Junction Bar & Grill — Restaurant in El Cajon

We had a group of 12 stop in and have lunch. Greeted at the door and set us up very quick. With 12 we were table spaced 6 and 6 Really close still, so we could speak with each other. Protocols in place and surfaces cleaned very well as others left. Masks on coming in and when using their restrooms. It's a very large establishment with a great bar area and lots of TV all over. There is a separate room for 24-30 that would be great for large parties. The tables are mixed with traditional sit down and the higher table tops with bar seats and comfortable. Hostess was great and our server was really good at getting everyone beverages and the food came out very timely. The food menu is typical Americana and lots of options, with a section dedicated to Tacos that are always on special and part of the group gave them a big thumbs up. I had meatball sliders (4 versions available pork, beef, veal) others had steak, brisket sandwich, wings, 1/2 chicken, vegetable and bacon dishes, pizza, sausages. Great large salads as well. Everyone enjoyed the service and quality of the food. No complaints on this trip. They have a good draft and bottle beer selection with wines available. All meals come with sides to choose. Water glasses constantly filled no need asking. The pricing is really fair. A great value. I would say the place had about 75 guests while we were there spread out. It could hold many more. Nice atmosphere and kudos to the staff....

It's been about 10 years since I went to this restaurant. I remember the run-down old timey style place it used to be. Was shocked to see the sports-bar style format it is now.

First impression....place is visually appealing but LOUD. Not sure if it's the hard floors, low ceiling, wide open room or a combo of all. People talking was a roar, music playing over the top of it, and a few of the TVs had sound up. Bit overwhelming, especially if you want to have a conversation with someone.

Wanted a glass of scotch, went to look at the selection behind the bar. While the red backlighting looks cool, hard to make out one bottle from another. All look red. White backlighting would show off the bottles so much better.

Ordered the ribeye, people I was with ordered a burger and wings. The lady specifically asked the server for boneless wings.....he brought her bone in. She didn't want to make a big deal about it, so she picked her way thru the bones with a fork. Ribeye was okay, nothing to write home about. Had to ask for A1, wasn't offered. The Junction used to be a steakhouse, so was expecting more than a typical sports bar slab of meat. Wasn't the best ribeye I've ever had, but wasn't the worst.

Had to ask for water refills, several times. Looking at prior reviews of the new format, service (or lack thereof) seems to be a common theme. Server disappeared for the last 30 minutes of our meal.

Overall,...

Great service at the bar and tables. The problem is the food is not consistent! It's more miss than hit. There's always something missing or wrong. If you substitute an item for something else it will be regular not what you asked for, they never get it right. Steaks are always over cooked, burgers are either over cooked or rare and zero flavor. There's no love or presentation put in the plates they serve. You can order two plates of the samething and they'll be a difference in the portions and presentation. They're real skimpy on the fries and portions for what they're charging in a bar n grill place in elcajon and food you're getting and nothing spectacular about the food to charge prices like that! And they keep raising the prices on their menu. Appetizers are ridiculously expensive for what they're giving you. And who wants to pay $20-$24 for a 10 inch very thin pizza, much less at a bar and grill place. Go to a real Italian place if you're gonna pay that. $27 for a pasta dish with chicken or shrimp regular portion and that bread has to replaced. Go to Cheesecake Factory u get alot more pasta better quality and presentation and awsome endless bread for less and not to mention the ambiance! As opposed to the Junction, a sports bar n grill! Stop raising your prices and serve your food with love and give your customer what they're asking for...