Dollar Grub: Brighton Beach

Blintzes, beer and a hop on the Cyclone: Our cheaphound keeps it all down

Seaweed, salted fish, pickled white tomatoes and cabbage-wrapped curiosities abound. However, my hungry, cheap heart craves the fungi, priced at $3.99 a pound. I measure out a quarter-pound and pay a sullen brunette.

“What mushrooms are these?” I ask. “Mushrooms,” she replies, handing me my penny change.