Kristi M. has it right in describing the mom and pop Chinese(American) East Coast restaurants. You really have trouble finding that type of food at reasonable prices(without being served rubber food).
The lunch specials are great but the combination plates are an even better deal if you don't want Chinese lunch. For around $8 you get a soup, crab rangoon, egg roll, and a choice of rice along with your meal. The portion size isn't huge but if you can eat all that food and still be hungry maybe you should eat a little less.
Bravo NY Chinese! I'll be spending a lot of my days eating your delicious East Coast inspired Chinese food. Yummmmm