Clinton Hill on a Budget
How about an oddly timed meal sub $20
Before we get into this week—I was honored to get to write a little something with
for his very good, very right on Franklin aligned substack. Turns out Austin and I are on the same page about far more than where to eat and what to order, we also get bothered by the same tiny errors people make on first dates, like mispronouncing wines or not knowing what fennel is. My mom thinks it’s the best thing I’ve ever written, if that persuades you.
I had asked in a poll last week what neighborhoods you most wanted budget-friendly recs in. Lucky for me, Clinton Hill won the polling and I have had this list drafted for over a year (lol).
Anyone who reads this newsletter has to have some idea of how much money I spend on food—if you think the dining out is bad, you should see my grocery store receipts. I may or may not go to the grocery store every day for fun and buy four things at a time—it’s not cute, or cost-effective!!
You may not be as bad at planning meals as I am, but if you live in New York you are well-aware that walking outside and breathing usually comes with a $100 price tag. It’s crucial to know how you can attempt to avoid that, and where to feed yourself for under $20. Not every meal has to break the bank.
Also, as always, thank you for being here and for reading. I love sharing my meals with you all xx
Chef Katsu
In June of 2022, I lived in the most beautiful one bedroom apartment in Clinton Hill for two whole months. It was the sublet of my dreams. My first meal after moving in was just around the corner at Chef Katsu, and was the start of a forthcoming commitment to their very short, very reasonably priced menu. Chef Katsu has no frills— a counter service operation where you will find a handful of tables, and that is about it. There isn’t much to be said about the atmosphere, though during early summer evenings you will find the tables full, both in and outside, and smiling faces happily crushing katsu burgers and teriyaki bowls.
It could be 20 degrees and sleeting, I could be fighting a fever, I could be frolicking around Clinton Hill on a beautiful Spring afternoon. In any circumstance, Chef Katsu is my go-to. Famously a vegetarian (and a bad one at that), I was always stunned by their portobello mushroom katsu and teriyaki burgers, the former served on a squishy bun with cabbage, shiso, miso sauce, and mayo, and the latter with lettuce, tomato, shiso, and mayo. Not overly greasy, perfectly simple, and consistently delicious. Even with meat over a mushroom, these sandwiches come in at a stunning $12. If you are craving a little rice, the Salmon Dashi Chazuke is about as sophisticated as a counter service meal can get. A bowl of rice swimgs in rich dashi broth, with marinated and lightly cooked salmon sitting on top alongside nori, scallions, and sesame. This bowl has cured many bad moods, and brought relief during several bummer colds.
On one of many stints breaking vegetarianism, I had an outrageous chicken katsu curry bowl. It was rich, warm, and cozy. A hug in a bowl. The most expensive thing on the menu is $16.50. You will almost always stay under $20, unless you add a hojicha latte, which you probably should.
Ciao, Gloria
While technically in Prospect Heights, this was one of my most frequented spots during my two year tenure in Clinton Hill, Ciao, Gloria is a coffee shop on steroids. No matter when you walk in, odds are the tables are full and the line reaches the door—it’s a neighborhood mainstay at the intersection of several coffee-eager populations. Don’t be afraid, but definitely don’t bank on finding somewhere to sit or it being a particularly quick visit.
Two things make Ciao, Gloria special, the first being their insane case of pastries. Bundt cakes, cinnamon rolls, and cookies of all shapes and sizes are meticulously arranged on cake plates and stacked in ceramic bowls. My go-to, for the impending moment of panic when you can’t commit to a treat but are surely holding up the line behind you, is the very fluffy and crumbly coffee cake, and the seasonal fruit crumb bar which is somehow both vegan and gluten free? Occasionally I opt for the banana walnut bread or a scone. Moments like these are good reminders to bring friends when you go to new places so you can try as much as possible, and stay under budget.
On their breakfast and lunch menus you will find a variety of sophisticated sandwiches and bowls. I haven’t had a single thing here I didn’t like. my personal favorite is always the seasonal grain bowl ($15.75)—a weather-appropriate combination of grains, roasted vegetables, with a little crunch and a great dressing. Right now, the bowl is farro based with carrot, squash, and sweet potato, topped with feta, toasted walnuts, and a malted maple dressing. The Insalata Mista ($14.75) has never led me astray, and they make a mean fruit compote to top their yogurt and granola bowls ($9.50). If you start getting pastries, drinks, and a sandwich, you will break $30 easily. For a more focused order, I would consider this within budget.
Luigi’s Pizzeria
You need a good, reliable, accessible slice of pizza in every neighborhood you visit. It is for your health and safety.
Luigi’s on Dekalb is the answer to your sub $10 dinner request. A singular window, pies on silver tray on display below the register, and a few guys in the back heating up slices for eagerly awaiting customers comprises the whole operation. Not to be confused with the incredible Luigi’s Pizza in South Slope, Luigi’s Pizzeria is an equally credible slice shop where you are sure to run into Pratt kids, but is worth the hike for a quick slice.
The pizzas don’t look all that compelling in the window, but once they hit your paper plate, a little grease, a lot of cheese, and a crispy-edged crust are good indicators for what you are about to get into. I love that Luigi’s crust is soft and pillowy, with a browned, crunchy bottom of the pie. I go for a grandma slice or the chunky tomato slice (pictured below). If you’re feeling crazy, the buffalo chicken slice hits.
Another idea or two…
A Choice Market egg and cheese ($5-10), an Impasto corner slice ($3.50-5.00, not my favorite but many people love), and RIP to the Clinton Hill Mekelburg’s. That veggie and burrata sandwich got me through many hangry episodes.
More fun next week. In the meantime…a few more aligned posts from the roF archive.
No love for FATG?! Or do we consider that Bed-Stuy? I’d also vouch for the joloff at Joloff
Chef Katsu forever and always (I just wrote a nod to it for an upcoming newsletter!). And I used to live a block away from Ciao Gloria and went so often I practically lived there. Their coffee granita in the summer is my kryptonite. A chic coffee frappuccino, if you will.