Food & Wine

Looking to chow down on an all-American burger, steak, or seafood dinner?  Or savor regional cuisine such as Cajun, Southern, soul food, California cuisine, or Texas-style barbecue?

Perhaps you’re hankering for health food, jarm-to-table fresh meals, or vegan options.  Or you're craving a sub sandwich or Jewish deli.  You can even sample exotic foods from Hawaii or U.S. territories including Guam and Puerto Rico—all in San Diego’s East County!

Our guide below lists many delicious options, arranged alphabetically by category.  Note:  Many of these eateries also offer options beyond American. Click each link to view full menus.

Our guide to delicious desserts in San Diego's inland region

San Diego’s East County has many options to satisfy your sweet tooth, thanks to our diverse population and rich heritage. From all-American Julian apple pies, candy cottages and ice cream parlors to international desserts such as Franch pastries, Mexican cakes and Middle Eastern baklava, you’ll find a wide variety of delicious desserts to savor—and even a vegan bakery.

East County News Service

February 10, 2025 (El Segundo) – Tri-Union Seafoods has recalled canned tuna products sold under the Trader Joe’s, Van Camp’s, Genova and H-E-B brands due to defective pull-top resulting in leakage and potential contamination with botulism, a deadly toxin.  The products were sold in many states, including Genova 5 oz. cans sold in California at Walmart, Kroger, H-E-B, Public, Harris Teeter and independent retailers.  Retailers in other states include Trader Joe’s and Costco.

By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo courtesy of the CDC

December 21, 2024 (San Diego) - County public health officials are warning San Diegans not to eat or drink raw milk products or give them to their pets because of the heightened risk for H5N1, or bird flu. 

By East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (San Diego)-- County Public Health officials are asking people to

throw away organic carrots tied to a nationwide E. coli outbreak. One person in San

Diego who consumed the carrots became ill from the same strain of Shiga Toxin producing E. Coli (STEC) that is part of a multi-state outbreak.

Thirty-nine people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from 18 states, 15 people have been hospitalized, and one person has died. The implicated carrots are organic, whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold under multiple brands by Grimmway Farm at many major retailers. Brand labels include Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, O Organics, Cal-organic, Bunny Luv, Good & Gather, Full Circkle, Compliments, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry, Raley’s, Simple Truth, President’s Choice, and Grimmway Farms, and in a variety of sizes.

East County News Service

January 17, 2025 (La Mesa) — Bougie’s Cheese Shop,  newly opened in December, invites you to a Garden Party on Saturday, January 18 and 25 from 1-4 p.m.   This patio event will feature non-alcoholic specialty drinks in honor of dry January paired with cheeses, along with curated snack boxes available for purchase.

Bougie’s Cheese Shop is located in the historic Levy house at 4679 Date Ave. in La Mesa.