3 Bed-Stuy Spots Make Michelin Guide As Best Cheap Eats In NYC

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — The same reviewers that dole out the highly-coveted Michelin stars have given two new Bed-Stuy restaurants the distinction as one of the best spots for cheap eats in New York City.

Franklin Avenue's For All Things bakery and Broadway Thai spot Mao Mao are among 30 newcomers to the Bib Gourmand awards, or those where Michelin inspectors can order a full meal for under $40. The New York additions include the Big Apple and Westchester.

In all, 131 dining options made the 2021 list, the first Michelin has released since before the coronavirus crisis.

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The 2021 selection also includes Speedy Romeo in Bed-Stuy, which has also made the list in previous years.

The renowned anonymous inspectors will release their more well-known starred selections on Thursday.

Here's a look at what the inspectors had to say about the Bed-Stuy winners:

For All Things

Say good morning (or good afternoon) to the café of your dreams, for this tiny corner spot isn’t just another stop for an iced latte or a shot of double espresso. With a kitchen so small one could perhaps cook and wash dishes at the same time, and yet, these owners have high ambitions. That much is clear as soon as you enter and smell the sizzling tortillas.

Corn here takes on several incarnations. Triangle-shaped tetelas are stuffed with black beans and wrapped in hoja santa leaves; while tlayuditas are toppled with hen of the wood mushrooms and salsa macha. A taco special might uncover avocado, salsa verde, and a runny egg. Items are an ode to the heirloom corn sourced from various villages in Mexico, and every one of them is worth waking up for.

Speedy Romeo

Named for a racehorse and just as focused and quick, Speedy Romeo is in for a successful run. Part tavern, part roadside grill, its kitschy décor and modern touches transform this former automotive shop into a surprisingly attractive spot.

The owner benefited from years at Jean-Georges’ empire, and that intelligence and experience is conveyed through the smart accents and whimsical menu that begins with Italian ingredients. Look to the wood-burning oven for smoky, meaty artichoke halves topped with lemon aïoli, sourdough crumbs, mint and peppery arugula. Take a chance on the non-traditional but utterly fantastic pizza combinations, such as the St. Louis, layering a proper crust with meats, pickled chillies and Midwestern Provel cheese.

Mao Mao

With corrugated metal walls, movie posters, and no solid tables to speak of, this bi-level gem looks nothing like a restaurant. In fact, lecture-hall seats, garden lights, and action flicks projected onto a wall create a kitschy feel. But in the end, there is no denying the quality of its cuisine. Think real-deal Thai, with heat that verges on ferocious and flavoring that never ends. Fried chicken laab arrives with herbs; while tilapia is dressed with an electrifying mix of lime, chili, and garlic. Northern-style beef is cooked in a warming broth with tripe, liver, and Sichuan peppercorn.

The music is loud at first, but eventually you'll find yourself eating along to the beats, wondering how much more heat you can handle, and plotting your return for more.

Check out the full list here.