El Cajon Grand

I grew up in El Cajon but haven't lived there for many years. Anyway my friend and I went to visit and got thirsty one afternoon, so we went to the EC Grand. There were a lot of odd-looking guys there, not quite hip-hop, not quite skater, not quite biker... all tatted up with their baseball cap bills flat and sticking up... WTF?? I later found out that was "East County" style.

Anyway we ordered "Jamesons neat", the bartender was a young guy and says "what's that? I'm new here." I pointed to a rocks glass and said "put a shot in this glass". So he pours the two rocks glasses all the way full to the top!! Jackpot!! He only charged us $4 for about 4 shots of whiskey each. We hid our drinks from the other bartender, downed them, then quickly ordered another round. Four drinks and we drank most of the bottle, all for $16 total. We left him $20 (keep the change!) and were off with a brand new outlook on life.

Even at the regular price of $4 for shot of Jamesons, it's a good deal.

I've been here 3 or 4 times and I'm not a huge fan. It's not horrible, and there are some seating areas which is nice, but I'd rather go down the street to Main Tap.

At The Grand I feel like it can take a little too long to get a drink and I'm not really into the kind of crowd they bring in. A lot of east county 'bro's' in my opinion.

I do really like that they have a large outside patio area, however, i can't step foot outside without inhaling lungs of smoke.

I'll probably go there again because they do have some good bands that come in, but unless it is for a band or some kind of event, I'd recommend main tap right down the street. More low key in my opinion.

This is a good bar in downtown El Cajon. Good drinks a good selection of beers on tap, also great entertainment.  There is a really cool backyard with horseshoe pits.  The ownwers are a hard working couple who really seem to care about the bar & patrons. We went recently during a power outage and the owners welcomed us even though the bar was dark. Go in on a Saturday or Sunday morning and try the Bloody Mary.  Check out their website for listing of bands.