Chicago, IL + Add a trip

Dragonfly Mandarin Restaurant near Randolph and Halstead has great food at a good price (you can get an appetizer, soup, salad and entree for $9 at the time of writing)

Sultan's Market at North Ave. and Hoyne Ave. Best falafel in the city and still pretty cheap.

Irazu - Costa Rican restaurant

veggie burrito is awesome, plantains are great, hibiscus tea is fantastic, lovely shake/smoothies of various fruits.

cannot go wrong; very reasonable.

Chi Cafe in Chinatown Square (or _any_ place in Chinatown is cheap). It's a casual Chinese diner with a hip decor. Food is much better than neighboring Joy Yee's. (Though Joy Yee's has terrific fresh fruit drinks.)

Hot Doug's: gourmet hod dogs and sausages (a bit of a wait)

Kuma's Corner: burgers & beer (a very long wait)

Both are inexpensive, but offer an interesting side of Chicago

If you're in the loop, swing by Hannah's Bretzel for a great sandwich. If you can make it out there, I'd agree with Michael Brooks on Hot Doug's. Kuma's Corner is supposed to be great as well, although can't speak from personal experience.

Food is much better than neighboring Joy Yee's.