Cheap eats

I've said it before, multiple times, that I love pizza.  But don't get me wrong, I love plenty of other foods too.  Not just pizza but, tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers, they are all great.  But you know what they all have in common, they're cheap.  

After living in New York for a little over a year I think the thing I find the most annoying in this city is the food.  Now, New York does have some of the best food in the world...but I'll never experience it, I don't have that kind of cash.  The fact that the city is such a mecca for great food then filters into so many other eateries.  I have found it so hard to find a good, exciting meal, for a moderate price, or at least one that rivals the actual dish itself.  With everyone focused on trying to be the best insert food here quality assurance is lost.  

I understand it though, you have to pay for the space/rent and all that other stuff too.  But as a consumer you realize really quickly that you need to be very choosey about where you pick to eat.  You can't just wander around an area to find somewhere to eat, then you get trapped because you pass so many places that you can tell are too overpriced for a plate of two korean tacos.  Then you cave and just want to eat and you end up at a restaurant that has even pricier BBQ.  Expensive BBQ?  Are you kidding me?  That is what makes those foods great, and then you have to mess that all up by selling expensive "gourmet" hot dogs, I'm looking at you Bark.

It also makes me realize why some chefs are so opposed to food trucks.  Those things get it, and they are at the right price.  When you don't have to pay waiters, pay rent, pay dishwashers and all that fun stuff you can put out creative food for reasonable prices.  It's great for me and the hungry hippos that line up for Korean BBQ for 8 bucks, and I am willing to spend 6 dollars on a fancy grilled cheese but I'd never tip for it.  

I think overall I miss food in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, and Asheville, Asheville has a great food scene.  These are places where there are talented chefs and interesting ideas and base of people that want great food.  When it comes down to it they just don't have to pay as much for rent, if I had to guess.  But it is just down right upsetting when I can't get a good plate of vinegar based BBQ with fried ocra and mayonnaise drenched coleslaw for under 15 dollars.