Can you really eat your way through Chicago on just $70 in one day? 🌭🍕
Welcome back to Episode 7 of our Cheap Eats $70 a Day Food Challenge, and this time we’re taking on one of the best food cities in the country — Chicago, Illinois.
From classic Chicago breakfast spots to iconic local legends like hot dogs, pizza, and famous popcorn, we’re putting our budget to the test to see if we can cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, AND a snack without breaking the bank. Along the way, we’re also exploring some of Chicago’s must-see sights, neighborhoods, and food institutions that locals swear by.
This Chicago food challenge focuses on affordable travel, budget-friendly dining, and finding the best eats without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re planning a trip to Chicago, looking for cheap eats near downtown, or just love food challenges and travel vlogs, this one’s for you.
We’re sharing honest reviews, prices, portions, and whether these iconic Chicago spots are actually worth it — or just tourist traps. If you love travel food challenges, city food tours, and real-world budget travel tips, hit that subscribe button and join us for more adventures.
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What’s your favorite cheap eat in Chicago, and did we miss anything?
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Featured in this video:
📍Ann Sather’s Restaurant
Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago
909 W. Belmont Ave
📍 Millennium Park Chicago
Loop Community of Chicago at Grant Park
01 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60602
📍Al’s Number One Beef Chicago
River North of Chicago
548 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
📍La Bomba Chicago
Logan Square of Chicago
3221 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
📍Field Museum Chicago
South Loop/Lakefront Area of Downtown Chicago
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
📍Jim’s Original Polish Chicago
University Village Area near the West Side of Chicago
1250 S. Union Ave
📍Garett’s Popcorn Chicago
Magnificent Mile Near North Side
625 N. Michigan Ave & Multiple Locations in Chicago
📍Giordano’s Pizza
Multiple Locations Throughout Chicago
📍Pequod’s Pizza
Multiple Locations Throughout Chicago
00:00 Cheap Eats Chicago
01:00 Ann Sather Cinnamon Rolls
04:50 Millennium Park “The Bean”
07:23 Magnificent Mile Surprise
09:23 Al’s Number One Beef Chicago
13:43 La Bomba Chicago
18:00 Field Museum Chicago
22:25 Jim’s Original Polish Chicago
24:18 Best Snack Ever!
27:24 Skydeck Willis Tower Chicago
30:45 Giordano’s Pizza Chicago
35:45 Pequod’s Pizza Chicago
47:20 Final Results
#CheapEatsChicago #ChicagoFood #FoodChallenge #BudgetTravel #ChicagoEats #travelvlog
30 Comments
I should know not to watch these on an empty stomach, I'm starving now 😊
I have no recommendations for you since I live in Iowa and my only vacations are on cruise ships. Looking forward to your next video ❤
Take me to Patrizis when you go !!!!!!
Cheap Eats in SF….
Boston!! Clam chowda, boston cream pies, lobster roll, and something in little italy!
The field museum is getting a Pokemon event. The fossil of Pokémon it is being shipped from Japan. The event is taking place in May till April of next year.
Chicago has two types of pizza, deep dish and tavern-style （thin crust, crispy bottom, squares) and thank you for calling it SEARS TOWER
You should do a video in Madison and Milwaukee. When I visit my family I get breakfast at the farmers market on the square in warmer months on Saturday morning. Crafty Cow in Milwaukee has amazing fried curds and a chicken sandwich.
Saint Louis. Try the SL ribs and the Imo's style provel pizza.
The Willis tower freaked me out too!! But the night views – wow! 😮
Come to Philadelphia! We’ll buy you a cheesesteak (or give you lots of good options for Cheap Eats!)
Denver! And if timing works out, we’ll come hang out!
Green chili, there’s a biscuit place that’s good and Biker Jim’s!
Oh and Rocky Mountain oysters!
You both should do your cheap eats in Phoenix (We have Tacos, Sonoran Dogs, Fry bread, and Texas BBQ)
Never go to Chicago in the Winter, Lol. The Summer is 100x better!
Cheap eats in Atlanta for southern cooking
I think you both made some good selections. Chicago is a great food city with cuisine from every tradition. Everyone will find something for their taste.
Arizona
Tratoria Lisina in Driftwood has excellent, authentic Nothern Italian, but not Italian American like what you’re referring to in the Northeast.
Ann Sathers cin rolls are crazy good
Al’s beef you got 2 do the fries excellent there! I will comment further
Please go to MONTREAL! 😀 have u ever been? Famous for Bagels, smoked meat, poutine!
Okay, I've got a weird one, but Worcester, Massachusetts has some better and cheaper food options than Boston and is easier to get around. It's the second largest city in New England after Boston.
Miss Worcester Diner, Volturo, George's Coney Island, 111 Chophouse, The Boynton, and many more awesome restaurants. Plus great parks, museums and the New England Botanical garden to explore.
(Just stay away in the Winter, it's even worse than Chicago haha) Fall is the best time though!
Would you be so kind and release your Caesar New Orleans video to non-members? 😘
🎬😎🎬 good stuff guys. You picked a really cold time to visit. It’s already warmed up a bit. You’ll definitely have to come back when it’s warmer.
Come to Atlanta
Have you guys considered doing a video for Oak Hill? There's sooooo many cheap eats there AND they don't judge! Just don't mind the smell.
Let's go do cheap eats Mexico City!
San Juan!
Dammnnnn times have changed. Rachel Ray would have done this for $40 back in the day. 😆
I'm a Chicagoian and I'm so happy to see you guys exploring the city! And you went to Jim's original! This was my grandpa's favorite place for a pork chop sandwich with grilled onions. Glad you guys enjoyed the city.😊 If you do come back in the Summer and do a pizza video, it would be a bit of a hike to the very edge of the city on the Southside, you guys gotta try Vito and Nick's on 87th and Kedzie. It is a bar that has been around forever with blue collar people and THE BEST thin crust.
Milwaukee has the best food, and I’m from Chicago.
dont worry about youse guys, even us pros who lived here forever never get italian beefs dipped or wet, we always get au jus on the side to dip at our own leisure.