Highest-rated cheap eats in Champaign 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 Champaign 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.

Espresso Royale -Village Green

1 / 29

#29. Espresso Royale -Village Green

- Rating: 3.8/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2401 Village Green Place Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Golden Wok

2 / 29

#28. Golden Wok

- Rating: 3.8/5 (150 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 405 East University Ave. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Thai, Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

The Y Eatery

3 / 29

#27. The Y Eatery

- Rating: 3.8/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1001 South Wright St. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp

K-Bowl

4 / 29

#26. K-Bowl

- Rating: 3.8/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 39 East Green St. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Korean, Poke
- Read more on Yelp

Wienerschnitzel

5 / 29

#25. Wienerschnitzel

- Rating: 3.9/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2102 West Springfield Ave. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Fast food, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Po' Boys Restaurant

6 / 29

#24. Po' Boys Restaurant

- Rating: 3.9/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 202 East University Ave. Ste C Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Jipbap Taste of Korea

7 / 29

#23. Jipbap Taste of Korea

- Rating: 3.9/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 601 South 6th St. Ste 101 Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Korean
- Read more on Yelp

Xinh Xinh Cafe

8 / 29

#22. Xinh Xinh Cafe

- Rating: 3.9/5 (254 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 114 North Vine St. Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp

Cracked on Green

9 / 29

#21. Cracked on Green

- Rating: 4.0/5 (180 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 619 East Green St. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

Big J J Fish & Chicken

10 / 29

#20. Big J J Fish & Chicken

- Rating: 4.0/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1114 North Market St. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Fish & Chips, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

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First Wok

11 / 29

#19. First Wok

- Rating: 4.0/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1805 Philo Road Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Bunny's Tavern

12 / 29

#18. Bunny's Tavern

- Rating: 4.0/5 (76 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 119 West Water St. Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: Dive Bars, American
- Read more on Yelp

Sam's Cafe

13 / 29

#17. Sam's Cafe

- Rating: 4.0/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 115 North Walnut St. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Manolo's Pizza & Empanadas

14 / 29

#16. Manolo's Pizza & Empanadas

- Rating: 4.0/5 (157 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1115 West Oregon St. Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: Pizza, Empanadas
- Read more on Yelp

Filippo's Pizza and Italian Food of Mahomet

15 / 29

#15. Filippo's Pizza and Italian Food of Mahomet

- Rating: 4.1/5 (76 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2012 Tin Cup Road Ste B Mahomet, Illinois
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Cravings

16 / 29

#14. Cravings

- Rating: 4.1/5 (213 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 603 South Wright St. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Chinese, Pan Asian
- Read more on Yelp

Bangkok Thai and Pho 911

17 / 29

#13. Bangkok Thai and Pho 911

- Rating: 4.1/5 (224 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 410 East Green St. Unit 3 Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp

Paris Super Crepes

18 / 29

#12. Paris Super Crepes

- Rating: 4.2/5 (79 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 601 South 6th St. Ste 106 Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Creperies
- Read more on Yelp

Bevier Cafe

19 / 29

#11. Bevier Cafe

- Rating: 4.2/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 905 South Goodwin Ave. Bevier Hall, Rm 298 Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: New American, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

I Wok

20 / 29

#10. I Wok

- Rating: 4.2/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 113 Calvin St. Savoy, Illinois
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

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Signature Grill

21 / 29

#9. Signature Grill

- Rating: 4.2/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 505 East Green St. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Huaraches Moroleon

22 / 29

#8. Huaraches Moroleon

- Rating: 4.4/5 (339 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 805 Philo Road Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

The Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant

23 / 29

#7. The Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant

- Rating: 4.5/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1209 West Oregon St. Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: Vegetarian, Cafes, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp

Krispy Krunchy Chicken

24 / 29

#6. Krispy Krunchy Chicken

- Rating: 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 922 West Bradley Ave. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

Dragon Fire Pizza

25 / 29

#5. Dragon Fire Pizza

- Rating: 4.5/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Naperville, Illinois
- Categories: Food Trucks, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

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Fernando's Food

26 / 29

#4. Fernando's Food

- Rating: 4.6/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 44 East Sprinfield Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Mo's Burritos

27 / 29

#3. Mo's Burritos

- Rating: 4.6/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1104 North Prospect Ave. Champaign, Illinois
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

El Oasis

28 / 29

#2. El Oasis

- Rating: 4.7/5 (116 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 510 North Cunningham Ave. Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Stango Cuisine

29 / 29

#1. Stango Cuisine

- Rating: 4.7/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 500 North Walnut St. Champaign , Illinois
- Categories: African, Caribbean, New American
- 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.