Best Cheap Eats Restaurants in River North (60654)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Xoco
High-flavor tortas, soups, and churros from a counter-service Bayless spot.
Notable Picks
#1
Xoco
8.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family Friendly Favorites
Xoco is Rick Bayless’s counter-service spot for tortas, caldos, and churros, pulling steady lines of River North office workers and tourists. The food leans comforting and bold—smoky pork, crispy chicken, deep broths—served fast enough for lunch but satisfying enough for a casual dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja Chicken Torta, Ahogada Torta, Churro Sundae
What makes it special: High-flavor tortas, soups, and churros from a counter-service Bayless spot.
8.5
Opened in 2011 in a tiny former bank vault off Franklin, Doughnut Vault sells a limited run of hand-cranked, old-fashioned doughnuts until they sell out. Locals treat it as a morning ritual for buttermilk old-fashioneds and classic glazed rings that deliver outsized satisfaction for a few dollars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vanilla Glazed Yeast Donut, Buttermilk Old Fashioned, Seasonal Jelly Doughnut
What makes it special: A tiny bank-vault space selling old-world-style donuts in limited daily batches until they’re gone.
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Since 1979, Mr. Beef has run as a counter-service Italian beef stand where dipped sandwiches, hot giardiniera, and crinkle-cut fries are the entire show. It’s a no-frills River North institution that recently picked up extra fame as the inspiration for the restaurant on the TV series "The Bear."
Must-Try Dishes:
Italian beef sandwich with fries, Beef and sausage combo with cheese fries, Chicago-style hot dog with fries
What makes it special: Classic counter-service Italian beef stand where fries and beef are pure Chicago nostalgia.
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
The River North branch of Al’s #1 Italian Beef brings the 1938-founded Chicago brand’s dipped beef sandwiches and classic dogs to Wells and Ohio. Open late with counter service and fries piled right into the bag, it’s a dependable under-$15 stop steps from the nightlife strip.
Must-Try Dishes:
Big Beef sandwich with fries, Italian sausage and beef combo with fries, Chicago-style hot dog with fries
What makes it special: Historic Italian beef brand where late-night beefs and fries stay fast and consistent.
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
Mazala Pizza by Moti runs as a fast-casual halal café where Indian street snacks, naan pizzas, and chai share a bright corner space at Huron and Dearborn. With strong delivery demand and a menu that runs from vada pav to butter chicken pizza, it’s one of River North’s most affordable flavor-forward options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Pizza, Vada Pav, Tikka Masala Momos
What makes it special: High-volume Indian-fusion pizza and street-food counter with serious delivery demand.
8.0
Gus’ Sip & Dip is a Lettuce Entertain You tavern focused on reasonably priced cocktails and hearty dipped sandwiches just off Hubbard’s main drag. Named one of Bon Appétit’s notable new bars, it works as a value-minded way to do River North cocktails and a proper sandwich without committing to a full, expensive dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu Beef Dip Sandwich, Crab Rangoon Dip, Roasted Chicken Dip Sandwich
What makes it special: Cocktail-focused tavern where clever dips and sandwiches anchor an affordable night out.
Worthy Picks
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Opened in 2025, Lizzano focuses on Italian-style focaccia sandwiches, spritzes, and snacks on the quieter north end of Wells. Portions and prices lean higher than a typical sub shop, but the house-baked bread and Napoli-leaning fillings make it a useful under-$30 sit-down option in an otherwise pricey corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lizzano Classic Focaccia Sandwich, Napoli Focaccia Sandwich, Sicilian Focaccia Sandwich
What makes it special: Focaccia-focused Italian sandwich bar offering a sit-down lunch just off the main strip.