Be a Cheap Date: NYC Eats for 2 for Under $20 | Roti Roll

Eating out in New York City for 2 people can be mega pricey. But it doesn’t have to be. There are loads of amazing eats that won’t eat away at your paycheck. We are starting a new series called “Be a Cheap Date: NYC Eats for 2 for Under $20”.

But Katie… there’s no way you can find filling meals for 2 for so cheap!!!!

To that I say… challenge accepted!

For our first stop in the series, we are headed to Roti Roll.

Roti Roll is a Morningside Heights institution that’s famous for serving up tasty eats until 4am on the weekends. We stumbled upon the spot in 2018. The first apartment Jeremy and I lived together was a 10 minute walk away, and we used to go nosh on the 2 for $8 roti rolls back when our food budget was non-existent.

The Experience at Roti Roll

Roti Roll is a literal hole in the wall. There are a few bar seats hugging the window, but 4 customers would feel like a crowd. The men and women in the kitchen greeted us with smiles and a few jokes. And the time from ordering to getting our food was 5 minutes. (Check out the menu HERE!)

Given the small space, we took our haul over to Morningside Park to dig in.

Aloo Masala Roll, $5.50

Aloo masala translates to “potatoes with spice”, and it’s an Indian potato curry dish that consists of mashed potatoes that are mixed with all types of spices and herbs. Chili, turmeric, coriander, masala powder, and garlic are usually key players, but each chef can offer their own spin on the dish. It’s usually served as a side dish, with dosa, or in a wrap, such as the aloo masala roll from Roti Roll.

The texture had an incredible smooth and thick mouthfeel. And the flavor had freshness from the coriander, tomatoes, and peas, richness from the potatoes, and slow, heart-warming hug of heat that hits you at the end.

Chicken Malai Roll, $8.00

Chicken malai is a rich curry that’s made with cream and spices. I’ve never had chicken malai curry, so I’m no authority on how it’s suppose to taste. But I will say it was quite tasty. The mixture in the roti roll was loaded with juicy chicken, and it had tons of spices without tasting spicy. There were notes of ginger and garlic, and it had a thick richness that was indulgent and filling.

Samosa Chaat, $6

“Chaat” is an umbrella term for snack-like Indian street food. There are dozens of types of chaat ranging from vada pav to bhel purri (get a neat list HERE). I’m no chaat aficionado, but I’m yet to have a samosa chaat I didn’t like. It’s made of chopped up samosas topped with chana masala and various chutneys.

The samosa chaat from Roti Roll did not disappoint. There were layers of salt, heat, sweet, and sour along with a satisfying blend of crunchy and smooth textures.

But did we really feel full given the amount of food for the $20 budget?

Yes!

The value for money at Roti Roll is exceptional, making it the perfect place for being a cheap date. Watch our full review below! And hey…. might as well subscribe while you’re at it….