Cheap Eats in Chicago
While dining at a top-rated restaurant in Chicago is always fun, still, some cheap eats in Chicago offer quality meals without having to break your bank. Experiencing Chicago’s dining scene doesn’t mean visiting four-dollar-sign or Michelin-star hotels. You can discern a lot from Chicago city through its cheap eats, which are the neighborhood’s backbone. Here are places worth visiting when you want to save on food and experience the different food cultures of Chicago.
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Ghareeb Nawaz
2032 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States.
(773) 761-5300
Located along Devon Avenue, Ghareeb Nawaz is a family-run Indian restaurant offering quality, cheap food. You will save on food and still leave full. Most dishes at Ghareeb Nawaz range around $5. Enjoy curries, parathas, biryanis, and a host of vegetarian dishes for as little as $5. The restaurant offers a range of combination entrees for customers who want to try out different dishes in smaller portions. Other accompaniments include four types of veggie curry, rice, onion, and raita.
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J.P. Graziano Grocery
901 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
(312) 666-4587
Do you want to line your stomach with a sandwich? Make your way to J.P. Graziano sub station. The hotel also stocks sliced meats and canned tomatoes in case you want to take some with you. How about trying Mr. G or the Spicy? Accompaniments include truffle mustard, fresh basil, prosciutto di parma, and soppressata. Sandwiches at this joint are quite filling and don’t cost more than $12. So, you might decide to walk away with an extra sandwich for your friend.
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Portillo’s
100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
(312) 587-8910
Portillo’s is one of the most popular cheap-eats staples in Chicago. The most common delicacy here is the beloved Chicago-style hotdogs, which cost no more than $4. They come piled up with tomatoes, sport peppers, chopped onions, celery salt, a kosher pickle, and relish. Other fast-food dishes are wallet-friendly and come peppered with the Italian been sandwich, chocolate cake shake, crinkle-cut fries, or a char-boiled chicken sandwich. How about blitzing the sandwich with a slice of chocolate cake or ice cream?
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Honey 1 BBQ
746 E 43rd St, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
(773) 285-9455
The partners behind Honey 1 BBQ recently moved the establishment to Bronzeville from the Northwest Side. Funny enough, smoked meat lovers still drive to Arkansas, Chicago to enjoy unique dishes at Honey 1 BBQ. Most people prefer the spicy hot links, with three links costing around $9.25. You may also opt for rib tips, where three large serves cost only $13. Enjoy smoky meat slipped onto either French fries, doughy white bread slabs, or paper trays.
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Lawrence Fish Market
3920 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, United States
(773) 267-6838
It is a veritable sushi destination located up north in Albany Park. The restaurant accepts cash only, and it offers counter service. Sushi is served in Styrofoam boxes and can be served with invariably fresh fish sheaths. It feels warm, and most sashimi costs less than a dollar. However, classics such as avocado rolls and salmon can cost up to $3.45. Some menus feature a handful of rolls and don’t cost beyond $8. Please take a seat around one of the tables and enjoy your meal or grab sashimi and enjoy it on the move.
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Sultan’s Market
2057 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
(773) 235-3072
Sultan’s Market was originally established to serve hotdogs and sandwiches to Americans. However, over time, the owner decided to change the menu by introducing house-made hummus. The establishment has become a haven for flaky baked pies, baba ganoush, silky hummus, and spices. A host of sandwiches filled with chicken shawarma and crispy falafel are available at the store. A meal at Sultan’s Market won’t break the bank, given that most dishes cost between $3 and $10.
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Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
(312) 837-3859
Au Cheval is Chicago’s most popular burger center. However, you can still head over to Small Cheval, a sister restaurant offering a smaller burger version at a cheaper price. Small Cheval offers a stripped-down menu that features just the necessities. Each burger comes topped with dijonnaise, pickles, or crispy bacon, but at an added cost.
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