Highest-rated cheap eats in Asheville by diners

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July 22, 2022
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Highest-rated cheap eats in Asheville 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 Asheville 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.

1 / 29
The Freeze of Asheville

#29. The Freeze of Asheville

- Rating: 4.3/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1091 Patton Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp

2 / 29
Mamacita's Taco Temple

#28. Mamacita's Taco Temple

- Rating: 4.3/5 (283 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 132 Charlotte St. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Latin American
- Read more on Yelp

3 / 29
Dobra Tea

#27. Dobra Tea

- Rating: 4.3/5 (337 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 78 North Lexington Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Tea Rooms, Vegetarian, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp

4 / 29
Mosaic Cafe

#26. Mosaic Cafe

- Rating: 4.3/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: One Town Sq Blvd. Ste 150 Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp

5 / 29
Wynn's Diner

#25. Wynn's Diner

- Rating: 4.3/5 (97 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 604 New Leicester Hwy Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Diners, American
- Read more on Yelp

6 / 29
Melt Your Heart

#24. Melt Your Heart

- Rating: 4.3/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Sandwiches, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

7 / 29
Mary's Burritos & Beer

#23. Mary's Burritos & Beer

- Rating: 4.3/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1939 Brevard Road Arden, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

8 / 29
Corner Grill

#22. Corner Grill

- Rating: 4.3/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1899 Brevard Road Arden, North Carolina
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp

9 / 29
Ultra Coffeebar

#21. Ultra Coffeebar

- Rating: 4.3/5 (298 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 242 Clingman Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

10 / 29
Old School Subs

#20. Old School Subs

- Rating: 4.3/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 55 Sweeten Creek Road Ste 131 Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Sandwiches, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

11 / 29
Black Bear BBQ

#19. Black Bear BBQ

- Rating: 4.4/5 (139 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 800 Fairview Road Ste C8 Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

12 / 29
White Duck Taco Shop

#18. White Duck Taco Shop

- Rating: 4.4/5 (233 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 16 Miami Cir Arden, North Carolina
- Categories: Tacos, New American
- Read more on Yelp

13 / 29
Breakfast Shoppe

#17. Breakfast Shoppe

- Rating: 4.4/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2077-D US-70 Swannanoa, North Carolina
- Categories: Comfort Food
- Read more on Yelp

14 / 29
Tacos Jalisco Mexican Restaurant

#16. Tacos Jalisco Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 4.4/5 (150 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1328 Patton Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

15 / 29
Stay Glazed Donuts & Cafe

#15. Stay Glazed Donuts & Cafe

- Rating: 4.4/5 (152 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 22 South Pack Square Ll100 Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Donuts, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp

16 / 29
Bun Intended Food Truck

#14. Bun Intended Food Truck

- Rating: 4.4/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Thai, Food Trucks, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp

17 / 29
Taqueria Munoz

#13. Taqueria Munoz

- Rating: 4.4/5 (172 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1438 Patton Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

18 / 29
OWL Bakery

#12. OWL Bakery

- Rating: 4.4/5 (209 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 295 Haywood Road Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

19 / 29
Bebettes: A New Orleans Coffeehouse

#11. Bebettes: A New Orleans Coffeehouse

- Rating: 4.5/5 (255 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1 Page Ave. Unit 111 Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

20 / 29
Haywood Lounge

#10. Haywood Lounge

- Rating: 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 590 Haywood Road Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Pubs, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

21 / 29
5 Points Restaurant

#9. 5 Points Restaurant

- Rating: 4.5/5 (243 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 258 Broadway St. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Greek, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

22 / 29
Daymoon Coffeebar

#8. Daymoon Coffeebar

- Rating: 4.5/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 381 Old Charlotte Hwy Fairview, North Carolina
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

23 / 29
Root Down Food Truck

#7. Root Down Food Truck

- Rating: 4.5/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Food Trucks, Cajun/Creole, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp

24 / 29
The Med

#6. The Med

- Rating: 4.5/5 (238 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 57 College St. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Mediterranean, Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp

25 / 29
Black Bear Pizza

#5. Black Bear Pizza

- Rating: 4.6/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3094 Sweeten Creek Road Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

26 / 29
The Odd

#4. The Odd

- Rating: 4.6/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1045 Haywood Road Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Dive Bars, Music Venues, Comfort Food
- Read more on Yelp

27 / 29
Tin Can Pizzeria

#3. Tin Can Pizzeria

- Rating: 4.7/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Pizza, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

28 / 29
A Taste of El Salvador

#2. A Taste of El Salvador

- Rating: 4.7/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1565 Patton Ave. Ste D Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Salvadoran
- Read more on Yelp

29 / 29
Sand Hill Kitchen

#1. Sand Hill Kitchen

- Rating: 4.8/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 491 Sardis Road Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches, Southern
- 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.

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