View photos

Menu Snapshot

Huevos Rancheros Plate
Machaca or Chorizo Plate
Pollo Asado Tacos
Breakfast Tortas
  • Top categories (DAILY SPECIAL / BEEF & ROLL / Breakfast Plates / Burritos / Tacos)
  • Most orders: $10–20
View Complete Menu

Overview & Highlights

Located in the heart of El Cajon, Santanas Mexican Grill is a vibrant culinary gem that delivers authentic Mexican flavors with heart and soul. Specializing in a range of classic Mexican dishes, this restaurant offers an enticing menu that makes it a must-visit for both locals and visitors craving genuine, satisfying cuisine.

Step inside and you’ll immediately sense the warmth and friendliness that defines the Santanas experience. The staff greet you with genuine smiles and attentive service, creating an inviting atmosphere where you can relax and savor every bite. Whether you dine in, use their convenient drive-thru, or pick up your order to go, every meal is crafted with care and fresh ingredients.

Dive into their extensive burrito selection, where standout options like the Carne Asada Burrito, rich and tender, perfect for meat lovers; the Carnitas Burrito, slow-cooked to perfection and served with rice and beans; or the lighter yet flavorful Fish Burrito accompanied by creamy guacamole and zesty salsa, all deliver a mouthwatering balance of textures and bold flavors. For those looking for something unique, the Chile Relleno Burrito offers a comforting blend of stuffed peppers with traditional toppings that warm both the heart and stomach.

Complement your main dish with tempting sides like freshly made Mexican salsa, creamy guacamole, or perfectly seasoned beans and rice. And don’t forget to indulge your sweet tooth with classic desserts such as velvety Flan or smooth, soothing Rice Pudding that offer a delightful finish to your meal.

Frequent guests rave not only about the food but also the genuine spirit of the staff. Bianca Robinson’s joy in returning for a second visit reflects the consistent quality and hospitality: “My second time here and it never fails — AMAZING! The staff is always nice and smiling… Sooooooo good!” Meanwhile, regulars appreciate the convenience and heartiness, as Robert Donahue notes how the breakfast burrito fueled his busy morning with generous portions and fresh flavor.

The restaurant also shines with its dedication to customer satisfaction. After facing a rough patch, Santanas has undergone a remarkable transformation, now featuring a clean, welcoming space and fresh ingredients that enhance every dish. Johnny Reviews remarks on this impressive turnaround, highlighting the improved atmosphere and well-prepared meals.

One can't talk about Santanas without mentioning the thirst-quenching lemonade, which Lorraine E. Aldridge calls “the best.” Freshly squeezed and perfectly sweetened, it’s an ideal refresher that complements the bold and spicy dishes beautifully — an absolute must on warm East County days.

For anyone seeking a genuine taste of Mexican cuisine without leaving El Cajon, Santanas Mexican Grill is a warm, reliable destination that promises a rich, flavorful journey with every visit. The combination of authentic dishes, friendly service, and a welcoming ambiance makes it an unbeatable choice whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a satisfying meal.

Contact them today at +1 619-938-4319 or visit 411 Broadway, El Cajon, CA to experience firsthand the vibrant flavors and heartfelt hospitality that defines Santanas Mexican Grill.

Comforts & Conveniences

Accessibility
  • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
  • Offers delivery
  • Has drive-through
  • Offers takeaway
  • Serves dine-in
Popular for
  • Popular for breakfast
  • Popular for lunch
  • Popular for dinner
  • Good for solo dining
Payments
  • Accepts credit cards
  • Accepts debit cards
  • Accepts NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards

Where to Visit

Visitor Testimonials (749)

My second time here and it never fails - AMAZING! The staff is always nice and smiling and the food is always AMAZING! They are really nice people. The two guys working tonight were so nice. Thank you so much for the yummy food and great deal for taco Thursday! Sooooooo good!

I used the drive thru. I ordered the breakfast burrito. I'm not sure exactly what it is called. It was early Saturday morning, so no line. The order was accurate and prepared quickly. I was given plenty of green salsa. I ate the whole burrito and I was so full! I went here because I needed to get a good meal inside me before I donated plasma down the street at CRT PLASMA. They paid me $150, and I was there for just over an hour. I recommend them. If you donate plasma, tell them I referred you. I get a bonus, they said. Good food and easy money was my plan for Saturday. Mission accomplished! Thanks to the staff at Santanas Mexican Grill! I'll definitely be back.

Santana's has been around for decades. I've heard it was going downhill but that is NOT right now. They're awesome. This place is excellent I can tell they work very hard too. Go support them.

A serious improvement for a location. This place had a reputation as terrible years ago. Now a clean location, fresh ingredients, and better staff it was totally worth my time. Location: great location, ample parking and drive through 24/7 Food: food was decent and the freshness of the ingredients was something of note. The hot sauce was pretty weak though. Portion size was ok/average. Service: employee was nice and service was fast considering 1 guy for both drive through and dine in and cooking. Ambiance: whoa that's alot of tables. The removed all inside tables and lined all the walls with booths. This leaves a wide open. Space in the middle, for dancing? Plus tons of outside dining. The look is much nicer amd clean but so much unused space makes it feel awkward. The salsa bar looks nice. Some great grilled chillies but the sauces were weak and no hot carrots.

Lemonade Get a large. You won't regret it! This place has thee best Lemonade. It's fresh squeezed with the perfect amount of sugar. Perfect for the hot east County summers. Bring cash tho... they charge extra for card payments

Tell Us About Your Visit

Your insights help other diners decide. We’ll keep your email private. Required fields are marked *

Service & Hospitality
Value for Money
Food & Drink Quality
Ambience & Comfort

Explore Similar Places Nearby

Chapel Coffee Campus

24941 Washington Ave, Murrieta, CA 92562, United States

  • 4.8 292 Ratings

Vicky's bubbly cafe

6732 S Crenshaw Blvd #12, Los Angeles, CA 90043, United States

  • 4.9 249 Ratings

Barranco's Fruit

625 Glendora Ave, La Puente, CA 91744, United States

  • 4.2 353 Ratings

Sushi Spot Restaurant

19658 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356, United States

  • 4.3 282 Ratings

3rd & Loma

301 Loma Ave, Long Beach, CA 90814, United States

  • 4.1 221 Ratings

Happy Moose

1040 Revere Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124, United States

  • 4.6 229 Ratings

Curiosity Cafe

400 Jibboom St, Sacramento, CA 95811, United States

  • 4.9 224 Ratings

Jack's Restaurant

7875 CA-99, Los Molinos, CA 96055, United States

  • 4.5 535 Ratings

The Villa on Grand

117 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025, United States

  • 4.7 293 Ratings

Sofia's Kitchen

12747 1/2 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604, United States

  • 5 237 Ratings

Discover More Places

Itagochi

15 de Mayo 1124, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico

  • 4.9 274 Ratings

The Eatery on Rissik

16 Rissik St, Haenertsburg, 0731, South Africa

  • 4.4 434 Ratings

Andromeda's Kaffa

C. Tercera 705, Zona Centro, 87300 Heroica Matamoros, Tamps., Mexico

  • 4.8 224 Ratings

Lincoln Smoothies

188 Front St, Lincoln, RI 02865, United States

  • 4.9 224 Ratings

Nasi Sup Kambing Daging Salai Poksu

Jalan Taman Seri Indah, Taman Seri Indah, 18500 Machang, Kelantan, Malaysia

  • 4.7 344 Ratings