Cheap Places to Eat in Franklin Park

"This no-frills joint tempts passersby with lacquer-skinned roast ducks hanging by their necks in the steamed-up window. The menu is expansive but inexpensive: The Pei Par BBQ duck and the Hong-Kong–style barbecued pig are sublime in their simplicity, savory and slick with fat. Chinese broccoli arrives jade-green and crisp, and the beef chow fun comes out charred and tasting of the properly smoking wok."

"settled into its current location on Broadway in 2009, much to the delight of Chicagoans. The restaurant specializes in Hong Kong-style BBQ, with incredible roasted meats such as salt baked chicken, roasted pork, and barbecued spareribs. The space is most famous for its Beijing duck feast, featuring crisp and succulent roasted duck served three ways."

"Sun Wah BBQ‘s creator, Eric Cheng always sharpened his skills as a Hong Kong-style barbecue chef. The restaurant is doing great, though for them it was a confined fish longing for bigger seas. Today, they are happily serving the people in Chicago with their signature dishes."

"For an upscale and elegant dim sum experience, no place in the city rivals the Shanghai Terrace, perched on the top of the Peninsula Chicago Hotel. With an emphasis on Cantonese dishes, the dim sum menu features delicate plates with high-end ingredients such as dumplings with lobster and black truffle, bean curd rolls with scallop and fresh rice crepes. The Terrace also offers Peking duck prepared three ways – roasted and sliced according to tradition, cooked in a Chinese green mustard soup and finally, mixed with braised noodles."

"This swanky outdoor dining spot is in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. Located in the five-star Peninsula Chicago hotel near attractions like the John Hancock building, this Cantonese dim sum restaurant has been voted the no. 1 Chinese restaurant in Chicago by Zagat Survey and boasts some of the best skyline views. OpenTable reviewers love the expanded outdoor rooftop dining area, while TripAdvisor diners highly recommend the Peking duck and craft cocktails."

"Chinese is perched curiously atop the list of cuisines that seem to resist the high-end treatment. Maybe it’s the long association with greasy delivery dishes and Chinatown dives, who knows, but it’s a shame, because the bevy of flavors seem like they would be perfect in the hands of a sophisticated chef. At least Chicago has Shanghai Terrace, which sports a luxurious atmosphere atop the Peninsula Hotel with a sublime view of city."

"When people move who have moved away from Chicago come home, a stop at Portillo's is one of the first thing they do. The hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches here are among Chicago's best, plus the service is fast and the prices are low. Recommended for Family Friendly because: This is one of the best places in the city to get Chicago's famous hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches."

"Could I really make a Chicago's best list without including Portillo's?. Even if it's a bit "too suburban," it's still a Chicago classic with some pretty dank food. The extra soft poppy seed bun on the Chicago dog, crinkle-cut cheese fries, chopped salad, croissant sandwiches, the famous chocolate cake shake and other must-orders really have no competition."

"Just say yes to sport peppers and celery salt and hard pass on the ketchup, which is a cardinal sin around these parts. Chicago dogs aren’t hard to come by in Denver, but that trifecta of beefy goodness, cheese fries, and gluttonous chocolate cake is and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Someone please open a franchise out West – help a girl out."

"WOW. And that’s exactly what you’ll get in this high-end, posh Asian nightclub. Dance the night away in this 1000-capacity dance club in Chicago featuring a 10-foot Japanese bell, world-famous DJ sets, and funky lights. Make your VIP request here."

"For those that have never heard the term “clubstaurant,” it could be time to visit Tao for a delicious education. Situated in the historic River North castle, Tao is set over multi..."

"Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises has used the pandemic as an opportunity to resurrect virtual versions of some of its most popular past restaurants, including longtime favorite Vong’s Thai Kitchen. Chef Arnulfo Tellez of Shaw’s Crab House is putting out hits like VTK’s signature shrimp and crab pad thai and chicken garlic noodles."

"Hidden away in the basement food court of Richland Center mall, Shan Shaan Taste dabbles in cuisine from the Shaanxi province. Owner Richard Zhou’s signature dish is liangpi — cold skin noodles made in-house and topped with cucumbers, black vinegar, raw garlic, sesame seeds, soy sauce, and chili oil. Those same noodles can also be prepared stir-fried or with soup."

"Everyone has their favorite pizza joint, but the biggest rivalry in the city is between Giordano’s and Gino’s East. Luckily both have locations near Navy Pier, making for a convenient lunch stop. I personally prefer Gino’s East both for the food and because you can write a message on the walls (and read thousands of others while you wait for your meal)."

"Chcago is well-known for creating the deep dish style pizza. What was created and is still served in Chicago is not the deep dish pizza you’ll find at a Pizza Hut or Little Caesar’s. True Chicago deep dish pizza is actually “deep” or thick and filled with toppings which are assembled upside down, with sauce on top."

"Whenever you mention deep-dish and pizza in the same sentence, Giordano’s should be included. This restaurant and pizzeria has been around since 1974 and is one of the best pizzerias in the Chi. Giordano’s can be found in several locations throughout the best neighborhoods in Chicago."

"Bua Hana is a contemporary and casual Forest Park eatery serving Japanese and Thai creations, including some top-notch sushi. Diners can mix and match from what's essentially three..."

"With a large menu that includes everything from fried rice and lo mein to beef, chicken, pork, and seafood dishes, Chi Cafe is an approachable spot for Chinese cuisine. The prices are wallet-friendly and the happy hour specials offered in the late afternoon are an even better deal. The vast amount of options can be overwhelming, but the sizzling beef tenderloin is always a good choice."

"A groovy modern vibe permeates the dining room at Chi Café, with its colossal menu of budget-friendly selections, perfect for a deep culinary dive into Chinese food in Chicago at any time of the day or night — literally, the kitchen is open until 2:00 a.m. No need to go hungry when a midnight snack like this awaits you in one of the best restaurants in Chicago."

"Chi Cafe first commenced in 2008 positioned in the center of China Town Square. They are offering special snacks, soup, Chiu chow style rice soup, noodle roll & sticky rice, noodle soup, congee, house special and more. The restaurant takes pride on dishes and beverages served together that play delightfully in everyone’s tastebuds."

"Built in 1914 by architect Zachary Taylor Davis who served as a draftsman for the legendary Louis Sullivan, the classic ballpark offers a unique throwback to a bygone age of baseball. The grittiness that used to exist around the stadium has been replaced by a new hotel, restaurants, and a grassy plaza known as Gallagher Way, but there’s plenty of nostalgia left once inside the Friendly Confines. View this post on Instagram"

"If you’re after a fun and unforgettable experience, then you can’t beat watching the Chicago Cubs play baseball at the hallowed Wrigley Field. The second-oldest ballpark in the nation after Boston’s Fenway Park, it is located on the North Side of Chicago, just fifteen minutes’ drive from the center. Named after the chewing gum magnate, it was built in 1914 and still has a lovely old time and look and feel."

"Because you can’t come to Chicago and NOT see Wrigley Field, or pass up a chance to get a photo with the legendary marquee."

"Walk up and order from a menu filled with fresh Italian ice flavors with pieces of real fruit. This stand is only open from May to September each year so get it while you can."

"Among the 26 different gardens here are the three-island Malott Japanese Garden, the 5-acre Evening Island, and the Grunsfeld Children's…"