In Greenwich Village, a buffet is not the only way to keep a meal affordable: counter service lets you choose a slice or sandwich, while a noodle bowl makes a fuller meal. On MacDougal Street, Mamoun’s Falafel serves Levantine food into the early hours; a few doors away, Saigon Shack focuses on phở and bánh mì; and Joe’s Pizza on Carmine Street keeps up the New York ritual of eating a slice on the go. We did not find a permanent low-cost buffet among these choices; the useful comparison here is between individual dishes and a sit-down meal.
Mamoun’s opened its original Village shop in 1971 and built a menu that ranges from falafel and hummus to shawarma and chicken in pita. Diners often praise the flavour, sauces and late hours, although some note variation in service. Saigon Shack, by contrast, invites you to sit down to steaming soup with fresh herbs or choose a sandwich: its official menu lists bánh mì from $10.95 and classic phở at $15.95. Guests often praise the broth and portions; at lunchtime, they warn, a wait is possible. Compare drinks and extras before choosing, because the lowest starting price does not always produce the smallest bill.
Joe’s Pizza has occupied its original address since 1975 and centres the experience on thin-crust pizza with tomato sauce and cheese, served by the slice or as a whole pie. Comments often praise its simple flavour and speed when the line moves, but its popularity can mean a wait and seating is limited. If you are moderately hungry, one slice may be enough; for a group, sharing a whole pie can simplify the stop, although you should check what is available when you arrive. None of these three places offers buffet-style abundance: each solves the meal in a different way, with its own identity and quick format.
The addresses fit easily into a walk: Mamoun’s and Saigon Shack are at 119 and 114 MacDougal Street near Washington Square Park; Joe’s is at 7 Carmine Street, a few minutes away on foot. Mamoun’s stays open late on several nights, while Saigon Shack closes between 9 and 9:30 p.m.; Joe’s opens at 10 a.m. and serves into the early morning, with closing times that vary. Check that day’s hours and menu before setting out. To spend less, order only what you need, use complimentary water if the restaurant offers it, and remember that the price of a dish is not the final total after tax and tip.
Check current details and choose according to your budget, time and way of travelling.
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On MacDougal Street, Mamoun’s serves one of the quick meals woven into everyday Village life since 1971. The original shop built its name around falafel, while the menu also pairs shawarma, chicken, hummus, baba ganoush and salads in pita sandwiches or plates. The rhythm is counter-service: order, w
Falafel, shawarma, hummus and Levantine-inspired sandwiches; original location open since 1971
Saigon Shack brings the aromas of phở to the stretch of MacDougal Street linking Washington Square with the university blocks. The restaurant describes itself as a casual Vietnamese kitchen focused on noodle soup, bánh mì and rice or vermicelli plates. The menu can suit either a quick stop or a full
Phở, bánh mì, rice plates and Vietnamese noodles near NYU
At 7 Carmine Street, Joe’s Pizza offers a scene that has repeated since 1975: a display of fresh slices, brief orders and people eating before continuing along Bleecker Street. The company identifies this branch as its original Greenwich Village location. The menu centres on classic New York pizza,
Original Joe’s Pizza location, open since 1975 and known for classic New York slices
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Mamoun’s Falafel ↗
Primary source
Mamoun’s Falafel, sitio oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Mamoun’s Falafel ↗
Primary source
Mamoun’s Falafel, página oficial de Greenwich Village · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Mamoun’s Falafel ↗
Primary source
Mamoun’s Falafel, menú oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Saigon Shack ↗
Primary source
Saigon Shack, sitio oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Saigon Shack ↗
Primary source
Saigon Shack, contacto oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Joe’s Pizza – Carmine Street ↗
Primary source
Joe’s Pizza, sitio oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Horario publicado del local ↗
Primary source
Wanderlog, información de horario · Accessed October 2, 2026
El directorio consultado registra apertura diaria a las 10:00 y cierre entre las 3:00 y 4:00, según el día. La página oficial confirma la dirección y su condición de local original, pero no publica horarios. Consultado el 2/10/2026.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
NYC Tourism + Conventions · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
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Saigon Shack · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
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Mamoun’s Falafel · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Joe’s Pizza · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Valoración y comentarios ↗
Secondary source
Restaurant Guru · Accessed October 2, 2026
Se muestra 4.5/5 y 3,382 reseñas atribuidas a Google. Comentarios recientes elogian falafel, shawarma, salsas y rapidez, aunque no todos coinciden sobre consistencia. Consultado el 2/10/2026.
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Valoración y síntesis de reseñas ↗
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Wanderlog, datos de Google y Tripadvisor · Accessed October 2, 2026
La página muestra 4.4/5 en 3,003 reseñas de Google y 4.5/5 en Tripadvisor. Visitantes valoran el phở, los rollos, las porciones y la atención; algunos prevén esperas en horas punta. Consultado el 2/10/2026.
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Valoración y experiencias de clientes ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog, datos de Google y Tripadvisor · Accessed October 2, 2026
La página muestra 4.4/5 en 10,582 reseñas de Google y 4.4/5 en Tripadvisor. Los comentarios suelen destacar la porción clásica, masa fina, salsa y rapidez; algunos visitantes mencionan filas en horas punta. Consultado el 2/10/2026.