Highest-rated cheap eats in Decatur 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 Decatur 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.

El Portal

1 / 18

#18. El Portal

- Rating: 2.6/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1315 Hwy 31 Northeast Hartselle, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Las Vias Mexican Grill

2 / 18

#17. Las Vias Mexican Grill

- Rating: 2.6/5 (31 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2224 6th Ave. Southeast Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

C F Penn Hamburgers

3 / 18

#16. C F Penn Hamburgers

- Rating: 3.0/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 214 6th Ave. Sw Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Canton House

4 / 18

#15. Canton House

- Rating: 3.2/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 609 14th St. Southeast Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

B.B. Perrins Sports Grille

5 / 18

#14. B.B. Perrins Sports Grille

- Rating: 3.2/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 608 Holly St. Northeast Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Barbecue, American, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

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Whitts Barbecue

6 / 18

#13. Whitts Barbecue

- Rating: 3.3/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2532 Spring Ave. Southwest Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

Casa Santiago Mexican Grill

7 / 18

#12. Casa Santiago Mexican Grill

- Rating: 3.6/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2812 Spring Ave. Southwest Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

New China Restaurant

8 / 18

#11. New China Restaurant

- Rating: 3.7/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1668 Beltline Road Southwest Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Whitt's Barbecue # 3

9 / 18

#10. Whitt's Barbecue # 3

- Rating: 4.0/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 918 6th Ave. Southeast Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

Tio Juan Mexican Grill

10 / 18

#9. Tio Juan Mexican Grill

- Rating: 4.1/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1318 6th Ave. Southeast Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

A Taste of China

11 / 18

#8. A Taste of China

- Rating: 4.2/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2941 Point Mallard Pkwy Southeast Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Lets Do Lunch

12 / 18

#7. Lets Do Lunch

- Rating: 4.2/5 (31 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 435 Holly St. Northeast Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Salad, Sandwiches, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

Smokey C's Bar-B-Que & Wings

13 / 18

#6. Smokey C's Bar-B-Que & Wings

- Rating: 4.3/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3075 Hwy 20 Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Barbecue, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

Holy Smoke BBQ

14 / 18

#5. Holy Smoke BBQ

- Rating: 4.3/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 900 Hwy 31 Northwest Hartselle, Alabama
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

Java Jaay Cafe

15 / 18

#4. Java Jaay Cafe

- Rating: 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1713 6th Ave. Southeast Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

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Mel's Sweet Treats

16 / 18

#3. Mel's Sweet Treats

- Rating: 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1051 Grant St. Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Candy Stores, Bakeries, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Taqueria El Palomino

17 / 18

#2. Taqueria El Palomino

- Rating: 4.6/5 (78 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1410 6th Ave. Southeast Decatur, Alabama
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Warehouse Coffee

18 / 18

#1. Warehouse Coffee

- Rating: 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 315 Main St. West Hartselle, Alabama
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Sandwiches
- 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.