Dining out with pinched pennies

Due to a recent move and an emergency car repair, I’m suddenly dropped in a tight fiscal spot. For the next few months, I’ll be eating on a budget, which means making lots of soups and curries in quantities large enough for plenty of leftovers. While restaurant dining isn’t always the smartest financial choice in the world, sometimes it just needs to happen. That means I’ve started hitting up bargain-priced restaurants that I’ve neglected in the past few years.

Dim Sum House (2631 Broadway) is a great place to go on a cold Sunday morning with friends, and the cost for plenty of pork buns and chicken feet is minimal. Arigato Sushi (1608 Howe Avenue) may be a place geared toward the 20-something, but the rolls are 50 percent off and tasty. Mati’s Indian Express (1501 16th Street) will ensure that you keep calm and curry on when you’re pinching your pennies.

And last, never underestimate the cost-to-fullness ratio of any parked taco truck. Hit that up—and order extra for dinner if you want—as the price is crazy fair.