
Highest-rated cheap eats in San Jose by diners
Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the San Jose area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (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. Regal Bagel
- Rating: 4.6/5 (625 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 125 Bernal Road Ste 10 San Jose, California
- Categories: Bagels, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Imagine It Bakery
- Rating: 4.6/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1920 Lafayette St. Unit G Santa Clara, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Indian Express
- Rating: 4.6/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: North 1st St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Halal, Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Imperio Taqueria
- Rating: 4.6/5 (90 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 101 Delmas Ave. Delmas Market San Jose, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Vanessa's Hot Dogs
- Rating: 4.6/5 (93 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2770 Story Road San Jose, California
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Somisomi
- Rating: 4.6/5 (424 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1477 Berryessa Road Ste 20 San Jose, California
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Korean
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Anytime Is Taco Time
- Rating: 4.6/5 (79 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: San Jose, California
- Categories: Tacos, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Viva Michoacan Taqueria
- Rating: 4.6/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1711 Mc Laughlin Ave. San Jose, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Happy Donuts
- Rating: 4.6/5 (187 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1345 South Winchester Blvd. San Jose, California
- Categories: Donuts, Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Antojitos Chapines Guatemala and Mexican Food
- Rating: 4.6/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1898 North Capitol Ave. San Jose, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Quiroga Taqueria
- Rating: 4.6/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 295 Lawrence Expy Sunnyvale, California
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Shuei-Do Manju Shop
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1140 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 217 Jackson St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Nirvana Soul Coffee
- Rating: 4.7/5 (961 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 315 South 1st St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Coffee Roasteries, Waffles
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Gutierrez Autentica Comida Mexicana
- Rating: 4.7/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1645 Foxworthy Ave. San Jose, California
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Cafe Dolce Sicilia
- Rating: 4.7/5 (210 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1165 Lincoln Ave. Ste 110 San Jose, California
- Categories: Desserts, Italian, Pasta Shops
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Best Artisan Empanadas
- Rating: 4.7/5 (236 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 533 East Campbell Ave. Campbell, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Empanadas, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Casa Guzmania
- Rating: 4.7/5 (80 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 350 South Market St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Empanadas, Mexican, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Tamales El Tamalero
- Rating: 4.7/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2920 Alum Rock San Jose, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#12. El Califas Tacos
- Rating: 4.7/5 (246 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 499 North Mathilda Ave. Sunnyvale, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Churros El Guero
- Rating: 4.7/5 (378 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2217 Quimby Road San Jose, California
- Categories: Desserts, Mexican, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Gateway Cafe
- Rating: 4.8/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2025 Gateway Place Ste 126 San Jose, California
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Cafe Docanto
- Rating: 4.8/5 (93 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7 North 33rd St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Portuguese
- Read more on Yelp
#8. El Sabroson De La Linea 2
- Rating: 4.8/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2945 Oakmead Village Court Santa Clara, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Churros La Guadalupana
- Rating: 4.8/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2020 East San Antonio St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Desserts, Spanish
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Joe's Taco Shop
- Rating: 4.8/5 (156 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1609 Morrill Ave. San Jose, California
- Categories: Tacos, Food Trucks, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Quick Dog
- Rating: 4.9/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Campbell, California
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Street Vendors
- Read more on Yelp
#4. La Costeñita
- Rating: 4.9/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 377 Royal Ave. San Jose, California
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Tono coffee project
- Rating: 4.9/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 525 North 7th St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Pop-Up Restaurants
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Aina's Vegan Banh Mi
- Rating: 5.0/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 449 East Santa Clara St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Vegan, Sandwiches, Beverage Store
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Pranita's Kitchen
- Rating: 5.0/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 324 Commercial St. San Jose, California
- Categories: Indian, Vegetarian, Food Delivery Services
- 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.