Best meal for $5 - Gene 'n Jude's Hot dogs (corner of Grand and River Road in River Grove). An original 50's-60's style hot dog stand. Best dogs evar! The menu has only 4 items - hot dog, double dog, fries and tamale. True Chicago hot dog stand --- NO KETCHUP/CATSUP!!! Only onion, mustard, sport pepper and relish. The fries are whole potatos cut right before your eyes. They take the potato and put it through one of those wall mounted pop/beer can crushers. Instead of a metal plate on the bottom to crush them, there is a metal grid that cuts the potato into fries. They drop right into the basket for frying. The place has no seating area, just a ledge around the window sill. Yet, on some weekends the line can get 50-75 people deep.
TBK definitely get's my nod for burritos. In the past 13 years, I've literally had 100's of burritos from there. There are tons around Chicago; not just by UIC, although I have been to that one. I personally prefer the one on 3212 N. Harlem. It's a local franchise, just find the one closest to you. Plus, they are usually open til 5 am on weekends. This week it's $2.99 for the king burrito. I need to hit the gym.
Allende's is pretty close as far as burritos go (corner of Halsted, Fullerton and Lincoln on Lincoln). You know you've been there too many times when you get to cut to the front of the line, can go behind the counter to serve yourself, and they know your order by heart.
Best meal for under $10 -
Hog Wild
14933 S. Pulaski
The pork chops are to die for (~$6.30 w/ tax for the meal). I live on the northwest side of Chicago and have made the 35 mile trip on the weekend just to eat lunch. I was lucky enough to work near there for two years and ate there at least once per week. I recommend everything on the menu. I'll be coaching basketball near there tonight. I may stop before the game.
Best meal for under $15 - Hooter's Sounds cheesy, but after a basketball/softball game it's a good place to hang out and relax when you don't feel like going to the local watering hole.