
Highest-rated cheap eats in Birmingham by diners
Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Birmingham area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (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.
#30. Chop Suey Inn
- Rating: 4.3/5 (91 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 813 Green Springs Hwy Ste 160 Homewood, Alabama
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Pelham Diner
- Rating: 4.3/5 (143 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2147 Pelham Pkwy Pelham, Alabama
- Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Homewood Gourmet
- Rating: 4.3/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2703 Mamie L Foster, 18th Place Homewood, Alabama
- Categories: Salad, Soup, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Greek Festival at Holy Trinity - Holy Cross
- Rating: 4.3/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 307 19th St. South Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Greek
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Southern Caribbean
- Rating: 4.3/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1116 Lomb Ave. Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Caribbean
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Gus's Hot Dogs
- Rating: 4.3/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5415 Beacon Drive Ste 139 Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Hot Dogs, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#24. The Garage
- Rating: 4.3/5 (211 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2304 Tenth Terrace South Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Sandwiches, Dive Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Ranelli's Deli & Cafe
- Rating: 4.4/5 (61 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1225 20th St. South Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Delis, Italian, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Eagles Restaurant
- Rating: 4.4/5 (72 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2610 16th St. North Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
#21. University Tacos
- Rating: 4.4/5 (106 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2009 University Blvd. Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican, Latin American
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Gordos
- Rating: 4.4/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 433 Valley Ave. Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Grocery, Bakeries, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Red Mountain Expresso
- Rating: 4.5/5 (61 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2601 18th St. South Homewood, Alabama
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Gus's Hot Dogs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 71 Church St. Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Mr P's Butcher Shop & Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (147 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 813 Shades Crest Road Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Meat Shops, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Kool Korner Sandwiches
- Rating: 4.5/5 (130 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1360 Montgomery Hwy Vestrige Shopping Center Vestavia Hills, Alabama
- Categories: Cuban, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Tony's Hot Dogs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (148 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1922 Montgomery Hwy South Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Sam's Deli & Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 932 Oxmoor Road Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Delis, Middle Eastern, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Ashley Mac's Kitchen
- Rating: 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3147 Green Valley Road Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Desserts, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Salem's Diner
- Rating: 4.5/5 (151 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2913 18th St. South Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Filter - Coffee Parlor
- Rating: 4.5/5 (99 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1927 11th Ave. South Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Church Street Coffee and Books
- Rating: 4.6/5 (148 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 81 Church St. Ste 106 & 107 Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Bookstores, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Gus's Hot Dogs
- Rating: 4.6/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1915 4th Ave. North Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Bullet Coffee
- Rating: 4.6/5 (117 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5299 US-280 Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Tacos El Guero
- Rating: 4.6/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4656 Us-280 Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Travis Chicago Style
- Rating: 4.7/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 200 41st South Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Food Trucks, Hot Dogs, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Los Valedores
- Rating: 4.7/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 302 Columbiana Road Homewood, Alabama
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican, Imported Food
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Dos Hermanos Taco Truck
- Rating: 4.7/5 (168 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 211 West Valley Ave. Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Falafel Cafe
- Rating: 4.7/5 (231 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 401 19th St. South Ste 100 Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Falafel, Halal, Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Sammy's Sandwich Shop
- Rating: 4.8/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4921 Messer Airport Hwy Birmingham, Alabama
- Categories: Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Taqueria Juarez
- Rating: 4.8/5 (126 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3447 Lorna Road Hoover, Alabama
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- 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.