The Creator Josh

What $20 Gets You in Lakeview Chicago – Josh’s Fried Food Adventure

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By The Creator Josh
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Can you really survive on just $20 in one of Chicago’s busiest neighborhoods? Josh took on the challenge in Lakeview, a vibrant, food-packed area known for jumbo slices and bubble tea shops. But what started as a simple budget challenge turned into a deep-fried odyssey of nostalgia, international snacks, and digestive regret.

The $20 Journey Begins

Josh kicked things off with just a twenty-dollar bill and big expectations. His goal? See how much food he could get without crossing the $20 line. No frills, no fancy meals—just carbs, sugar, and whatever surprises Lakeview had to offer.

Free Jumbo Slice = Major Win 🍕

Josh scored a massive jumbo pizza slice for free thanks to an old connection at a place he used to work—Wow Pizzeria (formerly Bachis). The nostalgia hit hard as he reconnected with former coworkers, revisited stories from his delivery driver days, and reflected on how fast life moves.

“I used to work five in the morning, sell alcohol, and end up at house parties while delivering pizza.”

Mango Smoothie That Lied 🌬️

Next up was a bubble tea stop. Josh ordered a mango smoothie with tapioca, only to discover it was more like mango-flavored powder water than anything remotely fruity. It cost $7 and took a painful bite out of the budget—leaving him with just $12.54.

MrBeast Bars & Dubai Chocolate Regrets 🇦🇪

Inside a quirky international snack store, Josh found a treasure trove of global chips, MrBeast bars, and overpriced Dubai chocolate. Of course, he bought the chocolate. Of course, he immediately regretted it. But did he eat it anyway?

“Did I mention it was expensive? Did I also mention I ate it anyway?”

Final Stop: Fries & Fried Regret 🍟

Josh wrapped up the challenge with a $5 order of fries—hot, greasy, and aggressively American. They pushed him right up to the $20 mark. The verdict? You can survive on $20 in Lakeview, but your stomach might file a complaint.

“This is America in a nutshell: salt, grease, and regret.”

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🎥 What $20 Gets You in Lakeview Chicago

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Stay full (or at least entertained),
The Creator Josh

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