Highest-rated cheap eats in Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria 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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Agave Grill

1 / 29

#29. Agave Grill

- Rating: 3.7/5 (97 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 671 West Tefft St. Ste 10 Nipomo, California
- Categories: Mexican, American
- Read more on Yelp

Pearl East

2 / 29

#28. Pearl East

- Rating: 3.8/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1559 Stowell Center Plz Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Senor Taco

3 / 29

#27. Senor Taco

- Rating: 3.8/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1214 South Blosser Road Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

El Pollo Norteno

4 / 29

#26. El Pollo Norteno

- Rating: 3.8/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1954 South Bdwy Ste H Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Mexican, Chicken Shop
- Read more on Yelp

Jim's Burgers

5 / 29

#25. Jim's Burgers

- Rating: 3.8/5 (112 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 729 South Broadway Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches, Cheesesteaks
- Read more on Yelp

Boonie Thai Cuisine

6 / 29

#24. Boonie Thai Cuisine

- Rating: 3.8/5 (261 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 618 East Main St. Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Thai, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

New Ocean Chinese Restaurant

7 / 29

#23. New Ocean Chinese Restaurant

- Rating: 3.9/5 (161 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 331 Town Center West Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

La Simpatia Cafe

8 / 29

#22. La Simpatia Cafe

- Rating: 3.9/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 827 Guadalupe St. Guadalupe, California
- Categories: Mexican, Spanish, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

La Picosita

9 / 29

#21. La Picosita

- Rating: 3.9/5 (442 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 923 North Broadway Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Charlie's King Falafel

10 / 29

#20. Charlie's King Falafel

- Rating: 3.9/5 (113 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 320 East Clark Ave. Orcutt, California
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Tacos El Tizon

11 / 29

#19. Tacos El Tizon

- Rating: 3.9/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 241 Town Center West Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Filipino Community BBQ Truck

12 / 29

#18. Filipino Community BBQ Truck

- Rating: 3.9/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2270 Preisker Lane Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp

El Toro Tortilleria No 2

13 / 29

#17. El Toro Tortilleria No 2

- Rating: 4.0/5 (44 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1135 West Main St. Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Delis, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Linda Michoacana Paleteria, No. 2

14 / 29

#16. Linda Michoacana Paleteria, No. 2

- Rating: 4.0/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 917 North Broadway Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Mexican, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

805 Tacos

15 / 29

#15. 805 Tacos

- Rating: 4.0/5 (145 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1018 West Main St. Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Tacos, Beer Bar, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

Vaqueras

16 / 29

#14. Vaqueras

- Rating: 4.2/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 908 North Broadway Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

California Grill Nipomo

17 / 29

#13. California Grill Nipomo

- Rating: 4.3/5 (243 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 277 West Tefft St. Ste A Nipomo, California
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches, American
- Read more on Yelp

Tom's Take Out

18 / 29

#12. Tom's Take Out

- Rating: 4.3/5 (152 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 826 West Main St. Santa Maria, California
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp

Lidos

19 / 29

#11. Lidos

- Rating: 4.3/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Cheesesteaks, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

Bill's Take Out

20 / 29

#10. Bill's Take Out

- Rating: 4.4/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 523 North Broadway Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Burgers, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

Cups & Crumbs

21 / 29

#9. Cups & Crumbs

- Rating: 4.4/5 (187 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 156 Broadway St. Unit B Orcutt, California
- Categories: Creperies, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

The 'A' Street Cafe

22 / 29

#8. The 'A' Street Cafe

- Rating: 4.5/5 (103 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2445 A St. Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

King Falafel

23 / 29

#7. King Falafel

- Rating: 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 855 Guadalupe St. Guadalupe, California
- Categories: Falafel, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

La Pasadita Oaxaqueña

24 / 29

#6. La Pasadita Oaxaqueña

- Rating: 4.6/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 797 Guadalupe St. Guadalupe, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Nardo's Fine Mexican Food

25 / 29

#5. Nardo's Fine Mexican Food

- Rating: 4.6/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 871 Guadalupe St. Guadalupe, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

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Pure Natural Juice

26 / 29

#4. Pure Natural Juice

- Rating: 4.6/5 (150 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3420 Orcutt Road Ste 106 Orcutt, California
- Categories: Juice Bars & Smoothies, Acai Bowls, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Yummy Donut & Deli

27 / 29

#3. Yummy Donut & Deli

- Rating: 4.7/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1609 South Broadway Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Donuts, Sandwiches, Delis
- Read more on Yelp

Deli Delicias & Fresh

28 / 29

#2. Deli Delicias & Fresh

- Rating: 4.7/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 110 South Pine St. Ste 105 Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Mexican, Delis
- Read more on Yelp

Garey Store

29 / 29

#1. Garey Store

- Rating: 4.8/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3798 Foxen Canyon Road Santa Maria, California
- Categories: Grocery, 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.