But despite our reputation for world-class food, every year tourists come to Chicago and settle on large chains like the House of Blues, Rainforest Café, and Cheesecake Factory for their dining options. Cheap, reliable options, but way too safe.
Luckily with the rise of the foodie, an increasing number of tourists are coming to Chicago who want to enjoy and appreciate the bounty of Chicago’s food scene. And while places like Alinea, Blackbird, Table Fifty Two, and Girl & The Goat get all the fame and recognition in the national press, there are also a wide selection of smaller, more affordable dining options that offer delicious food, and are within walking distance of the most popular tourist locations in Chicago.
So whether you are a tourist hoping to experience the glory of the Chicago food scene or a native Chicagoan looking for a great meal without going broke, here are eight places to grab a bite for under $15.
Neighborhood: River North, Gold Coast, The Loop
As a member of the Lettuce Entertain Your family of restaurants, Wow Bao offers pot stickers, rice bowls, Asian-inspired soups and salads, and frozen yogurt. However, it is most well-known for its steaming hot Asian buns or “baos” with eight flavors ranging from whole wheat edamame and thai curry chicken to chocolate and coconut custard. The filling is surrounded by a soft, doughy exterior and at $1.50 each, these baos are a great deal.
Recommended: Whole Wheat edameme, spicy kung pao chicken and bbq pork bao, and the original homemade ginger ale2. M Burger
Neighborhood: Gold Coast/ River North
With all the fuss over gourmet burgers with an excessive amount of pretentious toppings, M Burger offer burger purists an all-American burger joint serving quarter-pound grain-fed beef burgers, fries, and milkshakes. They also have an “M Burger,” a slightly classier version of In-and-Out’s animal style burger, served with bacon, cheese, and a secret sauce. M Burger also shares a kitchen with Tru, so even if you are on a budget, you can rest assured that your $4 burger was griddled in the same kitchen as someone else’s hundred dollar meal.
Recommended: M Burger, Chocolate shake, and fries
3. I Dream of Falafel
Neighborhood: The Loop
With a wide variety of Mediterranean options, I Dream of Falafel is best described as the Chipotle of Mediterranean food. Start with your choice of a Lebanese roll (pita), golden rice salad, hummus, babaganoush or an everything platter, add your choice of beef or chicken shawerma, kefta kabob, or falafel and choose your sauce. In addition to traditional tahini sauce, I Dream of Falafel also offers cucumber sauce, garlic sauce, and spicy cucumber sauce. Sides such as dolmas, fattoush, and lentil soup are also available to complete your meal.
Recommended: Chicken schwarma on a Lebanese roll with the Riata spicy cucumber sauce and a side of falafels with hummus.
4. Crisp
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Best known for Korean-style chicken wings, Crisp offers a selection of Korean-inspired lunch and dinner options ranging from Korean-style burritos, Buddha Bowls (similar to Bim Bim Bop), and huge wings that are double fried for an extra crunch and smothered in your choice of three sauces. If you ask any Crisp regular about their favorite item on the menu, you will definitely here the term “Seoul Sassy” — a sauce that Crisp puts on their wings and Buddha bowls that is the perfect combination of soy, garlic, and sesame.
Recommended: Wings with Seoul Sassy and a Buddha Bowl
5. Aloha Eats
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
You might be miles away from Hawaii, but you can still experience the glory of Hawaiian street food in this small Lincoln Park restaurant. Featuring everything Saimen (known as Ramen stateside), plate lunches, macaroni salad, and, of course, Spam Musubi — a traditional Hawaiian snack of pan-seared Spam on a bed of rice, wrapped in seaweed. While these options may not sound immediately appetizing, go to Aloha Eats and you may come out with a new found love for that infamous Spiced Ham out of a can.
Recommended: Double chicken plate lunch and Spam Musubi
6. DMK
Neighborhood: Lakeview
DMK was voted one of Bon Appetit magazine’s top 10 best new burger spots in 2010. They offer 13 different five-ounce burgers for $8 each including a Bison burger, turkey burger, a lamb burger, and a veggie burger. However, most of their burgers are made with grass-fed beef and topped with things like chili-rubbed onion strings, Amish blue, spicy chipotle ketchup, and other great combinations. DMK also offers six types of fries — fried in beef fat and they’ve got milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches made with ice cream from Petersen’s in Oak Park. DMK also has a selection of more than 30 artisanal beers including a 22-ounce Scotch Ale from Three-Floyds.
Recommended: #4 Burger with Parmesan fries, ice cream sandwich, and a beer
7. Grahamwhich
Neighborhood: River North/ Gold Coast
After several negative reviews, Top Chef Masters contest Graham Eliot introduced a new, cheaper menu at his casual sandwich joint (cash only). His sandwiches include his take on classics like grilled cheese with prosciutto, tomato marmalade and cheese curls to more upscale options like the wagyu beef sandwich with baby arugula, Yukon potato ,and onions on a pretzel roll. Grahamwich also offers whimsical snacks including popcorn with parmesan and truffle oil, chips with bacon bits and cheddar cheese, as well as two flavors of soft serve.
Recommended: Grilled cheese and vanilla bean soft serve.
Offering Mexican street food in the heart of River North, Xoco is a favorite of Chicago foodies. It is Top Chef Masters winner Rick Bayless’ newest restaurant in Chicago and located right next to Frontera and Topolobomo. Using seasonal, locally farmed ingredients, Rick Bayless has crafted a menu of Tortas, Caldos (Soup), and pastries that are both delicious and affordable. In addition, Bayless makes drinking chocolate with freshly roasted cacao beans ground in-house. Despite the ridiculously long wait (upward of an hour on busy nights), Xoco is a must for any serious foodie.
Recommended: Ahogada, Churros, and Aztec Hot Chocolate
