This is the real deal hoagie place. If you're looking for authentic look no further. You better wear a bib because those delicious toppings go everywhere. read more

It was Saturday around lunch time, we finished shopping at the mall and decided to try ordering online. After placing our order we were given a time to pickup 20 in minutes. We arrived, 20 more minutes were added to our pick up time without explanation. We waited another 10 minutes and eventually were able to pick up our order. The line was not long, people who walked up to the window received their food fairly quickly. The sandwiches were not worth the long wait read more

the food was amazing but service was terrible on the phone with a girl named autumn and very rude and disrespectful and hung up on me will got back for sure but making sure she doesn't help me read more

Seriously?? One slice of ham for a 12 inch sandwich? That costs essentially $10? First time there, won't ever go back! read more

I bought the pastrami and the Turkey with Bacon. Bother were great and I'll be back before I have to fly back to ATL. I'm originally from San Diego and I think this shop maybe related to the one I grew up on in Lemon Grove. Not sure, but reminds me of it. I recommend requesting extra peppercinis and mayo (of you like mayo) for you Sammies. But you'll be full on a half and if you go full size, you WILL be in a food coma afterwards (happily). They have a website as well, so you can look at what you want to order before going. I believe you can call in orders as well, and of you can I highly recommend it. Enjoy this Sammie shop that still shreds their lettuce and makes a deli sandwich old skool read more

Today I stopped at my all time favorite sandwich shop to buy my all-time favorite sandwich, The Godfather. I have been eating there since the early 70's. For the second time in a row they put mustard on my sandwich after I specifically, unequivocally repeated back to them, NO MAYONNAISE - NO MUSTARD! For the second time in a row I get mustard on my $13 sandwich! What have you made, five million, ten, twenty, thirty million grinders or more over the years??? If you can't get my order right then you don't need me. Somewhere along the line you stopped caring. I'm done. read more

Great sandwich! I have been eating there since 1983 and I am never disappointed Very great service and very friendly

" It Was Just OK " We went to the Grinder in El Cajon and it was just OK. The Sandwiches were very big but the taste was just OK. Plus I'm a saucy guy and specifically told the employee to give me extra sauce on my sandwich, which he did not. It was very dry. My wife had the meatball sandwich and she said the meat did not taste that good. Everything was not bad but just OK ! And the sandwiches were fairly expensive. read more

Not too bad for what it is. Nothing super remarkable about it, either. We had a Grinder in Lemon Grove growing up and I guess I never really got in to it. Though my sister swore by it. I am not a huge fan of deli/sub sandwiches since I can generally make my own, at home, for cheaper. So it's got to be something different or particularly tasty to get me to go there. The Grinder falls just short of that for me. The people are always nice and usually pretty professional. The shop usually has its AC on which is a blessing considering its location in El Cajon and their hot days. And I do like the fact that you're supporting a local business. My wife likes the Roast beef and every once in a while I will bring her here and buy it for her. I generally like hot sandwiches, so something like a meatball -- however I find their meatball always gives me heartburn. There's nothing particularly bad about it, I just always end up with heartburn and regretting it. Would probably come here more often if there weren't so much competition with Cheers and Antonelli's. Or maybe if they had a little more variety to their menu. Or maybe just a little cheaper prices. Just something to give them an edge. As of now it's just kinda... 3 stars. read more

I have been a long-time advocate of the Grinder. In fact, I have been a customer for almost 40 years. Unfortunately, after a recent price-hike, I can no longer justify regularly patronizing the Grinder. Their most basic sandwich now costs a whopping ten dollars after tax. I gasped the last time they rung me up. They asked me if I would like a to add a tip as they rang up my order on their brand-new, state-of-the-art Point of Sale system. I felt guilty as I declined to add my usual tip. It would have brought the cost of my sandwich up to over $12! There is no arguing that the Grinder makes a great tasting sandwich. But they aren't exactly known for being generous with their meat and cheese. Regretfully, I feel that they are really pushing the envelope as far as being a competitive, yet profitable business goes. I understand that operating in San Diego is an expensive endeavor... but so is living here. People living here tend to be frugal. They have to be if they want to survive. Don't get me wrong. I will still come to the Grinder. I love their sandwiches. I always have. Unfortunately, it will only be a rare treat for a special occasion. I can no longer justify regularly spending $12 for a sandwich. Maybe they still have the demand to justify the higher price. If so, good for them. They've been in business for over 60 years. They deserve it. Sadly, that demand won't come from me. What a shame... read more

Today they lost a life long customer. I called in a order was quoted 20 mins. I arrived at 20 mins paid. The guy told me it would be a few more mins. Several more customers ordered subs. After 10 mins when the people thats ordered after me got there sandwiches got there's I asked whats was up with mine. They said it was the next sub up to be made. Are you kidding me?????? 30 mins and haven't even started it. The reason people call in is so they don't have to wait. I called in cause I was getting ready to to take my wife to work. I couldn't wait any longer. Had to get a refund. The girl that gave me the refund to ld me that the call ins get made after the in store orders???? Why terrible customer service. Thanks for making sure my wife didn't eat lunch at work today.! read more

Oh my goodness!!!!! I can easily say this was the best sandwich that I have ever had the pleasure of eating! It was so delicious--- everything was super fresh and they were very generous with the meat and veggies. I'm already planning my next visit! read more

Use to love this place. Went the other day and well the workers are rude, unfriendly and acted like I was a bother! And didn't say hello or anything. My sandwiches were thrown on the counter. I paid and not one word was said. the sandwiches were nasty. No flavor and the bread was wet and tasted like cleaner! Miss the old grinder. My fav place read more

Ok, this has been a long time coming ! I don't know what In Gods name y'all are doing in this place ! I've been coming here since I was a kid, roughly 40 years I've given you you're accolades when you do well and now it's time to pay the piper. First of all. Have enough respect for those of us who have remained faithful through thick and thin by simply investing in an answering machine that says "we ran out of bread so we are closing for the night. " it took you guys 3 months read more

Please update your hours on the website. food is great but driving their to find your restaurant closed on two different times is frustrating read more

Best sandwich spot we've found in San Diego! It puts JJ's/Subway and other sandwich franchises to shame. Huge sandwiches with amazing fresh flavor made by kind people. read more

I used to come here as a kid! It still feels the same! Everyone was friendly and the store is clean and offers up lots of beverage and chip options. I am taking a couple of stars off because of price, I paid $27.00 for two sandwiches and chips! One of those sandwiches was a veggie at that. Yes they are big sandwiches but I think that is crazy! Secondly, it would be awesome if they had some more veggies choices. Sprouts, jalepenos, pickle would all be good. I will come back but not as often as I would if the prices were a bit better. Overall it still tastes like nostalgia. read more

They literally have children running the place all playing around in the back and wearing sandals which is against food handling . My sandwich was nothing special the presentation sucked I could have made this at home I will continue to go to jersey mikes that where I should have gone in the first place sorry grinder you don't taste authentic more like a grocery store cold deli sub read more

The Grinder - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I'm a life long local and actually never stopped until I was in my 30's mostly because of the line. Well it's definitely worth ot I just call it in, amazing how simple quality ingredients make the sandwich delicious read more

El Cajon Grinder, pastrami sandwich. Nothing compares to the sandwiches here. Love this place! I remember coming here with my parents back in the early 70's.. Thank you El Cajon Grinder! read more

The Grinder - Pastrami.. - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

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This is a go to spot for sandwiches in East County/Bostonia. Generous with meats and fresh veggies, usually one sandwich is two meals for us. Quick and friendly service is also a plus! read more

I have been going to the grinder for over 25 years and I think I just went for the last time. The last 3-4 times I have gone the wait is over 25-30 min even if you call ahead. Place has been known for delicious sandwiches made fresh and quick this is no longer the case. read more

I enjoy ordering and eating their turkey sub with mayo, tomatoes sometimes add avocado for an extra charge Sub sandwiches are excellent and fresh. Usually the customer service is really great but occasionally they don't get it right staff seems to change alot read more

Huge sandwiches but little flavor. They throw your sandwich on a whole French bread roll.. but I don't like all bread for my sandwiches. I much prefer meat and veggies stacked up! My husband won't go again... I would have gone again since it was close to us at the time. He wouldn't. read more

Great sandwiches. We've got eaten there a lot & never been disappointed. Employees are very efficient.

Not enough oil and vinegar and a sad showing of meat left for what seemed mostly like a salad sandwich and not a 'combo'. It was dry and lackluster. What italian sub is just ham and salami anyway? Mortadela people, seriously. The meatball sandwich had a small slash of sauce and wasn't hot enough to even melt the cheese. The meatballs were pretty tasty though but we had to heat it up and add sauce when we got home. This was the first and last time we'll eat here which is too bad because the staff was pretty friendly. read more

It's something to keep you from being hungry that isn't Subway, and there's value in that, but it's nothing special. I like the Lemon Grove Grinder much more, and I am aware they are not affiliated with each other. Their cold sandwiches aren't worth your money, if they didn't have oil and vinegar on them there would be no flavor at all. The meatball is decent, but they don't toast the sandwich so the cheese doesn't melt and your sandwich gets cold immediately. When I asked if they could toast the sandwich, the girl looked surprised like that was a new idea, and said that they don't do that there. I work 2 blocks away and it's cold by the time I'm back in my office. Like I said, it's something you can eat that doesn't suck, but that's not much of an endorsement. read more

Our go to sandwich shop. Great sandwiches great staff. The bread is always fresh. their sandwiches are so good we've had two or three per week. read more

Yummy . The wait was long. When I held my footlong it was not as heavy as previous orders. When I unwrapped it I laughed! My turkey slices were thinner than my cheese slices. Whole Lotta veggies, thick bread, but barely any meat. Paid for avocado, I can taste it, but it was so sparsely spread. Well, this will be my final sub The Grinder. This pandemic has really effected the quality. read more

The Sandwiches here are freaking AWESOME! I think its the bread that makes the them soooo good. It is family owned and the Mom behind the counter is always sweet and nice. The only negative I can say about this shop is that they only have one type of cheese "Provolone" That's it, if you want another type of cheese your out of luck. If you Live or Work in East county you absolutely need to stop by here for lunch. read more

The Grinder - First Half Of Menu - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I paid close to 9$ for the combo which turned out to basically be a lettuce sandwich with ONE piece of ham of TWO pieces of salami. It's really sad when subway puts more meat on their sandwiches and the picture is after a ton of lettuce fell out when I took a bite read more

The Grinder - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

The sandwiches are a good size and the taste great! I ordered a turkey n roast beef, it was wonderful and kept me full all day long! Thanks again read more

I would normally rate this place amazing but this last time I went I was upset. I always call in my order so when I pick it up it's ready for me to take home and eat with my family. I called my order in and when I got there they had no idea where my order ticket was so I had to call my husband and replace the entire order and sit there and wait When I got home I realized my husbands sandwich and mine were completely messed up, I had stuff I didn't ask for, he had stuff he didn't ask for, just a complete mess and it made the sandwich taste like crap. I was very upset. read more

Great sandwich place. They have a unique selection of sandwiches. You can request additional toppings as you like. They bread is always fresh. Sandwich always tastes good. read more

The first time I went here on my lunch break, I ordered the "James Special". It was good and I enjoyed it. The second time I came here was disappointing. I ordered a foot-long deluxe sandwich and they did not put the meatballs and the onions that I requested. Not only that but they only put one layer of meat when it needs 5 slices. The lemon Grove location adds more meat than this place. The sandwich was underwhelming and I felt ripped off. I also requested bacon and they charge me $2.50 and it was only bacon bits not bacon strips like I had assumed. I can make a better sandwich in this place. I ate the whole sandwich in 15 minutes and I was not full at all. If they put the meatballs on my sandwich I would've gave it a better score. I paid 16 bucks for the sandwich and they had the audacity to ask for a tip when they only gave me average service and a mediocre sandwich that wasn't even complete. If you come to the grinder, expect one layer of meat and make sure you unwrap your sandwich before you leave because they might not have put everything you requested on it. They have Bible passages on the window so I assumed this place would have better quality and service. I was mistaken. Overall this place SUCKS!!! read more

I got a meatball grinder today, I sat in my truck and decided to eat the sandwich right away. Meatballs were ice cold, and the cheese didn't even melt.. never experienced a meatball like that, horrible sandwich, wouldn't go back! read more

If I could leave zero stars I would. First time here. $15 for 6 inch. ONE slice of deli Turkey and cold bacon. I'll never come back.

Ordered the footlong meatball sub. The service was good and the food came quickly. Unfortunately, those were it for the positives. The meat was astonishingly bland and came with almost no marinara sauce. It was like eating unseasoned hamburger patties. The meat wasn't even hot enough to melt the provolone. Also, almost bit into a couple bits of very hard gristle several times-could have caused some serious harm. The atmosphere is eerily quite; no TV, not even a radio playing. Hopefully just caught them on an off-day. Will be trying again, but probably not the meatball. read more

Impossible to order a freaking sandwich!!! It's not rocket science! They take forever- very slow...

I'm taking into consideration that everything is upside down right now but 2 times in a row getting the order wrong is not a good thing. Last week they forgot the acacado completely off one of our sandwiches wrong and last night 2 of our ham and turkey sandwiches they forgot the turkey completely. read more