Terra American Bistro

4.9

1532 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

7091 El Cajon, San Diego, CA 92115

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Great for creative cocktails
Kid-friendly

After a 3 Year hiatus on Opentable....they're back!!

Terra American Bistro and Chef Jeff Rossman have been binging the Farm To Table-Modern American Bistro experience to San Diegans for over 25 years now. Having relocated from Hillcrest to the East College area close to SDSU 11 years ago, the rotating menu features local fish procured from Tommy The Fishmonger @ Tunaville and local farm fresh produce from the bounty of San Diego County. Featured menu items include 12 Hour Braised Short Rib, Grilled Flat Iron Steak Chimichurri, Roasted Salmon with Herb oil, Terra's Wagyu Burgers, Nashville Chicken Sandwich and the famous Banana Bread Pudding with Jim Beam Butterscotch! The team’s ambition at Terra is to create a relaxed and casual atmosphere to enjoy great food, local craft beer & wine. Terra has many awards for best neighborhood joint: it's where the locals go!!

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Tapas / Small Plates, Comfort Food
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 4:30 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sat 4:30 pm–6:30 pm
Phone number
(619) 293-7088
Website
http://www.terrasd.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Jeff Rossman
Catering
Whatever the occasion, our goal is to make your event a complete success. With overflowing creativity and a gracious and dynamic staff, let Terra be your hospitality partner. We promise to exceed your expectations with an uncompromising commitment to perfection. Whether you are planning a simple luncheon or an elaborate six-course dinner, Chef/Owner Jeff Rossman will work with you from the start. He would be delighted to create a custom menu for you and your guests.
Private party facilities
small parties up to 16 can order off the menu and larger parties need to contact our banquet department for special menu with pricing. Private parties can buy out the restaurant or possibly host an event on Saturday afternoons or Monday evenings.

Location
7091 El Cajon, San Diego, CA 92115
Neighborhood
La Mesa
Cross street
El Cajon and 71st St
Parking details
Street parking available and on weekends & evenings parking in business lots around restaurant.
Public transit
San Diego Trolley stop on 70th street.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Passover Meal( serves 2)$79.99
Seder Plate with extra charoset & matzo Gefilte Fish with horseradish Mixed Greens with cucumber, carrot & lemon vinaigrette Side dishes Baby Carrots & Brussels herb Roasted Potatoes Soup (choose 1) Matzo ball soup(includes lg matzo balls) Veg matzo ball soup Entrée (choose 2) Grilled Salmon w/herb oil, Chicken Coq au vin, Jeff’s famous brisket or Vegetarian stuffed Portobella Dessert Platter flourless chocolate cake, matzo toffee & macaroons
- Regular
- Vegetarian
Passover Meal (serves 4)$179.99
Seder Plate with extra charoset & matzo Gefilte Fish with horseradish Mixed Greens with cucumber, carrot & lemon vinaigrette Side dishes Baby Carrots & Brussels herb Roasted Potatoes Soup (choose 1) Matzo ball soup(includes lg matzo balls) Veg matzo ball soup Entrée (choose 2) Grilled Salmon w/herb oil, Chicken Coq au vin, Jeff’s famous brisket or Vegetarian stuffed Portobella Dessert Platter flourless chocolate cake, matzo toffee & macaroons
- Regular
- Vegetarian

What 1,532 people are saying

Terra American Bistro reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.9Service
4.6Ambience
4.8Value

Noise • Moderate

1,510 Reviews

F
Fernando VIP
San Diego4 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
My respect to Jeff and the whole crew. Even though it was the last day of being open as a restaurant prior to switching gears into a a full catering facility, everyone went out of their way to give their best and make sure everyone was having a good time and enjoying their meals. Thank you for making that evening, special.
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RT
RaquelT
San Diego10 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 22, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were glad to be able have our last dinner at Terra last night. We will definitely miss the community that was formed by the girls and David’s warmth, attentiveness and welcoming demeanor.
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PH
PaulaH
San Diego2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, great ambiance and service was a bit slow but the food came out fairly quick. They did give us a yummy free dessert for my hubby’s birthday. I will miss this place.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The Seafood Ravioli was truly amazing. It wasn’t a dish you consume, it was a dish you experience. The tomato soup of the day was incredibly fresh. The Salty and Peppery Calamari was perfectly prepared. The house-infused habanero hibiscus margarita was spicy yet refreshing. Overall it was a delightful meal.
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RT
RaquelT
San Diego10 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 15, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
More than the food, it’s the staff that keeps us coming for more… Cetacea, David and Kara have turned this restaurant into a community hangout where people feel right at home. I’m saddened to hear their turning this community based restaurant into a takeout catering business. The food is good, but it was the staff and Cetacea’s authenticity, kindness and great cocktails that will be missed the most. The only way I’d consider takeout is if the food drops in price. Again, it was the staff that made this local spot a home.
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g
gold2ivory
Palm Springs10 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 1, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
This was one of our favorite places, mainly due to the great service of Cetacea. Also one of the best vegetarian burgers around. We will miss them!
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J
Jojo
San Diego56 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 18, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We totally enjoyed our dinner which ranged from a fried chicken sandwich, short rib farfalle Pasta, red wine braised short rib and roasted salmon. All entrees were cooked to perfection and were seasoned perfectly as well. The waitress Kara made our night special. She was efficient, friendly, checked on us and timed the appetizers to the dinner to the dessert perfectly. We had been unable to visit Terra as often as we have in the past but promise to return sooner this time around. Our family loves Terra and appreciates the dedication it takes to keep offering entrees that are farm fresh and sustainable, plus create dishes that are appetizing and delicious over and over again through the years.
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RT
RaquelT
San Diego10 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 18, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My husband and I moved to La Mesa about a year ago. Since then, we have become “regulars” at Terra. Their staff (Cetacea, David, Kara and her daughter) is very attentive, friendly and Cetacea’s cocktails are the BEST!!! We love coming here and bringing our friends and family when they visit.
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WA
WillnAli VIP
San Diego21 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
The prices are decent. The food is delicious and is presented nicely. Service is wonderful, very polite and attentive!
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CB
CherylB
San Diego8 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food and service. We eat here frequently and use it for family celebrations.
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FAQs

Terra American Bistro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 293-7088.

Terra American Bistro is rated 4.9 stars by 1532 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

7091 El Cajon, San Diego, CA 92115

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
El Cajon and 71st St
Neighborhood
La Mesa
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 4:30 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sat 4:30 pm–6:30 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Tapas / Small Plates, Comfort Food
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street parking available and on weekends & evenings parking in business lots around restaurant.
Public transit
San Diego Trolley stop on 70th street.
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Jeff Rossman
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.terrasd.com/
Phone number
(619) 293-7088
Catering
Whatever the occasion, our goal is to make your event a complete success. With overflowing creativity and a gracious and dynamic staff, let Terra be your hospitality partner. We promise to exceed your expectations with an uncompromising commitment to perfection. Whether you are planning a simple luncheon or an elaborate six-course dinner, Chef/Owner Jeff Rossman will work with you from the start. He would be delighted to create a custom menu for you and your guests.
Private party facilities
small parties up to 16 can order off the menu and larger parties need to contact our banquet department for special menu with pricing. Private parties can buy out the restaurant or possibly host an event on Saturday afternoons or Monday evenings.

Terra American Bistro

About this restaurant

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

Package

Passover Meal( serves 2)$79.99

Passover Meal (serves 4)$179.99

What 1,532 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

Does Terra American Bistro offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Terra American Bistro restaurant rated?

Permanently Closed

Dining areas

Additional information