The Grinder

1300 N 2nd St, El Cajon
(619) 442-8444

Recent Reviews Order Online

Customers' Favorites

Ham and Cheese Footlong
Godfather Sandwich
Turkey Bacon Club
Pastrami Sandwich
Meatball Sandwich
Lettuce Sandwhich
Provolone Cheese
The James Special
Turkey Sandwich
Cold Pastrami

Menu

Sandwiches
6" The Godfather Sandwich
6" B.L.T Sandwich
Bacon with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Roast Beef Sandwich
Roast beef with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
12" Combo Sandwich
Ham and salami with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Ham & Turkey Sandwich
Ham and turkey with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Hot Pastrami
Hot (only the meat is heated) with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Combo Sandwich
Ham and salami with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Turkey Sandwich
Turkey with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
12" Turkey Sandwich
Turkey with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" James Special Sandwich
Ham, salami, cold pastrami, meatball, provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt, pepper and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Deluxe Sandwich
Ham, salami and meatball with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Ham Sandwich
Ham with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Tuna Sandwich
Tuna with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Vegetarian Sandwich
Provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Salami Sandwich
Salami with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Meatball Sandwich
Meatball with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Cold Pastrami
Cold pastrami with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
6" Sausage Sandwich
Sliced mild italian link sausage, marinara sauce with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
12" B.L.T Sandwich
Bacon with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
12" Tuna Sandwich
Tuna with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.
12" Vegetarian Sandwich
Provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and oil. All sandwiches come with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, black pepper, and oil.

Salads
Tuna Salad
Tuna ( let us know if you want it mixed with mayo or straight out of the can) with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Combo Salad
Ham, salami, provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt, and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Vegetarian Salad
Provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Meatball Salad
Meatball with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Ham & Turkey Salad
Ham and turkey with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Deluxe Salad
Ham, salami, meatball, provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
James Special Salad
Ham, salami, cold pastrami, meatball, provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Godfather Salad
Ham, salami, cold pastrami, roast beef, meatball, sausage, provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil, and vinegar on the side.
Turkey Salad
Turkey with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Ham Salad
Ham with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt & pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
BLT Salad (Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato)
Bacon with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, lettuce, tomato, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Salami Salad
Salami with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Hot Pastrami Salad
Hot pastrami with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Cold Pastrami Salad
Cold pastrami with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Roast Beef Salad
Roast beef with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.
Sausage Salad
Mild italian link sausage with provolone cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt & pepper. Dressing on the side. Any sandwich can be made into a salad. All salads include cheese, avocado, black olives, onions, pepperoncinis, salt and black pepper. Your dressing choice is ranch or oil and vinegar on the side.

Drinks
Coke
Diet Coke
Dr. Pepper
Diet Dr. Pepper
Sprite
A&W Root Beer
A&W Diet Root Beer
A & W Cream Soda
7 Up
Diet 7 Up
Ginger Ale
Arizona Green Tea
Arizona Arnold Palmer (1/2) & (1/2) Tea
Arizona Raspberry Tea
Arizona Mucho Mango
Arizona Sweet Tea
Arizona Lemon Tea
Water

Dirty Brand Kettle Potato Chips

Salt & Vinegar
Jalapeno
Mesquite BBQ
Maui Onion
Funky Fusion
Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt
Sea Salt

Lays Potato Chips

Lays Original Classic Chips
Lays BBQ Chips
Lays Sour Cream & Onion
Nacho Doritos
Cheddar & Sour Cream Ruffles
Fritos
Cheetos

Photos

Photo credit: google
Photo credit: google
Photo credit: google
+54 photos
Photo credit: google
+53 photos
Add a photo

Recent Reviews

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.
October 2025
The Grinder, located in El Cajon is a family owned and operated Italian sandwich shop founded in 1963! I ordered the Hot Pastrami with all the fixings. It came loaded with meat. I love this place because it is family owned, and because they are proudly Christian. Inside, you will see a cross on the wall, as well as scripture; and, they are closed on Sundays. The inside of the shop is small, and they are super busy, so you may have to wait a while ... BUT IT'S DEFINITELY...
September 2025
Not gonna lie, a little let down that my orthodontist up the street didn’t tell me about this spot lol

THE GRINDER IS IN FACT, A MEAL IN ITSELF. If you solve an homemade, old school, local sandwich shop, this is the spot! I got the James and was not disappointed one bit! The bread was soft, the ingredients fresh, the meat choices, chefs kiss! The perfect balance of mess and precision, is what will keep me coming back here.

Last but not least,...
September 2025

More Reviews

You May Also Like

Los Chavos - 1340 N 2nd St
Mexican, Vegetarian
Valerio's Mexican Food - 1267 N 2nd St
Mexican, Tacos, Vegetarian
Rita's Mexican Food - 1209 N 2nd St Ste 108
Mexican, Vegetarian

The Grinder

1300 N 2nd St, El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 442-8444