Cheap Eats 2009

It’s hard to find a better deal than this ramshackle cart’s five-course lunch special ($5.50), known to regulars as “the big-big.” A huge container of three vegetarian entrees, rice and naan is in your hands before you finish saying the magic words. While it’s not exquisitely spiced—or indeed, spiced very much at all—who cares? Wash it down with milky chai ($1) and spend the money you save on salt. (AS)