first time going to this place and will never go back the manager was totally mean and had a big attitude not sure why they have her there plus they over charge for avacodos and she argue with us they only put 4 piceses of ovacado in a footlong totally insane and the worst part she screamed at my kids because supposebly they were slamming that machine game they had totally unmornal she needs to stop working there. read more

Went here because I saw all the positive 5 star reviews. Lousy customer service. My husband asked what was on the Godfather and the girl behind the counter told him to go read the menu. Really surprised me how annoyed she was at my husband who was in here today for the first time. The sandwich: one thin slice of roast beef, one slice of cheese, shredded lettuce, stingy on the tomato and way too much mayo. Uninteresting. Not very tasty. The bread was very fresh, but overall disappointing enough to be a "one and done" for us. read more

I have been going to this sandwich shop for decades and every time we have gone it has gotten a little bit worse. This time our sandwiches had one piece of meat, a piece of cheese, and obviously they didn't care what you requested to have on the sandwich. How disappointing!! Not sure if it is bad employees who could care less or just cheap owners. Bummer! I would recommend going somewhere else. Too expensive for nothing! read more

great food, super friendly staff, and they me a great veggie sandwitch. prices were pretty good too. easy parking. right next door to a mexican place. my friends had the godfather which is a meat lovers heaven and they were pretty happy with it too. read more

Super great sandwiches. Fast service been going here for over 40 years. Nothing has really changed since I started going in high school.

An absolute staple of El Cajon. I have been coming here since I was probably 8, it holds quite a bit of nostalgia for me. Very small place with limited parking. Can be a bit of wait during lunch time. Things have changed quite a bit. The sandwiches themselves don't quite taste how they used to, they used to have an old school taste to them that is not there anymore, I think the bread has changed. They are good sandwiches still, but I long for the old days. read more

What happened to the meat? Terribly overpriced. I ordered the classic grinder and I felt simply ripped off. Basically paying for bread. Even the mustard and mayo was sparse. read more

My wife and I went there because of the great reviews it had and they have been in business since 1963, so it must be good, we were wrong. We were very disappointment in the sandwiches. My roast beef sandwich was mostly bread, and my wife hot pastrami was not even hot. and also mostly bread. Maybe we went there on a off day? read more

I am sitting at the table after eating my sandwich. Fast friendly service and decent food. Nothing spectacular but always edible. I always stop by when I just want a regular sandwich. read more

I read some past reviews on the Hot Pastrami sandwich. With the old owners that was true, they were good and you got what you paid for. I went to the Grinder and have been for about 20 years, but no more. I ordered 2 hot Pastrami's to go costing me $9.00 each. I arrived home to serve this to myself and husband and when we opened our sandwiches it was a major disappointment. The amount of meat given with the new owner(s) was two slices. Lots of bread lacks the meat which is what he enjoys the meat. Subway gives a better deal than this place more meat and cost less. I was so mad at being ripped off I see this place now as greedy skimping on the product to increase profit margins for themselves. This yelp review is to only help the people who want to know if this place is worthwhile going to for lunch. But I do honestly do hope this yelp review helps the new owner realize that they have to make a decent sandwich or they will not be in business much longer. The Grinder has always had a good name because they use to give a great sandwich. The photo on the menu looks good, but that is not what you get now. I hope this helps everyone. read more

Our family has been to this shop for more than 20 years. We've watched as our neighborhood kids have grown and worked there. A very community-oriented establishment! My sons ride their bikes to get a grinder sandwich as often as they have allowance money. So happy to have them here! read more

The best sandwich in San Diego. The original owner was a great guy and old fashion Italian! It's changed a lot since then though the costumer service isn't as nice as they were but still the food is so good it makes you look past the service read more

I placed an order over the phone. The person who answered the phone didn't identify that I reached the grinder. She took my order and when I got the order home, it was wrong. This is unusual for The Grinder, normally the order is correct. read more

been going here years cant stop eating their meat ball sammich.. ughh so good i could eat 2 foot longs .... there prices are ok could be better but i do understand quality you pay for and this place is worth it always a family member is there and or mom is there.. always beautiful young ladies making the sandwhich so yea theres the eye candy.. be nice gentlemen most of them are under 18... still a pretty women is nice to look at .... i belive they cater too not sure though.. been at that location for years and years i was a kid now im 40 and i still go there thats how long they been in business anyway stop in grab a sammich and snack down... youll come back after 1 sandwhich i sware they put something like magic in the bread or something i have no idea what ever it is im gunna grab that recepiie lol not to sell to make them of course geesh im not a jerk lol read more

I have gone to "The Grinder" since I was 2 years old. Pete was still alive back then and he was such an amazing man. My all time favorite is the hot pastrami. You won't be disappointed. read more

We love this place! A good ol family run sandwhich shop with some tasty choices. My son and i prefer to keep it simple with the turkey and cheese or the ham and cheese but my mom loves the combo and my dad gets the James Special every time! Way back, Greenfeld junior highschool(just down the street) had these tasty sandwiches on the lunch menu once a week.. Tasty stuff for sure! We live in Reno now but when I come home I make sure to stop by a few times and get my fix. read more

It is unfortunate that you have to give any stars. I have been going here since the early 80's and it used to be good, but steadill over the last several years the quality has gone down hill, the service is lackluster and bread can be substituted for bricks in your next building project. It is a shame that what once was a great little sandwitch shop has declined so much... it is quite apparent that the owners must be just riding on a name and brand that was built up and allowing employees that couldn't possibly care less, run it. Yet, due to it being literally a 2 minute walk from work, I keep trying to go back, half the time being disappointed. The final straw... after several hit and miss visits, was twice now... TWICE... I specifically state that I do not wish mayo or mustard on my meatball sandwitch (who orders that? It's disgusting) and now TWICE they not just put it on, but slather it on both pieces of bread to where there is more mayo and mustard than marinara sauce. I can understand once, but twice after the sutuation was brought up on the second order, means that you are doing it on purpose, and just do not care. When brought to their attention, the attitude given was specifically, "oh well". And these are the people and the attitude of folks who "deserve" 15 bucks an hour to do a half-assed job? That is it... I will go anywhere but this place again. 30+ years of being a customer... no longer. I suggest any other place that serves sandwitches... subway... the gas station... anywhere but Grinder. read more

We started going there when we were kids. Always our favorite place. A Grinder, at that time was $1.25 if you can believe it. It was always great to see Pete!!! Wonderful Memories!!! read more

Love the original grinder, sub ham for turkey! It's always a hit:)

very excellent sandwiches, great choices of meats, simple, yet has a awesome family feel to it... love thier sandwiches!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been eating at the grinder for years but i have noticed in the past year or so the quality just isn't the same. i always get the turkey and cheese and anymore, there doesn't seem to be much meat and the bread freshness is hit and miss. i love supporting family owned businesses however, I'm having a hard time justifying spending approximately $8 on a semi stale sandwich that has maybe two slices of turkey on it. read more

This place has some awsome sandwiches! The price is good the only thing I have ever had bad was an expired bag of chips but kinda my fault for not checking the date first. read more

I love this place always clean and the lady's working are always so nice I usually get the same thing every time me and my husband go and everytime the sandwiches are perfect we try and eat here once a week usually a weekend or even a weekday if we get the chance !!! Thank you for being a awesome sandwich shop... read more

I used to go to the grinder years ago, and I'm not a big sandwich fan. It used to be really good. I was with my son recently, and I said "let's check out the grinder, they have great sandwiches." So we walk in, and the young girl behind the counter unenthusiastically says "can I help you?" I told her that I haven't been there in 10 years, and I'm taking my son here because I've always thought well of the grinder. She still looks at me with a blank stare, and a sleepy look, like she could care less. So, I ordered a sandwich, and it looked like it was killing her to ask me what I wanted on it. When I finally got our two sandwiches, they were plain, skimpy, and expensive for what they were. She never said thanks for coming in, hope to see you soon, or anything of the sort. The grinder has been around for a long time, I always see construction trucks out front. Maybe they have a certain clientele and customer base that keeps coming in where they get good service and good quality food. My sandwich quality was equal or less than a wrapped sandwich bought at a convenience store. I would have been better off going to Subway. In this bad economy, you'd think that customer service would be important to them for keeping customers. I don't understand why they would destroy their customer base with little problems. And if you're into mexican food, read my review on the taco shop next door to the grinder. read more

I just DO NOT get it. I ate here about 10-12 years ago, couldn't remember how it was(must not have been that good). I live right down the street and drive by this place every single day. My fiance told me it was terrible, that they don't give you any meat on the sandwhich. Well today I finally decided to give it a try. She was right!!! "ONE SINGLE" Slice of Turkey, piles of lettuce, tomato and cheese. The cheese was thicker than the meat, I am not exaggerating. It tasted ok, but for $8.00 I would expect some MEAT on my sandwhich. They serve a nice BIG Roll NOT a big sandwhich. You people that rave about this place lead sheltered lives, Go to Cheers Deli on Jackson & Navajo to sample a truly great sandwhich. Literally 8-10 times the amount of better MEAT for a little less $$$. Plus you can pick the type of Bread, Cheese and Extras YOU like. Too bad, it's a nice little neghborhood(sp) place that could really rock, if they gave you a choice and some product. read more