Restaurants in El Cajon

“Grand Slam of a place ! Been coming since childhood and never disappointed.”

“We’ve been going to Antique Row Cafe for 20+years. The food is great with ample portions. The service is excellent.”

“Great spot for a cortado and the occasional pastry! Highly recommend.”

“Loved everything we got tonight, the chicken sandwich, pulled pork, amazing! So were the fried Mac and cheese balls!!!!”

“Fresh and tasty food in a nice environment.”

“Food is always on point and the people very friendly. But I wonder how important cleanliness is, it feels that everytime I go, the tables and floor are a mess. I get that a lot are disgusting and don't know how to clean after themselves, but as a restaurant, they should consider cleaning the dinning area. Hope this doesn't come off in a wrong way, but that's an important part in my opinion.”

“I got dubai chocolate strawberries from this location and I’m pretty sure the guy who made them is named Mounaf they were so good he has the best customer service ever and he’s so sweet and helpful the cups were amazing.”

“Stopped in for a late lunch and witnessed the GM, Philip, handle an erratic and aggressive customer with calm and utmost professionalism. He apologized to us for the incident, although clearly he was not responsible for that person's rude behavior. We had delicious sandwiches and enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere. We WILL be back!”

“my husband and I came here with our good friends to celebrate her birthday (and she’s really old) lol and we had Brandy as our server she was fantastic!.”

“Their fish and chips and burgers are one of the best i have ever had . In my opinion its better than in n out.”

“Awesome food. It never disappoints. You’ll be glad you came.”

“good customer service, clean place and very nice food along with a good price. Thanks”

“Excellente calidad 💯 tacos Mexicanos 👌”

“banana cream espresso was worth the 7$ so good”

“The place was amazing and the food was delicious”

“Really good food. Extremely attentive staff. Thank you for a wonderful 40th Anniversary dinner!”

“Loved Saturday, and Sunday breakfast at Gillespie Field. A great staff of folks, and a must visit if your only on vacation.”

“My first time here was amazing, so I had to return for a second time. The menu is great for gluten free customers. Great selection and manager and staff very helpful and friendly”

“Very good food and very good service”

“Great tasting food wonderful service”

“What can I say, when you travel to California you must eat like the natives. This was extremely delicious and the grilled onions in the burger Were Somehow better here than they were back home. Go california, go in and out burger!”

“Me encanto el lugar que es muy familiar♥️”

“Delicious breakfasts 😋 and good service”

“I love this place. I love many items on their menu. Here are few: Ribeye Tikka is amazing. Their Hummus and Falafel is so good, falafel is crispy. Their shawarma wraps and plates are so satisfying. Their house made chips reminds me of Baghdad Iraq. Fattoush salad is so good. And most importantly great service and people 🫶😊❤️”

“Always excellent food and service. Great pad Thai and Great Yellow Curry. A favorite.”

“Never had a bad experience here. The staff are always super friendly and make you feel welcomed and take good care of us. This is our favorite no-frills, reliably good food, hole in the wall spot. Our son loves the food here too! Highly recommend”

“I’d come back again. Great customer service..”

“Been going here for years !!!”

“This place gets pretty busy on weekends! The parking lot may be full but you can still park along the street. It’s pretty large so there’s usually seats. I love the borracho fries, so good! Also the pulled pork and the cheeseburger are tasty too. The service is good as well. My one complaint is they run out of their popular items by 2pm, tri tip and hot links get sold out really fast. I know they can only bbq so much but maybe add some more of the popular meats?”

“I went to Hilltop Deli today for lunch for a standard (my basic) roast beef sandwich; roast beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, on sourdough. Not only was the sandwich on point, it came with my choice of side (I wasn’t expecting). It was all so good and I have no need for dinner tonight. Well worth the visit. Staff is A+, too.”

“Pasta and pizzas are delicious. Prices are very reasonable.”

“Very solid burrito 🌯 had at this taco shop! Big sized California burrito, check out that picture next to water bottle.
Salsa was tasty and ran legit hot. Yummy marinated carrots 🥕 onions 🌰 jalapeño + peppers 🌶.
Good counter service, seemed family run. I left happy and definitely feel full!”

“I have been craving good Thai for a few years. I have tried some not good and some okay other places. Thai Time is so good. The aromas of the spices tortured my already empty stomach with the enticement of good food to come. I have fallen in love with the food and customer service. I will be back as my budget allows.”

“I have eaten Vietnamese cuisine throughout California, and Grandpa Tao ranks among the best. In addition to the amazing tastes, the casual restaurant is friendly and comfortable. Ingredients are fresh, the environment clean and relaxing. I particularly recommend the Pho, the Rice Vermicelli (try it!) and the Shaking beef. You'll like it.”

“Great place with great food and great service, will definitely come back!”

“Love the food, worth the waiting time.”

“This family does everything right, the food is authentic and always delicious, huge portions and a great value for the price. the young man who I believe is the grandson is so kind and polite when he delivers the food, he even remembers me. Thank you to the entire family for old school food and service. 🙏”

“AMAZING FOOD!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! SO DELICIOUS!!!!”

“Super delicioso 😋 super recomendado”

“Excellent service, friendly atmosphere..food very satisfying”

“This place is so delicious. I’ve been coming here for like 20 years. It still taste all the same if not better. 5 rolled tacos with guacamole and a carne asada burrito no sour cream… lots of salsa cucumbers carrots omg such a great flavor. Unfortunately I moved to Los Angeles with my pops. Pops is the best the unfortunately is there isn’t a La posta arrrr. My mother lives in San Diego so that’s the first stop issssssss LA POSTA. A++++++++++++ Hands down……”

“Had a great brunch today with my daughter!”

“I love that not only is there a Colimas in both North Park and Bonita, but East county El Cajon as well. Great employees here and I love my Carne asada Nacho cheese fries!”

“Testo Pepesto Italian Restaurant is centrally located on Main Street in downtown El Cajon. It is a great family-owned restaurant with delicious food and friendly service. Best pizza and pasta in El Cajon! They also bake their own tasty bread. Everything is absolutely YUMMY!!!”

“My wife and I are picky when it comes to Chinese food. Generally we find most places too oily, but we were surprised to find this is not the case here. We ordered the House Lo-Mein Noodle and Honey Walnut Shrimp. Both dishes were excellent and honestly anong the best in the San Diego area. The taste is authentic! Don't miss out on this amazing place!”

“Monster Taco's the BEST!”

“I recently tried this place and found they make a good California burrito. Portions are somewhat small compared to other taco shops I have visited. People working have always been friendly.”

“maybe things have changed since all of the bad reviews, but one thing I can say is this is not a 2.7 star establishment. would i go here if I had other options available? no. but this place will take care of you when no other place is open, and the food is honestly decent. not great, but decent. can't complain when its almost 2am and we were starving”

“I love the taco salad , it’s so good :)”

“Best bacon, eggs, cheese burrito with sour cream and a hot sauce is great!! Real bacon and it’s throughout the entire burrito on the first bite all the way to the last bite plenty of eggs plenty of cheese plenty of sour cream just the way I love it. Hot sauce is perfect. The red hot sauce best guaranteed biggest burrito in town price is normal just like any other place. I give them five stars.”

“The first time I seen this building when I was a little kid it was a picnic and chicken. But the Taco Shop is pretty good it's delicious and the hot sauce is fire”

“Best chicken shawarma wrap I’ve ever had in my life, and the nicest people serving too! Definitely should try this food truck if you are downtown!”

“Yumm. No cayenne heat in the sauce which I appreciate, just flavorful spices. Idk if there is cayenne or not it’s just not hot. Liked potato salad and loved the beans n fries.”

“nice place and very good and taste”

“I always go to the same location right before my late night shift and I am always greeted with a friendly face that’s always eager to help me. Thank you sombreros for your great food and excellent service!”

“Amazingly consistent…Every bite feels like the result of years of perfecting balance and flavor. You can taste the care and craft that goes into every sandwich — from the fresh ingredients to the thoughtful layering. Whatever you order, it’s always just right. Truly a masterpiece in sandwich form.”

“Where should I start…This is one of the best pizza shops in El Cajon. The service here is always amazing and the employees are very helpful and kind. 10/10 would recommend and definitely will be returning.”

“Amazing! Great options and friendly environment!!”

“This was our first time here and the food was good and fresh. Service was welcoming, patient and kind. The restaurant was not busy when we came, so parking was no issue. Prices were equivalent to surrounding restaurants.”

“I love their weekly flavors”

“We've been ordering sandwiches from this deli for a few yrs now... they're reasonably priced & soooo good!! ♡ u guys! Thank u Danny for always makin sure our take out orders are correct & ready to go when we get there 😁 *Support Small/Family Owned Businesses!* Thank u from all of us at All 4 Pets - Santee #all4petssantee”

“Best place to get tacos. Haven't tried their other menu items yet but I'm looking forward to it. Very chill vibe . Has a home vibe to it ! I like it a lot !”

“I was looking for a breakfast spot with soufflé pancakes and Tappi’s Cafe popped up, so we made the 20-minute drive and it was totally worth it! The menu was super unique, and the Dubai Chocolate waffles were definitely the standout for me. It’s more of a no-frills spot but the food was absolutely delicious and the service was great too. Shoutout to Mia for taking such good care of us. I’ll definitely be coming back to try more of their savory dishes!”

“Great customer service and delicious tea!! Love the custom drinks and adding coconut to anything is fantastic. Erica is a great barista and I"ll definitely be back and bring my friends! So friendly, knowledgeable, and professional.”

“Everything on the menu , It’s all good !”

“I like the bean burritos.”

“The first time that I came here, I was passing by and decided to stop which was a great choice! Drove a little out of my way today just to come back and glad that I did. Delicious food, friendly staff & fair prices. I noticed that they had pleasant background music playing too.”

“Super nice people dident take long to have my order ready I made a post on fb looking for a big pizza and a bunch of friends recommended this place I’m happy I gave it a try my family is happy and we only finished half the pizza it was perfect thank you for your service 🙏🙏🙏🙏 will be back soon I posted pictures of the after lol thank you guys”

“Had the fish tacos on Friday at the bar because my buddy is having walking issues as it turns out it was a good call had the patron Cadillac margaritas with a double gray goose vodka neat on the side 👌 the tacos were top notch our server Deanna was on point friendly and not to mention she's GORGEOUS!! Going back for the Sunday Buffet everything put out is always delicious but my favorite is the menudo!! I guess I'll hover around that bowl 🥣 do your self a favor go there and enjoy you won't be sorry”

“First time going here! I was skeptical at first because it’s a bit smaller than i’d like, but it turns out its a lot of fun and not as intimidating as the bigger places and $7 for 1 good sized beer, that’s a good deal! I will be returning soon, so much fun and they play plenty of todays hits and songs I know how to dance to, also no cover charge on Wednesdays!!”

“I recommend La Cresta especially for Taco Tuesday.”

“Breakfast Burritos are to die for. Absolutely delicious. And the same person at the counter (dunno her name but feel like she’s always working when we go in) is always super polite and smiling without going overboard.
They just renovated a larger dining room that’s super cute too.
Will be back, but they already know that :)”

“Finding this little cafe was the highlight of my day- I walked in after traveling all over looking for apartments as I’m moving. Wary and exhausted, I stumble in and am immediately greeted by everyone as if I’m a regular and just walked into a place I consider home. The chef told me he makes great biscuits and gravy, and he wasn’t lying whatsoever- they’re the best I’ve personally ever tried. Everyone here is so friendly, welcoming, the service is great and the atmosphere is cozy and diner-esque which is just what you need after a long day.”

“Been going there over 30 years.. Forget those chain pizza places, seriously, this place always feels like home when I go. That guy has heart, and his dough and sauce are on point! Keep it up Sam! Much Love.. I can't believe no one else has posted here till now.”

“Love it there, the lady and son and workers are really nice 👍”

“Sierra does beautiful work. Very talented. I highly recommend Sierra for all your baked goods. You won’t be disappointed.🎂👍”

“Absolutely love it this place”

“This is dakine place to eat definitely go for the mocha loco.It's amazing customer service was excellent.Administered was great. I would definitely go there over and over again”

“Fool was locked out got me what I wanted”

“yummy yummy yummy...my niecy recommended thos restaurant and it didn't disappoint. Large portions and friendly service.”

“Found Funky Burgers and Fries today. I just wanted a Strawberry Shake. It was awesome! Made with quality ingredients and care. The service was excellent. I’ll be back to try their Burgers & Fries👍”

“The WWJD is really good 😊”

“Gyros House in El Cajon is a great spot for anyone looking for flavorful Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food at an affordable price. The restaurant is well known for its fresh ingredients, generous portions, and friendly service. Popular menu items such as the chicken shawarma, gyro sandwiches, and falafel are packed with flavor and served with warm pita bread and tasty sauces. Although the restaurant has a simple food-court style atmosphere, many customers enjoy the quick service and quality of the food. Overall, Gyros House is a solid choice for delicious and satisfying Mediterranean cuisine in El Cajon.
DON”

“The best Cheesesteak I’ve had in years, I’ll definitely be back. The Vanilla Cream soda was pretty awesome as well! I chowed down before I took a photo.
To Antonia who left a 1 star review because it mistakenly had onions, get over it. I’m pretty sure they’ll make you a new one.🙄”

“Visiting the area & stopped in because it was close to where we were - glad we did. The best frappes we’ve had, no joke! Cozy little coffee shop. Good service.”

“Best fish and chips and fried zucchini is amazing. Long wait in drive through but get a shake and you will be happy. Peanut butter butter banana is my favorite”

“It's in the mall, but SO much better than Panda Express, been going here since I was 15, they make amazing Sushi whivh is very hearty/savory and light, they also offer combination plates with basic Asian cuisine like orange chicken, beef and broccoli, and curry chicken. They also offer rice bowls and bento boxes.”

“' ' ' ' We Love The House Special Fried Rice. Yum Yum Yum 😋🤤🤤🤤. Great Staff Very Great Nice People. ' ' ' '”

“This is frequently our pit stop on rides. We love Main Street Donuts & Deli. Great food, great service.”

“I had a pretty good corn dog from this Korean Fry House at the Parkway Plaza Food Court. I ordered the Premium Beef Corn Dog or the #2 for $5.29 plus tax.

The corn dog was good. The beef dog inside was tasty and the batter on the outside was crispy, although the inside of the batter could have used a little more time in the fryer. You can add a variety of toppings and sauces to the corn dog. I went with just mustard and garlic powder. It was a good flavor combination.

The older gent running the counter was friendly.”

“Y’all are bomb. Y’all about to see me everyday. If I’m in the office, guarantee I’m grabbing a blendee on my breakee.”

“muy rica la comida, muy buena atención y excelente chef”

“La Casitas Grill and seafood went above and beyond to support a local fundraiser the rice,beans, and fajitas were delicious. We can't thank you enough for not just feeding the community but being part of it. Great food served by wonder people. Thank you again and again.”

“very good food, blue tacos for the win”

“It was very easy to find and parking on the street, right in front. There was parking in the back but we didn’t use it. We found them on google and were able to peruse their menu prior to arriving. We had the large salad that was made by them after filling out a small order form with what you would like. The proteins were extra. I had the large salad and added egg and chicken. The serving was plentiful and the protein addition was hearty (4 ounces my guess). Two large salads (3 proteins total and two soft drink cans—under $40). My husband needed a restroom and they did not have one for public use. That was a drag. He had to go down the street to find one. The place was relatively clean and there were about 5 booths to choose from. The music was a bit annoying. Staff was friendly!”

“Walking in I can smell fresh bread, and the music is great classic songs definitely feel the vibe, employees are always kind and helpful. The restraunt is always clean when I go, from the grill to the counters to the tables. The iced tea is fresh and made with care. There always seems to be at least two employees there if not more. The freshly sliced meats and veggies hit the spot. I enjoy the #2 Jersey shore #13 Italian and #7 turkey. The Philly is great too. Thanks for keeping it a sub above. Stay classy and vibin.”

“To Jimmy and the Domino's Pizza team at El Cajon on Broadway, I wanted to send a quick note of encouragement to express how awesome it is that Jimmy always greets everyone with the same smile and provides uplifting customer service, regardless of age. Your non-judgmental demeanor is truly remarkable. Keep up the fantastic work in creating a welcoming atmosphere for all customers! Alexandra”

“my husband and I came here with our good friends to celebrate her birthday (and she’s really old) lol and we had Brandy as our server she was fantastic!.”

“Best fish and chips and fried zucchini is amazing. Long wait in drive through but get a shake and you will be happy. Peanut butter butter banana is my favorite”

“Loved Saturday, and Sunday breakfast at Gillespie Field. A great staff of folks, and a must visit if your only on vacation.”

“Great customer service and delicious tea!! Love the custom drinks and adding coconut to anything is fantastic. Erica is a great barista and I"ll definitely be back and bring my friends! So friendly, knowledgeable, and professional.”

“This place is so delicious. I’ve been coming here for like 20 years. It still taste all the same if not better. 5 rolled tacos with guacamole and a carne asada burrito no sour cream… lots of salsa cucumbers carrots omg such a great flavor. Unfortunately I moved to Los Angeles with my pops. Pops is the best the unfortunately is there isn’t a La posta arrrr. My mother lives in San Diego so that’s the first stop issssssss LA POSTA. A++++++++++++ Hands down……”

“I'm a big fan of chimmh chungu burritos and they do a fantastic job with the food. Excellent ingredients very good quality and lots of it! Well done!”

“I have been craving good Thai for a few years. I have tried some not good and some okay other places. Thai Time is so good. The aromas of the spices tortured my already empty stomach with the enticement of good food to come. I have fallen in love with the food and customer service. I will be back as my budget allows.”

“I love their strawberry/ banana fruit cup specially when they're freshly made. Helen and co-worker were very nice.”

“I LIKE THE SERVICE AND THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTS . THE FRESH MEATS ARE EXCELLANT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MARKET”

“Yumm. No cayenne heat in the sauce which I appreciate, just flavorful spices. Idk if there is cayenne or not it’s just not hot. Liked potato salad and loved the beans n fries.”

“Vaso de fruits very refreshing on a hot day.”

“I have eaten Vietnamese cuisine throughout California, and Grandpa Tao ranks among the best. In addition to the amazing tastes, the casual restaurant is friendly and comfortable. Ingredients are fresh, the environment clean and relaxing. I particularly recommend the Pho, the Rice Vermicelli (try it!) and the Shaking beef. You'll like it.”

“Fool was locked out got me what I wanted”

“The place was amazing and the food was delicious”

“I’d come back again. Great customer service..”

“Grand Slam of a place ! Been coming since childhood and never disappointed.”

“I love their weekly flavors”

“What can I say, when you travel to California you must eat like the natives. This was extremely delicious and the grilled onions in the burger Were Somehow better here than they were back home. Go california, go in and out burger!”

“I got dubai chocolate strawberries from this location and I’m pretty sure the guy who made them is named Mounaf they were so good he has the best customer service ever and he’s so sweet and helpful the cups were amazing.”

“Food is always on point and the people very friendly. But I wonder how important cleanliness is, it feels that everytime I go, the tables and floor are a mess. I get that a lot are disgusting and don't know how to clean after themselves, but as a restaurant, they should consider cleaning the dinning area. Hope this doesn't come off in a wrong way, but that's an important part in my opinion.”

“Best chicken shawarma wrap I’ve ever had in my life, and the nicest people serving too! Definitely should try this food truck if you are downtown!”

“Stopped in for a late lunch and witnessed the GM, Philip, handle an erratic and aggressive customer with calm and utmost professionalism. He apologized to us for the incident, although clearly he was not responsible for that person's rude behavior. We had delicious sandwiches and enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere. We WILL be back!”

“Been going to sombrero for years. Idk what happened but the burrito got smaller. Disappointed because the Mexican man on the logo has his hands measuring a burrito and emphasizing size. This was my go to for years for the value. I’ll go to mofles in santee now.”

“I love Dennies. Lol 1000x better then ihop”

“Found Funky Burgers and Fries today. I just wanted a Strawberry Shake. It was awesome! Made with quality ingredients and care. The service was excellent. I’ll be back to try their Burgers & Fries👍”

“If you’re craving fast, flavorful Mediterranean food in Las Vegas, Greek Chicken Café should be on your radar. You can grab it as a plate, a pita, or piled into a rice bowl—with sides like golden roasted potatoes, fluffy rice, and cool, creamy tzatziki that’ll have you licking the fork. Everything’s made fresh, and most meals won’t break the $15 mark. The star of the menu? Rotisserie chicken that’s marinated in lemon, garlic, and herbs, then slow-roasted until it practically falls apart. And if you’re short on time, their takeout game is strong. Cravings satisfied!”

“love raising cane's but today...fries were minimal, chck pcs seriously small and the sprite...is more faucet water than pop....I will still come, cause I love your chckn...hopefully it was just a fluke day and next will.be better”

“Awesome food. It never disappoints. You’ll be glad you came.”

“Probably the best deli in San Diego. My wife and I have gone here a few times and the sandwiches blow us away every time. The service is top notch. Mr.RayRay is a really nice guy and I've never seen somebody take so much pride in making sandwiches. Each sandwich he makes is a piece of culinary art. 10/10 recommend. Must try.”

“This is my first time visiting this family owned and operated family restaurant and it was an amazing experience. We were greeted by Pierre and he was professional, kind, and very informative of all the items on the menu. Everything on the menu looked great and hard to decide what to dive into. The restaurant is very clean open and very bright. I ordered the liver skewers with biryani rice. The skewers very flavorful, tender, and grilled to perfection, paired well with the onion, pickled beets, and pickles. The biryani was delicious. My wife had the beef shawarma sandwich on Arabic bread, which was tender and tasty. The potions are larger than expected which was great! We finished with a cup of hot tea. If you’re looking for some authentic Iraqi food, I highly recommend Al Awael, you will not be disappointed 😋”

“To start off, not a food reviewer but I had to come on here to give this shop a review! Husband and I just got 2 smash burgers and a fry. Let me just say WOW… (and we’ve tried 10+ smash burger joints all around the San Diego area) Fries were dropped fresh in the fryer the second we ordered, which you don’t get everywhere now days. Nothing but good things to say about the smash burger, fries and their signature “Sizzle” burger sauce! This place deserves the hype! This will be our new smash spot.”

“Absolutely LOVE this place, they have beautiful dish ware and their food and drinks are absolutely delicious! I appreciate their service and beautiful culture! 1000000/10 Recommend! 🤍”

“Giving this place 5 stars for their excellent service. I didn’t catch her name, but the young lady working there was very kind and let me know the drink could be remade if I didn’t like it. The drink was tasty!
I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite tea in SD, but there’s not many boba spots in east county, which is why I’m giving it 5 stars regardless. I’d definitely come again if I’m in the area :)”

“Excelente experiencia! 🙏🏻 Tengo años sin probar comida verdaderamente autentica mexicana en SD! Todos te hacen sentir en casa desde que llegas y la comida esta riquísima 🙌🏼 Volveremos pronto!! Gracias!!!♥️”

“Such a great place to stop for a quick bite and good drinks! Bean and cheese burrito and my latte were so good, definitely will be back next time I’m in the area!”

“Ammu central
You come in and order. Friendly and communicative service.
Entire restaurant at 12:20am is uncles playing cards, smoking hookah, eating, and drinking tea. Very casual and comfortable

Ordered fish and rice. Good food”

“Second time buying Keto gluten free bread at this friendly stand in the Little Italy farmer's market and it is delicious! You often cannot use the word delicious for bread on this restrictive diet. Their cakes are a delight as well. The new olive loaf is tangy and can be used in many ways. Thank you for your Alchemy.”

“First timer. The food was delicious! Portions were generous and the prices were great. They had good options for everyone including kids. Bathroom was nice and clean as well. We will definitely be coming back.”

“Great authentic afghani food with welcoming service and very good price. I went with my family and everyone enjoyed the evening. Looking forward to visiting again. Thank you Zaytoon staff.”

“food is amazing 😋 highly recommend”

“One of the best restaurant in san Diego especially if you want serve afghani foods the have very tasty foods but make sure do not order stake and barbecue in evening and night”

“I just went in to pick up my take out order, so I can't comment on a dine in experience. I did notice it was loud and there was a lot of dirty tables, but it might not always be like that. The lady that handed me my bag was nice and I didn't have to wait long to pick it up. The food was as expected, but it wasn't hot by the time I got home so had to microwave it, but that wasn't their fault, it's just what happens when you don't dine in and eat right away. Thanks Chipotle!”