Highest-rated cheap eats in Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield 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.

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New Saigon

1 / 30

#30. New Saigon

- Rating: 4.3/5 (283 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 333 Union Ave. Ste 201 Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp

El Charro Restaurant

2 / 30

#29. El Charro Restaurant

- Rating: 4.3/5 (31 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 700 South Union Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

El Majahual

3 / 30

#28. El Majahual

- Rating: 4.3/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1308 Chamberlain Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Seafood, Breakfast & Brunch, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Restaurant Chilate

4 / 30

#27. Restaurant Chilate

- Rating: 4.4/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 9245 Weedpatch Hwy Lamont, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Su Casita Bakersfield

5 / 30

#26. Su Casita Bakersfield

- Rating: 4.4/5 (143 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3214 Stine Road Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Salvadoran
- Read more on Yelp

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Papa Murphy's

6 / 30

#25. Papa Murphy's

- Rating: 4.4/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2807 North Chester Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Kelly's Tandoori Grill

7 / 30

#24. Kelly's Tandoori Grill

- Rating: 4.4/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 401 Chester Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Indian, Seafood, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Toss It

8 / 30

#23. Toss It

- Rating: 4.4/5 (139 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1917 Eye St. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Toreado Grill

9 / 30

#22. Toreado Grill

- Rating: 4.4/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4950 Allen Road Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Mexican, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

Taco Joe's

10 / 30

#21. Taco Joe's

- Rating: 4.4/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3017 Fruitvale Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Tacos, Food Trucks, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp

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Angels Donuts - Bakersfield 2

11 / 30

#20. Angels Donuts - Bakersfield 2

- Rating: 4.4/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6515 Panama Lane Ste 105 Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Donuts, Bakeries, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Burger Hut

12 / 30

#19. Burger Hut

- Rating: 4.5/5 (90 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1112 19th St. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Queen Pizza & Krispy Krunchy Chicken

13 / 30

#18. Queen Pizza & Krispy Krunchy Chicken

- Rating: 4.5/5 (345 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2697 Mount Vernon Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Pizza, Chicken Wings, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

Carniceria El Amigazo

14 / 30

#17. Carniceria El Amigazo

- Rating: 4.5/5 (145 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6433 East Brundage Lane Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Río Açai Bowls

15 / 30

#16. Río Açai Bowls

- Rating: 4.5/5 (261 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1914 Chester Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Vegan, Poke, Acai Bowls
- Read more on Yelp

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Llama's Mexican Grill

16 / 30

#15. Llama's Mexican Grill

- Rating: 4.5/5 (40 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 35184 Merle Haggard Drive Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Asada Grill

17 / 30

#14. Asada Grill

- Rating: 4.5/5 (146 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 35315 Merle Haggard Drive Ste 130 Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

The Barnyard at Match Point Grill

18 / 30

#13. The Barnyard at Match Point Grill

- Rating: 4.5/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1660 Pine St. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: American, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Los Reyes Restaurant

19 / 30

#12. Los Reyes Restaurant

- Rating: 4.6/5 (40 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 813 Baker St. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Birria Bros.

20 / 30

#11. Birria Bros.

- Rating: 4.6/5 (125 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2606 Brundage Lane Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

Los Tlaxcaltecas

21 / 30

#10. Los Tlaxcaltecas

- Rating: 4.6/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 912 New Stine Road Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

Covenant Coffee

22 / 30

#9. Covenant Coffee

- Rating: 4.6/5 (217 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1700 North Chester Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Brazil Hot Dogs

23 / 30

#8. Brazil Hot Dogs

- Rating: 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Street Vendors, Brazilian, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp

Lettuce Eat

24 / 30

#7. Lettuce Eat

- Rating: 4.7/5 (79 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1820 G St. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Food Delivery Services, Salad, Wraps
- Read more on Yelp

Jolly Kone Drive-In

25 / 30

#6. Jolly Kone Drive-In

- Rating: 4.7/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2140 South Chester Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Happy Tea

26 / 30

#5. Happy Tea

- Rating: 4.7/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2660 Oswell St. Ste 121 Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Bubble Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Loncheria Otro Rollo

27 / 30

#4. Loncheria Otro Rollo

- Rating: 4.7/5 (259 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4106 Wible Road Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Mexican, Street Vendors
- Read more on Yelp

Banderas Burger

28 / 30

#3. Banderas Burger

- Rating: 4.7/5 (121 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2130 Virginia Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Burgers, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

Tacos Los Cuñados

29 / 30

#2. Tacos Los Cuñados

- Rating: 4.8/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1607 South Chester Ave. Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

Pop-Pa's Gourmet Popcorn

30 / 30

#1. Pop-Pa's Gourmet Popcorn

- Rating: 5.0/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4201 Ryder Lane Bakersfield, California
- Categories: Popcorn Shops, Food Stands
- 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.

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