Finding affordable places to eat out in Chicago isn’t always easy, especially as prices continue to climb. But if you know where to look, there are still plenty of daily and weekly deals across the city that make dining out more accessible.
This guide rounds up food specials in neighborhoods throughout Chicago, highlighting spots offering everything from tacos and burgers to full meals, with most options coming in at $10 or less. Whether you’re planning a quick weekday bite, a weekend outing, or just trying to stretch your budget a little further, these deals make it possible to eat out any day of the week while also saving some money. (Note that the deals are subject to change.)
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Monday
Asian Cuisine Express
While the name might be deceiving, this Little Village hole-in-the-wall spot is known for its Monday al pastor taco deal, priced at $1.50 each. Cut from the trompo, the marinated pork shoulder is sliced onto a corn tortilla, then topped with onions, cilantro and roasted pineapple. Their everyday menu consists of Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Mexican food. 3823 W. 31st St., 773-847-4883
Bird’s Nest Bar
The long-running Lincoln Park bar includes $2 tacos as part of its Monday lineup, alongside drink specials that feature $2 Tecates, $4 tequila shots and $5 margaritas. The rest of the week is focused primarily on drink specials, with most options priced under $6. 2500 N. Southport Ave., 773-472-1502, birdsnestbar.com
Fatpour Tap Works
The Wicker Park location features $9 burgers on Mondays, including the Classic Smash Burger and the Fatpour Smash Burger topped with a fried egg. The weekly lineup also includes free trivia at 7 p.m., along with a weekday 5-7 p.m. happy hour offering drink specials and half-priced pizzas. 2005 W. Division St., 773-698-8940, fatpourtapworks.com/wicker-park
Jewel-Osco
Across Chicago-area locations, the grocery store runs its famous “Cheep-ER Chicken Monday” special, an in-store prepared-food deal offering an eight-piece fried or grilled chicken for $4.99. jewelosco.com
Punchbowl Social
This large-scale entertainment venue runs an all-day Monday happy hour with appetizers priced between $5 and $11 and $5 or $6 drinks. The promotion also includes half-off games, which include bowling, foosball, ping pong and more. Cornhole, giant Connect Four, board games, card games and giant Jenga are free. 310 N. Green St., 312-809-9551, punchbowlsocial.com/location/chicago
Sharpies Pizza + Cocktails
This West Town pizza joint offers a $1 wing special on Mondays for dine-in customers. Wings must be ordered in increments of six and paired with another menu item. 1721 N. Elston Ave., 312-772-2368, sharpiespizza.comTuesday
5411 Empanadas
At both their Wrigleyville and Wicker Park locations, 5411 offers $2 empanadas on Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. The special applies to dine-in or walk-in customers only. Wrigleyville: 3715 N. Southport Ave., 872-802-4835. Wicker Park: 2045 W. North Ave., 773-276-8344. 5411empanadas.com
Buena Vista
The Lakeview family-owned Mexican restaurant offers a Tuesday taco special from 5 to 9 p.m., with tacos priced at $2.75 for chicken, fish and al pastor, and $3.25 for steak, shrimp and barbacoa. Handmade tortillas are available for an additional 50 cents. 3147 N. Broadway, 773-871-5782, buenachicago.com
El Patron Pinches Tacos
This Garfield Ridge taco spot offers $2 tacos and beer on Tuesdays. The taco lineup includes asada, al pastor, pollo, chorizo, picadillo and veggie options. 6832 W. Archer Ave., 773-229-8005, instagram.com/elpatronchicagoLudlow Liquors
This Avondale bar and restaurant runs a Tuesday burger special with all burgers priced at $10. Known for its craft cocktails and vintage-leaning bar setup, Ludlow also hosts free trivia on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., with prizes and gift cards awarded throughout the night. 2959 N. California Ave., 312-581-7745, ludlow-liquors.com
Mano a Mano
On Tuesdays, the Logan Square pasta spot offers a $5 pizzetta, an individual personal-size pizza smaller than a traditional pie, along with $5 negronis. The pizzetta is available in either bianco or rosso style. The restaurant also runs a happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. that includes a free pizzetta with the purchase of a cocktail from its menu. 2534 N. Milwaukee Ave, 773-819-7970, eatatmano.com
Taquería Primo Chuki’s
On Tuesdays, this Uptown taqueria features $1.99 tacos with options of al pastor, carnitas, fish, chicken and cabeza. 1724 W. Lawrence Ave., 872-208-7075, taqueriaprimochukisuptown.com
Wednesday
Cardozo’s Pub
Daily specials in the Loop can be pretty hard to come by, but the $10 Wednesday special at Cardozo’s is in a league of its own. The deal includes a burger, fries and a beer, which is good considering the burgers typically cost $16 to $20. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday each offer cheap drink specials, while the Friday special is half off chicken tenders. 170 W. Washington St., 312-419-9609, cardozospub.com
Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
Across its three Chicago locations in Lakeview, Garfield Ridge and Wrigleyville, the infamous grilled cheese spot offers $1 wings on Wednesdays. Some rules apply, including dine-in only, and there must be a minimum of six wings per order. Multiple locations, cheesies.com.
Bar Sótano
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For a strong midweek deal, head to the River North bar tucked behind Xoco from restaurateur Rick Bayless. On Wednesdays, happy hour runs all day and features $1 oysters. The daily happy hour menu also includes smaller bites under $10, like the $7 pibil croquettes and the $8 creamy ancho chile dip. 443 N. Clark St., 312-391-5857, barsotano.com
El Berrinches Restaurant
The Mexican steakhouse and bar in Pilsen offers daily specials, including $1.50 oysters all day on Wednesdays. 1519 W. 18th St., 312-754-0189, elberrinchesrestaurants.com
Thursday
Broken English Taco Pub
Taco Tuesday may get all the attention, but at this Loop restaurant, the Thursday deal is even better. While Tuesdays feature $3 chicken tinga tacos, Thursdays expand the deal with a variety of signature tacos for $3 each. Options include al pastor de pollo, carne asada, pork belly, brisket, potatoes and grilled vegetables. The bistec, fried chicken, camarones and fried cod tacos are excluded from the promotion. 75 E. Lake St., 312-929-3601, tacopub.com
Michael’s Original Pizzeria & Tavern
While this Uptown bar is known for its classic tavern-style pizzas, its weekly specials are just as noteworthy. The Thursday special features the $9.90 Primo Burger served with a side of tater tots. The loaded burger includes two patties topped with cheese, bacon, jalapeños, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, pickles, ketchup, mustard and mayo. The bar also offers other daily deals, like a $12 large spaghetti on Mondays with your choice of protein. 4091 N. Broadway, 773-929-4149, michaelspizzachicago.com
Friday and Saturday
Canal Street Eatery
This West Loop Italian spot went viral for its unlimited pizza and pasta special, originally intended to be temporary in 2024 but extended due to strong demand. The $25 “Italiano Weekends” deal runs Fridays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests begin with a salad, followed by unlimited pizza and pasta. Children under 12 dine free with a paying adult, and full table participation is required. Because it remains highly popular and dine-in only, reservations are strongly recommended. 314 S. Canal St., 312-967-6060, canalstreetchicago.com
Sunday
Lark
Located in the heart of Lakeview, this all-you-can-eat spaghetti special is offered for $18 on Sundays from 4 to 9 p.m., and includes a meatball and garlic bread. Kids 12 and under can dine for $5. The restaurant also runs additional weekday specials, including a $12 cheese pizza on Tuesdays and a $10 double cheeseburger on Wednesdays, though the Sunday spaghetti special may get you the most bang for your buck. 3441 N. Halsted St., 773-799-8968, larkchicago.com
Platform 47
On Sundays, a selection of $10 comfort food options is available at this Ravenswood restaurant. Choices include a slider duo with fries, six jumbo chicken wings or six beer-battered mozzarella sticks. These specials are typically part of a happy hour offered Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., but are available for the full day on Sundays. 4709 N. Damen Ave., 773-681-0240, platform47chicago.com
Tallboy Taco
At this Streeterville taco joint, Sundays mean $3 tacos for dine-in customers, while those ordering from home can take $5 off takeout orders of $25 or more when placed through its website. 676 N. St. Clair St., 312-428-7782, tallboytaco.com
Multiple Days
Ab’s Jerk Factory
On the South Side of Chicago, this African-Liberian spot leans into its nickname as the “Home of $1 Wings,” served fried or jerk-style every day except Monday. 8205 S. Exchange Ave., 773-437-3051, instagram.com/absjerkfactoryfoodtruck
BienMeSabe
At both the Ravenswood and the Loop locations, this Venezuelan restaurant offers a weekday lunch special from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an arepa, two empanaditas and a drink for $14. Ravenswood: 1637 W. Montrose Ave., 773-549-5538, bienmesabechicago.com/bienmesabenorthside. Loop: 29 E. Adams St., 312-285-2911, bienmesabechicago.com/loop
Big City Tap
Daily deals run all week at this Lakeview bar, with specials available until 9 p.m. when you purchase a drink. The lineup starts with half off all food on Mondays, followed by $2 chicken or beef tacos on Tuesdays. Wednesdays bring a $15 Sheffield steak sandwich, while Thursdays feature an $8 Johnny Burger. Fridays offer an $8 crispy chicken sandwich, Saturdays include a $7 cheese quesadilla and Sundays feature a $10 chicken or beef burrito. 1010 W. Belmont Ave., 773-953-9229, bigcitytap.com
Carnitas Uruapan
Across Pilsen, Gage Park and Little Village, this spot’s $12 Carnitas Especial piles on a half-pound of carnitas with tortillas, chicharrón, refried beans and a taco dorado, available Monday through Friday. Multiple locations, carnitasuruapanchi.com
Flub A Dub Chub’s
Over in Lakeview, this casual counter rotates weekday comfort food specials, including a $7 fried chicken sandwich on Mondays, $8 hot dogs and fries on Tuesdays, a $15 build-your-own burger on Wednesdays and a $6 bratwurst on Thursdays. 3021 N. Broadway, 773-857-6500, flubadubchub.com
Go 4 Food
A Chinatown staple, this eatery offers a $7.95 lunch special for carryout Monday through Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., covering most of the menu with small $1 to $2 upcharges depending on the dish. 212 W. 23rd St., 312-842-8688, go4foodusa.com More Top Picks Best E Readers With Large Screens For Seniors
Honeymoon Café
This Uptown carryout spot runs midday specials Sunday, Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 2:30 p.m., with lunch entrees priced at $9.05 or $9.35. A separate $8.15 daily special rotates through the week, including salt and pepper fish fillet on Mondays, pork chop with sweet and sour sauce on Wednesdays, salt and pepper shrimp on Thursdays and chicken with seasonal vegetables on Fridays. 1138 W. Argyle St., 773-271-6668, honeymooncafeil.com
Miku Sushi Restaurant
Tucked in Lincoln Square, this sushi restaurant offers daily lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with two maki rolls for $14 or three for $18, both served with miso soup, plus half-off maki during happy hour. 4514 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-654-1277, mikuchicago.com
Mr. B’s Caribbean Grill
In Jefferson Park, this Caribbean spot offers a $9.95 lunch special with options like wings with fries and coleslaw, a jerk chicken bowl, a soup and salad combo or catfish with fries. 4801 N. Milwaukee Ave., 708-967-2387, mrbscaribbean.com
Pequod’s
This Lincoln Park favorite serves up an $8.95 personal pan cheese pizza during weekday lunch hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering a smaller taste of its signature pies. 2207 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-327-1512, pequodspizza.com/chicago
Pete’s Pizza
In North Center, early-week pickup deals include $7.95 spaghetti or mostaccioli on Mondays and $8.95 lasagna on Tuesdays, with additional rotating specials later in the week that are priced slightly above $10 but still relatively affordable. 3737 N. Western Ave., 630-360-8163, peteschicago.com
Pizza Lobo
With locations in Logan Square and Andersonville, this neighborhood favorite offers $1 wings every Tuesday and Wednesday. 3000 W. Fullerton Ave., 312-265-1745; and 5457 N. Clark St., 312-548-9576; pizzalobo.com
Stony Island Drive-Thru
On the South Side of the city, this spot has been serving affordable food for more than 20 years. Daily specials run throughout the week, ranging from $4 to $15. Monday features five crispy wings with fries for $6. Tuesday offers four pieces of fried chicken (legs and thighs) for $4. Wednesday has 10 pieces of boneless fish with fries for $5. Friday has a five-piece fried fish fillet with coleslaw for $8.99. Saturday and Sunday bring a $15 special for 20 pieces of fried chicken (legs and thighs). A daily lunch special runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $5.99 and includes a choice of two pieces of fish fillet, three whole wings, four pieces of chicken (legs and thighs), six pieces of boneless fish or eight shrimp, all served with fries and a bottle of water. 1753 E. 95th St., 773-933-3333, stonydrivethru.com
The Sports Corner
Just steps from Wrigley Field, this bar offers a rotating lineup of $5 food specials, excluding game days. The deals kick off with $5 burgers with fries on Tuesdays and Thursdays, $6 corner fries on Wednesdays, $10 Chicago dog and Cubby Bear lager combo on Fridays, 25% off appetizers on Saturdays, and half-priced select bites on Sundays. 952 W. Addison St., 773-929-1441, sportscornerwrigley.com