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.

China Palace

1 / 27

#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

Marco's Pizza

2 / 27

#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

Ming House

3 / 27

#25. Ming House

- Rating: 3.5/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2021 South College St. Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Guthrie's

4 / 27

#24. Guthrie's

- Rating: 3.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3704 Pepperell Pkwy Opelika, Alabama
- Categories: Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

Agave Loco

5 / 27

#23. Agave Loco

- Rating: 3.6/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1032 Opelika Road Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Newk's Eatery

6 / 27

#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

El Taco Veloz and Mexican Grill

7 / 27

#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

El Rey De Todos

8 / 27

#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

El Patron Mexican Grill

9 / 27

#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

Chuck's Bar B Que - Opelika

10 / 27

#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

Big Blue Bagel & Deli

11 / 27

#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

Chappy's Deli

12 / 27

#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

Little Italy Pizzeria

13 / 27

#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

JimBob's Chicken Fingers

14 / 27

#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

Gohyang Garden Korean Restaurant

15 / 27

#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

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La Plaza Taqueria Y Carniceria

16 / 27

#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

Insomnia Steak & Grill

17 / 27

#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

Durango Taqueria y Carniceria

18 / 27

#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

Mrs. Story's Dairy Bar

19 / 27

#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

Byron's Smokehouse

20 / 27

#8. Byron's Smokehouse

- Rating: 4.3/5 (131 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 436 Opelika Road Auburn, Alabama
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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The Bean Coffee Shop

21 / 27

#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

Johnny Brusco's New York Style Pizza

22 / 27

#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

The Breeze Way

23 / 27

#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

Mk's Asian Kitchen

24 / 27

#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

Pannie-George's Kitchen

25 / 27

#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

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Sheila C's Burger Barn

26 / 27

#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

Toomer's Drugs

27 / 27

#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.