Highest-rated cheap eats in Ames 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 Ames 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.

You may also like: Ames' 2025 housing market year in review

Taco John's

1 / 22

#22. Taco John's

- Rating: 2.7/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 500 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Fast food, Mexican
-

Whiskey River

2 / 22

#21. Whiskey River

- Rating: 3.1/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 134 Main St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Sports Bars, American
-

888 Restaurant

3 / 22

#20. 888 Restaurant

- Rating: 3.1/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 809 Wheeler St. Ste 106 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
-

Le's Restaurant

4 / 22

#19. Le's Restaurant

- Rating: 3.3/5 (89 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 113 Colorado Ave. Ste 117 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese, Chinese, Soup
-

B-Bop's

5 / 22

#18. B-Bop's

- Rating: 3.5/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1112 South Duff Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Burgers, American
-

Abelardo's Mexican Fresh

6 / 22

#17. Abelardo's Mexican Fresh

- Rating: 3.5/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 533 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
-

El Azteca

7 / 22

#16. El Azteca

- Rating: 3.6/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2120 Isaac Newton Drive Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
-

Cafe Milo

8 / 22

#15. Cafe Milo

- Rating: 3.6/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4800 Mortensen Road Ste 101 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: American, Coffee & Tea
-

May House Cuisine

9 / 22

#14. May House Cuisine

- Rating: 3.6/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3417 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
-

Grove Cafe

10 / 22

#13. Grove Cafe

- Rating: 3.8/5 (123 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 124 Main St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
-

You may also like: How gas prices have changed in Ames in the last week

House of Chen

11 / 22

#12. House of Chen

- Rating: 3.8/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 705 East Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
-

Thai Kitchen

12 / 22

#11. Thai Kitchen

- Rating: 3.8/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2410 Chamberlain St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Thai, Bubble Tea
-

Joy's Mongolian Grill

13 / 22

#10. Joy's Mongolian Grill

- Rating: 3.9/5 (48 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 112 Hayward Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Dim Sum, Szechuan
-

Blaze Pizza

14 / 22

#9. Blaze Pizza

- Rating: 4.2/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2320 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Salad, fast food, Pizza
-

Pizza Pit

15 / 22

#8. Pizza Pit

- Rating: 4.2/5 (61 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 207 Welch Ave. Ste 201 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches
-

You may also like: The 30 most popular homes for sale in Ames

West Street Deli

16 / 22

#7. West Street Deli

- Rating: 4.4/5 (105 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2810 West St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free
-

Mr. Burrito

17 / 22

#6. Mr. Burrito

- Rating: 4.5/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2508 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
-

1+1 Restaurant & Tea

18 / 22

#5. 1+1 Restaurant & Tea

- Rating: 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2814 West St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese, Bubble Tea
-

Pammel Grocery and Deli

19 / 22

#4. Pammel Grocery and Deli

- Rating: 4.6/5 (91 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 113 Colorado Ave. Ste 133 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: International Grocery, Delis
-

Downtown Deli

20 / 22

#3. Downtown Deli

- Rating: 4.7/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 328 Main St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Delis
-

You may also like: Biggest sources of immigrants to Ames

Carlos Quesadillas

21 / 22

#2. Carlos Quesadillas

- Rating: 4.7/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 806 Stange Road Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks, fast food
-

Rico's Tacos

22 / 22

#1. Rico's Tacos

- Rating: 4.8/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 624 East Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
-

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 388 metros.

爆料TV