Chicago is a city of big appetites, and I swear we got it all, especially if you are not feeling particularly health conscious. You can splurge downtown at a tony restaurant, take a quick trip to West Town\u2019s latest, or lunch like a local at these neighborhood favorites that aren\u2019t too far from McCormick Place.<\/p>\n
Burgers:<\/strong><\/p>\n When you need da burger, you got options. Let the tourists visit the Billy Goat Tavern<\/a> off Michigan Avenue. Stick with the locals and visit The Exchequer<\/a> under the L on Wabash. They have a full menu, but I\u2019d stick with the burger. It\u2019s as old school as the d\u00e9cor and deeply satisfying. While you\u2019re not going to break the bank, lunch can set you back a little over $15.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not feeling like a trip so far back-in-the-day, then get to the point, Burger Point<\/a>. The names for their burgers are silly, and if I\u2019m honest, a little aggravating, but the burgers are tasty and the fries manage to be both crispy and soft in the center. YUM.\u00a0 Ask for the Just Plain Cheeseburger or the Dirty South, their bacon, barbeque wonder burger. You can get a burger, small fries and a drink for just under $15.<\/p>\n Italian:<\/strong><\/p>\n To deep dish or not to deep dish? It\u2019s a question we all face, right? I have been to Uno’s<\/a>\u00a0 preordered and queued for more than an hour for a table. While it might have been worth it, I won\u2019t wait anymore. And you don\u2019t have to at Ricobene\u2019s<\/a>, a near Southside staple. The pizza-by-the-slice counter is hopping at lunch time, so you can settle the question once and for all. They are known for their breaded steak and beloved for their park and ride to Sox games, and you can try it for $10-15.<\/p>\n If that sounds a bit too heavy, there\u2019s always Gio\u2019s<\/a>. An amazing deli counter tucked into the Bridgeport neighborhood, Gio\u2019s doesn\u2019t have a lot of room for dining in. What it does have is a Panino Di Prosciutto to be remembered. It\u2019s so good that I\u2019ve never wanted to try anything else. With a bottled drink from the cooler, lunch tops out at about $15.<\/p>\n Tacos:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are in a Rick Bayless mood on a Chipotle budget, look no further than Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill<\/a>. I discovered their tilapia tacos at the Taste<\/a> one year and did a happy dance when I realized they were 2 blocks from the library. I think there\u2019s a probably a great taqueria in almost every neighborhood, but the fish tacos here are exceptional. Sadly, there\u2019s no carnitas or tacos al pastor. Split chips and salsa with a friend, and you will feast for a little over $10.<\/p>\n Good luck and good eating! And let us know in the comments if you have a favorite place to eat in Chicago!<\/p>\n *****************************************************************************<\/p>\n