Not exactly thrifty...

but Cafe Habana in SoHo has some pretty delicious food.
The corn appetizer was awesome because it was dipped in butter, then parmesan cheese. I would suggest getting it without pepper for those, like myself, who can't handle spice. My steak salad was really yummy with great dressing, vegetables, and crunchy bits. My pal Henry had something wrapped in a tortilla that had goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes with beans and rice. I don't know what the name of it was, but it should be called YUM!