Highest-rated cheap eats in Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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.

East China

1 / 25

#25. East China

- Rating: 2.9/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2108 Kimball Ave. Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
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Mama Nick's Circle Pizzeria

2 / 25

#24. Mama Nick's Circle Pizzeria

- Rating: 2.9/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1934 Washington St. Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza
-

East China

3 / 25

#23. East China

- Rating: 3.0/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2315 Logan Ave. Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
-

Pizza Ranch

4 / 25

#22. Pizza Ranch

- Rating: 3.0/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4302 University Ave. Ste B Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza
-

The Other Place

5 / 25

#21. The Other Place

- Rating: 3.0/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 360 East Ridgeway Ave. Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza
-

Pita Pit

6 / 25

#20. Pita Pit

- Rating: 3.1/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1700 West 1st St. Ste C Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Fast food, Sandwiches, Mediterranean
-

Amigos Mexican Cuisine and Cantina

7 / 25

#19. Amigos Mexican Cuisine and Cantina

- Rating: 3.1/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5809 University Ave. Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Sports Bars, Latin American
-

Rice House Chinese Teriyaki

8 / 25

#18. Rice House Chinese Teriyaki

- Rating: 3.4/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 226 Brandilynn Blvd. Ste A Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese, Japanese
-

Gyro Hut

9 / 25

#17. Gyro Hut

- Rating: 3.4/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1104 Washington St. Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: Fast food, Burgers, Chicken Wings
-

Village Inn

10 / 25

#16. Village Inn

- Rating: 3.4/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6319 University Ave. Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Bakeries
-

Newton's Paradise Cafe

11 / 25

#15. Newton's Paradise Cafe

- Rating: 3.5/5 (239 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 128 East 4th St. Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: New American, Cafes
-

Steamboat Garden

12 / 25

#14. Steamboat Garden

- Rating: 3.5/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1740 Falls Ave. Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: Bars, American
-

PepperJax Grill

13 / 25

#13. PepperJax Grill

- Rating: 3.5/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6719 University Ave. Ste A Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: New American, Sandwiches, Cheesesteaks
-

Damon's Sports Bar & Grill

14 / 25

#12. Damon's Sports Bar & Grill

- Rating: 3.7/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2122 Kimball Ave. Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: Sports Bars, American, Pizza
-

Urban Pie

15 / 25

#11. Urban Pie

- Rating: 3.8/5 (68 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 200 State St. Ste 101 Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza, Beer Bar, Chicken Wings
-

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Pablo's Mexican Grill

16 / 25

#10. Pablo's Mexican Grill

- Rating: 3.9/5 (80 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 310 Main St. Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
-

Amigos Mexican Restaurant

17 / 25

#9. Amigos Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 3.9/5 (59 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1415 East San Marnan Drive Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Cocktail Bars
-

Blue Barn BBQ

18 / 25

#8. Blue Barn BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 623 East 18th St. Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Barbecue
-

Golden China - Waterloo

19 / 25

#7. Golden China - Waterloo

- Rating: 4.1/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 106 Brookeridge Drive Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
-

Wilbo Burgers, Brats & Beer

20 / 25

#6. Wilbo Burgers, Brats & Beer

- Rating: 4.2/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 118 Main St. Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Burgers, Sports Bars
-

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Sub City

21 / 25

#5. Sub City

- Rating: 4.3/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2224 College St. Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: New American, Sandwiches
-

Gravy's Diner

22 / 25

#4. Gravy's Diner

- Rating: 4.4/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4129 University Ave. Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Diners, Salad, Breakfast & Brunch
-

Morg's

23 / 25

#3. Morg's

- Rating: 4.5/5 (165 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 520 Mulberry St. Waterloo, Iowa
- Categories: Diners
-

Maid-Rite

24 / 25

#2. Maid-Rite

- Rating: 4.6/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 116 East 4th St. Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Diners, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch
-

Cottonwood Canyon "The House"

25 / 25

#1. Cottonwood Canyon "The House"

- Rating: 4.7/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 419 Washington St. Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
-

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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