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Billy Goat Tavern
Billy Goat Tavern
Barry Brecheisen

You Won't Go Broke or Hungry With These 12 Bodacious Budget Bar Bites

Eat at these places, and you won't regret looking at your credit card statement later.

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Billy Goat Tavern
| Barry Brecheisen

Sustenance can come in many forms, but when enjoying the nightlife no one wants to be held down by leaving the bar and searching for some food. Likewise, no one needs something heavy that will weigh you down. Or some place pricey that will lighten your wallet or bank account.

In honor of Cheap Eats Week, here are 12 bars in Chicago with quality bites menus with reasonable prices. Some may even offer patrons free food. Listed in alphabetical order.

— Eater Chicago Intern Megan Wenzl contributed to this story.

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Archie's Iowa & Rockwell Tavern

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This neighborhood dive offers free cheez balls, providing the salty goodness that can lead to a second wind when on a night on the town. [Photo: Yelp]

Bangers & Lace

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The assortment of $5 hot dogs — from char, slaw to Chicago-style — give B&L an edge on Division Street. [Photo: Marc Much]

Billy Goat Tavern

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The double is better. But for $2.65, the burger is a steal. For $4.25, the double-cheese is larceny. Load it up with relish, pickles, onion and tomatoes at the condiment bar. [Photo: Barry Brecheisen]

Burwood Tap

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The Burwood offers a free buffet starting at 8:30 p.m. on weekdays. And it's just far enough away from Lincoln and Halsted to provide shelter from the crazies. [Photo: Yelp]

Cobra Lounge

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The appetizers at the Cobra Lounge satisfy before a game at the United Center or picking up the change on the dance floor at a concert. Look it up. [Photo: Yelp]

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

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At either Chicago location, McCormick & Schmick has made a big deal of their happy hour, which lasts weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It's a good schtick for Schmick, where you can shun the seafood for a $5 burger. [Photo: Yelp]

Pub Royale

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These aren't the $7 lamb dumplings that your auntie made growing up, here at Pub Royale. But your auntie never worried about hangovers. [Photo: Marc Much]

The Other Side Bar

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This is the Pasta Bowl's companion bar, and it offers a simple menu of wings and other pub favorites. Try the mini corn dogs at $4.99. They use a cornbread batter on these suckers. [Photo: Facebook]

The Rail Bar & Grill

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One of Chicago's most-dependable bar menus. Everything here is well done, and most menu items are under $10. That's not even counting the specials, which rotate daily. [Photo: Yelp]

Aloha means goodbye to stiff bar tabs at Roy's. Their Aloha Hour includes a bar bites menu of several $7 including samosas and steamed buns. [Photo: Yelp]

Scofflaw

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In the midnight hour, customers don't turn into pumpkins at Scofflaw. Instead they get free chocolate-chip cookies. [Photo: Marc Much]

The Sidecar at The Long Room

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This indoor food truck concept offers a rotating menu of bites — from Indian-influence rice bowls to short rib poutine. Most items are under $10. [Photo: Facebook]

Archie's Iowa & Rockwell Tavern

This neighborhood dive offers free cheez balls, providing the salty goodness that can lead to a second wind when on a night on the town. [Photo: Yelp]

Bangers & Lace

The assortment of $5 hot dogs — from char, slaw to Chicago-style — give B&L an edge on Division Street. [Photo: Marc Much]

Billy Goat Tavern

The double is better. But for $2.65, the burger is a steal. For $4.25, the double-cheese is larceny. Load it up with relish, pickles, onion and tomatoes at the condiment bar. [Photo: Barry Brecheisen]

Burwood Tap

The Burwood offers a free buffet starting at 8:30 p.m. on weekdays. And it's just far enough away from Lincoln and Halsted to provide shelter from the crazies. [Photo: Yelp]

Cobra Lounge

The appetizers at the Cobra Lounge satisfy before a game at the United Center or picking up the change on the dance floor at a concert. Look it up. [Photo: Yelp]

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

At either Chicago location, McCormick & Schmick has made a big deal of their happy hour, which lasts weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It's a good schtick for Schmick, where you can shun the seafood for a $5 burger. [Photo: Yelp]

Pub Royale

These aren't the $7 lamb dumplings that your auntie made growing up, here at Pub Royale. But your auntie never worried about hangovers. [Photo: Marc Much]

The Other Side Bar

This is the Pasta Bowl's companion bar, and it offers a simple menu of wings and other pub favorites. Try the mini corn dogs at $4.99. They use a cornbread batter on these suckers. [Photo: Facebook]

The Rail Bar & Grill

One of Chicago's most-dependable bar menus. Everything here is well done, and most menu items are under $10. That's not even counting the specials, which rotate daily. [Photo: Yelp]

Roy's

Aloha means goodbye to stiff bar tabs at Roy's. Their Aloha Hour includes a bar bites menu of several $7 including samosas and steamed buns. [Photo: Yelp]

Scofflaw

In the midnight hour, customers don't turn into pumpkins at Scofflaw. Instead they get free chocolate-chip cookies. [Photo: Marc Much]

The Sidecar at The Long Room

This indoor food truck concept offers a rotating menu of bites — from Indian-influence rice bowls to short rib poutine. Most items are under $10. [Photo: Facebook]

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