Best Cheap Eats in Chicago
Freddie's Pizza is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

1. Freddie's Pizza

8.3
701 W 31st St (at Union Ave.), Chicago, IL
Pizzeria · Bridgeport · 59 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: Their chocolate Italian ice and limencello gelato are really unbelievable. But really, they do everything well: lemon chicken, chicken marsala, fried pork tenderloin. Leggi tutto.

Taco El Jaliciense is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

2. Taco El Jaliciense

8.4
2859 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL
Ristorante messicano · East Garfield Park · 13 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This small, unassuming Humboldt Park taqueria makes the perfect grab-and-go meal: chorizo, scrambled eggs and a well-balanced salsa. Leggi tutto.

La Brasa Roja is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

3. La Brasa Roja

8.2
3125 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL
Ristorante sudamericano · Albany Park · 38 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This charming Colombian spot serves terrific meat at affordable prices. Charred just short of burnt, the chicken is tear-off-the-bone tender, and comes with an awesome chimichurri. Leggi tutto.

Sticky Rice is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

4. Sticky Rice

8.3
4018 N Western Ave (at W Irving Park Rd), Chicago, IL
Ristorante thai · Horner Park · 52 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: Made in the Northern Thai style, this addictive cold-weather stew comes brimming with tender chunks of braised pork shoulder, julienned ginger and a fistful of chopped cilantro. Leggi tutto.

Podhalanka is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

5. Podhalanka

8.7
1549 W Division St, Chicago, IL
Ristorante est‑europeo · Noble Square · 30 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: I love the pierogi at Podhalanka in Wicker Park. The place looks and feels like a VFW hall and the service can be spotty, but the pierogi are the closest thing to my grandma's in the city. Leggi tutto.

Del Seoul is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

6. Del Seoul

8.9
2568 N Clark St (at W Wrightwood Ave), Chicago, IL
Ristorante coreano · Park West · 162 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This is another terrific mash-up of Korean and Latin American street food: savory and fresh, with a myriad of textures and flavors. It’s affordable to boot. Leggi tutto.

Santouka is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

7. Santouka

7.9
100 E Algonquin Rd (at Mitsuwa Marketplace), Arlington Heights, IL
Ristorante di noodle · 33 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This is an awesome dish on a cold day. Santouka, located inside Mitsuwa Marketplace, is in the Chicago suburbs of Arlington Heights, but it's worth the drive! Leggi tutto.

Edzo's Burger Shop is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

8. Edzo's Burger Shop

7.7
1571 Sherman Ave (btwn Davis St & Grove St), Evanston, IL
Locale per hamburger · 95 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: The cheeseburger at Edzo's is simple, easy, and delicious. They serve crispy, thin patties using meat from local farmers Leggi tutto.

Crisp is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

9. Crisp

8.6
2940 N Broadway St (btwn W Oakdale Ave & W Wellington Ave), Chicago, IL
Locale con specialità pollo fritto · Lake View East · 174 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: The barbecue wings at Crisp are super crispy and juicy. They coat the wings in Korean fermented chili paste. Leggi tutto.

Sultan's Market is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

10. Sultan's Market

8.5
2057 W North Ave (at N Hoyne Ave), Chicago, IL
Ristorante con specialità Falafel · Wicker Park · 76 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: Their food is very fresh and they offer a lot of vegetables and variations for your sandwich. I get it spicy with tomato, tabuli, Jerusalem salad, tahini, hummus, and sambal. Leggi tutto.

Fontano's Subs is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

11. Fontano's Subs

8.9
1058 W Polk St, Chicago, IL
Paninoteca · University Village - Little Italy · 17 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: I'm a little old-school on this one, but I love the Blockbuster with hot and sweet peppers and well-made deli meat. Add a Royal Crown Cola to wash it down. It’s a family business through and through. Leggi tutto.

Murphy's Red Hots is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

12. Murphy's Red Hots

1211 W Belmont Ave (btwn Racine & Lakewood), Chicago, IL
Locale da Hot Dog · Lakeview · 32 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: They snap! Natural casings! Bill is the best. This is a true Chicago staple. Leggi tutto.

Pita Inn is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

13. Pita Inn

8.9
122 S Elmhurst Rd (at Jenkins Ct), Wheeling, IL
Ristorante con cucina mediterranea · 39 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: The meat is tender, juicy, and perfectly spiced. The warm homemade pita is a great complement to the creamy hummus, too! I like to get mine with extra falafel. Leggi tutto.

Opart Thai House Restaurant is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

14. Opart Thai House Restaurant

4658 N Western Ave (at W Leland Ave), Chicago, IL
Ristorante thai · Ravenswood · 60 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This roast duck curry rocks. The salty richness is offset by sweet pineapple and a bracing heat from the Thai chili. A side of sticky rice is essential to soften the delicious impact. Leggi tutto.

Sun Wah BBQ is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

15. Sun Wah BBQ

8.8
5039 N Broadway St (at W Argyle St), Chicago, IL
Ristorante cinese · Uptown · 157 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: So simple and so unbelievably good. The meat is flavorful and juicy, the skin is crisp, and the rice is the perfect vehicle to soak up the delicious juices. Leggi tutto.

Tony's Burrito Mex is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

16. Tony's Burrito Mex

7.8
1957 W Belmont Ave (at N Damen Ave), Chicago, IL
Ristorante messicano · Roscoe Village · 28 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: Even with my background (fine dining, BBQ, and Southern cuisines), Mexican food has my heart. My favorite Mexican dish is this deep-fried burrito from Tony’s. Leggi tutto.

El Cubanito is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

17. El Cubanito

8.8
2555 N Pulaski Rd (at Wrightwood), Chicago, IL
Ristorante cubano · Logan Square · 17 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This is a classic Cuban sandwich with a crunch. Leggi tutto.

Tony's Italian Deli and Subs is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

18. Tony's Italian Deli and Subs

9.2
6708 N Northwest Hwy, Chicago, IL
Gastronomia · Edison Park · 26 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: Bari serves awesome old-school Italian subs, sourcing their bread from the bakery next door. The subs are giant and inexpensive. I love the Italian sub, but occasionally I just need the meatball. Leggi tutto.

Tank Noodle is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

19. Tank Noodle

8.0
4953 N Broadway St (at Argyle St), Chicago, IL
Ristorante vietnamita · Uptown · 150 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: A big bowl of Tank’s phở is delicious, but the catfish really gets my taste buds going. If I’m feeling really gluttonous, I’ll get the catfish and pork simmered in a clay pot. Leggi tutto.

Anmol Barbecue Restaurant is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

20. Anmol Barbecue Restaurant

7.4
2858 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL
Ristorante pakistano · West Ridge · 14 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This juicy roast chicken has lots of heat and is always perfectly seasoned. It is harbored safely in brick oven-baked garlic naan. It’s like finding a treasure. Leggi tutto.

21. Mr. Beef

8.5
3917 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL
Ristorante fast food · Dunning · 18 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: It's my favorite beef in the city. I get hot peppers and ask for it wet. They also have Filbert's sodas, so I get two of the grape flavor, which pairs nicely with the sandwich. Leggi tutto.

Dona Chio Huaraches is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

22. Dona Chio Huaraches

6.6
1547 W Elmdale Ave (btwn Ridge & Clark), Chicago, IL
Ristorante messicano · Edgewater · 12 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This little spot may be located right around the corner from the Gaztrowagon storefront, but it’s small-town Mexico dining at its finest. I eat it with the green salsa. Leggi tutto.

Palace Grill is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

23. Palace Grill

8.8
1408 W Madison St (at N Loomis St.), Chicago, IL
Tavola Calda · Near West Side · 40 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: At this old-school dinner in the heart of the West Loop, the patty melt literally melts in your mouth. Tip: Make sure you order a side of pickles. Leggi tutto.

Honey Butter Fried Chicken is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

24. Honey Butter Fried Chicken

8.8
3361 N Elston Ave (at W Roscoe St), Chicago, IL
Locale con specialità pollo fritto · Northwest Side · 143 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: Honey Butter Fried Chicken's sides are phenomenal. Their chicken is juicy and crispy, and the honey butter adds a surprising layer of sweetness. Leggi tutto.

Nhu Lan Bakery is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

25. Nhu Lan Bakery

9.0
2612 W Lawrence Ave (at N Rockwell St), Chicago, IL
Paninoteca · Ravenswood · 53 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This is the best bánh mì in Chicago. House-baked bread, pâté, ham, pork roll... delicious. Leggi tutto.

Superdawg Drive-In is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

26. Superdawg Drive-In

9.0
6363 N Milwaukee Ave (btwn Devon Ave & Highland Ave), Chicago, IL
Locale da Hot Dog · Norwood Park · 162 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: The quintessential example of a Chicago hot dog served at a Chicago classic. No. Ketchup. Ever. Leggi tutto.

The Doughnut Vault is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

27. The Doughnut Vault

8.6
401 1/2 N Franklin St (at W Kinzie St), Chicago, IL
Negozio di ciambelle · River North · 144 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: Huge and delicious, this doughnut melts in your mouth. Only a hot, fresh coffee will slake my thirst after that. Leggi tutto.

Rainbow Thai Cuisine is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

28. Rainbow Thai Cuisine

7.3
4825-B N Western Ave, Chicago, IL
Ristorante thai · Ravenswood · 13 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: Naem Khao Tod at Rainbow Thai is the most exciting thing I’ve eaten in a long time. You have to ask for it by name as it’s not on the menu. Leggi tutto.

L'Patron Tacos is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

29. L'Patron Tacos

8.8
3749 W Fullerton Ave (btwn California & Mozart), Chicago, IL
Ristorante di taco · Logan Square · 118 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This taco spot is run by a guy who used to work at Frontera Grill. They do a few tortas and burritos, but their tacos are super solid. The fish tacos are easily the best in town. Leggi tutto.

Al's Beef is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

30. Al's Beef

1300 W Milwaukee Ave (Milwaukee), Chicago, IL
Ristorante fast food · Wicker Park · 11 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: What I love about Al’s Italian Beef (and you have to get it wet) is that it’s a big soggy mess that requires a minimal amount of chewing. Leggi tutto.

Hecky's Barbecue is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

31. Hecky's Barbecue

7.5
1902 Green Bay Rd (at Emerson St.), Evanston, IL
Locale per barbecue · 15 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This was my favorite food while I was at Kendall College (and on days when I ditched class!). In my opinion, it's the best barbecue around Chicago. Leggi tutto.

Cafe Hoang is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

32. Cafe Hoang

7.5
1020 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL
Ristorante vietnamita · Uptown · 14 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: I think this is the best phở in the city. It's my go-to when I'm feeling under the weather or slightly hungover! Leggi tutto.

llllllllllll is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

33. llllllllllll

116 N Aberdeen St (Randolph), Chicago, IL
Furgone gastronomia · Northwest Side · 6 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: All the tacos are amazing but I can't get the chorizo, made in-house, outta my head. Leggi tutto.

Honey Butter Fried Chicken is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

34. Honey Butter Fried Chicken

8.8
3361 N Elston Ave (at W Roscoe St), Chicago, IL
Locale con specialità pollo fritto · Northwest Side · 143 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: With thousand island dressing and sauerkraut on a pumpernickel bun, this sandwich is so spot-on that you almost actually think that there's corned beef on it, instead of fried chicken. Leggi tutto.

Borinquen is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

35. Borinquen

3020 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL
Ristorante latino americano · Belmont Central · 11 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: This is a sloppy mess of a sandwich, but it’s so good. When you take fried plantains and sandwich them around pork and garlic mayo, what could be bad? Leggi tutto.

Ba Le is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

36. Ba Le

9.0
5014 N Broadway St (at W Argyle St), Chicago, IL
Ristorante vietnamita · Uptown · 86 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: I crave this flavor-packed lunch: crispy French bread, perfectly seasoned pork, daiko, cilantro, carrots, and serrano chilies. Leggi tutto.

Sun Wah BBQ is one of Best Cheap Eats in Chicago.

37. Sun Wah BBQ

8.8
5039 N Broadway St (at W Argyle St), Chicago, IL
Ristorante cinese · Uptown · 157 consigli e recensioni

Chefs FeedChefs Feed: It's been 15 years and it’s always the same: juicy duck with tender, wide, fresh noodles. Pair it with Chinese broccoli, oyster sauce, and barbecue pork, and you’ll eat like a king for $15. Leggi tutto.