Breakfast, margaritas, burgers: Here’s the top 10 ‘cheap eats’ restaurants in Belleville
While eating at home has long been cited as a great way to save money, inflation has affected grocery costs more than restaurant prices this year.
The price tag for food at home rose by 10.8% from April 2021 to April 2022, and food away from home costs rose 7.2%.
As such, those looking to avoid skyrocketing grocery prices may be looking for affordable restaurants to pick up a quick meal.
Review-based travel advice company TripAdvisor provides information about what restaurants users say offer cheap food options. Although some national chains made the list, the top-rated pick is a local staple that has served the Belleville area for more than 75 years.
Here’s what TripAdvisor users rated as the top 10 restaurants in Belleville to find a cheap meal.
10. Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant
The 10th-ranked restaurant closed its doors this spring after more than 25 years of operation in Belleville. The owner told the News-Democrat the business couldn’t keep up with orders due to low staffing.
Rating: 4.5/5 with 9 reviews. Not enough ratings to provide by category.
Type of food: Chinese
Former location: 128 West Main St., Belleville, IL 62220
9. Captain D’s
Captain D’s are located all across the country, and you can find butter-dipped fish, hush puppies, catfish, shrimp and “funnel cake stix” there. The restaurant also offers chicken tenders, lobster rolls and family meals.
Rating: 4/5 overall with 9 reviews. Not enough ratings to provide by category.
Type of food: Seafood, American
Location: 649 Carlyle Ave., Belleville, IL 62221
8. Smoothie King
The national chain offers blends with fruits, vegetables, protein powder and other “nutritional enhancers.” There are vegan options available, and reviewers said they liked Smoothie King’s strawberry banana and carrot kale recipes.
Rating: 4.5/5 overall with 10 reviews. Not enough ratings to provide by category.
Type of food: Breakfast
Location: 3030 Frank Scott Parkway W, Suite 11, Belleville, IL 62223
7. Marco’s Express
Check out Marco’s Express for salad, garlic cheese bread, calzones, pasta and pizza. The restaurant has been in Belleville since 2009 and has its fresh dough and bread delivered daily from The Hill.
Rating: 4.5/5 overall with 6 reviews. Not enough ratings to provide by category.
Type of food: Italian
Location: 1401 Lebanon Ave., Belleville, IL 62221
6. Bamboo Valley Buffet
Sushi lovers rejoice: Bamboo Valley Buffet offers rolls, coconut shrimp, pineapple chicken, pot stickers and a variety of desserts. The restaurant has served the Belleville area since 2003 and offers online ordering, as well as dine-in options.
Rating: 4/5 overall with 21 reviews, 4/5 Food, 5/5 Service, 4.5/5 Value
Type of food: Asian, Chinese, Sushi
Location: 653 Carlyle Ave., Belleville, IL 62221
5. Cutter’s
For live music, alcohol and reviewer-touted “cheap” food, check out Cutter’s Bar and Grill. You can get fried favorites such as pickle spears, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese bites, mozzarella sticks and chicken.
Rating: 4/5 overall with 26 reviews, 4/5 Food, 3.5/5 Service, 4/5 Value, 4/5 Atmosphere
Type of food: American, Bar, Pub
Location: 239 Carlyle Ave., Belleville, IL 62221
4. West Main Cafe
This Belleville diner serves up classics like pancakes, omelets, biscuits with gravy and sweet potato fries. TripAdvisor reviewers liked the coffee, fried chicken, “home cooking” and salad bar.
Rating: 4/5 overall with 32 reviews, 4/5 Food, 4.5/5 Service, 4.5/5 Value, 3/5 Atmosphere
Type of food: American, Diner, Vegetarian Friendly
Location: 1601 West Main St., Belleville, IL 62220
3. Margarita’s
If you’re looking for guacamole, quesadillas or margaritas, you’ve come to the right place. Margarita’s offers “the best authentic Mexican food this side of the border” its website says, and the menu includes combos, salads, enchiladas and more.
There are two coupons posted on the site, one for $5 off when you buy two dinner entrees and one for $8 a purchase of $30 or more.
Rating: 4/5 overall with 32 reviews, 4/5 Food, 4/5 Service, 4/5 Value, 4.5/5 Atmosphere
Type of food: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly
Location: 108 East A St., Belleville, IL, 62220. Additional locations at 4817 West Main St., Belleville, IL 62226 and 807 East Hanover St., New Baden, IL 62265.
2. Chick-fil-A
This multi-billion dollar business offers chicken-based fast food options, as well as salads and fries.
While the chain has a wide following for its famed chicken, it has drawn criticism for decades over past contributions to groups that advocate against equality for people in the LGBTQ+ community.
Rating: 4.5 overall with 34 reviews, 4.5 Food, 5/5 Service, 4.5/5 Value
Type of food: Quick Bites, American, Fast Food
Location: 2532 Green Mount Commons Dr., Belleville, IL 62221
1. The White Cottage Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor
This local favorite offers inside dining, as well as walk-up ordering windows. It offers a variety of burgers, sandwiches and sides, but is best known for its ice cream. Frozen options include a banana split, hot fudge waffle sandwich, cottage drummies and the “pig trough” (15 scoops of ice cream, five toppings, a Twinkie, whipped cream and a cherry).
Rating: 4.5/5 overall and in each category (Value, Service, Atmosphere, Food) with 78 reviews
Type of food: Dessert, American
Location: 102 Lebanon Ave., Belleville, IL 62220
This story was originally published June 1, 2022 at 1:10 PM.
