Skip to main content

Best Cheap Eats Restaurants in Bucktown & Logan Square (60647)

7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: January 2026

Our Top Pick
L' Patron Tacos
High-volume counter spot where freshly butchered meats drive standout tacos.

Notable Picks

$$ Logan Square
L’Patron is a counter-service staple where carne asada, al pastor, and poblano rajas tacos come off the grill with freshly butchered meats and bright salsas. Lines and limited seating are part of the deal, but locals treat it as a go-to for made-to-order tacos and tortas that still feel hand-crafted despite the volume.
Must-Try Dishes: Carne asada taco, Al pastor taco, Poblano rajas taco
What makes it special: High-volume counter spot where freshly butchered meats drive standout tacos.
$ Logan Square
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits is a bakery-café where buttery biscuits, rich gravies, and seasonal pies make brunch feel indulgent without blowing the budget. Picnic tables and a compact patio keep it casual, and most guests treat it as a stand-in-line, order-at-the-counter neighborhood ritual.
Must-Try Dishes: Gravy Biscuit, Scratch Biscuit with Sausage, Seasonal Pie Slice
What makes it special: A biscuit-and-pie specialist where breakfast is built around carb comforts.
8.2
$$ Logan Square
Reno is an all-day Logan Square standby built on wood-fired Montreal-style bagels, pizzas, and pastas in a casual, kid-welcoming space with a patio. Parents lean on it for easy breakfasts, slice-focused lunches, and relaxed dinners where everyone at the table—from picky kids to vegans—can find something.
Must-Try Dishes: Sweet Steve Pizza with pear and vegan tofu ricotta, Rigatoni with vegan vodka sauce and whipped tofu ricotta, Montreal-style wood-fired bagels
What makes it special: Bagels, pizza, and pasta under one roof with genuinely family-friendly pacing.
$ Logan Square
Punta Cana is a small Dominican counter-service spot where mangu breakfasts, stewed meats, and jibaritos come out in generous, filling portions for well under sit-down prices. Regulars treat it as an all-day canteen for homestyle plates, with bachata and merengue humming in the background.
Must-Try Dishes: Mangu with salami, fried cheese and eggs, Oxtail stew with rice and beans, Steak jibarito sandwich
What makes it special: Dominican comfort food served in hearty portions at true neighborhood prices.
$ Bucktown
Red Hot Ranch is a cash-only burger and hot dog stand known for thin, griddled double cheeseburgers, depression dogs, and a mountain of fresh-cut fries at prices that feel frozen in time. It’s a go-to for post-shift and late-night crowds who want something fast, salty, and satisfying under the tracks.
Must-Try Dishes: Red Hot Double cheeseburger with fries, Depression Dog with fresh-cut fries, Fried Shrimp by the half-pound
What makes it special: No-frills stand where a sub-$10 smashburger-and-fries combo still feels like a steal.

Worthy Picks

$$ Logan Square
MeLatte is a cozy Logan Square café pouring Mexican-leaning coffee drinks alongside sweet and savory crepes and empanadas, most of which land comfortably in the single digits. Local art on the walls and unfussy barista service make it a low-pressure stop for laptop work or a light, affordable meal.
Must-Try Dishes: Cafe con leche, Nutella banana crepe, Beef and cheese empanada
What makes it special: Independent coffee shop where crepes, empanadas, and drinks stay firmly budget-friendly.
$$ Logan Square
Parson's Logan Square is a fried chicken and fish joint best known for its sprawling patio, Negroni slushies, and baskets of hot chicken that still price in under most sit-down spots. It’s less of a bargain if you lean into cocktails, but sharing plates keeps the tab in casual-night-out territory.
Must-Try Dishes: Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, Hush Puppies, Cod and Shrimp Combo
What makes it special: Fried chicken, Negroni slushies, and a bustling, dog-filled patio.