Highest-rated cheap eats in Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo 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.

East Egg

1 / 30

#30. East Egg

- Rating: 3.9/5 (82 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6907 Sears Drive Portage, Michigan
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Schultz's Treat Street

2 / 30

#29. Schultz's Treat Street

- Rating: 4.0/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3023 Oakland Drive Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp

Mi Pueblo

3 / 30

#28. Mi Pueblo

- Rating: 4.1/5 (112 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3420 Gull Road Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Los Brothers

4 / 30

#27. Los Brothers

- Rating: 4.1/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2015 Portage St. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

LaRue's Family Restaurant

5 / 30

#26. LaRue's Family Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (68 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6375 Stadium Drive Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

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Lolita's Tacos

6 / 30

#25. Lolita's Tacos

- Rating: 4.1/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2307 East Main St. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Nonla Burger

7 / 30

#24. Nonla Burger

- Rating: 4.2/5 (105 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1700 South Drake Road Ste A Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Jersey Giant Subs

8 / 30

#23. Jersey Giant Subs

- Rating: 4.2/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5228 South Westnedge Ave. Portage, Michigan
- Categories: Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

La Finca

9 / 30

#22. La Finca

- Rating: 4.2/5 (97 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 10412 Portage Road Portage, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Ziingo Urban Asian

10 / 30

#21. Ziingo Urban Asian

- Rating: 4.2/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3830 West Centre Ave. Portage, Michigan
- Categories: Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

Ted & Marie's

11 / 30

#20. Ted & Marie's

- Rating: 4.2/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6416 Stadium Drive Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Salad, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Uncle Ernie's Pancake House

12 / 30

#19. Uncle Ernie's Pancake House

- Rating: 4.2/5 (115 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4005 Portage St. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Rasa Ria

13 / 30

#18. Rasa Ria

- Rating: 4.2/5 (146 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1921 West Main St. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Indonesian, Malaysian, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

Franco's Sub-Station & Italian Pizzeria

14 / 30

#17. Franco's Sub-Station & Italian Pizzeria

- Rating: 4.3/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 8016 South Westnedge Ave. Portage, Michigan
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Benny DiCarta's

15 / 30

#16. Benny DiCarta's

- Rating: 4.3/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 232 East Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

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Water Street Coffee Joint

16 / 30

#15. Water Street Coffee Joint

- Rating: 4.3/5 (156 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 315 East Water St. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Papa's Italian Sausage

17 / 30

#14. Papa's Italian Sausage

- Rating: 4.3/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 543 East Ransom St. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Italian, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Shawarma King

18 / 30

#13. Shawarma King

- Rating: 4.4/5 (431 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1441 South Drake Road Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Mediterranean, Halal, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp

Summer Thyme Cafe

19 / 30

#12. Summer Thyme Cafe

- Rating: 4.4/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3928 Portage St. Ste East Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Nonla Burger

20 / 30

#11. Nonla Burger

- Rating: 4.4/5 (311 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2103 South Burdick St. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

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Factory Coffee

21 / 30

#10. Factory Coffee

- Rating: 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 213 East Frank St. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Themed Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Ray Ray's Italian Beef & Sausage

22 / 30

#9. Ray Ray's Italian Beef & Sausage

- Rating: 4.5/5 (200 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1715 Miller Road Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Barbecue, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Food Street

23 / 30

#8. Food Street

- Rating: 4.5/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6384 South Westnedge Ave. Portage, Michigan
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches, Cheesesteaks
- Read more on Yelp

Caffe Casa

24 / 30

#7. Caffe Casa

- Rating: 4.6/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 128 South Kalamazoo Mall Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Nena's Cooper Café

25 / 30

#6. Nena's Cooper Café

- Rating: 4.6/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7759 Douglas Ave. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp

Fiesta Burrito

26 / 30

#5. Fiesta Burrito

- Rating: 4.6/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3774 West Centre Ave. Portage, Michigan
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Angelo's Italian Eatery

27 / 30

#4. Angelo's Italian Eatery

- Rating: 4.6/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5401 Portage Road Portage, Michigan
- Categories: Italian, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Walnut & Park

28 / 30

#3. Walnut & Park

- Rating: 4.6/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 322 West Walnut St. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Chocolatea

29 / 30

#2. Chocolatea

- Rating: 4.6/5 (169 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7642 South Westnedge Ave. Portage, Michigan
- Categories: Desserts, Cafes, Chocolatiers & Shops
- Read more on Yelp

TNT - Lil Brothers BBQ

30 / 30

#1. TNT - Lil Brothers BBQ

- Rating: 4.6/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1622 Bloomfiels Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Categories: Barbecue
- 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.