The Stand - American Classics Redefined — Restaurant in Santee

People who have lived in Santee have been curious to see how the launch of this restaurant was going to be. The plaza hasn't had something new built in about a decade, and considering the very popular epic wings being right across from them I was definitely interested to compare them.

I went around 1:30 a couple days after they had opened. Obviously very busy, but the restaurant is a lot bigger than it seems and has a lot of seating. Upon walking in we were greeted by every single employee, including the cooks. Something they continued to do to every guest that walked in. Typical practice for newly opened establishment, curious to see if they will actually continue this in the future. While waiting in line the general manager, Jacie, approached us and asked if we had been here before. When we told her no she gave us a small little rundown of the menu and recommended some things for my mother. Something I was worried about when trying this place was how expensive it was going to be, but it ended being cheaper than I expected. You can get a burger and fries for under 20 bucks. Still not ideal, but the burgers are not 12 bucks a la carte. The menu was very large and had tons of variety. I just got a burger, fries, and a drink. The employee who helped us, Nicole, was very nice and she had amazing customer service. They had a variety of dipping sauces as well, and they are free! You can get as many condiments as you'd like, The Stand definitely did this right.

This is more of a niche personal preference, but this is one of the very FEW restaurants in San Diego that sell Pibb, a knockoff Dr. Pepper soda. I don't drink soda much at all, but when there is Pibb I am 100% buying a drink. Pibb is 1000x better than actual Dr. Pepper, and to see it here at this new restaurant I was very excited. They also make house made lemonade that I did try. They have regular lemonade and blueberry, and the blueberry lemonade was very good.

We got our food after waiting maybe about 15 minutes. Impressive considering the sheer volume of customers they had and a line out the door. Small thing I am going to pick on is that it's a little annoying to pay all this money for a burger and it isn't a double, but other than that the burger was very good. The fries were awesome, super crispy with a good texture and not to salty. The sauces were all so delicious. I got the sweet chili aioli, the fire sauce, and a hickory BBQ. All amazing, but the best one was for sure the sweet chili aioli. My mom got this chicken breast with broccoli and that was also very good. Food was a 10/10.

Something I noticed while eating was the amazing customer service of the employees. Cleaning up tables as soon as customers leave, putting away the trays and bringing them back to the kitchen for a wash up, and opening doors for customers. No doubt above and beyond service. I also saw the owner walking around the store grabbing dishes, cleaning tables, and asking customers their thoughts on the place.

Overall, this was a great add on to this plaza and a cool add on to Santee. I will be returning as well as recommending this place to others. If they keep up with their exceptional customer service, and the quality of their food, they will EASILY overtake Epic Wings. The Stand has some big TV's inside, so people are bound to come watch the ball game and amongst many other sports. Other places like BWW, and Junction 52 can be put down as well. I hope that they continue with their service, atmosphere, and quality, and hopefully it isn't just a performance to put on for their...

I stopped in The Stand for an early dinner and ordered the Chimichurri Steak Salad for $15.99 plus tax. I ordered the steak to be temped at medium rare to medium. Unfortunately, after I ordered at the counter and sat down, the young lady from the counter came to me and told be that the steak could not be cooked to my desired temperature because their steak comes precooked on a package.

As you can imagine, I was like "what?" I will admit, I was very disappointed that a eatery like "The Stand" does not prepare their steak to order. At any rate, since I already ordered and paid, I decided to give it a go.

The salad came with marinated grilled steak, kale with a spring mix, thin green apple sticks, a touch of mint, sliced cucumber, corn salsa, cherry tomatoes, crispy quinoa, and topped with a chimichurri sauce over the steak and charred corn vinaigrette over the salad.

The salad was nicely presented and the salad ingredients were fresh. There wasn't much of the charred corn in the salad, which was too bad because it was my favorite part of the salad. The dressing pretty good, but did have a sour note towards the end. The steak was okay. Cooking it twice, definitely gave it a little chewiness and the fact that it was not sliced across the grain. It's flavor was good, but I definitely would of preferred it at the very least, at a medium temperature.

The young lady "Emilee" was very nice. The Stand offers a very good amount of inside and outside seating. They offer craft...

Nestled in the heart of the city, The Stand offers a vibrant dining experience that combines contemporary cuisine with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. From the moment you step inside, the stylish decor and upbeat ambiance set the tone for an enjoyable meal.

Food: The menu features a diverse selection of dishes, ranging from innovative appetizers to hearty mains. Their signature burger is a must-try—juicy, perfectly cooked, and served with fresh, crispy fries. The salads are also standout, with fresh ingredients and flavorful dressings. Don't miss their homemade desserts; the cheesecake is particularly noteworthy.

Service: The staff at The Stand are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They make excellent recommendations and ensure that every guest feels valued.

Ambiance: With a modern yet warm decor, The Stand is perfect for casual dinners, gatherings with friends, or even a relaxed date night. The lively atmosphere is complemented by background music that strikes the right balance—not too loud, allowing for easy conversation.

Overall: The Stand is a fantastic addition to the local dining scene. It offers delicious food, attentive service, and a welcoming environment that keeps guests coming back. Ideal for both quick bites and leisurely dinners, it’s a spot...