Lincoln Park has a thriving and diverse food scene. There are always new eateries and restaurants to discover. I truly believe that one could never get bored of eating out in Lincoln Park. One of the best parts about Lincoln Park, in my opinion, is that it is home to my alma-matter – DePaul University. With a huge student base all year round, Lincoln Park excels in fun and exciting cheap eats that keeps your food game strong without killing your wallet.
5. Benjyehuda
Benjyehuda is one of my top choices for Mediterranean food in Lincoln Park. With an urban street food concept, you can create and customize your own meal. Choose from three proteins to create a meal with rice or salad, laffa, or a pita pocket. Then, add your choice of fresh vegetables and sauces.
They also offer a variety of sides such as fries or falafel to make your meal complete! By making your own meal, you are almost guaranteed a fun and exciting combo of flavors in every bite. My favorite protein is the chicken shawarma, which is carved right off the skewer on order. The vibe at Benjyehuda is fast-casual so you can go in and order a box of food to eat there or get it on the run.
FAB TIP: Not sure what to choose? You can get the Yehuda Flight, which comes with three mini pitas of chicken, steak, and falafel. It also comes with fries and the Jerusalem salad for only $8.49.
{Location}
Benjyehuda
Lincoln Park || 2485 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 697-3966
The Loop || 10 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 726-9653
The Loop || 212 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 408-2365
{Price Range}
$ (Under $10)
{Fab Rating: 4 Fabs}
4. Snow Dragon Shavery
If you are looking for a unique and fun dessert experience in Lincoln Park, look no further. Snow Dragon Shavery is one of my absolute favorite places to go to curb my sweet tooth. My favorite thing to get is the shaved snow, which is what they are known for.
Snow Dragon offers a huge variety of desserts, including cotton candy topped bubble tea and macaron ice cream sandwiches. With such an overwhelming variety on their menu, you will be sure to get what you are craving. Snow Dragon Shavery is also open late on weekdays and weekends, so it’s super easy to stop in for dessert after dinner! The staff is also very friendly and helpful. I love going there with friends to chill and share desserts.
A photo posted by Sherrie Tan (@sherriesavorsthecity) on
FAB TIP: Tag Snow Dragon on Instagram for a FREE mini macaron with any purchase!
{Location}
Snow Dragon Shavery
Lincoln Park || 2618 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL|| P: (773) 281-9866
Evanston || 809 Davis St, Evanston, IL || P: (847) 475-7669
{Price Range}
$ (Under $10)
{Fab Rating: 4 Fabs}
3. Chicago’s Dog House
Chicago’s Dog House is a hidden gem in Lincoln Park. A small location nestled on Fullerton Ave, it is one of my favorite cheap eats. Their menu includes classics like the Chicago dog as well as specialty dogs and gourmet sausages. Their specialty dogs come with all sorts of unique and flavorful toppings. My favorite is the Snoop Dog Hot Dog, which comes with homemade chili, Colby cheese, and onions on top.
If you are feeling adventurous, make sure to check out Chicago’s Dog House gourmet sausage items. You can try sausages made from alligator, duck, lamb, kangaroo, and rattlesnake. They even have a specialty Hot Doug hot dog topped with duck fois gras in tribute to the famous, now closed, Hot Doug’s. In addition to the vast option of dogs and sausages, Chicago’s Dog House serves up delicious fries and frips which you can get with cheese or chili. The frips are made by spiral drilling a whole potato and frying them until they are crispy, which makes for a fun combo between a fry and potato chip.
FAB TIP: If you order the Rahm Dog, which comes with sharp cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and sweet and spicy mustard, $1 of your purchase will go towards the Illinois Restaurant Association Education Foundation, which assists high school students in exploring career paths in the culinary field.
{Location}
Chicago’s Dog House
Lincoln Park || 816 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 248-3647
{Price Range}
$-$$ (Under $10-$35)
{Fab Rating: 4.5 Fabs}
2. Allendes Restaurant
For those that follow me on Instagram, you may notice that I frequent Allendes a lot. Not only is it near my apartment but the food is genuinely great. The menu at Allendes has a great variety of things to choose from. You can get tortas, tacos, nachos, burritos, enchiladas, chips and guacamole, and more. They also have dinner sets offered throughout the day, which comes with rice and beans. The variety and quality of their food is what has me coming back time and time again.
Allendes can get busy on weekend nights so beware of the crowd. Be prepared to take food to-go. However, during the day, it is a great place to go and chill with friends or family to enjoy quality but inexpensive Mexican food!
FAB TIP: They have a $5 minimum for card, which is roughly equivalent to two tacos. Check out my full review of Allendes for a complete breakdown of my favorites!
{Location}
Allendes Restaurant
Lincoln Park || 2408 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 477-7114
{Price Range}
$ (Under $10)
{Fab Rating: 4.5 Fabs}
1. Aloha Eats
Aloha Eats brings fast-casual Hawaiian food right to the heart of Lincoln Park. If you’ve never had Hawaiian food before, this place is a must. Or if you have, then you know that Aloha Eat’s Hawaiian classics such as spam musubi, loco moco, chicken katsu, or kalua pork never fail to leave you satisfied. Their portions are big so you will get your money’s worth. In addition to the traditional Hawaiian cuisine, Aloha Eats has burgers and fries for around $3, which means you can get to enjoy both Hawaiian and American food for cheap!
My favorite thing to order at Aloha Eats is the spam musubi. Each order of spam musubi comes with two musubis with cooked white rice, a grilled piece of spam on top, and wrapped with a big piece of seaweed. The rice is seasoned a bit with soy sauce which gives it that extra push of flavor in every bite. I always order these to-go because they are perfect for snacking and will leave you full throughout the day. The restaurant is smaller so there is limited seating available. If you come in big groups you might not always find seating. However, Aloha Eats does carry out so you can come in and order to-go. There is definitely no place like Aloha Eats, and it will forever be my favorite cheap eats in Lincoln Park!
FAB TIP: They do not offer online ordering but you can call for delivery. Their delivery is also cash only!
{Location}
Aloha Eats
Lincoln Park || 2534 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 935.6828
{Price Range}
$-$$(Under $10 – $35)
{Fab Rating: 5 Fabs}
What are some of your favorite cheap eats? Let me know below!
Eat On!
Chelsia
Note: These meals were not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.
