As far as food is concerned, I firmly believe there are two kinds of people - Those who like it, and those that don't. If you don't like the food, you fiddle around, and you talk and you appreciate the decor and the silver and the other patrons. But if you like the food, you forget everything else, and you dig into it. With elbows, knives, forks, bare hands, teeth, whatever you can use. And then you wipe the plate off.

That's the kinda food I like - thick burgers overflowing with cheese with a side of fries and washed down with beer, juicy steaks, pickles, crusty chicken with a bucketload of gravy to go... And there's plenty of joints in New York City which cater to food fanatics. Years of exploration, tramping the streets and word-of-mouth have resulted in a loose collection of diners frequented by every foodie in NYC who wants 'good food' without having to whip out the plastic. Obviously I can't list out each and every one of these great diners, but here's a representative sample of NYC restaurants - from Brooklyn to Queens to Harlem - where you can find good food - Cheap, tasty and filling.

Probably the most famous of cheap eats in NYC is the $3.50 recession special at Gray's Papaya - Two hot dogs and a papaya drink. Personally speaking, its not something to rave over, but if you're counting the cents, its a neat way to fill up the tank without breaking the bank. And its not so bad to eat once in a while. For a budget tourist, definitely a must-visit. Info: 2090 Broadway # 1 New York NY 10023; (212) 799-0243; Photo by permanently scatterbrained via flickr (creative commons)

Gray's Papaya may be the most famous option for budget eats, but the cheapest food, undoubtedly, is in Flushing, Chinatown. Excellent and cheap dim sum and dumpling stalls. For a slightly different, and more spicy cuisine, try Sentosa at 3907 Prince Street, Flushing - Offers Malaysian food with $3 Roti Canai and $9 beef rendang. There's another restaurant a few doors away with similar cuisine.

Slightly more upscale, but still quite cheap are places in and around Times Square, like Ruby Foo's Dim Sum & Sushi Palace on 49th St at 1626 Broadway. Prices from $6 onwards. Also serves hotdogs and grilled cheese for children. If you prefer something a bit more anglicized, try Becco on 355 West 46th St (between 8th & 9th) - Serves Italian food with unlimited tableside pasta, ribeye steaks and Italian wines. Lunch costs about $17 and dinner will set you back for around $22.

If you prefer Southern cuisine, Virgil's at 152 West 44th St whips up some authentic Memphis ribs and Carolina pulled pork. Cost between $8 to $22 depending on what you like.

If burgers, fries and cheap beer is what satisfies you, then nothing like Corner Bistro in the West Village (331 W 4th St), or Shake Shack in Madison Square Park (23rd St & Madison Ave). Corner Bistro is best frequented late in the night (or in the wee hours of the morning), and Shake Shack has an irritatingly long line, but at both places, the food is well worth the effort.

Then there's also some diners inside some NYC hotels, which offer up some good meals and takeouts at decent prices, primarily because of a large number of regulars who work in the vicinity. These would include Norma's Breakfast Diner in the Le Parker Meridien hotel at 118 W 57th St, and then there's the Edison cafe in the Edison hotel if you like cheap pancakes, sandwiches and matzo ball soup for takeaways.

If you're dying for a genuine Irish breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, pudding, fries and toast, head for Rambling House in the Bronx (4292 Katonah Ave Woodlawn). Another option is Eamonn's Irish Pub & Restaurant in Brooklyn (174 Montague Street, Brooklyn Heights).

End of the day, there's a lot more and I can go on writing till the cows come home.. on a plate :) Point is, there's good soul food in Harlem, there's good fast food and cheap diners in brooklyn, and an amazing diversity of different cuisines in Queens, like the Greek restaurants in Astoria. Bars with free food and Happy Hour drinks are aplenty in Williamsburg and the East Village. Whatever your taste, NYC has a place for you - And some of them are cheap. You just need to poke around a bit.