Best Cheap Eats Restaurants in Chatham
9 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Dat Donut
Texas-style oversized donuts that make a $ box feel generous.
Notable Picks
#1
Dat Donut
8.4
A South Side donut counter built on Texas-style oversized rings and a steady rotation of classics that hit best when they’re fresh and warm. It’s a quick-stop sweet fix with real value—go early, mix sizes, and leave with a box that feeds more than one craving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Big Dat donut, Apple fritter, Glazed donut
What Makes it Special: Texas-style oversized donuts that make a $ box feel generous.
8
A neighborhood Chinese takeout staple that wins on speed, generous portions, and the kind of familiar fried-rice-and-egg-roll rhythm locals keep in rotation. Keep the order classic—fried rice plus a beef or chicken entrée—and treat it like a reliable weeknight reset.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp fried rice, Pepper steak, Egg rolls
What Makes it Special: Old-school South Side takeout built for repeat orders.
Worthy Picks
#3
New La Sub
7.7
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A neighborhood sandwich shop that overlaps into gyro territory—practical, filling, and geared for delivery/takeout convenience over dining-room polish. Treat it as a “one main + one side” stop when you want a fast, substantial meal without overthinking the order.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro sandwich, Chicken gyro, Fries
What Makes it Special: A takeout-first counter where gyros slot into a bigger sandwich lineup.
#4
Jimmy's Best
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
A Halsted Street neighborhood grill where the Greek lane shows up through straightforward gyros—sandwich, meal, or plate—alongside broader fast-food staples. If you’re coming for Greek flavor, stay focused on the gyro trio and a simple side instead of jumping across categories.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyros Sandwich, Gyros Meal, Gyros Plate
What Makes it Special: A multi-purpose neighborhood grill with a clear gyro sandwich/meal/plate lane.
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A tiny Chatham taco counter that keeps the format old-school and budget-friendly—simple tacos, straightforward proteins, and no-frills add-ons. Use it as a quick-hit stop when you want classic street-style bites more than a destination dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Taco, Chicken Taco, Carrot Cake
What Makes it Special: A bare-bones taco counter that prioritizes speed and low-cost classics.
#6
The San-Wich
7.6
A neighborhood counter that blends tacos and Mexican-inspired comfort with a sandwich-and-bowl menu, making it a flexible cheap-eats option when you want something different than a standard taqueria. Go for their birria lane—tacos or a bowl—plus one snackable side for the best value.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria Tacos, Beef Birria Bowl, Nachos
What Makes it Special: A taco-and-sandwich hybrid with a strong birria taco-and-bowl lane.
7.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
A high-utility takeout counter for classic American-Chinese combos—fried rice, egg foo young, and sauced chicken plates designed for quick meals. Best used when you want straightforward portions and familiar flavors over sit-down experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp egg foo young, Chicken fried rice, Bourbon chicken
What Makes it Special: Straightforward combo-plate Chinese built for fast takeout.
7.5
A street-side taco truck for quick, outdoors-first eating—simple tacos, basic sides, and a grab-and-go rhythm that works best when you’re optimizing for speed. Treat it as a convenience play: order a small set, check consistency for yourself, then scale up next time if it hits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Taco, Chicken Taco, Side Guacamole
What Makes it Special: A true taco-truck format for fast street-food stops in 60619.
7.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A small 79th Street taco shop with a casual, quick-service setup and a menu that mixes classic tacos with snacky sides and desserts. It’s at its best when you order for contrast—one taco set plus a side—rather than trying to turn it into a big spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cajun Shrimp Tacos, Loaded Fries, Strawberry Cheesecake Cup
What Makes it Special: Taco shop with a side-and-dessert lane that rounds out the order.