Highest-rated cheap eats in Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids 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.

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Tacos El Cuñado Bridge St

1 / 30

#30. Tacos El Cuñado Bridge St

- Rating: 4.3/5 (91 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1024 Bridge St. Northwest Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Pupuseria El Salvador

2 / 30

#29. Pupuseria El Salvador

- Rating: 4.3/5 (94 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4639 Division Ave. South Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Salvadoran
- Read more on Yelp

Thai Express

3 / 30

#28. Thai Express

- Rating: 4.3/5 (204 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4313 Kalamazoo Ave. Southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp

La Lotería

4 / 30

#27. La Lotería

- Rating: 4.3/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 705 28th St. Southwest Ste East Wyoming, Michigan
- Categories: Desserts, Mexican, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

The Candied Yam

5 / 30

#26. The Candied Yam

- Rating: 4.3/5 (143 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2305 44th St. Southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Southern, Soul Food, Comfort Food
- Read more on Yelp

Pizzeria Grande

6 / 30

#25. Pizzeria Grande

- Rating: 4.3/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6575 Belding Road Northeast Rockford, Michigan
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Monroe North

7 / 30

#24. Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Monroe North

- Rating: 4.4/5 (48 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 601 Bond Ave. Ste 101 Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Zesty Gyros & Deli

8 / 30

#23. Zesty Gyros & Deli

- Rating: 4.4/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1971 East Beltline Ave. Ste 105 Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Mediterranean, Wraps, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Little Mexico

9 / 30

#22. Little Mexico

- Rating: 4.4/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5651 Byron Center Ave. Ste 105 Wyoming, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Cousin's Tasty Chicken

10 / 30

#21. Cousin's Tasty Chicken

- Rating: 4.4/5 (117 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1209 Leonard St. Northeast Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

Roots Brew Shop

11 / 30

#20. Roots Brew Shop

- Rating: 4.4/5 (99 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 600 7th St. Northwest Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Shelley's Kitchen

12 / 30

#19. Shelley's Kitchen

- Rating: 4.4/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1140 Burton St. Southwest Wyoming, Michigan
- Categories: American, Diners, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Mad Dogz

13 / 30

#18. Mad Dogz

- Rating: 4.4/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3916 West River Drive Comstock Park, Michigan
- Categories: Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp

Scorpion Hearts Club

14 / 30

#17. Scorpion Hearts Club

- Rating: 4.5/5 (172 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1035 Wealthy St. Southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Ginos Pizza

15 / 30

#16. Ginos Pizza

- Rating: 4.5/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1132 Walker Ave. Northwest Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

O'brien's Deli & Burgers

16 / 30

#15. O'brien's Deli & Burgers

- Rating: 4.5/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1200 East Paris Ave. Southeast Ste 3 Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Delis
- Read more on Yelp

Paris Cafe & Desserts

17 / 30

#14. Paris Cafe & Desserts

- Rating: 4.5/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2950 28th St. Southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Little Africa

18 / 30

#13. Little Africa

- Rating: 4.5/5 (174 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 956 East Fulton St. Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Ethiopian, Vegan, Vegetarian
- Read more on Yelp

Tamales Mary

19 / 30

#12. Tamales Mary

- Rating: 4.5/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1253 Burton St. Southwest Wyoming, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Taqueria San Jose

20 / 30

#11. Taqueria San Jose

- Rating: 4.5/5 (305 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1338 Division Ave. South Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

One Stop Coney Shop

21 / 30

#10. One Stop Coney Shop

- Rating: 4.6/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 154 East Fulton St. Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Desserts, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Chicago Style Gyro

22 / 30

#9. Chicago Style Gyro

- Rating: 4.6/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 539 Leonard St. Northwest Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Chopstick House

23 / 30

#8. Chopstick House

- Rating: 4.6/5 (157 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2240 28th St. Southwest Wyoming, Michigan
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Eastern Deli

24 / 30

#7. Eastern Deli

- Rating: 4.6/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2011 Eastern Ave. Southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Delis
- Read more on Yelp

Cooks Drive In

25 / 30

#6. Cooks Drive In

- Rating: 4.6/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6874 Hammond Ave. Southeast Dutton, Michigan
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Hot Dogs, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

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Schnitz Deli

26 / 30

#5. Schnitz Deli

- Rating: 4.7/5 (180 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1315 Fulton St. East Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Delis, Soup, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Tasty Gyro Coney Island

27 / 30

#4. Tasty Gyro Coney Island

- Rating: 4.7/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2269 44th St. Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Burgers, Greek, American
- Read more on Yelp

Frosty Boy - Grand Rapids

28 / 30

#3. Frosty Boy - Grand Rapids

- Rating: 4.8/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1757 Plainfield Ave. Northeast Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Vegan, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp

Ski's Sub Shop

29 / 30

#2. Ski's Sub Shop

- Rating: 4.8/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 96 Monroe Center St. Northwest Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

The Stray

30 / 30

#1. The Stray

- Rating: 4.8/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4253 Division Ave. South Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Categories: Coffee Roasteries, Cafes, Music Venues
- 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.