This may not be exactly Food Network stuff, but have you considered a Nosh Tour? Kind of a progressive meal of snack-sized meals. A slice of pizza at Two Boots or Ray's Famous Original (definitely recommend the former), an arepa or two at Lena's Latin Grill, a Banh Mi at Saigon Banh Mi Bakery, a knish at Yoanh Schimmel's and so forth. That's the only way I can hit all my favorite places in a limited amount of time in NYC and I eat for about $35-40 a day that way. Of course, for my last meal in town I gorge myself at 2nd Ave. Deli or Katz' for about $35-40 for the meal.
Nothing fancy-schmancy, just good eats!

I'm hiking Broadway late next week - photography project. With this heat, I'll be wanting to stop, sit down, have a cool drink & maybe a little nibble (or even a meal), and maybe use the 'euphemism', at regular intervals I expect to be somewhere between Houston and Astor Place around lunch time. Sure would like something tasty without breaking the bank - I'm thinking up to $20. ( Hey, for $25, I can catch the M21 E on Houston to Katz', but that would put me behind schedule.) Somewhere casual enough for (good) jeans & a button-down shirt. Little help here?

Returning to New York for a visit. Have been without canolli for far too long. Ready to indulge - as often as possible. I'm sure there are more than a few really good ones in Manhattan, without running around to all the boroughs, yes?