Give me your filling, low-calorie, and somewhat cheap lunch reccos

May 26, 2015 8:30 AM

I'd like to start eating healthier lunches, that are filling but somewhat cheap. I'm in midtown in NYC, and really don't enjoy preparing my own meals, so looking to buy it.

Something ideal would be a somewhat loaded grilled chicken salad, but those tend to be $10-$15 at Chopt or the like. I'd like something low-calorie, relatively filling, and under $10 ideally. I don't mind eating the same thing every day. I'm in the upper 40s on 6th, but could walk somewhere if need be.

I don't need someplace specific, per se, but even a type of food that's your go-to would be great.

posted by jourman2 to Food & Drink (12 answers total)

Can you stock up on the weekend at Fairway or Whole Foods and bring them with you?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:33 AM on May 26, 2015

Best answer: Dig Inn is my go-to for healthier meals that are not salads for when I need to order in. I'm happy with a small plate usually, and they're under $10. Menu changes slightly with seasons, but not dramatically. There's a pdf out there via quick google that will give you nutritional info, and it's much lower than you would expect for the tasty factor of the meals.

I usually order in, I don't think I've actually visited a shop though.
posted by larthegreat at 8:35 AM on May 26, 2015 [3 favorites]

You may want to take a look at Midtown Lunch if you haven't already. Focus is on under-$10 food, and you can sort by restaurant type.
posted by ferret branca at 8:44 AM on May 26, 2015 [2 favorites]

Check out the carts around your office. I love the grilled chicken/rice meals found at places similar to The Halal Guys.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:53 AM on May 26, 2015

I do soup for this! Pret's moroccan lentil is great, but any decent lunch place should have several choices. It's usually one of the cheapest meals in the place and I find it quite filling, though I don't think everyone agrees with me there.

I also buy the trader joe's prepackaged salads (if you're willing to buy ahead of time) - they're around $4-$5 and have decently filling ingredients (the Super Spinach one is my favorite, and has several kinds of protein mixed in. I've been known to literally pick one up on my way to work if I don't have anything and don't feel like spending lunch-out money. I'm vegetarian, but I know they offer meaty salads as well and I'd expect them to be tasty, cheap, and easy to bring in based on my experience.
posted by R a c h e l at 8:55 AM on May 26, 2015

Chopt/Just Salad/Hale&Hearty are all super expensive. However, some of the smaller independent(ish) places have much better prices. For example, at Bistro at 45th and Lex you can get a salad with a TON of (unlimited?) ingredients for closer to $8.

I'm also a fan of full-fat greek yogurt with a little honey (you could also add granola, but calories add up quickly with that); it's surprisingly filling (the low-fat ones are less filling IMO). It's nearly impossible to find single-serve full-fat yogurt, but you could buy a big tub and keep in in the office fridge for the week. Another within-the-office option is oatmeal: buy in packets or a big container and just use the hot water dispenser to mix (add sugar or dried fruit or whatever else you like).

You can get cut fruit from the smoothie carts (they're all over, but I think there's one around 49th and 6th) for super cheap - several cups of cut fruit for about $4 (vs. $8/lb at a deli). You can usually specify which kinds of fruit you do/don't want included (e.g., "small container of fruit, no pineapple no honeydew").
posted by melissasaurus at 9:13 AM on May 26, 2015

I used to buy soups from the supermarket and heat them in the microwave. Beany lentily ones are extra filling.
Also hummus and apples from the supermarket, possibly with oatcakes.
posted by emilyw at 9:36 AM on May 26, 2015

If I recall correctly there is a Subway on 47th right east of 6th. 6" veggie patty on whole wheat is terrific and less than $10. I think there is also one on 50th near 6th.
posted by AugustWest at 9:46 AM on May 26, 2015

Response by poster: Dig Inn is exactly what I was looking for. $8 for chicken/rice/tofu combo.

Thanks!
posted by jourman2 at 10:33 AM on May 26, 2015

Is Wok the Walk too far? I believe it's on 38th and 8th? You can get an all veggie stir fry in the sauce of your liking for under $10.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 7:15 PM on May 26, 2015 [1 favorite]

Also sushi at places like Morton Williams or bread and butter tend to be under $10
posted by Kestrelxo at 10:01 AM on May 27, 2015

I'm coming to this late, but Maoz is great, also the Ktown food court at 11 W 32nd (especially Bunn for a super quick filling snack)
posted by blu_stocking at 8:20 PM on May 29, 2015