By Samantha Garbarini
Let’s be honest, tax day can be a major blow to your budget. But just because your wallet is hurting, doesn’t mean you have to resort to a diet of microwave popcorn and fast food. We’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite dishes for under $15 to help you make it from tax day until your refund arrives without feeling deprived. Start slideshow »
$11.50
Cup O’ Noodle is a budget-friendly classic. Spend a little more for the vastly superior ramen at RameNesque in Peekskill. Try the traditionally flavored shoyu ramen or the fiery Thai flavors in the tom yum ramen.
RameNesque
1008 Main St
Peekskill
(914) 930-1788; ramenesque.net
$2.35
A hot dog from Walter’s hot dog stand is one of Westchester’s time-honored traditions. Luckily, at only $2.35, it’s also affordable! Even better, you’ll also have money left to grab a shake and some potato puffs.
Walter’s
937 Palmer Ave
Mamaroneck
waltershotdogs.com
$9.00
It might be a bit artery clogging, but these fries are seriously worth it. A twist on the classic chili fries—the Q fries at Q Restaurant & Bar in Port Chester—are loaded with cheese and a mound of their chopped brisket.
Q Restaurant + Bar
112 North Main St
Port Chester
(914) 933-7427; qrestaurantandbar.com
$7-$8
For great vegetarian options, check out the falafel at Taiim Falafel Shack (Westchester’s only traditional Israeli restaurant). Served in warm pita, and topped with tomato, cucumber, green onion, herbs, and tahini, it’s a fresh alternative, perfect for the just-arrived spring weather.
Taiim Falafel Shack
598 Warburton Ave
Hastings-on-Hudson
(914) 478-0006; taiimfalafelshack.com
$5.00
It might be simple, but sometimes it’s the simple things that are just right. The butter and sugar crêpe at Little Crêpe Street in Mount Kisco (part of our county-wide crêpe crawl) is just that—a buttery pancake dusted with just enough sugar, topped with fresh fruit.
Little Crêpe Street
29 East Main St
Mount Kisco
(914) 242-0200; littlecrepestreet.com
$6.25
There might not be a better deal for breakfast anywhere in the county than The Breakfast Barge from Anthony’s Delicatessen. Three eggs cooked any way you want, plus ham, bacon, and sausage, all loaded into a wedge. It can easily feed two, and at just over six dollars, it’s a ridiculously good value.
Anthony’s Delicatessen
619 Halstead Ave
Mamaroneck
(914) 698-4998; anthonysdeli.com
$2.00
They’re not even officially on the menu at License 2 Grill, but every day you’ll find a rotating selection of three to five empanadas at the Thornwood restaurant. Take your chances on the day’s selection—the flaky, golden crust might hold traditional fillings like chipotle chicken or classic beef, or more unusual options such as cheeseburger or hot dog with sauerkraut.
License 2 Grill
802 Commerce St
Thornwood
(914) 747-0009; license2grillny.com
$5.95-$7.50
Instead of ordering a main course (though those are largely under $15 too), create your own dumpling feast at Fantasy Cuisine. Try our favorite oversized pork soup dumplings; the green-skinned steamed mushroom and vegetable dumplings that are surprisingly flavorful; or the juicy pan-fried pork dumplings.
Fantasy Cuisine
20 N Central Ave
Hartsdale
(914) 358-9046; fantasycuisine.com
$8.00
Potato chips aren’t particularly expensive, and neither are the eggplant chips at Polpettina. Thinly sliced eggplant is coated in light batter, then deep fried and drizzled with wildflower honey and sprinkled with sea salt. The mound of chips is perfect for sharing, and the sweet-salty interplay makes them totally addictive.
Polpettina
102 Fisher Avenue
Eastchester
(914) 961-0061
147 Larchmont Avenue
Larchmont
(914) 341 1460
$7.50
Lamb for under $15? Doesn’t seem possible. But at Little Mumbai, the keema pav—a dish of minced, spiced lamb served on buttered bread—checks in well under the mark. Also consider ordering a bright green Fig Me Up smoothie ($6.00, pictured here) chock full of fig, mango, pineapple, banana, and spinach.
Little Mumbai Market
475 Bedford Rd
Pleasantville
(914) 773-0500; facebook.com/pages/Little-Mumbai-Market/577420422354182
From $6.50
Homemade soft corn tortillas are stuffed with popular toppings like steak or pork belly at The Taco Project in Tarrytown. You can also order any taco “Blue Collar” style—in a house-made hard shell. Don’t want a taco? Our favorite menu item is the shrimp bowl—a fresh and delicious mix of rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, and of course, shrimp.
The Taco Project
18 Main Street
Tarrytown
(914) 909-4455; thetacoprojectny.com
$8.50
Instead of the standard breakfast scramble, try the migas at award-winning Wobble Café—two scrambled eggs with crunchy strips of tortilla, pinto beans, and fragrant chorizo. Top that with some cheese, pico de gallo, and pickled jalapenos, and you shouldn’t be feeling hungry again for quite a while.
Wobble Café
21 Campwoods Rd
Ossining
(914) 762-3459; wobblecafe.com
$13.85
No slices, cash only, and impossible parking. That’s just how it is at Johnny’s Pizza—a Westchester institution since 1947. Thin crust pies topped with mozzarella and tomato—in that order—emerge from the oven perfectly charred and melted before being devoured by eager diners.
Johnny’s Pizzeria
30 W Lincoln Ave
Mount Vernon
(914) 668-1957
$10.25
You can’t have affordable eats without this New York classic. The pastrami-on-rye sandwich at Epstein’s is perfectly reddish-pink on the inside with just enough of that dark, spice crust. Make sure you get pickles—both the full- and half-sour are a must.
Epstein’s
387 North Central Ave
Hartsdale
(914) 428-5320; epsteinsdeli.com
$3.00-$3.25
Even on a budget, you deserve a sweet indulgence once in a while. Choose one from the ever-changing selection of prettily frosted cupcakes at Pelham’s Provisions Bake Shop. If you’re not a fan of cupcakes, the crispy, chocolate chip cookies are top notch too.
Pelham Provisions Bake Shop
209 Wolfs Lane
Pelham
(914) 738-6622; pelhamprovisionsbakeshop.com
