Cheap Places to Eat in Hometown

"Check out this Chinese restaurant in downtown Chicago with an open, barrel-vaulted ceiling and a lively atmosphere. Sun Wah’s continuously growing numbers prove Chicago has an insatiable appetite for the finest Hong Kong fare with their most famous off-menu feature, the Beijing Duck Dinner."

"Sun Wah BBQ‘s creator, Eric Cheng always sharpened his skills as a Hong Kong-style barbecue chef. The restaurant is doing great, though for them it was a confined fish longing for bigger seas. Today, they are happily serving the people in Chicago with their signature dishes."

"Featured on Food Network, Sun Wah BBQ is home to some of Chicago's most delicious Hong Kong-style BBQ dishes. Their most famous off-menu course is the beautifully roasted Beijing Duck which is brought to your table and expertly carved."

"Rooftop restaurants Chicago, Shanghai Terrace | Photocredit: www.peninsula.com/. Set 4 floors up at the five star hotel The Peninsula Chicago, Shanghai Terrace is a offers both a lovely rooftop terrace and a great Chinese restaurant. >Here you find an indoor restaurant with a 1930s supper club décor, and a stylish decorated terrace with dining tables, cabanas and comfy lounge sofas along with cool views of the downtown sky scrapers."

"Touted as the best Chinese restaurant in Chicago by many, diners can expect a true Cantonese dining experience at the Shanghai Terrace. Treat yourselves to a number of classic dim sum selections, such as Peking Duck, barbecue pork buns and shrimp and chive dumplings, and creative renditions of timeless classic dishes. If you enjoy al fresco dining, consider dining at the restaurant’s outdoor terrace for spectacular skyline views."

"Head to Shanghai Terrace, Chicago's best spot for Chinese food in the heart of downtown. The atmosphere at Shanghai Terrace is fun and festive, ..."

"As you may know, Chicago is home to several signature foods which is why the city is so popular for their Chicago Food Tours!. Perhaps the most popular iconic Chicago food is the Chicago hot dog – a must ‘eat’ for both kids and adults!. One of the most ki- friendly restaurants in downtown Chicago where you can get a classic Chicago-style hot dog is Portillo’s."

"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."

"Known for its Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, Portillo’s has been a staple of Chicago since 1963. Most of the hot dogs, sandwiches, burgers and sides on the menu cost $5 or less. Besides Chicagoland, Portillo’s also has locations in Arizona, California and Indiana."

"A post shared by Table for Two (@table__for__two) on Jan 16, 2019 at 7:25am PST. Be prepared to be blown away from the moment you step foot into this two-level 300-seater restaurant. A grand staircase connects both levels, allowing guests a magnificent full view of its chic dining space."

"The atmosphere of Tao Chicago is electric, as it is both a restaurant and a nightclub, with interiors designed to excite. You can choose to eat in the main dining room or ask for a..."

"1600 S 61st Ave, Cicero, IL 60804 Do not let the name of this restaurant confuse you. While delicious pizza pies certainly hold a spot on the menu, you can find a variety of meals to suit every taste palette. Freddy’s also sells Italian-style meats to take home to prepare for the family."

"Dogs briefly shuttered at the end of 2018 but has returned to the delight of many. Everything on the straightforward menu is freshly made — from the stellar Chicago-style dogs to the burgers and fries — and that commitment to quality is the reason why the lines during lunchtime are frequently out the door. The house specialty “Joey dog” is a fan favorite; it’s topped with fries, garlic-wasabi aioli, and Tabasco sauce."

"Pizzaiolo Gabriele Bonci chose Chicago as his first pizzeria location outside of Italy and the throngs are loving his Roman-style pizza cut with scissors and sold by weight. Bonci offers only fresh, natural ingredients primarily imported from Italy and considers "Agriculture as culinary art" so expect ever-changing toppings on the Roman-style crust. You probably won't experience the same pizza twice since options can change hourly and Bonci has more than 1,500 recipes that have emerged from the Italian ovens."

"For those new to Roman pizza, the signature crust is a delightful contradiction: spongey (like focaccia) crispy and toothsome. Selections vary daily, with 20 creative topping combinations (crispy pancetta and scrambled eggs, paper-thin potato slices and rosemary, sometimes even octopus) that are actually sold by weight. Just grab a number, wait to be called and don't be afraid to experiment."

"Bonchi Pizza comes to Chicago straight from the streets of Rome. They serve artisanal pizzas crafted simply with quality ingredients. Their pizzas change seasonally, so there’s always something new to discover."

"We are monitoring all local, state and federal regulations to provide customers with contactless ordering options. While some restaurants may have dining rooms open, others are serving customers through the Drive Thru, with Mobile Order & Pay on the McDonald's App, and with McDelivery®..."

"If you find yourself hungry in the Downtown area, then chances are high that a Freshii is not far away. The Toronto-based chain stakes its claim on fresh food fast with wrapped filled with vegetables, bowls overflowing with brown rice and detoxifying juices."

"Only in Chicago could a joint that blasts heavy metal music, refuses to carry Budweiser, and stirs a controversy with the Catholic Church, be adored. Kuma’s Corner has become a destination in every food lover’s pilgrimage. Depending on what you order, your burger may include bourbon poached pear, roasted poblano peppers, avocado mash and other inventive ingredients."

"Having the fam there for support will help alleviate the stress of the endless amounts of options on the menu. Bonus: since the menu is so overwhelming with goodness, having the extra people there means getting a bite off of everyone's plate. What to order: Led Zeppelin Burger"

"The upscale Gale Street Inn serves some of Chicago’s finest ribs, along with other mouth-watering American eats. Try the “Pullman Burger,” savor some of their delicious jambalaya, or, if you can’t decide and want a bit of everything, order the “Porkapalooza,” which includes a generous sampling of all their pork options (along with their famous ribs) and the jambalaya. The Gale Street Inn originally opened as a tavern in 1963, just across the street from where it is located now."

"The torchbearer for a dying breed of Jewish delis and diners in Chicago, Manny’s has endured for more than a half-century in the South Loop thanks to massive and delicious pastrami sandwiches, an array of hot homestyle dishes on steam tables, and family service cultivated over generations in a cafeteria-style setting plastered with decades-old newspaper clippings and letters from Chicago luminaries. The space also now houses a new deli expansion for bagels, sweets, coffee, and food to go. A post shared by Manny's Deli (@mannysdeli)"

"The recipes at Manny’s have been passed down from generation to generation, and for good reason — their award-winning meats are top notch. While they offer a full menu of deli classics, Manny’s is famous for their corned beef. Try it piled high between slices of rye bread, tucked into eggs benedict, or served as an entree with potato pancakes."

"The Maxwell Street Market ain’t what, or where, it used to be, but Manny’s still has potato pancakes, Reubens, and diner faves galore.B, L & D Mon–Sat. Free parking (free valet at lunch), wheelchair accessible, child friendly."

"The Second City is a comedy improv troupe and is one of the oldest places to go for some good old fashioned Chi-Town comedy. They have all kinds of shows, from stand-up to sketch comedy, and it’s well known for having hilarious improv shows year-round. From its humble beginnings in 1959, the Second City became extremely popular and expanded to other cities."

"Chicago is the place where comedians Steve Carell, Tina Fey and John Belushi all launched their careers. So, as you can imagine, there’s a thriving comedy scene here. If you love improv and sketch comedy, then one of the best places to visit is The Second City."

"After dinner, catch transit to Second City to see a show. This theatre specializes in sketch comedy and improv. After opening its doors in 1959, it has become the most influential comedy theatre in the world."

"The Laugh Factory is a small yet cozy establishment that has an intimate ambiance. The biggest highlight of this comedy bar would probably be its occasional open mic nights, which give guests the opportunity to realize their dream of being stand-up comics, even for just one night. Be aware that there’s a two drinks minimum policy here, but even non-drinkers can go around this, as non-alcoholic beverages are sold here as well."

"If you’re looking for a comedy club in Chicago with rich, long-standing history, Zanie’s Comedy Night Club is the place to go. Located on North Wells, this comedy club is for the 21 and over crowd and hosts nationally-known headliners on a weekly basis. Listen and laugh with the likes of Jeff Garlin, Doug Benson, Josh Blue and more when stopping in at Zanie’s Comedy Night Club."

"Zanies has been a premiere location in Chicago for standup comedy since 1978. Local favorites, big stars, and newcomers all share the same stage for the purpose of making at least one of your two-drink minimum come shooting out of your nose. They have three locations to serve the Chicago area, and they provide standup shows on a nightly basis."

"A post shared by Mandy & Morgan (@bacon_wrappeddates) on Oct 16, 2018 at 7:44pm PDT. Zanies Comedy Night Club might be small (patrons literally sit beside each other), but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in humor. Do note that there’s a minimum two-drink and food policy here."