Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in East County

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants in East County? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Jive Lounge

5.0

5 (65)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Jamul

About the restaurant

Our electric live entertainment venue just steps away from the casino floor features some of Southern California’s hottest DJs and best local bands along with great food, craft beers, and signature handcrafted cocktails.
Make your reservation today! A deposit of $20 per person will be required at the time of check in for your table. This deposit of cash or a credit
Card hold for the amount will be lifted when your party has surpassed this amount of purchased food or

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined on May 31, 2025

The staff is exceptional. They are always helpful and go beyond my expectations. The music is excellent and dance floor is amazing compared to other options in San Diego.

Baron Long Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (558)

$31 to $50

Californian

Alpine

About the restaurant

Baron Long Bar & Grill features a familiar food menu, along with craft beer & cocktails for friends and family to enjoy while dining in a comfortable, energetic, sociable sports bar environment. We’ve put our spin on American bar food classics using the best local ingredients and freshly prepared food that is sure to please sports fans and foodies alike.

Guests can watch the action of their favorite game on our 16 TVs located throughout the restaurant, including (10) 85” screens. Share some appetizers over drinks with your friends or order your favorite burger from our extensive food menu. The beverage menu boasts a seasonal craft cocktail menu, 16 draft beers from our showcase keg room, focusing on notable San Diego breweries, as well as two rotating taps that will pique your interest frequently.

Top review

Michael

Dined 3 days ago

We went to have dinner before the Aaron Lewis concert. Basic food, burger and chicken Caesar salad, but both were excellent! Service was outstanding, and the prices were reasonable. We will go again.

Grove Steakhouse at Viejas Casino

4.6

4.6 (1814)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Alpine

About the restaurant

The Grove Steakhouse has been awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award. Resplendent with luxurious décor and a warm, inviting atmosphere, The Grove offers classic and contemporary cuisine for the definitive gourmet experience. Relax in calming ambience while you’re pampered by our world-class service. Our attention to detail and gourmet selections will make your dining experience a pleasure long remembered. Experience an exciting new menu, which includes an array of tantalizing entrées and desserts that are sure to satisfy and inspire you to return again and again.

Top review

Lee

Dined 1 day ago

Service was impeccable, Joseph our waiter was very professional and cordial, and given his service to our dining experience, I will be returning for exceptional dining experience.

Bull & Bourbon Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (1799)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

El Cajon / Lakeside

About the restaurant

Bull & Bourbon is a cut above other steakhouses – literally. Our innovative approach to classic steakhouse cuisine makes for a multi-sensory experience. Enjoy steaks prepared on our custom wood burning grill paired with our extensive and hand-selected bourbon menu for flavors that beautifully complement each other. Because we source local coastal California seafood, use steaks cut from our in-house butcher program, and choose select cuts from our on-site aging room, we always start with top-quality ingredients to create mouthwatering dishes. You will always know from where your food has been sourced, and our chefs approach cooking as the true art that it is.

Top review

Jack

Dined 1 day ago

Very prompt. Great service, delicious food, good music, clean restaurant and restrooms. Great experience.

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (4311)

$30 and under

Seafood

La Mesa

About the restaurant

A San Diego tradition since 1969, the Brigantine has received many accolades in our 40+ year history: "BEST SEAFOOD", "BEST CASUAL SEAFOOD", "BEST HAPPY HOUR", and even "BEST SWORDFISH IN THE WORLD", according to USA Today - just to name a few.

Well-known for our signature Clam Chowder, Grilled Swordfish, and Crème Brûlée, the Brigantine is a favorite among locals for consistently fresh seafood, succulent steaks and grilled meats.

With an updated nautical decor, the busy Oyster bar is hands-down the local favorite. Lush flowering foliage outdoors creates an elegant dining experience on one of two charming patios.

The La Mesa Brigantine serves dinner 7 nights a week, lunch Monday-Saturday, and brunch every Sunday.

Join us for our signature Happy Hour.

Top review

Chas

Dined 5 days ago

Our server Rose was the best! Super nice and top of it the whole time!

Discover more

Popular dish

Blackened Salmon

Prime Cut Steakhouse - Jamul Casino San Diego

4.7

4.7 (1508)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Jamul

About the restaurant

Prime Cut is a classic American steakhouse located inside the lights and flash of an upscale Vegas-style casino just twenty minutes outside the city center. With Chef de Cuisine Greg Coyle leading our kitchen, an award-winning wine list designed by Manager Christina Ambriz, and a full bar featuring some of the most unique hand-crafted specialty cocktails, Prime cut is the perfect place for conversation or an intimate dinner.

Specials
Experience the best brunch in San Diego! Join us from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm every Sunday for Prime Cut’s Lobster Brunch. Enjoy a picturesque mountain view, sample from our award-winning wine list, or sip on your favorite craft cocktail while you indulge in delectable creations by Chef de Cuisine Greg Coyle.
Lobster Brunch • Sunday • $59.95

Only guests over 21 years old may attend.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

The Food, Service and Ambiance exceeded my expectations. Definitely recommend this establishment for fine dining with meticulous service.

Discover more

Popular dish

Seafood Tower

Popular dish

Braised Prime Short Rib

Casa Gabriela

4.8

4.8 (888)

$30 and under

Mexican

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Chef Gabriela Lopez brings her elevated Mexican cuisine to Downtown La Mesa. Using her grandmother's recipes from Guadalajara crossed with her cosmopolitan upbringing in Tijuana, Chef Gabriela's menu features authentic hand-crafted dishes and imaginative takes on classic dishes. All of Baja California is represented along with influences from other regions in Mexico.

The spacious outdoor garden, cozy loft, and private dining areas are the perfect places to enjoy tequila and mezcal based cocktails, family celebrations, or brunch with friends.

Top review

Val

Dined 5 days ago

We have eaten here several times now. It’s consistently good food and a nice place to sit and relax for dinner or brunch. We love the empanadas!

Discover more

Jalapeno-Cilantro Tempura Cauliflower

Antica Trattoria

4.8

4.8 (2453)

$30 and under

Contemporary Italian

La Mesa

About the restaurant

Antica Trattoria is a warm restaurant with an old-fashioned sense of hospitality that quickly became a gathering place for dinners in Lake Murray and the rest of San Diego when it opened in 2001. For Executive Chef and Owner Francesco Basile, good cuisine is about honest flavors, fresh ingredients, and simplicity. That's the kind of food he grew up eating by the seaside in Sicily and it's what he learned in culinary school in Italy.

Why eat ordinary when you can eat extraordinary?

About reservations: We have a 15-minute grace period. Please call us if you will be running later than 15 minutes. If a later time slot is available, you may be able to switch your reservation.

We may contact you, so please ensure your email and phone number are up to date. Your table will be reserved for 1 hour 30 minutes for parties of up to 4 guests; 2 hours for parties of 5 to 8 guests; and 2 hours 30 minutes for parties of 9+. We cannot guarantee special request for tables.

Top review

OlgaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Everything we ate was delicious. 100% recommended. Excellent service.

Discover more

Giardino Neighborhood Cucina

4.8

4.8 (1130)

$30 and under

Italian

Lemon Grove

About the restaurant

Located in the middle of Lemon Grove’s charming downtown area, Giardino is a welcoming and casual Italian inspired cucina where the neighborhood gathers for fresh and flavorful classic dishes found throughout Italy.

Giardino offers an Italian-inspired menu of seasonally-driven dishes that use timeless Italian techniques and fresh ingredients. Guests will find items such as fresh seafood, pastas, pizzas and salads, as well as a variety of elements made in-house.

Top review

ChristinaVIP

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

We love this restaurant! We have been a number of times. Such a hidden gem. I loved the roasted pear salad, the penne salsiccia and the short rib. They also have gluten free penne and gluten free pizza crust, which gives me a lot of options.

Discover more

The Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room

4.5

4.5 (52)

$31 to $50

American

La Mesa

About the restaurant

The Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room features a unique experience of service where you can choose to grill your steaks yourself at the communal grill and offers numerous cuts of meat. Not interested in doing the grilling? We will grill for you and we also have a great selection of entrees and appetizers that are prepared for you. Extensive craft cocktail list, great beer selection and live music most nights in the turquoise room.

*RESERVATIONS ARE ONLY OFFERED FOR THE DINING AREA, THE TURQUOISE ROOM IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.*

Top review

connie

Dined on May 17, 2025

Excellent service, food, drinks and atmosphere! We are always well cared for here! Thank you!

Explore Diners' Choice best of East County

Explore more Diners' Choice lists