Roadfood Team

July 10, 2023

The Essential Cheap Eats in Chicago

We have for you a list of some of the top eats on a budget when you are visiting Chicago, Il.  This enticing city has it all from architectural boat rides to museums that take days to see it all, but let’s be honest- we are here for the food.  You don’t have to spend a fortune to get some great food while in Chicago.  In fact some of the best are within most travel budgets and they are sure to fill your empty stomach. So check out our cheap eats in Chicago!

Here are our top 8 picks for great food on a budget in Chicago, IL:

Superdawg Drive In:  This Chicago classic is a must for anyone visiting the city. Get their signature Superdawg sandwich and a side of fries in one cute container.

Original Rainbow Cone:  This delicious treat has been around since 1926 and is still going strong. Get the classic combination to really get a taste of what it is like to understand dessert nirvana.

Slab BBQ:   For an amazing and unique bbq experience, check out Slab. The meats are smoked to perfection and the sides are just as delicious.

Lem’s BBQ:   This is one of the most popular barbecue spots in the city. Lem’s offers a wide variety of meats, all cooked to perfection in their aquarium style BBQ on the South Side of Chicago.

Manny’s Coffee Shop and Deli:  For a classic deli experience, head to Manny’s. Whether you’re looking for breakfast or lunch, Manny’s has it all. Plus, their corned beef sandwiches are legendary!

Mr. Beef:   Mr. Beef has been a staple of the Chicago dining scene since 1966. Their Italian beef sandwiches are legendary and their homemade giardiniera is the perfect accompaniment.

Pequod’s Pizza: Pequod’s is a local legend. Their deep dish pizza and homemade sauce will have you coming back for more.  Plus, their wings are to die for.

Berghoff:  A Chicago staple since 1898, Berghoff’s serves classic German dishes in a historic atmosphere.  The Entrees can be a little pricer than the rest on this list, but the Veal Bratwurst Sandwich is reasonable and sure to fill you up.

Let us know if you have an addition to this list of cheap eats not to miss!

 

 

 

1

Mr. Beef | A Chicago Street Food Best: Italian Beef Sandwich

Chicago, IL

Mr. Beef is one of Chicago's premier sources of the sloppy, big-flavored Italian beef sandwich. Add spicy giardiniera as a condiment.

Read full review

2

Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli | Corned Beef Chicago-Style

Chicago, IL

Manny's is a big, cafeteria-style restaurant with a vast menu that features corned beef Chicago-style, sided by great potato pancakes.

Read full review

3

Superdawg Drive-In

Chicago, IL

Of all the great hot dog joints in Chicago, Superdawg might be the greatest. It's certainly the most fun, and the dogs (& burgers & shakes) are unsurpassed.

Read full review

4

Berghoff

Chicago, IL

Chicago's 100+ year-old Berghoff is a German-American restaurant that has changed with the times but maintains culinary traditions all but vanished elsewhere.

Read full review

5

Original Rainbow Cone

Chicago, IL

Original Rainbow Cone sells American ice cream that is light-hearted and nostalgic. Get a cone with all five signature flavors.

Read full review

6

Slab BBQ

Chicago, Illinois

Classic South Side Chicago BBQ made in an aquarium smoker puts Slab in the top echelon of American barbecue parlors. Side dishes sparkle, too

Read full review

7

Pequod’s Pizza | Chicago Deep Dish Caramelized Cheese Crust

Chicago, IL

Pequod's looks like a normal sports bar, but its zesty deep-dish pizza with caramelized cheese crust makes it a Roadfood favorite.

Read full review

8

Lem’s Bar-B-Q

Chicago, IL

Opened in 1954, Lem's introduced the aquarium BBQ cooker, now a signature of South-Side Chicago BBQ. Great, no-frills eats. Take-out only.

Read full review

Roadfood Team

July 10, 2023

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3 Responses to “The Essential Cheap Eats in Chicago”

Steve Tomashefsky

July 19th, 2023

Jim’s Original Maxwell St. Polish Sausage. Get it with grilled onions and yellow mustard. Long the good standard for truly cheap eats in Chicago.

Reply

Kaarina

July 19th, 2023

Thanks for the recommendation!

Reply

Bill Homan

July 18th, 2023

LOVE Chicago eats. I haven’t eaten at any of the places on this list but I did try to go to Mr. Beef and to Manny’s (with The Travelin’ Man) and was TTM’d at both places! Poochie’s in Skokie, IL would make a great addition to this list. Great CHDs, fresh-cut fries and their cheddar char salami sandwich with grilled onions and Merkt’s cheddar spread is not to be missed.

BTW: the above should read:

1.) check out “Slab” not check out “Slabb”

2.) the “South” Side not the “SOuth” Side

3.) “Pequod’s” not “Pequad’s”

Reply

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