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Billy Goat Tavern
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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.

by Ashok Selvam
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Billy Goat Tavern
| Barry Brecheisen
by Ashok Selvam

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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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

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]

2600 W Iowa St, Chicago, IL 60622
(872) 206-5119
(872) 206-5119

Also featured in:

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]

1670 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-6499
(773) 252-6499

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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]

430 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 222-1525
(312) 222-1525

Also featured in:

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]

724 W Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-2593
(773) 525-2593

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]

235 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-6300
(312) 226-6300

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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]

41 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 397-9500
(312) 397-9500

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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]

2049 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 661-6874
(773) 661-6874

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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]

2436 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-8238
(773) 525-8238

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]

4709 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 878-9400
(773) 878-9400

Roy's

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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]

720 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 787-7599
(312) 787-7599

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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]

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-9700
(773) 252-9700

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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]

1612 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 665-4500
(773) 665-4500

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Archie's Iowa & Rockwell Tavern

2600 W Iowa St, Chicago, IL 60622

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]

2600 W Iowa St, Chicago, IL 60622
(872) 206-5119
(872) 206-5119

Bangers & Lace

1670 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

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

1670 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-6499
(773) 252-6499

Billy Goat Tavern

430 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

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]

430 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 222-1525
(312) 222-1525

Burwood Tap

724 W Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

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]

724 W Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-2593
(773) 525-2593

Cobra Lounge

235 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607

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]

235 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-6300
(312) 226-6300

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

41 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611

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]

41 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 397-9500
(312) 397-9500

Pub Royale

2049 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

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]

2049 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 661-6874
(773) 661-6874

The Other Side Bar

2436 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

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]

2436 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-8238
(773) 525-8238

The Rail Bar & Grill

4709 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

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]

4709 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 878-9400
(773) 878-9400

Roy's

720 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

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]

720 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 787-7599
(312) 787-7599

Scofflaw

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

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

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-9700
(773) 252-9700

The Sidecar at The Long Room

1612 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613

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]

1612 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 665-4500
(773) 665-4500

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