So my first time trying The Grinder! There sandwich bread was fresh! Tasted like healthy food! Could really read the menus outside a bit blurred cause of the different colors.when I did order, they didn't tell me what different breads they had, I had to ask. And no special sandwich sauce besides oil and vinegar... it was okay...I had the BLT with add one with bacon and avocado. read more

I certainly did enjoy this restaurant and the wonderful service that I received on my first visit there. So certainly I'm looking forward to returning back there again and possibly getting a larger order. Perhaps, I just might go there later on. Yummy Yum! read more

First time I had been here in a very long time. The James sandwich was just as good as I remembered. I was impressed with the way they are set up so you don't have to go inside to pick up. Will definitely go back soon. read more

Best local hole in the wall (literally) deli in El Cajon. Hot Pastrami is on point along with everything else!

A local favorite that's earned its chops by producing good quality sandwiches at decent prices for over 40 years. The service here is amazing. My wife placed her order first, and by the time I was done placing my order, her sandwich was done. By the time I got done paying, mine was done also. It's that fast. The sandwiches are a bit surprising at first. A foot-long sandwich is indeed a foot long. But the meat and fixings are 6 inches wide on a 3-inch wide sandwich roll. That leaves you with meat, cheese, etc, all sticking out well beyond the sides of the bread. Please note - I'm not complaining. It's just something you may not be prepared for if you are expecting something like Subway where they cut out a gouge in your bread to stuff everything into. Not so at Grinders. They give you every bit of bread you pay for. I've been in there 3 times, and gotten a variety of their offerings, and all have been exceptional. And not once have I eaten an entire foot-long in a single sitting. But that's okay, since I can wrap that baby up and take it to work the next day for my lunch, and lose myself in the Grinders greatness once again. read more

This place is decent if you only like one kind of cheese, shredded lettuce and "meatballs" that are more like meat sauce. There's another sandwich place that is nearby that is much better than this and with a greater variety. I would not make a special trip here. I think I'd rather "dine" at the liquor store across the street; if I had to make a choice. read more

Whoever made our subs on July 7th (Saturday) in the early evening did a FANTASTIC job. They overloaded it with goodies and big pieces of avocado. Usually they put a thin smear of avocado on the sandwiches even when you ask for extra avocado. They have always been great sandwiches, but this time extra special. **Note*** I found out that the person who made the sandwiches was the owner! The sandwiches were a treat from my step father and he said he saw her make them. Oh she does a great job! read more

After getting dismissed from jury duty, I decided to head on over for a sandwich. This place has been here for 50 years! They have to be doing something right....right? I placed my order for a foot long "Godfather" which is salami, ham, roast beef, meatballs and sausage topped with lettuce, tomato, onions, salt/pepper and oil dressing. It sounded like a winner but unfortunately was not. Total came out to $9.46. Paid my money and sat down for a minute. The sandwich came out pretty quick. It was definitely huge. The bag was heavy. I took this home and dug in. I unwrapped this bad boy and was impressed by the looks of it. That was about all that was impressive. Upon further inspection, I couldn't help but notice the round slices of genoa salami that look like Oscar Mayer slices...yuck....my least favorite kind of salami ever. The ham looked like it was boiled ham out of a can. There was one small strip of roast beef and then the meatballs and sausage. The meatballs were like a smashed meat sauce and the sausage was real thinly sliced pieces of what looked like linguica kind of. They were not even hot...kind of luke warm. I picked the sausage, "meatballs" and salami off the sandwich because they were meh! I wound up eating a ham sandwich basically. It wasn't the worst sandwich I ever had, but I highly doubt I would return. The bread was soft, they used good amounts of onion/lettuce/tomato that was fresh...that's about it. Maybe a straight up ham sandwich might be ok from here but all the other ingredients were just not that good! They have been here 50 years! That is a long ass time to be in business. There must be people out there who love these sandwiches. More power to em! I just know personally that I wont be back. The lady at the counter was nice enough. Not friendly but not rude either...just to the point for the most part which is fine. read more

Stopped in today after wanting to try their sandwiches for a long time. Definitely unimpressed. The ham looks like it came right out of a package from the grocery store. The prices are pretty high too. Skip this joint. read more

Overpriced. Got the chicken soup = tasted like Campbell's cream of mushroom with Campbell's chicken soup. Got 1/2 sandwich - roast beef 1 piece of roast beef. & A sandwich that was suppose to have everything in it including meatballs = total disgrace. Meatballs were like the canned version of sloppy joes spread. It was not meatballs it was smeared meat spread. The sliced meat looked like cheap packaged squared lunch meat. Will never go here again & the girls making the sandwich did not make it any better. Perhaps wear something more suitable and/or don't pull your shirt down and than continue making my sandwich because your tank is 3 sizes too small. read more

Winter Gardens: Where El Cajon hides car repair places, auto body shops and it's best old school sandwich joint. Now I wouldn't make a special trip, but god dammit if I don't find myself at the counter of The Grinder whenever my old car is in the shop. I like the combo (ham and salami) and the wife likes hot pastrami. The foot long should last for two meals unless you ran here from Parkway Plaza. The girls are nice enough and the walls are covered in Navy pictures and memorabilia. So if you are shopping for used tires or having a water pump replaced, you know there is a nice spot for a good sandwich nearby. read more

I discovered this deli about 40 years ago. The grinder was so good I have been coming back. Since that time I first found The Grinder, franchises have been trying to squeeze out the old mom and pop delis. However, none of the franchises come close to this shop. The grinder has just the right mix of meat, cheese, vegetables and dressing to be almost perfect. Today, I drove 22 miles to get a grinder, passing a large number of Subways, Jersey Mikes et al to get the perfect sandwich. read more

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

There used to be a few of these places around San Diego, Not sure if there still are. The Grinder was around before Subway and Submarina overran the county, popping up in the same strip malls as Starbucks and the like. This place brings back memories of those simple times before puberty came along and complicated everything. Now, as I sit here rapidly advancing in age, there seem to be fewer and fewer places left from my childhood. Places that haven't been tainted or even traumatized by modernization, and progress. Seems like everything moves faster now, even people, as we shift more and more toward instant gratification without commitment in everything we do.... I Like these old places, places that make you stop, places that make you commit to the act, no matter how simple it is. It's something that is becoming harder and harder to do. It may not be the best quality, they may not have the variety, but what they do have to offer is still worth something if you take the time to enjoy it. read more

My manager referred me to this quaint sandi shop. He said he has been bringing his daughters here for years. Whenever they visit him at work, they always bring along these big paper bags from the grinder. What could possibly be so good about these damn sandwiches? I had to find out for myself. When you order a footlong, its an actual footlong! Plenty for two people. The bread is so soft, but never soggy. They always have the perfect ratio of meat, cheese, and veggies. I HIGHLY recommend the oil they use as well. These sandwiches aren't fancy, nor are they trying to be. It's so nice having this option to get away from all of the subways and quiznos in the area. Phoning in an order is quick and concise. Never have I ever had to wait more than two rings for someone to pick up. The shop is small, on the corner of a somewhat busy street, but also has it's own character. A hole in the wall if you will. Lastly, I've seen many comments about the "mean woman with glasses". Upon reading the reviews beforehand, I've kept my guard up on my first visit. Although I've come to find out, she's actually just quite affirmative. I appreciate when someone is direct and confident. It's a trait I admire more than someone who's stammering an order or unsure. Believe me, the quality of food will override anything you may feel is not "PC" about this establishment or its customer service. I see myself ordering from the grinder for many years to come, as my manager has. Great quality in a small town atmosphere. If you find yourself in El Cajon, do stop by. You won't regret it read more

Love this place. Yes, the menu isn't huge, options are few, but good! I like keeping things simple and making what you do have really good. I usually get the vegetarian and it is fantastic! There is something special about the bread. These are regular people making GOOD simple sandwiches, and no they aren't going to match Subway in price!! But they will exceed that in quality. I support local businesses with quality products! P.S. Dogs are awesome. There is no sign that says DOGS OK and I've never seen one in there, but either way it's cool with me. read more

The Grinder is the original (and so far as Yelp is concerned, only) sandwich shop in Winter Gardens. It's been there forever, offering a selection of large, Italian-style sandwiches. There are better ones in the city, but I wouldn't be a Italian deli fan if not for the Grinder. Their menu has barely changed in forty years. There is only provolone cheese. There are only torpedo rolls. Bacon is not an accessory on every sandwich: it comes standard on only the BLT. There is no buffalo sauce, nor ranch dressing. Even mayo or mustard are optional. For a hint of the place, check their website, which feels comfortably small town. Inasmuch as a sandwich store can be a pillar of a community, The Grinder is one. read more

I'm going to take a minute to rave about this place!! Today was my first time trying this place and I'm so glad that I did! Of course you can find several sandwich shops in San Diego but this one definitely stands out from the rest. I ordered the ham and turkey and all I have to say is delicious.... the bread was so soft and moist it practically melts in your mouth. This place is just a regular old sub shop with out the different breads and crazy toppings. I've been looking for a place that just has a regular sub.. cheese, meat, tomatoes , lettuce, mayo, mustard and oil! I see so many people go here and sometime the line out the door. Now I see why. 5 stars all the way read more

I've never been WOW'd by anything here. Meat quality is average, Sandwiches are large but that's about all they have going for them... Any sandwich shop that charges extra for pickles... I'm not in to... I'll pass and keep driving to Antonelli's where the wait is longer but the food is worth it. read more

Its a decent little sub shop nothing to amazing, but definitely better quality than a sub way or sub marina. My favorite sandwich is a wheat bread foot long BLT with pepper chinis and sweet onion sauce! The gals are real nice and the place has a nice decor. Definitely worth a visit from time to time. read more

Fresh ingredients, great staff and they made a sandwich to order not on their menu. Try hot pastrami with hot sausage, lettuce, tomatoe, pepperoncinis, provolonge cheese, oil and vinegar on a fresh roll. They are the best.. and prices are good. ummmm best way to watch football... read more

We have been going to the Grinder since we moved into the neighborhood in the early eighties. We love their sandwiches. Must have tried every one of them over the years. The employees have always been friendly and taken our special orders with no problem. The owner is a very friendly, wonderful lady who has been known to give us a slice of turkey with a smiley face drawn on it, for our little dog. The place is often very busy, but they are efficient and the wait is short. As for the complaints I read about rude employees, I think most people are nice to "nice" people. I have never encountered a problem at the Grinder with a rude employee. read more

This place is pretty cool, I remeber going with my mom to get grinders here when I was a little kid. The shop is tiny and a bit of a hole in the wall, but once you find it the service is really fast. The girls behind the counter are always nice and can make a sandwich really freakin fast. read more

Today I enjoyed a turkey sandwich with "everything" on it and added mayo and mustard. The sandwich did it's job, it was a sandwich and it filled me up. The ordering experience was mellow, the girl was friendly, they got my order correct. The sandwich was very fresh, with fresh ingredients and the bread was soft. I love shredded iceberg lettuce on sandwiches, that was on point. My deli sandwich expectations are high being from San Francisco. Some pointers I would give any deli trying to make it... It is all about the bread. Get some great French bread and you already are halfway there. The bread here is a bit too soft. It could use some more hardness atleast on the outside. Or maybe if they got a good toaster, toasted subs with oil dressings on shredded lettuce are on point from my experiences. If they had a signature spread that would pull in more regulars. Like a delicious garlic pesto spread, something to ad more flavor. The turkey breast I had could be more "deli" like maybe a better quality meat. These are just suggestions to what would make a 5 star sandwich. It is slightly odd to the newcomer that they don't put mayo on an "everything" sub. I think this must do nothing but make the cashiers job more difficult than it has to be having to always explain it. It would annoy me if I worked there. I will be back, there aren't many mom and pop sandwich joints around, and I love supporting places like this. The wrap job on the large sub I ordered to go for my boyfriend pretty sloppy with it coming unwrapped in the bag. Maybe some deli tape would help, I also like places that sharpie the type of sandwich it is on the wrapper so you can tell them apart. Overall, Tasty, fresh, sandwich... This place has a lot of potential to be 5 stars, it's just missing that umph! read more

The Grinder - Pacman awesome - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I love this place! The sandwiches are huge and super tasty! This is way better than Subway or Submarina. I order one sandwich and it lasts me two meals, heck yes! My mouth just waters thinking about this place. They also has a cool assortment of drinks, rootbeer, ginger ale, orange cream soda, etc, and they all come in glass bottles, which I love! I would most definitely recommend this place! read more

I have been eating here for years the service is on point and the sandwich's are delicious and of the best quality you could ever have in a great sandwich the ingredients are in a class by it self there is no funny cheap stuff at this sandwich shop and it's very clean and there customer service is the best as well and anyone who thinks over wise just doesn't know a quality sandwich when it's being made or while there eating one all the other commercialized sandwich shops are to commercial to stand out in first place alone as The Grinder integrity class and taste they are the best period . read more

My friend told me about this place. It didn't seem like a good shop, but it totally is! Sandwich lovers will like this place. 3 stars because it wasn't as fast at service the last time we went, but it definitely was not bad tasting read more

Great pricing for amazing sandwiches! I ordered the combo and it was so delicious! The girl at the window was super sweet and patient with me with all my changes and adding on different items. Great location. read more

Update to my subpar review that I left a couple years ago. Sadly things have gone downhill even more. My spouse got the godfather. Which was amazing before. This time it Lacked meat and flavour. I got my standard turkey with everything. Which should mean plenty of flavor. Nope bland city. My husband went back to tell them how awful the sandwiches were and the staff was rude and made it out like we were half nuts. So we will not be back. Get it together Grinder! read more

Best vegetarian sandwich I have ever had, I know people come here for the great huge meatfilled sammiches but their vegie cannot be beat with aged provolone, real avo and italian seasoning. So good. read more

Been eating here since I was a kid. Hands down the best Italian subs in my opinion!! Every weekend gotta have it

On a day when i was getting fresh tattoo work, i learned long ago never get ink on an empty stomach. I love me a good sandwich and this place was friendly, good and fast. the inside is nothing really write home about but it's a deli it's not supposed to be wicked nice. If you want a good sandwich and you're in the area, do stop by and enjoy. read more

I have seen this little sandwich shop a bunch if times and finally got the chance last weekend. My friend and I both had the hot pastrami. It was very very good. Just the meat was hot not the bread or veggies and they made it just like I asked. Even though I got the small I had to take the 2nd half for lunch the next day, it was still good then too. I will deff make this a more regular stop. read more

Great veggie sandwiches! Quick and friendly service! Have been frequenting this establishment for 20 years! They changed ownership or something because their sandwiches did change (they used to be better) but they still do a great job! read more

Local business with grinders much, much better than sub-way. Friendly cashier and staff. Love the everything grinder The Godfather!

Use to be my favorite sandwich spot since the 80's, Now it is like they just throw it together and don't care how your sandwich taste. I will go back every so often to see if they fixed it, but end up disappointed every time. read more

Four times and still hadn't learned my lesson Each time was the same thing, Overpriced sandwiches with barely any meat and medocre taste. Definitely not worth the money. read more

The Grinder - Severely lacking - Delis Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I came here and tried a new sandwich that I normally wouldn't order called the "James Deluxe". I did not enjoy my sandwich at all. When I got home I opened the sandwich up and it looked like it was just thrown together. The sandwich was drenched with oil and vinegar that made the bread super soggy. To make a long story short I threw the entire sandwich in the trash. I don't think I'll ever go back to a restaurant where kids are the ones running the place because the food will most likely reflect it. read more

I called so did not have to wait in line. The rude girl told me five people ahead of me. That is why I called so did not have to wait to order. Hello Jersey Mikes who did not make me wait on phone to order my sandwich read more

I went in to order food. The person in front of me asked to use the restroom and was allowed access to use the restroom I then proceeded to ask when he was done and they told me no. I guess being a customer doesn't mean anything to them. I will never return to this establishment. Very terrible customer service. read more

Hands down the best Italian sandwich you can buy! My favorite is "The James Special". All the Italian meats and a fork smashed meatball! "The Godfather"has everything the james has and slices of Italian sausage! If you order a Tuna sandwich. The tuna is made fresh, as in....you order it....they open a can of tuna and make it fresh right on the spot! I have been going there for forty years! Love this place! read more