Centerstage - Chicago's Original City Guide

Your stomach is empty and so is your wallet. Never fear! Our cheap eats guide will teach you how to leave a life of Ramen noodles and dollar burrito taquerias behind you. Better yet, we’ve found places with multi-page menus, table service, and damn good food. Get the real deal dining experience at prices so low you’ll blush. So stash 10 bucks in your pocket and enjoy that rumbling in your stomach—it’s time for good eats.

HOT DOUG'S
2314 W. Roscoe
(773) 348-0326

File Under: Gourmet dogs
Don’t you dare let the name fool you! Hot Doug’s has to be the best gourmet hot dog shop in the city. Okay, it may be the only gourmet shop serving up dog, but man are they good. Madonna and Elvis cover the walls in this kitschy little hot dog joint where the crowds are ever flowing. The owner/chef serves you with a smile and offers specialties like cognac-infused smoked pheasant sausage with savory currant sauce & foie gras or sauternes duck sausage with sauce moutarde, black truffle oil & blue cheese. Staples include dogs with names like the Len O’Connor (beef, pork & garlic), the Britney Spears (fire dog: hot), the Rick Reuschel (savory chicken sausage), and my favorite, the Howard Devoto (vegetarian dog). If you just want a regular old hot dog or sausage just ask for “The Dog” or “The Elvis.” They’re equally tasty and just as filling as the gourmet stuff. French fries are never frozen and always fresh cut—they even cook them in duck fat from time to time. You get a boat load of em’ for a buck!

Hours: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday

SOUL VEGETARIAN EAST
205 E. 75th
(773) 224-0104

File Under: Vegan/vegetarian, soul
The name says it all. Soul Vegetarian East dishes up good healthy food with a soulful twist. African art hangs on the walls as servers greet you with a smile in colorful African garb. This popular vegetarian restaurant can be just as crowded during the week as it is on the weekend. Southsiders and outsiders flock to this space to sample some of the best vegan/vegetarian food in the city. All dishes are made with meat substitute and most taste better then the real thing. The Garvey Burger (wheat gluten veggie-burger) seems to be a popular choice as well as the BBQ (gluten) roast sandwich. Other specialties include tofu lasagna (not always offered), macaroni & cheese and the Salisbury steak dinner. Sandwiches will set you back a mere $4, while specialties rarely cost more than $10. Starters like fried tofu sticks and lentil soups are just a few bucks as well.

Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday

POMPEI LITTLE ITALY
1531 W. Taylor
(312) 421-5179

File Under: Italian eats
The portions are huge in this cafeteria-style Italian restaurant. Place your order, grab a drink and a table, and relax. Even though your food is brought to your table, they don’t allow tipping, beefing up your wallet just a bit more. For a few bucks you can have a large, thick pan-pizza square, a spinach & cheese stuffed calzone as big as your head or a huge salad that’s sure to fill your belly. The food is really heavy, but in a good way. Don’t worry, you can always take the rest home—it reheats pretty well. Check out their other location at 2955 N. Sheffield.

Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

SALONICA
1440 E. 57th
(773) 752-3899

File Under: American & Greek eats
Why do U of C students love this place? Quite simply, it’s hard to beat 80-cent coffee (free refills) and a mixture of American and Greek specialties offered daily. Salonica offers everything from burgers, deli sandwiches and fries to gyros, souvlaki and moussaka—and you won’t find anything over $7. The atmosphere is cozy and nobody cares if you linger a bit too long after you’ve finished your meal. Plenty of black vinyl booths and ample counter seating means there’s enough room for all.

Hours: 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m. daily

SALT & PEPPER DINER
3537 N. Clark
(773) 883-9800

File Under: Popular Wrigleyville diner
Order a patty melt and fries for four bucks and walk out with a full stomach and a fuller wallet. Not your average diner, Salt & Pepper doesn’t just offer cheap food—they offer damn good cheap food. Belly up at the counter and watch the cooks at work or settle into one of the many black and red booths lining the walls. The staff is always quick, friendly and efficient and the food is consistently good. They offer standard diner fare with extras like milk shakes, a variety of beers and several dinner entrees. Although the space is decent-sized, waits can be pretty long on weekends. Your best bet is to go during the week—but not too late.

Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 7 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday; 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday

COSTELLO’S SANDWICHES & SIDES
4647 N. Lincoln
(773) 989-7788

File Under: Best sandwich shop
Where else can you find sides that are just as delicious as the main dish? Costello’s red skinned garlic & butter mashed potatoes, chipotle mac n’ cheese and Maryanne’s pineapple tuna salad are just the tip of the iceberg. All sandwiches & wraps are under $6—mostly baked—and include specialties like The Costello, a mix of mortadella, hot capicola and provolone baked on an Italian sub with marinated artichokes, tomato, black olives, roasted red peppers and lettuce. Feeling adventurous? Try the Mess—it’s truly a tasty mess of Genoa salami, capicola, ham, provolone cheese, French fries (yes, on the sandwich), cole slaw (yes, ON again), and tomato on a sub roll. The Baked Spicy Roscoe is another favorite, with hot capicola, pepper crusted turkey and pepper jack cheese on an Italian sub with yellow peppers, lettuce, tomato, chipotle mayo and spicy vinaigrette. Costello’s also offers meaty wraps, vegetarian sandwiches and an awesome baked falafel wrap. The interior is bright and fun, but the few tables that they have are packed in pretty tight, so be prepared to take it to go.

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday

PENNY'S NOODLE SHOP
3400 N. Sheffield
(773) 281-8222

File Under: Hearty Thai
If you want it fast, fresh and cheap, definitely stop by Penny’s Noodle Shop. Located under the EL tracks at Sheffield and Roscoe, this tiny space serves up hearty portions at reasonable prices. Sliced chicken, beef or tofu arrives steaming hot in a large bowl that’s perfect for mixing things up. Freshly wrapped spring rolls, served with a light sweet sauce, are perfect for sharing. Penny’s also offers a variety of rice dishes and appetizers. Because the space is small, be prepared to wait on weekday nights and weekends. They have an outdoor patio in the summer. Feel free to BYOB.

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday & Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday;
Closed Monday

BITE
1039 N. Western
(773) 395-2483

File Under: Artsy café
You won’t believe how good the food is in this unassuming café next door to the Empty Bottle bar & club. Funky, laid-back and always friendly, Bite offers eclectic fare at great prices. Salmon wrapped in grape leaves, grilled marlin with fennel, couscous & charmoula and African peanut soup are just a few of the specials offered here. Specials are usually $10 or less, and regular menu items like sandwiches, salads, pastas and burritos will only set you back a few bucks. BYOB makes it an even better deal. Check out the brunch on Saturday & Sunday (8 a.m.-3 p.m.)—it’s pretty popular among locals.

Hours: 8 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday

LEONA'S
6935 N. Sheridan
(773) 764-5757

File Under: Italian-American fare
No “best bang for your buck” dining guide would be complete without at least a mention of Leona’s. A legend for more than 50 years, Leona’s prices and ridiculously large portions have remained the same since day one. At Leona’s no pasta entree is complete without a pre-meal “snack” of fresh baked bread with two dipping sauces, and salad or soup, followed by a hearty main dish accompanied by your choice of sides ranging from potato wedges with sour cream to a small pasta side to onion rings and kick ass garlic bread with three cheeses. Stuffed-to-capacity sandwiches treat your belly well—beyond meats and cheeses, even the veggie sandwiches will make you loosen your belt. Remember what your mother always said—your eyes are bigger than your stomach. Trust me—that rings true at Leona’s, where one entrée or sandwich is usually enough for two, or order solo and take home a sizable meal for later. Leona’s also has a variety of fresh pizzas to choose from and a tasty dessert menu.

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30-12:30 a.m. Friday-Saturday;
10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday