Lunch Specials in Chicago, IL

Welcome to the culinary wonderland of Chicago, where the vibrant cityscape harmonizes with the tantalizing aroma of delectable lunch specials. Nestled in the heart of Illinois, Chicago serves up a feast for both the senses and the search engines. Prepare to embark on a gastronomic journey through a melting pot of flavors as we uncover the finest lunch specials that will satisfy your cravings.

In this article, we’re featuring some of Chicago’s top spots for lunch specials, including both family restaurants and franchises. Be sure to check each location’s website to inform yourself of menu options. Please get in touch with us on social media if you find a particular place that has incredible lunch specials. 

Chili’s Lunch Specials

Let’s start with Chili’s, a well-known establishment that features an extensive lunch specials menu. If you’re looking to save a few bucks while dining with friends or family, you must visit the various locations scattered across the city. Lunch specials at Chili’s are usually available Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 4 PM. You can take a look at some of the featured items on the menu below. 

• Lunch Combo – Double Burger
• Lunch Combo – Half Order Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadillas
• Lunch Combo – Boneless Wings
• Lunch Combo – Bacon Avocado Grilled Chicken Sandwich
• Lunch Combo – Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowl

RAMEN-SAN Lunch Specials

Everyone loves eating noodles at RAMEN-SAN in Chicago! You can find this hidden gem at a few locations in the city, and many point out their tasty lunch specials. For $16, you can enjoy a delicious bowl of ramen, rice plate, side salad, and marinated cucumbers. The menu might change throughout the year, but this is a place that you need to stop by if you love noodles. RAMEN-SAN also features a large menu of whiskeys and, of course, sake. Check out my favorite spot located at 59 W Hubbard St #2, Chicago, IL. If you have any questions, contact them at 312-377-9950.

Kabobi Lunch Specials

Kabobi is one of Chicago’s top Mediterranean restaurants, and you’ll quickly find out why. They serve large portions of homemade foods that stem from a Persian background as well as other Middle Eastern regions. If you’re free from 10:30 AM to 4 PM, I highly recommend having food from their lunch specials menu. The best part of this restaurant is that this deal extends to the weekends, which is rare to find in Chicago! Kabobi Persian and Mediterranean Grill can be found at 4748 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL. For more information regarding their lunch menu, please call them at 773-583-1400. Take a look at some of the foods available during this time:

• Boneless Chicken Breast Kabob
• Salmon Kabob
• Shish Tawook
• Jujeh Kabob
• Fesanjan
• Saffron Butter Chicken
• Lamb Biryani
• Lamb Chengeh
• Beef Filet Mignon Shish Kabob
• Kabob Koubideh

Grand Lux Cafe Lunch Specials

Grand Lux Cafe features excellent lunch specials and can host large gatherings. This iconic restaurant has a beautiful interior and offers a wide range of American cuisine. Now you can enjoy their delicious meals at a fraction of the price during lunch hours. My favorite location is at 600 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL. I rarely see this restaurant busy during lunch hours, but if you’re curious about availability, call them at 312-276-2500. Below are some of my favorite meals that are served for lunch specials. 

• Soup and Salad
• Sandwich Special – Turkey, Chicken, B.L.T. with Mixed Green Salad
• Omelette – Select any four ingredients
• Lunch Special Chicken – Parmesan, Lemon Chicken Piccata, Crispy Caramel Chicken, Cajun Chicken Jambalaya
• Lunch Special Salmon – Miso Glazed, Grilled, or Piccata
• Bento Box of the Day

Emperor’s Choice Lunch Specials

I’m a big fan of Chinese restaurants, and when it comes to lunch specials in Chicago, I go to Emperor’s Chicken. This long-standing establishment features traditional Cantonese cuisine and offers tasty seafood dishes. You can find this foodie spot at 2238 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL. For availability, call 312-225-8800 and mention your party size. During the early day, you can enjoy their many lunch specials that feature generous portions. I’ll include a list of top-rated food dishes that are available during this period below:

• General Tso’s Chicken
• Sesame Chicken
• Hunan Chicken
• Chicken Lo Mein
• Spicy Egg Plan with Minced Pork
• Pepper Steak
• Vermicelli with Vegetables
• Ma Po Tofu with Pork
• Mushroom Delight
• Shrimp with Lobster Sauce

Harold’s Chicken Lunch Specials

Harold’s Chicken is by far one of Chicago’s most iconic restaurants. At Just Eat Up, we’ve reviewed many locations, and you can learn all that information on our review page. While some locations may differ with their lunch specials, you can usually find similar prices, which are around $7 per menu item. Harold’s Chicken has multiple locations in Chicago, so I recommend visiting your nearest shack. Their lunch specials occur Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 3 PM. Some of the items featured here are the following:

• 4 Wings
• 3 pc Dark
• 3 pc Tenders
• 2 Pizza Puffs
• 1 Breast with fries
• 2 pc Tilapia
• 3 pc Perch
• Giblet

El Barco Mariscos Lunch Specials

For Mexican food lovers, I recommend visiting El Barco Mariscos for their lunch specials. This eatery is popular among the Hispanic community and resides at 1035 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL. It may be busy during lunch hours, so I encourage you to call for availability at 773-486-6850. The space inside showcases a lively atmosphere and a decorative interior that invites diners to take photos. Take a look at some of the offerings during their lunch specials below:

• Red Snapper
• Shrimp
• Seafood Soup
• Grilled Salmon Salad

Cracker Barrel Lunch Specials

We included Cracker Barrel despite not being inside the city because they have a fabulous lunch special menu. The iconic restaurant has been a staple in Illinois for many years, and I’m always impressed by its food and drink deals. Starting at 11 AM, you can enjoy their tasty comfort country dishes for less than $10. For example, they have a pick 2 country combo which includes; house salad, baked potato, & soups. Other items feature chicken dumplings, broccoli cheddar, coastal samplers, and fish fry. If you’re nearby Chicago, I recommend visiting the Cracker Barrel in Tinley Park, IL. Their address is 18531 North Creek Dr. 

Lunch Specials Near Me

We hope this list of lunch specials in Chicago gave you a headstart on where to eat with friends and family. We’ve covered a variety of cuisines, and if you’re interested in finding more restaurants, check out our reviews page. Please don’t hesitate to reach out on our social media for more recommendations that you want us to include in future reviews!