Located on Devon Avenue, near UIC, and in Lombard, Ghareeb Nawaz serves dependable Indian food at low, low prices. Most dishes on the extensive menu are less than seven dollars and diners have choices that include biryanis, curries, kebabs, and grilled specialties like frontier chicken and butter chicken. Portions are sizable so even if folks have a big appetite, they should leave fully satiated.

Many people are familiar with pad Thai and pad see eiw but Immm Rice & Beyond dives into an area that’s less explored in Chicago: Thai street food. The chalkboard menu is full of intriguing dishes like tum puu pla rah (funky green papaya salad with preserved crab and preserved fish); kai loog kuey (fried hard-boiled eggs with crispy shallots and tamarind sauce); and khao moo grob (crispy pork belly rice). During lunch hours, diners can save money by opting for khao rad gang — traditional rice plates served with pre-prepared curries, stews, and stir-fried proteins.

The city’s preeminent banh mi expert is a delicious and affordable option. The signature house special contains paté, head cheese, ham, and pork roll alongside a medley of veggies, but customers can also order their Vietnamese sandwiches with ingredients like barbecue pork, lemongrass chicken, sugarcane shrimp. What really sets Nhu Lan apart from the competition though is its bread, which is baked daily in-house. A second outpost is located in Uptown.

Northwest Side residents know that the city’s best shish kabobs are at Mr D’s in Montclare. Owners Mike and Ann Antonopoulos marinate pork tenderloin in a special sauce, char it on the grill, and serve it with onions, tomatoes, and jus on a French roll. The similarly superb steak sandwich features thinly sliced rib eye and gravy. All orders come with perfectly crispy fries that are a paragon of the form.

A Chicago original, the jibarito was first introduced at the late Borinquen Restaurant in the ’90s by restaurateur Juan Figueroa. Today, the Puerto Rican sandwich can be found on menus all over town. The classic recipe calls for thinly-sliced steak, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and garlic aioli in between two planks of fried plantains, but Jibaritos Y Mas also offers proteins like chicken, roasted pork, octopus, and shrimp. Additional outposts are located in Lincoln Park and Dunning.

Sultan’s Market is a Wicker Park essential that offers Middle Eastern cuisine at inexpensive prices. Have a light snack of hummus and baba ghanoush or devour sandwiches loaded with falafel, shawarma, and more. There's also a bountiful salad and hot bar and guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol. A second location is over in Lincoln Park.

At the Palm in the Swissôtel, 30 bucks gets you a prix fixe three-course lunch in elegant surroundings with a dollar left over. Lunch includes soup or salad, a choice of entree (pasta, chicken parm, or the catch of the day), and Key lime pie or cheesecake. Not a bad deal.

Italian market and deli J.P. Graziano has been in operation since 1937 and is revered for its outstanding old-school subs. Each sandwich boasts fresh, quality meats and cheeses on D’Amato’s bread. The house specialty, “Mr. G,” features hot sopresatta, prosciutto, Genoa salami, and sharp provolone.

An iconic stand that dates back to 1939, Jim's claims to be the originator of the Maxwell Street Polish. Diners can get juicy and delicious Polish sausages, pork chop sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and more — plus free fries with every order — as late as 1 a.m.

Crispy, juicy carnitas have attracted Chicagoans to this Pilsen mainstay for four decades. The pork — cooked in rendered fat until it’s tender — is sold by the pound. From white and dark meat to ribs, stomach, skin, and even brain, every part of the pig can be had. Build tasty tacos with the warm tortillas, onions, cilantro, and salsa that come with each order and don’t forget to get some chicharrones too. On weekends, it’s extra busy so arrive early to avoid the long lines.

The flavors of the Pacific isles take center stage at Pilsen’s Aloha Wagon. The food-truck-turned-restaurant recently relocated to a new space but diners can still look forward to the same hearty lineup of Hawaiian plate lunches. There are favorites like a kalua pork plate that pairs pulled pork with grilled cabbage, and a loco moco plate featuring two beef patties, over easy eggs, and gravy. Other items include an “Aloha Burger” (grilled pineapple and teriyaki sauce), grilled fish tacos, Spam musubi, and Mexican pozole.

One of Chicago’s best taquerias is housed inside a small corner store in Little Village. La Chaparrita specializes in tacos de fritangas, or “fried tacos.” Popular in Mexico City, they’re filled with ingredients like longaniza, suadero, and tripa — crispy cow intenstines — that are cooked in a round metal pan called a charola.

This Louisiana-style seafood chain has locations in South Shore, Bronzeville, and the suburbs. The Hennessey wings are favorites, but the fish and fried shrimp dinners and the po’ boys are also stellar and affordable.

Jerk chicken is a wondrous dish when done properly and arguably the best version is coming out of this small kitchen on the southwest edge of the city. The birds are marinated overnight in an addictive sauce made from peppers, onions, celery, garlic, ginger, and a mix of spices. They’re then roasted in a barrel smoker over coals, resulting in smoky and flavorful pieces of white and dark meat. Diners can get the delectable chicken plus two sides for just $10 during lunchtime. The menu also features other Jamaican favorites like catfish, red snapper, curry goat, and oxtail. A second outpost is located in Norwood Park.

Head to South Deering on the far South Side to experience this lauded establishment. The James Beard-honored roadside shack smokes its seafood on-site. Salmon, sable, sturgeon, and trout are just some of the fish options, while other popular items include fried shrimp and fried scallops battered using a secret family recipe. Bring cash and be prepared to eat on the curb or in the car as there’s no seating.