California cafe serves up best cheap eats in the state, site says. Here’s where to find it
Want the best affordable grub in California? Look no further than Sacramento, according to a new nationwide restaurant ranking.
Nopalitos Southwestern Cafe in East Sacramento claimed the title of California’s best bet for cheap eats on CashNetUSA’s list of the top spots in the nation for budget-friendly meals.
The online lender analyzed eateries in more than 500 U.S. cities based on their ratings on popular review website Yelp to identify the top-rated, low-cost restaurants in all 50 states and 15 major cities.
“A meal doesn’t have to be expensive to be delicious and satisfying — as the plentiful five-star reviews of cheaper-end restaurants attest,” Matt Pelkey, a senior lead content strategist for CashNetUSA, wrote in a Monday article titled “The Best Spot for Cheap Eats in Every State.”
“Find a local family joint that cooks with love, and you’ll often find it tastes better than the overly complicated dishes down the road,” he wrote.
CashNetUSA also ranked the top budget-friendly eatery in the United States, though no California spots made the list.
Lola’s Kitchen in Hampton, New Hampshire, was the best budget-friendly eatery in the country, according to CashNetUSA.
Oscar’s Famous Ribs in Branson, Missouri, came in second place, and another Branson eatery, Carly’s Healthy Cuisine, took third place.
Which California restaurant has the best cheap food?
That title is reserved for Nopalitos Southwestern Cafe, 5530 H St. in East Sacramento.
The restaurant had an average rating of nearly 4.9 stars on Yelp when CashNetUSA completed its data analysis in May.
“I wish there were (more) stars I could give this lovely mid-town eatery!” John G. wrote on Yelp, calling it a true local neighborhood gem.”
“Can’t say enough good things about (Nopalitos),” Yelp user Avalon J. said, praising the restaurant’s friendly staff. “The food is unbelievably fresh and flavorful. Cute little cafe too. I hope they never close.”
Though Nopalitos clenched the title for California’s best budget-friendly grub, a total of two Golden State eateries ranked among the top spots for cheap eats in 15 major cities.
The list includes Mo’s Grill in San Francisco and Joe’s Falafel in Los Angeles.
What is Nopalitos Southwestern Cafe?
Rose and Dave Hanke opened Nopalitos Southwestern Cafe in April 1992 after running the Bunn Stop on Stockton Boulevard and the original Spinners Cinnamon Rolls on Sutterville Road, The Sacramento Bee reported previously.
The couple retired in 2022, leaving their business in the hands of long-time employee Roberto Timoteo and his family.
What’s on the menu at East Sacramento restaurant?
Nopalitos whips up Mexican and Southwestern dishes ranging from savory breakfast burritos and scrambled egg platters for about $12 to spicy pork stew for $15.
The menu includes enchiladas, tamales, omelets and pancakes, according to Yelp.
The vast drink list features espresso, cappuccino and Mexican-style hot chocolate.
Also available are soda, tea and juice.
What are the top 10 spots for cheap eats in US?
These are the 10 best spots for cheap eats in the country, according to CashNetUSA:
- Lola’s Kitchen in Hampton, New Hampshire
- Oscar’s Famous Ribs in Branson, Missouri
- Carly’s Healthy Cuisine in Branson, Missouri
- Pummarola Pizzeria Napoletana in Miami Beach
- The BBQ Barn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Latitude 59 in Homer, Alaska
- Don Juan V’S Sandwiches in Indianapolis
- Stoney’s Munchie Bar in Dayton, Ohio
- King Chicken Fillin’ Station in Tupelo, Mississippi
- Raptor Canyon Cafe in Tuscon, Arizona
How did NetCashUSA come up with its rankings?
CashNetUSA ranked budget-friendly eateries, fast food spots and restaurant chains in more than 500 U.S. cities based on their five-star Yelp ratings.
Researchers then confirmed that their picks could be considered affordable with methods such as scanning reviews on their Yelp pages for mentions of favorable prices.