Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Nate's Garden Grill

    4.4 (699 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Nate's Garden Grill Photos

    Business Info

    NATE'S GARDEN GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Nate's Garden Grill

    Recommended Reviews - Nate's Garden Grill

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Grilled cheese and Mac & cheese
    Corina A.

    House made soda and kombucha?? Yes!! I love that they are farm to table so everything tasted fresh and delicious. I ordered a chicken breast sandwich. The bread was so good and the chicken was cooked perfect. My husband ordered the grilled cheese sandwich and the bread on his was so good with a bit of garlic. The Mac and cheese was cheesy with different cheeses in it and also delicious. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat out on the patio where they had live music which was nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They will post their bands that will be playing for that month on the wall. You don't really have a server as this is an order at the counter and pick a seat kinda place. I enjoyed our lunch at Nate's and would definitely come back again.

    Their idea of "medium evenly cut" steak...
    Maria O.

    This place used to be so good. Always a bit pricey but worth it until now. 20+ dollars for a cob salad that we added steak to. Requested medium as suggested and the steak came out cold, unevenly cut, and medium well/ well done. Also the egg was completely over cooked. $30 dollars after tip for ONE salad that was not worth it. Incredibly disappointing and won't be returning any time soon.

    Caitlin D.

    This place is a hidden gem! I live nearby and decided to try something new for breakfast with my husband. The breakfast was pretty good. I had biscuits and gravy. They use Torque's Coffee and it was a nice brew. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is amazing. It's got a cute little country vibe with a beautiful patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a beautiful morning so we sat on their patio. They also have love music out there[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. It's a quick service style restaurant, so you order at the front and then they bring the food out to you. There is a self serve coffee bar inside. The staff were friendly. It's also right next to City Farmers Nursery, but that will have to be a different review. Perfect spot to get a bite and then wander through the massive nursery. Will definitely go back and bring my friends.

    Mac & cheese
    Jennifer M.

    Came here after checking out the nursery next door. Good size menu. Had lunch with friends and ordered the BLT sandwich. Everything we had was all good . Would come back again .

    Glass of Sauvignon Blanc
    Leslie B.

    A couple weeks ago, I went to Nate's Garden Grill with a couple of friends as a birthday celebration for one of them, and just to spend an afternoon together. I was drawn to Nate's Garden Grill because they have an extensive music calendar, and because they have outdoor seating. It was an unexpected surprise when I found they were attached to a nursery. We ended up spending a long, leisurely afternoon/evening at Nate's. We were probably there from 2:30 until almost 8:00, though made a short shopping trip to the nursery partway through. When I walked in, the first thing I noticed was that it was very rustic, almost like a log cabin. The outdoor area is small with a very small stage. It was dog and family friendly. The indoor area is also quaint, but with bright murals. Staff was really friendly and had no problem with us hanging around all day. It was cool to see that they had a variety of mimosas and sangrias by the carafe. However, we chose to drink wine. They had decent bottles that were only $20, which is very reasonable for a restaurant. My friends and I shared the pesto flatbread. My friend and I also shared the black bean burger and a side of potato salad. My other friend ordered grilled cheese. She wanted fries, but unfortunately they don't have a fryer. So, she also had the potato salad. My favorite thing I ate there was the black bean burger. I would definitely order that again. I enjoyed the band that played from 6-8. They were entertaining, but also were not so loud that we couldn't have a conversation. Also, the staff brought my friend a free brownie sundae for her birthday which was very kind. It was really a great time!

    Belgium's mimosa
    Michelle P.

    * great service * casual ambiance * great food *outside seating Sweet gem in city heights! Live music playing while you enjoy your drinks and food. A self-service you order at register and food gets delivered to your table. We tried the Belgium's mimosas must say this was surprisingly satisfying and great for price. We also had the pulled pork Benedict and Nate's burger highly recommend both pretty tasty didn't disappoint definitely coming back to spend more time here. Glanced at the nursery next door was not expecting it to be that big they have a cute set up to walk around and admire the scenery.

    Biscuits and gravy with eggs
    Maurice A.

    Went here again this past weekend and it was still great. I had the avo toast with and added scrambled eggs and bacon. It was on a pretzel bread which was a nice twist! It was so good. Coffee is good and service is great. The lady in the front works really hard and is so nice! I appreciate her.

    Pulled Pork Benedict
    Felina V.

    Nate's Garden Grill is a long-time favorite, and I'm so excited to be living closer to it nowadays. Excellent garden-fresh ingredients and truly flavorful dishes, paired with an [[HIGHLIGHT]]amazing ambiance and great service make this a perfect option for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Live music can be enjoyed on most days[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], PLUS [[HIGHLIGHT]]you can stroll around the grounds and enjoy browsing plants for sale while gazing at donkeys, goats, chickens, and turtles![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Terry R.

    Nate's achieves the trifecta gold with delicious food, friendly service and entertaining live music. We visited on a busy Sunday (late) morning. We were a party of 10 and though we were not able to sit together we were able to split up among two tables. Hamburgers were amazing and my hamburger loving teen was beyond impressed. I also found the non alcoholic kombucha smooth and delightful! Live music was lovely and we were still able to have a conversation while musicians were performing.

    Avocado toast
    Gordon D.

    This is a great Sunday brunch spot, especially if there is music and a small spot to dance in front of them! Parking is extremely tough, and we ended up parking on the street a little bit further away. We placed our order and found some outdoor patio seating before we migrate it closer to the band. The food takes about 15 to 20 minutes before we can eat, but luckily, we can do some self-serving coffee and get our mimosas if we wanted it. The food was very delicious. We would definitely come back again!

    Sami L.

    This place is very near my house, and is truly a gem! Live music and the service combined with the local feel made this place unmatched. Extra bonus for the nursery next door, took a little walk around and saw the cute farm animals. Recommend the sauerkraut sandwich. Weird combo, but had great flavor.

    Cute bicycle parking area
    Lina P.

    Cute little spot! I came right at opening so plenty of parking and seats. It I'd kind of hidden. Food was good but nothing so amazing. They had a dinner outside so that was nice for the ambience. Plenty of indoor seating and love the purse hooks on the booths. I'd come back. I ordered the tri-tip sandwich which was In between a pretzel bun which I enjoyed. I really liked the vegan potato salad. Service was whatever but I mean we only ordered at the front and they brought the food out to us.

    See all

    Review Insights

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Beth H.
    158
    37
    15

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    15 days ago

    Whe family loved the food, vibes and service here. Will return next time we are here!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jennifer M.
    35
    149
    375

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 22
    Thanks 5
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sixela R.
    1
    140
    13

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gordon D.
    543
    212
    637

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lina P.
    225
    479
    4158

    2 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 3
    Love this 7
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Erik L.
    5
    55
    74

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mrs W.
    0
    39
    1

    3 months ago

    Had to leave. Couldn't find a single parking space. Even if we could, the lot was too tight

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz S.
    162
    50
    20

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 3
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 18

    Nate's Garden Grill Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nate's Garden Grill

    Is there plenty of shade to sit outdoors?

    Yes there is a covered porch

    Hi, do you have any plans to open earlier for breakfast? I used to come at 8 most Saturdays because my kids are always up by 7 and now we have soccer games at 10. Thanks

    Yes! Last weekend was our first weekend we opened back up at 8am. See you soon.

    Is outdoor seating reopened?

    Yes it is! It is reduced and socially distanced. Hope to see you soon and thanks for thinking of us.

    View All 8 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for American 22,491 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Tacos El Gordo

    Tacos El Gordo

    4.1
    (1.7k reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    Tacos El Gordo continues to be one of my favorite taco places of all time. I found out that…read moreMexico City was the place that originated al pastor tacos as they were inspired by Lebanese immigrants who brought Shawarma to Mexico; however, I appreciate that it worked its way to Tijuana and SD through Gordo. Gordo's adobada can compare favorably to al pastor anywhere; however, my experience at this "Gordo" location in Gaslamp has been inconsistent compared to Chula Vista and Vegas locations, due to their higher volume. The smaller space also has less seating, which is a bummer if you are coming here on a busy comic con day. The adobada here, though, is the taco to get. Consider yourself lucky if you get a nice portion of crispy and burnt bits as they offer nice textural bites. Their sauces/salsas are also equally good, and it sets it above and beyond another taquero from Tijuana, Tacos El Franc. Don't shy away from their asada tacos either, as the meat has a nice kiss of charcoal and it's topped with a generous portion of guac. I don't love that prices have gone up to almost $5/taco; however, I'll gladly pay it if they can give me my favorite taco.

    The wait outside wasn't bad but the trouble starts once you actually get in the place. Ordering…read morefrom this place is an absolute mess. There were other customers helping me and directing me to the right lines. MULTIPLE LINES. There is barely any organization to the system of ordering and receiving food - and don't even get me started on the chaos of it all. The store employees were just as disgruntled and stressed as I was. I had ordered an adobada taco since that was the very first line. I gave up trying to get my lengua taco because I had no idea that I was supposed to receive it first before I received my fries (after paying). If my review is confusing, it's because it really was confusing during my visit here. But that's not all. There were upstairs seating available, but NO AIR WAS AVAILABLE. It was unbearable to sit in that heat and eat comfortably in that kind of environment. I felt so nauseous during and after my visit at this location. I don't even remember how my one taco tasted.. Even later, when I threw it up later that night.. Will not go back to this location, but am willing to check out other locations.

    Photos
    Great Service!
    Great Service!
    Carne asada fries
    Carne asada fries
    Adobada tacos

    See all

    Adobada tacos
    Mike's Red Tacos

    Mike's Red Tacos

    4.8
    (1.2k reviews)
    6.7 mi
    $$
    Halal
    Vegetarian friendly

    Mike's Red Tacos is basically all about birria--and everything we ordered was delicious! You really…read morecan't go wrong with whatever you choose. We ordered the ramen, Crunch Stack, mini churros, and birria tacos, and everything was so good. They also have a self-serve sauce bar with a variety of sauces ranging from mild to spicy, which was a nice touch. They have self-serve soda as well. The place was pretty packed when we went, but we were still able to find a table and order right away. They call out your receipt number when your order is ready, so it was an easy and straightforward process. I love the pun they had on their walls and overall everything inviting. Definitely a spot we'd come back to try more of the menu!

    We checked this spot for lunch after arriving in San Diego. It definitely takes a bit for your…read morefood to come out but tasty enough to wait! We grabbed a table outside as we wanted some fresh air but plenty of tables inside. The salsa bar was a nice add to go along with the meal. We tried the birria taco ($5.29), half nachos ($10.99), chips ($2.49), the Cali Burrito ($14.99), and a cheese quesadilla ($7.99). Nachos were amazing - perfect flavor, great toppings, perfect chips! No notes. The Cali Burrito was huge and had a nice bite. The birria is perfectly tender and well cooked so it made all the dishes great. All in all - a nice fast casual spot. One quick note- they only have birria as a protein or vegetarian so if you have picky eaters, be warned!

    Photos
    Mike's Red Tacos
    Mike's Red Tacos
    Mike's Red Tacos

    See all

    The Waves Taco Club

    The Waves Taco Club

    4.7
    (386 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    Wanted to try some tacos while out here and this one had good reviews. It was also near our hotel…read morewe were staying at in Gaslamp. They have drawings all over their walls which was fun to look at. They have a few specials which are a good deal if you're going to get a drink anyway. I love c that c they had a self serve salsa bar. Must get the chipotle shrimp taco! 10/10 with flavor. Battered fish taco was ah ok.... Salmon taco was great too 10/10. Service was prompt. We had chips and salsa while we waited so it was cool. Overall, I recommend checking this out and trying the chipotle shrimp and salmon taco!

    I stopped by on a Wednesday after a fútbol game and found it to be a great late-night option…read more Ordering is simple. You walk in, place your order at the counter, and find a seat. There were a couple of groups dining in and someone picking up a to-go order, but there was still plenty of seating available. The employee working the counter was friendly. They also serve alcohol, and during my visit drinks were 20% off. Options included Pacifico, Modelo, Blue Moon, hard seltzers, and a selection of canned craft beers. I ordered: * Mahi Mahi Taco: the fish tasted fresh, and I liked the crispy onions on top. There was quite a bit of sauce, which made it pretty messy to eat. While the fish was good, it felt like a very heavy taco overall. * Surf & Turf Taco: this was loaded with steak and topped with two flavorful shrimp. The shrimp had an amazing flavor, and this taco was much more enjoyable and balanced. Overall, the service was great, the prices were very reasonable, and the protein quality was excellent. My only critique is that the tacos felt a little overdone with toppings and sauces when the quality of the protein could easily stand on its own. Still, it's a solid spot for an affordable late-night bite. One thing to note: there are no restrooms available inside the restaurant.

    Photos
    The Waves Taco Club
    Surf Turf Burrito
    Surf Turf Burrito
    Shrimp Burrito

    See all

    Shrimp Burrito
    Chula Tacos

    Chula Tacos

    3.9
    (292 reviews)
    10.7 mi
    $$

    Sometimes, there are nights when only tacos can fix me. It's no secret that San Diego has tacos in…read morespades and being so close to the border, you'd think that a quest to find the perfect taco would be as simple as rolling down to the nearest taqueria. Except, it's not quite that simple. Many beloved staples have gone downhill, while some newer spots that might boast things like a Michelin mention or multiple locations ranging from TJ to Vegas contain more hype and gristle than tender meat and substance. Enter Chula Tacos. Chula is, and always was, the type of place that makes you forget that you're not actually in Tijuana. While part of me misses their OG Market Street location, seeing them with brick-and-mortars feels hard-earned and well-deserved. This location on Palm in IB is relatively easy to access from the freeway, but parking can be tricky. You can safely assume that it will be busy and you will either have to be very lucky or be willing to find a spot on the street. Out of all the times I've been here, it's always been crowded enough that I've never been able to find a table inside, but I enjoy sitting out on the patio next to the ahumederos. The first thing that hits you walking through the door is how amazing everything smells. The queue to the cashier takes you near a window showing the kitchen where you can see the Chula Tacos team making fresh tortillas, slicing meat from the trompos, grilling up jalapenos, nopales, onions, labio, and tripa. For me, it's not so much a challenge to decide what I want, it's more a challenge to keep myself from ordering everything. My usual is four tacos: two asada, two al pastor (but I've heard that I should also try their world famous keka). The tacos though? Perfection. Every time, the asada is the juiciest and most tender I've ever eaten, the al pastor is succulent and flavorful, and no taco in front of me is long for the world. At $3.50 each, every one of them is absolutely loaded. Three would honestly fill me up, but I always want four. After getting burned by spots that ask around 75% more and deliver anywhere between 25-50% less, Chula Tacos feels like an absolute godsend of a Tijuana-style taqueria and I can't see any other contenders being my go-to. So, when I say "Tacos will fix me," what I mean nowadays is "Chula Tacos will fix me."

    Chula Tacos in Nestor is definitely worth a visit if you're looking for authentic, flavorful tacos…read morewith generous portions. Every item we ordered was packed with delicious flavors and made fresh. One thing that stood out was their attention to detail with to-go orders--they provided plenty of condiments, including a variety of salsas, cucumbers, radishes, and peppers, which really elevated the meal. The highlight of the menu is the Keka Taco. It is incredibly delicious, loaded with flavor, and so filling that it can easily satisfy even the biggest appetite. The only downside to this establishment is the limited parking, which can make picking up your order a bit challenging during busy times. However, the amazing food and generous portions more than make up for the parking inconvenience. If you're in the area, the Keka Taco is a must-try!

    Photos
    Chula Tacos
    Keka (carne)
    Keka (carne)
    Outdoor seating

    See all

    Outdoor seating

    Nate's Garden Grill - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...