Cheap Places to Eat in Bellwood

"Sun Wah doesn’t hide what it does best with an enticing (unless you’re a vegetarian) line of ducks hanging in the window just waiting to be roasted. Sun Wah is Chinese barbecue, and the duck is the star; order it ahead of time when you make your reservation and be treated to a multicourse dinner of soup, carved bird, and fried rice, with plenty to go around for a group, and at smile-inducing prices. Once you’ve gotten the duck out of the way, carry yourself back to the sparsely decorated but charmingly simple dining room and order the juicy roast pork or any number of the Chinese favorites; repeat as necessary."

"Chinese is perched curiously atop the list of cuisines that seem to resist the high-end treatment. Maybe it’s the long association with greasy delivery dishes and Chinatown dives, who knows, but it’s a shame, because the bevy of flavors seem like they would be perfect in the hands of a sophisticated chef. At least Chicago has Shanghai Terrace, which sports a luxurious atmosphere atop the Peninsula Hotel with a sublime view of city."

"The Peninsula hotel’s swanky Chinese restaurant presents skyline views and upscale versions of classic dishes. Dim sum it up with crab shumai and lobster and chicken dumplings with black truffle or feast on dinner specials like shredded duck in XO sauce and wok-fried scallops in black truffle sauce. The prices may seem high compared to other places, but the quality of the food is undeniable."

"Along with promising some of the best Chinese food in Chicago, Shanghai Terrace also boasts some of the best views. From both the seasonal terrace and main dining room on the fourt..."

"When people move who have moved away from Chicago come home, a stop at Portillo's is one of the first thing they do. The hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches here are among Chicago's best, plus the service is fast and the prices are low. Recommended for Family Friendly because: This is one of the best places in the city to get Chicago's famous hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches."

"Just say yes to sport peppers and celery salt and hard pass on the ketchup, which is a cardinal sin around these parts. Chicago dogs aren’t hard to come by in Denver, but that trifecta of beefy goodness, cheese fries, and gluttonous chocolate cake is and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Someone please open a franchise out West – help a girl out."

"Portillos isn't exactly new in Chicago but the new Avondale location on Addison and Kimball adds to our city's legacy. Get an Italian Beef with giardiniera peppers or a chocolate cake shake for dessert!"

"The specialty of TAO Chicago is that the second floor is the windy city’s hottest nightclubs with an amazing atmosphere, whereas the first floor features one of its top Asian restaurants. Hence, once you’re done dancing your heart out at the club, you can step down for a hearty meal of lobster wontons, Peking duck, and more. Besides the disco ball and towering murals, a 10-feet-tall Japanese bell will grab your attention."

"Tao Chicago opened with great fanfare in 2018, revealing an astonishing reimagining of a circa-1892 landmark in River North. The historic property, with its stone structure and arc..."

"An outpost of the New York City original, TAO is a large two-level space with four private dining rooms and a large bar. Daybed sofas abound and the eclectic lounge is a perfect bl..."

"As the name suggests, the roof at The Garage Bar does whip up sandwiches: some teeming with crispy shrimp, others humble burgers elevated with a fried egg and bacon. Upstairs, the roof is decked out with comfy couches and green umbrellas, plus a changing list of 130 different beers, so even regulars can try something new. Plus, guests can play a handful of games like shuffleboard and darts."

"Those craving Chicago-style deep dish pizza will love this Roscoe Village joint, where the team spent more than a year perfecting their tomato-herb sauce. Find it layered between a cracker-thin crust and generous handfuls of Wisconsin cheese, where every slice you grab can pull apart for what feels like miles. Visit on game day, and order a signature pie or make your own creation, since nearly 20 kinds of toppings await."

"Peeled is proof that here in Chicago we do choose healthy options (sometimes.) The best way to start your day or end a workout is a Peeled smoothie or açaí bowl."

"Restaurants Vegan South Shore. What started as a private catering company has blossomed into a brick-and-mortar empire that acts as a beacon for Chicago's vegan community. With locations in South Shore, the South Loop and inside One Eleven Food Hall, Majani keeps our mouths watering with meat-defying creations like the stacked barbecue roast sandwich, which is slathered in tangy sauce and served with roasted sweet potatoes."

"Two South Shore residents are providing a vegetarian oasis for South Siders. Owners Tsadakeeyah and Nasya Emmanuel are cooking a wide range of African and South American recipes that have been honed from the couple’s catering business. The BBQ cauliflower — lightly battered and fried with a bold sauce — is a crowd pleaser."

"It's no secret that Chicago's South Side is home to the best soul food in town, but did you know that you don't even have to be a carnivore to enjoy all of it?. Majini's menu is full of barbecue, burgers, stir fry, grits and other goodies—and it's all made with the freshest vegan ingredients!"

"So come here for the pancakes, but stay for the Gallagher flashbacks. Plus the friendly staff is awesome, and will instantly make you feel like a regular. View this post on Instagram"

"For theatre lovers, check out a performance at The Chicago Theatre. If you feel like doing an activity, head to 10pin Bowling Lounge under the Marina Towers north of the Chicago River. They offer a selection of beers and upscale snacks."

"Based on Navy Pier, this adored non-profit theatre company has done as much as anyone to help keep Chicago on the cultural map over the last 30 years. In short order the theatre has earned three Laurence Olivier Awards, as well as a regional Tony in 2008. Its main aim is to introduce people to the works of William Shakespeare, through school tours, summer plays in parks and productions at its own majestic venue, adding up to 600 performances a year."

"We know, it might seem like a stretch to include a theater—and Shakespeare, no less—on a kid’s map. But the Navy Pier’s Chicago Shakespeare Theater showcases a ton of kid-friendly performances, including shorter 75-minute abridged productions geared toward families and students. Check their website for the latest shows and schedules."