Highest-rated cheap eats in Bloomington by diners

Written by:
September 3, 2025
RFondren Photography // Shutterstock

Highest-rated cheap eats in Bloomington 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 Bloomington 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.

1 / 27
Potbelly

#27. Potbelly

- Rating: 3.4/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 517 East Kirkwood Ave. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Sandwiches, Salad, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

2 / 27
Cloverleaf Family Restaurant

#26. Cloverleaf Family Restaurant

- Rating: 3.5/5 (78 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4023 West 3rd St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Diners, American
- Read more on Yelp

3 / 27
Z & C Teriyaki and Sushi Restaurant

#25. Z & C Teriyaki and Sushi Restaurant

- Rating: 3.5/5 (88 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 430 East Kirkwood Ave. Ste F Dunnkirk Square Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Fruits & Veggies
- Read more on Yelp

4 / 27
China Star Restaurant

#24. China Star Restaurant

- Rating: 3.5/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4641 West Richland Plz Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

5 / 27
Smokin' Jack's Rib Shack

#23. Smokin' Jack's Rib Shack

- Rating: 3.6/5 (147 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 505 West 17th St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Barbecue, Southern
- Read more on Yelp

6 / 27
Dragon Express

#22. Dragon Express

- Rating: 3.6/5 (88 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1400 East 3rd St. Ste A Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

7 / 27
Noodle Town

#21. Noodle Town

- Rating: 3.6/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 318 South College Mall Road Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Chinese, Noodles
- Read more on Yelp

8 / 27
Cozy Table

#20. Cozy Table

- Rating: 3.6/5 (143 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2500 West 3rd St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American, Greek
- Read more on Yelp

9 / 27
DATS

#19. DATS

- Rating: 3.7/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 211 South Grant St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Cajun/Creole
- Read more on Yelp

10 / 27
Dagwood's Deli

#18. Dagwood's Deli

- Rating: 3.8/5 (121 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 116 South Indiana Ave. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

11 / 27
Pizza X

#17. Pizza X

- Rating: 3.8/5 (59 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1791 East 10th St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

12 / 27
Carsons Bbq & Catering

#16. Carsons Bbq & Catering

- Rating: 3.8/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3878 West 3rd St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

13 / 27
Hoosier Bar & Grill

#15. Hoosier Bar & Grill

- Rating: 3.9/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4645 West Richland Plz Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp

14 / 27
King Gyros Restaurant

#14. King Gyros Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2000 South Walnut St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Greek
- Read more on Yelp

15 / 27
Soma Coffee House

#13. Soma Coffee House

- Rating: 4.0/5 (185 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 322 East Kirkwood Ave. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Vegan, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp

16 / 27
Hinkle's Hamburgers - New Ownership

#12. Hinkle's Hamburgers - New Ownership

- Rating: 4.0/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 206 South Adams St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Fast food, Burgers, American
- Read more on Yelp

17 / 27
Cloverleaf Restaurant

#11. Cloverleaf Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 325 East Winslow Road Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

18 / 27
Rush Hour Station

#10. Rush Hour Station

- Rating: 4.0/5 (114 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 421 East 3rd St. Ste 8 Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp

19 / 27
Aver's Pizza, South

#9. Aver's Pizza, South

- Rating: 4.1/5 (101 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 317 East Winslow Road Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

20 / 27
Azzip Pizza

#8. Azzip Pizza

- Rating: 4.2/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2894 East 3rd St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Pizza, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

21 / 27
Judy's Kitchen

#7. Judy's Kitchen

- Rating: 4.2/5 (72 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2894 East 3rd St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Taiwanese, Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

22 / 27
The Chocolate Moose

#6. The Chocolate Moose

- Rating: 4.3/5 (228 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 405 South Walnut St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

23 / 27
Lucky Express

#5. Lucky Express

- Rating: 4.3/5 (189 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 307 East 3rd St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

24 / 27
Rainbow Bakery

#4. Rainbow Bakery

- Rating: 4.5/5 (153 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 201 South Rogers I Fell Building I Fell Building Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Bakeries, Vegan, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp

25 / 27
Roly Poly Westplex

#3. Roly Poly Westplex

- Rating: 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1616 West 3rd St. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

26 / 27
Doner Kebab

#2. Doner Kebab

- Rating: 4.7/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 304 East Kirkwood Ave. Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Kebab, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

27 / 27
Toto's Uncle Cafe

#1. Toto's Uncle Cafe

- Rating: 4.7/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3297 East Covenanter Drive Bloomington, Indiana
- Categories: Korean, Noodles
- 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.

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