Best small sandwich shop in East county. Been there for years!! Never had a bad sandwich from here.

First time trying this place out! The sandwich was great, my only complaint is that there was only 3 little slices of tomato on my whole foot long sub. Next time I know to ask for more!! But otherwise delicious, the bread is yummy and you can tell they use good quality ingredients. read more

Love the turkey bacon avocado...it's all I ever get. The girls there are great too! Bring the fam and split some monster subs!!

The Grinder has been a family favorite for more years than I care to admit. It is always worth the trip to El Cajon when I am in town visiting. read more

Had the hot pastrami. Was good but I prefer the sandwich hot versus just the meat being warm. Just my preference. It was flavorful and the bread was soft. This was a good sandwich just not an amazing sandwich. I will come back to try some of their other items. read more

Yep... love them Grinders! The meats and other ingredients are so fresh! Yum yum yum!

Always a good sandwich, simple and fresh. Staff is always smiling

Passed by a few times...Never a chance to stop. Finally I did and loved it. Service was great and my sandwich came out fast! Pricing was fair! I had the veggie plus bacon and the unique flavor was well balanced and robust. The bread was fresh...sweet and soft. They also have the best kind of pickles! Will return and recommend! read more

Love this place! Great food, great price, good service. Thank you, for being consistantly the best sandwich shop in town!! BTW...St. James sandwich ROCKS!! Gotta try it!! read more

Love love love their sandwiches! Simple and fresh. Been coming here for 15 years! Love supporting the local ma n pa shops instead of the corporate world. Once you have one of their sandwiches you'll be hooked! read more

They have the BEST veggie sandwich ever!! And the girls are so sweet!! I wouldn't recommend the turkey or ham though my boyfriend had a a quarter size see through fat all throughout his turkey tasted good but not from the outside. And the ham was weirdly shaped like a perfect rectangle that looked to fake lol!! But the taste is great so can't complain(:! read more

Ive always liked this place. Never really have been dissapointted, and I always get the same sandwich, because I dont like meat. Definitely recommend this place. Also, very nice owners. read more

I love this place so much! Been going here for years and have never had any problems! Everyone here is so nice and the food is so yummy!

The sandwich tasted good , way better then subway , it was light but yummy.. Good customer service ...

I love this place but lately when I've come in the staff is not at all friendly. They all just stand around gossiping with each other, disregarding the customers most of the time. Also super bummed they're closed on Sundays now, that was my favorite day to grab some subs for a quick lunch. Sandwiches are still good though! read more

I've had better at subway.and that's not saying much. The sandwich was almost all lettuce, veryy little meat and no choice of cheese. The lady with glasses was very non chalaunte never said welcome never made eye contact. NO thank you as well. I have heard it was once one of the best shops in El Cajon. Well that has changed I gave it 2 stars and that was me being nice. read more

Good old school sandwiches that are delicious! Don't come here looking for a subway style sandwich, these are a dry style sandwich.

Was in the area and was told by a lifer east county buddy that this place way awesome. Go the godfather. Solo good and really fast. I will be back read more

Absolutely love this place. The only reason I'm giving it a 4 is because sometimes they do not put much of anything on the sandwich and it is mainly bread, And also because you have to pay for any extras like pickles olives banana peppers and so on. But overall they make amazing sandwiches... read more

Need a fast yummy sandwich this is the place to stop at! The prices are a little high but worth it. The service is great too.

Great sandwich!! I had the tuna and I was very pleased to see them open the can in front of me! I loved the veggies on the sandwich too and the decorations in the place. The only recommendation I have is an option of breads. The only thing that would keep me from coming regularly is the white bread. read more

Just came here for the first time tonight and it was fantastic! I didn't know what to get...I basically got a roast beef with provolone, mayo, with lettuce, salt/pepper, and oil/vin. SO GOOD! Service was quick and the girls at were working were super sweet and welcoming even tho I came in 20 minutes before closing. Also, the price is really solid -- around $8 for chips, a 6 inch sammy, and a drink. Will be coming back!!! read more

One of my absolute favorite sandwich shops. They never disappoint. Great and friendly people. I Will forever get sandwiches at the grinder.

Been going there over 30 years now. Haven't changed much. Love their godfather and James special. Sandwiches are a little messy but soooo good. Always been treated great, staff is quick. Wouldn't recommend eating the particular sandwiches i recommend in your car, you will drip some out. read more

I am a huge fan of Italian sandwiches and when I discovered this place My mind was blow.by how good it was. They are super fast and very nice. The meat is sooooo good and the bread is soft and perfect. If you are a fan of grinders and subs this place is a must try! read more

The sandwhiches from the place are amazing! Next best thing when antonellis is to busy or closed!

I've been eating grinders here for over 25 years. Good quality, good service and decent dine-in area. Basic grinders and fixings are listed on menu. If you want it different, just say so. Mine have always been good. No fountain drinks. Order your soda or drink from selection in glass cooler. If I am anywhere near this place, I stop in. Much better than the chain type sandwich shops. read more

I started a Yelp account just to write this review. I was hoping with a name like Grinder it would have been one of the best sandwiches I have ever had here. This was not the case. I walked in and wasn't greeted. I should have left right then! Then I ordered 1 sandwich and 2 subs. What I got was 3 subs. There was more lettuce than meat on the sandwich. I was expecting more than 1 slice of meat on the sub. I ordered a BLT shocked to find 2 slices of bacon on one of the subs. I paid 30 for 3 subs that were not that great in look or taste. Not sure how they been in business for so long. Truly a disappointment! Maybe they should invest in a better quality of meat as well!!! read more

OVER. RATED. I can make a much better sandwich at home! I've been here twice and each time I visited, I was made to feel stupid by the spoiled bimbo (owners relative) who works behind the counter each time I had a question about something on the menu. The only plus is that the ingredients were fresh, but oh so bland and blah. Yuck. If you want a REAL sandwich, that actually has flavor, try La Fiesta liquor/Deli in Mission Valley. It's 15 minutes from El Cajon but you'll love it. Guaranteed. Great sandwich without the attitude. Cheers deli in San Carlos is pretty darn good too! This s}{ithole is only popular because it's the only deli not called Subway in El Cajon! read more

Talk about bang for your buck!! This place has great portions, and great taste. Well worth it! I phoned in my order for a BLT, then I drove over to pick it up. The customer service was excellent. Highly recommended. read more

Love the sandwiches at this place , always fresh , love the place , always clean . The girls behind the counter always nice and polite . Whenever me and my coworkers working at that neighborhood , we like to stop there for lunch . read more

Best Sandwich Shop in East County! Great service, tasty food, a must eat location for lunch.

My favorite is the combo sub with mayo and red wine vinegar salt pepper lettuce tomatoes and peppercinies. There is only one kind of sub bread... simple. read more

Amazing place. Been getting dinner here with/for my family since I was a baby. I love their sandwiches with oil and vinegar. Would definitely recommend :) read more

I am disappointed with the service I received today. I will not be supporting this establishment anymore. I ordered a sandwich and asked to use the restroom, the redheaded cashier girl looked at me like i was a homeless and said we don't have a public restroom and rolled her eyes. Ahh that's funny because i have used the restroom here many times and no one has ever said you don't have a restroom. Consistency is key in any business, unfortunately that's not the case with this place. read more

Place NEVER disappoints. The staff is always friendly and greets with a smile. Sandwiches are delicious. Bread is fresh. Always a good choice !! read more

I've been eating at the grinder for 30 plus years. It's a great place and family owned instead of going to those commercial and production line type delis. Please take the time to go visit and enjoy like my family does. read more

The Grinder has the best meatball sandwiches I've ever eaten. The meatballs are hand made in the store. My second favorite sandwich, and highly recomended would be the Godfather it has ham, salami, pastrami, sausage, meatball and provolone. Add the vegis, lettuce, tomato, peppers, and onions, and you have a sandwich that makes a meal for 2. The Grinder has been there for many, many years...I've lived in El Cajon for over 30 years, and I can't remember a time when it wasn't there. It has to be good for a "deli" to survive that long!! Well worth the trip from anywhere in the county!! read more

My boyfriend has been a customer for years when he lived in the area. The first time he took me was drive- in night and I loved it! The gals are great and so is the sandwichs! Everytime we go to the drive-ins we stop in for our meal for the night! read more

What's not to like? They do a few things, and they do them well and consistently. There is a reason the place has been in business for so long. The excellence isn't only in the food as the staff is professional and courteous at all time--and VERY fast. I have been enjoying Grinder sandwhiches personally for over 30 years, and professionally (catering or using for my work place) for over 10. Everyone owes themself a good sandwich, and this is the place to get it. read more