{"id":28490,"date":"2019-09-26T10:35:24","date_gmt":"2019-09-26T10:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=28490"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:22:32","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:22:32","slug":"the-best-cheap-eats-in-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/the-best-cheap-eats-in-chicago\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Cheap Eats in Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is no truer food-lover\u2019s city than Chicago<\/a>. Though the Windy City boasts some of the best gourmet restaurants in the country, you don\u2019t have to spend a fortune to enjoy Chicago\u2019s food scene<\/a>. In fact, many of the cheapest places to eat in Chicago are also considered to offer some of the city\u2019s most iconic food experiences. If you want to eat well, but don\u2019t want to totally empty your bank account, check out some of these great cheap eats in Chicago.<\/p>\n

Lou Malnati\u2019s<\/h2>\n
\"Best
Via Simon G.\/Yelp<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There\u2019s no question that Lou Malnati\u2019s is one of Chicago\u2019s favorite pizza places. It\u2019s also a great place for a cheap pie, with pizzas starting from $7.95. Its original Lincolnwood location opened in 1971 and the company has expanded to 56 locations around Chicago. Owner Marc Malnati has ensured that they\u2019ve stuck to the original and beloved Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza recipe \u2013 and the Malnati Chicago Classic is one of the city\u2019s most iconic pizzas. There aren\u2019t many good and cheap restaurants downtown, but Malnati\u2019s has a location on North Wells St.<\/p>\n

Website: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.loumalnatis.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Address: <\/strong>6649 North Lincoln Ave, Lincolnwood, IL, 60712<\/p>\n

Lawrence Fish Market<\/h2>\n
\"Best
Via Gift S.\/Yelp<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chicago might not spring immediately to mind for cheap sushi, but at Lawrence Fish Market in Albany Park, maki rolls start at $1 and nothing is more than $6. This is very much a no-frills option. The sushi is primarily offered as a takeaway and it\u2019s cash only, but the fish is incredibly fresh and excellent value for money. The selection is a pretty standard sushi set of nigiri, sashimi and maki rolls. Tuna, octopus, scallop and unagi (eel) sashimi are all $1-$1.50. And you can even try out the notoriously expensive sea urchin for very little.<\/p>\n

Website: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.lawrencefish.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Address: <\/strong>3920 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625<\/p>\n

Gene & Jude\u2019s<\/h2>\n
\"Best
Via Local N.\/Yelp<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Along with pizza, the venerable hot dog is one of Chicago\u2019s best cheap eats \u2013 and one of its most iconic local foods. Keeping to its \u201cNo Seats No Ketchup No Pretense No Nonsense\u201d motto since it opened in 1946, Gene & Jude\u2019s is a hot dog institution. Its staple offering is a Depression Dog, a uniquely Chicagoan hot dog snack made popular during the Great Depression. The minimalist dog is topped with yellow mustard and onions, hot sport peppers and sometimes relish. Oh, and it’s served with a side of skin-on fries for less than $3.<\/p>\n

Website: <\/strong>https:\/\/geneandjudes.com\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Address: <\/strong>2720 N. River Rd, River Grove, IL, 60171<\/p>\n

J.P. Graziano Grocery Co<\/h2>\n
\"Best
Via Kaya W.\/Yelp<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

J.P. Graziano\u2019s is a grocery store that\u2019s been in business since 1937. Yes, you can come here to grab some groceries, but you can also order an Italian-style sub sandwich at its deli counter \u2013 and these subs are considered to be some of the best in Chicago. They\u2019ve got the classic Italian sub with a variety of salamis and provolone, as well as vegetarian options that include a roast veggie sub and one with artichokes and fresh mozzarella.<\/p>\n

Website: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.jpgraziano.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Address: <\/strong>901 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60607<\/p>\n

Johnnie\u2019s Beef<\/h2>\n
\"Best
Via Kty N\/Yelp<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the best and most quintessentially cheap Chicago restaurants is Johnnie\u2019s Beef, purveyor of the classic Italian beef sandwich. Think thinly sliced roast beef loaded onto an Italian bread roll \u2013 with or without hot or sweet peppers, and dipped or not into a gravy of its own juices. It is a messy, greasy act of Chicago cooking perfection. And, best of all, a regular Italian beef will set you back less than $5. Add fries or an Italian ice for a couple bucks more.<\/p>\n

Website: <\/strong>No official website<\/p>\n

Address: <\/strong>7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park, IL, 60707<\/p>\n

Chicago really is a food-lover\u2019s town \u2013 you could spend months just exploring the city\u2019s diverse culinary scene. If you\u2019re looking for more ways to enjoy the dining scene, here are some foodie activities to get your mouth watering:<\/p>\n