Guides · Clermont, Florida
Cheap Eats in Clermont FL: Best Budget Restaurants
Clermont's hills were paid for in citrus. The groves that bankrolled the town are mostly gone. What's left is a dining scene built on the reliable, the rated, and the reasonably priced.
Why Clermont's Best Budget Restaurants Are Mostly Chains
Clermont was established in 1884 and reincorporated as a city in 1916, but its economic spine was always the orange. Citrus groves dominated the county's economy into the mid-twentieth century, then dwindled fast under repeated freezes and suburban development. The 1956 Florida Citrus Tower still stands, but it's a monument to an industry that largely left. Housing replaced the groves, and the national chains that follow rooftops followed. That's not a lament; it's a practical map. When you're hungry and broke in a town of 44,984 people, the best bets are the big-name workhorses on the highway, not a mythical local joint that closed a decade ago.
Cheap Breakfast in Clermont: IHOP vs. Keke's
For cheap breakfast near S Hwy 27, you've got two heavyweights. IHOP at 2589 S Hwy 27 holds a 4.7 rating from 7,616 reviews—a volume of praise that's hard to argue with. A few blocks south, Keke's Breakfast Cafe at 2435 S Hwy 27 matches that 4.7 rating with 3,848 reviews, meaning a higher ratio of satisfied customers per plate. Both are solid, but Keke's edges out IHOP on sheer density of praise. The catch is timing: weekend mornings turn both into waiting rooms. Go before 9 a.m. or accept the post-rush crowd.
Quick Lunch in Clermont: Best Budget Burgers and More
Fast-casual lunch splits cleanly between Culver’s at 1431 Johns Lake Rd and Steak 'n Shake at 2545 FL-50. Culver's holds a 4.4 from 3,290 reviews—a strong score for a burger chain known for value. Steak 'n Shake sits at a shaky 3.8 from 3,103 reviews, which is a warning, not a suggestion. The former is the pick for a butterburger and a concrete mixer without wrecking your wallet. The latter is convenient, but convenience isn't worth a mediocre meal when better options are blocks away.
Affordable Dinner in Clermont: Steak, Italian, and Mexican
Dinner is where the ratings get interesting. Texas Roadhouse at 2457 S Hwy 27 pulls a 4.5 from 4,417 reviews, and Outback Steakhouse at 1625 E Hwy 50 isn't far behind at 4.6 from 5,048 reviews. Both deliver steakhouse value without the fine-dining markup. For Italian, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant at 2495 S Hwy 27 (4.4, 3,291 reviews) and Carrabba's Italian Grill at 2240 FL-50 (4.5, 3,025 reviews) are close—Carrabba's nudges ahead on rating, though Olive Garden's endless breadsticks are a draw. Mexican splits between Pepe's Cantina Clermont at 794 W Minneola Ave (4.7, 4,978 reviews) and Sr. Tequila Mexican Grill at 16745 Cagan Crossings Blvd (4.1, 2,870 reviews). Pepe's is the clear winner on both rating and proximity to Lake Minneola, making it a solid cheap dinner spot near the water.
Local Cheap Eats in Clermont: Farms and Hidden Gems
Not everything is a chain. Southern Hill Farms at 16651 Schofield Rd is a working farm with baked goods and a 4.7 rating from 3,196 reviews—a legit local option that pairs a meal with a farm visit. The Crooked Spoon at 200 Citrus Tower Blvd holds a 4.4 from 2,786 reviews and sits right near the tower, offering local flavor without the national logo. These are the exceptions that prove the rule: they're good, but they're not the backbone of Clermont's cheap eats. The backbone is the highway strip, and that's fine.
Budget Meals Near Clermont's Outdoor Attractions
Clermont adopted the slogan "Choice of Champions" in 2014, boosted by the National Training Center established there in 2001. That athletic identity is your cue: eat cheap, then earn it. Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola offers swimming, fishing piers, and a playground—a free payoff after a budget meal. Or take the hills themselves; they're the steepest in peninsular Florida, and they don't cost a dime. A quick lunch at Miller's Ale House at 1555 S Grand Hwy (4.6, 3,640 reviews) or a breakfast at Denny's Restaurant at 25 Town Center Blvd (4.0, 3,990 reviews) can fuel a climb without burning through your cash.
Clermont Cheap Eats Comparison: Best Picks by Category
| Category | Best Value Pick (by rating) |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Keke's Breakfast Cafe (4.7) |
| Lunch (Burgers) | Culver’s (4.4) |
| Dinner (Steak) | Outback Steakhouse (4.6) |
| Dinner (Italian) | Carrabba's Italian Grill (4.5) |
| Dinner (Mexican) | Pepe's Cantina Clermont (4.7) |
| Local Non-Chain | Southern Hill Farms (4.7) |
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store at 1520 E Hwy 50 (4.2, 3,584 reviews) and Ruby Tuesday at 2650 FL-50 (4.2, 3,070 reviews) round out the mid-tier, but they don't top any category. The takeaway is simple: Clermont's cheap eats are chains, the chains with the highest ratings are the ones worth your dollar, and the hills are free.
Common questions
- Where can I get a cheap breakfast in Clermont?
- Keke's Breakfast Cafe on S Hwy 27 has a 4.7 rating from 3848 reviews. IHOP on S Hwy 27 also rates 4.7 from 7616 reviews. Both are solid, affordable breakfast stops that won't break the bank.
- What are the best budget-friendly restaurants near the Florida Citrus Tower?
- The Crooked Spoon at 200 Citrus Tower Blvd is a good pick, rated 4.4 from 2786 reviews. It's within walking distance of the tower and offers decent prices for a sit-down meal.
- Are there any cheap Mexican food places in Clermont?
- Pepe's Cantina Clermont on W Minneola Ave is your top choice, rated 4.7 from 4978 reviews. Sr. Tequila Mexican Grill on Cagan Crossings Blvd is another option, rated 4.1 from 2870 reviews. Both serve affordable Mexican fare.
- Where can I get a cheap steak dinner in Clermont?
- Texas Roadhouse on S Hwy 27 is rated 4.5 from 4417 reviews, and Outback Steakhouse on E Hwy 50 is rated 4.6 from 5048 reviews. Both offer value-priced steaks, especially during lunch specials.
- What cheap eats are good for families with kids in Clermont?
- Culver's on Johns Lake Rd is a family-friendly fast-casual spot rated 4.4 from 3290 reviews. Cracker Barrel on E Hwy 50 also works, rated 4.2 from 3584 reviews, with a kids' menu and a store to browse.
- Is there a cheap place to eat near Waterfront Park?
- Miller's Ale House on S Grand Hwy is about a mile from Waterfront Park and rated 4.6 from 3640 reviews. It has reasonable pub prices. For a quick bite, Denny's on Town Center Blvd is also close, rated 4.0.
Every business named above is one we hold a listing for, and every date traces to a source on our sources page. We do not describe menus, interiors or service we have not verified. Details change — confirm before you travel.