Fork it in, not over, at these terrific spots all over N.Y.

New York gets a rap for being expensive, but when it comes to food, the city's a cheapskate's paradise. There are hundreds of great, inexpensive restaurants offering every kind of cuisine — Asian, Mediterranean, soul food, Caribbean,  Latin, you name it.

A bunch of food-loving writers were sent out to all five boroughs to scout some of the best cheap-eats restaurants. They were looking for places that had a little character, something beyond the usual diner or coffee shop. Every place had to have tables (if not table service), and most of the entrees had to cost $10 or less.   Here's a selection of what they found.   Check them out if you are in New York.

• Gloria's In & Out II, 1148 Nostrand Ave. (718-493-2183). Reggae and dance-hall music plays inside the small green shop, which is decorated wall-to-wall with colorful newspaper clippings of Carnival festivities. Entrees of stewed chicken or beef, and many types of curry including chicken, beef, goat, shrimp and conch, are served with two sides (black-eyed peas, callaloo, pumpkin and more).

   

• Dital Shack, 989 Nostrand Ave. (718-756-6557). West Indian vegetarian food, such as rice and peas or vegetables and rice with four sides (callaloo, curry chickpeas, potatoes, vegetarian duck or tofu snow peas). Vegetable burgers and sandwiches cost only $1.50-$3 and patties filled with peas, soy and ackee (a fleshy, tangy Jamaican fruit) are all priced between $1.50-$2.50.

   

• Boucanier Restaurant, 1368 Flatbush Ave. (718-434-6270). The long line of Haitian regulars tells the story. Entrees of stewed chicken, fried chicken, goat, pork, mixed vegetables, meatballs and okra, served with rice and fried plantains, are spicy and savory.
• Cafe Habana, 17 Prince St. at Elizabeth St. (212-625-2001). Pan-Latin quesadillas and Cuban sandwiches on the coolest corner of Nolita.

Harlem

• Charles' Southern Style Kitchen, 2837 Frederick Douglass Blvd., between 151st and 152nd Sts. (212-926-4313). Comfort-food dishes (think smothered porkchops, short ribs or oxtails) come with two vegetables and corn bread, all $8.50 or less. If you're in the mood for all-you-can-eat buffet, Charles' offers one for $11.99.

   

• Miss Maude's Spoonbread Too, 547 Lenox Ave., between 137th and 138th Sts. (212-690-3100). Start your meal with a warm smile from your waiter and warm corn bread from the kitchen. Can't decide what comfort food to order? Try Miss Maude's Sampler (a smorgasbord of shrimp, ribs, chicken and vegetables).

West Village

• The Pink Tea Cup, 42 Grove St., between Bedford and Bleecker Sts. (212-807-6755). Have fried chicken with apple fritters, Yankee pot roast, barbecue beef or pork, or a ham omelet with grits anytime, day or night. Dinners come with two vegetables, soup, salad, hot bread, Jell-O or bread pudding at this pink- and brick-walled bastion of Southern hospitality.

Astoria * Long Island City

• El Sitio de Astoria, 35-55 31st St. (718-278-7694). Homey Cuban restaurant serves up hearty steaks, pressed sandwiches, picadillo and ropa vieja.

• Sam's Soul Food Restaurant and Bar, 596 Grand Concourse at 150th St. (718-665-5341). Serious soul food here, brothers and sisters — and Caribbean, too, mon. And don't forget takeout. Live jazz Wednesdays, R&B Fridays.

• Feeding Tree, 892 Gerard Ave., off E. 161st St. (718-293-5025). "Bonfire of the Vanities" meets West Indian cooking as this restaurant and takeout draws judges, lawyers and "customers" from the nearby Bronx County Courthouse, plus just about everybody else in the nabe, from breakfast to dinner.

• Willie's Steak House. 1832 Westchester Ave., near Taylor Ave. (718-822-9697). After you've looked at the autographed pictures of Jimmy Smits, Tito Puente, Dave Valentin, Gloria Estefan and Marc Anthony, sit down to some serious Puerto Rican cooking, or stretch the budget on a steak.