Best Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Restaurants in Old Town

Kababish BBQ & Grill turns a small Old Town shack into a destination for Pakistani-style grilled meats, frontier beef, and chapli kebabs. Locals lean on it for takeout plates loaded with smoky kebabs, fresh naan, and cooling raita at prices that stay weeknight-friendly.

North Buena Deli & Wine’s Lincoln Park outpost works as an all-day corner deli where breakfast sandwiches, Italian subs, and wine bottles share tight shelves. It’s more bodega than café, but the under-$10 sandwiches and friendly counter service make it a reliable everyday stop.

Cilantro Taco Grill’s Old Town outpost brings this Jalisco-inspired fast-casual concept into a high-traffic corner at North and Sedgwick. Fresh-off-the-grill meats, hearty burritos, and surprisingly loaded carne asada fries make it a reliable option for late-night tacos, delivery runs, and casual meetups.

Taqueria Express - Mr. Gyros is a tight Old Town counter that blends Mexican taqueria staples with gyro-shop comfort food. Locals lean on it for fast, affordable tacos, burritos, and plates that travel well for delivery.

A compact Old Town counter that’s built for quick slices and straightforward pies, with a style that leans crisp and snackable. It’s best as a fast win—order a couple slices, eat them hot, and move on without turning it into a long sit-down.

Peking Chinese Food is a long-running Old Town storefront known for made-to-order Chinese-American standards, generous lunch specials, and reliable delivery. The space is basic and fluorescent, but locals lean on it for saucy General Tso’s, lo mein, and big trays of fried rice.

Taco Pros Old Town is a quick-service spot focused on mix-and-match tacos, burritos, bowls, and late-night combos. Since expanding from its original Oak Park location, it’s become a convenient neighborhood option for customizable plates and catering-friendly trays.

Papa Romeo’s is a family-owned late-night delivery and takeout shop promising hot pizzas and cheesy bread until 5 a.m. every night. It’s the move when you want affordable, made-to-order pies and sides delivered deep into the overnight hours from a simple counter storefront.

A coffee-first breakfast stop where bagels show up as the most practical, grab-and-go move—warm, filling, and built for speed. Keep the order tight (one bagel + one drink) and you’ll get the best version of what the shop does well.

A by-the-slice stop tucked under the Sedgwick Brown Line that’s built for pure convenience, not a long meal. Treat it like a commuter move: grab a couple slices while they’re hot, keep expectations focused on quick satisfaction, and get back to your night.

Al Halal Zaiqa runs long hours near the North Avenue corridor with a menu of Pakistani and Indian staples built for takeout and delivery. Regulars come for biryanis, naans, and saucy curries that land in the comfort zone more than the fine-dining lane.