Cheap and Clean Places to Eat in the Theatre District?

[macbeth]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 7:07am

Does anyone have any great recommendations that fit both of these qualifications? I admittedly don't eat much in the Theatre District since I'm usually coming from work and just eat locally, but have some family coming to town who is asking for pre-show recommendations. 

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 8:13am

Don Antonio. It’s the only place I eat when I go to the city.

Updated On: 10/18/21 at 08:13 AM

[tmdonahue]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 8:26am

Because of the pandemic, it's been a long time since I've been to NYC and the theatre.  Before the pandemic, I loved both of the late Joe Allen's restaurants, Joe Allen's and Orso.  The food at both places is not special, write home to mom, Michelin star but it is always and consistently good and well-priced.  Service is good too.  I've also had some good meals at Becco.

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 9:19am

Unsure what your version of cheap is, but restaurant row has plenty of options (46th between 8 and 9).

https://www.timessquarenyc.org/locations/dining/restaurant-row

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 9:40am

Define cheap.  

[Wick3]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 10:15am

I think cheap and clean places are rare in general but I’ve found chikfila to be consistently clean anywhere, including its nyc locations.

[nealb1]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 11:36am

You can't go wrong with Junior's right on Shubert Alley.  Great food, perfect location for going to the theatre.  Their outside patio is open - weather permitting.  It can get crowded after a show gets out, so just allow for time.  Great comfort food.  

Was just in NYC last month for a long weekend, and had dinner there every night, like I always do in all my many, many years of going to Manhattan.  The majority of my trips to NYC, I'm solo, so I'll sit at the bar.  When I was just there, I met up with WithoutATrace here on BW, and we had dinner at Junior's before going to "Moulin Rouge."  

Updated On: 10/18/21 at 11:36 AM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 11:47am

Pongsri has great inexpensive Thai. I also like Bare Burger. It’s not very expensive.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 11:57am

Wick3 said: "I think cheap and clean places are rare in general but I’ve found chikfila to be consistently clean anywhere, including its nyc locations."

Ew. Restaurant row has won wonderful, local restaurants without bigoted chicken and hate cooked right in. Enjoy. 

[Nolan LuPone]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 12:20pm

What do you mean by cheap? My go-to is John's Pizza Of Times Square.

[Lot666]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 1:26pm

Sutton Ross said: "Wick3 said: "I think cheap and clean places are rare in general but I’ve found chikfila to be consistently clean anywhere, including its nyc locations."

Ew. Restaurant row has won wonderful, local restaurants without bigoted chicken and hate cooked right in. Enjoy."

Agreed.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 1:35pm

Cosmic Diner is always reliable and for NY relatively cheap. It’s on 8th around the corner from the August Wilson- I think 52nd?

[teatime2]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 1:48pm

Westway Diner!!

[HogansHero]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 2:17pm

The OP seems to have outdone themselves in failing to ask a question to which a useful answer can be provided. Not just what is meant by cheap, but what is meant by clean. And while we're at it, where in the theatre district and what sort of place? If one is going to the Belasco, one is unlikely to want suggestions on 9th in the 50s, and if one wants chikfila [I also agree that is a disgusting place to eat regardless of physical cleanliness], suggestions for Orso hardly fit the bill. 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 2:30pm

Another vote for the Cosmic diner. We went there after Caroline or Change and the place looked freshly renovated and was super clean. The food was inexpensive, all American decent quality cuisine.

[dave1606]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 2:37pm

Los Tacos No 1 is probably the ultimate "Cheap and Clean" spot for pre theater on 43. Not going to be a relaxing experience, but tacos great and you will be in and out fast. 

Tacuba further north is an excellent sit down spot. I've had many a great meal there. Becco is great, though I dont think I could handle their never ending pasta before a show! I went to Hazwell greens recently which had some tasty pizza though you had to order at the bar and it was a bit loud. further over into Hells kitchen I had a great meal at Crispins.  

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 2:40pm

Nolan LuPone said: "My go-to is John's Pizza Of Times Square."

The only acceptable answer. LOVE eating there with my family before a show. 

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 2:41pm

Like others have stated...we really need more parameters from the OP request. Looking for a sit down place, fast food, etc? Regardless, places I like (with a range of prices and atmospheres) include:

Becco - nice restaurant that knows how to get folks out in time for a show. The pasta symphony is a great deal that will fill you up

Qi - moved up to a nicer spot in Hell's Kitchen. Very affordable Thai food with a happy hour

Nizza - used to be able to just walk in here, but the cat is outta the bag for this affordable Italian place so expect it to be packed. Food is wonderful though.

Mom's Kitchen and Bar - sort of a retro 1950s kitchsy vibe, but not over the top in decor. Serves up wild comfort food like fruity pebble pancakes. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 2:42pm

teatime2 said: "Westway Diner!!"

Sssh! It's already hard enough to get a table at Westway!

[teatime2]

Posted: 10/18/21 at 2:48pm

Lot666 said: "teatime2 said: "Westway Diner!!"

Sssh!It's already hard enough to get a table at Westway!"

Ha! I know. I just always have to spread my love of Westway to others!

[sabrelady]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 1:06am

teatime2 said: "Lot666 said: "teatime2 said: "Westway Diner!!"

Sssh!It's already hard enough to get a table at Westway!"

Ha! I know. I just always have to spread my love of Westway to others!"

^^^^^

Totally agree one of my favs

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 2:57am

Jordan Levinson said: "Nolan LuPone said: "My go-to is John's Pizza Of Times Square."

The only acceptable answer. LOVE eating there with my family before a show."

Is this place right next to St James? 

[Mark_E]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 5:44am

Another vote for Westway Diner!

[tmdonahue]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 8:24am

HogansHero said: "The OP seems to have outdone themselves in failing to ask a question to which a useful answer can be provided. Not just what is meant by cheap, but what is meant by clean. And while we're at it, where in the theatre district and what sort of place?If one is going to the Belasco, one is unlikely to want suggestions on 9th in the 50s, and if one wants chikfila [I also agree that is a disgusting place to eat regardless of physical cleanliness], suggestions for Orso hardly fit the bill."

Well, I guess you're right about Orso's prices, compared to prices in the smallish Southern city where I live its expensive, but compared to NYC restaurant prices, I'd say it's at least "moderate" in price.  Think of what they've just paid for Broadway tickets.  By comparison, Orso's is cheap.

No one's mentioned "Shake Shack."  I don't eat there anymore but lots of folks like it, particularly younger folks.  I guess it's clean (altho you can see the work/assembly area and by the end of the day, that's a mess!) and cheap.  But you have to wait in line and hunt for a seat.  

Having written that, "Shake Shack's" frozen custard cannot be beat.

In addition, I just looked at Don Antonio's prices on the web.  A 12" pizza with sausage is $18.  Without NYC taxes.  Where I'm from that's expensive.  (However, everyone is right: Don Antonio's the best pizza you can get in Midtown.)

Updated On: 10/19/21 at 08:24 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 8:33am

adotburr said: "Jordan Levinson said: "Nolan LuPone said: "My go-to is John's Pizza Of Times Square."

The only acceptable answer. LOVE eating there with my family before a show."

Is this place right next to St James?"

Yes. It's been a go-to for us for many years, but John's can be problematic for pre-show dining because they don't take reservations and it's almost always a complete zoo from 5pm-7pm. They also lost some of their appeal for us a couple of years ago when they discontinued the Absolut Martini Bar, with its drinks served in glasses that looked like goldfish bowls atop stems. Those were the days!