Highest-rated cheap eats in Racine 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 Racine 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.

Scores Sports Bar & Grill

1 / 28

#28. Scores Sports Bar & Grill

- Rating: 3.2/5 (80 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4915 Washington Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Sports Bars, American
- Read more on Yelp

Gateway Cafe

2 / 28

#27. Gateway Cafe

- Rating: 3.2/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3619 30th Ave. Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Categories: Cafes, Diners, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

Panda Chinese Restaurant

3 / 28

#26. Panda Chinese Restaurant

- Rating: 3.4/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 8020 Durand Ave. Ste G Sturtevant, Wisconsin
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Chubbies Pizzeria

4 / 28

#25. Chubbies Pizzeria

- Rating: 3.5/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 619 High St. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Pizza, Burgers, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Gus's Gyros

5 / 28

#24. Gus's Gyros

- Rating: 3.6/5 (79 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2100 Douglas Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Burgers, Greek
- Read more on Yelp

Douglas Avenue Diner

6 / 28

#23. Douglas Avenue Diner

- Rating: 3.7/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5121 Douglas Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Diners, American
- Read more on Yelp

A&W Restaurant

7 / 28

#22. A&W Restaurant

- Rating: 3.7/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 13520 Nwestern Ave. Franksville, Wisconsin
- Categories: Burgers, fast food, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp

Kings Wok

8 / 28

#21. Kings Wok

- Rating: 3.7/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5131 Douglas Ave. F Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Chinese, Seafood, Soup
- Read more on Yelp

Buckets Pub

9 / 28

#20. Buckets Pub

- Rating: 3.8/5 (88 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2031 Lathrop Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Pubs, Chicken Wings, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Tacos El Rey

10 / 28

#19. Tacos El Rey

- Rating: 3.8/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2000 Birch Road Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

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Angry Brothers Pub & Grill

11 / 28

#18. Angry Brothers Pub & Grill

- Rating: 3.8/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6501 Washington Ave. Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin
- Categories: American, Pubs, Venues & Event Spaces
- Read more on Yelp

Divino Gelato Cafe

12 / 28

#17. Divino Gelato Cafe

- Rating: 3.8/5 (68 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 245 Main St. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Gelato, Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Bernie's Hometown Pizzeria

13 / 28

#16. Bernie's Hometown Pizzeria

- Rating: 3.9/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1238 Lathrop Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Sports Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Nafi's Springwood Cafe

14 / 28

#15. Nafi's Springwood Cafe

- Rating: 3.9/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3707 30th Ave. Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Pico's Tacos & Cerveza

15 / 28

#14. Pico's Tacos & Cerveza

- Rating: 4.0/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 550 3 Mile Road Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

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Pepi's Pub and Grill

16 / 28

#13. Pepi's Pub and Grill

- Rating: 4.0/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 618 6th St. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: American, Sports Bars, Vegetarian
- Read more on Yelp

Big Star Drive In

17 / 28

#12. Big Star Drive In

- Rating: 4.0/5 (123 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1500 Washington Road Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp

Lee's Deli

18 / 28

#11. Lee's Deli

- Rating: 4.0/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2615 Washington Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Park Inn

19 / 28

#10. Park Inn

- Rating: 4.0/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2312 Douglas Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

La Tapatia

20 / 28

#9. La Tapatia

- Rating: 4.1/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1951 Mead St. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

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Kewpee Lunch

21 / 28

#8. Kewpee Lunch

- Rating: 4.1/5 (153 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 520 Wisconsin Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Fast food, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Yuni's Avenue Cafe

22 / 28

#7. Yuni's Avenue Cafe

- Rating: 4.2/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5104 Washington Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp

Mrs. Betty's Kitchen

23 / 28

#6. Mrs. Betty's Kitchen

- Rating: 4.2/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 327 Main St. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Soul Food, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Los Taquitos

24 / 28

#5. Los Taquitos

- Rating: 4.3/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2700 22nd Ave. Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Buca's Bar & Grill

25 / 28

#4. Buca's Bar & Grill

- Rating: 4.3/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4234 Douglas Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Bars, American
- Read more on Yelp

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Gyros Express

26 / 28

#3. Gyros Express

- Rating: 4.3/5 (114 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5205 Washington Ave. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Mediterranean, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Santa Fe Taqueria & Liquor Store

27 / 28

#2. Santa Fe Taqueria & Liquor Store

- Rating: 4.5/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 516 High St. Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Mexican, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Grocery
- Read more on Yelp

Sausage Kitchen

28 / 28

#1. Sausage Kitchen

- Rating: 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1706 Rapids Drive Racine, Wisconsin
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch
- 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.