Eat Lunch Like a New Yorker, at Rafiqi's

If you really want to eat like a New Yorker, consider getting your lunch at Rafiqi's, a street cart vendor serving up middle eastern food from 19 different corners throughout Manhattan (see yelp for current locations). Not only is the food tasty and popular with locals, but it is arguably one of the cheapest lunch deals in Manhattan with several options under $5 (my personal favorite is the chicken & lamb combo platter for $5.50). They are usually open for business from about 11am-4pm on weekdays. Beverages are also available, but seating, of course, is not.