One of the Cheapest Meals in Town

  Overall

Since it seems that Vanessa's is taking over the cheap dumpling market, I thought I would give it a try. It was a Wednesday night but things were still hopping. The crowd was a mix of the best NYC had to offer: the local Chinese crowd, the hipsters, the black leather-clad biker, the librarian, etc. And the reason we had all come together was the amazingly cheap food. There was a line that stretched about 30 feet from the door but it moved fast with Vanessa's efficient computer system and the crabby lady that ran it. She may not have been the friendliest person to ever work a register but she was the fastest. "Whatchoo like?" she said. I manned up and got 8 pork and chive dumplings, 1 vegetable roll and a sesame bun sandwich with vegetables and roast pork. "$5.50" she said with a slight shriek. I happily obliged. For less than what an appetizer would cost at other restaurants, I got enough food to feed 2 people.

The dumplings shells were a bit thick and the roast pork was bit fatty but...who am I kidding, I loved everybite. The tables were clean, as was the kitchen, so no real complaints. Just a good meal on a shoe string budget. I couldn't ask for anything more. And when the weather gets cold, I'll be back for more dumplings and some of their peking duck noodle soup which is a whopping $3.75. God bless you Chinatown.