10 Under $10: Eating on the Cheap in Wilmette

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the old bank account is already looking a little raggedy. Never mind that there are still gifts to be bought and more meals to purchase. Sometimes, you have to look out for those little ways to save. Luckily, there are plenty of options around town for stuffing your own stocking quickly and cheaply.



You know you're going to get a coffee, so why not spend local instead of going to one of the big chains? These independent roasters who have been serving up hot coffee here in town for five years would appreciate it. Beyond that, their list of soups and sandwiches won't be found on menus elsewhere.

Cheap Eat: The tuna salad sandwich and chips, $5.95. Chunk white tuna, mayo, fresh dill, red onion, lettuce, tomato, alfalfa sprouts, & seasonings on honey whole wheat bread. Even if you add bacon for 75 cents, you've got plenty left for coffee.



It's OK to root for the underdog!  may be the pancake kings of the north shore, but there are other options around. Hotcakes is just one. This cozy space has a lot of charm, and when it comes to the menu, a lot of imagination.

Cheap Eat: M&M Pancakes, a favorite with kids. A stack is $6. Syrup is almost overkill.



Ridgeview may not be a place that immediately comes to mind when thinking 'cheap eats in Wilmette,' but it's very affordable for breakfast. Each of their four specialty benedicts lets you escape with a bit of change in your pocket, and sides like hash browns or bacon and sausage won't bust your wallet either.

Cheap Eat: The best Benedict of them all, the homemade Mini Crab Cakes on English Muffins topped with Poached Eggs & Rich Hollandaise, just under the wire at $9.95.



Another Wilmette eatery that seems synonymous with steep prices on eats, the reality is that the lunchtime takeout fare here is quite affordable. With an always interesting menu that changes every two weeks, there's always something here to tempt the thrifty palate.

Cheap Eat: The always available sesame noodle dish, served cold and delicious, $8.



This popular Thai eatery has crowds lined up and waiting on weekend nights. It's no wonder, either: this is the Thai restaurant most other Thai restaurants wish they were. The unique dishes and skill in the kitchen are hard to match.

Cheap Eat: If you're just popping in for an appetizer (and you really should), try the Tiger Cry: Tender beef charbroiled to perfection, served with homemade hot sauce, $5.95. Many entrees are under the $10 mark too.

The Chuck Wagon is a great lunch spot, and has been for 35 years. Clearly, it's a local favorite, and that love is returned in the form of countless pictures of family, friends and regulars everywhere you look. The space may be small, but it has a big heart and a true love of Greek food. Look for several authentic dishes here that are hard to find elsewhere, like losh.

Cheap Eat: The Nikki special, a quarter pound burger patty piled high with gyro meat, just $5.95. Make it a double for a buck more.



Lunch can be a drag, and if you keep eating fast food, both those calories and those occasional few dollars for lunch will add up, so finding a local, heart healthy and inexpensive option is key. T&B offers an interesting way to get some fish and veggies into your diet without spending too much.

Cheap Eat: The Tokyo Lunch special, $9.95. There are a few options here (as well as a strictly veggie option for $8.95), but the miso soup, cucumber crab roll and spicy tuna roll for just under $10 is a great choice.



Another Wilmette original, Piero's has been serving up hot steaming pies since the mid 90's. The family owned shop is proud of it's heritage and Italian roots. The website almost reads like a history lesson.

Cheap Eat: A large cheese pizza for $9.95. Even better, use a coupon from theirsite for $2 off, making this cheap eat even cheaper.



If you're carnivorous, you know how it is: sometimes nothing but smoked meats will do. Wilmette residents are either on their own when it comes to the 'cue, or they're customers of the Chick N Rib Joynt. Most dinner options are over our $10 threshold, but not at lunch.

Cheap Eat: From 11am to 3pm, CNRJ offers a half slab of baby backs with fries and a roll for only $8.95, a bargain any time of day.



At the end of the day, it's time to get down with some comfort food. That's where Love's Yogurt comes in. For over 25 years now, Wilmette residents have been able to enjoy Love's sugary, delicious treats. Those beyond Wilmette have taken notice as well: it was once named in a 'Best of Chicago' dessert list by Channel 2.

Cheap Eat: The malted milkshake, made with any flavor you prefer and swimming with thick, rich malt, $5.