Highest-rated cheap eats in Salem 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 Salem 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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Teriyaki Diner

1 / 30

#30. Teriyaki Diner

- Rating: 4.0/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1895 25th St. Southeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Japanese, Diners
- Read more on Yelp

Loncheria Y Antojitos El Perico

2 / 30

#29. Loncheria Y Antojitos El Perico

- Rating: 4.0/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 114 Lancaster Drive Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

White's Restaurant

3 / 30

#28. White's Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (182 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1138 Commercial St. Southeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Straight From New York Pizza

4 / 30

#27. Straight From New York Pizza

- Rating: 4.0/5 (212 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 233 Liberty St. Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Pizza, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

Tacos Del Sur

5 / 30

#26. Tacos Del Sur

- Rating: 4.0/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4683 Commercial St. Southeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Teriyaki Bento

6 / 30

#25. Teriyaki Bento

- Rating: 4.0/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2295 Broadway St. Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Japanese, Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Monarca Mexican Grill

7 / 30

#24. Monarca Mexican Grill

- Rating: 4.0/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2420 13th St. Southeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Better Than Mama's

8 / 30

#23. Better Than Mama's

- Rating: 4.1/5 (228 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1300 Broadway St. Northeast Ste 101 Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Sandwiches, Comfort Food, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Breakfast & Burgers

9 / 30

#22. Breakfast & Burgers

- Rating: 4.1/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2575 Silverton Road Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Diners, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Willamette Valley Pie Company

10 / 30

#21. Willamette Valley Pie Company

- Rating: 4.1/5 (156 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2994 82nd Ave. Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Bakeries, Fruits & Veggies, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

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Kim Huong

11 / 30

#20. Kim Huong

- Rating: 4.2/5 (216 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2950 Silverton Road Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp

Cafe Yumm! - Keizer Station

12 / 30

#19. Cafe Yumm! - Keizer Station

- Rating: 4.2/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5920 Ulali Drive Northeast Keizer, Oregon
- Categories: Cafes, Wraps, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Beehive Station

13 / 30

#18. Beehive Station

- Rating: 4.2/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1510 Fabry Road Southeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Food Trucks, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Juniors Taqueria

14 / 30

#17. Juniors Taqueria

- Rating: 4.2/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1705 Winter St. Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Hong Thai cuisine

15 / 30

#16. Hong Thai cuisine

- Rating: 4.2/5 (169 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4155 Rickey St. Southeast Ste 134 Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp

Yan Yan Chinese Cuisine

16 / 30

#15. Yan Yan Chinese Cuisine

- Rating: 4.2/5 (257 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3305 Lancaster Drive Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Blackjacks

17 / 30

#14. Blackjacks

- Rating: 4.3/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5249 Commercial St. Southeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Sports Bars, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Lonchera La Guadalupana

18 / 30

#13. Lonchera La Guadalupana

- Rating: 4.3/5 (89 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4110 Portland Road Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Nani Papa'a-Teri-Trucky

19 / 30

#12. Nani Papa'a-Teri-Trucky

- Rating: 4.3/5 (61 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1816 1st St. Tillamook, Oregon
- Categories: Hawaiian, Korean, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

Cozzie's NY Deli

20 / 30

#11. Cozzie's NY Deli

- Rating: 4.3/5 (110 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3723 Fairview Industrial Drive Southeast Ste 110 Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Delis
- Read more on Yelp

El Taco Melon

21 / 30

#10. El Taco Melon

- Rating: 4.3/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3375 Harold Drive Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

China Gourmet

22 / 30

#9. China Gourmet

- Rating: 4.3/5 (265 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1405 Broadway St. Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

La Fondita

23 / 30

#8. La Fondita

- Rating: 4.4/5 (367 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3330 Center St. Northeast Ste 100 Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Isaac's Downtown

24 / 30

#7. Isaac's Downtown

- Rating: 4.4/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 201 Commercial St. Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Nachos Locos Mexican Food

25 / 30

#6. Nachos Locos Mexican Food

- Rating: 4.4/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3815 Devonshire Ave. Northeast Ste 100 Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

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Dalia's Taqueria

26 / 30

#5. Dalia's Taqueria

- Rating: 4.4/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5669 Commercial St. Southeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

Caffe Capri Reed

27 / 30

#4. Caffe Capri Reed

- Rating: 4.4/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 189 Liberty St. Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Cafes, Coffee & Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp

La Carreta de Mi Tierra

28 / 30

#3. La Carreta de Mi Tierra

- Rating: 4.5/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3702 Silverton Road Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Food Stands, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

Plaza Morelia

29 / 30

#2. Plaza Morelia

- Rating: 4.6/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3391 River Road North Keizer, Oregon
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Fresh Start Market & Espresso

30 / 30

#1. Fresh Start Market & Espresso

- Rating: 4.8/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3020 Center St. Northeast Salem, Oregon
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Soup, Sandwiches
- 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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