A selection of the top Cheap Eats, where you can eat for less than $13 an entree. Ratings: 4 forks, don’t miss it; 3 forks, one of the best.
Angel Food Bakery
3 forks
1636 W. Montrose Ave., 773-728-1512
If the wedding-cake-bedecked windows of this cheery storefront aren’t a big enough draw, step inside and get a load of the cookies, scones, brownies and other sweets gracing the display cases. Grab a seat at one of the seven or so tables topped with ’60s-style cloths and little vases filled with beaded flowers. The vintage vibe carries over to the kitchen, and fresh, high-quality ingredients are this cafe’s bread and butter.
Recommended: The crock of mac and cheese (served at brunch with a salty slab of seared honey ham and a lightly dressed arugula salad), French toast, Waldorf salad.
Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri.; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun.
Credit cards: A, M, V
Bombon Cafe
4 forks
38 S. Ashland Ave. (near Ogden), 312-733-8717
A literal bright spot on a careworn block of Ashland Avenue. This offshoot of the popular Bombon Bakery in Pilsen features cheery yellow walls, casually mismatched whitewashed wooden chairs and a display case brimming with beautiful cakes, jewel-like tarts and artisan breads.
Recommended: La Cubana sandwich.
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; closed Sun.
Credit cards: A, M, V
The Elephant Thai Cuisine
3 forks
5348 W. Devon Ave., 773-467-1168
This small, storefront Thai restaurant in Edgebrook has room for just nine tables. But big windows up front and vivid colors–one long wall is the color of green tea ice cream, the opposite wall is mango–make the dining room seem large and inviting.
Recommended: Chive dumplings, beef noodle soup, pad thai.
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; closed Sun.
Credit cards: M, V
Feed
3 forks
2803 W. Chicago Ave., 773-489-4600
On a desolate stretch of Chicago Avenue, is this country-cooking joint that looks like a chicken shack. Inside, the rustic barn-red walls and chicken motif–from a painted frieze of hens to a wall of framed exhibition poultry photos–give the impression of a well thought-out, tongue-in-cheek scheme.
Recommended: Chicken, corn pudding, fried okra, red velvet cake.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat.
Credit cards: None. Cash only.
M. Henry
4 forks
5707 N. Clark St., 773-561-1600
Although it’s a few blocks north of Andersonville’s true restaurant row, M. Henry is in good company these days: This stretch too has seen a spurt of new eateries, serving everything from Thai to Italian to Colombian-Cuban food. But on weekend mornings, at least, it’s easy to pick out this breakfast-brunch-lunch venue.
Recommended: The Latina omeletta.
Hours: 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri.; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
Credit cards: A, M, V
Maiz
4 forks
1041 N. California Ave., 773-276-3149
An inviting spot on a dark block in Humboldt Park that packs seating for about 60 into a narrow space. Diners are drawn to chef Carlos Reyna’s Mexican “street food.”
Recommended: Totopos (tortilla chips), the mini quesadillas capatalinas (palm-sized cheese-filled turnovers).
Hours: 5-10 p.m. Tues.-Sun.
Credit cards: None
Memories
3 forks
2333 S. Michigan Ave., 312-328-0100
Owners Clarice Grandberry, Earl Grandberry and Louise Williams describe the fare as soul food “with a healthy touch.” But don’t worry if you’re a purist; any break with tradition in preparing such well-known dishes as short ribs and salmon croquettes seems hardly noticeable.
Recommended: Baked turkey wing, baked sweet potatoes, beef short ribs.
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs., Sat.; 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.; 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri.
Credit cards: M, V
Milk and Honey Cafe
3 forks
1920 W. Division St., 773-395-9434
Even people who hate self-service will love the set-up at Milk and Honey Cafe, a stylin’ Wicker Park eatery. No matter how busy it gets, everything you need is well stocked.
Recommended: Grilled chicken sandwich, scrambled egg sandwich, huevos.
Hours: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun.
Credit cards: A, D, DC, M, V
Minnies
3 forks
1969 N. Halsted St. 312-943-9900
Black-and-white tiled floors lend a retro feel to the front room of Minnies, where a long counter serves as both bar and dining area. Down a hallway lined with another counter, there’s a smaller room with banquettes and tables–and a wonderful two-wall mural circa 1950 of three old dames enjoying cocktails. OK, so the gimmick here is self-evident: Everything is small-scale. The house special is your choice of three Minnie Sandwiches plus an 8-ounce carafe of house rose, red or white wine plus their “infamous frites” (fries) for $13.
Recommended: The Cuban Minnie, beef tenderloin Minnie
Hours: 6 a.m-1 a.m. daily. Takeout window open 24 hours daily.
Credit cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Spacca Napoli
4 forks
1769 W. Sunnyside Ave., 773-878-2420
It’s hard to miss Spacca Napoli, the only restaurant on this side street in Ravenswood–first, because of its pumpkin-hued facade, and second, because there’s likely to be a passel of hopeful diners spilling out onto the sidewalk most nights. Meals start with a choice of nine antipasti, which include salads, meats and various sauteed vegetable choices, and the main event here, the pizzas, are terrific. The dozen options range from the plainest marinara pizza (no cheese) to a tomato-sauce-free white pizza with prosciutto, arugula, provolone and Parmesan.
Recommended: The margherita pizza, four cheese pizza (with gorgonzola, emmenthal, fontina and mozzarella).
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Wed.-Thu.; 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun.
