The food world has been inundated with rising food costs, and that’s spiked prices for many restaurants. Unfortunately, customers’ paychecks haven’t kept pace with the cost of inflation, and that means affordable restaurants are cherished more than ever.
Chicago’s Best Restaurants for Affordable Dining
Enjoy good eats on a budget
Pound for pound, Chicago’s restaurants excel in delivering high-quality meals at affordable prices. Cooks take great pride in giving customers value in Chicago. The city’s street food culture is a big part of that. Immigrant-owned restaurants often get pigeonholed into the cheap eats category, but they’re honestly showing up other restaurants that beef up the profit margins. Below, find some of Eater’s favorite affordable restaurants.
Chicago’s Best Restaurants for Affordable Dining
Enjoy good eats on a budget
The food world has been inundated with rising food costs, and that’s spiked prices for many restaurants. Unfortunately, customers’ paychecks haven’t kept pace with the cost of inflation, and that means affordable restaurants are cherished more than ever.
Pound for pound, Chicago’s restaurants excel in delivering high-quality meals at affordable prices. Cooks take great pride in giving customers value in Chicago. The city’s street food culture is a big part of that. Immigrant-owned restaurants often get pigeonholed into the cheap eats category, but they’re honestly showing up other restaurants that beef up the profit margins. Below, find some of Eater’s favorite affordable restaurants.
Ghareeb Nawaz
With four locations: Devon Avenue, near UIC, Lincoln Park, and Lombard, Ghareeb Nawaz entire identity revolves around serving cheap Indian and Pakistani food. And that pricing (and large portions) has built them a strong following, especially among those outside the South Asian diaspora. Most dishes on the extensive menu are less than $7 and diners have choices that include biryanis, curries, kebabs, and grilled specialties like frontier chicken and butter chicken.
Sfera Sicilian Street Food
After operating out of farmers markets and a ghost kitchen for several years, owners Steven Jarczyk and Daniela Vitale landed a brick-and-mortar home in Edgewater for their business this summer. The pair sling Sicilian-style street foods like arancini filled with beef ragu, saffron risotto, and mozzarella; a Chicago muffuletta sandwich (mortadella, hot capicola, salami, provolone, giardiniera relish); and slices of sfincione — thick-crust Sicilian pizza. Customers can also grab a coffee, hand-pressed limonata, or jars of house-made marinara sauce to go.
St Bess Jerk
Jerk chicken is a wondrous dish when done properly and arguably the best version is coming out of this small kitchen in Norwood Park. The birds are marinated overnight in an addictive sauce made from peppers, onions, celery, garlic, ginger, and a mix of spices. They’re then roasted in a barrel smoker over coals, resulting in smoky and flavorful pieces of white and dark meat. Diners can get the delectable chicken plus two sides for just $10 during lunchtime. The menu also features other Jamaican favorites like catfish, red snapper, curry goat, and oxtail. A second outpost is located in Burbank.
Jeffy Mai/Eater Chicago
Middle East Bakery & Grocery
An Andersonville favorite on the northwest corner of Foster and Clark, Middle East Bakery is a combo grill and grocery with supplies like Palestinian olive oil, dates, and hummus. The hand pies with come in spinach, feta, or meat, are great to keep in the fridge and heat up for a quick meal. The restaurant side features wraps in a variety of flavors all for under $10.
Nhu Lan
The city’s preeminent banh mi expert is a delicious and affordable option. The signature house special contains paté, head cheese, ham, and pork roll alongside a medley of veggies, but customers can also order their Vietnamese sandwiches with ingredients like barbecue pork, lemongrass chicken, and sugarcane shrimp. What really sets Nhu Lan apart from the competition though is its bread, which is baked daily in-house. A second outpost is located in Uptown.
Jeffy Mai/Eater Chicago
Lawrence Fish Market
A sushi feast doesn’t always have to cost a pretty penny. At Lawrence Fish Market, sashimi, nigiri, and maki rolls are sold at astonishing low prices without skimping on quality. The selection features everything from California and spicy tuna rolls to fatty tuna and uni. A second location has opened on the South Side.
Jack X. Li/Eater Chicago
Joong Boo Market
Nestled in the back of Asian grocery store Joong Boo is a counter-service restaurant dubbed “Snack Corner.” Here, customers will find Korean staples such as bulgogi, sundubu-jjigae, and bibimbap. The market also sells wang mandu (stuffed steamed buns) out of a tiny shed in front of the store plus sashimi platters, which are only $30 on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Mr D's Shish-Kabobs
Northwest Side residents know that the city’s best shish kabobs are at Mr D’s in Montclare. Owners Mike and Ann Antonopoulos marinate pork tenderloin in a special sauce, char it on the grill, and serve it with onions, tomatoes, and jus on a French roll. A similarly superb steak sandwich features thinly sliced rib eye and gravy. All orders come with perfectly crispy fries that are a paragon of the form.
Jibaritos Y Mas
The jibarito was introduced to Chicago at the late Borinquen Restaurant in the ’90s by restaurateur Juan Figueroa. Today, the Puerto Rican sandwich can be found on menus all over town. The classic recipe calls for thinly-sliced steak, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and garlic aioli in between two planks of fried plantains, but Jibaritos Y Mas also offers proteins like chicken, roasted pork, octopus, and shrimp.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago
Redhot Ranch
This late-night hot dog stand is known for affordability and quality. There are two locations that serve the Depression Dog, the Chicago-style wiener with diced onions and relish. But the value comes from the griddled burger which punches way above its price of under $6 (with fresh-cut fries). This isn’t just a post-bar destination, but great for when you’re working late and don’t have time for a sit-down meal. RHR satisfies.
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Sultan's Market
Sultan’s Market is a Wicker Park essential that offers Middle Eastern cuisine at inexpensive prices. Have a light snack of hummus and baba ghanoush or devour sandwiches loaded with falafel, shawarma, and more. There’s also a bountiful salad and hot bar and guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol. Additional outposts are located in Lincoln Park and Logan Square.
Sultan’s Market [Official Photo]
Seoul Stick
In Wicker Park, Seoul Stick provides tasty street food — ramen, Korean dogs, and more — at very affordable prices with most items under $10. This is the type of food for a quick meal or the day after a late night. Who doesn’t want fries covered in Cheetos dust and Parmasean?
Podhalanka
A cozy Polish Triangle hole-in-the-wall that’s been around for more than three decades, Podhalanka delivers classic Eastern European dishes. In addition to pierogis, potato pancakes, and stuffed cabbage, owner Helena Madej whips up a variety of soups, including sour borscht and beetroot. Diners don’t have to worry about breaking the bank as all items are less than $10.
Cafe Central
One of the city’s oldest Puetro Rican restaurants serves up affordable rice dishes with sides of beans and a daily stew of the day all for under $15. Bistec and lechon sandwiches are under $10. There’s a little bit for everyone inside the modest space in West Town.
Lola’s Coney Island
This Humboldt Park stand blends Detroit and Chicago hot dog culture with care. Lola’s specializes in Detroit Coneys, smothered with chili, onions, and yellow mustard. But the soups and other sandwiches aren’t factory-made. There’s actual cooking in the tiny kitchen with a staff that is proud of what they serve. Most sandwiches are under $10 (the Wednesday steak special is $13 and also presents a good value).
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago
The Dining Room at Kendall College
Affordable dining is a relative thing. When it comes to a burger, $40 may seem excessive, but for a three-course prix fixe fine-dining meal, it’s a steal. The cooks and servers are all students at Kendall College and the menus vary, depending on who’s the kitchen. Diners can count on a mix of classics — vichyssoise, steak al forno, pan-seared salmon — along with newly-invented specials. Wine and beer pairings are also available.
Jim's Original Hot Dog
An iconic stand that dates back to 1939, Jim’s claims to be the originator of the Maxwell Street Polish. Diners can get juicy and delicious Polish sausages, pork chop sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and more — plus free fries with every order. A second location is open near the Bucktown and Avondale border on Elston.
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago
Cà Phê Dá Vietnamese Café
The cafe sibling to Vietnamese fine dining stalwart Hai Sous, Ca Phe Da’s lunch is worth getting excited about. The Workers Meal, for $15, includes a combo of curries, rice, and salad greens. The banh mi are also $10.
Carnitas Don Pedro
Crispy, juicy carnitas have attracted Chicagoans to this Pilsen mainstay for four decades. The pork — cooked in rendered fat until it’s tender — is sold by the pound. From white and dark meat to ribs, stomach, skin, and even brain, every part of the pig can be had. Build tasty tacos with the warm tortillas, onions, cilantro, and salsa that come with each order but don’t forget to get some chicharrones too. On weekends, it’s extra busy so arrive early to avoid the long lines.
Chi Cafe
In the heart of Chinatown Square sits Chi Cafe, a reliable late-night spot for Chinese fare. On the menu are classics such as lo mein, fried rice, noodle soups, and a large variety of beef, chicken, pork, and seafood entrees. It can be overwhelming with so many dishes to choose from, but the sizzling beef tenderloin is always great.
Jack X. Li/Eater Chicago
La Chaparrita
One of Chicago’s best taquerias is housed inside a small corner store in Little Village. La Chaparrita specializes in tacos de fritangas, or “fried tacos.” Popular in Mexico City, they’re filled with ingredients like longaniza, suadero, and tripa, which are cooked in a circular metal grill called a charola.
George’s Restaurant
Open since 1975, George’s Gyros is a South Side staple. Gyros platters cost less than $10. A cheeseburger is less than $4. Hot dogs cost about $2. This textbook cheap eats restaurant serves the fast food favorites many Chicagoans grew up eating.
Plein Air Cafe
This cafe on the University of Chicago’s campus is open to the public. As you’d guess, the prices are aimed at thrifty college students, and if you can find a seat that’s not being used by bookworms, you’ll find quality food and affordable prices. Even the coffee is worth noting, undercutting chains. A continental breakfast is $8.50. There are plenty of veggie-friendly options — the veggie quesadillas are simple but flavorful. Don’t let the students have all the fun.
