Fellow Blossom Valley Yelpers, we didn't lose a BBQ spot! Armadillo Willy's on Santa Teresa Blvd…read moreclosed down, but someone revived the place! In short, it's an upgrade. FOOD (Brisket and St. Louis-Style Ribs) I got the brisket and asked for it to be fatty. It was as good as some Texas brisket, and I don't give that comparison lightly. I'm very serious about Texas BBQ. I'm also realistic because Texas-level BBQ is achievable by Californians, but only if they put the time and love into it. Currently (07-24-2026), this brisket has it. The true test is whether it still has it in July 2027. I also had the St. Louis-style barbecue ribs. I wouldn't give them the Texas star of approval, but they're upper-tier California barbecue. That's very respectable, in my opinion. My sides were Caesar salad and coleslaw. Both were fresh and held up to what you want and expect from both. The coleslaw has that expected sweetness, and the salad didn't have a single wilted lettuce leaf. The general feeling I got from Empire BBQ was that they have a strong food-handling system in place. Having fresh salad leaves is a small but sure sign of that. DESSERTS Under the radar, this place is killing it with its dessert selection. Whoever put together the dessert menu must've had fun doing it. I didn't have room to eat any, but boy do I plan to. I won't comment on them, but I added photos of each one, minus their bread pudding which wasn't in the display case. SERVICE Excellent, helpful, and kind. The person who helped me was knowledgeable about the ingredients used and the pricing, making sure I got what I wanted in a way that made sense with the meat combinations and sides. Even the chef went and checked the ingredients so one of my questions could be answered. AMBIANCE I came at around 1 p.m. on Friday, and it was a great setting to watch sports, hear old rock music in the background, and take in the BBQ smells. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. I give Empire Armadillo BBQ 5 stars. This is a must-try, with so many more menu items (especially the desserts) that I look forward to trying!

I really wanted to love this - we'd been to Armadillo Willy's many times over the years, and I love…read morenothing more than good Jewish deli action... but this ain't it. Service was completely overwhelmed on Sunday (Father's Day) and it took a long time to order and then a very long time to get our food. They ran out of fries (wha?) and the cashier said we could get sweet potato fries instead, but didn't mention the upcharge until I asked. Gee, thanks. I'll jump right to the food though. I love pastrami and I love corned beef. I had checked out the photos here on Yelp before we went, and it looked like it had potential. I don't know what went wrong on our visit. I got the Fresser, which has both of those meats. My sandwich did indeed have two meats on it, but both were incredibly bland. One meat - I think maybe the corned beef? - was sliced paper thin (which can be fine - my beloved Manny's Deli in Chicago does it thin) - but this was for some reason then griddled? It was SO DRY - kiddo remarked it was crispier than the bacon we had at breakfast. No flavor to it at all either. The other meat was a little thicker, and so it was juicer, but if it was the pastrami, I apparently didn't get any slices which had the pastrami seasoning on it. The portions were also skimpy. The kitchen was completely slammed and tables sat with empty plates on them for most of our meal (which was really annoying as folks were moving them from table to table to try to clear spots for their groups). All in all, I should've just waited for a lunch at Gunther's to fill that pastrami need!

The Stand American Classics has become one of our go-to spots whenever we're craving a great…read moreburger. Everything we've ordered has been fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The burgers are juicy, the fries are crispy, and the milkshakes are absolutely outstanding, rich, creamy, and the perfect way to finish the meal. What really stands out is the consistency. Every visit has been a great experience, and the staff is always friendly, welcoming, and attentive. The restaurant is clean, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it's a great place for families or a casual meal with friends. If you're looking for high-quality burgers, delicious shakes, and excellent customer service, I highly recommend The Stand. We'll definitely be coming back again and again for our classic burger fix!

Good food Good Vibe Nice place to watch sports…read more Get the app, have special promotions on game day. Service good Friendly staff!

I stopped by Mad Yolks on a whim while I was around Willow Glen after picking up some coffee…read morenearby! I ordered the BAE and a side of their regular tots to split with my husband. The BAE was great in size! It was enough for me and my husband to not feel overly full. It was a bit messy, so id be cautious of this if you aren't looking to get your hands super dirty Their tots were super crispy and enjoyable as well! Inside the restaurant is a bit on the smaller side but we came during the late morning on a weekday, so service was very attentive and there were plenty of seats. Parking lot is a bit tight considering there are other shops in the plaza but still a good amount of spots for you to park.

This place is hidden in a small strip mall. It's a small place with a few tables. The entire time I…read morewas there, the place was constantly busy. It was difficult to decide what to order. I was there during brunch time so I went for the breakfast burger. It was amazing. The buns are super soft. The egg was fried well. The burger is very flavorful and messy in a good way. I debated on getting some tots. It is a pretty filling burger. It's hard to mess up tots so sure it would have tasted fine. Also tried the b.a.e. burger too. It was good too. The coffee is also good. The prices are ok. I would definitely come back to try other items on the menu. I'm curious if the fruit teas are any good. Next time.

This was a great place. Great sandwiches, very nice owners. Just a great place to go. Very sad it…read moreclosed down. I hope they just moved because I'll follow them if they did.

it was okay inside, the outside is a little grim, but that's true of that whole strip mall…read more The sandwiches are named fore celebrities and such, which is cute, but partner was not impressed with his, it was middling to fair, and overpriced for what he got. I had a build your own, and I would have to agree with him on the value. The employees were friendly and service was quick, but it was too pricey for our budget and we feel like we could have splurged someplace else and gotten more for our money.

This Jersey Mike's is a smallish store with the classic fast-food layout. There's a long counter…read morewhere you can place your order and watch your sandwich being made. The menu is clear and visible. Everything looked clean and well-kept. The staff was friendly and helpful. I ordered the "Famous Philly" - my friend ordered the "Club Supreme." We both got chips and soft drinks. Here's the thing about Jersey Mike's, if you haven't been there. They have a slicer, and the meat and cheese are sliced fresh for each order. The bread is baked fresh on the premises. The sandwiches were really tasty. Honestly, if I were going just for a cheesesteak, I'd probably go to Amato's, but for a nice selection of sandwiches, this is a great option. For a fast, tasty meal with fresh ingredients, I highly recommend this location.

The sandwiches are super tasty and we really enjoy them. We used to love this location but some do…read morethe workers are unaware of allergies If you have celiac, you have to be extra cautious though because some of the workers understand allergies and some don't. They do have gluten free udis bread but like I said sometimes the workers, even if you tell them gluten allergy, they use the same container, same area with the veggies that they touched previous sandwiches to, and don't use new containers.

Food is good. But they keep making a mistake with my order that the other locations don't do. I…read moreordered four grilled beef sandwiches (#17), which costs $2 more than what gave me instead: four pork sandwiches (#12). Check your orders and receipt before you leave.

I recently tried this sandwich, and it exceeded my expectations. The bread was fresh and soft with…read morejust the right amount of crispness on the outside. The ingredients tasted fresh, and the flavors blended together perfectly. The meat was tender, the vegetables were crisp, and the sauce added a delicious finishing touch without overpowering the other ingredients. It was filling, well-made, and offered great value for the price. I would definitely order this sandwich again and recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh, satisfying meal.

Both times I've had this place I was crazy stressed out and having a wild day but from the moment…read moreyou enter this establishment you feel like you're home. The smells magically heal you and the food is a comforting hug! Things move quick, but grab your number and be ready to order. I recommend getting the lunch special (usually under $20) but also they're always willing to do mini scoops for you. For example I like the potato salad and will get a bit of that and a stuffed mushroom on the side. So yummy! Also love the seating outside is great! Will be back time and time again!

I now see what all the hype is about. It is all that plus more! It's such a cute spot nestled…read morequietly in the heart of Willow Glen. Small parking lot but there is plenty street parking in the vicinity. There is seating right outside the place so if you want to sit and eat you can. You walk in and it feels and smells like you've stepped into someone's home. Even if this is your first time here the aroma is nostalgic for some reason. I think it's muscle memory. When you've had delicious comfort food your soul senses it regardless of whether or not you've been there. I ordered Doordash pick up because I was ordered on a Thursday for lunch and didn't know what the line would look like. So I walked right in and gave my name and was handed my bag-o-goodies. They have shelves of dry goods to purchase. Refrigerated items to purchase. Their deli counter is towards the back and wraps around the front. I ordered: 1. 2 meatballs: hearty and delicious. 2. Beef raviolis: small but packed with meat and in their meat sauce. Flavorfull! 3. Arancini: I've never tried one. It's a rice ball filled with veggies, cheese and ground meat. Then rolled in breadcrumbs and deep fried. Then served with their sauce. Holy Moly!!! Why have I never had this heavenly piece of Italy?!?!?! Seasoned well and fried well. It's a meal in it of itself! 4. Garlic bread: hot, buttery, garlicky toasted goodness! The only thing I finished was the arancini. I took a bite of each of the rest just so I could write this review and will save for my sons for when I get home because it's all too good not to be shared. Will be back!

First time here and the staff immediately pointed me to their best‑selling cold sandwich: #13 The…read moreItalian. Solid recommendation. She was friendly and helped me figure out what to order without rushing me. The Italian comes stacked with a trio of Italian cold cuts--salami, ham, and capicola--plus provolone, crisp lettuce, and a light oil‑and‑vinegar dressing. I opted out of the tomato. Simple, fresh, and balanced. The bread held everything together without getting soggy, which is a win for a loaded sandwich. Overall, great first visit. If you're new here, start with #13. It tells you exactly why this place has regulars.

Everyone seemed to enjoy their sandwiches. All of them looked appealing although a wee bit messy…read more I loved the variety bread choices. I started to eat my hummus sandwich, & I was expecting "hummus" with veggies. This hummus tasted like tuna fish. I really didn't taste chickpeas & was disappointed.