Café 52

This neighborhood fixture pairs its budget-friendly prices with a menu that ranges far beyond standard cafe fare. You can order anything from a Hawaiian burger with fried jalapeños to chicken soup, an Asian pear and blue cheese salad, or eggs with chorizo, rice, and beans. The interior is bright but admittedly dated, and its location right next to the elevated 7 train tracks means you will hear the rumbling transit overhead. Still, the draw here is the combination of straightforward cooking and welcoming service that makes it a local default.