Top 5: Cheap Eats in Chicago

Pizzeria Uno, Downtown Chicago, Illinois © Afagundes | Dreamstime 28275065

Chicago has so many great dining options, but you don’t have to break the bank to experience the best the Windy City has to offer. Here are five affordableeateries to check out on your next trip.

Pizzeria Uno

Only a few steps off of Michigan Avenue, Pizzeria Uno has been doing deep-dish pizza the right way since 1943 — in fact, they claim they’re the original creator of the famed Chicago deep dish. Whatever the reason, you can expect a wait of around an hour for lunch on the weekends, but you won’t regret it. In addition to pizza, they also serve salads, pasta, sandwiches and dessert, and online ordering for pick-up is available. Small deep-dish pizzas start at $7.19.

Billy Goat Tavern

Billy Goat Tavern, Chicago, Illinois © Tripp | Flickr

They cursed the Cubs in 1945 and made SNL fame with the Cheezborger skit. The original tavern is tucked away underneath Michigan Avenue, in a slightly suspicious little hole in the wall that’s not the easiest to find unless you know what you’re looking for. The décor is nothing fancy, but the great food and even greater prices will have you coming back again and again. Cheezborgers start at just under $3.

Navy Pier

If you’re not ready to take a break from your sightseeing just yet, you can always grab a bite at one of Navy Pier’s many restaurants. From May to September, City Porch, a small pop-up restaurant, offers appetizer plates, drinks and a great view of the water. If you’re not visiting in the summer, Harry Caray’s Tavern is a great place to catch a quick bite or stay a bit longer if you’re looking to catch a game on TV.

Gino’s East

Scribbled Walls of Gino’s East, Chicago, Illinois © Eric Chan | Flickr

Gino’s East is another Chicago-style pizza joint, but they offer a completely different flavor and ambience than Pizzeria Uno. The two-story restaurant’sinterior walls are covered in signatures, doodles and general graffiti left there by previous patrons, and you’ll be encouraged to leave your own mark as well. Besides pizza, they also serve up calzones and pasta, as well as beer from their own brewery.

Garrett Popcorn Shops

If you’re just looking for a snack to hold you over until dinner, stop by one of the many Garrett Popcorn Shops scattered across the city. Founded in Chicago in 1949, you’ll see tourists everywhere carting around bags of their salty and sweet concoctions. Flavors range from Dark Chocolate Covered CaramelCrisp to Spicy CheeseCorn. If you find yourself craving these treats after you’ve left the city, they’ll deliver gallon tins of your favorite flavor straight to your door.