Six of America’s Cheapest ‘Michelin-Approved Restaurants’ are in Illinois

Want to eat great but on a budget?

If not, you can always settle for fast food drive-thru if you're not interested.

But if you're kind of a foodie like me, and don't want to spend your entire paycheck on a decent meal, this is just the thing you're looking for.

In case you're wondering, the Institute of Culinary Education says this about Michelin ratings:

Not easy to obtain, the stars are awarded to restaurants that Michelin considers the very best in a given city, and recipients gain immense prestige and exposure along with the honor, with many seeing an increase in business after receiving their stars (while some who lost stars have experienced the opposite).

Far & Wide put together a comprehensive list of 30 of the Most Affordable Michelin-Approved Restaurants in America and wouldn't you know it, six of them can be found in Illinois.

Actually, all five of them are in Chicago. Makes sense, considering The Land of Lincoln is one of the greatest food cities on Earth.

Then again, a meal in Chicago will set you back but not if you plan on eating at one of these five Michelin-approved joints.

20. Longman & Eagle (Modern, 54.6 Michelin rating)

2657 North Kedzie Avenue, Chicago

15. GT Fish & Oyster (Seafood, 58.5 Michelin rating)

531 North Wells Street, Chicago

13. Mi Tocaya Antojeria (Mexican, 60.5 Michelin rating)

2800 West Logan Boulevard, Chicago

11. Coda di Volpe (Italian, 61.3 Michelin rating)

3335 North Southport Avenue, Chicago

4. Giant (Modern American, 75.5 Michelin rating)

3209 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago

3. Birrieria Zaragoza (Mexican, 77.1 Michelin rating)

4852 South Pulaski Road, Chicago

Birrieria Zaragoza was rated the highest in Chicago, and if the thought of eating at what Far & Wide considers the 3rd Michelin restaurant to eat on the cheap wasn't enough, maybe this will do the trick:

Far & Wide:

Dedicated solely to birria, a stew from the Mexican state of Jalisco that is cooked with goat meat and tomatoes, Birrieria Zaragoza will have you drooling as you wait to be served.

I'm in.