Highest-rated cheap eats in Florence, South Carolina 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 Florence 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.

Zaxbys

1 / 22

#22. Zaxbys

- Rating: 2.8/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2099 West Evans St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Salad, Chicken Wings, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

Little China

2 / 22

#21. Little China

- Rating: 2.8/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1307 2nd Loop Road Ste H Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Lil D's Dugout

3 / 22

#20. Lil D's Dugout

- Rating: 3.0/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3051 South Irby St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: New American, Burgers, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

China King

4 / 22

#19. China King

- Rating: 3.0/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 360 North Cashua Drive Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

The Drive-In

5 / 22

#18. The Drive-In

- Rating: 3.1/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 135 East Palmetto St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Chicken Shop, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Town House Drive-In Restaurant

6 / 22

#17. Town House Drive-In Restaurant

- Rating: 3.2/5 (40 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 317 South Irby St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Sandwiches, American
- Read more on Yelp

New China Buffet

7 / 22

#16. New China Buffet

- Rating: 3.2/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 714 South Irby St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Thunderbird Country Buffet Restaurant

8 / 22

#15. Thunderbird Country Buffet Restaurant

- Rating: 3.3/5 (64 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2004 West Lucas St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp

Venus Restaurant & Catering

9 / 22

#14. Venus Restaurant & Catering

- Rating: 3.3/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 471 West Palmetto St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Mi Tierra San Jose Mexican Restaurant

10 / 22

#13. Mi Tierra San Jose Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 3.3/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1280 Celebration Blvd. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Maryland Fried Chicken

11 / 22

#12. Maryland Fried Chicken

- Rating: 3.6/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 844 South Irby St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Chicken Shop
- Read more on Yelp

Shoney's

12 / 22

#11. Shoney's

- Rating: 3.6/5 (44 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2101 West Lucas St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp

Golden Dragon Restaurant

13 / 22

#10. Golden Dragon Restaurant

- Rating: 3.6/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1938 West Evans St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Miguel's Grill

14 / 22

#9. Miguel's Grill

- Rating: 3.7/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1228 South Irby St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Seafood, American, Greek
- Read more on Yelp

Sundae House

15 / 22

#8. Sundae House

- Rating: 3.7/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1551 West Palmetto St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Restaurants
- Read more on Yelp

Raceway Grill

16 / 22

#7. Raceway Grill

- Rating: 3.8/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1207 Harry Byrd Hwy Darlington, South Carolina
- Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Apple Annie's

17 / 22

#6. Apple Annie's

- Rating: 3.9/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1720 West Palmetto St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Bars, New American
- Read more on Yelp

Groucho's Deli

18 / 22

#5. Groucho's Deli

- Rating: 3.9/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1725A West Palmetto St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Margarita's Family Mexican Restaurant

19 / 22

#4. Margarita's Family Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 3.9/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 490 2nd Loop Road Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Jumping J's

20 / 22

#3. Jumping J's

- Rating: 4.1/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 898 South Irby St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Sandwiches, Seafood, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp

Long Grain Cafe

21 / 22

#2. Long Grain Cafe

- Rating: 4.1/5 (93 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 260 West Palmetto St. Florence, South Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Chinese, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

Takis Diner

22 / 22

#1. Takis Diner

- Rating: 4.4/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 609 Pearl St. Darlington, South Carolina
- Categories: Diners
- 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.