UIC MBA Chicago Entrepreneur Blog Past, present, and future plans in the life of an entrepreneur and former Chicago UIC MBA student.

Bam!  I finally compiled my list of favorite places to eat under $15.  As a student, it’s difficult to justify paying high prices for a gourmet meal.  Sometimes, the best meals are often the ones that cost the least.   I also decided to stay within Chicago to limit the choices since most of my readers are around UIC area. (Pictures are not mine!  They were taken from other websites)  In no particular order:

-Sultan’s Market - 2057 W North Ave and 2521 N Clark St

Amazing falafel sandwichs and Chicken Shawarma.  Hefty portions!

- Giordano’s Pizza - Multiple Locations - 815 W Van Buren St (Closest to UIC)

What trip to Chicago could be complete without Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza?

-Cho Sun Ok - 4200 N Lincoln Ave

This might cost a little more than $15 but it’s amazing.  You only go for one item there, cha dol bae gi (unmarinated thin sliced beef).  Afterwards, they take all the side dishes and make you a fried rice.

Ba Le -5018 N Broadway   and Tank Noodle 4953 N Broadway (across the street)

My, oh my.  The pho at tank is out of this world.  Finish it off with a #1 Ba Le special sandwich right across the street. (Probably not a good idea to eat both in one sitting)

-Meli’s Cafe - 301 S Halsted St

Perhaps my favorite breakfast place in the city and I’ve been to them all.  Homemade jam and butter with fresh squeezed orange juice.  (Warning - it gets very busy on the weekends)

-Hot Doug’s - 3324 N California Ave

This place needs no introduction.  On Anthony Bourdain’s list of top ten places to eat before you die.  Lines do get ridiculous at over a hour wait.  Try duck fat french fries on the weekend.

-Maxwell’s and Jim Polish - 1250 S Union Ave

This is a perfect midnight snack if you’ve been out drinking.  Open all night and under $3.  Try the Polish or Pork Chop sandwich.

-Oparts Thai - Multiple Locations - 1906 S State St (Closest to UIC)

When I’m craving Thai food, there’s nothing more authentic.

Opart

-Great Seas -3254 W Lawrence Ave

Again, one specialty, cheap insanely delicious chicken wings.  If you’re up to the challenge, there’s a wall of people who have eaten the most wings in one sitting.  I think it was up to 90 last time I saw.

-Cafecito -26 East Congress Pkwy

Pulled pork, ham and cheese in one sandwich, only in your dreams!  And here it is: (voted best Cubano in Chicago):

-Portillo’s - Multiple Locations - 100 W Ontario St

Great mix of all types of food.  Try the Italian Beef or Hot Dog.

-Ed’s Potsticker House -3139 S Halsted St

One of the few places in Chicago to get Shou Long Bao (steamed soup dumplings)

Well, that rounds up my list.  I could have added higher priced restaurants but I wanted to keep things simple.  Enjoy the list and you’ll probably bump into me at one of these places!

Posted under Chicago Cheap Eat