Best cheap restaurants in Lincoln Park

March 31, 10:04 AMChicago Neighborhood ExaminerDana Kavan

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Toro serves innovative rolls at can't-beat prices

TimeOut Chicago recently rated neighborhoods based on their foodie factor, and I have to admit I was skeptical when Lincoln Park came out on top. I lived in the North Side neighborhood for four years and often felt hungry for a different dining experience. But after really thinking about my time as an LP resident—most of which was spent directly post-college when my salary barely covered rent and my bus pass—I realized it was the neighborhood’s affordable eateries that kept me happily fed and sparked my now full-fledged obsession with Chicago restaurants. The following spots didn't make TimeOut’s list, but they’re some of the locales that keep my still-frugal self heading back to the ‘hood.

Chicago Bagel Authority, 953 W Armitage Ave., (773) 248-9606, www.chicagobagelauthority.com/
Located next to the Brown Line Armitage stop, this DePaul student fave draws a crowd with its long list of steamed bagel sandwiches. Steaming the hand-helds results in a chewy, soft exterior, rather than the crispness that you get from toasting. It also means that with conglomerations like the Messy Katie, warm cream cheese will ooze out the sides and cause the turkey, avocado, Colby cheese and sprouts to slide around, a sticky endeavor that makes it all the more satisfying. All sandwiches ring in at less than $7. If you do snag a seat, the decor isn’t much to look at; I once ate at a table covered in lettuce while staring at a mop bucket that hung out casually in the dining room.

• Just as wallet- and palate-friendly: NYC Bagel Deli,1001 W North Ave, technically sits just outside Lincoln Park. It doesn’t sling the same caliber of sandwiches as CBA, but its steamed, chewy pumpernickel rye bagel is the best in town.

Bricks Pizza 1909 N Lincoln Ave, (312) 255-1490, www.brickschicago.com/chicago
Bricks’ subterranean environs, with brick walls and a juke that stocks everything from Miles Davis to the Grateful Dead, feel like a secret lair where people can worship microbrews and thin-crust pizza.  Though the Creole Shrimp, topped with shrimp, pesto, red peppers, mozzarella and gouda, costs a buck more than the rest of the pies ($12.50 for a 10-inch), it’s worth it. And since friendly staff lets you do half-and-half on any of the specialty combos, you can pair your shrimp pick with The Sweet Heat, which sports a tangy BBQ sauce and a hefty dose of smoky bacon. Pair it all with a draft like Unibroue or the ever-rotating Bricks Lager (the manager’s craft brew pick), and you may never surface.

• Just as wallet- and palate-friendly: When I lived next door to deep-dish institution Pequod's, 2207 N. Clybourn, I had to fight back a fierce urge to order its burnt, caramelized cheese-crust pies every day. It’s so different from Bricks, the two can’t really compare, except they’re equally delicious.

Toro Sushi, 2546 N Clark St, (773) 348-4877, torosushi.biz/
I’m confident that if Toro quadrupled in size, it would still run an hour-plus wait most nights. That’s because the sushi at this narrow storefront is so fresh, so inventive and so cheap that it could easily be ranked among the top three city-wide.  Bonus: It’s BYOB and chef-owner Mitch will share samples of his latest creations with regulars. It also offers bento-box lunch deals that let you sample a couple rolls, soup and salad for well less than a 10 spot.  If you go the specialty roll route, splurge for the Oh My God roll, tuna, mango, avocado and crab, topped with tempura crumbs, slivers of unagi and drizzled with a spicy mayo.

• Just as wallet- and palate-friendly: As tiny and affordable as Toro, Green Tea, 2206 N Clark, attracts maki maniacs who prefer more authentic, traditional rolls. It’s also BYOB, but with just a few tables and a sushi bar, it’s often best to opt for takeout. 

Got a favorite bargain eatery in Lincoln Park that I've got to try? Share your picks in the 'comments' field.