City Cast Chicago logo

Your Guide to Cheap Eats in Chicago's Downtown

Posted on March 7, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Sidney Madden

Sidney Madden

People eat lunch along the Chicago Riverwalk last week

People eat lunch along the Chicago Riverwalk last week. (Scott Olson / Getty)

The Loop is in the news this week after Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a $1 billion plan to revitalize empty buildings downtown. But there are still plenty of people headed to the Loop each day, and we want to highlight the cheap eats you can find.

Tucked in a jewelry shop on Jeweler’s Row, the Mediterranean spot has everything from falafel to shish kebab. Talk about a hidden gem to impress your friends.

City Cast

Chicago Restaurants’ Best Potluck Dishes

00:00:00

The Cuban cafe makes a mean Cubano and other tasty sandwiches. Breakfast fans, feast on omelets and pancakes at the Congress location.

In the mood for Indian food? Get a wrap filled with chicken tikka or chickpea chana on a flaky paratha or whole wheat roti for under $7.

A worker at Chicken Planet

A worker at Chicken Planet. (Tripp / Flickr)

Whether you are getting a grilled chicken pita or chicken salad, these lunchtime Loop specials generally under $10 are a steal.

Get a burger, Italian beef, meatball sub, or Chicago–style hot dog for under $10. If you’re in the mood for pizza, get a personal pan for the same price.

What sort of French sandwich do you want? For $9 to $12, you can get a baguette, croissant, or croque. Bon appetit!

Create your own bowl at the fast-casual Asian spot. It is especially friendly for patrons who are gluten-free, vegan, or have other allergies.

What’s your favorite cheap bite in YOUR neighborhood? Tell us 👇

📍 Best cheap neighborhood bites

Share article

Hey Chicago

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

The latest in Chicago

Chicago, ExplainedSeptember 4

Take This Week's Chicago News Trivia Quiz

How closely were you paying attention to this week's current events in Chicago? Test yourself in our weekly trivia quiz.

Residents, shown from behind, confront ICE agents who were driving in a caravan through the Brighton Park neighborhood in November.
Keep It LocalSeptember 3

Your Guide To Karaoke Bars in Chicago

Whether your perfect karaoke night involves performing to an entire bar or renting a room for a more intimate experience, you’ve got opti...

A woman singing into a mic. A man is holding up what looks to be a tv screen
Keep It LocalSeptember 3

The Art of Karaoke

Karaoke is pretty serious business, and I want to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.

A woman singing into a mic with her finger pointed up. There's a man behind her holding a screen
Keep It LocalAugust 27

How To Start Growing Your Own Food

Amid a summer of foodborne illnesses, intense weather, and ever-rising grocery prices, many Chicagoans are exploring ways to grow their o...

A man in a bucket hat and glasses holding vegetables in a large garden
Keep It LocalAugust 27

Your Guide To Chicago’s Garden Shops

From expansive gardening centers to little shops packed with houseplants, it’s not hard to find all the supplies you need to bring some m...

A garden with an assortment of big leafed plants
Keep It LocalAugust 20

How Transit Tees Turns Chicago’s Quirks Into Board Games

From board games about the city’s history to puzzles of iconic maps to card decks featuring local wildlife, Transit Tees’ teams of creato...

A person writing on a gridded paper that says "Chicago 1893" There's also a board game with an assortment of different houses for the board game on it. There is also A bowl of popcorn and a soda on the table
Keep It LocalAugust 20

Your Guide to Chicago’s Toy Stores

From vintage toys to a workshop series for aspiring toy inventors, Here's a list of places that’ll help you spoil the kids in your life a...

A table with an assortment of different stuffed animals
Keep It LocalAugust 13

Your Guide to Chicago’s Stationery Stores

Whether you’re actually going back to school soon or you just love analog hobbies, these local shops will help you find all kinds of stat...

A large group of people inside a store. They are looking at an assortment of items