Highest-rated cheap eats in Decatur, Illinois by diners

Americans spend a lot of money on eating out鈥攊n 2024, that totaled, 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 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. 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.

compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Decatur area using data from . 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.

Lincoln Square Lounge

1 / 24

#24. Lincoln Square Lounge

- Rating: 2.9/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 121 North Main St. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Lounges, Sandwiches
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Steak 'n Shake

2 / 24

#23. Steak 'n Shake

- Rating: 3.0/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 920 US 51 Forsyth, Illinois
- Categories: Fast food, Burgers, American
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Steak 'n Shake

3 / 24

#22. Steak 'n Shake

- Rating: 3.1/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2250 Mt Zion Road Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Burgers, fast food, American
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Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant

4 / 24

#21. Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 3.1/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 351 West 1st Drive Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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Lock Stock & Barrel

5 / 24

#20. Lock Stock & Barrel

- Rating: 3.2/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 129 South Oakland Ave. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Salad, Bars, Music Venues
-

Garden Family Restaurant

6 / 24

#19. Garden Family Restaurant

- Rating: 3.4/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 696 East Pershing Road Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: American, Bubble Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
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Krekel's Custard & Hamburger

7 / 24

#18. Krekel's Custard & Hamburger

- Rating: 3.4/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1340 North State Hwy 121 Mount Zion, Illinois
- Categories: Burgers, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Sandwiches
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Head West Sub Stop

8 / 24

#17. Head West Sub Stop

- Rating: 3.4/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 136 South Oakland Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Sandwiches, Salad, Soup
-

First Wok

9 / 24

#16. First Wok

- Rating: 3.6/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1683 West King St. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Chinese, Seafood, Vegetarian
-

EL Corral Restaurante Mexicano

10 / 24

#15. EL Corral Restaurante Mexicano

- Rating: 3.6/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3655 East State Route 36 Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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Coney McKane's American Eatery

11 / 24

#14. Coney McKane's American Eatery

- Rating: 3.7/5 (112 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 104 East Prairie Ave. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Burgers, American, Sandwiches
-

Donnies Homespun Pizza

12 / 24

#13. Donnies Homespun Pizza

- Rating: 3.8/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 190 North Merchant St. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Pizza, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch
-

El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant

13 / 24

#12. El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 3.8/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4204 North Prospect Drive Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican, Barbecue, Tex-Mex
-

The Downtown Cafe

14 / 24

#11. The Downtown Cafe

- Rating: 3.8/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 217 North Main St. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
-

University Dogs

15 / 24

#10. University Dogs

- Rating: 3.9/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1105 West Wood St. Ste 4 Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Burgers, Hot Dogs
-

Asia House

16 / 24

#9. Asia House

- Rating: 3.9/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3074 North Water St. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Chinese
-

Lagondola Spaghetti House North

17 / 24

#8. Lagondola Spaghetti House North

- Rating: 4.1/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2825 North Water St. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Italian
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Diamond's Family Restaurant

18 / 24

#7. Diamond's Family Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (101 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2959 North Oakland Ave. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: American
-

Krekel's Custard

19 / 24

#6. Krekel's Custard

- Rating: 4.2/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1425 North Oakland Ave. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Burgers, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Sandwiches
-

Carrol Lou's Smokehouse

20 / 24

#5. Carrol Lou's Smokehouse

- Rating: 4.3/5 (83 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2612 North Martin Luther King Jr Drive Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: American, Smokehouse, Chicken Wings
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PT's Barbeque

21 / 24

#4. PT's Barbeque

- Rating: 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 501 South Franklin St. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue
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Krekel's Custard & Hamburger

22 / 24

#3. Krekel's Custard & Hamburger

- Rating: 4.5/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2320 East Main St. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Fast food, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Burgers
-

Taqueria La Perlita

23 / 24

#2. Taqueria La Perlita

- Rating: 4.7/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 495 North 22nd St. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
-

Debbies Diner

24 / 24

#1. Debbies Diner

- Rating: 4.7/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1404 North 22nd St. Decatur, Illinois
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch
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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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