Cheap Places to Eat in River Forest

"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."

"Feed your entire family a duck dinner for $40, complete with duck soup, stir fried greens with duck and pillowy baos to fill with crispy skin and juicy meat. Sun Wah BBQ, 5039 N. Broadway St., 773-769-1254, sunwahbbq.com"

"This swanky outdoor dining spot is in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. Located in the five-star Peninsula Chicago hotel near attractions like the John Hancock building, this Cantonese dim sum restaurant has been voted the no. 1 Chinese restaurant in Chicago by Zagat Survey and boasts some of the best skyline views. OpenTable reviewers love the expanded outdoor rooftop dining area, while TripAdvisor diners highly recommend the Peking duck and craft cocktails."

"What's better than Cantonese delicacies while gazing at Chicago’s skyline?. Located inside The Peninsula Hotel, Shanghai Terrace sets the scene for a 1930s supper club. Have a cocktail on the terrace or enjoy Cantonese meals inside the restaurant."

"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."

"Could I really make a Chicago's best list without including Portillo's?. Even if it's a bit "too suburban," it's still a Chicago classic with some pretty dank food. The extra soft poppy seed bun on the Chicago dog, crinkle-cut cheese fries, chopped salad, croissant sandwiches, the famous chocolate cake shake and other must-orders really have no competition."

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

"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..."

"The New York outpost of this trendy Asian fusion restaurant made a splash because of their gorgeous interior and their incredible food..."

"Long-time Chicago chef Jonathan Fox and his donut-obsessed wife, Karen, opened the first Firecakes storefront in River North five years ago; now, they’ve got stores in Lincoln Park and Oak Park, with The Loop not far behind (not to mention “Billy the Truck”). Not surprisingly, it’s the cheffy touches, like glazing with wildflower honey rather than sugar, sourcing Tahitian vanilla and Valhrona chocolate for icing, or decorating a Birthday Cake donut to the nines, that make these donuts extra special. If you want the bacon on top of your Maple Long John to be both candied and peppered, this is your paradise."

"The creative Firecakes Donuts has two locations and one food truck roaming the city that serve up La Colombe coffee alongside their donuts or donut ice cream sandwiches (yes, this exists). Firecakes uses quality ingredients, including chocolate from France and fruits from local farmers for its jellies, and often invents new flavors for different seasons or holidays. Try the Peanut Butter Cup or the beautiful Tahitian Vanilla Iced donut."

"Chicagoans really can’t be kept apart from their sandwiches. Trust us, ice cream was meant to be served in the middle of a doughnut. #SpoonTip: Firecakes will close if they run out of doughnuts, so make sure you don’t try to go too late."

"Compromise on Italian without spending too much by going to Pizza Rustica. This cozy BYOB feels just like an Italian trattoria and serves huge pizzas with doughy crusts featuring toppings like Italian sausage, mushrooms, pineapple, artichokes or spinach. Salads are heading and pasta is made by hand."

"Their shaved ice macaron sandwiches are what dreams are made of. Don’t let summer end before you get to try one of these."

"River North and West Loop French MarketWhat you’re getting: The Gold Coast Lobster RollWhile its Gold Coast location is now a soon-to-be casualty of building demolition, it's still got the River North (BYOB, by the way) and West Loop digs inside the French Market. The quick-service lobster roll eatery serves authentic New England rolls with a twist, including Indian, Asian, Mexican, and Greek varieties. If you’re missing the newly closed shop, you can always get the Gold Coast-style lobster roll with lobster, blue crab, shrimp, and truffle mayo in River North."

"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."

"Lowcountry Lakeview is an affordably priced restaurant that specializes in southern-style seafood boils in a nicely themed nautical environment. They serve a variety of seafood dishes which are all highly rated on the menu, as well as cocktails and beer. This is a comfortable seafood restaurant that doesn’t require reservations in advance unless you want to make them."

"A post shared by 🦀Lowcountry Lakeview🦀 (@lowcountrychi) on Oct 18, 2018 at 12:42pm PDT. Fairly often, people will use the word “uncomplicated” to refer to a restaurant, as a euphemism for “basic” or “cheap”. When we use the term to refer to Lowcountry Lakeview, we mean “uncomplicated” in all the best ways."