This week, in City, we are featuring our Ultimate Guide to the City. We want to help those of you who are new to New York (as well as those who have been basking in the sun and drinking margaritas for too long this summer) get (re)aquainted with the basics of living in New York. On Tuesday we will present Food and Getting Around, on Wednesday, Things to See, on Thursday, Online Resources, and on Friday, Nightlife.

For all of you, newcomers and vets alike, who are feeling suffocated beneath the beefy, tuition-hiking paw of John Sexton and the steep price of textbooks (especially you brave pre-med souls), we’ve compiled a list of the best cheap eats on campus and in the surrounding neighborhoods. The last thing we’d want you to do is drop mad clams at a sub-par eatery when there are $1 slices of cheesy, highly edible pizza lurking on St. Marks. The restaurant list is divided into two sections: on-campus, which is the immediate area of Washington Square and its neighboring blocks, and Union Square and the East Village, for all of you U-Hall and 3^rd North stragglers.

On-Campus Cheap Eats

• The Pizza Box. Bleecker St., b/w MacDougal and Sullivan Sts. This is my favorite on-campus pizza joint because it has outdoor seating and the pizza’s crust is thin and crisp. Just be sure to practice will-power or your mouth will be covered in lacerations after downing a radioactively hot slice. It costs $3.75 for a large slice and a small soda.
• Peanut Butter & Co. 240 Sullivan St., b/w Bleecker and W. 3rd Sts. The Jerry Seinfeld Comedy Special, a toasted bagel topped with peanut butter, cinnamon, and honey, is gooey and delicious. It’ll cost about 7 bucks, but each sandwich is served with a pack of potato chips and carrot sticks.
• Cafetasia. 38 E. 8th St., b/w University Pl. and Greene St. This is a great lunch spot, whether you’re flying solo or eating with a group. It’s right next to Cantor and the prix-fixe lunch special is $7 for an appetizer and an entrée.
  
• Think Coffee. 248 Mercer St., b/w W. 4th and W. 3rd Sts. If you want to avoid the mammoth lines of students at the campus Starbucks each morning, head to Think Coffee. There’s free wi-fi, better drinks and music, and good bagels with lox. Sandwiches cost about $6-$7, a large coffee is $2, and all other drinks are under $5.
• Shade Crepes-to-Go. W. 3rd St., b/w Thompson and Sullivan Sts. These crepes are served through a window on W. 3rd St., so it’s a speedy lunch to grab between classes. $6.75 gets you 3 options for your crepe.
• Crepe Creations. 31 Waverly Pl., b/w University Pl. and Greene St. Here is another on-campus crepe joint where you can create your own or choose from various menu options. $5-$7 for a crepe.
• Pizza Mercato. 11 Waverly Pl. at Mercer St. Thin crust pizza that is located right on NYU’s campus. $1.90 for a slice.
• Spice. 60 University Pl. at 10th St. This place may not be the cheapest option, but if you’re into stark white, über-trendy restaurants then this is your Thai calling. My favorite dish is the Glass Noodle, which costs about $9 but the leftovers last me another night.
• Rickshaw Dumpling Bar. 53 E. 8th St., b/w Broadway and University Pl. Rickshaw opened last fall, and while I’ve always thought of it as the Mickey D’s of dumplings, their website touts a quote from Martha Stewart branding it the best dumpling joint in the city. The fried pork dumplings are plentiful and pretty tasty at $8.88. I’d steer clear of the dumplings in broth option.
• Grey Dog Café. 90 University Pl., b/w 11th and 12th Sts. I discovered Grey Dog much later than I should have. The sandwiches, especially the grilled cheese with bacon, are large and delicious. Just be sure to go early or order to-go because tables are few and far between. Sandwiches and salads are a little steep for everyday enjoyment ($8-14), but I’d recommend going at least once.
• Stand Burger. 24 E. 12th St., b/w University Pl. and 5th Ave. This is probably the most gourmet burger place on campus. The ingredients are fresh and creative, the fries crunchy, and the burgers juicy. And for you young’uns, the last time I was there the staff neglected to card for a pitcher of beer. Burgers are $10-11, but are 2-for-1 from 10 pm to midnight.
• Mamoun’s. 119 MacDougal St., b/w W. 3rd and Bleecker Sts. Cheap-ass, filling falafel sandwiches and Middle Eastern fare for under $3.
• Gray’s Papaya. 402 6th Ave. at 8th St. Hot dogs for $1.25.

Union Square/East Village Cheap Eats

• Yummy House. 76 3rd Ave., b/w 11th and 12th Sts. I nearly fainted when I saw brown paper covering the Chinese restaurant’s windows a few days ago, thinking it had closed. But rest assured, East Siders – Yummy House is only temporarily closed for renovations. It should be back in action soon, complete with its $7.25 dinner box of an entrée, heaping portion of rice, and obese egg roll.
• M2M. 3rd Ave., near 11th St. An Asian grocery store to fulfill your mochi and udon needs. They also serve noodle dishes to-go.
• Amai. 171 3rd Ave., b/w 16th and 17th Sts. I’ve been itching to sample the cupcakes here ever since they were featured in New York Magazine’s food blog, Grub Street.
• Bite. 211 E. 14th St., b/w 2nd and 3rd Aves. This sandwich shop has great paninis for $6.50. I recommend ordering one with prosciutto, mozzarella, and tomato.
• Maoz. 38 Union Square East, b/w 16th and 17th Sts. Great vegetarian falafel sandwiches for $5-8, the price depending on how much of a topping whore you are.
• Saint’s Alp Tea House. 39 3rd Ave., b/w 9th and 10th Sts. I’m obsessed with the almond bubble tea here, which costs $3.95 for a jumbo.
• Sundaes and Cones. 95 E. 10th St., b/w 3rd and 4th Aves. The ice cream here is smooth and creamy, and traditional flavors – like tiramisu and vanilla chip – are served as well as more daring ones, like red bean and corn. It costs $4.29 for 2 scoops.
• S’Mac. 345 E. 12th St., b/w 1st and 2nd Aves. S’Mac has the best mac ‘n cheese in town, and the smallest size ($4.25-$6.75) is plenty filling.
• 2 Bros. Pizza. 32 St. Marks Pl., b/w 2nd and 3rd Aves. A slice of pizza is $1.
• Plump Dumpling. 299 E. 11th St., b/w 1st and 2nd Aves. Homemade, crispy pan-fried or steamed dumplings and traditional Chinese food. A helping of 6 dumplings is $4-5, and all other entrées are under $12.