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Long Island City / Hunters Point · Under $15 · 🚇 Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av

The 7 actually-healthy lunches under $15 in Long Island City

The Vernon Boulevard corridor has quietly become one of the best macro-friendly lunch strips in Queens — Mediterranean, kabab, ramen, and more, all DOHMH Grade A, all a short walk from Vernon Blvd–Jackson Av on the 7. Here's exactly what to order at each, ranked.

Map of 7 spots in Long Island City / Hunters Point
  1. 1

    Safir Mediterranean

    Turkish · 47-31 Vernon Boulevard · Grade A · 🚇 Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av (7)

    Turkish grill where the gyro salad does what a $22 sweetgreen bowl wishes it could.

    Order: Chicken over Salad (no white sauce) — ~$8est.

    ~340 cal · 36g protein

  2. 2

    Sami's Kabab House

    Middle Eastern · 47-38 Vernon Boulevard · Grade A · 🚇 Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av (7)

    Afghan kababs are one of the highest protein-per-dollar plays in the city.

    Order: Chicken over Salad (no white sauce) — ~$8est.

    ~340 cal · 36g protein

  3. 3

    Tamashii Blue Ramen

    Japanese · 47-36 Vernon Boulevard · Grade A · 🚇 Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av (7)

    Skip the tonkotsu; the grilled proteins and lighter bowls are the find.

    Order: Salmon Sashimi (8 pcs) — ~$14est.

    ~200 cal · 24g protein

  4. 4

    Madera

    Latin American · 47-29 Vernon Boulevard · Grade A · 🚇 Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av (7)

    Latin grill plates — rice-and-protein done right, DOHMH Grade A.

    Order: Breakfast Burrito (egg, beans, salsa) — ~$9est.

    ~420 cal · 22g protein

  5. 5

    Mercato LIC

    Italian · 47-46 Vernon Boulevard · Grade A · 🚇 Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av (7)

    Italian market lunch — the salads and grilled panini side of the menu.

    Order: Chicken Slice / Topping — ~$6est.

    ~350 cal · 22g protein

  6. 6

    Hibino LIC

    Japanese · 10-70 Jackson Avenue · Grade A · 🚇 Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av (7)

    Kyoto-style obanzai and sushi — lean fish, real portions.

    Order: Salmon Sashimi (8 pcs) — ~$14est.

    ~200 cal · 24g protein

  7. 7

    Blend on the Water

    Latin American · 45-40 Center Boulevard · Grade A · 🚇 Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av (7)

    Waterfront Latin spot; order from the grilled section and take the view.

    Order: Breakfast Burrito (egg, beans, salsa) — ~$9est.

    ~420 cal · 22g protein

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Orders marked “est.” use cuisine-typical estimates (±15%) until we verify the menu in person — ✓-badged spots are checked on foot, re-verified every 90 days. How PulseScore works. Updated 2026-06-10.