The Cheap Eats Challenge, cont.

I am happy to report some success in my self-issued Cheap Eats Challenge and would like to take this opportunity to spread the wealth (pun intended) of my findings...

Baoguette

I have developed a not-so-guilty addiction to the Vietnamese bahn mi sandwiches at Baoguette in the West Village.  On the way from my train stop to my friend Aimee's apartment (my crash pad for these last few days in the City - thank you, Aimee, Andrew and Rich!), Baoguette is conveniently located, and with sandwiches bigger than my head for $6, both my belly and pocketbook leave full.

As you may have guessed from the name, the sandwich starts with a baguette roll - nice and crispy on the outside, but lacking the irregular air bubbles and delicate texture of a traditional French baguette's interior.  No matter, because the thing is stuffed with piles of spicy, juicy meat (I prefer the "sloppy" beef - think Vietnamese sloppy joe - or the traditional pate and pork), complimented by the bright crisp of cucumber, the sour tang of pickled diakon and carrots, and some fresh cilantro.  A little Sriracha, and I have a hard time putting it down - in gleefull ignorance of that bit about never eating something bigger than your head.

Mercadito

Recently I was reminded of an old favorite from my first years in the City - Mercadito, in Alphabet City.  While I have sampled Mercadito's tasty Mexican treats many times, this was my first time actually entering the restaurant.  When dining-in at Mercadito, it becomes quickly apparent that everything about Mercadito is small - small plates, small tables, small chairs, and small amounts of personal space.  But once you have a tangy tres cítricos margarita in hand (what you might expect, but with a sexy kick of habanero), you'll soon notice your foot inadvertantly tapping in time with the festive Mariachi beats.

The food at Mercadito is as good as ever.  My friends and I chose to dine tapas-style, sharing a variety of dishes - among our favorites:  the three guacamoles (traditional, mango-spiked, and tongue-tingling pineapple and habanero - happily, Mercadito rarely shies away heat), a variety of quesadillas, and carne tacos.

I have found Mercadito's guac to be inconsistent, but on that particular evening all three were excellent - especially when played off one another.  The traditional was predominantly salty, the mango sweet, and the pineapple-habanero full of tangy spice.  Perfect with freshly fried tortilla chips.

Next came the quesadillas.  Maybe it is because I hail from the Midwest, but when I think quesadilla, I think greasy, chewy cheese oozing from between heavy flour tortillas.  Not so at Mercadito.  Mercadito's quesadillas are dainty little treats - well-composed arrangements of oaxaca cheese and toppings on petite corn masa.  The textured corn pairs beautifully with everything from wild mushrooms to seafood.  All-in-all, these are immensely poppable.

Finally, the tacos.  In my mind, the true measures of a Mexican restaurant's quality.  Mercadito's are everything they should be - no more, no less.  We ordered the carne version (I would have preferred al pastor, but at times will make compromises for friends - you're welcome).  The meat was tender, redolent of rosemary, and the soft flour tortilla light.  I was already stuffed and still managed to polish off a couple of these.

I was torn regarding whether Mercadito fit squarely within the boundaries of my Cheap Eats Challenge, as the bill tends to add up pretty quickly once you are awash with tequila, but I decided to include it for two reasons:  (1) the cost of each dish is relatively low, and (2) someone else was paying (thanks, Jenny!).

My remaining tenure in New York is just three short weeks, but a girl has to eat (and this girl has to eat on the cheap), so stay tuned for more free morsels (you can't get cheaper than that!)...