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Recipes

24 Must-Visit Chicago Restaurants from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Northwestern chapter.

Chicago is a city after any foodie’s heart, but it can be hard to find places that fit a college budget. We’ve compiled a list of restaurants featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” so you can enjoy all the tastiness without having to watch Guy go to Flavortown.

1. Hopleaf Bar

Photo courtesy of hopleaf.com

Photo courtesy of hopleaf.com

Average plate: $16
Dish to try: Duck reuben
http://hopleaf.com/

 

2. bopNgrill

DSC 2609

Photo courtesy of bngrill.com

Average plate: $8
Dish to try: Umami burger
http://bngrill.com/

 

3. Irazu

Photo courtesy of rachelleb.com

Photo courtesy of rachelleb.com

Average plate: $7
Dish to try: Chifrijo (fried pork layered with whole black beans, white rice, pico de gallo and topped with avocado)
http://irazuchicago.com/

 

4. Nana

Photo courtesy of nanaorganic.com

Photo courtesy of nanaorganic.com

Average plate: $12
Dish to try: Huevos rancheros
http://nanaorganic.com/

 

5. Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap

Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com

Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com

Average plate: $13
Dish to try: Eggplant parmigiana
http://www.tufanosrestaurant.com/

 

6. BIG & littles

Photo courtesy of chicago.seriouseats.com

Photo courtesy of chicago.seriouseats.com

Average plate: $4
Dish to try: Spicy beef short rib taco
http://www.bigandlittleschicago.com/

 

7. Chicago Brauhaus

Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com

Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com

Average plate: $18
Dish to try: Schweine schnitzel
http://www.chicagobrauhaus.com/

 

8. Paradise Pup

Photo courtesy of roadfood.com

Photo courtesy of roadfood.com

Average plate: $4
Dish to try: Char cheddar burger
No website

9. Chilam Balam

Courtesy of kitchit.com

Courtesy of kitchit.com

Average plate: $13
Dish to try: Flank steak
http://www.chilambalamchicago.com/

 

10. White Palace Grill

Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com

Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com

Average plate: $8
Dish to try: Biscuits and gravy
http://www.whitepalacegrill.com/

 

11. Smoque

Photo courtesy of urbanspoon.com

Photo courtesy of urbanspoon.com

Average plate: $11
Dish to try: Sliced brisket
http://smoquebbq.com/

 

12. Rex Italian Foods

Photo courtesy of seamless.com

Photo courtesy of seamless.com

Average plate: $7
Dish to try: Sicilian schiacciata
http://www.rexitalianfoods.com/

 

13. DMK Burger Bar

(In case you didn’t know, this is also coming to Evanston!)

Photo courtesy of dmkrestaurants.com

Photo courtesy of dmkrestaurants.com

Average plate: $9
Dish to try: Bison burger
http://dmkburgerbar.com/

 

14. Taste of Peru

Photo courtesy of 417mag.com

Photo courtesy of 417mag.com

Average plate: $18
Dish to try: Ceviche especial
http://tasteofperu.com/

15. Hackney’s

Photo courtesy of chicago.seriouseats.com

Photo courtesy of chicago.seriouseats.com

Average plate: $11
Dish to try: Pretzel burger or French fried onions
http://www.hackneysprintersrow.net/

 

16. 90 Miles Cuban Cafe

Photo courtesy of 90milescubancafe.com

Photo courtesy of 90milescubancafe.com

Average plate: $13
Dish to try: Fricase de puerco
http://90milescubancafe.com/

 

17. Glenn’s Diner

Photo courtesy of chicagogluttons.com

Photo courtesy of chicagogluttons.com

Average plate: $18
Dish to try: Catch of the day
http://www.glennsdiner.com/

 

18. Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria

Photo courtesy of chicagoseriouseats.com

Photo courtesy of chicagoseriouseats.com

Average plate: $13
Dish to try: Thin crust pizza
http://vitoandnicks.com/

 

19. Cemita’s Puebla

Photo courtesy of brodaily.com

Photo courtesy of brodaily.com

Average plate: $6
Dish to try: Carne asada cemita
http://www.cemitaspuebla.com/

 

20. Honky Tonk BBQ

Photo courtesy of honkytonkbbqchicago.com

Photo courtesy of honkytonkbbqchicago.com

Average plate: $10
Dish to try: Baby back ribs
http://honkytonkbbqchicago.com/

 

21. Tre Kronor

Photo courtesy of urbaninsider.com

Photo courtesy of urbaninsider.com

Average plate: $10
Dish to try: Vanilla and orange French toast
http://www.trekronorrestaurant.com/#/home

 

22. Garifuna Flava

Photo courtesy of chicago.seriouseats.com

Photo courtesy of chicago.seriouseats.com

Average plate: $11
Dish to try: Conch fritters
http://www.garifunaflava.com/

 

23. Chuck’s Southern Comforts Café

Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com

Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com

Average plate: $12
Dish to try: Chicken fried chicken
http://www.chuckscafe.com/Home.html

 

24. Kuma’s Corner

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

Average plate: $12
Dish to try: The Slayer
http://www.kumascorner.com/