Have an adorably inexpensive executive lunch at
Cafe des Architectes and get in and out in 30 min.

Just because money's tight doesn't mean you have to resort to eating the condiments in your fridge or filling up on bar peanuts: Our city's got your back! There are plenty of places sympathetic to your plight, so don't give up on your quest for culinary satisfaction, just head to one of these dining spots and feast like the (frugal) gourmand you are.

• Best casual lunch deals:
  $3 burgers (Wed) at Pontiac Cafe (1531 N. Damen Ave)
  I've had lunch at Pontiac many times and always enjoyed the people-watching bonus of sitting on their huge patio. Plus, their burgers are great, and what's not to love about a delicious burger for a mere $3?
  $4.95 lunch special (Mon. through Fri.) at Spoon Thai (4608 N. Western Ave)
  From 11:30am-3pm you get an appetizer and an entree from one of the most authentic Thai restaurants in the city. Entrees include Pad See Elw, Thai Pepper Steak and Ginger Chicken, just to name a few.
  $5 lunch menu (Mon. through Fri.) at Atlantic Bar & Grill (5062 N. Lincoln Ave)
  Okay, so the deal hinges on ordering a drink, but from 11am-3pm, your lunch is a mere $5...and you were probably planning on having a drink anyway, right?
   
• Best fancypants lunch deals:
  $9 four-course lunch (Mon. through Fri.) at Dragonfly Mandarin (832 W. Randolph St)
  For a mere $9, you get an appetizer (Shanghai Spring Roll or Crabby Cheese Crunch, aka Crab Wonton), soup (Hot and Sour or Chicken Corn), house salad and your choice of entree--with 20 options from which to choose (dig deep into those couch cushions and scrape together an extra $3 if you want the prawns or scallops)!. 
  $15.95 prix fixe 3-course "corporate lunch" (Mon. through Fri.) at Kinzie Chophouse (400 N. Wells St)
  Lunch includes a salad, entree and dessert, and with entrees like Herb Crusted Salmon and Beef Tenderloin Medallions, there's no reason to take your lunch date to Taco Bell...again.
  $20.95 four-course, 30-minute lunch (Fri.) at Cafe des Architectes (20 E. Chestnut St)
  It's fast, it's French, and--best of all--it's delicious. Think of it as a French bento box: A single plate holds four individual 4"x4" plates, each presenting a single course, three of which you get to choose--The mini dessert is a surprise.
  

Photo courtesy of Cafe des Architectes

Disclaimer: Deals can change at a restaurant's whim, so your best bet is to call before heading out!