
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.
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#19. First Wok
- Rating: 4.0/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1805 Philo Road Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#10. I Wok
- Rating: 4.2/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 113 Calvin St. Savoy, Illinois
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#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
#8. Huaraches Moroleon
- Rating: 4.4/5 (339 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 805 Philo Road Urbana, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#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
#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
#5. Dragon Fire Pizza
- Rating: 4.5/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Naperville, Illinois
- Categories: Food Trucks, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#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
#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
#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
#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.