Eating Well and Cheap in Expensive Cities: Hacks for Students in NY, London, and SF

You arrive in New York or London, see the first menu in a restaurant and have a mini heart attack. "$25 dollars for a burger?", "£15 pounds for a sandwich?".

It's a reality: these are some of the most expensive cities in the world. But that doesn't mean you have to live on air or spend your entire savings on food.

The secret of locals (and smart students) isn't to stop eating, but knowing where to eat. In this guide we give you the proven tricks to eat like a king on a student budget.

1. New York: The Art of the "Dollar Slice" and Delis

New York can be extremely expensive or very cheap, it depends on you.

The $1.50 Pizza (or $99 cents): It's a classic for a reason. On almost any corner of Manhattan you'll find places like 2 Bros Pizza. It's not the most nutritious food, but two slices and a soda save your life for less than $5 dollars.
The Halal Carts: Those metal carts on the sidewalks (like The Halal Guys) sell huge plates of chicken or lamb over rice for about $8-$10 USD. It's delicious, very filling, and a 100% New York experience.
Bagels: A bagel with cream cheese is a cheap breakfast (approx $4-6 USD) and keeps you full until the afternoon.

2. London: The Magic of the "Meal Deal"

London has an open secret that office workers and students love: Supermarkets.

Tesco / Sainsbury’s Meal Deal: Walk into any Tesco or Sainsbury’s supermarket and look for the "Meal Deal" section. For about £3.50 to £5.00 pounds, you get: 1 Sandwich or Wrap + 1 Snack (chips or fruit) + 1 Drink. It's unbeatable.
Pret A Manger: They are everywhere. They have hot soups and sandwiches ready to go. It is a bit more expensive than the supermarket, but much cheaper than a restaurant (and they have free WiFi).
Markets (Borough Market / Camden): Although there are expensive stalls, if you look well, you can find free samples and incredible international dishes for less than £10 pounds.

3. San Francisco: Burritos and Whole Foods

In Silicon Valley life is expensive, but Latin food saves the day.