"When you and two of your closest friends only have eight bucks each, go to San Dong Noodles. You can split a scorching bowl of deeply savory roast beef noodle soup and a platter of 20 pan-fried dumplings for less than $20 and still have leftover money for a gracious tip. This Chinatown takeout powerhouse may be utilitarian—plastic furniture seating and a shelf of get-it-yourself to-go staples so diners don’t bother the staff—but it’s comforting and filling, so ignore the plastic silverware and enjoy the noodles." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene