Highest-rated cheap eats in Modesto 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 Modesto 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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Fresh Fork

1 / 29

#29. Fresh Fork

- Rating: 4.2/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3018 Service Road Ste 101 Ceres, California
- Categories: Fast food
- Read more on Yelp

Modesto Cafe

2 / 29

#28. Modesto Cafe

- Rating: 4.2/5 (90 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3121 Yosemite Blvd. Ste C4 Modesto, California
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Super Burger

3 / 29

#27. Super Burger

- Rating: 4.3/5 (161 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2505 3rd St. Ceres, California
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Sub & Deli USA

4 / 29

#26. Sub & Deli USA

- Rating: 4.3/5 (66 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2908 East Whitmore Ave. Ste D Ceres, California
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp

Gillman's Classic Drive In

5 / 29

#25. Gillman's Classic Drive In

- Rating: 4.3/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 763 West F St. Oakdale, California
- Categories: Burgers, American, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Bamboo House

6 / 29

#24. Bamboo House

- Rating: 4.3/5 (178 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4525 Broadway Ste B Salida, California
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Tacos El Hidalguense

7 / 29

#23. Tacos El Hidalguense

- Rating: 4.3/5 (133 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4971 Salida Blvd. Salida, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

La Hacienda

8 / 29

#22. La Hacienda

- Rating: 4.3/5 (80 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4520 Broadway Salida, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Mango Crazy

9 / 29

#21. Mango Crazy

- Rating: 4.3/5 (218 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3020 Floyd Ave. Ste 203 Modesto, California
- Categories: Desserts, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Tapas/Small Plates
- Read more on Yelp

Tokyo Express

10 / 29

#20. Tokyo Express

- Rating: 4.3/5 (222 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1026 J St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Japanese
- Read more on Yelp

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Ishtar Mediterranean Market And Grill

11 / 29

#19. Ishtar Mediterranean Market And Grill

- Rating: 4.3/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2340 West Monta Vista Ave. Turlock, California
- Categories: Grocery, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp

Bobs Take-N-Bake Pizza

12 / 29

#18. Bobs Take-N-Bake Pizza

- Rating: 4.4/5 (218 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 805 West Roseburg Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Baker Boy Donuts

13 / 29

#17. Baker Boy Donuts

- Rating: 4.4/5 (83 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2043 Tully Road Modesto, California
- Categories: Donuts, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Family Pizza & Cocktail Lounge

14 / 29

#16. Family Pizza & Cocktail Lounge

- Rating: 4.4/5 (59 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2921 East Whitmore Ave. Ste C Ceres, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop

15 / 29

#15. Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop

- Rating: 4.4/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 920 16th St. Ste F Modesto, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

La Casa Del Clamato

16 / 29

#14. La Casa Del Clamato

- Rating: 4.4/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1578 East Whitmore Ave. Ceres, California
- Categories: Mexican, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp

Gyros & More

17 / 29

#13. Gyros & More

- Rating: 4.5/5 (535 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3160 Countryside Drive Turlock, California
- Categories: Greek, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp

Tacos Guadalajara

18 / 29

#12. Tacos Guadalajara

- Rating: 4.5/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1466 North Carpenter Road Modesto, California
- Categories: Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

Bagels N More

19 / 29

#11. Bagels N More

- Rating: 4.5/5 (172 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1532 Lakewood Ave. Ste 5 Modesto, California
- Categories: Bagels, Sandwiches, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

Krépe Dog

20 / 29

#10. Krépe Dog

- Rating: 4.5/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 621 9th St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

Brighter Side

21 / 29

#9. Brighter Side

- Rating: 4.5/5 (237 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1125 K St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Sandwiches, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Jarro Viejo

22 / 29

#8. Jarro Viejo

- Rating: 4.6/5 (334 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1120 West F St. Oakdale, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Donatello's Take & Bake Pizza

23 / 29

#7. Donatello's Take & Bake Pizza

- Rating: 4.6/5 (206 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1532 Lakewood Ave. Ste 2 Modesto, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

El Rincon Tapatio

24 / 29

#6. El Rincon Tapatio

- Rating: 4.7/5 (88 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1751 Yosemite Blvd. Modesto, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Lula's Neighborhood Grill

25 / 29

#5. Lula's Neighborhood Grill

- Rating: 4.7/5 (512 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4821 Yosemite Blvd. Empire, California
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp

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Little Mexico City

26 / 29

#4. Little Mexico City

- Rating: 4.7/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1821 Mitchell Road Inside Chevron Ceres, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Strawberry Stand

27 / 29

#3. Strawberry Stand

- Rating: 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Monte Vista Ave. And Walnut Turlock, California
- Categories: Fruits & Veggies, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp

Next Level Nutrition

28 / 29

#2. Next Level Nutrition

- Rating: 4.8/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2220 Patterson Road Riverbank, California
- Categories: Juice Bars & Smoothies, Coffee & Tea, Waffles
- Read more on Yelp

Taquizas Garcia

29 / 29

#1. Taquizas Garcia

- Rating: 4.9/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Modesto, California
- Categories: Tacos, Caterers
- 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.