These 'Cheap Eats' Restaurants Have The Best Food In Chicago, According To Tripadvisor Ratings
Very good doesn't have to be very expensive.
When it comes to food — particularly easy, cheap eats — Chicagoans have very specific opinions as we can see on restaurant rating websites like Tripadvisor. Whether they're fast food, fast-casual, or super cheap, all places are being judged for their food, service, value and atmosphere.
Since eaters are looking for the best food Chicago has to offer no matter the price, we compiled a list of the top establishments where to get easy, inexpensive delicious food options.
All places mentioned below are listed as "cheap eats" on Tripadvisor and the rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews.
Keep reading to see if any of your favorite cheap eateries made the list!
#23. Murphy's Bleachers
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (146 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Address: 3655 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60613-4303
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Mariano's
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (158 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (5.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Specialty Food Market, American
- Address: 333 E Benton Pl Ste 206 Unit 2519, Chicago, IL 60601-7411
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (131 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Dessert, American
- Address: 2051 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647-3968
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Chicago French Market
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (196 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, French
- Address: 131 N Clinton St Between Washington and Randolph, Chicago, IL 60661-1506
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Al's #1 Italian Beef
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (612 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, American
- Address: 548 N Wells St Wells Street And Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60654-7119
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Epic Burger
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (352 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, American
- Address: 517 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605-1616
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Goddess and the Baker, Wabash
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (442 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Coffee & Tea, American
- Address: 33 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60603-3073
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Superdawg Drive-In
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (382 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Fast Food
- Address: 6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646-3726
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Devil Dawgs
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (261 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, American
- Address: 767 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605-2108
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Pittsfield Cafe
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (266 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Cafe
- Address: 55 E Washington St Ste 183 Lobby, Chicago, IL 60602-2103
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Sprinkles Chicago
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (446 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Bakeries, American
- Address: 50 E Walton St, Chicago, IL 60611-1420
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Portillo's Hot Dogs
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (7,167 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, American
- Address: 100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654-3710
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Big Star
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (431 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Mexican, Southwestern
- Address: 1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622-1906
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Garrett Popcorn Shops
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,113 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Dessert
- Address: 625 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-3110
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Stan's Donuts and Coffee
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (339 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Bakeries, American
- Address: 1560 N Damen Ave 1560 North Damen, Chicago, IL 60622-1942
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Cafecito
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (309 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, Latin
- Address: 26 E Congress Pkwy Ste 1, Chicago, IL 60605-1236
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Intelligentsia Coffee
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (405 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Coffee & Tea, Cafe
- Address: 53 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601-7503
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Velvet Taco
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (306 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, Mexican
- Address: 1110 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Firecakes Donuts
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (442 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Bakeries, American
- Address: 68 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654-5604
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Bongiorno's Italian Deli and Pizzeria
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (339 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Italian, Pizza
- Address: 405 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-3591
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Molly's Cupcakes
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (330 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Bakeries, American
- Address: 2536 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614-1712
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Doughnut Vault
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (475 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Bakeries, American
- Address: 401 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654-4902
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken - Streeterville
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (239 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Bakeries, American
- Address: 233 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611-2926
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Prime Minister Paul Martin (right) listens as Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine delivers his closing remarks at the end of the First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders meetings in Kelowna, B.C. Friday Nov. 25, 2005. (CP PHOTO/Adrian Wyld)
Chief of the Ojibways of Onigaming Jeff Copenace speaks to reporters following the First Nations Summit at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
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Protester Keisha Paulmartin of Okiniwak Youth Led Movement is overcome with emotion as she speaks to reporters during a protest on the property of the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
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Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi speaks as First Nations chiefs, band councillors and elders gather to call on Premier Danielle Smith's government to stomp out the push for the province to leave Canada, at the Alberta legislature in Edmonton on Monday March 9, 2026.
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