Cheap Eats In Chicago: Delicious Yet Affordable

Ghareeb Nawaz is a restaurant known for authentic Pakistani and Indian cuisine. With multiple locations, including West Rogers Park, Lincoln Park, and UIC, it offers flavorful dishes at budget-friendly prices.

The restaurant is popular for its generous portions, making it a go-to choice for takeout and delivery, and vegetarian options are also on the menu. Customers appreciate the delicious food and commendable service, with recommendations like the Paratha chicken.

Address: 2032 W Devon Ave

St. Bess Jerk, a Jamaican restaurant in Chicago, is renowned for its authentic cuisine, especially jerk chicken. Chef Ricardo Blake uses a marinade featuring allspice and Scotch Bonnet peppers. The chicken is charcoal-cooked for a distinctive smoky flavor.

Alongside jerk chicken, the restaurant offers sides like rice and beans, cabbage, mac and cheese, candied yams, and corn. This place has received positive reviews for its flavorful Jamaican dishes and top-notch jerk chicken.

Address: 5729 N Northwest Hwy

Lawrence Fish Market is a budget-friendly seafood restaurant in Chicago, known for its fresh seafood and affordable dishes with a lower price. The menu offers a variety of seafood options, including fish, shrimp, and calamari, along with sides like fries and hush puppies.

The restaurant has earned positive reviews for its quality seafood and reasonable prices. This place is perfect for those looking to have a sushi feast without breaking their bank account.

Address: 3920 W Lawrence Ave

Mr. D's Shish-Kabobs is a popular restaurant, serving the Montclair community since the late '60s. Owners Mike and Ann Antonopoulos are dedicated to providing quality food and service. The restaurant is known for delicious hot dogs, recognized in the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame, and its specialty marinated and grilled shish-kabobs.

Conveniently situated in the Montclare neighborhood, this place is a must-visit for those seeking a tasty and budget-friendly meal in Chicago restaurants.

Address: 6656 W Diversey Ave

Carnitas Uruapan, a renowned Mexican restaurant in Chicago, is known for its authentic and flavorful pork carnitas. Founded by Inocencio Carbajal, who learned the art in Uruapan, Michoacan, the restaurant has been serving them since 1975.

The slow-cooked pork chunks result in a golden hue and a rich essence. With a focus on pork and a commitment to authenticity, this cheap eats in Chicago is a favorite among locals and visitors.

Address: 1725 W 18th St

Red Hot Ranch is a popular restaurant known for its delicious food and friendly atmosphere. The menu includes double cheeseburgers, fries, shrimp, and the unique depression dog—a twist on the traditional Chicago-style hot dog.

With multiple locations, the restaurant provides a casual and welcoming ambiance, making it a favorite among locals and visitors. For a tasty and affordable meal, visiting this restaurant is one of the best things to do in Chicago.

Address: 2449 W Armitage Ave

Big Star is a popular Mexican restaurant, known for its affordable and delicious food. The menu offers a variety of Mexican dishes, including tacos, quesadillas, and nachos, with vegetarian options and sides like elotes, rice and beans, and vegetables en escabeche.

With a lively ambiance, the eatery is a bourbon and beer-focused, taco-slinging, honky-tonk hangout. The restaurant is often praised for the quality of the food and the atmosphere by the customers.

Address: 1531 N Damen Ave

Pittsfield Cafe is a well-regarded cheap eats destination in downtown Chicago, known for its American cuisine and affordable prices. Specializing in breakfast, the cafe is described as a "fantastic greasy spoon American breakfast." 

The menu offers a variety of American breakfast and lunch options, and reviews mention the availability of beer and wine. The cafe has a classic, no-frills diner atmosphere, referred to as a "little hidden gem in downtown Chicago." It's a popular choice for a casual and budget-friendly meal.

Address: 55 E Washington St Ste 183 Lobby

Sfera Sicilian Street Food specializes in Sicilian street food, presenting a diverse menu that captures its rich flavors and traditions. Conveniently situated in the heart of Chicago, this place is easily accessible for locals and tourists.

Additionally, they offer home delivery services, allowing customers to savor their favorite dishes from the comfort of their homes. Overall, the eatery provides a highly-rated and affordable dining experience, promising a unique and delicious culinary adventure.

Address: 5759 N Broadway

Al's #1 Italian Beef is a popular and affordable choice celebrated for its delectable Italian beef sandwiches and classic American fare. With multiple locations across the city, the restaurant caters to diverse neighborhoods, offering budget-friendly options.

The restaurant provides a casual and inviting ambiance, complemented by friendly staff and a devoted customer base. The eatery is renowned for the quality of its Italian beef sandwiches and its commitment to affordable prices, making it an excellent choice for a satisfying and budget-friendly dining experience.

Address: 1079 W Taylor St

Seoul Taco is a popular and affordable dining choice, known for its Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine. Specializing in a unique blend of Korean and Mexican flavors, their menu includes Korean-Mexican tacos and burritos.

With various budget-friendly options, this Chicago restaurant on the river ensures a satisfying meal without straining your wallet. The ambiance is casual and welcoming, with a relaxed setting for customers to enjoy their meals.

Address: 738 N Clark St

Jibaritos Y Mas is a popular and affordable dining spot with the best food the city offers. Known for its delicious Puerto Rican cuisine, the eatery specializes in traditional dishes like jibaritos and empanadas and a variety of options.

With a casual and welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, and positive reviews on platforms like Tripadvisor and Yelp, this place is great for a satisfying and budget-friendly dining experience, especially for those trying Puerto Rican cuisine.

Address: 3400 W Fullerton Ave

Podhalanka is a cozy and authentic Polish restaurant known for its delicious and affordable Polish cuisine, including pierogi, kielbasa, and golabki. Customers often praise the authenticity of the food, which is freshly prepared and delicious.

The restaurant provides a casual and welcoming atmosphere, allowing customers to enjoy their authentic Polish meals in a relaxed setting.

Address: 1549 W Division St

Epic Burger is a well-regarded burger joint, with two locations in the city. The restaurant is known for its high-quality hamburgers and chicken sandwiches, having a solid reputation among locals and visitors.

The menu offers a variety of options for both meat-eaters and vegetarians, and the restaurant provides dine-in, carry-out, and delivery services. Overall, this place is great for delicious, high-quality, and good eats Chicago has to offer at an affordable price.

Address: 517 S State St

Chi Cafe is a popular and affordable Chinese restaurant in the heart of Chinatown Square, known as a reliable late-night spot for Chinese fare. It consistently ranks among the best late-night food restaurants in Chicago's Chinatown.

It features a diverse menu with Chinese and Asian dishes for lunch, dinner, breakfast, brunch, and late-night dining. Customers enjoy fish fillet and vegetables with vermicelli noodles soup and fish cake and vegetables on fried rice noodles.

Address: 2160 S Archer Ave

La Chaparrita is a well-regarded cheap eats destination known for its authentic and affordable Mexican cuisine. It is a popular spot for those seeking delicious and budget-friendly best eats in Chicago.

The place is known for its flavorful and traditional Mexican dishes, including carne asada, smoky chorizo, and crunchy beef intestine tacos. The restaurant's commitment to providing high-quality meals at affordable prices has made it a cherished and well-regarded dining destination.

Address: 4138, 2500 S Whipple St