Cheap and Clean Places to Eat in the Theatre District?- Page 2

[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!

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 8:50am

Lot666 said: "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!"

I’ll have to try it the next time I’m in the city! I walk past this place all the time and each time I wonder if the pizza is good. But thank you for the FYI about 5pm-7pm. Normally I can only do matinees because of bus/train travel so I’m out of the city by 5:15. But I’ll definitely make time in the afternoon to check it out (assuming they’re open for lunch). 

[Nolan LuPone]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 9:41am

Lot666 said: "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!"

I most recently went on October 1st, a Friday, at 5:30. I didn't even need to wait to be seated. It was dead quiet. I think the pandemic killed a lot of business at John's.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 9:43am

Iron Bar is always my go to for pre and post show meals. They take reservations too.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 11:26am

I haven't been to John's Pizza in years. Is it a good place to go as a solo diner?  I know there was one restaurant, Carmine's I think? That wouldn't seat me because I was solo because they only served family size portions. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 11:47am

Yes, you can sit at the bar but I can't imagine they wouldn't seat you in dining room.  Lots of their items are big enough to share, but I'm sure they wouldn't deny you.

We were just there last weekend.  Yummm....

Updated On: 10/19/21 at 11:47 AM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 11:51am

John's used to be a church and it not only has stained glass windows but a stained glass ceiling as well. The.problem is that very few people look up to appreciate it.

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 11:58am

dave1606 said: "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."

This. And the best tacos in NYC imo, cheap and clean and amazing!

[macbeth]

Posted: 10/19/21 at 1:58pm

These are GREAT suggestions everyone and exactly what my friends were looking for. Thank you all! Sometimes this place gets a bad rep, but I will always disagree. I appreciate everyone! 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 10/20/21 at 11:46pm

Pepper Lunch is my go-to if I'm going to a Studio 54 show, you order at the front and get a number for when you sit down.  Los Tacos if you're gonna be around 43/44th street areas, Viv Thai for around 50th street (though I think they get busy) and Empanada Mama is a little higher up.  Not sure if they do seating right now, but Red Poke and Sophie's Cuban are frequent lunch spots for me during the work day.

[JayElle]

Posted: 10/21/21 at 8:01pm

Juniors.  Popular with tourists and portions large enough to split b/w 2 people.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 10/21/21 at 8:17pm

chrishuyen said: "Pepper Lunch is my go-to if I'm going to a Studio 54 show, you order at the front and get a number for when you sit down. Los Tacos if you're gonna be around 43/44th street areas, Viv Thai for around 50th street (though I think they get busy) and Empanada Mama is a little higher up. Not sure if they do seating right now, but Red Poke and Sophie's Cuban are frequent lunch spots for me during the work day."

When I did a search on them, it states Pepper Lunch is permanently closed.

[Chowd95]

Posted: 10/22/21 at 1:06am

Los Tacos if you don't mind sit/standing while you eat and it's literally right across the street from Harry Potter so you can't miss it. As far as cheap if you venture west of 9th you'll find tons of places.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/4/21 at 11:46am

Asking a general question, can anyone any place near SIX that is also open Monday? Seeing the show this week and finding the places I was leaning toward on BWW's recent listicle are closed Mondays.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/4/21 at 12:11pm

No one has mentioned that the NYC Board of Health rates the cleanliness of each restaurant and the ratings are clearly posted outside each facility. Look for the "A" ratings.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/4/21 at 12:15pm

chrishuyen said: "Pepper Lunch is my go-to if I'm going to a Studio 54 show."

I pass that street daily on my commute, it closed permanently a while back.

 

[pmensky]

Posted: 12/4/21 at 12:50pm

I eat at the Westway Diner several times when I’m in the city.  I’m usually there for several days and have a per diem from work for food, so I’m not interested in spending big bucks on every meal. Westway is clean, cheap, the service is no-nonsense, the menu is extensive, and the food (huge portions) arrives super quick. In the 25+ years I’ve been eating there, I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad experience or unsatisfying meal. I recommend their French onion soup, and they make an amazing black and white milk shake.

[ItsMeRaul]

Posted: 12/4/21 at 5:03pm

everythingtaboo said: "Asking a general question, can anyone any place near SIX that is also open Monday? Seeing the show this week and finding the places I was leaning toward on BWW's recent listicle are closed Mondays."

How close? We saw Six on a Monday. Dined at Meme in HK beforehand. It's about a 10 minute walk from there to the Brooks Atkinson theatre.

 

[jagman1062]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 12:50am

Some of the places that I like and that may also fit your requirements:

Don Giovanni (Italian) 44th St between 8th & 9th (formerly The Improv Comedy Club)

Connolly's (Irish pub) 45th St between 6th & 7th

Havana Central (Cuban) 46th between 6th & 7th

Someone mentioned Restaurant Row earlier - 46th St between 8th & 9th. The restaurants post their menus in front of the building and part of the fun is checking out the menu items and the prices. I've eaten in many of the restaurants on Restaurant Row and never found a problem with the cleanliness of the dining room. Many restaurants offer a prix fixe menu that includes good meals at reasonable prices. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:50am

I was disappointed to learn that Emmett O'Lunney's has closed. A friend of mine was in CHICKEN AND BISCUITS and I suggested to him that we grab a bite to eat there between shows on a Saturday. He informed me the place had closed for good. 

I'll miss their Shepherd's Pie.

[jagman1062]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 1:42pm

Dollypop said: "I was disappointed to learn that Emmett O'Lunney's has closed. A friend of mine was in CHICKEN AND BISCUITS and I suggested to him that we grab a bite to eat there between shows on a Saturday. He informed me the place had closed for good.

I'll miss their Shepherd's Pie."

I was disappointed to learn that they closed as well. I remember eating there when they were on 43rd St near the now Lyric Theater and followed them to 45th St. I preferred their food to Connolly's and they did serve a good shepherd's pie, but I still think Connolly's is a decent place to eat and glad they're still around..

Updated On: 12/5/21 at 01:42 PM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/7/21 at 9:50am

ItsMeRaul said: "everythingtaboo said: "Asking a general question, can anyone any place near SIX that is also open Monday? Seeing the show this week and finding the places I was leaning toward on BWW's recent listicle are closed Mondays."

How close? We saw Six on a Monday. Dined at Meme in HK beforehand. It's about a 10 minute walk from there to the Brooks Atkinson theatre.

"

Thanks for that! We ended up going to Trattoria Trecolori, which I didn't realize was right next to the Brooks, and for the area, pretty reasonable. They were poppin' on a Monday night, maybe because so many other places were closed? But the small front I've walked by a million times gives way to a bright and roomy restaurant, even with a lot of tables, it didn't feel crowded. (They take reservations, which is nice also!)