Highest-rated cheap eats in Jackson, Tennessee 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 Jackson 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 / 16

#16. Zaxbys

- Rating: 2.6/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1155 Vann Drive Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Fast food, Chicken Wings, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

2 / 16

#15. Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 2.9/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 234 Parkstone Place Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Back Yard Bar-Be-Cue

3 / 16

#14. Back Yard Bar-Be-Cue

- Rating: 3.0/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 186 Old Hickory Blvd. Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

Marco's Pizza

4 / 16

#13. Marco's Pizza

- Rating: 3.1/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1146 Vann Drive Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Pizza, Italian
- Read more on Yelp

Los Portales

5 / 16

#12. Los Portales

- Rating: 3.5/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 127 Old Hickory Blvd. Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Green Frog Coffee

6 / 16

#11. Green Frog Coffee

- Rating: 3.5/5 (82 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1410 Union University Drive Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Moe's Southwest Grill

7 / 16

#10. Moe's Southwest Grill

- Rating: 3.5/5 (31 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1923 Emporium Drive Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Tacos 4 Life

8 / 16

#9. Tacos 4 Life

- Rating: 3.6/5 (117 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1481 Vann Drive Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Fast food, Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Jiang Jun

9 / 16

#8. Jiang Jun

- Rating: 3.7/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2574 Christmasville Cv Ste D Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Chinese, Japanese, Sushi Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Latham's Meat

10 / 16

#7. Latham's Meat

- Rating: 3.7/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3517 US Highway 45 North Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Barbecue, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

11 / 16

#6. Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 3.8/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 19 Stonebrook Place Ste B Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

731 Sports Bar & Grill

12 / 16

#5. 731 Sports Bar & Grill

- Rating: 3.9/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 601 Vann Drive Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Sports Bars, Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp

Burger Barn

13 / 16

#4. Burger Barn

- Rating: 4.0/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 123 Lexington Ave. Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Snappy Tomato Pizza

14 / 16

#3. Snappy Tomato Pizza

- Rating: 4.2/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1187 Vann Drive Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Pizza, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Tulum Fresh Mexican Grill

15 / 16

#2. Tulum Fresh Mexican Grill

- Rating: 4.3/5 (334 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 71 Carriage House Drive Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Exit 87

16 / 16

#1. Exit 87

- Rating: 4.4/5 (196 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2049 Highway 70 East Jackson, Tennessee
- Categories: Barbecue, Food Trucks
- 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.