
Highest-rated cheap eats in South Bend by diners
Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the South Bend area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (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. Kitchenette Restaurant
- Rating: 3.9/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2221 South Michigan St. South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Sunrise Cafe
- Rating: 3.9/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1805 Lincoln Way West South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Bruno's Pizza - Roseland
- Rating: 3.9/5 (44 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 119 North Dixie Way South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Top Notch
- Rating: 4.0/5 (72 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 22858 US Hwy 20 South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Angelo's Family Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4301 South Michigan St. South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Coney Express
- Rating: 4.0/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3602 Grape Road Ste 13 Mishawaka, Indiana
- Categories: Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Puerto Vallarta Express
- Rating: 4.0/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 415 North Hickory Road South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Mexican, Meat Shops
- Read more on Yelp
#23. The View Tavern
- Rating: 4.0/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 515 East Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Burgers, New American, Beer Bar
- Read more on Yelp
#22. American Pancake House
- Rating: 4.0/5 (89 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 508 North Dixie Way South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#21. China House
- Rating: 4.1/5 (68 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2222 Mishawaka Ave. South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Bonnie Doon Drive-In
- Rating: 4.1/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2704 Lincolnway West Mishawaka, Indiana
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Burgers, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Fiesta Tapatia
- Rating: 4.1/5 (114 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7225 Heritage Square Drive Ste 250 Granger, Indiana
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Puerto Vallarta
- Rating: 4.1/5 (156 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4609 Grape Road Mishawaka, Indiana
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Og Chinese Restaurant
- Rating: 4.1/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 910 South Merrifield Ave. Mishawaka, Indiana
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Taqueria Chicago
- Rating: 4.1/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2920 West Western Ave. South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Chicory Cafe
- Rating: 4.2/5 (333 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 105 East Jefferson Blvd. Ste 103 South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Taste of Asia
- Rating: 4.2/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5327 North Main St. Mishawaka, Indiana
- Categories: Chinese, Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#13. T. Allen's King Gyros
- Rating: 4.2/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5105 West Western Ave. South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: New American, Greek
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Waka Dog
- Rating: 4.2/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1809 South Bend Ave. South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Pedro's Family Restaurant
- Rating: 4.2/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3314 Portage Ave. South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Nedderman's Steak Place
- Rating: 4.3/5 (68 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3223 Grape Road Mishawaka, Indiana
- Categories: Steakhouses, fast food, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#9. T. Allen's King Gyros
- Rating: 4.3/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 501 North Dixie Way South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Greek, Barbecue, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Scoobies
- Rating: 4.3/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 426 East Mishawaka Ave. Mishawaka, Indiana
- Categories: Burgers, Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#7. T Allen's King Gyros
- Rating: 4.3/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3417 Lincoln Way West South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Barbecue, American
- Read more on Yelp
#6. The General Deli & Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 609 East Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Cafes, Delis, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Garden Wok
- Rating: 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 919 North Bendix Drive South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Rise' n Roll Bakery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (146 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 218 West Cleveland Road Granger, Indiana
- Categories: Donuts, Bakeries, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Kristin's Kafe
- Rating: 4.6/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 303 East 4th St. Mishawaka, Indiana
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Lacopo's Pizzeria
- Rating: 4.8/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3004 Ardmore Trl South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Oh Mamma's On the Avenue
- Rating: 4.8/5 (174 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1202 Mishawaka Ave. South Bend, Indiana
- Categories: Gelato, Cheese Shops, 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.