Nachos really are the awesomest food and great to enjoy with friends, but you can run into two common problems: 1) A lot of nachos suck (and I mean bad), and 2) Even the bad ones can be pricey. With that in mind, I’ve gone through the archives of Nachos NY and culled some delicious nachos for $8 or less in Brooklyn. Cheese is, of course, a requirement. And each and every one has its own special ingredients making it worthy of the list. 
$8-and-under nachos worth the mess
Where to pour: BK’s best BYOB
Bring some wine. We have a big table.
As we’re pretty staunch proponents of imbibing on the cheap and, of course, we like good food, we’d be remiss not to highlight the perfect marriage of the two: BYOB restaurants. Here’s a guide to Brooklyn’s best, so you’ll no longer have to fork over an exorbitant sum for a carafe of “house red” that tastes suspiciously like Carlo Rossi. And even better: It seems that pesky corkage fee is a rare animal in these parts.
Chinese grocery deals and meals
Taiwan Cucumbers. Photos by Hannah Rosenblum.
Chinese supermarkets are chock-full of delicious, inexpensive stuff—that we know from many a past meal. Still, for the uninitiated, between the hustle and bustle (and often questionable English signage), the stores can seem like impenetrable fortresses. You know that fuzzy squash-looking thing is cheap, but… what to do with it? We decided to head to a couple of Sunset Park’s staple supermarkets and see what we could find, and how to use the stuff back at home. We compared the prices with those at a couple cheap non-Chinese spots (our local C-Town and Key Food). Here’s what we found:
Sunday, taste the spirits of Brooklyn
Kings County whiskey
If you drink in Brooklyn, you may have heard: We’re about to get us some distilleries. This Sunday, Aug. 1, marks the grand opening of two of Brooklyn’s new crop of hard-liquor houses: Kings County Distillery in East Williamsburg and Breuckelen Distilling Co. in Sunset Park. And to show you what they’ve got, the new factories are offering free (and almost free) opening-day tastes of their Brooklyn spirits. Kings County Distillery (35 Meadow St.) is giving free quarter-ounce tastes of whiskey from noon to 4 p.m.; and Breuckelen (77 19th St.) is offering three quarter-ounce tastes for $3 from noon to 6 p.m., along with distillery tours. Our thanks to the skint for the tastings tip.
Swap your way to a well-stocked pantry
Photo by Jo Ann Santangelo
From clothing to skill-sets, our broke minds have always seen swapping as a way to get something we really need for… our less-than-marketable possessions. If homemade food’s involved, though, a swap can include some pretty sweet stuff all around. Brooklyn urban farmer Meg Paska and baking/canning enthusiast Kate Payne started trading their homemade edibles, and so was born BK Swappers and its bi-monthly gatherings of cooks, bakers and jam-canners, all stoked to snack-up and stock the pantries. And the next swap’s this Sunday, Aug. 1.
Bar of the Day: Strong Place
This is the latest in our series on the venues featured in the Brokelyn Beer Book. Strong Place, Cobble Hill’s late-bloomer of the Beer Book bunch, is open for business (as of July 26). Two dozen tap beers and one savory menu await.
STRONG PLACE
270 Court St. at Kane St., Cobble Hill
What it is: A gastro-pub featuring 24 tap beers, new American fare and a raw bar.
Why we love it: From the chef and owner of Bocca Lupo. If it’s any bit as tasty, atmospheric, and dependable, we’ll soon be hooked. Also, expect an amazing back yard (which should open in September).
Who to bring: Your future in-laws, foodie dates.
What to order: Crispy Duck Leg Confit, Grilled Lamb Burger with Feta, Fried Ipswich Clams Oysters.
Strong Place fun fact: For many years, the space was a bookstore called Shakespeare’s Sister.
Quick tip: Free beer with fish and chips
[UPDATE: Due to popularity, the deal has been extended throughout August!] Fried food and beer go together: we know it, your old man knows it, the Brits know it, and even the folks down there in Bay Ridge know it.
Reader Allie passed on this great tip about Longbow Pub & Pantry in Bay Ridge which is offering a summer special: every order of fish and chips comes with a pint of any of their 12 draft beers.
The deal lasts through the end of the month August and is good every day, all day long. It’s sort of like a reverse of the pizza-and-a-beer deals we’re all used to (which is no longer available at The Charleston, btw. Sad face).
Bar of the Day: Brooklyn Bowl
This is the latest is our series on the venues featured in the Brokelyn Beer Book. Brooklyn Bowl needs little introduction, but the Willliamsburg fixture turns one this week, so raise your glass in a happy birthday salute.
BROOKLYN BOWL
www.brooklynbowl.com
61 Wythe Ave. between N. 11th and N. 12th Sts., Williamsburg, 718-963-3369
Bar of the Day: The Charleston
Photo by Ultraclay!
This is the latest in our series on the venues featured in the Brokelyn Beer Book. The Charleston in Williamsburg is a Brokester’s dream: a pizza comes with every beer.
THE CHARLESTON
174 Bedford Ave. between N. 7th and N. 8th Sts., Williamsburg, 718-782-8717
What it is: About as rough and tumble as a bar with gorgeous handmade tables and black-shuttered windows overlooking Bedford Avenue can be.
Why we love it: It’s the cheap-o haven that doesn’t feel like a cheap-o haven. Drinks come with a whole personal pizza.
Who to bring: People watchers, those friends who love to try to eat until they puke, a friendly partner to facilitate sharing a table with strangers on a weekend night.
What to order: Beer and pizza. Period. Make sure there’s parmesan and red pepper at hand.
Charleston fun fact: It’s one of the longest-standing bars in Williamsburg.
Try artisanal everything at the UnFancy Food Show
Hibiscus soda from P&H Soda and Syrup Inc.
The Brooklyn Flea at One Hanson is off on Sunday (just this once), but don’t worry—your artisanal food-vendor fix will be just fine. Sunday, Jun. 27, The Bell House is hosting the fourth annual UnFancy Food Show, where more than 45 of the city’s best food purveyors get together to show and sell their stuff. The enormous (and air-conditioned) event will have live music, $2 12-oz. Brooklyn Lagers and Bloody Marys made with McClure’s Pickles famous Bloody Mary mix. Plus dozens of other goodies too.
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