Central Buffet Incorporated

195 Center Street @ Howard Street, 212-226-2905

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Cost per person: $4
"YGWYPF" factor: 10/10 (you get what you pay for)

If you are looking for cheap eats, and have not come across this place yet, you ain't seen nothing yet! Yes - it's all of $4 for lunch, and a discounted rate of $3 after 3pm, for 5 items of your choice - rice/noodle, with 4 sides. See the quantities for yourself - it's a lot!
How does the food compare with the others? I have no idea how to place this in the curve. When it comes to value for money, it really can't get any better. The items are presented in a buffet style, as in a cafeteria. You have at least 50 selections to choose your 5 items from. Business is brisk, so nothing is stale. There's a healthy mix of vegetables, meat, and main courses, with exotic items thrown in here and there (pig's ears!). My orietal colleagues tell me the style is home-style Cantonese - the equivalent of Pakistan Tea House for Indian. With such a large selection to choose from, I'm sure no one will have issues in finding their pick.
Walk in, go over to the cashier's counter to the extreme right, and skip the $1 soda. Opt for the red wine. Oh wait - they don't serve it :) Pick up your plate, skip the rice, go for the fried rice or noodle selections in the buffet, load up with your selections, and pick up a serving of soup at the end of the table. Enjoy!
For people in the area not wanting to cook dinners - do the take out after 3pm (or 4pm - not really sure) - at $3, it's cheaper than a fresh head of lettuce at the local grocery.