Ba Xuyen?

When it comes to cheap eats and restaurants in general, there are few places that get five stars from me. With only a week left in New York until who knows when, it’s my job to revisit my old favorites and maybe even find a new gem or two.

So tonight I’m doing Brooklyn cheap eats. Let’s break it down.

It could be a good night for meat and when I think barbecue, Fette Sau and Peaches Hot House come to mind. Both are delicious, but because you can expect to pay more at the former, I’d probably choose Peaches.

Downtown is Mile End, which serves Quebecois sandwiches, but you’re slappin’ down a twenty when you go here. No I need something cheaper…Mexican or Chinese maybe.

Chavella’s, on Classon Ave., has rave reviews and could be a good Mexican fit.

Joya in Cobble Hill supposedly serves good Thai and it’s cheap with a nice ambiance, but Note Thai in Bushwick is my jam. And while you can get Chinese food all over the city the Chinese food in Sunset Park is arguably the best: Vietnamese sandwiches at Ba Xuyen or soup at Yun Nan?

So many options, so little time. What should I eat for dinner tonight?

I’ve got a class tonight in Park Slope I need to finish some homework for. With all of central Brooklyn at my fingertips on this cool December night, where would be the best place to eat unforgettable, really cheap grub and break out my computer for an hour?

My options, considering I don’t want to spend more than $6:

Ba Xuyen: This place has the best Vietnamese sandwiches in the New York City, made even better by the iced coffees. I’ve been before a few times and I’m always in hog heaven. Total price of sandwich and coffee: $5.50.

Bake & Things: I hear the Trini “Doubles,” a couple of chickpea sandwiches covered in hot sauce and sitting in delicious bread, are to die for and they’re only five bucks, but there’s no indoor seating, so I’ll have to save this place for another time, when I’m in a rush.

Yun Nan Flavour Snack Shop: Ba Xuyen is perfect for when it’s warm out, and although it’s not cold, it could be nice to get some soup at a place I’ve never tried. The hot and sour soup here is supposed to be killer and there are pork dumplings too. But from reading the reviews on yelp, it seems this isn’t the healthiest choice (I don’t really want to taste the MSG). Ba Xuyen it is!

There are a lot of great places to hang out in Park Slope, but these days very few seem to be on the forefront of both hanging out and entertaining like Union Hall. Union Hall is a sprawling space able to facilitate some ornate library like seating areas up front before opening up into a fully functional bocce ball court. The space is being used, it’s often hard to navigate the crowd. The bar staff is workman-like and the selection of brews and booze is sturdy. A more limited bar is downstairs in their performance area.

That’s right a performance area. This spot plays host to a wide array of musical and comedy acts. On top of those shows are also a variety of opportunities for you to take the stage. You can be a participant at upcoming Juice Box 90′s, Under Pressure: The Queen And David Bowie Sing Along, or you can perform every Friday with your hosts Karaoke Killed The Kat. This show is fun every week as anyone in the world gets up and sings in front of the most supportive crowd around. It happens every Friday at midnight.

If you’re just looking to get a drink, play a game or see a show this is the bar to go to.

Located in hipsterville central, aka Williamsburg, you can find yourself in geek heaven at Barcade. Barcade is neither a bar nor an arcade, discuss! Wait no! Yes it is! And it’s not just some cheap bar either serving $2 Bud Lights or offering $1 Millers for ladies on Wednesday. Barcade actually has real beer, or craft beer as us beer geeks would call it. Just to give you a sample taste, yesterday’s tap included Brooklyn Pennant Pale Ale, Founders Dirty Bastard Ale, Smuttynose Star Island Single, and Wandering Star Raindrop Pale Ale (which also happens to be cask). Yeah how’s that for your typical bar tap?

But what makes this bar even more awesome than the drinks themselves is the classic arcade games. Yes you can expect Pac Man, well Ms. Pac Man to be precise. But you can also try your geeky skillz at Asteroids, Punch-Out, Gauntlet, Donkey Kong (hooray!), Paperboy, and about a dozen more. Oh happy day. Naturally you’ll find hipsters chilling in the corner because you are on their turf, but it’s a diverse crowd –video game geeks included.

With a chill atmosphere, delicious beer on tap, and plenty of games to keep your hands busy, Barcade makes for one hell of a Saturday night. Next to karaoke, this is probably the second best way to spend your weekend in Brooklyn.

First Round Fridays Happens the last Friday of every month at The Cove in Williamsburg.

Back in the 80′s there was a comedy club on every block. These days comedy is not so wide spread. Still if you look around cool Brooklyn neighborhoods like Park Slope and Williamsburg there are lots of hilarious comedy shows popping up many are as low as $5 and some are completely free. It’s bad for the folks slugging it out on stage but great for you the entertainment starved Brooklynite not looking to drop $40 at a midtown comedy club.

You might think that the bench of talent on these shows would be lacking but you’d be wrong, dead wrong. The Cove an appropriately “cove like” bar on North 6th in Williamsburg plays host to some of the UCB’s brightest improvisers and New York’s best up and coming stand ups regularly at free shows with cheap beer specials. Recent guests have included Sean Patton, Michael Lawrence, SNL writer Colin Jost, Mark Normand and former Chelsea Lately stalwart Arden Myrin.

Myrin herself hosts, along with Lisa deLarios, a monthly show called The Party Machine at Park Slope’s excellent venue Union Hall. True to form the show hosts a mix of up and comers (Erik Bergstrom, John F. O’Donnell, Kate Berlant) and established comedy stars(Jason Sudeikis, Eugene Mirman, Todd Barry).

So if you’re looking to sniff out some funny stuff don’t go to Manhattan, stay in your own neck of the woods. You’ll likely find yourself laughing harder and cheaper.

Okay, so technically it’s in Queens. But pretty much all the cool kids in Brooklyn know about it.

Far Rockaway is a hop skip and a jump away on the A train. They have a Caracas/Blue Bottle partnership on the boardwalk at 106th, Rockaway Taco is down at 96th st. along with a modern-day fry shack called Motorboat & the Big Banana with oyster poboys and fish and chips and chocolate dipped bananas. On 86th St. Roberta’s Pizza has partnered with The Meat Hook to offer fresh burgers and hot dogs. So go hungry.

And it’s the beach. It’s in the city, and it’s not quite as nostalgically sad, or weird, as Coney Island. There’s a pro surf shop near 87th, the surf spot, opened by Williamsburg’s Mollusk.

Basically all your favorite Brooklyn foods are now available at the beach. You can get there on the train, on your bike or on the LIRR, though I only recommend that for those who live on Long Guyland.

So buy a new bathing suit, because you’ll definitely want to look good for all the young attractive people eating at these cool spots. And don’t forget your Wayfarers and your sunscreen. See you next weekend.

Today is the day, my single friends. Continue Reading

Does everyone realize just how awesome it is to be single this weekend? Continue Reading

Yeah, like next week. But it’s on everyone’s mind. No one wants to spend it alone. And the shackled are thinking about what to get each other, awwww. You guys make me sick/jealous. Anyway, from now until next week, I’ll drop hints about what to do if you’re single or with your significant other.

1. Momo Sushi Shack: This place is under the radar, but it’s a nice joint for couples. The tapas style Japanese food is good, and although they don’t have a liquor license yet, so what? You’re with your partner, you should at least be able to hang out during dinner without getting drunk. Fuckin alkies.

2. Mile End: Yeah, you could go here if you’re a couple and you’re comfortable wiping mustard from the corner of each other’s mouths. If you don’t like it fatty, call for the lean pastrami. Overall, a pretty rockin’ joint. And who knows, you might be able to pick someone up at the counter.

3. Bushwick Country Club: This bar is perfect for singles and doubles alike. Their retro photos cost $3, so hop in with your partner or try if you’re single I’d fuck you if tried picking me up by asking, “Wanna take a photo?”

Have fun everyone, spring is around the corner!