Chef's Day Off: Eating Cheap with Top Toques

by Lisa Shames - Citysearch Contributor - 24 Reviews - 7 Lists

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Updated: August 17, 2009

Dining out in Chicago is a no-brainer when you've got money to burn, but what about when you have only 10 bucks in your wallet? For that quest, we went to the experts: local chefs. Sure, they know their way around a high-end kitchen, but on their days off, most of them just want to eat something tasty and cheap in their jeans and sneakers. We quizzed some of Chicago's top chefs about where they go for their cheap food fix. (Photo: Bi Bim Bop at Chicago Food Corporation by Lisa Shames)

Chefs' Favorite Cheap Eats

  1. 1 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Arturo's Tacos
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    2001 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

    Sam Burman--chef/manager, Bluprint: "I love Arturo's Tacos on Western Avenue, especially the carnitas tacos [$1.80 each]. They get the pork nice and crispy, which is always a plus. The margaritas are also reasonably priced [$6.95]. I love it because they are open 24 hours, which makes it a great after-work spot. Plus it's around the corner from my house."

  2. 2 1 Star Rating: Poor BBQ King House
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    2148 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 (map)

    Rodelio Aglibot--executive chef, Sunda: "When I go to a Chinese restaurant there are about a dozen things I try to judge how good it is. BBQ King House has four dishes that I love, including the spicy salt and pepper pork chops and black pepper short ribs that I get for lunch. At $3.75 for each, I get both. This is the kind of place I could eat at everyday. There's a rule at Sunda: If you go to Chinatown you have to pick something up for me from BBQ King House."

  3. 3 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Chicago Food Corp
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    3333 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 (map)

    Todd Stein--executive chef, Cibo Matto and Roof, theWit Hotel: "I like to go to the Chicago Food Corp for bi bim bop. It's like $6. It's this restaurant in the middle of a great Korean grocery store, so you get all of the action of people-watching while you eat. Then when I am done eating, I get to walk around and shop and look at cool stuff. In addition, it's some of the best Korean food around."

  4. 4 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Hot Doug's
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    3324 North California, Chicago, IL 60618 (map)

    James Gottwald--executive chef, Rockit Bar & Grill: "I have to say Hot Doug's, and not only because I live around the corner. The Marty Allen [a beef, pork and garlic sausage] can't be beat at $3. Then add the duck fat fries [served Friday and Saturday only] topped with cheese and chili for $4.25, and wash it down with a $2 large fountain soda. Around lunch time there's normally a line down the street, but they do open at 10:30am, so get there early."

  5. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Penny's Noodle Shop
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    3400 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 (map)

    Carol Wallack--chef/owner, Sola: "I started going to Penny's when I first moved here and money was tight. I still go, to this day, because it's good. I love the tom yum soup or the chicken lad nar. The fact that those dishes are under $10 is the icing on the cake."