
Highest-rated cheap eats in Fort Smith by diners
Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Fort Smith area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (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.
#28. El Super Taco
- Rating: 3.6/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2115 Grand Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Sweet Bay Coffee Co
- Rating: 3.7/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5111 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Las Fresas Mexican Grill
- Rating: 3.7/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 613 North Plaza Court Van Buren, Arkansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Al's Bar-B-Q
- Rating: 3.8/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3956 North O St. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Pizza Parlour
- Rating: 4.0/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 8901 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#23. George's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2120 Grand Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Eunice's Country Cookin'
- Rating: 4.0/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3325-B South 74th St. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Fried Rice
- Rating: 4.1/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3758 Midland Blvd. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Asian Bistro
- Rating: 4.1/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2503 Market Trace Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Chinese, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#19. El Lorito Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.1/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3105 South 70th St. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Bensons Grill
- Rating: 4.1/5 (144 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2515 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Salad, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Pho King
- Rating: 4.2/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1217 South Waldron Road Ste C&D Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Vietnamese, Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#16. D's
- Rating: 4.2/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3200 Alma Hwy Van Buren, Arkansas
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Pho Hoang
- Rating: 4.2/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2111 Grand Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Pho Vietnam Restaurant
- Rating: 4.2/5 (179 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2214 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Lin's House
- Rating: 4.3/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 400 West Center St. Greenwood, Arkansas
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Jim's Razorback Pizza
- Rating: 4.3/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3501 Old Greenwood Road Ste 17 Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Italian, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Fort Smith Coffee Co
- Rating: 4.3/5 (199 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1101 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Coffee Roasteries, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Bonnie's Dairy Freeze
- Rating: 4.4/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5400 Midland Blvd. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Burgers, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Tassanee's Thai Cuisine
- Rating: 4.4/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1611 Dodson Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Thai, Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Miguel's Taqueria
- Rating: 4.4/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1719 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#7. JC's Bar-B-Q Place
- Rating: 4.5/5 (82 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2502 Alma Hwy Van Buren, Arkansas
- Categories: Barbecue, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Yellow Umbrella
- Rating: 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1608 South Greenwood Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Diamond Head Restaurant 2
- Rating: 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1901 Midland Blvd. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Chinese, Vietnamese, American
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Las Americas
- Rating: 4.5/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1806 Zero St. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Mexican, Salvadoran
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Donut Palace
- Rating: 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4101 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Donuts
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Paizi's Gyros Mediterranean Grill
- Rating: 4.6/5 (140 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3110 South 74th St. Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Categories: Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#1. El Trio
- Rating: 4.6/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 214 Dyer Hwy 64 West Alma, Arkansas
- Categories: 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.