Chicago Food Guide: Budget Eateries, Must-try dishes and more

Welcome to the ultimate budget Chicago food guide, where I’ll introduce you to the city’s vibrant food scene. Here, I share my top picks for budget-friendly eateries, must-try dishes, and unique dining spots we loved during our trip.

You can also read my detailed Chicago Guide for a fun 2-day adventure in the Windy City.

Food is an integral part of Chicago, reflecting its rich cultural diversity dominated by Italian cuisine because of its large population of Italian immigrants who came to Chicago between 1850 and 1970.

We tried to explore as much as possible in these two days, from classics like deep-dish pizza to sizzling street food and gourmet dining experiences. Here’s a list of classic dishes you can try and where to find them in Chicago:

Chicago Classics

Deep Dish Pizza

Chicago’s deep-dish pizza, invented by chef duo Ike Sewell and Richard Riccardo in 1943 at Pizzeria Uno, is a culinary icon known for its thick, buttery crust and layers of gooey cheese and rich tomato sauce. The restaurant has been rebranded as Uno Pizzeria & Grill and can be found across the Midwest.

We tried Lou Malnati’s signature deep-dish pizza. It had a flaky crust and rich flavors. This restaurant has been serving classic deep-dish since 1971 and is one of the top-rated pizzerias in Chicago.

Another popular pizzeria we recommend is Giordano’s. They are known for their stuffed pizza, offering a twist on the traditional deep-dish pizza with extra layers of cheese.

Chicago Red Dog

Chicago Red Dog is a popular street food, perfect for snacking while exploring the city. The hot dog is made with a poppy seed bun and Polish sausage and topped with mustard sauce, white onions, sweet pickle relish, dill pickle, tomatoes, pickled sport peppers, and celery salt.

Whoo! I feel tired just describing the hot dog. Imagine how heavy an entire hot dog would be.

Although you’ll find several street-side carts and vendors selling Chicago-style hot dogs, but the most authentic ones can be found at Red Hot Ranch, Portillo’s, and Vienna Beef.

Italian Beef

Another beloved dish of Chicagoans is the Italian Beef Sandwich, made using French bread stuffed with a generous amount of beef simmered and au jus. You can top this sandwich with sauces and pickles but the best toppings are spicy giardiniera and bell peppers. 

This sandwich was featured in the popular TV show “The Bear” and has been on our list since then. If you’re a fan of the show, do visit Mr. Beef at 666 N Orleans St to get some cool photos of The Bear restaurant!

We are definitely coming back to check out all the restaurants that were featured in The Bear (we love this show!).

Chicago’s Italian Beef was invented by Albert Ferreri, the owner of Al’s making this our top choice to grab Italian Beef sandwiches. Other restaurants that we recommend trying are Luke’s Homemade Italian Beef and Johnnie’s Beef & Gyros.

Garrett Popcorn

Garrett Popcorn is a Chicago institution, established in 1949 by a female entrepreneur. Their legendary signature “Garrett Mix” of caramel and cheese popcorn is the perfect snack to munch on while exploring the city. You can find Garrett Popcorn shops all over the city, including at O’Hare Airport.

Italian Ice

Italian Ice is a smooth iced dessert perfect for hot summer days. It is also healthy as it doesn’t contain dairy, gluten, eggs, or cholesterol. This was invented by an Italian immigrant Caterina Di Cosmo in New Jersey and made its way to Chicago in the 90s. We recommend Miko’s Italian Ice, a family-owned restaurant known for serving homemade scoops of chilled Italian Ice.

Top Budget Eateries in Lincoln Park

As I mentioned in my previous blog post, we stayed in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and explored a few eateries over two days. Here are two of our favorite budget eateries that we loved.

Sultan’s Market

Sultan’s Market is an award-winning Middle Eastern restaurant that serves a variety of dishes, from classic options like falafel, shawarma, and hummus to unique breads and sandwiches. They also offer salads (including a salad bar), curries, and soups. My experience dining at this restaurant was fantastic. It’s an ideal spot for a quick and satisfying meal that won’t break the bank.

Ghareeb Nawaz

Ghareeb Nawaz is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the plush Lincoln Park neighborhood. This Indian-Pakistani restaurant is known for its generous portions and flavorful Indian and Pakistani dishes, including biryani, paranthas, and curries. We loved their chicken biryani and butter chicken thali.

Ricobene’s

Ricobene’s breaded steak sandwich has been a staple in Chicago since 1946. They are known for their hearty portions and unique taste. I highly recommend trying the breaded steak loaded with marinara sauce and served on a fresh roll.

Best Rooftop Bars

Rooftop bars have become a thing in Chicago lately, hence, visiting one during your trip is a must. This is a great way to elevate your evening by trying creative cocktails while ogling at the breathtaking views.

I highly recommend Cindy’s Rooftop, a top choice for both, locals and tourists. This is located in the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, Cindy’s offers panoramic views of Millennium Park and a seasonal menu of craft cocktails.

Another recommendation is The J. Parker, one of the best rooftop bars in Chicago offering a stunning view of Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan. This bar is known for its innovative cocktails and vibrant atmosphere.

Michelin Star Restaurants

Chicago has over 150 Michelin-starred restaurants, offering world-class dining experiences. We haven’t dined at any Michelin-starred restaurant yet, but whenever we do, it will definitely be in Chicago. Here are two restaurants that are on my bucket list and why.

First is Alinea, known for its avant-garde cuisine. This three-Michelin-star restaurant provides an immersive dining experience that will leave your palettes in awe (as per the reviews on Google and Reddit).

The second one is Oriole, a hidden gem with two Michelin stars. This restaurant offers a contemporary American tasting menu in an intimate setting. The restaurant makes you dine at different spots giving you a holistic experience and the whole dining experience takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Other fancy Chicago restaurants we recommend are:

• Girl & the Goat – by award-winning chef Stephanie Izard, the restaurant has a dramatic open kitchen and is known for serving innovative small plates.
• Longman and Eagle – this was named one of the best restaurants in America by GQ and offers farm-to-table aesthetics, food made with the freshest local ingredients, and incredible whiskey.
• Old Town Ale House – This is one of the best dive bars in Chicago with laid-back vibes, jukebox, and art. Moreover, this bar was featured multiple times in Anthony Bourdain’s show Parts Unknown.
• Calumet Fisheries – this ranks among the 10 best historic restaurants in America and one of the few smokehouses left in the country. They are known for their house-smoked fish and fried seafood platters.

I hope this list helps you plan your ultimate foodie adventure in Chicago. Bon Appetit!