Cheap food in hyde park

I'm looking for something houndish. A fast food or short order type would be great. Sandwiches, burgers, anything meaty that I can eat with my hands, and I don't want to spend more than $5. Thanks!!!

[hooboy4]

I like the Harold's idea....but I also like Valois See Your Food on 53rd...and the ambience is interesting. I might add that there was, a while back a NYT best seller called Slim's Table written about this place.

[Agrayf]

As a former Hyde Parker, there's only one restaurant I crave regularly and hope to revisit:
Ribs N' Bibs, 53rd and Dorchester.
Priced for a starving student. Oh man, Ribs n Bibs contributed to a freshman 15 well worth gaining.

[OliThor]

Any comments on the food at Valois ?

[hooboy4]

You should start by knowing that it's cafeteria style serving....thus, the Valois See Your Food......I've had some totally kick butt short ribs and potatoes there....it's comfort food, to say the least....does this help?

[OliThor]

Yes it does, any food in the neighbourhood described as kick butt must be worth at least an investigative lunch outing ! I will try the short ribs.

I have to agree with the Harold's recommendation, but I also like the 1 lb. burrito at Maravilla's. Also the burgers at Jimmy's are a good choice.
-cb

[cerisenoire]

MEDICI IS HORRIBLY OVERPRICED!
and bad, bad, bad. I always feel taken advantage of there. It's certainly not the "cheap eat" of hyde park. Harolds, Maravillas (tacos $1.50 each--delicious!!!!), and mmm not much else.

It seems like folks are overlooking the obvious. The best cheap food in Hyde Park (IMO) and quite possibly the best purchased food period is Harold's Chicken Shack (I prefer 51st & King Drive, but Kimbark plaza is probably easier for most)

I would suggest the Nile on 55th Street, their Shwarma and felafel are a joy. I live in DC, but constantly crave it.
1611 E 55th St

As an alternative, the Bonjour Bakery on 55th Street in the Hyde Park shopping center serves a steak sandwich that is out of this world. Marinated steak on their freshly baked baguettes with lettuce tomato and a little mayo. If you go there, you must also have a lemon/pistacchio cookie.

Went to the Bonjour bakery today on the suggestion of an earlier poster in this thread.

The good news: The steak sandwich was delicious and fresh!

The bad news: It was tiny and it was $7 with tax. :(

I wouldn't mind eating there again (the sweets looked marvelous, but I resisted!), but those looking for cheap eats can't beat Hyde Park Gyros, where you can get a mountain of food for under $5.

For really cheap food, try the employee cafeteria at Bernard Mitchell Hospital on the U of C campus (58th & Maryland). There's a short-order grill in the basement that serves up double cheeseburgers for 99 cents. There are other inexpensive offerings, as well. The place turns-out a killer chili and soup that sticks to your ribs . . . for 99 cents a portion, also.

To get to the basement cafeteria . . . enter the hospital and follow the signs for the "D" elevators (you'll pass an excellent Au Bon Pain restaurant in the lobby) and take the elevator down to the basement. Follow the "Cafeteria" signs. It'll be a maze journey, but well worth it for a hungry person!

[OliThor]

I was intrigued by this food option less than half a mile from my desk that I was unaware of so just went there for a late lunch and had a cheeseburger. Unfortunately it seems that the prices have changed, now the cheeseburger is 2.99 and the chili was about 2 dollars I think.

The place is called Billings Cafe. It is actually easier to reach from the Ellis entrance (the entrance by the UoC campus, next to Citibank) ... basically you go to the basement (level B) and follow the Cafeteria signs.

The burger and banana smoothie I had were underwhelming, although it would have been a great 99 cent burger. The smoothie had an artificial flavor and was too sweet. I think I'll be back when the main grill is open, for the record the full service hours are:

M-F: 6:30-10, 11am-2pm, 4:30pm-8pm
SatSun: 7-10, 11am-2:30pm

If you want cheap, Hyde Park Gyros on 53rd is the place. Several burger,gyro,chicken options with fries and a drink under $5. They even serve the Big Baby.Not the best ever, but fresh and made to order.

Get a burger at the Medici, an old favorite U of C hangout. You might go just a buck or two over your $5 limit, but well worth it.

Medici
1327 E. 57th St.
773-667-7394

Morry's Deli
5500 S. Cornell
773-363-3800

Nathan's Chicago Style
1372 E. 53rd
773-288-5353

Pockets
1309E. 53rd
773-667-1313