The best cheap eats in Chicago—your guide to affordable dining

What is it? A low-cost Chicago staple with multiple locations across the city.

Why we love it: It's damn near impossible to find an excellent burger and fries for less than $10 in Chicago, but at Red Hot Ranch, it's all in a day's work. The cash-only, late-night hang slings crispy-edged griddle patties that are dressed up with a slice or two of American cheese, LTO and special sauce. It's everything you want on a burger and nothing you don't for just $7.68.

Time Out tip: Most of the menu is under $10, so if you're not in the mood for a burger, you have plenty of other options.

Address: 3057 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Opening hours: Daily 10:30am-midnight

What is it? One of the most recommended deep-dish spots in Chicago.

Why we love it: The popular deep dish pizzeria is known for its pies sporting caramelized crusts, but did you know it offers a killer lunch deal as well? Swing by between 11am-3pm on a weekday to grab a personal seven-inch cheese pizza for only $8.95. 

Time Out tip: The special is not limited to dine-in—you can order it for carryout or delivery.

Address: 2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-2am; Sun 11am-midnight

What is it? A Michelin-starred modern Filipino-American concept is from husband-and-wife team Tim Flores and Genie Kwon (Oriole). 

Why we love it: It’s hard to say for sure what exactly makes people line up down the block around brunch time at this Filipino restaurant-bakery. It could be the hefty Filipino breakfast platter, or any number of sweet-and-savory pastries—but we’re partial to the humble breakfast sandwich, which piles hashbrowns, melty American cheese and a silken cube of egg soufflé onto a potato roll for just $10.

Time Out tip: For $12, you can also snag the breakfast sandwich topped with crispy-edged longanisa, a Filipino sausage that’s made in-house.

Address: 1001 N Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Opening hours: Wed 9am-3pm; Thu-Sun 9am-3pm, 5:30-9pm

What is it? An iconic Little Village corner store.

Why we love it: If you've gotten this far without trying lengua, or beef tongue, it's time to change that—stat. Try it at La Chaparrita, which peddles some of the best tacos, huaraches and aguas frescas around. For $3.75 each, the tacos are packed with super tender, remarkably soft meat. Keep it simple with a sprinkle of diced raw onions and cilantro, a squeeze of lime and a spoonful of salsa. 

Time Out tip: While you're here, you might as well sample the cabeza (head and cheek), the crispy tripe and the al pastor. 

Address: 2500 S Whipple St, Chicago, IL 60623

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 11am-9pm

What is it? One of Chinatown's oldest bakeries.

Why we love it: If there's a more heavenly savory pastry in Chicago, we have yet to find it. Lucky for us, the case at Chiu Quon is always stocked with the drool-inducing buns. For $1.85, each golden orb is stuffed with tender, melt-in-your-mouth shredded pork that's been marinated in a special secret sauce. The fluffy, slightly sweet dough that surrounds the savory center tears easily with two hands (or your teeth). 

Time Out tip: Save yourself the heartache and order a few extras for the road.

Address: 2253 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 7am-9pm; Fri, Sat 7am-10pm

What is it? A family-owned sushi fish market with locations in Albany Park and Chinatown.

Why we love it: This not-so-hidden gem in Albany Park deals in unimaginably cheap sushi, three words that could be a turnoff but aren't at Lawrence Fish Market. Most of the rolls ring up well under $9, but we love shopping the à la carte section, where you can snag single slices of pristine sashimi and nigiri for as little as $1.45. Choose from tender tako (octopus), buttery salmon, ruby-red tuna or marinated mackerel. 

Time Out tip: Just don't forget to stop at the ATM before you place your order—Lawrence Fish Market is cash-only.

Address: 3920 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Opening hours: Daily 10am-8pm

What is it? Father-son duo Robert Adams Sr. and Jr.'s barbecue spot that moved from the Northwest Side to Bronzeville.

Why we love it: Honey 1 BBQ is still churning out delicious house-smoked meats with Arkansas flair (Adams Sr. hails from the Southern state). Particularly drool-inducing: The spot's spicy-hot links and tender rib tips slathered in a sticky barbecue sauce for $14.99.

Time Out tip: The meal comes in a variety of sizes, accompanied by fries and bread to help soak up excess sauce.

Address: 746 E 43rd St, Chicago, IL 60653

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11am-7pm; Fri, Sat 11am-9pm

What is it? A popular Pilsen storefront with other locations in Little Village and by Midway Airport.

Why we love it: The titular meat is served by the taco for $4.50 each, or by the pound at Carnitas Uruapan to satisfy the city's demand. The succulent, slow-roasted pork is accompanied by salsa, handmade tortillas, lime wedges, raw onion and cilantro—everything you need to make some of the tastiest tacos in Chicago.

Time Out tip: Locals line up early to place their order before the restaurant sells out for the day, which can happen well before closing time.

Address: 1725 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 10am-4pm; Fri 9am-4pm; Sat, Sun 7am-5pm 

What is it? A mom-and-pop joint on the Northwest Side that has garnered a loyal following over the past several decades for its outstanding sandwiches.

Why we love it: Mr. D's Shish Kabobs owners Mike and Ann Antonopoulos have been serving the Montclare community affordable bites since the late ‘60s, and while you can’t go wrong with the namesake shish kebab, we lean toward the steak sandwich that stars thinly-sliced, marinated ribeye tucked into a French roll alongside onions and tomatoes. At $11.30, the cost has gone up in recent years, but rest assured, this satisfying sandwich is worth every penny.

Time Out tip: Every order comes with fresh-cut fries, which are some of the best in the city.

Address: 6656 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60707

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm

What is it? A Vietnamese bakery that serves some of the best bánh mì in town.

Why we love it: With locations in Uptown and just to the west of Lincoln Square (on Lawrence Avenue), Nhu Lan Bakery's signature Vietnamese sandwich is piled with pâté and head cheese, but the vegetarian options are just as delicious, filling and affordable. 

Time Out tip: Show up with $8.80, and you can snag a flaky baguette wrapped around tender pieces of ginger-marinated tofu as well as carrots, daikon, jalapeno and cilantro.

Address: 4810 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60640

Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8:30am-5pm; Sat, Sun 8:30am-7pm

What is it? The hot dog stand operating inside 17 Home Depot locations across Chicagoland.

Why we love it: Fixin’ Franks is a longtime regional treasure—not just because it’s nice to end your home improvement shopping trips with a hot dog in hand, but also because the company sources its meat from the venerable Makowski’s Real Sausage in Bridgeport, which elevates the stand to a genuinely destination-worthy lunch spot. Break the hot dog mold and spring for a $5.50 Polish sausage topped with mustard, sauteed onions and giardiniera from J.P. Graziano. 

Time Out tip: Be very specific about what you’re ordering and ask for giardiniera on top, because some locations default to excluding the condiment.

Address: 3500 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 9am-7pm; Sun 9am-5pm

What is it? The oldest and only direct descendant of the original stand.

Why we love it: Although it was franchised at the turn of the millennium, this location of Al’s Beef is the oldest, opened in 1962. These days, you’ll find Italian beef all over town, but there’s something about eating one at this surviving piece of Little Italy. For $11.25, a five-inch bun is piled with tender, thinly sliced beef is only better a topped with char-grilled sausage, dipped in beef jus and finished with hot giardiniera. 

Time Out tip: Skin-on fries smothered with cheese are required eating for a meal that lingering locals would be proud of.

Address: 1079 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-11pm; Sat 10am-11pm 

What is it? A classic Chicago hot dog stand that’s been around since 1939, serving up no-fuss dogs, sausages, burgers and more.

Why we love it: Many people visit iconic Chicago stand Jim’s Original for its Polish sausages, but there’s a co-star that deserves just as much love: the pork chop sandwich, which will only run you $8.30. A succulent piece of pork is placed on a bun with yellow mustard, spicy sport peppers and grilled onions that you can smell from down the block. A bag of fries also accompanies each order.

Time Out tip: Be careful where you bite—the chop still carries its bone. 

Address: 1250 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60607

Opening hours: Daily 6am-1am

What is it? Dick Portillo's massively popular fast-food chain.

Why we love it: The menu at Portillo's is long on expertly prepared fast-food staples, but the exemplary Chicago-style hot dog is an absolute must for just $5.29. Each sausage comes wrapped like precious cargo, but as you peel back the wax paper, you'll catch a glimpse of the bright-green relish, crimson tomatoes and sport peppers. The steamed poppy seed bun holds it all together like a warm hug, but you'll surely wind up with a bit of mustard on your chin. One glance around the room and you'll see that no one notices—they're all entranced with the food in front of them.

Time Out tip: Order a side of their perfectly cooked crinkle-cut fries for the full experience.

Address: 100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60610

Opening hours: Daily 10am-1am

What is it? A Cuban cafe and coffee shop.

Why we love it: Lines often stretch out the door at lunch time at Cafecito, when Loop workers flock in for a made-to-order sandwich served on pressed crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside bread. There is a long list of options ranging from grilled tilapia to jerk chicken, but the dominant favorite is the $14.95 Cubano made with mojo-marinated roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. 

Time Out tip: For an extra pick-me-up, add on a shot Cuban espresso sweetened with a bit of sugar for $2.49.

Address: 26 E Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60605

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat, Sun 8am-6pm

What is it? One of Chicago's best fried chicken joints.

Why we love it: These days, Chicago is home to a number of fantastic chicken shops, but none is more iconic than Harold's Chicken. Priced at $10 (the price you see may vary, based on location), the filling 1/4 chicken dinner (light or dark meat or a mix of both) comes served atop white bread with fries and coleslaw on the side. 

Time Out tip: Harold's tangy, fan-favorite Mild Sauce is what takes this crispy bird to the next level. Go ahead and order extra.

Address: 124 E 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616

Opening hours: Mon 11am-10pm; Tue, Wed 10:30am-9pm; Thu 10:30am-midnight; Fri 10:30am-11pm; Sat 10am-11pm; Sun 11am-9pm

What is it? An Uptown falafel shop.

Why we love it: Owner Danny Sweis fuses the culinary traditions his parents brought with them from Amman, Jordan with the food he grew up eating in Oklahoma at Ragadan. Spiced with cumin, coriander and a bit of sumac, his crispy falafel are nested into a pita pocket with sumac caramelized onions or served on a ka’ak sesame loaf with humus, tahini and parsley sauce. 

Time Out tip: Add in a side of green or red chili and you’re still coming in around $10.

Address: 4409 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-8pm

What is it? An always-bustling Indian restaurant on Devon Avenue.

Why we love it: Ghareeb Nawaz boasts an entire menu of dishes that won't break the bank, most of which are served on metal cafeteria trays. If you've never dined here before, the chicken biryani (available with bone-in or boneless chicken) is a great place to start. You'll get a heaping serving of basmati rice with chunks of tender chicken that's marinated with spices and yogurt. 

Time Out tip: Add a gigantic piece of tandoori naan to your meal if you like—you'll still come in under budget, because it's only $1.25.

Address: 2032 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659

Opening hours: Daily 8am-2am

What is it? A beacon of cheap eats.

Why we love it: Sultan's Market boasts locations in Wicker Park, Lincoln Park and Logan Square—making it easy to get your hands on Middle Eastern fare no matter how much money you have in your wallet. For a few bucks, you can snag a soft, toasty pita that's stuffed to the brim with creamy hummus, roasted chicken, tomatoes, onions and garlic sauce. It's the kind of thing you can scarf down on the go, no seat required.

Time Out tip: Opt for the medium spice to kick things up a notch.

Address: 2057 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-10pm