Economy in the tank? Feeling the pinch and looking to cut costs? Why take your well-earned money to McDonald's when the prices are often even cheaper at your friendly neighbor hot dog dive, in this case Lincoln Square's Quick Bite Carry Outs?

This tiny ma and pa shop may look kinda crummy on the outside, but the bottom line: a hot dog (with all the fixings) and fries costs $1.50, a greasy and economical treat that should be enough incentive to step inside.

Outside of hot dogs and fries, Quick Bite especially promotes (with posters that appear to be from the early 1990s) their gyro combo with fries and extra meat for $5.75 (emphasis on the "extra" – that's one heaping portion), while the four-piece chicken dinner at $4.25 effectively mirrors its KFC equivalent. With just a few stools and a pretty small counter, it may be difficult to eat these fairly hefty meals within Quick Bite's confines. Unless eating while standing up is your way of cutting calories, it's best to order to go.

The owners can usually be heard chatting it up with the regulars in between the typical "Whaddya want?" query to customers. The interior doesn't particularly boast complete cleanliness (though not explicitly dirty, either), but when you're paying $1.50 and shooting the bull with a couple of neighborhood chaps, how could you mind?

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Andy Seifert