Eating on a budget? Here’s where you can find a meal for $10 or less around southwest IL
With grocery prices up 12.2% from June 2021 to June 2022 and restaurant food costs increased by 7.7%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, many are trying to figure out how to make their food budgets work.
While restaurant meals are not accessible to everyone, there are some metro-east joints where prices are more budget-friendly – at one, you can get a chimichanga for $6, and another serves a gyro for less than $5.50.
Here’s five restaurants in southwest Illinois where you can get a meal for $10 or less, before taxes and tip. Menu information and prices are from each business’ website.
Uncle Nick’s
This local deli serves several sandwiches under $10 each. The pastrami sandwich, corned beef reuben, shredded BBQ beef and philly cheese steak are each $8.29. The veggie sandwich, Italian, classic BLT, buffalo chicken and other cold options are $7.89 a piece.
You can also get a pick two with half a sandwich and either a cup of soup or half a salad for $8.29.
Location: 1140 S. Illinois St., Belleville, IL 62220
Casa Maria Mexican Grill
This restaurant offers Casa Nachos for $6, nachos supreme for $9 and a variety of a la carte items under $10.
There’s a chimichanga with pulled chicken or ground beef for $6, three tamales for $10, an enchilada for $3.50 and a quesadilla for $4.50. You can also try fried ice cream or a cheesecake chimichanga for $6.
Location: 100 N. High St., Belleville, IL 62220
China Hing
China Hing’s menu includes combo plates at $9.75, including chicken chow mein, beef with broccoli, sauteed mixed vegetables, sweet and sour chicken and more. Each combo comes with fried or white rice and an egg roll.
There’s also soups, steamed dumplings and other options under $10.
Location: 3224 Green Mt. Crossing Drive, Shiloh, IL 62269
Super Gyros
The Greek salad at Super Gyros is $5.99, and you can get a BBQ or chicken gyro for $5.24. The veggie pita is $3.99, and you can also get a chicken sandwich, Italian combo or half-pound burger for less than $10.
Location: 766 Carlyle Ave. No. 5500, Belleville, IL 62221
Corner Grill and Chill
This bar and restaurant serves wings, burgers, macaroni bites, tacos, salads and more for less than $10.
The sampler platter includes four cheese sticks, four ravioli, fried pickle chips and two chicken strips for $9.25. There’s a chili spud for $8.50 and 9-inch pizzas starting at $5.95 (for just cheese).
Location: 341 Centreville Ave., Belleville, IL 62220
This story was originally published August 4, 2022 at 11:34 AM.
