Before I commence reviewing Los Angeles restaurants I wanted to serve up some delish NYC cheap eats.

It’s my parting gift.

And, here we go.

Pam Real Thai has been around since 2001. Bangkok-born chef and co-owner, Pam Panyasiri, is far too busy cooking to fuss over furnishings or decor which is non-existent.

The restaurant is also geographically desirable if you are theater bound or in midtown Manhattan.

Most of Pam’s dishes originate in Bangkok and are less spicy than typical Thai cuisine.

Finding ourselves in the ‘hood at lunchtime, Courtny and I made a beeline for Pam.

We started with a truly fabulous squid salad. The squid was tender and flavorful and the scallions and onions, tossed with lime dressing, enhanced the dish ($6.50).

We also shared Pad See Ew, a shrimp flat noodle dish, consisting of Chinese broccoli, tender, sweet shrimp and flat rice noodles with a tantalizing sweet soy sauce ($7.50).

The Massamun Curry simmered in a yellow curry with potatoes, onions, peanuts, cinnamon and cumin is another favorite ($8).

The total for two with jasmine tea was $17.00.

Disappointing, but reasonably priced was the extensively hyped Fuku+ in the Chambers Hotel on 56th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. There is also a Fuku in the east village.

The space, inside the Chambers Hotel, is at street level behind the Milk Bar stand where you can order takeout and purchase cookies and ice cream.

Fuku+ overlooks Má Pêche below.

The little restaurant has some unexpected extras like waiter service and a rockin’ playlist to ramp up the energy of the crowd at the counter and high-top tables.

My friend Paula and I dined in the cute restaurant which used to be the bar for David Chang’s Ma Peche.

Due to the hype regarding the supposedly unbelievable, much ballyhooed fried chicken sandwich or Minime, we felt compelled to order it ($6).

I thought the fried chicken was uninspired and tasteless, the egg bun soggy.

Paula loved it. She admitted to being a big fan of fried chicken.

I didn’t even finish my sandwich.

The wedge salad looked like it came from a high school cafeteria. The bacon and dressing were lackluster…yuck ($11).

Paula ordered the mixed greens which were dreadful ($11).

Our talkative table neighbor ordered the Mission Chinese Fuku Fingers or in simple terms, very spicy chicken nuggets ($16).

They invoked copious sweating from the Pakistani gentleman. His face was beet red and he was breathing heavily.

The couple next to us ordered the cereal milk soft serve ice cream and thought it a huge disappointment (4 oz. size for $5).

We also ordered the compost cookie which arrived wrapped in plastic…lousy ($2.25).

Can someone explain all the buzz about Fuku+?! Is it just because David Change is a successful celebrity chef?

Fuku+ has a full bar, wine, beer and cocktails. The environment is pleasant. Have a drink and an order of fries ($3).

Another savory, inexpensive spot is Real Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen at 49th Street and 8th Avenue.

It is small, family run, unassuming and delicious. No atmosphere, but there is always awkward charm built into dumpy, but clean, genuine Chinese restaurants.

The rich tasting soup steamed dumplings were seriously as good as Anita Lo’s Annisa Restaurant for only $9.95. They were juicy and filled with crabmeat and pork (6 for $9.95).

The squid ramen dish with Bok Choy was amazing ($12.95).

The steamed vegetable dumplings were good not great, a bit bland, but a lovely green color (6 for $7.95).

We also ordered a breakfast fav, egg and chive in a fried bun. It wasn’t my favorite, but still tasty (2 for $4.99).

The total with tip and tax was $44.00 and there was food left over.

Pam Real Thai and Real Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen are authentic and delicious.

My advise, skip Fuku. It Fuking sucks.

Pam Real Thai 404 West 49th Street. Open 7 days a week 11a.m.-10:30pm. No reservations.

Fuku+ 15 West 56th Street (Between 5th & 6th Avenue) 1st Floor of Chambers Hotel New York City. Lunch daily 11:30-3:00pm, Dinner served Sunday-Tuesday 5-10pm, Wednesday-Saturday 5-11pm.

Real Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen. New York City. 811 8th Avenue (8th Avenue and West 49th Street). Cash only. No reservations. Open daily 10:30am-9:45pm. Free delivery with $15 minimum.