Off the beaten path! It is so worth the stop. Everything is homemade! Everything is incredible!…read more The soup to a burger! It was awesome! Service is excellent! Hometown feel! Nice people!

We started coming here because our family photographer (XO Kim -- check out my review!) highly…read morerecommended it, and it has become our tradition after every photo session for about five years. Enticing our kids with the animals at XO Ranch and then grabbing food at Descanso Junction has been our routine that just works. It has made taking family pictures a better experience. We always bring our dogs to the photo shoot and sit outside on the patio at Descano Junction Restaurant. We have enjoyed sitting outside. There is a wooden chair that my kids love squishing themselves into. At night they have garland lights. Unfortunately the laat time we came the heater did not have gas and we were freezing. My two younger kids still opted to eat with us because they wanted to eat with our dogs and sit in the chair. Portions here are generous and priced well. Honestly, I could probably share with my youngest, but since it's a bit of a drive for us, we each get our own dish and take home leftovers. Some menu items are served only at certain times and days, so plan around that. Service has always been consistently good -- friendly and attentive, even when we're seated on the patio with the dogs. They sell dog friendly burger patties for $5.99. Our Favorite Items Smaller Bites These come with two sliders and one side. We've tried all the options and have zero complaints. Burgers My kids love the burgers here. They're a great size and always come out juicy. We order them Medium to Medium-Well. For sides, you can pick fries, potato salad, or coleslaw, or pay extra for battered onion rings, soup, or a salad (I usually upgrade). Favorites for my family: * Traditional * Bacon Cheeseburger * Ultimate Burger My favorite burger is the Mushroom Burger I'm a mushroom lover, and this one is always cooked perfectly. Taco Salad Huge. I order it with Carne Asada and it's delicious every time. BBQ Combo: You can create your own combo. Options: Jack Daniel's Tri Tip Saint Louis Style Pork Ribs Smoked Pulled Pork Desserts I'm a dessert person. I don't have a must eat here but its a good way to end the meal. We have tried the brownie, cheesecake and apple pie. If you're in the area, definitely check this place out. Great portions, fair prices, tasty food, and consistently good service. And don't forget to walk around the shops on the same lot afterward.

Food was delicious and large portions. Service was quick and…read moreservers were friendly. Highly recommended and will definitely return to try different pies and entrees.

A place for family get-togethers, we have been here many times for the good times. Smaller than…read moreusual gathering this time, five for lunch mid-week. We ordered the Avocado Bacon burger with Onion Rings, Bacon Burger with Onion Rings, 2 orders of Apple walnut salads, and a Reuben sandwich with Onion Rings. Burgers were made to order, and onion rings were perfect. The Reuben was stacked with meat, and Apple walnut salads, fresh ingredients, and ample size, including a choice of Janet's pies: apple, blueberry, etc. Service was excellent, prompt, and efficient. The whole restaurant gives that homey country feel, complementing the town of Alpine.

I had read quite a few reviews before I decided to give this place a try, not to mention having to…read morebe in the area of an out of the way location. I went with the Nickel Pickle burger that most seemed to like and I have to say was pretty damn good. Sitting on a bun that fit the burger well (sometimes the burger is too small for the bun an visa versa) built on a layer of pickles and nickel special sauce sits a quality burger patty topped with a slice of cheddar, tomato, and a bed of arugula or what appears to be a spring mix of lettuce. All in all it worked. While savoring each bite I washed it down with a Russian River Blind Pig. I was disappointed they were out of Pliny the Elder but BP is a good second choice. The beer list is legit by the way; local craft beers including Nickel Brewery in Julian well represented. I'll be back, maybe bring the family and give the menu a proper go.

Had lunch at Lake Cuyamaca Restaurant yesterday with my two daughters and came away very impressed…read more-- not only by the food, but especially by the service. The burgers were very tasty, the fries were excellent, and the relaxed atmosphere near the lake made for a really enjoyable stop. What made the visit especially memorable was our server, Will. After placing our order, I realized I had forgotten my wallet, which created a stressful moment as I tried to figure out where I might have left it. When I shared this with Will, he asked if I was married, which I shared that I am unfortunately going through a divorce. He responded with genuine empathy, sharing that he had also gone through difficult times himself. He suggested ways we could work out payment, encouraged me not to worry, and allowed us to continue enjoying our meal while I sorted it out. That level of compassion, kindness, and understanding made a real difference. I was able to arrange payment over the phone, my daughters avoided what could have felt like an embarrassing moment, and by the end what could have been an awkward moment turned into a positive memorable experience. Great food is always appreciated, but great service is what people remember -- and Will absolutely made this visit stand out. Highly appreciated.

Great service and the food was great. We had the Prime Rib sandwich, the Steak Sandwich, the Club…read moreSandwich. All of them were delicious and HUGE. Particularly the Club. Enjoyed it and will definitely return.

I have been to Alpine Tavern many times in the past and it was consistently good. I was really…read moredisappointed when I went for a late lunch with friends today. They were out of steak, I normally order the steak sandwich. I ordered the Chicken Cobb sandwich. My friends ordered the seared ahi salad and the prime rib sandwich specials. The food took awhile to be delivered. My friends orders came out first, mine came out a couple minutes later. The presentation looked great. The tater tots were cooked perfectly. Unfortunately, the chicken and prime rib were overcooked and dry. I'm not sure if I'll go back. I used to enjoy eating here.

First time at Jays Southern Café and wow... what an experience! Vi was a whole vibe--super sweet,…read morefriendly, and really helped my hubby and me decide on what to order since it was our first visit. She made us feel right at home. Now let's talk food... the brisket was out of this world! Tender, flavorful, and just the right amount of smokiness. Paired with the coleslaw (so fresh and delicious) and their BBQ sauce that was sweet but not overpowering, the whole combo was dynamite. I even had to snap a "before" pic of the plate--and let's just say the "after" pic didn't survive because it was THAT good! They were out of dessert during our visit, but I'll definitely be back to try that cinnamon and lemon pound cake that customers around us were raving about. Big shoutout to Vi and to Penelope (I believe she was the cook that day) for serving up not just a meal, but an experience. The layout was super cool and very clean. I never knew this place was in Alpine but I found my new barbecue spot. Definitely come and support as they are a hidden gem We'll 100% be back soon--thanks again for the warm hospitality and amazing food!

Hey, Yelp Community! If you're looking for the BEST BBQ and Soul Food restaurant in East County,…read moreJay's Southern Cafe is the go-to spot. My brisket sandwich with a special BBQ sauce was hands down the most amazing brisket sandwich I've had. OMG, that BBQ sauce was an added yummy flavorful touch along with the fresh creamy coleslaw...the combo sooo finger-lickin' good. The young man's customer service was top notch with a smile. I didn't have to wait. Thank you!! Whenever you're in the area, you have to stop by to eat some delicious authentic Southern food and support a local family-owned business. It's Alpine BEST kept foodie secret.

Service was normal. I got the bacon cheeseburger and it was delicious. I also had an order of…read morefrings - the onion rings were okay but the fries were slightly undercooked but well seasoned. The star of the show was the banana milkshake - SO GOOD

Friendly cashier. Nice area. The food was not the best…read more Every hamburger ordered was wrong. Some ordered plain and were received with onion and mustard. Some recieved with pickles. Fries were soggy. Drinks warm, given without ice. Ice cream cones were delicious. No bathrooms but have a sign that public restrooms are across the street at the park. If going to enjoy the food, sit across the street on the tables at the park. So beautiful. Sorry. Forgot to take pics of our meals.

The service was fast and the girls were great. The food was perfect and the place is really cute…read moreinside. We were on our way to Sedona and we hadn't had breakfast. Got off on Tavern Road and found this place.

Took Dad and wife to breakfast this morning to Off the 8 Cafe. Dad had not been here before today…read more He was amazed. He had the pork chops and eggs and was pleased he could not finish he got so much food. The service was over the top. And the ambiance is very simple and enjoyable. If you want a simple place to eat and be able to enjoy a breakfast or lunch give them a try. They are quick to serve and quick to bring your food and accurate.

Recently it was my first experience eating here and it was quite delicious. As a big fan of casinos…read moreand steak and seafood, this was right up my alley and it did not disappoint. The restaurant itself is pretty large, with a nice bar area in the front for more casual dining than 2 other dining areas in the back. They also had the biggest fireplace I've ever seen which was unique. The staff here are very professional, cordial and efficient, and the kitchen did a good job on plating. To the best part - the food. Really excellent menu that made it hard for me to pick. After much deliberation, I ordered the crab cakes that were much larger than I expected and filled with crab and probably one of the tastiest crab cakes I've had. I stayed on the seafood route and ordered the Atlantic sea scallops with pancetta and mushrooms. And again, the scallops were larger than I expected and I really enjoyed this dish. My dining companion went the turf route and got the filet mignon, and lucky me, I got to try it and was pretty solid and cooked perfectly. Then the finale of chocolate cake, very decadent was a great end to a delicious dinner!

The worst steakhouse of all time . I showed up on a Thursday…read morewith my significant other ,we wanted to eat good . Big mistake our steaks were completely wrong when they arrived . Then I had to wave down the waitress every time I needed something,I literally had to turn around and break my neck when she approached the table when I called her . She suppose to stand in front of me and take an order . We were treated like they were doing us a favor . I sent my steak back to cook longer something I never do . And when it came back I ordered my check and paid and left food there. I would never eat food that was sent back but I did it to prove à point . Do not waste your money or time This is a fake needed wannabe steak house . Viejas casino shoujd be ashamed.

Parking 4/5 -Free casino parking structure…read more Service 5/5 -Friendly staff, service was attentive and timely. Food 5/5 -Complimentary sourdough bread basket was served warm with a side of butter, no notes -Pacific chowder/cup $8, nice thick texture of chowder that had fish/clam in every scoop, yum -steak frites $33, I really liked that the steak came pre-cut, cooked perfectly medium rare, tender and juicy paired perfectly with the garlicky refreshing chimichurri sauce. Truffle fries were crispy and so fragrant, great truffle fries. -crab leg boil special $30, the sauce is garlicky and buttery but not spicy, comes with crab legs and corn and sausage and potatoes, comes with gloves. Ambiance 5/5 -Classy and quiet dining environment, very comfortable, would be great for dates or just a relaxing meal

MAKE RESERVATIONS we arrived for dinner and waited 40 minutes for an opening but pleasantly…read moresurprised they offered a Valentine's Day dinner for two $85. Share an appetizer- we picked passion fruit shrimp cocktail which was 8 large poached shrimp with a passion fruit forward cocktail sauce and a charred lemon. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the charred lemon added a nice touch. We each picked an entree of the 2 offered - Ginger Glazed Wild Salmon and Grilled ribeye. The salmon was on top of couscous with baby grilled zucchini. The salmon had crispy skin and was fork tender just flaked right off and was very flavorful. The rib eye was grilled medium and covered in a peppercorn demi gravy that was so luxurious. I was half tempted to lick the plate. The pesto baby golden potatoes were like individual servings of mashed potatoes which paired nicely with the rib eye and charred asparagus. Share the dessert - Raspberry Chocolate Bombe- was expecting more chocolate than the 2 small heart shaped cookies which did not have a forward chocolate taste but more of a sugar cookie feel. The "bombe" was Raspberry ish mousse covered in a firm Raspberry jelly on top of a thin butter wafer/cookie with fresh strawberries and blueberries which were tossed in sugar. Every course was brought out timely and the presentation of each dish was exquisite. Everything was well seasoned and the appropriate temperature right down to the chilled plate and spoons for dessert. Plenty of seating and service was impeccable. Definitely will be returning WITH RESERVATIONS lesson learned.

Went to the Viejas outlet mall on a Monday. And the place is a ghost town. Not sure why , it's so…read morenice here. Lots of shops for shopping, food restaurants and outdoor activities for the kids and lots of parking. Had lunch at Baron Long today and went with the soup & salad. It was good and a large portion. Probably should have shared. Our waiters Omar & Kimberly were great. The food is good and the bonus is - no tax on your food. You gotta try it!

Yesterday we had a dinner reservation for 3 but it was only us which was nice. Joli was the hostess…read moreShe was very accommodating and nice. We sat on side of the bar which was good because of the TV's they had the Olympics on which great 5 TV's maybe more but bar a basketball games on Our server was very nice her name was Jera. She told and some specials and soup of the day Was Italian Wedding soup We ordered 2 soups and large pretzel Our soup and drinks were on the table in no time Soup was hot and a lot of meatballs and delicious there was kale, and carrots, looked like Lentils but stock was delicious very hearty soup also the pretzel was warmer a big Mustard was good not spicy but not fan of nacho cheese. It was good dinner We had drinks too Cranberry juice for me She had Red trolley on tap No dessert I made brownies And our food comps payed for dinner