Highest-rated cheap eats in California, Maryland 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 California 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.

Little Caesars

1 / 21

#21. Little Caesars

- Rating: 2.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 22650 Three Notch Road Lexington Park, Maryland
- Categories: Pizza, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

Golden Chicken

2 / 21

#20. Golden Chicken

- Rating: 2.6/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 46400 Lexington Village Way Lexington Park, Maryland
- Categories: Chinese, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill

3 / 21

#19. Dairy Queen Grill & Chill

- Rating: 2.8/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 21753 Great Mills Road Lexington Park, Maryland
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, fast food, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Dynasty Chinese Resturant

4 / 21

#18. Dynasty Chinese Resturant

- Rating: 3.2/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 13322 Hg Trueman Road Solomons, Maryland
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

The Frying Pan

5 / 21

#17. The Frying Pan

- Rating: 3.3/5 (148 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 9895 H G Truman Road Lusby, Maryland
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp

Roy Rogers

6 / 21

#16. Roy Rogers

- Rating: 3.6/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 14000 H G Trueman Road Solomons, Maryland
- Categories: Fast food, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Jerry's Bistro

7 / 21

#15. Jerry's Bistro

- Rating: 3.6/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 22652 3 Notch Road Lexington Park, Maryland
- Categories: Sandwiches, Asian Fusion, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Wawa

8 / 21

#14. Wawa

- Rating: 3.7/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 23141 Three Notch Road California, Maryland
- Categories: Convenience Stores, Gas Stations, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

Golden Chicken

9 / 21

#13. Golden Chicken

- Rating: 3.8/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 11771 Hg Trueman Road Lusby, Maryland
- Categories: Japanese, Chicken Shop, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

Potbelly

10 / 21

#12. Potbelly

- Rating: 3.9/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 23064 Three Notch Road Ste 101 California, Maryland
- Categories: Sandwiches, fast food, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

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Hong Kong Chinese Food Pick-Up

11 / 21

#11. Hong Kong Chinese Food Pick-Up

- Rating: 4.0/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 21800 North Shangri La Drive Ste 5 Lexington Park, Maryland
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Teariffic Cafe

12 / 21

#10. Teariffic Cafe

- Rating: 4.0/5 (189 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 22576 MacArthur Blvd. California, Maryland
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Chinese, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp

Hong Kong Restaurant III

13 / 21

#9. Hong Kong Restaurant III

- Rating: 4.0/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 45315 Alton Lane Unit 16060 California, Maryland
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

El Rinconcito

14 / 21

#8. El Rinconcito

- Rating: 4.2/5 (112 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 21703 Great Mills Road Unit D Lexington Park, Maryland
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

County Manners

15 / 21

#7. County Manners

- Rating: 4.2/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Charles County, Maryland
- Categories: Food Trucks, Caterers, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

China King

16 / 21

#6. China King

- Rating: 4.4/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 230 Town Sq Drive Lusby, Maryland
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Yummys Korean & Japanese Fusion Cuisine

17 / 21

#5. Yummys Korean & Japanese Fusion Cuisine

- Rating: 4.4/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 46300 Lexington Village Way Ste 101 Lexington Park, Maryland
- Categories: Japanese, Korean
- Read more on Yelp

Sawatdee Thai Seafood & Grocery

18 / 21

#4. Sawatdee Thai Seafood & Grocery

- Rating: 4.4/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 21525 Great Mills Road Lexington Park, Maryland
- Categories: Thai, Seafood, International Grocery
- Read more on Yelp

St James Deli & Spirits

19 / 21

#3. St James Deli & Spirits

- Rating: 4.4/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 19343 Three Notch Road Lexington Park, Maryland
- Categories: Delis, Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

The Slice House

20 / 21

#2. The Slice House

- Rating: 4.4/5 (99 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 22745 Washington St. Leonardtown, Maryland
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Woo's Kitchen Korean Grill Express

21 / 21

#1. Woo's Kitchen Korean Grill Express

- Rating: 4.6/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 22558 MacArthur Blvd. Ste 378 California, Maryland
- Categories: Korean
- 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.