Anthony Bourdain has toured our city. Top Chef, Stephanie Izard, has added fuel to our culinary fire. And top food publications are recognizing our chefs and the staples of Chicago food.
I could talk to you for hours about my experience at Alinea (which is a must-do if you love food), but budgets are a bit pinched right now. So, I’m going to take you to a few of my favorite neighborhood spots (Pilsen/UIC/Bridgeport) for some of the best eats in Chicago on a line cook’s budget.
BYOB It!
Photo by ChicagoGeek
Out of town friends don’t understand it, but very quickly love the fact that we can take our booze to dinner and enjoy some fabulous eats. Chicago is not necessarily the BBQ mecca, but with several BBQ award wins under his belt, Willie Wagner of Honky Tonk BBQ, serves up the most succulent brisket and perfectly smoked chicken and St. Louis-style ribs. My “don’t miss” – the mustard garlic BBQ sauce. I could eat a full bowl with some white bread to sop it up. Weekends are filled with local country music acts and long waits, so be sure to bring an extra six pack or bottle of wine.
Honky Tonk BBQ / 1213 W 18th St / Chicago, IL 60608 / (312) 226-RIBS (7427)
Prix Fixe
Just south of Pilsen in neighboring Bridgeport is one of the best prix fixe meals you will find in this city: Han 202’s five-course meal for $20. Most restaurants will feature their prix fixe meals on select off-nights of the week (e.g. Monday – Wednesday) but at Han 202 you can score this deal any night of the week. If you can get there quickly, you’ll grab a two-for-one deal – and it’s BYOB! Chef Guan Chen is at the helm, serving up Asian fusion dishes like salt and pepper calamari, a beef and lemongrass starter and a spicy crab miso soup with real crab. No imitations here. For $20, this is a steal and a must visit.
Han 202 / 605 W. 31st / Chicago, IL 60616 / (312) 949-1314
Brown Paper Bag
Jim's Original, photo by Ei-Lun Tsai
I’m a jean and t-shirt type of gal, so Jim’s Original is the perfect treat for a very, very low key lunch or dinner. Here are my tips:
1. Polish! Polish and Fries.
2. Don’t get confused. If it does not say Jim’s Original on the sign this is not the right place (insiders call it “Not Jim’s” and it sits immediately next to the Jim’s!) .
3. No meal is complete without a glass of wine or beer, so take that brown bag and jump over to Lush Wine and Spirits (1257 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 738-1900) for a bottle of juicy Zinfandel and enjoy the picnic tables on the patio.
Jim’s Original / 1250 S. Union Ave. / Chicago, IL 60607 / (312) 733-7820
What are your favorite neighborhood culinary destinations that fit a tight budget?
- Carrie Becker
To learn more about Carrie, check out her bio.
