Comfort Food on the Cheap

Cold-weather comfort food takes an Australian-inspired twist on the Lower East Side at Tuck Shop, a small, unpretentious hole-in-the-wall "tucked" (like its name) onto the side of 1st Street. The scent of pastry is in the air and exposed brick walls, a Coors surfboard, and black and red tile flooring round out the restaurant's interiors.

Take a seat at the battered wooden bar or one of a few wobbly tables while the kangaroo on the trash cans looks on as you enjoy one of the eatery's classic meat pies and the "spud of the day," which may include Tuck Shop's heavenly scalloped potatoes, the perfect combo to warm your stomach on a cold winter day. Vegetarians don't fret, a seasonal vegetable pie is on the menu and on Thursdays a vegan pie is served. Ketchup or hot sauce are available to top your pie and a bewildering variety of Boylan sodas including my personal favorite, black cherry, can be paired with your meal.

Be warned though, on my last visit, I hadn't realized that the bearded counter guy's T-shirt was so literal (it said "I ate all the pies") when I found out that they had run out of my favorite classic meat pie, luckily I was saved with the suggestion of a meat and cheese pie, which was absolutely delicious.

Cheap Chick Info: Pies are about $5-$6, sides are $3, and sodas are $1-$2
Location: 68 East 1st Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues
Subway: F,V to 2nd Ave.