Restaurants in Santee

“Went there last night 07/14 for my husband and I's first wedding anniversary. We came about an hour to closing but despite that staff was amazing. Our server was very kind and attentive. The food was absolutely amazing as well and they weren't upset when we misspoke and accidentally ordered the wrong thing, they corrected it and were patient. Have always really liked this location for the friendly staff and will continue to be a patron!”

“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!!!”

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

“My family and I love this sushi place. It offers real Japanese cuisine and hot sake. The prices are fare. The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly. So.etimes theres a wait. But not always. They have a second dinning room they'll open if it gets busy.”

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

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

“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!”

“Food is great, atmosphere very comfortable... but service is hit or miss. One day it's great; another day the server keeps disappearing and you can't get a breadstick to go with your soup until the soup is cold... very frustrating.”

“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 food was amazing as always.”

“ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรืออร่อย พนักงานน่ารัก”

“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.”

“First time to visit and the food was sooo good. I love the scallops the most. We had 14 person party and we were sitted immediately. Food was prepped and cooked in front of us, very entertaining for all. I felt that they wanted to make sure we had the best time. Thanks for making my family experience a good one.”

“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.”

“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.”

“My fiance and I stumbled upon the Sizzling Pizza by chance and we were blown away with how fresh, perfectly cooked their pizzas are. Romone and Mark gave us outstanding service. We will definitely be returning for more of their delicious food! There's even a dairy free option for those who are lactose intolerant!”

“This store its the most friendly and easy order and fast service thry allways answer any questions this my 1st store ever and i will keep coming only at this crumble cookie i live in san diego ,i still prefer this store... thank u team santee,ca”

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

“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.”

“Hit the spot. The authentic pho broth was bomb, and they are super generous with the meat portions. Plus, because it was Father’s Day, they gave us an unsolicited 10% discount, which was kind. Fresh toppings, great food, and love the stone bowl presentation. Will definitely be back.”

“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”

“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.”

“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.”

“It's probably the bedt Pho you will find in San Diego. Tried a lot of places, but this places broth tastes clean and refreshing. Especially when other places may make you feel kind of heavy. The price is also really good as well.

Also, the last thing I will bring up are the host, they always find a way to make you feel comfortable while waiting for your food.”

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

“great food! love this place 😀”

“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 🫶🏼”

“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 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.”

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

“10/10 says husband. The Tocino burrito (called pacman burrito) is Filipino cured pork meat, known for its sweet and savory flavor. The thinly sliced pork is marinated in a mixture of sugar, salt, and seasonings, giving it a distinct reddish color from ingredients like annatto or food coloring. After marinating, it's pan-fried until caramelized and tender. Sweet and savory goodness!”

“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 👍 😋 👌”

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

“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.”

“went to birthday/graduation/going away event bns was electric plenty of room terrific beer and spirits selections all made on sight at very reasonable prices pool tables pinball machines the party also had cornhole and an added feature mechanical bull riding excellent experience”

“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.”

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

“Best ice cream in the country!”

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

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

“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.”

“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!”

“awesome coffee, staff and quiet spot”

“Cazadores Taco Shop in Santee is one of our favorite spots in San Diego. We’ve been coming here for years, and whenever we’re in town, we end up eating here almost every single day. The carne asada is hands down some of the best in San Diego — always fresh, flavorful, and exactly what we’re craving.”

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

“Best birria in san Diego county.. best I've ever had.. customer service is top notch. Phone orders have always been right, honestly that's rare. But they have kept us coming back for quite awhile now”

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

“Had funbbbb bb bbvcxswsxvnnvxdryhvcdfhb”

“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!”

“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! 😁”

“Delicious! Recommend 10/10 🤤🤤”

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

“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.”

“awesome coffee, staff and quiet spot”

“fun atmosphere great Boba and teas”

“Great place to eat at, had their Grodo Cali Burrito with Mexican coke definitely recommended. Deliciously made, tasteful and filling. Great customer service as well, very welcoming. Will most definitely return.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“This is the best pizza in Santee! Ray is an absolute sweetheart and takes the time to make sure your pizza is perfect. The crust is thin and the toppings are very generous! My family cannot stop talking about the Mediterranean Pizza and we will definitely be back when visiting the area.”

“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 ! ?”

“amazing cupcakes and amazing owners.”

“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”

“Yummy chamangos and amazing fruit trays!!”

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

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

“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!”

“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”

“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.”

“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 !!!!!”

“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.”

“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!”

“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.”

“I am very proud that the Bible verse is on the cups and continue to encourage each of my family members to up their weekly visits to Chick-fil-A to support this.”

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

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

“Great customer service! I go every day”

“Delicious smoothies! A regular stop for us! 😋”

“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.”

“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!”

“We've ordered from this restaurant through DoorDash three times now (most recently on 6/21). We really enjoy the Vegetable Lo Mein and the Salt & Pepper Tofu, they've both been delicious every time.

The only issue we've had is with the rice. Each time we've ordered, the rice hasn't been included, even though the DoorDash menu and item description state that the meal is served with rice. After the first two orders, I reported the missing rice through DoorDash.

Today, before placing our third order, I called the restaurant directly to make sure the rice would be included. I was told that rice does not come with the meal and is an additional $2.50. I tried explaining that the DoorDash menu says it's served with rice, so the menu description should probably be updated if that's no longer the case. Unfortunately, there seemed to be a communication barrier, and I was simply told again that rice costs $2.50.

I couldn't find an email address to contact the restaurant directly, so I'm leaving this review in hopes that someone will update the DoorDash menu to match what is actually served. I also noticed the restaurant's online ordering website lists a side of steamed rice for $4.99, while I was quoted $2.50 over the phone, so there seems to be some inconsistency there as well.

The food is good, and this review isn't about the quality, it's simply to help correct what appears to be a menu error so future customers know what to expect.”