Chicago's Best Cheap Eats 2008

Sausage lovers line out the door at this quirky, Crayola-colored hot dog spot.

Reviews:

• “FANTASTIC!”
• “And the Winner is……”
• “Average experience……..”
• “Should be called Arrogant Dougs.”
• “Walk Out Happy "

Tips: Doug doesn’t take credit cards, so bring cash.

Hot Doug’s Inc. or email Hot Doug’s Inc.

Bucktown takeout favorite serves up charbroiled chicken to a bustling lunch and dinner crowd.

Reviews:

• “their garbage smells like pure death”
• “Best Hot dogs and Gyros in town anytime”
• “Good charbroiled chicken.”
• “Kleiman Evangelista Ripoff Scam”
• “Delcious Home-style BBQ Chicken and Sides!!!”

Tips: The few stools and high tables fill up at lunchtime, but during the evenings, there’s generally room, as most people do takeout.

Nick’s Pit Stop or email Nick’s Pit Stop

Chaotic late-night favorite serves up one of the city’s best hot dogs, along with a generous side of sass.

Reviews:

• “Best Dog and Fries in the City”
• “probably more fun when your drunk at 4am”
• “THIS IS THEE “FAMOUS” WEINER’S CIRCLE??? WHAT A DUMP!!!"
• “AVOID Wiener Circle”
• “The Employees are Rascist Price Gougers”

Tips: The Wiener’s Circle has no restrooms—and thus no place to wash your hands—so grab a lot of napkins.

The Wiener’s Circle

Suburban families flock to this Bridgeview barbecue pit for delicious barbecue and a comfortable atmosphere.

Reviews:

• “Best barbecued ribs in town!”
• “the best food and the best prices”
• “Best BBQ place”
• “good bbq”
• “The Best Ribs – Anywhere”

Tips: Wine and beer must be ordered separately, at the bar. Go for a brew—Heineken, Bass and Guinness are among those on tap. Not only do they do a great job of washing down barbecue, they’re served super-cold in frosted pint glasses.

The Patio Restaurant

This bar/lunch counter was immortalized on “SNL” for its “cheezborger, cheezborger, cheezborger.”

Reviews:

• “Smelly, Surly, S**t Hole.”
• “Cheeseborger Cheeseborger Cheeseborger”
• “Best greasy dive in the city”
• “interesting place below the street…”
• “JAYZUSSSS!!! It’s Billy Goat’s !!!!!!!”

Tips: No credit cards are accepted here, so unless you want to wash dishes with the guys in back, bring the green stuff.

Billy Goat Tavern

Legendary cafeteria serves up deli-style dishes like corned beef sandwiches.

Reviews:

• “Such a great deli…”
• “been going here since I could walk”
• “Chicago landmark delivers and delivers and delivers”
• “Awesome”
• “A better knosh you will not find in Chicago”

Tips: There are fresh-squeezed orange, grapefruit and tomato juices, plus a soda fountain with retro classics like Green River.

Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen

Generous portions of soul food at a nice price make this cafeteria a West Side favorite.

Reviews:

• “Best Food Ever”
• “Great Mac and cheese”
• “Solid soul food, great prices, friendly service, pre-United Center meal?”
• “Great Food”
• “It’s Okay, but not all that.”

Tips: There’s no alcohol available here, just soft drinks, tea, coffee, bottled water and juices.

MacArthur’s

Authentic, meat-heavy plate lunches transport diners to the Hawaiian islands at this casual Lincoln Park restaurant.

Reviews:

• “No Mauna Pua”
• “Love the bbq chicken!”

Tips: Mini versions of the plate lunch include one scoop of rice as opposed to two, and are a few dollars cheaper than the full plate lunches.

Aloha Eats

Friendly B.Y.O.B. storefront in Uptown serves fresh, creative Mexican fare at cheap-eats prices.

Reviews:

• " 5 star through and through."
• “delcious regional mexican food”
• “Best Mexican food in Chicago”
• “Fantastic Mexican, Great Value!”
• “Very Disappointing”

Tips: Feel free to bring your own beer or wine; there’s no corkage fee. You can get coffee, juice, horchata or a milkshake.

Rique’s Regional Mexican Food

Greasy spoon in the heart of the Loop cooks up belt-busting fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Tips: Ronny’s signature special is a wallet-friendly eight-ounce T-bone steak, served with baked potato, garlic bread and salad, available all day, every day.

Ronny’s Original Chicago Steakhouse

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