Visitors to San Diego's rural East County are sure to find an enticing and eclectic selection of dining options, from "mom and pop" cafes to classic neighborhood diners and restaurants serving down-home "western grub."

Following is a sampling of East County's unique dining venues where guests are guaranteed a meal as memorable as the scenic backcountry, along with a taste of local color and history.

   
BBQ, BURGERS AND BREWS

After a day of exploring the back roads of East County, nothing is more satisfying than smoky barbecue, a burger with all the fixings or a cold, frosty brew.

• Alpine Beer Co. Brewpub is the place in Alpine for barbeque ribs and pulled pork sandwiches served with seven handcrafted beers like its signature Alpine Ale, Pure Happiness double IPA and Mcilhenney's Irish Red.
• Bailey's BBQ/Julian Brewing Co., the first operational brewery in the historic mountain town of Julian since 1891, features Texas-style barbecue, wood-smoked meats, pies, two handcrafted beers (Stout and Bailey Pale Ale) and 14 other pints.
• El Cajon Brewing Co. in El Cajon pairs awesome pales ales, IPAs and new brews, such as the Honey Nut Brown, with hearty pub food like the Ultimate Stuffed Burger that is deep fried in beer batter.
• Fred's Old Fashioned Burgers, located in Alpine and El Cajon, is known for serving some of the best burgers in East County, along with hot dogs, zesty Philly/chili selections, malts and shakes. Fred's two-pound Goliath Burger is only for the most adventuresome diners.
• Hooley's Irish Pub, located in Rancho San Diego and La Mesa, is a popular neighborhood pub known for its friendly atmosphere, traditional Irish fare and nontraditional twists on familiar dishes like corned beef tacos. It also serves 13 draught beers and an extensive selection of 37 Irish and Scottish whiskeys.

       
CLASSIC CAFES/DINERS/GRILLS

Home cooking never tasted so good at many tried and true local East County favorites where generous helpings of hospitality are also served.

• Barrett Junction Café and Mercantile in Barrett Junction is a favorite stop for drivers along historic Highway 94. Since opening in 1946, the cafe has earned a reputation for its famous family-style fish fry. Other menu favorites include the country breakfast buffet and delicious barbeque slowly smoked over oak and pecan wood. Historical photos and antiques, a vintage ice box and antique phone add to the café's backcountry charm.
• Carlee's Bar and Grill in Borrego Springs is a favorite with locals and visitors alike, serving a menu of American favorites, from burgers and steaks to seafood entrees and delicious gazpacho, in a fun and friendly atmosphere with live entertainment and karaoke.
• D'Carlos Restaurant in rustic Ramona is a classic family steakhouse known for its prime rib, steaks and seafood.
• Descanso Junction Restaurant in Descanso embraces their motto, "Big enough to serve you, yet small enough to know you." A warm and welcoming vibe is coupled with American comfort food standouts like Grandma's Meatloaf, Joann's Chicken Fried Steak and a sweet jalapeño and cream cheese burger.
• Downtown Cafe Bar & Grill is the place to go in downtown El Cajon for "good food, good music, good times." Diners enjoy tasty fajita skillets, barbecue ribs, pasta dishes, burgers, wraps and more.
• Eastbound Bar & Grill in Lakeside is a neighborhood favorite known for its fun and friendly atmosphere, crowd-pleasing happy hours and a menu of American classics, including the Amazing BLT, Seriously Good Chicken Sandwich and jalapeño burger.
• Franz's Lake Cuyamaca Restaurant, overlooking scenic Cuyamaca Lake near Julian, serves delicious Austrian, German and traditional American food. Menu highlights include potato pancakes with Austrian sausage, the Cuyamaca Beef Sandwich, chicken fried steak and wiener schnitzel.
• Janet's Montana Cafe in Alpine is a down-home country diner housed in a rustic-looking wood cabin. Hearty, home-style American meals include an original recipe meat loaf, signature slow-roasted turkey and other classic comfort foods.
• Julian Cafe & Bakery in Julian serves classic American plates such as roast beef with mashed potatoes, meatloaf, fried chicken and chicken fried steak, plus delicious desserts like the popular pumpkin apple pie.
• Major's Diner in Pine Valley is also known for its home-style American fare – burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads – served with a 1950s flare.
• At the popular Miner's Diner in Julian, visitors can step back in time and enjoy old-fashioned, 1950s-style soda fountain items like root beer floats, burgers and fries.
• Pine House Cafe & Tavern in Mt. Laguna, housed in a historic log cabin in the heart of the Cleveland National Forest, is as rustic and charming as its alpine setting. The cafe is known for its home cooking using fresh natural, seasonal ingredients; standouts include Nica's chicken gumbo, blackened salmon and mountain nettle soup.
• The hip Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room in La Mesa is a unique grill-it-yourself steakhouse and retro-style lounge with a great assortment of steaks, chicken, seafood and vegetarian options, plus a variety of side dishes like macaroni & cheese and a delectably unusual bacon-chocolate cake for dessert.
• Tucked away in Descanso, Veronica's Kitchen is a popular backcountry stop for classic Mexican dishes, including chile relleno, tortas and tacos, in an unassuming diner setting.

       
WESTERN GRUB

Embracing the region's Wild West roots, guests can giddy up to two East County eateries where cowboy boots and spurs are optional.

• Gingham in downtown La Mesa is the region's first "urban cowboy diner," created by star Chef Brian Malarkey of Bravo TV's "Top Chef 3: Miami." Guests can indulge in southern comfort fare such as barbeque, fried chicken and a bounty of braised meats, as well as local craft beer and hand-crafted cocktails.
• Cowgirl Café in Julian serves up delicious down-home cooking, including sandwiches, paninis and soups like the signature Cowgirl Gumbo, in an Old West cowgirl-themed setting.

           
SWEET TREATS

East County is a heavenly dessert and confectionery destination that is worth the drive to satisfy any sweet tooth.

• Candied Apple Pastry Company in Julian is a culinary gem known for its pastry arts including cakes, chocolates, breads, pastries and pies, including its famous gourmet sour cream apple pie. Executive Pastry Chef Charles Scott received his formal training at the International Pastry Arts Center in New York.
• Dudley's Bakery, founded in 1963 in Santa Ysabel, is a San Diego County landmark serving 22 types of fresh mouthwatering breads daily, along with famous fruit bars, pastries and cookies.
• Mom's Pie House in Julian is incredibly popular with guests lining up outside the door, especially on weekends, for traditional apple pies and imaginative fruit-filled creations like "Bumbleberry" (boysenberry, blackberry, blueberry) and "Ruby" (apple, rhubarb, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry).
• Housed in a one-room school house from 1921, Wisteria Candy Cottage in Boulevard is a famous family run sweet shop known for its hand-dipped chocolates and other old-fashioned candies.

            
TEA TIME

• The Aubrey Rose Tea Room in downtown La Mesa is one of the finest little tea rooms this side of the Victorian age. Traditional afternoon tea is served in an elegant old-fashioned setting, featuring loose leaf teas from around the world, small gourmet bites like warm scones with lemon curd and assorted tea sandwiches, and luscious little desserts and pastries.

           
Happiness is calling in East County. For more information on dining in East County and the entire San Diego region, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website, www.sandiego.org and www.sandiego.org/eastcounty, or call 619.236.1212.

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