Restaurants in Santee

“I would have given a 5 star on the food, but since the water or soda that is served has ice in it, you get a 4. Putting a filtration system on the city water supply is a must in a city that has hard water like Santee has. The water and ice from the water taste nasty !!! When you put the ice from a non filtered water supply, the soda and ice tea then will carry that nasty flavor into the drink. I drank my wine without chilling it with ice, so that I could enjoy the flavor of my wine.”

“Valentin was our waiter and he is excellent, the best!”

“We’ve been so happy with each dinning experience we’ve had at Tsunami! The service is excellent and their food extraordinary! The sushi is fresh and they have their own unique creations as well as the classics. Their tempura is a delight and the prawns are crazy good! If you’re a sushi fan, this is a must go!!!”

“My roommates and I love sushi. We tried several sushi restaurants around Santee and East County. However, we always end up coming back to Takka. We’ve never had a bad meal. We’ve never had bad service. Everyone is so nice and friendly and the atmosphere is very comfortable. We enjoy coming here very much.

Side note… get the Monkey Balls. You have to get the Monkey Balls.”

“Riquísima comida lo atiende muy bien y rápido salimos muy contentas del Restauran mil grasias feliz ańo”

“Best breakfast in East San Diego County and top-notch service from our server Mary!”

“I absolutely love Marieta's in Santee. The food is delicious and the service is amazing. I have been enjoying this place since I was 16 years old and I have always felt like part of their family. Be sure to visit Pedro in the bar!”

“We have been there a few times.Great food. And very polite staff.Tonite we had the pleasure to have Gabriel has our waiter.He was so polite and very respectful. YOU DON'T find to many young people with respect .You have a keeper in that your man..thanks KERRY &NANCY CHASE. PS see you next time”

“The service is amazing every time, but Brenda and John are our favorite servers by far. From the banter to their suggestions, they are amazing servers and truly make it an experience every time! And Brenda is an outstanding bartender :)”

“Love they're food and prices are reasonable. Especially with discount of you eat in the restaurant. My favorite sushi restaurant!”

“Don't let the rating fool you. This place is great! The staff always takes of me when I go in. I was there tonight.”

“The sushi , hibachi, fried rice is amazing could be bigger of a sitting for Japanese restaurant. I think they need more staff we came here for dinner and the servers, boh were confused about orders to go and the guy from boh was really loud with the lady servers in the front of house the women were very busy. Other than that the food is delicious.”

“We picked up food yesterday during their grand opening in Santee. Best pesto I’ve ever had! Staff was great too. We will definitely be back.”

“Shout out to Raquel and Elena!!! They bagged everything perfectly, even though I had requests, I was greeted promptly and given a proper wait time for my food! I only wish I could tip them in person. Carry out took 15 minutes tops, and food was delicious 10/10 would come again”

“staff was warm and welcoming as we walked in. Super fast service, 3 different staff check on us to see if we needed anything. food came out in correct order, fresh, and hot! was a nice time. They even said thank you and goodbye on the way out which was nice. first time my hubby and I ate here, we will be back 😋”

“Dine in, Saturday night.

No one at front desk. Sat ourselves, after 15 minutes with no one saying anything, eventually an employee moved us to another section because this area was closed? I was near other customers.

In new area, no one comes over. I’ve now been here for 20 minutes with no server acknowledging me.

Move to the bar. Sarah, the bartender, was super helpful. There clearly aren’t enough employees, as everyone had long wait times.

Eventually ordered food. I ordered MILD wings. 10 wings came out. I suffered through 3 and thought that they must have changed their recipe (I haven’t been in a few years). After 3 wings I couldn’t eat anymore, they were too spicy. I then noticed a sticker on the wings tray and the recipe, that said WILD. I ask Sarah and it turns out B Dubs has wings called WILD and MILD, with drastically different spiciness levels. She promptly removed my wings order from my tab. It turns out WILD is the second hottest wings they sell.

I’m sure this mistake has to happen, franchise wide, numerous times per day. Dear Mr. Buffalo, please consider renaming your WILD wings to ‘insane’, ‘crazy’, ‘extreme’, just anything that doesn’t rhyme with MILD.

Luckily, Sarah (bartender) and the great reverse happy hour made up for the seating and spicy issues. I’ll be back, but I hope they clearly denote “closed” sections in the restaurant in the future.”

“Consistently great, fresh food, generous portions, and very healthy; friendly service; good rewards program which pays off more often than most. It’s my favorite local restaurant!”

“First time to Broken Yolk Cafe. Loved the atmosphere and great food! The people who work there are so friendly makes you feel like you’re home💕Thank you Ron for my bread and the ladies behind the bar for wonderful drinks!!! We will definitely be back if I am rating it on a scale of 10 I give it a 20.”

“The 4 of us came here for lunch got a pizza in a box and a chicken ceasar salad. -no plates no napkins no silverware and when we asked it seemed as tho we were bothering them...”

“Always nice to have a treat. We love the variety offered and there’s usually something for everyone. Our local store is very friendly, efficient and the cookies are always great!”

“it's always a great place to eat. It hits the spot everytime. Dawson was so kind taking the order. I appreciate great Customer Service !”

“Great atmosphere and better beer! Love this place.”

“The vermicelli bowl was delicious and filling. I order online and pick it up. Both times I went, they had the food ready in time and the staff was super friendly. Highly recommend trying this place out!”

“Cozy little Cafe. Very clean. Friendly staff. Great coffee drinks. Delicious pastries. Love this place!❤”

“The low carb salmon plate was incredible. it includes soup or salad, asparagus and portobello mushrooms. I chose the salad and it was huge and delicious and all that for only $16.99! Top gourmet quality food. I will be going back. So many choices and all of it looked incredible!”

“great spot to eat, delicious sandwiches, the ya mama's special is awesome!! highly recommended, haven't had a bad experience, thank you to all the staff your awesome”

“One of the best! It's delicious! Clean! Nice!
The soup is great! A huge piece of delicious meat will delight anyone!
I highly recommend it!
This place is one of my favorites now!”

“Great portions and great taste. Very friendly servers, I recommend.”

“The food was amazing and the staff was friendly and accommodating. We got an entree, 2 appetizers and 2 Thai teas for $40 is amazing price. It fed me and my sister with left overs! Great food affordable price👏🏻 Definitely coming back soon.”

“great food! love this place 😀”

“Good service good food good price just like the old days Good job”

“Literally one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve ever had. They delivered 25 min after my order was placed. Fries were still crispy!!! Very delicious.”

“super friendly and cozy and comfortable”

“massive burgers and everything ive tried is amazing. only area i would like to see improved is offering combos (burger + fries).”

“10/10 I love it. After our hike my family and friends stop by for some breakfast and it hit the spot.”

“The cake we ordered exceeded my expectations by far I have a very general theme and color and it came out amazing!!! The flavor was perfect seriously the best cake ever!! Once again beyond happy and I will continue to get all my cakes here 🫶🏼”

“The kalbi, BBQ chicken, and teriyaki beef are all must trys! Also really enjoyed the lilikoi lemonade. Staff was very friendly, restrooms were clean, and the seating was plentiful.”

“Get this all the time! Used to do shows where free cheese pizza was included with the show and it was always a hit. Very cool people that work there. BBQ chicken and the Popeye my wife loves and I get pepperoni with anchovies.”

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“I went to the Full Circle Saloon and they played this degrading song that said “A lap dance is better when the stripper is crying. Well I find it quite a thrill when she grinds me against her will.” More lyrics from this song say ” I told Bambi I wanted to skin her….. and wear her face like a mask. I have to admit it was even more of a turn-on when I found out she was doin’ me to buy baby formula.” This is a a song appropriate for serial killers and John’s who rape sex workers who are forced by their situation to work against their will. The bartender was angry and irritated with me when I asked to him to please turn it off. Two other female workers were unconcerned. The Female owner Michelle Bailey said she will not be a song N*** and did not offer to do anything about it. Oh She said there is a guy there that likes to play this song when he plays pool. If people there accept this happening I will vote by not going there.”

“I’ve eaten here twice in 3 days, and would go back in an instant. So much food, and so so good. The self-serve agua frescas were great too. Highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

“We go to Donutopolis a couple times a month and they are always so friendly and the donuts are delicious! ❤❤”

“My mom was visiting San Diego with my neither and brought home a box. This backlava is delicious!!!! El Paso, TX approved!!!”

“the waitress was very nice and the food was good 👍 😋 👌”

“Great food and personal service. I commented that I was sharing the burrito with my bride and was asked if I’d like them to cut it in half for me. 👍”

“Casual, fun, good music, cool workers.”

“Amazing tacos! You have to try the Red Taco!!! It is the best deal I have ever found in California. Two huge tacos and a drink for $14! Wow. If you are ever in Santee you have to try this place.”

“very clean, very friendly and welcoming ladies, thank you for my bogo raspado!”

“awesome coffee, staff and quiet spot”

“I’ve been going here since 1987. The Estrada family are amazing. Always the best food.”

“Best ice cream in the country!”

“Having spent 20 years exploring the vibrant culinary scene in San Diego and visiting over 200 restaurants, I can confidently say that Emma’s Mexican Restaurant stands out as one of the best, hands down.

From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with the warm, inviting atmosphere that feels like a genuine slice of Mexico. The décor is charmingly authentic, and the staff exude a friendliness that makes you feel right at home.

But it’s the food that truly sets Emma’s apart. Every dish is a celebration of traditional Mexican flavors, prepared with the freshest ingredients and a meticulous attention to detail. Whether it’s the perfectly seasoned carne asada, the rich and flavorful mole, or the mouth-watering enchiladas, each bite transports you straight to the heart of Mexico.

What truly impresses me is the consistency and quality of their offerings. Emma’s doesn’t just serve food; they craft an experience. The tortillas are handmade, the salsas burst with freshness, and the portions are generous without compromising on quality.

If you’re a San Diego native or just passing through, Emma’s Mexican Restaurant is a must-visit. It’s a testament to the rich culinary heritage of Mexico and a shining gem in San Diego’s dining landscape. Emma’s has earned its place as a top-tier restaurant, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.”

“Outstanding service and food was very good! Great atmosphere 😊”

“God, everything is delicious! I used to work in front of the restaurant so I’ve tried many options on the menu and today I drove from home (UTC La Jolla) just to have the steak and eggs burrito plus I took one carne assada burrito to go. Without mentioning their sauces are the best. I don’t mind driving from home bc the quality is the best in the city - it’s extremely fresh! 5 starts ❤️🙏 thank you for making me so happy! 🤤”

“Stopped by for the first time and had tons of questions about all the different cakes and flavor and Melia went above and beyond. She was not only incredibly kind, but also so patient and genuinely helpful. It made the whole experience feel welcoming and fun.”

“Great good tritip and pickled purple onion sandwich with jam. Fantastic beer I had two IPAs the Revolver and the Lawman. My friend got a smoked old fashion I had a sip delicious!”

“I enjoy their calzones, pizza, sandwiches & Greek salads. However, for the first time I ordered a pastrami on roll with red onions, pickles and mustard.
IT WAS THE WORSE SANDWICH EVER! Two paper thin slices of pastrami, onions were thick hand some were huge. The pickle was a spear. All I could taste were the onions. It's been a while since I've ordered food as I used to a lot pre COVID. Well, I went to three other sandwich shops and no one served pastrami! So I made my own and it was fabulous. See the second photo on the right I made... It's on the round roll.”

“Carlton Oaks is a gorgeous venue with a wonderful staff. Gwen is a cheerful and fun server and my new friend💃…PLUS the food is delicious!”

“Clint is such a giving dude- he supports so many causes in our community and the coffee is yyyummmyyyyy.

The shop is small and simple, he doesn't have any frills but that's what I love about it! No pretentious baristas with their half non fat BS blah blah blah.. straight up great flavored coffee, community and fun.

Bike nights, ride clubs, events and so much more is in store when you drop in on Clint and his coffee shop.

We are proud to call him our community partner , share his coffee, host events at his shop, start rides from his shop and be his friend.

Stop in on Saturday mornings, you won't regret doing so!”

“ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรืออร่อย พนักงานน่ารัก”

“I tried their potato tacos 🌮
Their portion is huge! I wasn't expecting that for only $5! Anyhow it is conveniently located, plenty of parking, and good atmosphere”

“I’ve been going here since 1987. The Estrada family are amazing. Always the best food.”

“I’ve been going here since 1987. The Estrada family are amazing. Always the best food.”

“The food was amazing as always.”

“awesome coffee, staff and quiet spot”

“It’s now one of my sons favorite places”

“Ordered catering and the food was great!! They were 15min late from the pick up time requested. But the gentleman in the front was kind and good about checking and giving me updates! 😁”

“El mejor pollo del mundo Pollo Loco, siempre rico”

“Delicious! Recommend 10/10 🤤🤤”

“fun atmosphere great Boba and teas”

“amazing cupcakes and amazing owners.”

“Relaxed atmosphere, and quick service. Server took and delivered my order fast, and made sure had everything I needed.”

“This has been my go-to spot for years. I won't eat anywhere else for taco shop food in San Diego. I love that it is family owned and the food is incredly fresh, everytime. The ONE thing I missed was birria.

WELL GUESS WHAT!!!?? THEY HAVE IT! I have tried the birria tacos, mini birria tacos,birria quesadilla and the birria nachos. Mini tacos are the best. I loved the nachos too. The amazing gal that works there gave me the sauce she likes on hers and it was amazing. I love you guys. You definitely know that. You hit it out of the park this time! 🙌🏻”

“Absolutely loved my experience at Mr. Birria. The place was clean and inviting, the food was incredibly delicious, and the customer service was friendly and attentive. Highly recommend—will definitely be coming back.”

“Arlene was our server and she did great always made sure we were doing okay throughout our meal. It wasn't too busy but she was the only server working and still have great service.”

“This was a great experience! From the guy who answered my questions over the phone and to the girl who gave me the cake at pick-up. Great staff, great cake, great experience. I placed the custom order online and they came through! The cake was beautiful and delicious.”

“Best L & L bbq out there there's many but these guys put quality in there's they are not all the same they marinate the beef so good here and its so delicious I been coming here for years 😋. Dania is been there for 7 plus years and she always so kind and she will take care of you weather online order or in person. Miguel the cook in the back makes the best food hes amazing. Definitely recommend for you to come here its worth every penny.. yummm would take a puc but ate all my food. Thank you for amazing service always.”

“The BEST Pizza I have ever had. The crust, sauce, cheese, and texture is delicious! I also ordered the Greek Salad that has the freshest ingredients and lovely homemade dressing. 5 STARS !!!”

“Hiberto's is on prospect in santee California. Its a nice restaurant. They have amazing food. I highly recommend them.

I stopped in for lunch while my car was being worked on. I order the carne asada plate and 3 rolled tacos. Came with rice and beans.

5 stars for food staff and clean restaurant. The staff went above and beyond friendly professional and polite. They made sure it was cooked perfect and all was good.
I be back again. Thank you”

“First off, we LOVE the lady behind the counter. If you don't like her, you don't appreciate the hustle. And furthermore, the food is delicious.”

“Food was expensive the quality was not good will not be returning and the quality of the size of the sandwich was ridiculously small”

“If you like a small mom and pop shop with good quality food, this is the place; I love chilaquiles when they are crunchy and not many people get c it right.. this place did great ! ?”

“Yummy chamangos and amazing fruit trays!!”

“Great recommendation to help me on the drive back home to Yuma, 2 1/2 hours. I told the Barista I am not a coffee drinker but needed something to help me stay awake. She recommended a Doppio! I made it home safely. Never heard of it before, grateful I know about it now!”

“Yummy ice cream🥰 and the chicken bits were awesome!!!”

“Brady at the cash register did a phenomenal job at customer service and seeking me as the customers needs he customized my meal to fit my demand, he wasn't acting like a AI robot at the register just taking my order he discovered what i needed. He was fully knowledgeable of the products offered and found exactly what my lunch was, to hit the spot right on my taste buds. Promote him!”

“Had funbbbb bb bbvcxswsxvnnvxdryhvcdfhb”

“I happened upon this place today and fed our crew of workers lunch there. The pizza was fantastic. I wish they were located closer to our area. The people of Santee are lucky to have such a great tasting pizza place to go to. I will go out of my way to come back. The Man, running the counter is very gracious.”

“1st time here, very good burger, will be back, and recommend to others”

“I have been coming here since they opened and they are the best !!!! Everything I have ordered has been beyond delicious and the owner Zak is the best !!! It’s a must try !!!!!”

“The Alibi is no longer, it is now the Malt House. What a refreshing difference. From the lighting to the layout this place is fab. They have pool and shuffle board and plenty of TVs for all of the sports fans. The bartender that I met is Eric and he is a really nice guy. He is courteous, sociable and efficient, these are qualities all bartenders should have. For those of us who were not regulars of the Alibi were not treated very well by the night bartender Laura. Well, she's no longer tending bar and it's a whole new atmosphere. If you're going to Santee or even just passing through I recommend a visit to the Malt House. Oh, I almost forgot, the bathrooms and patio that were in desperate need of an overhaul were remodeled, job very well done. I will definitely be patronizing the Malt House more often.”

“This is probably the only place I order wings from. I usually go for the santa fe and lemon pepper which are really good. To be honest this place would get a perfect score from me if it had fried pickles. I wouldn’t go anywhere else if it did, but since it doesn’t I have to go somewhere else for those.”

“We love having lunch and taking some home for lunch!”

“I really enjoyed my sandwiches! They looked so colorful and tasted so healthy!”

“They tried their absolute best with the service. They were working hard during a fundraiser. Some people said it out loud to be rude. They were doing the damn hardest.”

“One of my favorite store They are fast the and efficient. Great customer service”

“Good sandwich, great service. First time having Jersey Mike's, and I will be back!”

“Love the flavor choices and how clean it is. Finally somewhere that makes you use gloves touching everything! The guy working upfront was so nice and patient with the kiddos.”

“Yes! I love this place. Tuxedo fraps are the best. Spending time with my peeps is even better so it's a win win... no complaints... love love love it.”

“Great customer service! I go every day”

“Loved it was 29 years since I had Jacks the ultimate cheese burger awsome back and now”

“Love the passion fruit tea with golden boba it's the best......”

“It’s DEL TACO I love the service at this location the employees are great. I have gone to this location for years. Great quick stop for cheap yummy food. Great selection of drinks and always have fresh brewed ice tea! Nothing fancy, but one of my go to places!”

“A great Chinese restaurant that has been a staple here for a long time. If you are expecting Panda Express quality then go somewhere else. This place only has authentic great tasting Chinese food.”

“Ordered a pizza today for New Year’s Eve. The service was awesome! Everyone was friendly and courteous! The pizza was delicious! This will be one of our regular places to eat out! Thank you!”