February 2025

San Diego’s inland region (east of I-15) is home to hundreds of restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines. 

Below is an alphabetical listing from A to Z.

Know of a restaurant we missed? Email editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

Also see our guide to East County restaurants offering international cuisine and those specializing American foods, plus our guide to sweets and treats.

Scroll down to view our full list of restaurants in San Diego's inland region.

African Spices (Rolando) African and Somali

Albert's Fresh Mexican Food (La Mesa and Lakeside) – Mexican

Alforon (SDSU College area) – Lebanese and Middle Eastern

Al-Hamdani Sweets (Spring Valley) – Baklava and Middle Eastern sweets

Ali Baba (El Cajon) – Mediterranean

Ali’s Chicken and Waffles (City Heights) – chicken, saffles, sambusas and more

Al Pancho's (Alpine) - Mexican

Alpine Chill  (Alpine) – frozen yogurt

Alpine Taco Shop  (Alpine) - Mexican

Anthony's Fish Grotto  (La Mesa) - seafood

Antica Trattoria  (La Mesa) – Italian

Apple Alley Bakery (Julian) – pies, pastries and lunch items

Applebee’s  (El Cajon and Rancho San Diego) – steaks, bowls, seafood, sandwiches, salads

Antica Trattoria (La Mesa/Lake Murray) - Italian

Aromi Italian Cuisine (La Mesa) - Italian

Aromas of India (La Mesa)—Indian cuisine

Aubrey Rose Tea Room (La Mesa) – traditional English-style tea service with finger

sandwiches, soups, savories, scones and more

Baklava King (Santee) – gourmet Baklava

Banbu Sushi (La Mesa) –Japanese and sushi

Bankhead Mississippi-Style Cooking (Spring Valley) – Southern and soul food

The Barn Bar and Dining (Ramona) – steak, burgers, pizza, salads, and more

Baron Long Bar & Grill  (Viejas Casino and Resort, Alpine) – bar foods, craft beers and cocktails

Basil Thai Bistro  (San Carlos) - Thai

Baskin Robbins  (La Mesa, El Cajon, and Ramona) – ice cream

Bellamy’s Restaurant (Escondido) – California modern cuisine

Ben and Esther’s Vegan and Jewish Deli (Rolando) – vegan Jewish deli

Bighorn Burgers and Shakes (Borrego Springs)- burgers and shakes

Bighorn Fudge Company (Borrego Springs) – fudge candy

Bisbas Restaurant (Rolando) – Somali, African (website coming soon:  https://bisbasrestaurant.com/

BJ’s Brewhouse (La Mesa)

Black Angus Steakhouse (El Cajon) – steak, prime rib, seafood

Black Bear Diner  (El Cajon) – American cuisine

Bleu Boheme  (Kensington) – French cuisine

Bongiovanni’s Italian Restaurant (Alpine) - Italian

Bougie’s Cheese Shop (La Mesa) – cheeses and salamis

Boxing Crab (Roland) – seafood and Cajun

Brody’s Burgers and Beers (Jamul) – burgers, beers, and more

Brother’s Family Restaurant (Allied Gardens)  - American

Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar (La Mesa) – seafood

Broken Yolk (Santee and SDSU College area) – breakfasts

Boll Weevil (Lakeside) – burgers and more

Brother’s Turkish Cuisine (El Cajon) -- Turkish

Bull and Bourbon Steakhouse (Sycuan) steak and seafood

Brew Coffee Spot (La Mesa) – coffee, pastries, lunch foods

Brigantine  (La Mesa) – seafood, steaks, and more

Buckboards BBQ & Brew  (El Cajon) – barbecue

Burma Place (Rancho Bernardo) -Burmese

Burning Beard Brewing Company (El Cajon)- beers, burgers, tri-trip, tacos, and more

Busy B Thai Cafe (El Cajon) -Thai

Café Amor (Spring Valley) Menu – Crepes, sandwiches, bagels ice cream, smoothies

Cali Comfort   (Spring Valley) – barbecue and pub food

California Fish Grill  (El Cajon) – seafood, wraps, Cajun tacos, and more

Campo Café (Campo) - American cuisine

Caribbean Taste (near Skyline)

Carlee's  (Borrego Springs) -American diner

Carmelita’s Mexican Grill and Cantina (Borrego Springs)

Casa de Pico  (La Mesa) - Mexican

Casa Gabriela (La Mesa) - Mexican

Casino Inn  (Alpine) bar and grill

Centifoni’s Restaurant  (La Mesa); American, menu on Facebook   

Chamorro Grill (Grantville/Mission Gorge) – island barbecue

Chandelier Lounge (Jamul) – international healthy food

Chicago Pizza (Santee) - pizza

Chick-Fil-A  (Santee and La Mesa) – chicken

Chicken Charlie’s (Rancho Bernardo) – chicken

China Fun (Rancho Bernardo)

Chiroy’s Café (Casa de Oro/Spring Valley) – American, Mexican and Guatemalan

City Tacos  (La Mesa and other locations) -- Mexican

Cold Stone Creamery  (Rancho San Diego, Santee, and other locations) – ice cream

Collette’s on Grand (Escondido)  farm-to-table, American and French-inspired

Coop’s West Texas BBQ (Lemon Grove) – barbecue

Corner Deli and Pizza (Sycuan Casino Resort)

Coyote Steakhouse  (Borrego Springs) – steak

Crab Pub (SDSU college area) – Cajun seafood

Crafted Greens  (El Cajon) – salads, hot sides, flatbreads

CroBean Bakery (Alpine) French bakery and coffee shop

D'Amato's Pizza (La Mesa) – pizza and Italian food

Danny’s Deli (Jacumba Hot Springs) – sandwiches, pizza and more

Darbar Fine Indian Cuisine (Rancho Bernardo)

D’Carlos (Ramona) – steaks, sandwiches, burgers and more

Del Cerro Pizza and Beer (Del Cerro) – pizzas and beer

A Delight of France (Escondido)- French bistro and bakery

Del’s Hideout (Del Cerro) -- barbecue

Denny's (all locations) -American

Descanso Junction (Descanso) – cowboy classics, frontier favorites, barbecue and more

Di Leone’s Italian Restaurant  (El Cajon) - Italian

Dolci Café Italiano (Rancho San Diego) - Italian

Donato’s Italian Restaurant  (Alpine) – Italian

Dongbu Korean Barbecue (Escondido)

Double Down Grill (Sycuan Casino & Resort, El Cajon) –pub food: sandwiches, burritos and more

Downtown Cafe  (El Cajon) - American

Dream Dinners (La Mesa) made for you

Dudley’s Bakery (Santa Ysabel) – fresh-baked breads, sandwiches, pies

Duke’s Old Fashioned Onion Burgers (La Mesa) – burgers

Dunkin’ Donuts (Ramona)

D.Z. Akins (La Mesa) - Jewish deli

Eastbound Bar and Grill (Lakeside)

Edible Arrangements  (La Mesa) – fruit arrangements

Einstein Brothers Bagels (Del Cerro, San Carlos, Santee) – bagels, bagel sandwiches

El Pollo Loco (La Mesa and Santee) -- chicken

El Mariachi  (El Cajon) - Mexican

El Torito (La Mesa) -Mexican

Eli’s Peruvian Kitchen (City Heights) – Peruvian

El Veganito (La Mesa/Grossmont Center food court) – Vegan/Mexican

Emerald Chinese Cuisine  (Jamul Casino) -Chinese

Epicurious Social Club (Borrego Springs) – globally inspired comfort foods

Extraordinary Fruits (Spring Valley) – fruits, juices, bowls, smoothies, salads, vegan, tortas and more

Extraordinary Banana Pudding (La Mesa) – hand-crafted puddings

Faridas Somali/East African Cuisine (Euclid)

Farmer's Table (La Mesa) – farm-to-table cuisine

Farmhouse 78  (Ramona) – Farm to table

Fat Ivor’s (Valley Center) – Texas-style barbecue

Fatuma Restaurant (Euclid) African, Somali,  Mediterranean

Filippi's Pizza Grotto  (Jamul, Santee, and other San Diego locations) – Italian

Foster’s Freeze (Allied Gardens and Spring Valley) – ice cream, shakes, burgers, hot dogs

Fox Bistro at La Casa del Zorro (Borrego Springs) -  American; seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches, and more

Franca’s Italian Kitchen and Bar (Alpine)

Franco’s Giant Pizza  (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon) - pizza

Frank's Bakery- Gibaldi's Italian Bread (Spring Valley) - bakery

Frank's Pizza Joint (La Mesa) - pizza

Fred S Old-Fashioned Burgers (Alpine) – burgers

French Oven Bakery and Café (Scripps Ranch) -French bakery and cafe

Frida’s Taqueria (Ramona) – Mexican/Tijuana-style tacos

Fruity Loco (Spring Valley) – juices, smoothies, acai bowls, more

Full Metal Burgers (Escondido) – hand-crafted burgers, sandwiches and vegan options

Gaetanos Italian Restaurant  (Spring Valley and Lakeside) - Italian

Giardino Neighborhood Cucina (Lemon Grove) - Italian

Ginger Noodle Bar (Viejas at Alpine) – Asian

Grand Ole BBQ (Flinn Springs/El Cajon) – Texas-style barbecue

Grecian Café (Spring Valley) - Greek

Greek Chicken (El Cajon and Lakeside)  Greek

Greek Gyros (Grossmont Center, La Mesa) - Greek

Grossmont Center restaurants (La Mesa) : The Food Court is closed, but other restaurants are offering takeout and some including Casa de Pico,  Claim Jumper's and Olive Garden, also offer outdoor dining beneath canopies or open-sided tents.

Grove Steakhouse (Viejas in Alpine) -steakhouse

Habit Burger and Grill (El Cajon, La Mesa, and SDSU college area) -- burgers

Hacienda Casa Blanca (El Cajon) - Mexican

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream (Santee) – ice cream

Hangry's Sunset Deli and Pizza  (Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon) – pizza and deli

Happy Time Mediterranean  (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon) – Mediterranean

H Brothers (Escondido) – North American comfort food

Heroes Restaurant and Bar (Santa Ysabel) – wood-fired pizza

Hi Dumplings (Grantville/Mission Gorge) -Chinese

Mike Hess Brewing (Alpine) –Pub foods and craft beers

Miss Donuts (Casa de Oro/Spring Valley) – donuts and coffee

The Hills Pub (La Mesa) -Pub food

Himalayan Restaurant  (La Mesa) – Nepalese and Indian cuisine

Hooleys Irish Pub  (La Mesa and Rancho San Diego)  - Irish

Ho Wan  Noodle Shop (Barona Resort & Casino, Lakeside) - Asian

House of Fortune (Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon)  - Asian

IHOP (La Mesa) – international house of pancakes

I-Que BBQ  (La  Mesa) – barbecue

Island Spice Jamaican (SDSU College area) – Jamaican

Island Style Café (Santee) -- Hawaiian

Italian Cucina (Barona Resort and Casino,Lakeside) - Italian

Izzy's Cafe (El Cajon) barbecue and country-style cooking

Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel Restaurant (Jacumba) – farm-to-table, Mexican, seafood, and more

Janet’s Montana Café (Alpine) – American and Mexican entrees; breakfast and lunch

Jay’s Southern Barbecue (Alpine) – barbecue and soul food

Jeremy’s on the Hill (Wynola/Julian) – farm to table

Jersey Mikes (many locations) – sub sandwiches

Jibaritos de la Isla (Bonita)—Dominican Republic and Puerto Rican

Jimmy’s of Santee (Santee) -- home-cooked American

Johnny B’s  (La Mesa)  -- burgers

Junction Bar and Grill (El Cajon) – burgers, steaks, tacos, pasta and more

Julian Beer Company (Julian) – pizzas, barbecue, salads and more

Julian Café and Bakery (Julian) – American foods and pies

Julian Candy Basket (Julian) – candy store

Julian Grille  (Julian) – California cuisine and timeless dishes

Julian Pie Company (Julian and Wynola) - pies

Julian Tea and Cottage Arts (Julian) – traditional tea service with finger sandwiches, scones, and more, plus seasonal specialties

K&B Bistro (Del Cerro) – sandwiches, tacos, burger, flatbreads, salads and more

Kabul Kabob House (El Cajon) – Afghan cuisine

Kagnan Korean Barbecue (Rancho Bernardo) – Korean barbecue

Kali’s Garden (Julian) – Vegan cuisine, Mexican and Asian options; juices, smoothies

Kawaii Sushi (La Mesa) -Japanese and sushi

Kendall’s Café (Borrego Springs) – American and Mexican

Konnichiwa Sushi (La Mesa) – Sushi bar

Kujo Eats (Rolando) – Filipino

Kunduz Kabob and Pizza (Santee) – Afghan and pizza

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (El Cajon, Escondido, Ramona, SDSU College area)

Lakeside Café and Bakery (Lakeside) – American and Mexican entrees

Lakeside Pho and Grill (Lakeside) – Vietnamese

La Mesa Bistro (La Mesa) – healthy and nutritious foods; breakfast and lunch

Las Pinches Tortas  (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon)  --Mexican

Lemon Grove Bistro and Beer Garden (Lemon Grove) – European cuisine

Lemon Grove Café (Lemon Grove) - Mexican, Greek, and American

Lido’s Italian Foods (Lemon Grove) - Italian

Light Bulb Coffee (La Mesa) – Coffee, sandwiches, wraps

Lilac Heights Bakery (Ramona) home-based bakery

Limoncello Modern Italian (La Mesa) – Italian

Little Roma Italian Restaurant (La Mesa)

Loft 94  (Jamul Casino) – Asian fusion cuisine

 Long Island Mike's  (Spring Valley) - pizza

 Luna Grill  (El Cajon/Rancho San Diego) -Mediterranean

Lunchbox (La Mesa) - American breakfast and lunch

Main Street Donuts and Deli (El Cajon) – sandwiches and donuts

Mal Al Sham (El Cajon) – Syrian cuisine

Mamma Ramona’s Pizzaria (Ramona) – pizza

Mañana’s Mexican Food  (Alpine) -- Mexican

Marechiaro's on Olde Highway 80  (El Cajon/Flinn Springs) – Italian

Marieta’s (Alpine, El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee) - Mexican

Marinade on Main  (Ramona) – Farm to table

Maria Callender’s  (La Mesa) – American foods and pies

Mary’s Donuts (Lakeside)

Mastiff Kitchen (La Mesa) – pizzas, burgers, salads and more

Mediterraneo Italian Bistro & Bar (Alpine)

Memo’s Bagel Café (El Cajon) – bagels, sandwiches, wraps, focaccia, acai bowls, more

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt (La Mesa, El Cajon and Rancho San Diego – frozen yogurt

Miner’s Diner (Julian) -burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, soda fountain

Mom’s Pie House (Julian) – pies

Mona’s Italian Restaurant (Allied Gardens) -Italian

Mystic Grill (La Mesa)-- Mediterranean

Nahrain Fish and Chicken (El Cajon) –traditional grilled and masgoof Iraqi-style fish and chicken

Naturally Desi (Rancho Bernardo) - Indian

New York Giant Pizza  (El Cajon) – pizza

Ney Restaurant (La Mesa) – Iraqi and Middle Eastern

Nicolosi’s Italian Restaurant (Santee) -- Italian

Off the 8 Café (Alpine) -- breakfast

Oishi Thai Japanese Cuisine (Rolando) -- Japanese

Olive Garden (La Mesa and Santee)

Omelette Factory (Rancho San Diego and Santee) -- breakfasts

Ottavio’s Italian (Lakeside) – Italian

Outback Steakhouse (El Cajon) - steak

Outpost by Valley Farms (Mt. Laguna) - American

Oyster and Pearl Bar Restaurant (La Mesa) – Mediterranean

Pablito’s Mexican Bar and Grill (Borrego Springs) -Mexican

Panda Machi  (Alpine) -- Chinese

Panda Express  (La Mesa)  -Chinese

Panya Thai (Escondido) -- Thai

Patty's Cafe (La Mesa) – American and Mexican

Pepper Farm Deli (Santee) – deli sandwiches

Pha Kao Lao Cuisine (SDSU College area) – Laotian

Phileas Fogg’s (Sabre Springs) – British pub - English

Philly Steak Subs (El Cajon) Philly steak sandwiches

Phil's BBQ (Santee)  -- barbecue

Pho Hoa Noodle Shop (SDSU College area) -Vietnamese

Ph’o Minh and Grill  (Spring Valley) -- Vietnamese

Pho Superbowl Vietnamese Cuisine (El Cajon) - Vietnamese

Phra Ram 9   (La Mesa) – Vietnamese

Picante Taqueria (Allied Gardens) - Mexican

Pick Up Stix (La Mesa and Rancho San Diego) -- Chinese

Pietro’s Cucina Italiana  (La Mesa)  - Italian

Pine House Café and Tavern (Mount Laguna) – American, French, and fondue

Pink Buddha (Sycuan Casino & Resort) -- Asian

Pinto Thai  (Ramona) -Thai

Pioneer Barbecue (Fletcher Hills/El Cajon) – Texas-style barbecue

Pizza Hut  (Alpine and La Mesa) – pizza

Plant Power Fast Food (SDSU College area) – meatless burgers, salads, and more

Poke’Ona (Ramona) -- Hawaiian

Poncho’s Mexican Food  (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon) - Mexican

Por Favor  (El Cajon) – Mexican

PR9 Thai Restaurant (La Mesa) - Thai

Press Box Sports Lounge  (Rancho San Diego) – American cuisine

Prime Cut Steak and Seafood  (Jamul Casino) – steak and seafood

Pub at Lake Cuyamaca (Cuyamaca) -soups, sandwiches, burgers, salads, fish and chips, and breakfast foods

Public House (Scripps Ranch) - gastropub

Pupusa’s Express (El Cajon) -- Salvadoran

Purple Mint (City Heights) – Vegan Asian cuisine

Purple Owl Café (Julian) – coffee, crepes, salads, vegan foods

Quecho’s Elevated Mexican Eatery (Julian)

Rachel’s Café and Eatery (Ramona) – farm-to-table

Rainbow Oaks Restaurant (Rainbow) -American

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers (Lemon Grove and Santee) - chicken

Ramona Café (Ramona)

Ramona Family Naturals Market and Deli  (Ramona) – natural foods deli

Ram’s Hill Restaurant (Borrego Springs) – upscale dining; steak, seafood, chicken, more

Rank & File -  (Sycuan Casino & Resort in El Cajon) – American comfort food

Red Ocotillo (Borrego Springs) -- benedicts, burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups, pasta

Red Tail Bar and Grill at Singing Hills (El Cajon) -Southern California cuisine

Red Sea Ethiopian Restaurant (City Heights) – Ethiopian

Rise Southern Biscuits and Chicken (SDSU College Area)

Riviera Supper Club  (La Mesa) -steakhouse and bar

Roberto’s Taco Shop (Santee)

Rob's Brew Point  (El Cajon) – coffee and pastries

Rodizio’s Brazilian Steakhouse (El Cajon – Brazilian steaks and salad bar

Rolando Garden Kitchen  (Rolando) – farm to table, special events only

Rosarito’s Mexican Food (Lemon Grove) - Mexican

Round Table Pizza (La Mesa and Spring Valley) - pizza

Rubio's Coastal Grill  (Alpine, El Cajon, La Mesa and other locations) – Mexican and California cuisine

Sage Cafe  (Barona Casino in Lakeside) – California cuisine

Sahara Taste of the Middle East (Rancho San Diego) – Middle Eastern

Saigon Star Restaurant (Allied Gardens) -- Vietnamese

Salsa Mexican Food  (Alpine)  - Mexican

Sangucheria Peruvian Street Food (Tierrasanta) - Peruvian

San Pasqual Winery  - (La Mesa) wine tasting, charcuterie

Schwarma Guys (La Mesa) – Middle Eastern

Sheldon’s Service (La Mesa) – Coffee, breakfast and lunch

Shiraz (Rancho Bernardo) – Persian/Iranian cuisine

Signature Thai Cuisine (La Mesa)

Smokey and the Brisket  (La Mesa) - Barbecue

Sombrero’s Mexican Restaurant  (El Cajon and La Mesa) - Mexican

Spacebar Cafe  (La Mesa) -- soups, salads, panini sandwiches, bagel sandwiches, pastries, breakfast items, Spanish style tapas, coffees, juices, smoothies, wine bar

Split Bakehouse (La Mesa) – vegan pastries

Starbucks Coffee  (many locations) – coffee, snacks, sandwiches

Steele 94 Restaurant and Bar – American and Mexican

Steph’s Donut Hole  (Alpine) -donuts

Stir Fresh Mongolian Grill (Rancho Bernardo) -Mongolian

Subway  (Alpine, La Mesa and other locations) – sub sandwiches

Suerte Cantina (Sycuan) - Mexican

Sunrise Deli  (Spring Valley) – delicatessen

Sunshine Pancake House (La Mesa) – pancakes, waffles, crepes, omelets

Surf and Soul (Roland) – seafood and soul food

Surfing Crab (Escondido) – seafood boils, South Carolina-style

Surfrider Pizza (La Mesa) – pizza

Surfside Fish House (Scripps Ranch) – seafood

Su Pan Bakery (El Cajon, Poway and San Marcos) – Mexican cakes and breads

Swami’s Café (La Mesa) – salads, soups, burgers, wraps, sandwiches ,smoothies, juices, breakfast and lunch

Tamarind Thai  (La Mesa) – Thai

Tandoori Vibes (SDSU College area) – Indian

Tarbosh (El Cajon) – Syrian and Mediterranean

Taste of Africa Cuisine (SDSU College area) – Somali / African

Taste of Egypt Café (Grantville) – Egyptian

Taste of Himalayas (El Cajon) - Nepalese

Terramar Mexican Kitchen (Ramona) – Mexican and seafood

Testo Pepesto (El Cajon) - Italian

Texas Roadhouse (El Cajon) – barbecue

Tommy’s Pizza and Subs (Santee) – sub sandwiches and pizza

Tong Sake House (Poway)  - Korean, sushi bar, ramen

Tony Gwynn's Sports Pub  (Jamul Casino) – burgers, brews, sandwiches, pizza, tacos, and more

Tour de Tapas (La Mesa) --  tapas, European bites

The Trails Eatery (San Carlos) – American, breakfast and lunch

Trieu Chao (City Heights) - Cambodian

Trolley Stop Deli (La Mesa) – deli sandwiches

Tropifruit Juice Bar (El Cajon) – juices, sandwiches, bagels, smoothies

Urbane Cafe (El Cajon) – sandwiches, salads, soups

Valley Farms Market - The Shack (Spring Valley) - barbecue, bowls, burritos and breakfasts

Vibes Sushi Bar and Grill (Ramona) – Japanese

Viewpoint Neighborhood Kitchen (Sycuan) – Southern California cuisine

Village Vino (Kensington) – wine bar with tapas, flatbreads, and more

Wei Wei Asian Express  (La Mesa and other locations) - Asian

Woodstock's Pizza (SDSU college area)  -- pizza

Wrap Shack (Santee and El Cajon) – wraps

Yanni’s Bar and Grill (Scripps Ranch) – Northern Mediterranean

Yogurt Mill (La Mesa) – frozen yogurt

Zad, Mediterranean (Spring Valley) -Mediterranean

Zest Wine Bistro (Lemon Grove) – International winds, charcuterie, and tapas

East County News Service

February 22, 2025 (El Cajon) -- Goodwill San Diego announces the Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new mobile Community Employment Center in El Cajon on February 26 at 9 a.m. This mobile center is designed to meet job seekers where they are, particularly assisting residents in rural areas and those facing transportation and childcare challenges. 

The mobile center will actively participate in hiring events and is available to support local organizations and events as needed. The ribbon-cutting will be held at the Goodwill El Cajon Retail Store parking lot, 420 North 2nd Street, El Cajon on Wednesday, February 26 at 9 a.m.

In 2020, Goodwill received a generous gift from venture philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The funds from this donation were used to purchase the mobile center, enabling Goodwill to extend its reach to those in need of our free employment programs and services, helping residents achieve their career goals.

As a local nonprofit organization, Goodwill San Diego operates its social enterprise consisting of donation centers, retail stores, outlet centers, an online shopping platform (Shopgoodwill.com) and community employment centers to generate the resources needed to fund its mission.

The organization provides employment and training opportunities to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Free employment programs and services are available to all San Diego County residents and can be accessed through Goodwill Community Employment Centers in person or online in English or Spanish.

East County News Service

February 22, 2025 (New York) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta today released a statement after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York's issuance of a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Americans’ personal and private information maintained by the U.S. Treasury Department.

“We are pleased the court granted our request to further halt the Elon Musk-led DOGE from accessing millions of Americans’ private and sensitive data,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Californians can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the California Department of Justice is going to the mat for them and standing up against the Trump Administration’s chilling overreach of power.”  

Background

On February 7, Attorney General Bonta joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit seeking to block DOGE from accessing sensitive Treasury Department material, including millions of Americans’ bank account and social security numbers. Hours after filing the lawsuit, the court responded by granting a temporary restraining order barring DOGE’s access to the Treasury Department’s payment systems and information. Today’s preliminary injunction keeps those restrictions in place pending further order of the court.

Since Inauguration Day, DOGE has infiltrated executive agencies with the goal of eliminating federal funding, services, and personnel. Starting last month, there were reports of billionaire Elon Musk and his DOGE associates gaining an unprecedented level of access to vital payment systems of the U.S Treasury.

The Treasury Department payment systems — managed by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS) — are responsible for trillions of dollars in U.S. government payments. Millions of Americans rely on the support of these payments for services like health care, childcare, and other essential programs, including Social Security benefits, Medicare benefits, veterans’ benefits, salaries for federal employees, and tax refunds. The Treasury Department’s payment systems are critical, sensitive, and incredibly vital. Given their critical importance to U.S. government operations, these systems have been highly regulated and tightly guarded — but with the election of Donald Trump, are no longer safe. 

In their complaint, the attorneys general allege the Trump Administration has no constitutional, statutory, or regulatory authority to widen access to the BFS payment system for political appointees or special government employees, including members of DOGE. 

Specifically, the court temporarily prohibits DOGE from being granted access any Treasury Dept. records containing personally identifiable or confidential financial information. The Dept. of the Treasury must submit a report to the court by March 24 certifying that DOGE team members have received all training typically required of individuals granted access to the Bureau of Fiscal Services payment systems containing personal data such as tax return information and sensitive financial data.

In addition, the judge asks for certification on the vetting process for DOGE team members and how that compares to career employees previously allowed access to the system.

“The public interest is plainly served by requiring the Treasury Department to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, the security of these systems and the information contained therein,” Judge Jeannette A. Vargas wrote.

A copy of the court's order can be found here.

New agency head lays off staffers overseeing epidemics, cancels flu vaccine campaign and takes aim at chemicals in food. 

By G. A. McNeeley 

Photo by Ron Logan

February 22, 2025 (Washington D.C.) - The Senate last week confirmed anti-vaccine activist Robert F.. Kennedy Jr. to head the U.S. Health and Human Services Department on a party-line vote, with Mitch McConnell the only Republican voting against the controversial appointee opposed by every Democratic Senator. 

Now at the helm of the nation’s largest public health agency, Kennedy is implementing major changes to remedy what he views as sources of chronic diseases.But healthcare professionals are raising concerns over some of Kennedy’s early actions, including ending a flu vaccine campaign and laying off employees in charge of investigating potential public health threats to ward off future epidemics. 

Kennedy implored federal health agency workers to “let go” of preconceived notions of him and start from “square one,” but also promised that “nothing is going to be off limits” in his pursuit to reduce chronic disease, Politico reported. “Some of the possible factors we will investigate were formerly taboo or insufficiently scrutinized,” he told HHS staff, in his first address to the department he now leads. “I’m willing to subject them all to the scrutiny of unbiased science.” 

What Is His Plan? 

Hours after Kennedy pledged to Senators that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would not undergo a staff purge, it did. 

The Trump administration laid off half of its Epidemic Intelligence Service. The lay off affected 1,260 staff members, NBC reported. 

Kennedy made no mention of the dismissals, but hinted towards his previous comments threatening the jobs of federal agency staff resistant to his reforms. “Those who are unwilling to embrace those kinds of ideas can retire,” he said. 

For years, Kennedy has cast doubt on the safety and efficacy of vaccines and spread misinformation linking vaccines to autism. During his Senate confirmation hearings, he refused to disavow those comments, only promising he would if “shown the data.” 

He appeared to indirectly reference his vaccine comments to HHS employees, by asking that they be open minded to his views. In return, he said he would acknowledge that he’s asked “a lot of difficult questions and come to unpopular conclusions.” 

Kennedy nevertheless signaled he would prioritize fresh efforts to question long-held health standards to reduce chronic disease, listing the nation’s childhood vaccine schedule as among the formerly “taboo” areas he planned to scrutinize. 

Among the potential contributors to chronic disease, he suggested he would direct the HHS to investigate anti-depression drugs, ultra-processed foods, electromagnetic radiation and glyphosate pesticides found in some foods. 

“We will remove conflicts of interest from the committees and research partners whenever possible or balance them with other stakeholders,” he said. “We will shut the revolving door.” 

Kennedy’s role as secretary of HHS will have him oversee a budget of nearly $2 trillion and a staff of 90,000 federal employees, and give him control of other critical health programs under the fold of the HHS, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 

Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again (MAHA),” believes chronic disease is, in part, driven by additives in food and pollution in the environment. It also hasn’t been laid out in specifics, but he has vaguely promised to tackle the nation’s rising obesity rates and SNAP benefits, and has claimed he will work with the Department of Agriculture to eradicate

ultra-processed foods from the American market. 

Flu Vaccination Campaign Halted 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is stopping a successful flu vaccination campaign that juxtaposed images of wild animals, such as a lion, with cute counterparts, like a kitten, as an analogy for how immunization can help tame the flu. This happened during Kennedy’s first week as head of the HHS. 

The news was shared with staff during a meeting, according to two CDC staffers who spoke with NPR on the condition of anonymity. 

During the meeting, leadership at the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases told CDC staff that the Department of Health and Human Services had reviewed the campaign and advised that it would not continue. 

The "Wild to Mild" flu vaccination campaign sought to encourage people to get the flu vaccine. The campaign aimed to communicate that flu vaccination can lessen symptoms and the chance of getting severely ill, even if it doesn't prevent someone from catching the flu. The website for the campaign is already offline. 

The campaign sought to "reset public expectations around what a flu vaccine can do in the event that it does not entirely prevent illness," according to the CDC's webpage describing the launch of the campaign in 2023. It was renewed for the current flu season. 

The campaign was a response to falling flu vaccination rates since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and targeted groups at higher risk, "especially pregnant women and children." 

"We found that it was very successful — people understood the message, [and] they were swayed by the message," Erin Burns, associate director for communications in the CDC's Influenza Division, told the trade website FiercePharma in October 2024. 

The Trump administration's decision to pull the campaign comes in the midst of a brutal flu season that's still raging. More than 50,000 patients were admitted to hospitals for influenza during the week that ended on Feb. 8 (the highest level in 15 years). 

It's unclear how much time was left in the campaign, but it would have at least gone through the end of this flu season and the materials would have stayed on the agency's website, one of the CDC staffers told NPR. 

What About Those Staff Cuts? 

Top-ranking officials with the CDC, the HHS sub agency that oversees the program, told CBS News that the cuts would have a devastating effect on the country’s ability to assess blooming diseases. 

They are just some of the thousands of probationary workers taking a hit as Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency combs the federal government for possible programs to slash, as Washington reels from firings and funding cuts. Musk has targeted those at the HHS, leaving career officials and lawmakers worried about the impact on public health. 

“The country is less safe,” Dr. Anne Schuchat, an alumna of the disease research program said. “These are the deployable assets critical for investigating new threats, from anthrax to Zika.” 

Many staffers that go through the program serve on the frontlines of public health responses before later rising through the ranks of the CDC. 

In an interview with Fox News after he was sworn in, Kennedy pledged that employees who work in service of public health had “nothing to worry about” under his tenure fronting America’s health policy. 

“If you’ve been involved in good science, you’ve got nothing to worry about,” Kennedy said. “If you care about public health, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” 

What Are Opposers Saying? 

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor to oppose the nomination of Kennedy to lead the HHS, raising the alarm on the disastrous public health implications before he was confirmed. 

“I oppose this nomination for his wildly misinformed beliefs and his utter lack of experience. I believe he is fundamentally unfit and unprepared, and Americans will be less healthy if he is confirmed, Padilla said. 

Kennedy has repeatedly spread dangerous conspiracy theories, even going as far as to say that “there’s no vaccine that is safe and effective.” 

Padilla called him out for making false accusations that vaccines cause autism, and that COVID-19 targets specific racial and ethnic groups. Padilla also criticized Kennedy for founding his own anti-vaccine organization, authoring several books that push public health conspiracies, and making millions of dollars off of anti-vaccination lawsuits filed by Kennedy, an attorney. 

“I get the fear. I’m proud to represent California in the Senate. I’m proud to have an engineering background. But I, too, am a parent of three boys. And I remember what it was like to hold a baby in your arms, and to worry every time there was a sniffle and a cough. I’d do anything to protect my children, just as you would do anything to protect yours,” Padilla said, on the senate floor, in a video press release from his website. 

Padilla, a co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, also highlighted the dangers Kennedy poses to mental health care access and Medicaid benefits. He slammed Kennedy for his dangerous lack of knowledge regarding Medicaid funding and benefits. 

“At a time when Republicans are looking to cut funding for lifesaving services, I’d rather see a fierce defender of Medicaid at HHS. Yet, during his confirmation hearings, Mr. Kennedy failed to show even a basic understanding of Medicaid. Not the sources of funding, not the benefits, and at one point, he even seemed to conflate or confuse Medicaid and Medicare,” Padilla said. 

As Republicans threaten major cuts to Medicaid, Padilla underscored the importance of confirming a nominee with the necessary qualifications and experience to protect public health. He urged his colleagues to vote against Kennedy’s confirmation. 

What Are Supporters Saying? 

Del Bigtree, who leads a group promoting Kennedy’s MAHA movement, dismissed widely replicated studies finding no link to autism because he alleged that they were conducted by scientists who wanted to find that result. 

“Get scientists who say, ‘I think I can prove vaccines do cause autism,’” Bigtree said. “If they can’t pull that off, now you have a true safety profile.” 

Bigtree said that the HHS has long approved “poisons” produced by industry for public consumption, and urged Kennedy to root out corporate influence. 

Bigtree also said federal agencies should not be funded by industries, suggesting Kennedy’s advisers are pushing for major reforms to the current user fee system at the HHS agency that oversees food and drugs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

“Finally we have someone at the head of HHS not owned by these corporations,” Bigtree said of Kennedy. “I think he’s looking for the right type of people.” 

Bigtree said Kennedy should review HHS employees’ histories to see whether they worked for industry and also vet their views about the causes of chronic disease. 

“Robert Kennedy Jr. has to sit down with the team and bring people and say, ‘What have you done over the last four years,’” Bigtree said. “If they’re not producing real results and good science, maybe there’s a better job for them somewhere else.” 

Bigtree said that hiring scientists who are skeptical of the industry and existing vaccine science would help restore the public’s flagging trust in the government’s health care bureaucracy, adding that he thought Kennedy could safely downsize HHS’ 80,000-person staff. 

Bigtree isn’t part of the administration, but he serves as a powerful leader of the MAHA movement. He also endorsed Kennedy’s comments to HHS staff that nothing was off limits for review. 

Sources: 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/18/kennedy-lays-out-hhs-plan-00204675 

https://newrepublic.com/post/191579/robert-f-kennedy-jr-cdc-infectious-disease-research 

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/19/nx-s1-5302906/cdc-flu-vaccine-campaign-terminated 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a_TNAPHiePM 

https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watch-padilla-slams-rfk-jr-nomination-to-lead-health-and-human-services/ 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/19/rfk-jr-vaccine-scientists-00204870

East County News Service

February 22, 2025 (San Diego) --  East County Magazine has been selected by FeedSpot as the fifth best local magazine among the Top 15 San Diego Magazines on the web.

The site ranks  the best San Diego magazines from thousands on the web ranked by relevancy, authority, social media followers & freshness.

East County Magazine was established in 2008 and now averages 10 million hits and a quarter million visits each month. The site has won 147 major journalism awards.  Its mission is to provide in-depth news, views, and events coverage daily for the inland areas in San Diego County, reflecting the broad diversity of people and issues in our region, particularly those under-represented in other media.

“We are honored by this recognition of our award-winning news site’s relevance and importance in our community,” says East County Magazine Editor and Founder Miriam Raftery.

View the full list of best online magazine sites in San Diego at:
https://magazine.feedspot.com/san_diego_magazines/

You can donate to support East County Magazine’s journalism at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/donate

Visit East County Magazine at https://www.EastCountyMagazine.org. 

Subscribe to East County Magazine’s free newsletter and wildfire/emergency alerts at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts.

East County News Service

February 21, 2025 (San Diego) – State Senator Brian Jones (R-Santee) held a press conference today to announce introduction of his Senate Bill 554, the Safety Before Criminal Sanctuary Act.  The bill would prevent local jurisdictions from restricting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement beyond what SB 54, existing state law,  already allows. In addition, Jones’ bill would make it mandatory for cities and counties to turn over undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of certain violent or serious felony crimes, as SB 54 allows but does not mandate.

The Safety Before Criminal Sanctuary Act is a commonsense measure to tighten up California’s Sanctuary State policies in favor of public safety,” said Jones, the State Senate Minority Leader. “Importantly, this bill ensures violent criminals are not shielded from federal immigration authorities, using every tool in the toolbox to keep our communities safe.”

Specifically, those crimes include child abuse, unlawful weapon possession or use, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, trafficking controlled substances, rape, kidnapping, torture, murder, gang activity, arson, and those on the sex offender registry.

State law prohibits cooperation for anyone not convicted of one or more of those crimes.

SB 554 is in response to a recent San Diego County ordinance declaring itself a “Super Sanctuary County,” banning law enforcement from cooperating with ICE for any offense—even those exempted under SB 54—unless a federal warrant is issued. 

“We are stopping ‘super sanctuary’ cities and counties,” said Jones.

Last December, County  Supervisors voted 3-1 to restrict the use of county resources for federal immigration enforcement. Former Chairwoman Nora Vargas said at the time that the policy was intended to “ensure local resources are focused on addressing the county's most urgent needs, while protecting families and promoting community trust."

San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez later stated that her department will follow state law, however, making the Supervisors’ action ineffective.

Supervisor Joel Anderson voted no on the county measure. ““I’m grateful for Senate Minority Leader Jones’ laser focus on keeping our kids and communities safe,” he said at the press conference.

Supervisor Jim Desmond said, “The current sanctuary state law ties the hands of local law enforcement, preventing them from cooperating with federal authorities to address real threats.” He added that he will be asking his colleagues on the board of Supervisors to support Jones’ bill.

Republican Congressman Darrell Issa also backs Jones’ measure. ““The authors and advocates of California’s sanctuary laws claim they protect people. But that’s not true. For years, they have instead shielded many of the most dangerous criminals in the country, all of them here illegally, and the names of the innocent California victims are a roll call of shame on the Governor and the Legislature.

Click here to read the bill’s factsheet. SB 554 is awaiting assignment to a Senate policy committee for a hearing.

East County News Service

February 21, 2025 (Ramona) – The Sheriff’s office is searching for Yolanda  Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, who is suspected in the stabbing death of her wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi. The couple had been married for approximately two years.

The suspect previously served time in prison for killing her first spouse, James Joseph Olejniczak, with a knife in San Bernadino County. She pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2003 and was imprisoned from February 2004 until November 2013, 10 News reports.

Rebecca Marodi served over 30 years with Cal Fire, including Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. 

On Feb. 17, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of an assault at the couple’s Ramona home on Rancho Villa Road. First responders found the victim, who had suffered multiple stab wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by deputies and paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 166 pounds with brown hair. Olejniczak is believed to be driving a silver 2013 Chevrolet Equinox with California license plate "8BQJ420." She is traveling with a small white dog.

At this time, Olejniczak's whereabouts are not known. Out of an abundance of caution, the Sheriff's Office has alerted authorities on both side of the border about this suspect.

If you have any information for law enforcement on Olejniczak's whereabouts, reach out to the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

A tribute from Cal Fire San Diego states, “Captain Marodi, 49, dedicated more than three decades to serving and protecting our communities with unwavering bravery, leadership, and commitment.”

According to the post, Rebecca Marodi was caregiving for her 77-year-old mother, who lived with her in Ramona.  The Cal Fire San Diego Benevolent Fund is asking for donations to cover continuing care for Marodi’s mother, as well as funeral expenses. You can donate at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/fire-captain-rebecca-marodi-fundraiser.

East County News Service

February 21, 2025 (El Cajon) - The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra welcomes its new conductor, San Diego Symphony Orchestra violinist, Hernan Constantino.  He is also on his seventh season as the music director for Mainly Mozart with the San Diego Symphony. His first concert performance is titled “Spanish Nights: A Concert of Passion and Fire” on March 7 at 7:30 p.m.

East County News Service

February 20, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- Activists from Fallbrook, Escondido, Julian, and Ramona will gather at Congressman Darrell Issa’s office on February 21, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. to demand an in-person town hall meeting. The protest will take place at 210 W. Crest Street, Escondido, California. 

The rally, organized by Indivisible North County San Diego, aims to address critical issues facing the community, including the urgent need for transparency and accountability from elected officials. Issa, San Diego County's only Republican Congressional member, has been a staunch supporters of President Donald Trump to date.

Activists will call on Congressman Issa to engage directly with his constituents and to stand firm against the illegal dismantling of federal agencies orchestrated by Elon Musk.  

“Congressman Issa has a responsibility to represent the voices of his constituents, and that includes holding town hall meetings where we can express our concerns,” said Pam Albergo, a spokesperson for Indivisible North County San Diego. “We are here to demand that he stands up against the reckless actions that undermine our government and its agencies.” 

Participants will share their concerns about the impacts of these actions on federal services and the broader implications for democracy. The protest seeks to unite community members in advocating for a government that works for the people and upholds its responsibilities. All community members are encouraged to join the protest to make their voices heard and stand in solidarity for a government that prioritizes the needs of its citizens. 

WHAT: Protest at Congressman Darrell Issa’s Office 

WHEN: February 21, 2024, at 10:30 AM 

WHERE: 210 W. Crest Street, Escondido, California