My favorite soft news writer at the New York Times, Jennifer 8. Lee went in search of non-McDonalds $1 menu items in New York City.
There is soul food place called Piece of Chicken that sells — amazingly — $1 pieces of fried chicken, thighs and drumsticks.
To summarize her findings, you can get pizza, fried chicken, dumplings, skewers, and hot dogs for $1.