The USDA has cut funding for two programs that allowed schools and food banks to purchase fresh food from local farms, also halting deliveries to food banks.
By G. A. McNeeley
March 21, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Trump administration has cut two programs that provided more than $1 billion to schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers and ranchers.
About $660 million of those funds were contained in the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), which provided funds to schools and child care facilities.
The rest of those funds were part of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), which provided funds to local food banks and other organizations.
State officials were notified on Friday, March 7, of the USDA’s decision to end these programs this year. More than 40 states had signed agreements to participate in previous years, according to the School Nutrition Association (SNA) and several state agencies. The USDA also notified states that it was unfreezing funds for existing LFPA agreements, but did not plan to carry out a second round of funding for fiscal year 2025.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources confirmed it was notified on March 7, that the 2025 funding would be terminated within 60 days.
These cuts come as Donald Trump’s second presidential administration has cut federal spending and imposed tariffs, which forced food organizations and farmers to cut staff and halt investments.
What Do These Programs Do?
"This program will strengthen the food system for schools and childcare institutions by helping to build a fair, competitive, and resilient local food chain, and expand local and regional markets with an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved producers and processors," the USDA website says on the LFS program's page. The LFS program helped build new income sources for local farmers and food producers.
The LFS program was also expanded to include child care centers, which was announced by the USDA in December 2024. "Families can feel good knowing their kids are eating food that was grown right in their own community," said then-Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Cindy Long.
The goal of the LFPA program is to "improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency," their website said.
LFPA agreements allow states, tribal and territorial governments to purchase food within their own communities (in the state itself, or within 400 miles of the food's destination). That food goes to food banks and organizations that feed people in "underserved communities," according to the USDA's website.
Both programs were introduced to respond to the impacts to the food supply chain brought on by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the USDA. By the end of 2024, food purchased through the program had been distributed at 7,900 food banks, food pantries, and communities in the U.S., the agency said.
In December 2024, the USDA announced a $1.13 billion investment for the programs. Of that funding, $471.5 million was slated for states and territories to "purchase local, unprocessed, or minimally processed domestic foods" to serve in schools participating in free or reduced-cost meal programs, and $188.6 million for child care centers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Food banks have also been seeing demands (due to rising food prices) and Republicans in Congress are pushing to make significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
What Are the Officials Saying?
“These proposals would cause millions of children to lose access to free school meals at a time when working families are struggling with rising food costs,” said Shannon Gleave, the president of the SNA, in a press release. “Meanwhile, short-staffed school nutrition teams, striving to improve menus and expand scratch-cooking, would be saddled with time-consuming and costly paperwork created by new government inefficiencies.”
Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts, criticized the Trump Administration for cutting programs that would’ve provided $12 million in food-related funding for schools and food banks in her state.
In a press release, Healey said, “Donald Trump and Elon Musk have declared that feeding children and supporting local farmers are no longer ‘priorities’, and it’s just the latest terrible cut with real impact on families across Massachusetts”.
“There is nothing ‘appropriate’ about it. Trump and Musk are continuing to withhold essential funding in violation of court orders, and our children, farmers and small businesses are bearing the brunt of it,” Healey added.
An unnamed USDA spokesperson told Politico that funding for the programs, “is no longer available and those agreements will be terminated following 60-day notification”.
The spokesperson also said, “These programs, created under the former Administration via Executive authority, no longer affect the goals of the agency. LFPA and LFPA Plus agreements that were in place prior to LFPA 25, which still have substantial financial resources remaining, will continue to be in effect for the remainder of the period of performance.”
ECM spoke with the San Diego Food Bank, and asked them how these cuts would affect their budget, as well as their ability to provide food to their customers.
Cole Williamson (Vice President of Administration), told us in an email, “At the SDFB, we do not know precisely how changes to USAID or other Federal programs will impact us. We are working with State and Federal officials to figure that out. We will continue to monitor the developing situation and adjust as needed.”
USDA Halts Food Bank Deliveries
On Wednesday, March 19, Politico reported that the USDA halted millions of dollars worth of deliveries to food banks without explanation, according to food bank leaders in six states.
The USDA had previously allocated $500 million in deliveries to food banks for fiscal year 2025 through The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Now, the food bank leaders say many of those orders have been canceled.
For the Central California Food Bank, that means a loss of 500,000 pounds of expected food deliveries worth $850,000 just for April through July, according to co-CEO Natalie Caples.
Caples says that she has not received any assurances from USDA on whether the delivery cancellations are temporary.
The money that was clawed back came from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). It’s not clear how much of the $500 million for the emergency assistance program has been cut, but one USDA employee (granted anonymity to discuss private conversations), said the Trump administration has been trying to claw back CCC money that the Biden administration previously allocated in order to devote funds to other priorities.
USDA was supposed to spend $148 million of the $500 million this year to buy dairy products, eggs, blueberries and more. But last month, the department notified state agencies that it was canceling solicitations from suppliers, according to a February 20 email that Feeding America sent to its network of food banks (and was viewed by Politico).
“USDA has not yet announced plans to move forward with the canceled food orders,” the email states. “We believe the best approach is for network members to work through state agencies to obtain clarification from USDA.”
The emergency food assistance network gets its funding from a mix of money from the farm bill and through commodities USDA purchases. But the patchwork funding system has left the program unable to meet increasing hunger needs (especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent years of food inflation), anti-hunger advocates say.
The Biden administration responded to the demand on food banks by supplementing the emergency assistance funding with roughly $2 billion from the CCC fund in 2022 and 2023, then the additional $500 million in 2024.
Many of the organizations that rely on funding from the emergency assistance program were also receiving funding from the LFPA.
The clawbacks come as Congress is weighing shrinking the SNAP, which helps 40 million low-income Americans afford food. That could further exacerbate the pressure on food banks, which provide just one meal for every nine that SNAP supplies.
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/11/usda-cuts-food-banks-schools
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/10/usda-cancels-local-food-purchasing-for-schools-food-banks-00222796
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/03/11/usda-food-bank-school-funding-cuts/82265217007/
https://schoolnutrition.org/sna-news/proposed-school-meal-cuts-prompt-nationwide-advocacy/
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-denounces-president-trumps-decision-to-cut-12-million-in-federal-funding-to-feed-children-support-local-farmers-in-massachusetts
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/19/usda-halts-deliveries-food-banks-trump-00239453?cid=apn
East County News Service
March 20, 2025 (Ramona) -- The Ramona Valley Vintners Association and the Ramona Chamber of Commerce invite you to Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival on Saturday, April 5 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Begent Ranch (18528 Highland Valley Rd., Ramona).
The event includes catered small bites, arts and craft vendors, live music by a local artist, unlimited tastings from nine local wineries and a complimentary tasting glass.
For tickets and lists of participating wineries and vendors, visit https://ramonachamber.com/cheerstothevalley
By G. A. McNeeley
Photo courtesy of Brian McNeeley
March 19, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Agriculture Department predicts egg prices could rise by more than 40%, on top of already steep price rises in 2024. While egg producers blame bird flu outbreaks, the Justice Department this month announced an investigation into whether egg producers might be sharing information and engaging in price gouging, ABC News reports.
President Donald Trump’s campaign platform including a pledge to bring down inflation including egg prices, but so far, prices continue to skyrocket. Now, the administration is offering its first details on its plan to fight avian flu and ease costs.
With an emphasis on farms tightening their measures to prevent avian flu’s spread, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest another $1 billion on top of the $2 billion it has already invested, since the outbreak first began in 2022, AP reports.
The main reason egg prices have climbed (hitting an all-time average high of $4.95 per dozen) is that more than 166 million birds have been slaughtered to limit the virus’ spread when cases are found. Most were egg-laying chickens. Just since the start of the year, more than 30 million egg layers have been killed.
However, new research by Food and Water Watch suggests that major egg corporations might also be using the avian flu as an excuse to raise the price of eggs, the Guardian reports.
The Price of Eggs Is Rising
The USDA is predicting that the cost of eggs will go up by 41.1% this year.
Prices have more than doubled since before the outbreak began, costing customers at least $1.4 billion last year, according to agricultural economists at the University of Arkansas. Some customers are even paying more than a dollar per egg (over $12 a dozen) in some places.
Rollins acknowledged that it will take some time before customers see an effect at the checkout counter. It takes infected farms months to dispose of deceased birds, sanitize their farms and raise new birds.
“It’s going to take a while to get through, I think in the next month or two, but hopefully by summer,” Rollins told AP News.
What Is The Administration’s Plan?
The plan calls for $500 million investment to help farmers bolster biosecurity measures, $400 million in additional aid for farmers whose flocks have been impacted by avian flu, and $100 million to research and potentially develop vaccines and therapeutics for U.S. chicken flocks, and explore rolling back what the administration sees as restrictive animal welfare rules in some states, such as California’s cage-free requirement, a humane animal treatment measure that was approved overwhelmingly by voters. However, increasing crowding by keeping poultry in cramped cages could actually increase spread of the disease.
The USDA has already paid farmers roughly $1.2 billion for the birds they had to slaughter, AP reports. The additional aid will continue going to those payments, and help farmers bring in new flocks more quickly.
The administration is in talks to import about 70-100 million eggs from abroad in the coming months, Rollins said. But there were 7.57 billion table eggs produced in the U.S. last month, so those imports don’t appear likely to make a significant difference in the market.
Trump administration officials have suggested that vaccines might help reduce the number of birds that have to be slaughtered when there is an outbreak. However, no vaccines have been fully approved for widespread use in poultry, and the industry has said the current prototypes aren’t practical because they require individual shots for each bird. Plus, vaccinated birds could jeopardize exports, since some countries have restrictions.
Fired Workers Are Being Rehired
Rollins said she believes the USDA has enough staff to respond to avian flu, even after all the cuts to the federal workforce at the direction of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“Will we have the resources needed to address the plan I just laid out? We are convinced that we will… as we realign and evaluate where USDA has been spending money, where our employees are spending their time,” Rollins told AP News.
Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar said the new plan is an important step, but the USDA needs to confirm it rehired everyone involved in the avian flu response who was mistakenly fired.
“At a time when producers are already grappling with the bird flu, the public is facing high prices, and all Americans are on edge about what broader spread of this virus could mean, the last thing the administration should have done was to eliminate these positions,” Klobuchar told AP News. “USDA must rehire these crucial personnel immediately.”
The Agriculture Department is scrambling to rehire several workers who were involved in the government’s response to the ongoing avian flu outbreak that has devastated egg and poultry farms over the past three years.
A USDA spokesperson said the department “continues to prioritize the response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)” and several key jobs like veterinarians, animal health technicians and other emergency response personnel involved in the effort were protected from the cuts. Some employees of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) were also eliminated.
“Although several APHIS positions supporting HPAI were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters,” the department spokesperson told AP News.
Politico and NBC News reported that the jobs that were eliminated were part of an office that helps oversee the national network of labs the USDA relies on to confirm cases of avian flu and other animal diseases. It wasn’t immediately clear how many workers the department might be trying to rehire, or if any of them worked at the main USDA lab in Ames, Iowa.
Avian Flu Is Affecting Egg Production
Egg and poultry farmers have already been working to protect their birds by making workers change and shower before entering barns, using separate sets of tools, and sanitizing any vehicles that enter farms. The challenge is that wild birds easily spread the virus.
The department has already done biosecurity reviews on about 150 farms and only one had an outbreak afterward, the USDA said, so officials believe more can be done to protect birds and they are going to make those reviews available to more farms. Any farm that has an outbreak has to undergo a biosecurity audit, and the government will help pay up to 75% of the needed biosecurity improvements.
The vast majority of avian flu outbreaks have been on factory farms where hundreds of thousands (or sometimes millions) of egg-laying hens are caged in close proximity, creating ideal conditions for the rapid spread of infectious diseases.
If one hen is infected, federal regulations call for the entire flock at the affected site to be killed – due to the risks posed by the deadly and highly contagious virus to other poultry, animals and humans, further disrupting supply and increasing costs.
So far, 70 human cases have been confirmed in the US. One person has died and another three have required hospital treatment. Almost 1,000 cattle herds have been infected, and more than 54 million birds have been affected in the past three months. The virus has also been detected in almost every US territory.
Almost 631 million eggs were produced in January 2025 (nearly 10% fewer than January 2022, as flock sizes continue to drop). The USDA tracks pullets (the chicks hatched to replace egg-laying hens) which have been below the five-year average most months since the outbreak began in February 2022.
Corporations Are Also To Blame
While avian flu has been a principal driver of rising egg prices, the highly concentrated egg market may also be contributing, according to an analysis by Food and Water Watch (FWW).
“Bird flu does not fully explain the sticker shock consumers experience in the egg aisle… corporate consolidation is a key culprit behind egg price spikes,” Amanda Starbuck told The Guardian.
“Powerful corporations that control every step of the supply chain (from breeding hens to hatching eggs to processing and distributing eggs) are making windfall profits off this crisis, raising their prices above and beyond what is necessary to cover any rising costs,” Starbuck added.
The analysis found that in some regions, prices were going up even before the new strain of the deadly H5N1 virus had affected poultry flocks and reduced egg production. Even as egg production recovered in 2023, prices did not come down.
The country’s largest egg producer, Cal-Maine, boasted a sevenfold increase in gross profits in 2023, after increasing prices above rising costs despite its flocks not being affected by avian flu during that period.
Cal-Maine, which produces one in every five eggs eaten in the US, issued shareholder dividends totaling $250 million in 2023 – 40 times more than the previous year. The company sold 7% more eggs in 2024 (compared with 2021) and tripled its profits over the same period, according to company filings.
“The working class is struggling to afford groceries while companies like Cal-Maine are raking in huge profits and rewarding their shareholders,” Democratic congressman Ro Khanna told The Guardian. “The Trump administration has the power to lower grocery bills, but instead they are imposing blanket tariffs on allies, firing federal workers who are trying to prevent the bird flu, and putting billionaires over ordinary Americans.”
The top five egg companies own almost half (46%) of all egg-laying commercial hens. Headquartered in Mississippi, Cal-Maine is the only publicly traded US egg producer, and has 75% more hens than the next largest company.
In its financial documents, Cal-Maine suggests egg prices are outside the company’s control: “We do not sell eggs directly to consumers or set the prices at which eggs are sold to consumers.” But many of its customers rely on Cal-Maine for the majority of their egg needs, according to company filings, so the price it sells its eggs factors into grocery store prices.
Lakeside egg rancher speaks with ECM
East County Magazine spoke with Frank Hilliker, co-owner of Hilliker’s Ranch Fresh Eggs in Lakeside.
Hilliker said that while his business doesn’t have the avian flu, “it’s driven prices of eggs so high that a bunch of people don’t want to buy.”
Regarding the many chickens killed nationwide due to exposure to avian flu, Hilliker said, “When you take that kind of supply off the market,” it will heavily affect the production of eggs, as well as their prices.
Hilliker said bird flu has actually increased demand, forcing rationing of sales per customer. “We’ve always sold eggs at the farm, and we’re not selling any more eggs out of the farm now than before, but we have more customers.” He added that they also “put limits on what people can buy,” which make it so they’re, “able to spread it out a little bit more that way.”
The farm has capacity for 30,000 chickens, according to Hiilliker. As for steps being taken to prevent bird flu from infecting his flocks, Hillkier explained the farms’ health and safety protocols. “We’re locked down in our chicken areas. Everything that goes through the gates where the chickens are, is disinfected,” which includes people and equipment, he said.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/record-egg-prices-usda-bird-flu-virus-92e9f5fbc4e0a792be484a4aee5b9c16
https://apnews.com/article/usda-firings-doge-bird-flu-trump-fdd6495cbe44c96d471ae8c6cf4dd0a8
East County News Service
March 20, 2025 (El Cajon) -- The Circle Players will be performing the dinner theatre production of “Everyone’s A Critic” on April 5th at 6:30 p.m. and on April 6th at 1:30 p.m. Performances will be held in Richardson Hall, 551 Farragut Circle, El Cajon. All seats for this mystery dinner theatre show are $30 and includes a 3-course French-themed meal.
About the show directed by Joel Gossett On the brink of a famous food critic’s first bite, the staff of the exclusive French restaurant Goût de Paris has a traitor in the kitchen who appears to be bent on sabotaging the evening. You, the audience, while enjoying a delicious French three-course meal, must guess who the culprit is.
Reservations can be made by visiting the website at www.thecircleplayers.org and clicking on TICKETS
East County News Service
March 18, 2025 (Lakeside) -- The Maine Avenue Revitalization Association (M.A.R.A.) invites you to the Taste of Lakeside, its upcoming fundraise on April 8 from 5-8 p.m. This event brings together ten local restaurants, including Cali-Stack, Ranch House, Octavio's, East Bound, Yogurt Barn, The Parks, Caffeine Queens, and the VFW, offering attendees the opportunity to sample their culinary delights.
To prevent overcrowding at any single location, participants will receive one of four maps. This will ensure a pleasant and enjoyable evening of food and fun. A $30 donation grants access to the event, including a lanyard to be presented at each participating restaurant.
Tickets may be purchased from a M.A.R.A. member, Mary's Donuts, or the Lakeside Historical Society on Saturdays. A QR code is also provided at the bottom of the flyer for convenient ticket purchase. All funds raised will directly support Downtown Historic Lakeside.
East County News Service
Photos courtesy of Singing Hills Golf Club
March 14, 2025 (El Cajon) - As the season changes, so do cravings. Singing Hills Golf Club at Sycuan is thrilled to introduce three new menus, available now, featuring chef-inspired dishes that blend both traditional and modern Mexican-American flavors with locally sourced, fresh ingredients.
Singing Hills Golf Club will offer guests its new breakfast menu from 6:30 to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday. Guests will enjoy dishes from the menu, including Chef’s Chilaquiles, Tacos De Papa, Steak & Eggs, Avocado Smash, and Mayan Pancakes, among others.
For lunch and dinner, guests can enjoy the new menu between 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. The menu is separated into five different sections, featuring choices between Baja Shrimp Tacos, Señor Burrito, Rib-Eye Bistro, salads, and more. Prime rib will also be available between 4 to 9 p.m. from Friday to Sunday.
Those looking to enjoy brunch on the weekends will enjoy the new brunch menu from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The menu will include options, including Challah Berry French Toast, Oaxacan Chicken Sandwich, Fish & Chips, and Huevo Rancheros, among others.
San Diego’s East County is a wonderful destination for discovering dining adventures. For decades, our region has taken in refugees and immigrants from around the world, bringing culinary delights with international flair to our local restaurant scene.
Our inland region has a wide assortment of restaurants and eateries to choose form, including cuisines from around 40 countries spanning six continents, as well as many varieties of American cuisine such as barbecue, Cajun, soul food, steaks and seafood, burgers, salads and more.
East County Magazine's dining guide also includes specialties such as bakeries, healthy and vegan options, ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, and more.
You can search by cuisine type, location, or alphabetical listings. Bon appétit!
Find great restaurants by clicking the headlines below for all restaurants (arranged alphabetically), restaurants specializing in American cuisine, those serving international cuisine, or sweets and treats for delicious desserts--all in San Diego's inland communities.
ALL RESTAURANTS AND FOOD OUTLETS (Alphabetical list: click here)
AMERICAN CUISINE (View all: click here)
- American-general
- Barbecue
- Breakfasts
- Breweries serving food
- Burgers
- Cafes and diners
- Cajun
- California cuisine
- Cheese shop
- Chicken
- Delis
- Farm to table
- Fruits and juice bars
- Hawaiian
- Health foods
- Jewish deli
- Pubs, bars and taverns serving food
- Puerto Rican
- Salads
- Seafood
- Soul food and Southern
- Steak
- Tea houses
- Vegan and vegetarian
- Wine bars with food
- Wraps
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE (View all: click here)
- Afghan
- African
- Asian
- Australian
- Brazilian
- British
- Burmese
- Cambodian
- Chinese
- Dominican Republican
- Egyptian
- Ethiopian
- European
- Filipino
- French
- German
- Greek
- Guatemalan
- Indian
- International
- Iraqi
- Irish
- Italian
- Italian-pizza
- Jamaican
- Japanese and sushi
- Korean
- Laotian
- Lebanese
- Mediterranean
- Mexican
- Middle Eastern
- Mongolian
- Nepalese
- Persian (Iran)
- Peruvian
- Salvadoran
- Somali
- Spanish
- Syrian
- Thai
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
SWEETS AND TREATS (View all: click here)
- Bakeries (cakes,pies, cookies and breads)
- Candy shops
- Donuts
- Ice cream
- Puddings
- Yogurt, frozen
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
San Diego is home to many immigrants from around the world. As a result, our inland region alone has restaurants specializing in cuisine from over 40 nations on six continents. You can take a culinary tour around the world—without leaving East County!
Below is our directory of internationally-themed restaurants.
AFGHAN
Kabul Kabob House (El Cajon)
Kunduz Kabob and Pizza (Santee)
AFRICAN
African Spices (Rolando) African and Somali
Faridas Somali/East African Cuisine (Euclid)
Fatuma Restaurant (Euclid) African, Somali, Mediterranean
Red Sea Ethiopian Restaurant (City Heights)
Taste of Africa Cuisine (SDSU College area)
Taste of Egypt Café (Grantville)
AMERICAN
For our separate guide to local restaurants specializing in American cuisine, click here.
ASIAN
House of Fortune (Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon)
Ho Wan Noodle Shop (Barona Resort & Casino, Lakeside) - Asian
Loft 94 (Jamul Casino) – Asian fusion cuisine
Pink Buddha (Sycuan Casino & Resort)
Ginger Noodle Bar (Viejas at Alpine)
Wei Wei Asian Express (La Mesa and other locations)
AUSTRALIAN
Outback Steakhouse (El Cajon)
BRAZIILIAN
Rodizio’s Brazilian Steakhouse (El Cajon)
BRITISH - ENGLISH
Aubrey Rose Tea Room (La Mesa) – traditional English-style tea service with finger sandwiches, soups, savories, scones and more
Julian Tea and Cottage Arts (Julian) – traditional English-style tea service with finger sandwiches, scones, and more, plus seasonal specialties
Phileas Fogg’s (Sabre Springs) – British pub/English
BURMESE
Burma Place (Rancho Bernardo)
CAMBODIAN
Trieu Chao (City Heights)
CHINESE
China Fun (Rancho Bernardo)
Emerald Chinese Cuisine (Jamul Casino)
Hi Dumplings (Grantville/Mission Gorge)
Panda Machi (Alpine)
Panda Express (La Mesa)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Jibaritos de la Isla (Bonita)—Dominican Republic and Puerto Rican
EGYPTIAN
Taste of Egypt Café (Grantville)
ETHIOPIAN
Red Sea Ethiopian Restaurant (City Heights)
EUROPEAN
Lemon Grove Bistro and Beer Garden (Lemon Grove)
Tour de Tapas (La Mesa)
FILIPINO
Chamorro Grill (Grantville/Mission Gorge) – island barbecue with dishes from the Philippines as well as Hawaii and Guam
Kujo Eats (Rolando)
FRENCH
Bleu Boheme (Kensington) – French cuisine
Café Amor (Spring Valley) Menu – crepes and more
A Delight of France (Escondido) -French bakery and bistro
French Oven Bakery and Café (Scripps Ranch) -French bakery and cafe
Pine House Café and Tavern (Mount Laguna) –French, fondue and American
Tour de Tapas (La Mesa) – Tapas, small plates and desserts from Spain, France and Italy
GERMAN
Marisco’s German Seafood (City Heights) – German seafood
GREEK
Grecian Café (Spring Valley)
Greek Chicken (El Cajon and Lakeside)
Greek Gyros (Grossmont Center, La Mesa)
Yanni’s Bar and Grill (Scripps Ranch)
GUATEMALAN
Chiroy’s Café (Casa de Oro/Spring Valley) – Guatemalan, Mexican and American
INDIAN
Aromas of India (La Mesa)
Darbar Fine Indian Cuisine (Rancho Bernardo)
Naturally Desi (Rancho Bernardo)
Tandoori Vibes (SDSU College area)
INTERNATIONAL
Chandelier Lounge (Jamul) – international healthy food
Epicurious Social Club (Borrego Springs) – globally inspired comfort foods
IRAQI
Ali Baba (El Cajon)
Nahrain Fish and Chicken (El Cajon) –traditional grilled and masgoof Iraqi-style fish and chicken
Ney Restaurant (La Mesa) –Iraqi and Middle Eastern
Sahara Taste of the Middle East (Rancho San Diego) – Middle Eastern and Iraqi
Zad, Mediterranean (Spring Valley)
IRISH
Hooleys Irish Pub (La Mesa and Rancho San Diego)
ITALIAN
Antica Trattoria (La Mesa)
Aromi Italian Cuisine (La Mesa)
Bongiovanni’s Italian Restaurant (Alpine)
Di Leone’s Italian Restaurant (El Cajon)
Dolci Café Italiano (Rancho San Diego)
Donato’s Italian Restaurant (Alpine)
Filippi's Pizza Grotto (Jamul, Santee, and other San Diego locations)
Franca’s Italian Kitchen and Bar (Alpine)
Gaetanos Italian Restaurant (Spring Valley and Lakeside)
Giardino Neighborhood Cucina (Lemon Grove)
Italian Cucina (Barona Resort and Casino, Lakeside)
Lido’s Italian Foods (Lemon Grove)
Limoncello Modern Italian (La Mesa)
Little Roma Italian Restaurant (La Mesa)
Marechiaro's on Olde Highway 80 (El Cajon/Flinn Springs)
Mediterraneo Italian Bistro & Bar (Alpine)
Mona’s Italian Restaurant (Allied Gardens)
Nicolosi’s Italian Restaurant (Santee) -- Italian
Olive Garden (La Mesa and Santee)
Ottavio’s Italian (Lakeside)
Pietro’s Cucina Italiana (La Mesa)
Testo Pepesto (El Cajon)
ITALIAN—PIZZA
Chicago Pizza (Santee) – pizza
Corner Deli and Pizza (Sycuan Casino Resort)
D'Amato's Pizza (La Mesa) – pizza and Italian food
Del Cerro Pizza and Beer (Del Cerro) – pizza and beer
Filippi's Pizza Grotto (Jamul, Santee, and other San Diego locations) - Italian
Franco’s Giant Pizza (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon) - pizza
Frank's Pizza Joint (La Mesa) – pizza
Heroes Restaurant and Bar (Santa Ysabel) – wood-fired pizza
Long Island Mike's (Spring Valley) – pizza
Mamma Ramona’s Pizzaria (Ramona) – pizza
New York Giant Pizza (El Cajon) – pizza
Pizza Hut (Alpine and La Mesa) – pizza
Round Table Pizza (La Mesa and Spring Valley) – pizza
Surfrider Pizza (La Mesa) – pizza
Tommy’s Pizza and Subs (Santee) – sub sandwiches and pizza
Woodstock's Pizza (SDSU college area) -- pizza
JAMAICAN
Island Spice Jamaican (SDSU College area)
Caribbean Taste (near Skyline)
JAPANESE AND SUSHI
Banbu Sushi (La Mesa) –Japanese and sushi
Kawaii Sushi (La Mesa) -Japanese and sushi
Oishi Thai Japanese Cuisine (Rolando)
Vibes Sushi Bar and Grill (Ramona)
KOREAN
Dongbu Korean Barbecue (Escondido)
Kagnan Korean Barbecue (Rancho Bernardo)
Tong Sake House (Poway)
LAOTIAN
Pha Kao Lao Cuisine (SDSU College area)
LEBANESE
Alforon (SDSU College area) – Lebanese and Middle Eastern
MEDITERRANEAN
Ali Baba (El Cajon)
Happy Time Mediterranean (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon)
Luna Grill (El Cajon/Rancho San Diego) -Mediterranean
Mystic Grill (La Mesa) -Mediterranean
Oyster and Pearl Bar Restaurant (La Mesa) – Mediterranean
Tarbosh (El Cajon) – Syrian and Mediterranean
Yanni’s Bar and Grill (Scripps Ranch) – Northern Mediterranean
Zad, Mediterranean (Spring Valley) - Mediterranean
MEXICAN
Al Pancho's (Alpine)
Albert's Fresh Mexican Food (La Mesa and Lakeside)
Alpine Taco Shop (Alpine)
Carmelita’s Mexican Grill and Cantina (Borrego Springs)
Casa de Pico (La Mesa)
Frida’s Taqueria (Ramona)
Casa Gabriela (La Mesa)
City Tacos (La Mesa and other locations)
El Mariachi (El Cajon)
El Torito (La Mesa)
Hacienda Casa Blanca (El Cajon)
Las Pinches Tortas (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon)
Mañana’s Mexican Food (Alpine)
Marieta’s (Alpine, El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee)
Pablito’s Mexican Bar and Grill (Borrego Springs)
Picante Taqueria (Allied Gardens)
Poncho’s Mexican Food (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon)
Por Favor (El Cajon)
Quecho’s Elevated Mexican Eatery (Julian)
Roberto’s Taco Shop (Santee)
Rosarito’s Mexican Food (Lemon Grove)
Rubio's Coastal Grill (Alpine, El Cajon, La Mesa and other locations)
Salsa Mexican Food (Alpine)
Sombrero’s Mexican Restaurant (El Cajon and La Mesa)
Suerte Cantina (Sycuan)
Terramar Mexican Kitchen (Ramona)
MIDDLE EASTERN
Ali Baba (El Cajon)
Alforon (SDSU College area) – Lebanese and Middle Eastern
Happy Time Mediterranean (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon)
Luna Grill (El Cajon/Rancho San Diego) -Mediterranean
Ney Restaurant (La Mesa)
Sahara Taste of the Middle East (Rancho San Diego)
Schwarma Guys (La Mesa) – Middle Eastern
Tarbosh (El Cajon) – Syrian and Mediterranean
Zad, Mediterranean (Spring Valley)
MONGOLIAN
Stir Fresh Mongolian Grill (Rancho Bernardo)
NEPALESE
Himalayan Restaurant (La Mesa) - Nepalese and Indian
Taste of the Himalayas (El Cajon) – Nepalese
PERSIAN (IRANIAN)
Shiraz (Rancho Bernardo) – Persian/Iranian cuisine
PERUVIAN
Eli’s Peruvian Kitchen (City Heights)
Sangucheria Peruvian Street Food (Tierrasanta)
SALVADORAN
Pupusa’s Express (El Cajon)
SOMALI
African Spices (Rolando) African and Somali
Bisbas Restaurant (Rolando) – Somali, African (website coming soon at https://bisbasrestaurant.com/
Faridas Somali/East African Cuisine (Euclid) -Somali, East African
Fatuma Restaurant (Euclid) African, Somali, Mediterranean
Taste of Africa Cuisine (SDSU College area)
SPAIN
Tour de Tapas (La Mesa) – Tapas, small plates and desserts from Spain, France and Italy
SYRIAN
Mal Al Sham (El Cajon)
Tarbosh (El Cajon) – Syrian and Mediterranean
THAI
Basil Thai Bistro (San Carlos)
Busy B Thai Cafe (El Cajon)
Panya Thai (Escondido)
Pinto Thai (Ramona)
PR9 Thai Restaurant (La Mesa)
Signature Thai Cuisine (La Mesa)
Tamarind Thai (La Mesa)
TURKISH
Brother’s Turkish Cuisine (El Cajon)
Finjan Shop and Café (El Cajon)
VIETNAMESE
Lakeside Pho and Grill (Lakeside)
Pho Hoa Noodle Shop (SDSU College area)
Ph’o Minh and Grill (Spring Valley)
Phra Ram 9 (La Mesa)
Pho Superbowl Vietnamese Cuisine (El Cajon)
Saigon Star Restaurant (Allied Gardens)
By Mary England, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Photos courtesy of Carrie Smedley Photography
February 19, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The owner of Aromas of India Bar and Grill, Dinesh Shah, made history in La Mesa at the February 5 grand opening of his newly renovated restaurant, located at 5270 Baltimore Drive. Dinesh and his staff offered complimentary dinners to the public and La Mesa Chamber of Commerce guests for three hours from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., which has never been done in the Chamber’s history and possibly never in the La Mesa business community’s history. The robust marketing plan generated over a thousand reservations for the evening and brought hundreds and hundreds of people to La Mesa to savor this new restaurant.
Guests were advised when they RSVP’d that parking was non-existent and public transportation or another form of transportation would be needed to attend. The lines of eager guests began to form at 4 p.m. By 5 p.m., the line traversed all the way up Baltimore Drive. The wait did not dampen the mood of the guests, who were excited to serve themselves and choose from the eight different menu items that were offered: chicken tikka marsala, naan, vegetable samosas, basmati rice, vegetable egg rolls, mixed vegetable curry and dal makhani.
Chef Prakash and his team did a remarkable job of preparing the food for the evening, as well as refilling the serving dishes as needed. While guests waited outside to take their turn at the buffet tables, Indian dancers provided entertainment for their pleasure. Inside the restaurant while dining, guests were entertained by jazz musicians, making the entire evening a memorable experience and totally delightful.
“We are thrilled to have this new Indian restaurant in our city,” says Mary England, president of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce. "Dinesh Shah and his staff produced a first-class evening that entertained hundreds of people and introduced them to his menu. He took a vacant building and totally remodeled it into a showpiece that includes a new bar and a tasteful inside and outside dining area. We are grateful for his investment in La Mesa and for providing jobs, a great menu for locals and visitors and for stimulating our local economy.”
Due to the crowd, the Chamber held several ribbon cutting activities and photo opportunities beginning at 6 p.m. that captured the family members, the management team of the restaurant, the elected officials, the La Mesa Chamber, Miss La Mesa Samantha Luevano and Miss La Mesa Teen, Jaeden Roy and other friends to celebrate this historic moment. Presentations were made to Dinesh and his family and team by Jason Wiecz representing Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, La Mesa City Council members Laura Lothian, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki and the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce. We were thrilled to have the Honorary Consul General and Honorary Consulate of Nepal; Rishi P. Dhakal travel to join us for this momentous occasion.
This new addition to the dining landscape in La Mesa offers an additional opportunity for locals and guests to savor Indian spices and flavors while dining in a modern fine dining atmosphere. The motto of Aromas of India Bar & Grill is “Dine Like Royalty” and you certainly will. Stop in and enjoy a delicious meal, while supporting a new La Mesa business and welcome owner Dinesh Shah to La Mesa! For take-out orders or to contact the restaurant call 619 439-6072.
Dinesh also offers catering services for 100 to 2,000 people, so keep that in mind when you are planning your next business or family get-together.
You can visit their website to view the menu and other facts at aromaslamesa.com.
