Cheap Fills: Eating like a king on a proletariat's salary

Admittedly, most of you probably spend an equal if not greater proportion of your hard earned money on alcohol instead of food. You'll drop a ten for two Cape Cods without a second thought, but ten bucks for one meal seems like a lot of dough for something as petty as life sustenance. We understand, and we're here to help but we'll need your participation. Just leave your comments about where you go to eat on the cheap.

Les Givrals
2704 Milam
If you don't know about the $2 Ban Mi here, then you can thank us after you've had one of the best and cheapest Vietnamese sandwiches in town. A chewy French bread roll is filled with your choice of tofu, eggs, chicken or pork, English cucumber, mayo, pickled carrots and daikon, cilantro, and a strip of jalapeno. It is truly a poor man's feast, especially paired with a side of spring rolls.

Red Lion Pub
2316 S Shepherd Drive just north of Fairview
This has got to be one of the best late night places to eat inside the Loop.(Plus industry workers get great drink specials every night.) Monday nights are $5 burger night. You get a huge pile of handcut fries with your choice of a 1/2 lb. Angus cheeseburger or 4 mini burgers. Wednesday nights are $12 Curry and Pint Night, with your choice of a bowl of spicy beef vindaloo or chicken tikka masala, served over rice with naan bread and your choice of a cold pint to wash it down.

La Tapatia Taqueria
1749 Richmond Avenue at Woodhead
It's all about the torta here. Ranging from $3.25 and up you can get a fresh Mexican bun filled with anything from eggs and cheese to shrimp, chicken, beef fajita, and even tongue if you're feeling kinda lonely. It comes with avocado, pico de gallo, lettuce, tomatoes and refried beans all packed neatly inside. Plus you'll get chips and salsa. If you're a good person you'll leave more than 15% for the tip-- 60 cents ain't gonna cut it.