The lower east side may be the breeding ground of hipsters, but that wasn’t always the case. If you want to get to know the old Jewish side of the neighborhood, I recommend eating your way through.

You can start at Streit’s for matzo. Not only do they make it on the premises, but they’ll let you try it for free (nice and hot!). A whole box is only $1.50

Next move on to Shapiro’s Kosher Wines. The sign can still be seen from Essex (on Rivington) but the store isn’t there anymore (it’s now Sugar Sweet Sunshine, also worth a stop).

But if you go into the Essex market (between Stanton and Rivington) Mr. Shapiro is still there and will not only give you as many free samples as you want, but is willing to talk with you all day about his grandfather’s business. A bottle of wine is only $5.00.

The Pickle guys at 49 Essex St don’t give out free samples, but at $.50 each, you can afford to try all the different kinds (sweet, sour, hot, etc)

Kossar’s Bialys (at 367 Grand St) is not fancy, but they’re some of the best, and only, Bialys in the neighborhood. If you’ve never had one, it’s like a bagel but with no hole. And they are only $.60

The most famous Knishes in New York are at The Original Yonah Schimmel Knishery on Houston at Forsyth. What’s a knish? Basically it’s mashed potatos wrapped in a yummy dough.

It’s good to know the history of the area. It’s also good to be completely stuffed on $5 (not counting the wine).