This place is still of poor value after my first post 4 years ago. Its too bad people of El Cajon continue to patronize a place that does not make a good hoagie......A place like this wouldn't last 6 months in Philadephia. read more

A great old sub shop. If you ever find your self this far east (not that far) you have to stop in at The Grinder. Super fresh ingredients, and cute girls. The place is totally run by females... just don't try and hit on'em, they'll spit in your turkey sangwich. read more

This sandwich shop came highly recommended from my brothers and when I final got around to trying it, I wasn't disappointed. There is no denying the "flavor" they create. I can almost taste it now. The service is extremely fast and the staff is always friendly. It would have been a five star review except for the price. It is a rather plain sandwich for the price in this day and age. But like I said, you can't get that Grinder flavor anywhere else. read more

Such yummy sandwiches. I called in to go so i didn't have to wait. Sandwiches are big. Lots of meat and cheese they didn't skimp.

I love this place and my family's been going here for over 3 decades. their bread is to die for and all of their ingredients are fresh. Those who have never had a grinder sandwhich definitely don't know what their missing out on! read more

Love this place! Simple, straightforward and super delicious sandwiches. Our go to for weekday lunch or dinner during Baseball practice nights. Super friendly staff at all times of the day! read more

Absolutely the WORST place I have ever been. Everything was the terrible. The place is a dump, it's dirty, the food was terrible, and it was not worth the money I spent at all. Also, the service was really bad. I will not even drive by this place anymore or ever recommend it. I don't understand why people like it so much. read more

I have never been to a place where I had to come home and add more things to my sandwich to make it not taste so plain. First of all, a turkey and roast beef sandwich comes with only lettuce, tomato and cheese. If you want pickles or peperoncinis, they charge you for it. I said ok fine let's get some peperoncinis... There are like 3 pieces in here.. That is not okay at all. If I have to pay for a side where nowhere else you need to pay, then you need to actually add it in there so I can taste it! I did not get oil on my sandwich, which other places I never do either and they still always have flavor to them. Second of all, this plain sandwich cost me $10!! What? Seriously? I don't understand how people can like this place. No offense to the ladies, I'm sure you're all great workers but you all really need to make some changes. I will not be coming here again. read more

Exceptional Customer service and the yummiest sandwiches made from ALL fresh ingredients. This place will make you run back for more!

When I spend $10.00 on a BLT with avo, I like to see more than lettuce and a giant roll. Sandwich was fair. Service was fast. Older woman at counter wasn't rude, but wasn't friendly either. Sandwich, chips and small bottled water was just under $15.00. A lotta dough for a lotta dough. read more

For $10 this place is horrible. The meat isnt slived fresh and the sandwich tastes very bland.i expected alot more out of a private sandwich shop like this. read more

Not what I hoped of this name/location; not for the very-old fashioned deli sandwich eater. As there be NO PASTRAMI here.

Yummmmm, the best subs so far!! We were looking for something different so pulled up Yelp and low and behold it brought us here. When I seen the first negative comment about dogs being allowed inside, that earned my business!! My husband and I both work with animals and mine sit around the table during dinner, I don't throw my dogs outside when we eat. San Diego is one of the most dog friendly cities in the nation, thank you for contributing!!! We will be back, and we will also send others!!! read more

Never going there again. I called on the phone to order to go and she says to me your total going to be $8 and I sent my friend to pick it up and she charged him $9.80 cent. He asked why and she's says to him pulse tax. $1.80 tax lol wtf. And plus the food was bad not cooked well. Never again read more

Sandwich was average to say the least. Bread was dry only offered one type cheese for the sandwich, was not worth the time to go back, have had better at several other sandwich shops/delis in the area read more

Since my last review, I have established "The Grinderama", which is a monthly lunch at The Grinder with people I grew up with. God bless Pete DiGangi! read more

Under any other circumstances I would have given at least 4 stars. However, last night a 6" roast beef w/everything, and olives and mayo gave me the worst food poisoning I've ever had in my life. I am sick as a dog, in ways I've never been before, and on my way to the hospital, but crawled to the computer to file this because I'm angry. We have eaten there MANY times, the food was always good, authentic, well made, etc. We called this morning to give a head's up about the bad meat or mayo or what-have-you, NOT to complain, just to let them know so others didn't get sick and sue or something, and the girl on the phone was defensive, short, told me in no uncertain terms that there was nothing wrong with THEIR stuff, and said there was no need to check for anything as no one else had called. As I was calling as a favor, and made SURE to let them know that was what I was doing, it seemed that a wee bit of concern would be required. She didn't want to know who I am, I had to FORCE the infomation of what I had ordered so they could check it, etc. But no... ANY food service company that refuses to consider that something they served could make someone sick is NOT a food service company you want to trust your families health to. We will not be going back. read more

A local family owned Deli known for their Grinder Bread. Try the BLT and add a Sarsaparilla Root Beer as a treat!

Love the sandwiches but the lady who runs the register & takes your order could use a class in customer service. I don't know if she is the owner or just an employee but not a very friendly gal. And, if you order by phone you still have to wait in line to pick up your order which sits on the counter pre-made. Why take phone orders if you make the customer wait in line to pick up? Sometimes people who order from the counter while I wait in line get their order before I get to the front of the line to pay for my "already made sandwiches". Doesn't make sense to me. read more

The price for a foot long is over 8 bucks. The selection of condiments is quite sad as well as only having one kind of cheese and bread. Many sandwiches have signature sauces, like the Reuben with a thousand island style dressing. They cant offer anything besides mayonnaise and mustard? I ordered a pastrami hot and got it cold, though it was okay it was not the best pastrami Ive had, not even close. The service was fast and friendly but that's about it. read more

First time trying "The Grinder" today. After hearing about how great it is, it was definitely a disappoint. Now don't get me wrong, the portions for the price is GREAT. But this place doesn't offer many options for your sandwich. No cheese options besides the given cheese, no toasting, only a small variety of condiments and vegetables. Again, don't get me wrong. My sandwich was good but not AMAZING. I had to even add more mustard (yes I requested mustard) due to the slight lack in flavor. I mean, I could have made a better one myself but I'm not really complaining about mine. I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Now why I am complaining and why this establishment is getting 3 stars is mostly for my boyfriend's sandwich. He got a meatball sub that (I'm surprised I'm saying this) was not even close to being as good as Subways (crazy, right?). His sandwich was COLD had hardly ANY sauce at all. What!? The sauce is the best part of the sub! It was just a lump of flattened meat (wasn't even a ball) and cheese with a tiny bit of sauce that was mostly soaked into the bun. I felt bad for him because he was looking forward to his sub and he didn't even finish it all due to its poor quality. Very disappointed with my first trip here after hearing about how *amazing* The Grinder is. read more

This place has been around forever and hopefully will be around for years to come. It's hard to find real pastrami anymore and this place has some of the best I have ever had. The employees and owners are all real friendly. This is what i wish more businesses were like. read more

whoohoo!! Super YUMMY! I absolutely LOVE this place. It's too bad I never knew about this place sooner. My husband took me here for the first time, and boy was it delicious! I can never return to subway again, it'll never be the same for me lol. read more

This place was pretty good but for some reason this is tmi but I had a bad stomach ache after and so did my husband.. I will try it once more to see if the same thing happens.. And I'll follow up on my review. read more

The best sub in SD. Only con is the shop is located in El Cajon

Bland. The most boring, overpriced sandwich I have ever had. My friend agrees. We would not go back. I gave 1 star instead of 2 because of the price. read more

This quaint sandwich shop was a nice break in our day. The service was quick and friendly. The food was delicious and portioned abundantly. The prices were competitive. We were able to feed the family without breaking the bank or our schedule! read more

I used to live near this place as a kid... Stopped in on over my thanksgiving day break and decided to go with a classic sub.. I love my James special.. Super good, taste exactly the same as I remember.. Sandwiches are huge, and only $6-$7 dollars. You can buy one and share with a friend, you'll both be full. Whenever I'm in town and feel like an awesome sub, this is my first choice... Thank you Grinders!! After all these years, you've never let down my cravings... read more

Here is the deal. I don't even live in San Diego anymore but I love The Grinder! I grew up in Lakeside and now live in the San Francisco east bay. I am having a grinder, specifically Godfather sandwich craving right now that led me to yelp. Is it the sauce, the bread, the meat, the old school feel? I think it has a lot to do with my childhood and wishing there was a grinder in my neighborhood! Great food, San Diegans please frequent this great establishment so it is still there when I come back to SD. Anyone know of a good grinder in SF, CA.? read more

I've been going to this place for years and I believe I have never tried anything but the Combo. But it's one of those things that it's so amazingly good why bother trying anything else? Very fast service. Very clean. Great food. Wayyyyyyyyyyy better than Subway, Submarina, Quiznos, etc. etc. read more

This is our new place to get sandwiches. Forget any lame chain stores, these guys got it right. Or should I say ladies, as thats all I have seen working there. Just around the corner too, major plus. read more

Best sandwiches. Super nice girls work here. Iv been coming here for years. I will always come here. The bread is what makes the sandwich. It's nothing fancy just traditional bread. But it's perfect for the sandwich. The oil and vinegar WITH the mayo and mustard is the best combo read more

I got a veggie sub and it was huge and delicious. Probably bigger than I needed but I finished it anyway of course. I dont know about the meat selection but this place is definitely worth a try. read more

Any sandwich is yummy! Parking is a nightmare especially during lunch time. Sandwiches are big and enough for two people or to be saved for later. read more

This place has great sandwiches but i mostly love their sandwich salad. The reason y i wouldn't give this place 5 stars is because they only have provolone cheese. read more

Ham and Turkey sandwich is really on point and the bread is really soft. If you're in the area come through, you won't regret it. This mom and pop joint really knows how to take care of their customers. Prices are reasonable. read more

The sandwiches are mediocre BUT the owner is the reason I will never be back! I have been here several times over the past year and have been ASTONISHED by the rudeness I've witnessed: She is not only demeaning to her staff in front of customers but is rude to customers (one of which was mentally challenged man that was in front of me in line)! Disgusting! read more

The Godfather is epic. One of the most filling and flavorful sandwiches I have ever eaten. The ladies are always so sweet and remember me even when it's been a while. I'm never disappointed and I am a lifer read more

I have always been a fan of this place since I was in Little League. We were sponsored by them for along time so I am quite partial to this place. The sandwiches have always been solid. Just when you ask for oil, tell them to go light. Other than that, The Grinder is a great place to go for a good sandwich. read more

I would give this place 5 stars except that they do not make Philly cheese steak but they make a great hot pastrami