What makes a great deli? Freshly sliced meats, great bread and really good service. This is a perfect description for the Grinder, who's been in business for 60 years. Today was the COMBO and date I say world famous tuna salad. Add peperoncini and it's perfect. Did I mention how nice they are. We had fiona and they brought out a little deli treats. read more

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Got the combo sub and the James special and they were soo good! I love a good deli sandwich and this place did not disappoint. Quality & fresh ingredients! Service was great, the staff was super friendly and helpful! read more

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Nothing better than a delicious stuffed sandwich that was ready in, I kid you not, less than 3 minutes. I got the ham and salami with all the veggies, added avocado for the perfect touch and a Mexican bottled Coca-Cola (the best soda ever). Hands down one of the best sandwiches I have had in a very long time. Quick service, delicious food and very friendly staff! 11/10 recommend this place! read more

The Grinder - Combo Sandwich - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

The best sandwiches around!! No matter how long it's been since I've gone there it's always amazing every time! Plus the gave my dog a little treat & he seemed to enjoy himself also! Don't miss out on this gem. read more

Staple east county. All above average sandwiches. Starting to get pricey but always been pretty fair. A very solid spot.

Absolutely love this sandwich shop. Service was fast and everyone was super friendly. I love that it's been around for so long, they are clearly doing something right. I got the James special, and my friend got the combo sandwich. The James special was sooooo yummy. I ate almost the entire sandwich and I usually can only eat half. The pastrami in the sandwich is absolutely amazing. 10/10. I will be back soon. Also the seating area is comfy and cute. read more

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This place has been here for YEARS so obviously they are doing something right . I used to come here when I was younger , but haven't been here for many, many years . It's close to where we were so why not , they are known for good sandwiches . And yes the sandwiches are good , however choices are limited . Maybe I never noticed that before . But only provolone cheese ( for just a sandwich place , should be more choices ) . Bread comes not toasted , but is fairly fresh , just a bit mushed . Not much meat on the Turkey sandwich. For the price I paid . Was it good ? Yes ... amazing ? Not for the price we paid . Two full sandwiches and one half sandwich was $48.00 . I felt like that was overpriced for what we received. I have them 4 stars because it is a decent sandwich , but with all factors involved , more than likely I won't return . read more

The Grinder - Dinning room - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Not gonna lie, a little let down that my orthodontist up the street didn't tell me about this spot lol THE GRINDER IS IN FACT, A MEAL IN ITSELF. If you solve an homemade, old school, local sandwich shop, this is the spot! I got the James and was not disappointed one bit! The bread was soft, the ingredients fresh, the meat choices, chefs kiss! The perfect balance of mess and precision, is what will keep me coming back here. Last but not least, the employees smile! Friendly, prompt and dialed in. Shout out to big man in the back running up the sandwiches during the lunch rush too! Locked in and kept the wait time down! read more

The Grinder - The James Special Sandwich - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

The turkey and bacon sandwich at The Grinder is seriously next-level. Everything about it was done right--from the thick, fresh slices of turkey to the perfectly crispy bacon that added just the right amount of smoky crunch. You can tell they don't cut corners here. The service was excellent and efficient, made sure to add any toppings I would like and offered chips, drinks, and even had one of my favorite ice creams (chocolate malted crunch). The ambiance gives a good diner feeling and I see they are making some great improvements ! read more

The Grinder - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Got lucky with a parking up front right before the lunch rush! Customer service was good, nice gentleman took our order quickly and subs came out quick too. They have fountain drinks and some nice signature root beer. We got the GodFather and the Deluxe subs. Really good portioned off the bat- bread is super soft and fresh Ingredients are perfectly arranged and portioned in its place almost strategically so that nothing falls out as you squeeze the sub between your hands and fingers. Veggies are also fresh and delicately chopped The oil and vinegar salt and pepper compliment every bite, I would have liked more mustard and pickles and olives - but that's just cuz I love a messy sub! This definitely reminded me of a heartwarming meal straight from your Nonnas kitchen ! Will definitely be back! read more

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I tried this place out for the first time and was pleasantly surprised at the different drink options they have. I also had a really good experience with the staff, and my food came out fast. I will definitely have to stop by again soon! read more

The Grinder - meatball sub, potato chips, vanilla cream soda - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

The staff here is very friendly, and food is good !! They also have pickup option outside for phone orders. Will be back again :) read more

The Grinder - meatball footlong, fritos, brisk - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

As soon as I went to order everyone was so kind and friendly. I'm from Texas and it felt like "southern hospitality". I ordered the Combo sandwich and it literally came out in minutes. Brodey helped me and his service was impeccable. Will definitely be back! read more

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Please when I order a hot sandwich can you please make it hot. Every single time. I have to heat it up !!!

I wanted to share a footlong pastrami with my lady. The footlongs are $16.50, which makes this a good shareable item. Otherwise, the 6-inch sandwiches are each $11.50. To share, she wanted mustard and I wanted mayo. In order to do so, the employee made us pay for 2 six-inch subs, which doesn't make sense and is $23. So we essentially got a footlong for $23. I made a comment to the employee, but she was young and arrogant and didn't respond. So, here you go. Negative review for the employee. read more

The Torpedo Sandwich is my favorite and no other place seems to top their food. Service is excellent to go.

One of the best sandwiches in east county. I tried the combo and it was great. I'll be back.

Loved they're sandwiches, best in town! Great spot to come for lunch breaks/take out.

Got the meatball sub. Meh! I've had better at subway. Maybe my Italian taste buds were expecting better since they've been in business for so many years. Even the buns were average: I expected grinder type rolls. I'm hoping that it was a bad day for them. read more

Exceptional customer! service all amazing entrées to fulfill every delight ‍ busywork and customer service team in charge and they are always filling in for the community needs thank for staying strong during the difficult times read more

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Had the pastrami sandwich hot it was yummy, also tried the God Father which I believe they are known for, I preferred the pastrami. My new fav sandwich place though, food was great and so was the service. Place is small but clean. read more

This is the authentic experience of stepping into an Italian deli in Brooklyn. The bread is fresh baked, all of the ingredients are fresh, and every taste is balanced in the sandwich so one does not overpower the other. If you are looking to get away from the sub shop chain companies, and try something truly unique, come to The Grinder for an atmosphere and an experience that you will not forget. read more

The Grinder - The Combo - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

The hot pastrami sub was out of this world! The staff was incredibly friendly and kind, and the establishment was squeaky clean! I can't wait to go back! read more

The Grinder - Outside of the restaurant. - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

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The employees are wonderful and the food is fabulous. This is a great place for a delicious grinder sandwich. My fav is the hot pastrami. Yum yum. read more

I have been coming to this sandwich shop for many years always the freshest ingredients,bread is always fresh,staff are always friendly I don't go to any other place I enjoy a good sandwich not the big chains if they were not so good they would have been gone way before the 1960s thank you to all! read more

First time I went in. I had the ham and turkey. It was okay but I was burping it up the whole day from it. The second time I went in to try something else but while I was waiting in line I saw the cashier young boy handle cash with the customer in front of me and went straight to making sandwiches with his bare hands without washing them after touching dirty money. I don't mind bare hands but not properly washing hands and having me watch him touch the ham with bare hands just kinda upset my stomach. Not only they left the customers in line to order to just wait there and there was already 3 other people making sandwiches. Unfortunately I won't be back again because that is just nasty. read more

This grinder sandwiches are AMAZING! We had the hot pastrami and a turkey foot long and it was delicious. I highly recommend trying them out. The staff is very nice always service with smile. There's a reason the shops been around for 60years. read more

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

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10/10. Great sandwiches. I've been going here since I was a kid. Friendly people with a classic feel

I was a regular but this is now the second time I come and they're super skimpy on the dressings, this time I asked for extra mayo and mustard this is what I got. I see a pattern and don't think I'll come back anymore. read more

The Grinder - Hardly any mayo and mustard - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

Decently made sandwiches without any frills, they aren't the best nor are they the worst but when craving some carbs with meat can't go wrong. No complaints except they don't allow inside dining. Can't believe they have been around for 40+ years. Might be back. read more

The Grinder - Menu March 2022 - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Only the freshest ingredients and the most genuine smiles! Handmade and delicious. They always get my order correct and never skimp on the portions. read more

When I was a little 8- year old boy I would ride my bike to hang out at this place. That was 58 years ago, and I still remember the ol' guy who would have us poor kids sweep the parking spaces in exchange for a God Father grinder. He always had a smile and a good heart, and every time I come back it's still the same. The meatball sauce and oil and vinegar makes this grinder the only one you should ever order due to it's unique taste and soft yummy bread. Don't try to change it by ordering it differently! read more

The Grinder - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

One of the best in town great sandwiches, staffs always friendly. I've been going here for years

Always the best subs .... My husbands favorite spot ! He gets the pastrami and my fav is the Turkey ! High recommend

Amazing sandwiches and friendly staff. I've been eating here for over 20 years! Always get the Combo!

So basic not even good quality meat not worth the price, good customer service. The kids working are nice but the quality of food is not.

It was such a disappointed ! The meatball sandwich was a soggy mess, the bread was too soft, and the meatballs were smashed like chopped ground beef. The Turkey and ham sandwich did not have enough meat, it was just one thin slice of each. The Godfather sandwich was horrible; the meatball and sausage was chopped up together like ground beef placed on top of the cold veggies. The roast beef and pastrami were one skinny strip like a very thin slice of bacon, with no taste at all. read more

Great example of how not to manage a restaurant. There were 6 employees today and only one was making sandwiches even though there were multiple people in line. All college students interested in restaurant management should eat lunch here at least once to experience the way "not" to manage a restaurant. read more

Overall amazing food and the service was very nice. 10/10 would recommend! Went with my family and we all loved it.

Speed demon of hoagies,even at lunch time when you "Think,"it will be too busy,it won't be you'll be in and out even if you don't have a legitimate lunch "Hour." This is my third iteration of owners and it has neither devolved nor improved all that much over the years.There is something to be said for consistency.Small dining area.Very limited parking,but when you gotta have one you gotta have one the taste is perplexingly specific,You will come back.Antonelli'could take a page out of this sub shops book for speed and precision.And if grinder were smart they'd be a lot more generous with the meat and cheese.Still ,if doing the minimum doesn't hurt your bottom line why change? Anything to keep you all out of Subway,give it a try! read more