Cheap Places to Eat in Oak Park

"UptownGather up your pandemic pod and prepare to sink your collective teeth into this Uptown fixture’s not-so-secret signature dish: a gut busting, multicourse bonanza showcasing an entire duck, freshly roasted and sporting a layer of ultra succulent, crispy skin, carved tableside for your mouthwatering pleasure by the family-run spot’s expert staff. If you don’t know, now you know.How to book: Call 773-769-1254 for reservations and take-out orders."

"Located a bit farther north of the city (in Uptown, and easily accessed via the Red Line), Sun-Wah offers what might be the best Peking duck outside of Asia. At it’s priced at a steal – the off-menu Peking duck meal is just $32. One duck can easily feed 2-3 people (4 if you order an extra appetizer or two) and includes a full duck with crispy, crackling skin carved table-side."

"With an emphasis on Cantonese dishes, the dim sum menu features delicate plates with high-end ingredients such as dumplings with lobster and black truffle, bean curd rolls with scallop and fresh rice crepes. The Terrace also offers Peking duck prepared three ways – roasted and sliced according to tradition, cooked in a Chinese green mustard soup and finally, mixed with braised noodles. The interior is sophisticated, with Chinese silkscreens and elegant furniture, but the cozy outside terrace is the jewel in the crown."

"Shanghai Terrace is located along the Magnificent Mile at Chicago’s premier Peninsula Hotel. This is a great Chicago restaurant for dates, especially during the summer, the outdoor patio features awesome views of the downtown skyline. It’s a pricey spot, but the food is fabulous."

"It’s with good reason that Portillo’s has long been a cheap-eats staple in Chicago; the beloved Chicago-style hotdogs are no more than $4 and piled high with mustard, relish, celery salt, chopped onions, tomatoes, a kosher pickle and sport peppers. The rest of the fast-food-centric menu is just as wallet-friendly, peppered with the likes of a char-broiled chicken sandwich ($5.29), an Italian beef sandwich ($6.29), crinkle-cut fries ($2.69) and a chocolate cake shake ($4.29), which is actually blitzed with ice cream and a slice of chocolate cake."

"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."

"Portillo's is the king of sandwiches in Chicago and a meat lover’s dream. Paired best with the chocolate cake shake."

"Restaurants Pan-Asian River North. You've likely heard about Tao because of its 1,000-person capacity club, but the venue's posh restaurant is not to be overlooked. Snag a table in the dining room or saddle up at the sushi counter, where you can order sea-kissed treasures a la carte or through a decadent omakase menu."

"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..."

"For those that have never heard the term “clubstaurant,” it could be time to visit Tao for a delicious education. Situated in the historic River North castle, Tao is set over multi..."

"No Chicago day tour is complete without indulging in a some deep dish pizza, so grab a slice at Lou Malnati’s on N Wells Street which many locals swear is the best joint in town (or Giordano’s, or Gino’s East, depending who you ask). From there it’s only a couple more blocks to the Flamingo Rum Club, which is known for its mural depicting a trio of larger-than-life, fluorescent pink flamingos…AKA Instagram heaven and one of the best photo spots in Chicago."

"For Italian, check out Lou Malnati’s (including the oh-so-delicious deep-dish pizza that I am drooling just thinking about), or Jim’s Original for Polish sausage with peppers and onions."

"A throwback family-owned Chinese spot of the highest order, Shanghai Inn is the type of place that is so simple, and yet so good, it makes you angry there aren’t places like this all over Chicago. Family-owned for multiple generations, it has a homey feel, and everything you could ever want from your local Chinese restaurant. Sweet and sour chicken?"

"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."

"The Beverly Arts Center is a multifaceted space that hosts regular programs on dance, film, theater and music. There is also a gallery space here that presents a rotating and diverse program of visual arts. Past exhibits have included works by local Chicago cartoonists, printmakers, photographers and painters, as well as programs focused on the LGBTQ community."

"Circle back toward the river, making a quick stop inside Macy’s State Street which is designated as a National Historic Landmark thanks to magnificent touches that make it feel more like a museum than a department store. Of note are the Great Clocks which weigh seven tonnes each, granite pillars that are the second-tallest of their type in the world, and the ornate Tiffany Ceiling which was painstakingly designed from 1.6 million pieces of hand-fired iridescent glass."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ken Lund used under CC BY-SA 2.0. One of two Macy’s outlets in Chicago - the other is located on the Magnificent Mile - this world famous department store brand features a range of men’s and women’s clothing alongside kids, juniors, and home selections. A host of big-name designers are represented, including Ralph Lauren, Estee Lauder, and Calvin Klein."

"One of the biggest department stores in the world and recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Flex your plastic around eight floors of amazing fashion, from DKNY to Ralph Lauren to Michael Kors."

"Of the numerous buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed around Chicago, none is more famous or influential than Robie House. Because its horizontal lines resembled the flat landscape of the Midwestern prairie, the style became known as the Prairie style. Inside are 174 stained-glass windows and doors, which you'll see on the hour-long tours (frequency varies by season, but there's usually at least one tour per hour). Advance tickets are highly recommended."

"Named one of the 10 most significant buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects, the 9,000-square-foot Robie…"

"If you’re looking for a quiet place to unwind, Welles Park can offer a respite from all of the lights, noises and crowds of Chicago. It isn’t without amenities. Its centerpiece is an ornate, wire-topped gazebo where bands can play outdoor concerts and community leaders can give rallying speeches."

"Welles Park is a 15.84-acre park located in the heart of Lincoln Square. It is a gathering place for musicians and sports & fitness enthusiasts. The park was created in 1910 and named after Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869."