
Highest-rated cheap eats in Auburn by diners
Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Auburn area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (out of 4) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than five locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.
#27. China Palace
- Rating: 3.4/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2450 Martin Luther King Drive Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Marco's Pizza
- Rating: 3.5/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 231 North Dean Road Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Ming House
- Rating: 3.5/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2021 South College St. Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Guthrie's
- Rating: 3.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3704 Pepperell Pkwy Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Agave Loco
- Rating: 3.6/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1032 Opelika Road Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Newk's Eatery
- Rating: 3.6/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2664 Enterprise Drive Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Salad, Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#21. El Taco Veloz and Mexican Grill
- Rating: 3.6/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1107 Fitzpatrick Ave. Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#20. El Rey De Todos
- Rating: 3.7/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1447 Opelika Road Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#19. El Patron Mexican Grill
- Rating: 3.7/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2400 Frederick Road Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Chuck's Bar B Que - Opelika
- Rating: 3.8/5 (74 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 905 Short Ave. Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Barbecue, Wraps, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Big Blue Bagel & Deli
- Rating: 3.8/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 120 North College St. Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch, Bagels
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Chappy's Deli
- Rating: 3.8/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 754 East Glenn Ave. Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Delis, Breakfast & Brunch, Soup
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Little Italy Pizzeria
- Rating: 3.9/5 (159 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 129 East Magnolia Ave. Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#14. JimBob's Chicken Fingers
- Rating: 3.9/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2070 Frederick Road Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Burgers, Chicken Shop, American
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Gohyang Garden Korean Restaurant
- Rating: 4.1/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 816 Columbus Pkwy Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Korean
- Read more on Yelp
#12. La Plaza Taqueria Y Carniceria
- Rating: 4.1/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1629 South College St. Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Insomnia Steak & Grill
- Rating: 4.1/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 186 North Donahue Drive Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: New American, Mediterranean, Greek
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Durango Taqueria y Carniceria
- Rating: 4.1/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 435 North Dean Road Ste J Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Mrs. Story's Dairy Bar
- Rating: 4.2/5 (44 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1900 Pepperell Pkwy Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Byron's Smokehouse
- Rating: 4.3/5 (131 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 436 Opelika Road Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#7. The Bean Coffee Shop
- Rating: 4.3/5 (68 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 140 A North Dean Road Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Johnny Brusco's New York Style Pizza
- Rating: 4.3/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2415 Moores Mill Road Ste 200 Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#5. The Breeze Way
- Rating: 4.4/5 (90 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 213 South 8th St. Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Mk's Asian Kitchen
- Rating: 4.4/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2490 Enterprise Drive Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Pannie-George's Kitchen
- Rating: 4.5/5 (173 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2328 South College St. Ste 6 Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Southern, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Sheila C's Burger Barn
- Rating: 4.5/5 (146 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 622 Shug Jordan Pkwy Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Toomer's Drugs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 100 North College St. Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Sandwiches, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 388 metros.