3 Buck Bites: Chicago Meals Under $3.99

by Matthew Allard - Citysearch Editor - 48 Reviews - 41 Lists

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Updated: June 08, 2009

Remember the days of throwing a handful of change down on the counter and saying, "What can I get for this?" We do. Partly because we said it just last week! We're allowed to, thanks to our new frugal foodie lookbook, 3 Buck Bites, a go-to guide for meals under $3.99. From adventurous ethnic eats to classic standards, you'd be surprised how far you can stretch those quarters you found between the couch cushions. Here are a few highlights. And if you've got some of your own share them with us--you could be featured next!

(Photo: L & M, Eating The World)

3 Buck Bites in Chicago

  1. 1 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Al's No 1 Italian Beef
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    1079 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607 (map)

    LITTLE AL ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH FOR $3.89: "Italian Beef isn't photogenic - but it's darn tasty. This quintessential Chicago dish is a deceptively simple concoction of thinly sliced beef on an Italian roll. Al's Beef does the Italian Beef proud - this Chicago institution has been serving one of the city's favorite sandwiches for decades. You can get a 4" Italian Beef for less than $4, but classic hot giardiniera or sweet peppers will cost you extra." - L & M, Eating The World

  2. 2 4 Star Rating: Recommended Atlas Cafe
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    3028 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

    EMPANADA WITH FRIES FOR $3.99: "I fell in lurve with cute-as-a-button, free-WiFi-sportin', strong-coffee-brewin' Atlas Cafe the moment I stepped across the threshold. The feeling only grew stronger when I sank my teeth into this salty-sweet empanada, filled with ground beef, chopped olives, sweet sautéed onions, raisins and hard-boiled egg. Be careful with the fiery red pepper sauce! It's served on the side for a reason. A plate-covering heap of crispy fries makes it a filling meal. If you've got an extra $3, a fresh mango smoothie is the perfect antidote to the heat." - Emilie Zanger, City Editor

  3. 3 Chutney Joe's
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    511 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616 (map)

    TANDOORI CHICKEN BITES FOR $2.99: "Aren't we a little old for chicken nuggets? Not if they're these delightfully tender jewels of yogurt-and-spice-marinated white meat, cooked in the tandoori oven until they practically fall apart when you look at them. For a little more heat, dunk them in the signature mango chutney, studded with whole fennel seeds and hot pepper. The yogurt sauce acts like an air conditioner if things start to get too hot." - Emilie Zanger, City Editor

  4. 4 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Grotto Oak Brook
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    3011 Butterfield Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523 (map)

    SAUSAGE PIZZA FOR $2: "Enjoy these $2 pizzas during Happy Hour in the understated elegance of Grotto's lounge, or on the amazing deck when the weather allows. Outstanding value and extremely tasty--ranks up there with some of Chicago's best!" - Cindy, 3 Buck Bites Guest

  5. 5 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Nick's Pit Stop
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    2011 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

    QUARTER DARK CHICKEN PLATE FOR $3.35: "When it comes to great chicken, the messier, the better. Nick's Pit Stop serves up a super-moist, fall-off-the-bone heaping of their quarter dark, charbroiled and marinated bird with plenty of pita for $3.35, a price close to robbery. Douse the sweet and sour barbecue sauce generously, and revel in the tender, savory goodness. I assure you that the bones will be the only things left on your plate ... and you'll probably lick those clean, too!" - Angeline Vuong, Citysearch Editor