Head one flight up from the street level at 88 Fulton St. and you’ll find Lower Manhattan’s newest and one of its best lunch deals. We have previously chronicled where you can eat and drink downtown for under $10, and Sam Ping’s Chinese BBQ presents yet another affordable lunch option. Its unassuming storefront (next door to Poulette Rotisserie) might be a little hard to find initially, but just look for the line of people. On a recent visit at lunchtime, over 20 enthusiastic diners were waiting in line, but everything moved quickly and efficiently.
Sam Ping’s feels more like the kind of counter service restaurant you could expect in Chinatown, and its prices are similar — think the immensely popular Wah Fung No. 1 Fast Food on Chrystie Street. The downtown newcomer specializes in Cantonese barbecue and is best known for its Char Sui, a sweet and delectable roasted pork dish served over rice. As of this writing, the restaurant was still offering a $5.99 Char Sui special for its grand opening, which has to qualify as one of the best deals anywhere in the city.
The restaurant’s menu is fairly simple: choose a meat (or two or three) and expect it to be served over a generous bed of perfectly cooked rice with a little greenery on the side. Meats available include roast duck, barbeque pork and roast chicken. One meat over rice will run you $8.99 and is enough for most people. Two meats over rice is $12.99 and nearly enters sharing territory. Sam Ping’s also offers pot stickers, pork buns and chicken wings.
Sam Ping’s is open 6 days a week (closed Sundays) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Be prepared to wait but trust us — it is worth it!
