One of the things that sets Cigar Grotto 'head & shoulders' above all the other tobacconists is their relationship with their customers. Because you are not just a customer, but family. Both Greg & DeeDee know your name the moment they meet you. I will drive out of my way & past other shops to purchase my cigars. read more

Greg the owner has made me feel like family since my first visit a couple of years ago. His knowledge of cigars is second to none and his pricing is fair. I've found a home away from home at the Grotto and am always welcomed as though I've been away for a year. Greg has always got a smile for everyone just like he did the first time I wandered into the Grotto. I had been going to another cigar lounge in San Marcos and always felt that I was just a way of paying the owners bills, not at the Grotto. Greg is active with serving the local military in so many ways that there just isn't enough room to list here. If you're looking for a place to find new friends, smoke a great cigar & just basically escape the world for a couple of hours then the Grotto is your place. read more

Great place, very comfortable atmosphere. Greg the owner is awesome very helpful if your a novice or buying something for a friend. The humidor is packed full of great stuff and the place is pretty reasonably priced. Definitely worth checking out. read more

Top notch selection of cigars with a very nice walk in humidor. The prices are in line for the area and the guy behind the counter is very knowledgeable about cigars and tobacco in general. My only complaint is the multiple pictures on the wall of the owners. To me it's tacky and cries inflated Ego whenever the owner of any business posts random photos of themselves. Feels like unless your Important enough to be photographed with the owners, your business may not be as valued as it should be. read more

My husband loves this place and the owner Gregg is amazing! He helped me pick out a cigar cutter for my husband, let me feel the difference between two I was going between, and even pointed out deals that I could get. Then on top of that, he gave us a free $15 cigar with our purchase! And Gregg is so gracious and nice, I love small businesses! read more

Love this place. I moved to DC for 2 years and I could not find a place that matched Cigar Grotto. It's good to be back and shopping here again. read more

Great selection of cigars, new comfy seats and Gregg is great.

Great place to go, they treat you like family there. While I am not the most experienced with cigars, Gregg showed me around gave me some great suggestions and made me feel comfortable with my purchase. I have been back 3 times since that first visit and is the only place I go for cigars now. I live all the way down in Chula Vista and there are a lot of places in between me and the cigar grotto, but its worth the drive. read more

Went there for the first time last night, about 15 minutes before closing. The guy there was really helpful, as I don't smoke cigars often. He helped me pick a great smoke. I didn't feel rushed at all to smoke and leave, even though it was closing time. Great spot to smoke and watch a game, exremely comfortable. read more

My husband and I were looking to try out cigars for the first time and ALMOST gave up and got some liquor store cigar. Luckily the Cigar Grotto caught my eye. Once we stepped in, Greg immediately made us feel like we were actually there. He asked us questions and guessed the type of things we'd like, which I'd have to say was pretty impressive!! He gave us our first cigars ever, I can tell you it won't be our last from Cigar Grotto!! read more

Awesome place, Greg is most hospitable, Great selection, I was there for am Alec Bradley event, and I look forward to coming back. HUMIDOR FULL OF GOODIES read more

Went in there last night with an interest in rolling my own cigarettes. Gregg was very helpful and friendly. The product is great. Good, friendly staff. read more

I love this place. The owner Greg is a great guy and is always looking out. There selection is pretty good not the best though. But you cannot beat the great service and locality. read more

If you're looking for an awesome, intimate and local smoke shop featuring the variety usually reserved for much larger stores, you've come to the right place! DeeDee and Gregg, the owners, are seriously down to earth folks and are sure to make you feel like you're right in their living room...which quite honestly it is. Don't miss out on this local treasure! read more

This is a nice little cigar shop. The prices are a little higher than my noral lounge but for being so close to the beach, the markup is not that much. The folks working here were very nice, and helpful. They offered to cut my cigar and a light. If you're in the area it's worth stopping. It is not a lounge. VERY little seating as it's a small place. A good place to buy one, but not to hang out if that's what you're looking for read more

This has to be one of the best cigar shops I've found. The humidor is well stocked and I always seem to be able to find what I am looking for. There are a few couches and a television in the store. The owner is extremely friendly and helpful. I will always make a point of stopping by here when I'm in the Oceanside area. read more

Gregg is a great guy who clearly enjoys his shop. I have been there only but a few times but has treated me like an old pal from day one. I am by no means a pro in cigars but enjoy a good smoke on occasion. He has always been willing to help me out in trying new cigars as well as keeping me happy with prior favorites. Definitely not a snobbish spot but can likely cater to even the most delicate of aficionados. Highly recommend this spot! read more

Super friendly, and knowledgeable staff, if you're a beginner the staff is all hands to help get you started.

It's 11:15, they r suppose to open at 11. No one here, drove 45 miles for nothing. Don't answer phones or no signs indicating where they are. Not recommended read more

I've only been coming in here a little while, but I must say the staff is very helpful and was able to direct me to everything I was looking for. The only negative is that some brands were out of stock, but the staff was able to place them on order and have them in within a couple of days. read more

Gregg & DeeDee the owners of Cigar Grotto are AMAZING people. Kind, giving - and huge supporters of our local military and charitable organizations. I was blessed enough to go on "Cigar Safari" with them to Nicaragua this year, and be a guest of Drew Estate and Hoya. Prior to the trip, I enjoyed a cigar maybe once a year - after this trip and experiencing the friendship, culture and beauty of the cigar world, I enjoy them way more often. You can not go wrong with being a part of the Cigar Grotto family - they are truly wonderful friends and know everything there is to know about cigars. I am appreciative that they took the time to educate a newbie! read more

Killer Cigar Shop and Greg the owner is way cool and laid back and very helpful and picking a great smoke. So if your in O-side and needing a great smoke stop in and you wont be sorry read more

Show up to the store 7:59 1 minute before 8 o'clock which I guess is closing even though google says 9 o'clock... door was locked, looked inside gentleman was behind the counter and disappeared behind the humidor to where I couldn't see him. I waited for 6 minutes to be let inside, never showed up until I walked away. I'm driving back down the street look into the store front and the gentleman was back in sight of the front door. This is definitely not how I know the cigar world. Very disappointed with this shop. If they are not willing to let me into their store 1 minute before closing they do not deserve my business or anyone else's for that matter. I'm sorry for the owner that missed out on the sale of a box of cigars. 200 plus dollars that could have been in his pocket. And let's not forget how big of an asshole I looked to the friends of mine that I was trying to get into cigars, telling them how almost everyone you meet in the cigar world holds an immense passion, and desire for cigars and to help educate beginner smokers. Guess I was wrong. I would have loved to come back during the day to what seems to be a really cool spot. But I will not return. Hope everyone else has a better experience. read more

i always give a four star as my max cause there's always room for improvement, the Cigar grotto is great as well as leisurely, its a mans man feel and the staff is great... love the grotto special for pipe tobacco and some of there other darker blends, there Cavendish is great by the way... read more

I've been going here for a few years. Gregg, the owner/operator is awesome. Today I went in, to find a smoke for after Thanksgiving dinner. After casually mentioning what I'd be drinking, he custom matched a cigar to what would compliment my drink, (15yr single malt scotch). Service gets better everytime. And he's a big supporter of The Military. Go see him, for all your smoking needs! read more

I was sent on a search for cigars per my husband's request who was on deployment and not available for additional questions. I know absolutely nothing about cigars, and typically, when I have been in charge of purchasing cigars in the past cigar shop owners and/or employees have treated me poorly due to my lack of knowledge (and at times because I am female). I left this shop feeling so happy and pleased with my experience. I not only was I able to find my husband his cigars but was confident that I knew they were packaged correctly due to the time and care the gentleman at the store provided. He was patient, knowledgeable, and best of all treated me like a valued customer. Thank you all for your help and great customer service! read more

On top of having a great selection, all of their cigars are kept in the best of conditions, all primo sticks no matter what your price range is.The staff is great, and if you want to sit down, have a smoke and chat this is a great place to do so. read more

Greg and Mitch are great, these guys taught me almost everything I know about cigars and I appreciate the immense knowledge base greg brings to it. read more

It's the best cigar shop in Southern California.

Great service!! I walked in without any idea of what I was looking for. The owner took the time to walk me through difference options and helped me find a perfect cigar for my friend's bachelor party. I could not recommend this place more! read more

The employees are rude and their cigars taste like shit.

The owner was the nicest and most helpful tobbaconist I've ever delt with. Was very present for any questions I had and didn't make me feel like a criminal by following me around the shop as I browsed. Had a very well stocked premium humidor with plenty of Ligas and Padrons at competitive prices. Would definitely come back to this place! read more

It's always nice to see the owner getting involved in blatant self promotion...nice job Shahzadee E. I will say that the Cigar Grotto is one of the best cigar shops in North County and they are very connected to their client base with many promotions and cigar dinners. Greg (the owner) is very knowledgeable about all things tobacco and is willing to lend assistance and...he may even get your name right if you frequent the shop often enough. Prices are a bit steep but you'd be hard pressed to find anything better with all the taxes our state places on tobacco products. All in all a great neighborhood cigar shop that deserves your patronage even if you're only an occasional cigar smoker. read more

As a new small business owner I have a new found appreciation for other small businesses who treat their customers like extended family members. Cigar grotto makes you wish we could all go back to the day when transactions were done with a firm handshake. Gregg and Mitch offer the same handshake when you first meet them and then they help you pick out a premium rolled cigar to put in the other hand. You usually don't miss shopping as a guy but going to Cigar Grotto is an exception. Since starting my new business I haven't had time to visit in a while but I just moved back to Oceanside and I can't wait to light up a stogie with the guys and find that old wrinkle in the couch again. Thank you to Gregg, DeeDee and Mitch for keeping that traditional business spirit alive and well in Oceanside California. (I found out the hard way that it can be quite difficult especially after the Big Tax Dragon awakes with the scent of your new FIN number in his nostrils... :) read more