Highest-rated cheap eats in Dubuque 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 Dubuque 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.

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Maid-Rite

1 / 18

#18. Maid-Rite

- Rating: 3.1/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1675 John F Kennedy Road Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: American
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Yen Ching Restaurant

2 / 18

#17. Yen Ching Restaurant

- Rating: 3.2/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 926 Main St. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
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Pizza Ranch

3 / 18

#16. Pizza Ranch

- Rating: 3.2/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2020 Radford Road Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza
-

Shot Tower Inn

4 / 18

#15. Shot Tower Inn

- Rating: 3.2/5 (121 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 390 Locust St. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza, Burgers, Sandwiches
-

Fiesta Cancun

5 / 18

#14. Fiesta Cancun

- Rating: 3.5/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2515 Northwest Arterial Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
-

Dottie's Cafe

6 / 18

#13. Dottie's Cafe

- Rating: 3.7/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 504 Central Ave. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch
-

Sunshine Family Restaurant West

7 / 18

#12. Sunshine Family Restaurant West

- Rating: 3.7/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1575 John F Kennedy Road Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American
-

Village Inn

8 / 18

#11. Village Inn

- Rating: 3.9/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1940 John F Kennedy Road Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
-

West Dubuque Tap

9 / 18

#10. West Dubuque Tap

- Rating: 3.9/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1701 Asbury Road Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Bars, Breakfast & Brunch, American
-

Jack's Chicken Palace

10 / 18

#9. Jack's Chicken Palace

- Rating: 4.0/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1107 University Ave. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Chicken Shop, Sandwiches, American
-

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Sunshine Family Restaurant

11 / 18

#8. Sunshine Family Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 401 Central Ave. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Burgers, American
-

Paul's Tavern

12 / 18

#7. Paul's Tavern

- Rating: 4.1/5 (79 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 176 Locust St. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Bars, American
-

Zoro's Gyros

13 / 18

#6. Zoro's Gyros

- Rating: 4.1/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1400 Central Ave. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: New American, Greek
-

Adobos Mexican Grill

14 / 18

#5. Adobos Mexican Grill

- Rating: 4.1/5 (64 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 756 Main St. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
-

Magoo's Pizza

15 / 18

#4. Magoo's Pizza

- Rating: 4.3/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1875 University Ave. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza
-

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Jumpers Sports Bar & Grill

16 / 18

#3. Jumpers Sports Bar & Grill

- Rating: 4.3/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2600 Dodge St. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Sports Bars, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches
-

El Paisano's

17 / 18

#2. El Paisano's

- Rating: 4.5/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1543 Central Ave. Dubuque, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
-

Jumble Coffee

18 / 18

#1. Jumble Coffee

- Rating: 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 820 Wacker Drive Debuque Debuque, Iowa
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies, 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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