Living in the city has gotten exponentially more expensive in recent years, but everyone needs to eat (and maybe even go on a dinner date once in a while). But even if "Hamilton" describes both the contents of your music library and your wallet, you can still eat a full meal on the cheap. Here are five spots where even the young and hungry can dine like kings.
BIG & little's
River North/Wicker Park/Lakeview
With three locations and lots of media attention (it's appeared on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives), BIG & little's is a well-known favorite for eclectic, affordable comfort food. Nearly everything on the menu is under $10, from the pulled-pork po'boy (pictured above) to the ahi tuna poke tacos to the lamb gyro tacos. Order wisely, and there should be enough cash left over for a $2 fountain soda or $3 Mexican Coke.
Red Hot Ranch
Logan Square/Bucktown/Lakeview
When you think about cheap food, seafood probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But a half pound of fried shrimp at Red Hot Ranch runs just $8.23, with enough cash left over for a drink ($1.36). Carnivores can opt for a double cheeseburger, hot dog, or double dog, all of which come with fries, for $5.50 or less.
Sultan’s Market
West Town/Wicker Park/Lincoln Park
Once Sultan's owner May Ramli introduced Chicagoans to the food of her native Jordan, there was no going back to American sandwiches for the convenience store. Today, Sultan's offers some of the best falafel, kebabs and shawerma in the city, all for $7 or less. For bigger appetites, $10 is enough to purchase the priciest item on the menu: a hefty meat combo plate, which comes with lamb shawerma, chicken shawerma, kefta kebab, pita bread and your choice of rice and salad.
J.P. Graziano Grocery and Sub Shop
West Loop
If you want a taste of real Chicago, just bite into one of the sandwiches from this fourth-generation Italian grocery, which has been in business since 1937. Served on bread from D'Amato Bakery (one of Chicago's oldest bakeries) and piled high with Italian cold cuts like prosciutto, hot capicola, Genoa salami, mortadella, and hard salami, they come at an extremely reasonable price: nearly everything on the menu is between $8 and $10. And if you've got an extra $3, a freshly filled cannoli makes the perfect dessert.
Cheeseburger at Small Cheval
Wicker Park
Au Cheval's double cheeseburger has a strong national reputation, but it also clocks in at a hefty $14. Luckily, there's spinoff burger joint Small Cheval, where a double hamburger runs $8.95 and double cheeseburgers are just a buck more. You'll have to drop an extra $2-3 to add bacon and/or a side of fries, but when the burger is this good, you might not need 'em.
