DineSpin

Best Cheap Eats in Kansas City

Find the best cheap eats restaurants in Kansas City, MO. Scored on what actually matters.

By DineSpin Team·Updated February 2026·10 spots

Kansas City's cheap eats scene runs on a few reliable principles: food made fresh to order, portions that justify the price, and owners who actually show up. What follows isn't a collection of hidden gems (that word is banned here). It's a map of places where the fundamentals either work or they don't—and where the gaps are worth knowing about before you go.

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Best Cheap Eats in Kansas City

1.

Victoria' Mexican Food Truck

92/100

Victoria's Mexican Food Truck is highly regarded for its excellent, authentic Mexican cuisine, generous portions, and friendly service. It's a beloved local spot known for consistently delivering delicious food at great value.

Pro tip: This is exactly the kind of small business you hope to find and then never want to lose.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its authentic flavors, quality ingredients, and delicious preparation, with many dishes highlighted as outstanding.

Really good food

👋Service90

Service is frequently described as friendly, great, and lovely, with staff noted for their welcoming and attentive demeanor.

Service is great

Vibe75

The food truck atmosphere is generally positive, with mentions of music and a friendly presence, but it is a food truck environment.

Playing music :)

💰Value95

Diners consistently find the portions generous and the prices fair, offering first-rate value for the quality and quantity of food.

Portion and price was perfect

📍 North Oak Village, 4831 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64118, United States
4.7$$4831 N Oak TrafficwayMexican
Ideal for
Authentic Mexican food loversDiners seeking value and generous portionsCasual, quick meals
2.

Waffle House

88/100

This Waffle House location is known for its delicious, fresh food and excellent value, often exceeding expectations for the brand. While service is generally good, occasional rudeness and cleanliness concerns are noted.

Pro tip: The food is super reminiscent, and the service matches.

🍽️Food90

Food is well-regarded for being delicious, fresh, and cooked to order, with specific mentions of great waffles and hash browns.

Makes everything amazing and to order

👋Service75

Service is generally described as friendly and efficient, though some diners note instances of rudeness and inattentiveness.

The staff just made our day

Vibe70

The atmosphere varies, with some finding it welcoming and kitschy, while others note it can be cramped or inconsistent depending on the shift.

Super cute and kitsch

💰Value95

The value proposition is remarkably strong, with diners frequently highlighting the low prices and generous portions.

Great price

📍 9700 NE Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64157, United States
4.3$Kansas CityAmerican
Ideal for
Late-night or early-morning dinersValue-conscious dinersTravelers seeking a familiar meal
3.

Las Tres Palmas

88/100

Las Tres Palmas is a Kansas City establishment celebrated for its remarkably delicious and affordable tacos and pizzas, often described as a 'hole in the wall' with friendly service. While noted a cleanliness concern regarding bare-hand food preparation, overall feedback highlights consistent quality and value.

Pro tip: Best tacos Ive had, and at a very cheap price. Wonderful place.

🍽️Food92

The restaurant excels in both its Mexican and Italian offerings, with pizzas and tacos frequently highlighted for their deliciousness and fresh ingredients.

Best tacos Ive had

👋Service85

Service is generally described as good, fast, and friendly, with staff often noted for their welcoming demeanor.

Awesome service

Vibe70

The atmosphere is described as a 'little hole in the wall' or 'intimidating location' but also peaceful and spacious, with one mention of a horse video playing.

Little whole in the wall

💰Value95

The restaurant is well-regarded for its extremely affordable prices, especially for the quality and quantity of food served.

Very cheap price

📍 4201 E 9th St, Kansas City, MO 64124, United States
4.5$Kansas CityMexican
Ideal for
Budget-conscious diners seeking authentic flavorsQuick and tasty taco or pizza mealsCasual dining experiences
4.

Ricos Tacos Lupe

88/100

Street tacos that taste like they came from Mexico City, handmade tamales, $1 specials on Tuesday, burritos for $2 on Thursday—this is how cheap eats should work. The family owns it, the salsa (green especially) is alive, and the prices genuinely don't match what you're getting. The catch: Taco Tuesday lunch rush eats 20–40 minutes of your time, hours are erratic (unexpected closures frustrate people constantly), and parking is difficult enough that you might not find it the first try.

Pro tip: Hit them on a Wednesday or Thursday if possible. Taco Tuesday is a trap unless you have time to kill. Call first; don't assume they're open.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its authentic flavors and high quality, with many diners calling the tacos the best they've ever had. Specific highlights include carnitas, barbacoa, al pastor, and chicken.

Hands down some of the best tacos I've ever had!

👋Service70

Service is generally described as friendly and quick, though a few instances of rudeness and slow service, particularly on busy days, have been noted.

Service was great but the people who run this place are fantastic.

Vibe75

The atmosphere is described as a small, authentic, hole-in-the-wall spot, with some noting it's a bit cramped but friendly and inviting.

Authentic, hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

💰Value95

The restaurant is lauded for its remarkably low prices, especially on daily specials like Taco Tuesday and Burrito Thursday, offering excellent value for the quality and portion sizes.

Prices are insanely low, food is so delicious

📍 802 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108, United States
4.6$Kansas CityMexican
Ideal for
Taco enthusiasts seeking authentic flavorsDiners looking for outstanding valueCasual lunches and quick bites
5.

The Brick

88/100

A downtown dive where the owner's presence shows in every shift—the burgers are flavorful, the meatloaf sandwich is iconic, and most entrees run $8–12. Live music (mostly Mondays) draws locals who don't mind noise and want KC authenticity without irony. Fair warning: one server was caught padding her tip to 60%, the ventilation makes your jacket smell like the kitchen, and the sides (especially those chili cheese fries) sometimes arrive incomplete.

Pro tip: Go on a Monday for live bluegrass and arrive before 6 p. M. To avoid the loudest hours. The owner's care extends to dietary accommodates—gluten-free buns, vegetarian options—and staff will actually get it right if you ask.

🍽️Food90

The Brick offers flavorful, well-prepared comfort food, with burgers, meatloaf sandwiches, and fried items frequently highlighted as delicious and satisfying. Vegetarian options are also well-received.

Food was absolutely the best

👋Service92

Service is well-regarded as friendly, attentive, and welcoming, with staff often going above and beyond to ensure a positive experience.

Service was fantastic

Vibe90

The atmosphere is described as a fun, eclectic, and welcoming dive bar with live music, making it a popular spot for various occasions.

This place is a vibe

💰Value95

Diners consistently find the prices to be remarkably reasonable, especially for the quality and quantity of food offered, making it a great value.

The price here is insane

📍 1727 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64108, United States
4.5$$Kansas CityAmerican
Ideal for
Casual dining with friendsEnjoying live musicSeeking great value meals
6.

Portia's Cafe

92/100

Portia's Cafe is a beloved Kansas City institution offering delicious, scratch-made, home-style comfort food in a warm, family-like atmosphere. Well-regarded for the friendly service, generous portions, and excellent value, making it a go-to spot for breakfast and lunch.

Pro tip: Home cooking that you won't find at a chain restaurant. Everything is made from scratch and is amazing.

🍽️Food90

The food is well-regarded as delicious, home-style cooking, with many dishes made from scratch. Standouts include biscuits and gravy, omelets, roast beef, and the Thursday fried chicken special.

Everything is made from scratch and is amazing.

👋Service95

Service is overwhelmingly described as remarkably friendly, warm, and attentive, with staff making diners feel like family. Many diners highlight specific servers by name.

The staff are the FRIENDLIEST and most pleasant people

Vibe95

The atmosphere is consistently lauded as cozy, warm, and like a second home, evoking a classic small-town diner feel with friendly regulars and staff.

Feels like home, even when you’re a complete stranger.

💰Value90

Portions are consistently described as generous, and prices are considered very reasonable, offering outstanding value for the quality and quantity of food.

Large portions for the price you pay.

📍 3840 E Truman Rd, Kansas City, MO 64127, United States
4.7$$Kansas CityAmerican
Ideal for
Comfort food seekersDiners seeking a friendly, familial atmosphereThose looking for great value
7.

MK Deli and Grill

92/100

MK Deli and Grill is a highly-regarded local spot known for its flavorful, fresh food, friendly service, and excellent value. The establishment is consistently clean and efficient, with an owner who actively engages with customers.

Pro tip: KC don't miss out on this hidden treasure.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its flavor, quality ingredients, and satisfying portions, with specific mentions of well-prepared sandwiches and fries.

Hot, fresh, and flavorful

👋Service90

Staff are frequently described as friendly, sweet, and attentive, contributing to a positive overall customer experience.

The people are nice there

Vibe80

The atmosphere is generally positive, with a friendly, neighborhood feel, though the space is noted as small.

Small but and clean

💰Value90

Diners find the prices to be reasonable and the portion sizes generous, offering good value for the cost.

Amazing price

📍 5802 Swope Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64130, United States
5$$Kansas CityAmerican
Ideal for
Quick and delicious lunchDiners seeking valueFans of classic sandwiches
8.

Arabicana

92/100

Arabicana is a highly-regarded spot in Kansas City, known for its remarkably fresh, delicious, and authentic food served with friendly and efficient service. Despite its location inside a gas station, diners consistently highlight the quality, value, and cleanliness, making it a recommended destination.

Pro tip: Fast, fresh, and clean food with incredible service and authentic taste.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for being fresh, delicious, flavorful, and authentic, with high-quality ingredients evident in every dish.

Everything was so tasty and clearly made fresh

👋Service93

Service is frequently highlighted as friendly, kind, attentive, and top-notch, contributing to a positive overall experience.

Incredible service

Vibe75

The atmosphere is described as cozy and home-style, with some noting it's located within a gas station, which doesn't detract from the food experience.

Cozy and home style cooking

💰Value90

Diners feel they receive excellent value for money, with generous portions and high-quality food at reasonable prices.

You definitely get your money worth

📍 203 US-69, Kansas City, MO 64119, United States
5$$Kansas CityMediterranean
Ideal for
Quick and fresh lunchesAuthentic Mediterranean flavorsDiners seeking value
9.

The King & Queen of BBQ

88/100

The King & Queen of BBQ is a highly-regarded soul food and barbecue restaurant in Kansas City, known for its excellent, smoky barbecue, generous portions, and friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Diners frequently celebrate the food quality and value, though occasional inconsistencies in operating hours and menu expectations have been noted.

Pro tip: Fantastic authentic Kansas City, Soulfood barbecue restaurant! Just incredible food!

🍽️Food92

The barbecue, particularly the burnt ends and rib tips, is well-regarded for its smoky flavor and deliciousness. Portions are generous, and ingredients are noted as fresh.

Incredible burnt ends and smoked chicken wings.

👋Service85

Service is described as wonderful, friendly, and welcoming, with proprietors actively engaging with guests.

Wonderful service! I wish we didn’t live so far away.

Vibe85

The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly, with a welcoming, home-like feel, though one diner found the TV distracting.

Feels like visiting a friend's house.

💰Value90

The restaurant offers great prices and large portions, providing good value for money.

Great prices for delicious food.

📍 5932 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO 64130, United States
4.9$$Kansas CityBBQ
Ideal for
Barbecue enthusiasts seeking authentic KC styleDiners looking for large portions and good valueThose who appreciate a friendly, neighborhood vibe
10.

Chopstix Chinese Cuisine & Sushi

88/100

Chopstix Chinese Cuisine & Sushi is a highly-regarded local spot known for its consistently fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned Chinese and sushi dishes. While service is generally good, the management's defensive responses to criticism are a notable drawback.

Pro tip: The food is always fresh, service is great! Highly recommend!

🍽️Food92

The food is well-regarded for its freshness, flavor, and generous portions, with many dishes, particularly the crab Rangoon and sushi, highlighted as excellent.

Food is always fresh

👋Service75

Service is generally described as friendly, polite, and efficient, though a few instances of rudeness and a pattern of poor owner responses detract from the overall experience.

Great food, great service

Vibe70

The atmosphere is often described as cozy or quaint, with some noting it's not fancy but comfortable, while others found it bare.

Cozy and perfect for our group

💰Value90

Diners consistently find the portion sizes generous and the prices reasonable, offering outstanding value for money.

Amazing portions

📍 6003 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154, United States
4.5$$Kansas CityChinese
Ideal for
Late-night cravingsSushi loversValue-conscious diners

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