Chicago is a great place to come and enjoy some of the world's most excellent tasting food. If you want, you can eat at some of the finest restaurants in the world but you don't have to pay a ton to do so. There are some lesser-known, local spots that you can go to where you can eat well on a budget.
Instructions
1. Get to the best places. Sometimes, going out to eat is less about the food than it is about the scene. So if you are visiting the city, or just want to go to where the people are, you can sit down at a great table in some of Chicago's premier dinging sites and eat for cheap. One of the best areas to people watch in Chicago is the Viagra Triangle. Named for the abundance of older men that flock to the area, it is the best place to sit outside on a nice night and watch the who's who of Chicago, but you can do it on the cheap. Of course it is surrounded by swanky and upscale restaurants, but you don't have to get sucked up into the frenzy. Many of the places in that area also have bar menus where you can order a burger, chicken or salad and eat for about $15 per person. This isn't necessarily going to be your cheapest option, but it is a way for you to get out and have some fun in one of the best areas that the city has to offer.
2. Get to a BYOB place. Everyone knows that if you go out and order drinks and bottles of wine, your bill goes up exponentially. So don't do it. Chicago has a ton of BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) options. Many of the city's restaurants allow you to bring your own alcohol and this is a great way to save some money. Your average bottle of wine at a liquor store that cost $20 can easily be at least $65 at a nice restaurant. This is a great way to save some money and still have a nice meal. And it allows you to spend you money on food and not on overpriced liquor. Call ahead to restaurants and ask if they are BYOB. Some might have a corkage fee, so be sure to ask if that is something you are worried about.
3. Find yourself a special. If you are really trying to eat on a budget, maybe it's best if you don't go out to eat too much. But if you still want the experience of going to a restaurant, you should plan to go on an off-night when a restaurant offers a wallet-friendly special. Go online to a restaurant's website and find their specials. Many excellent restaurants in Chicago offer such tidbits as half-prize appetizers, $1 food offerings, half-price wine nights, etc. These specials are great draws for the restaurant and can be an excellent time for you to try a good place with good food on the cheap. You can easily save yourself $20 to $30 like this, or more if you bring a larger party. Either way, it's a great way to try some new places.
4. Eat some good, cheap food. I'm not talking fast food, I'm talking good food... that's inexpensive. For every grand steakhouse and seafood place that Chicago is known for, it also boasts a lesser-known, local favorite that serves fantastic food at great prices. Places like Penny's fall into this category. It's a local noodle restaurant with some excellent Thai food at inexpensive prices. It's definitely a local favorite. Boston Blackies has been around for years and is a great place to get a nice inexpensive burger. If you like olives, try the olive burger, which is delicious and cheap. It's a great place to go for lunch (it's right off of Michigan Avenue) or for dinner and to catch a game.
5. Go online and find your own place and special. Maybe other cities have such a great resource, but you can go online to various websites and find out everything about Chicago restaurants. Obviously you can find reviews and user comments that might help you find a place, but sites like Metromix.com, owned and operated by the Chicago Tribune, features as listing various specials (like those listed above and more) and the pricing. So if you aren't sure whether to try a place or if it will fit your budget, try this website and see if it will work or if maybe going on a different night will be better.
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