Cheap Eats in Chicago

by Emilie Zanger - Citysearch Editor - 80 Reviews - 37 Lists

Updated: January 01, 2002

Cheap restaurants are everywhere. Great ones are not. Let our critics do the legwork for you.

On this page:Cheap American Food, Cheap Italian Food, Cheap Asian Food, Cheap Mexican Food, Cheap French Food.

Cheap American Food

  1. 1 3.5 Star Rating: Average Silver Cloud
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    1700 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

    Good, comfortable food and atmosphere make for cozy Bucktown dining.

  2. 2 3.5 Star Rating: Average Twisted Spoke
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    501 N Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)

  3. 3 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Mac Arthur's Restaurant
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    5412 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60644 (map)

  4. 4 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Aloha Grill
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    2534 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

  5. 5 3.5 Star Rating: Average Take Five
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    3747 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613 (map)

  6. 6 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Stanley's
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    1970 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

  7. 7 3.5 Star Rating: Average Russell's Bbq
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    1621 N Thatcher Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707 (map)

    After 70 years, this Elmwood Park classic still serves up barbecue to the locals in a friendly, unadorned setting.

  8. 8 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Manny's Coffee Shop & Deli
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    1141 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607 (map)

  9. 9 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Nick's Pit Stop
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    2011 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

  10. 10 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Local Option
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    1102 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

Cheap Italian Food

  1. 11 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Home Run Inn
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    4254 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60623 (map)

    Some of the best pizza in town is served up at this low-key South Side hangout.

  2. 12 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Pompei Bakery
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    2955 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 (map)

  3. 13 4 Star Rating: Recommended Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
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    439 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

  4. 14 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended D'Agostino Pizza & Pub
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    1351 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613 (map)

Cheap Asian Food

  1. 15 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Happy Chef Dim Sum House
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    2164 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 (map)

  2. 16 4 Star Rating: Recommended Ping Pong
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    3322 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60657 (map)

  3. 17 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Amarind's Thai Restaurant
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    6822 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60707 (map)

  4. 18 3.5 Star Rating: Average Penny's Noodle Shop
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    950 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

  5. 19 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Joy's Noodles & Rice
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    3257 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 (map)

    Fat, thin, crispy ... noodles come however you like at this small but elegant Lakeview storefront.

Cheap Mexican Food

  1. 20 3.5 Star Rating: Average Lalo's Restaurant
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    1960 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

  2. 21 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Cafe Salsa
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    9932 W 55th St, Countryside, IL 60525 (map)

  3. 22 4 Star Rating: Recommended Maiz
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    1041 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)

  4. 23 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Nuevo Leon Restaurant
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    1515 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608 (map)

  5. 24 4 Star Rating: Recommended Irazu Costa Rica Restaurant
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    1865 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

  6. 25 3.5 Star Rating: Average La Bamba
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    2557 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

  7. 26 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended La Pasadita Restaurant
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    1140 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)

Cheap French Food

  1. 27 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Bistrot Margot Inc
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    1437-39 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

  2. 28 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Red Rooster Wine Bar & Cafe
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    2100 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

  3. 29 3.5 Star Rating: Average Le Bouchon
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    1958 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)