Highest-rated cheap eats in Alexandria 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 Alexandria 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.

Po-Boy Express - Pineville

1 / 13

#13. Po-Boy Express - Pineville

- Rating: 3.3/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1323 Military Hwy Pineville, Louisiana
- Categories: Sandwiches, Seafood, American
- Read more on Yelp

Schlotzsky's

2 / 13

#12. Schlotzsky's

- Rating: 3.3/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 959 Macarthur Drive Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Smackin Mack's

3 / 13

#11. Smackin Mack's

- Rating: 3.4/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1707 Metro Drive Ste Q Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: Southern
- Read more on Yelp

Lou & Laura's

4 / 13

#10. Lou & Laura's

- Rating: 3.6/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1301 Windsor Place Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp

Pitt Grill Restaurant

5 / 13

#9. Pitt Grill Restaurant

- Rating: 3.7/5 (80 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2360 North MacArthur Drive Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Yucatan Mexican Restaurant

6 / 13

#8. Yucatan Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 3.8/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 200 Sandifer Lane Pineville, Louisiana
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Critics Choice

7 / 13

#7. Critics Choice

- Rating: 3.9/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 415 Murray St. Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: Sandwiches, New American
- Read more on Yelp

Roly Poly Sandwiches

8 / 13

#6. Roly Poly Sandwiches

- Rating: 4.1/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1707 Metro Drive Ste I Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: Fast food, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

The Cottage Restaurant

9 / 13

#5. The Cottage Restaurant

- Rating: 4.2/5 (80 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1434A Dorchester Drive Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: American, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Three Potato More

10 / 13

#4. Three Potato More

- Rating: 4.3/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1600 Metro Drive Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp

Cafe Desoto

11 / 13

#3. Cafe Desoto

- Rating: 4.4/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 414 Desoto St. Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp

Caro's

12 / 13

#2. Caro's

- Rating: 4.7/5 (96 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1412 Metro Drive Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: Caribbean, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Word Of Mouth

13 / 13

#1. Word Of Mouth

- Rating: 4.8/5 (158 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 918 Foisy St. Alexandria, Louisiana
- Categories: Cafes, Diners, 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.