"Despite this city’s swath of global cuisines, the question I’m most commonly asked by out of towners is where to find good Italian food on a budget. The correct answer — Arthur Avenue in the Bronx — never seems to satisfy Times Square tourists, and I’ve gotten in the habit of recommending reasonably priced red sauce joints in Brooklyn. Carmenta’s, a casual corner shop with a few indoor seats, is the latest addition to my list (see also: Vinny’s, Bamonte’s, Randazzo’s Clam Bar, Noodle Pudding, and Forma Pasta Factory). The Bushwick restaurant is known for its meatball parms and other sandwiches, but head in the direction of its pastas: There’s a few for around $15 each, including this actually spicy spicy rigatoni, a generous portion of noodles blanketed in vodka sauce and crumbly parmesan cheese." - Eater Staff
