese, which is just American on white for more plain-Jane eaters, or for fancier palates, they offer a Truffle Melt (Havarti, truffle oil and arugula on sourdough). Need some protein? Meat options include hamburger, fried chicken, turkey and maple-bacon. You can also get shop tots for only $3 extra, and they might be the best tater tots ever made. Word of advice? Delivery from this spot takes forever, so definitely make the quick trip out to pick-up your order.