I've lived in Brooklyn for 5 years — and these are my favorite places to eat

I've lived — and eaten — in Brooklyn for the past five years. Five years in one borough has been just enough time to pinpoint my go-tos and, unfortunately, see some of my favorite restaurants shutter. By this point, I've had plenty of time to return, try new menu items, and see if they continually impress.

Ahead are the restaurants that I've gone to on multiple occasions — for after-work drinks, birthday dinners, and brunches — and they've never let me down. While all of my favorites are located in northern Brooklyn, it's no disrespect for the rest of the borough, which I'm now beginning to explore as part of phase two in my Brooklyn explorations.

My top picks are all also within a relatively low price range — the highest is a pizza for $25. I suggest you split that with good friends.

Best burger: Blue Collar in Williamsburg

It's at Blue Collar where I first fell in love with peanut butter milkshakes. One of those, along with a cheeseburger, make for a perfect late-night snack after going out in Williamsburg. You won't find any frills at this place — it's just a simple burger and hot dog joint. Prices range from $3.25 to $7.25.

Best pizza: Speedy Romeo's in Bed-Stuy

Speedy Romeo's pizzas are prepped in a wood-fired Italian pizza oven and have the perfect crust consistency. Their signature pizza, The Speedy Romeo, is made of grilled dough, green tomatoes, house-made ricotta, basil, and lemon.

If you're a fan of s'mores, their "chocolate cake" dessert — made almost entirely of a massive, fire-branded marshmallow — is to die for. Prices range between $6 and $78.

Best pasta: Eva Jean's in Bed-Stuy

Eva Jean's interior doesn't feel like it should be in Brooklyn — its colorful decor, plants, and fireplace ring more West Coast to me, but Brooklynites seem to love it.

Since the menu changes seasonally at this farm-to-table restaurant, I've tried multiple dishes, including the chicken breast with rutabaga purée and Swiss chard, but I will never forget the cacio e pepe pasta dish I had there twice in 2015. Prices change seasonally.

Best sushi: Samurai Mama in Williamsburg

There's something about the tartness and consistency of the rice in Samurai Mama's sushi rolls that keep me coming back. My favorite rolls include the AB Crunchy, which consists of boiled shrimp, cucumber, tempura flake, and spicy mayo, and the Una Avo, made with BBQ eel and avocado. They also serve ramen and udon.

Their lunch special, which includes soup, salad, and a choice of two sushi rolls for $13, makes this a great alternative to the more traditional brunch. Otherwise, prices range $6 to $16.

Best Southern comfort food: Jimmy's Diner in Williamsburg

Jimmy's Diner is my longest-standing restaurant love in Williamsburg. I've gone here for brunch (generally, there's a wait), lunch, and dinner. Their simple, greasy-spoon diner-style menu includes house-made tater tots, chicken and waffles, and latkes served with apple sauce and sour cream. Breakfast is served all day.

My personal favorite dish is the pulled pork hash, which is topped with a fried egg. If you want pie with your coffee, get a slice of their key lime. Prices range from $6 to $15.

Best California-style Mexican: Calexico in Greenpoint

I've lost count of how many birthday dinners I've attended here. It's a solid place to go with a group and get frozen margaritas. My go-to is the chipotle pork quesadilla with extra "crack" sauce on the side, and a strawberry frozen margarita. The steak fajitas are also delicious. Prices range between $6 to $17, and the service here is outstanding. The runner-up for this category is Lucha Lucha in Bed-Stuy. It's great for take-out.

Best Thai: National in Fort Greene

While pad thai is my usual go-to when ordering take-out, National is a delightful place to sit and eat with a friend. Their Thai iced tea is a sweet, creamy kick of caffeine, and their curry dishes are perfect to take as leftovers for lunch. Other favorites include their pad see ew and, of course, the pad thai. Prices range between $4.95 to $14.95.