Claim Jumper
Category: Restaurants [Edit]
Neighborhood: La Mesa5500 Grossmont Center Dr
(between Havenhill Rd & La Mesa Blvd)
La Mesa, CA 91942 (619) 469-3927
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: Full Bar
24 Reviews for Claim Jumper
Too much food even for 2 people! But it is soooo good.
Split the BBQ Chicken/Rib platter with Nate here one evening. The sweet potato was delightful, as was the asparagus and corn bread. But everything was HUGE!!! We couldn't even finish it all.
Bring a group. And split meals.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Everytime i go here I vow to try something new and tasty but I always get the ribs. always! I love them! and i absolutely love their cheese cake and the patato cheese soup.
the drinks are overpriced and never have I actually caught a buzz and the biscuits are usually dry and hard. (which is very disappointing because i love biscuits)
But......The customer service is always great.
We hadn't been to Claim Jumper in ages! I was suggesting the Greek place in Casa de Oro, which we also hadn't been to for a long time, when my husband asked if I wanted to go to Claim Jumper because he had a gift card for it that he'd gotten as a gift 2 or 3 years ago that he'd never used. I said fine, I always did want to try their ribs. It was about 5pm I think when we got there so there was no crowd and we were seated right away.
Well, I couldn't decided between the crab/blue cheese salad because of the hot weather, or the ribs because I didn't know when we'd get back here again. I told our VERY nice waiter my dilemma and he suggested i get the small order of ribs and the side salad of the same kind as the crab and have crab added to it "for just a couple of dollars more". I thought that sounded like a good compromise so I did that. The "couple of dollars" turned out to be $5.95 (on top of the price of the salad) but it DID make for an absolutely delicious fresh crisp cold salad with the wonderful crab in it. It was so filling that I wasn't able to eat all of my just-as-delicious pork ribs with potato patties on the side so I will have great leftovers for tomorrow! My husband got the fried shrimp and they were huge. He said they were top quality and he was VERY happy he had gotten them.
We were too full for dessert and each of the desserts looked like it could feed a family of four so I will have to go back with a group to try one of them!. I was very impressed with their Happy Hour appetizer prices and said we should come back sometime for that. We had done that many years ago but it was later in the evening and the crowds and noise had discouraged us from going there again I think. We had also been there about three times for an uncle's birthday--it was his favorite choice--and it was a great place for a larger group. I got to taste the cake on those occasions and it was rich and delicious!
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Cool (4)
My friend Claim Jumper,
I remember when we first meet you greeted me with your enormous portions of country fried steak, biscuits, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a garnish of a whole apple. I thought I had struck gold coming here because I left with over half my meal in a brown paper bag like many of the patrons that leave through your doors. You left me full, satisfied, and even gave me some more for the next morning. However after visiting you again, I am not sure I will be back anytime soon.
When my country fried steak arrived it was so tough and overcooked. The biscuit was so dry, and my meal seemed bland in general. You did provide my daughter a complementary kid type appetizer of cheese, deli meet, and applesauce, all which are baby crack to a toddler. However, when her mini cheeseburgers (or sliders) arrived I might as well have given her one of her teething rings. I felt bad for her because I took a bite of one and it too was tough and overcooked. I knew she wasn't impressed as she only ate the cheese off the patty. My wife had one of their gigantic appetizer salads and well it was only o.k. too. The service is not as good as it has been in my first experiences but I feel I have already moved on to smaller better restaurants.
Maybe we will meet again in the future, but it will only be for some beers and maybe an appetizer while on a break from the stores.
My suggestion: go to this place hours before you even think about dinner, because by the time they call you on the little pagers, you'll be hungry. But if you go hungry, chances are you won't be by the time they get to you, or you'll have already left in frustration.
But when you get inside, oh my...the standard plate of ribs and mashed potatoes is worth the long wait.
End of story.
Oh, and don't forget the bucket of root beer balls by the cash register; fill up those pockets!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I dunno but I am not a big fan of typically american foods like mashed potatoes, gravy, fried chicken, a big huge steak, etc. Maybe because I grew up eating "ethnic" food...since im asian and mexican. So, yeah, this restaurant was not really the place for me haha.
My friend invited me, so I went and ended up eating a burger. The portions are big...usually when they give you so much food, the quality is low.
It was aight but I wouldn't really go there again because the wait is just too long for what they offer. I rather go somewhere else where I don't feel guilty over what I ate.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
What else could you need on top of Claim Jumper's mountainous servings of meat and potatoes? Salad bar, that 's what! Claim Jumper has an absolutely wonderful salad bar and you can add it to an entree for like five or six bucks. There's no way most people can eat that much food, but you can eat the salad there and take home most or all of your entree. I know that seems a little ridiculous, but I think it's totally worth it. Sometimes (but not always) they let us add salad bar to an appetizer which is great for my mom who likes to have just a plate of their thick onion rings with a salad. I love how their salad bar has thick strips of either turkey or chicken, great potato salad, a variety of pasta salads, shelled edamame, tasty croutons that are slightly sweet, real bacon bits, and wasabi peas. Their blue cheese dressing is the blue-cheesiest I've ever had. It's actually a little powerful for me so I dilute it with ranch.
Other than the salad bar, I'd recommend the half chicken, the French dip, the giant steaks, and the creme brulee flight. I wouldn't recommend the macadamia-crusted fish. I got it once and it was so overcooked that it resembled really dry chicken.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
I usually avoid big chain restaurants like the plague. I'm more of a mom and pop place kind of guy. However my friends from up north ( meaning north of kearny mesa and south of escondido ) wanted to go here, since one of them was looking at a car at Drew Ford and this was the only place in the area that they felt " comfortable " in. haha, ok.
We order drinks, we get drinks. 4 people order food at the same time, 2 get food , 2 wait. It was about 15 mins before the other 2 got their food. 1 ordered a chicken dinner entree and received a chicken sandwich. Note to server, time your plates ! Believe me, its ok.
I ordered sea bass ( a special at the time ) and I requested that it be cooked a little less then it had to be. The waiter was dumbfounded, or maybe just dumb. He had never had anyone order fish and specify the level of done-ness. I reiterate. " Ok, lets pretend that we are talking about steaks, well, I would like my fish cooked medium/ well " He says he'll check with the kitchen to see if it can be done. He comes back " We cant do that, we're not a sushi bar " Look dude, I dont want sushi, I just want fish thats not overcooked, which, in my experience at every chain restaurant, is always overcooked.
I get my entree and what do you know ? The fish is dry and tasteless. Overcooking seafood is ABSOFREAKINLUTELY the worst thing you can do to seafood, of any kind. This is corporate for you.
Bear in mind, I am in the restaurant industry and I HATE nitpicky customers as much as the next chef but I really dont think my request was unreasonable. I mean, all the chef had to do was just take the fish off the grill a little sooner than normal.
I did not tip well. Oh and the chicken situation with my friend, well, after another long wait, he got his meal. It was the same piece of chicken, only it was flat on a plate and had rice and veggies around it. Hahahah .We all had a good laugh and I berate my friend for their fine choice of restaurant.
Of course we complained and management apologized and gave us 20 % off. Woop de doo. Thanks bro.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (4)
Cool (1)
Pretty pricey, but they give you "huge" portions. I think I liked their sampler appetizer the best. The ribs I had were decent. Nice atmosphere, and plenty of parking.
Unlike your groovy aunt's potato croquettes that were basically blaaahhnd... the potato cakes here are skillfully seasoned to fool even the most critical of spud sensors. In fact, you might even think to complain that these crabcake looking yummies are simply missing the crab meat before you realize that they are meant to be just as vegatarian as the next fabulous pomme de terre. And the sauce used on them is quite mentionable. Note to staff, chili should always be served piping hot and keep on smiling your way through the errors because it is somehow redeeming to not have someone defend themselves when things don't go as planned. Just a pleasant smile and prompt response. Thanks.
I love their steaks. Always prepared perfectly. The Blackened Cowboy steak is my favorite (New York strip). Their mash potatoes are killer as well.
Don't go there very often because my wife is super picky, eats super healthy, and can't find anything that will suit her. So I go here with my parents like once a year.
If you have a wife like mine, leave her at home and go with the boys.
Shawn C. said it best. This is a "big boned" gathering place. :-)
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
This restaurant is a step up from your standard Applebee's or TGI's. Three stars for gaining 3 lbs after eating at this place.
The waiting room is large, and you can get a glimpse of their desserts (which are enormous) such as the Chocolate Motherlode. Wow, talk about rich and getting your cholestorol through the roof!
The decor is warm with spacious booths (to fit those with a larger midsection?) Everytime I come here, I start with the French Onion soup and share the potato skins and calamari. Since I'm more fond of the appetizers rather than the entrees, I order my favorite salad: the Citrus Salad (pecans, slices of mandarin, green apples, bleu cheese, avocado, dried cranberries..yum!) I don't order anything else since I can't really breathe after eating. I adore their World's Smallest Sundae, it's definitely the perfect portion.
This is a good place to meet up with friends during the weekdays for dinner. The prices are moderate, but again, take notice in the portions. Their cocktails are to die for...their Chocolate Monkey and this other one with chocolate flavored martini - delicious.
Food should be more taste than portions, but I digress.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (4)
Cool (4)
I remember being more impressed by Claim Jumper when I was a kid and marveled at the idea of huge plates of food. I still marvel at the idea of a huge plate of food but definitely nothing that Claim Jumper has to offer. I guess I am saying that either they have gotten a little boring and predictable or perhaps I am just overly critical and should take my snobbish tastes elsewhere.
Some of their food is very good but nothing has ever been change your life amazing. My major qualms with this place are with the way things are run rather than the quality of their product. Unless you arrive during an off time you can expect to wait half an hour to an hour for a table, even if you call and have your name added to the list. Also, if you order a drink from the bar, it usually takes forever because they don't have a large enough bar to accommodate the amount of tables that they serve at one time. I have been told on several occasions by a server, "Sorry, your drinks will probably take 10 minutes because our bar is really backed up right now." I'm sorry but that is totally unacceptable when paying $7-10 dollars for a drink. If your bar is not big enough to accommodate your over sized corporate behemoth of a restaurant, spend some of those profits on building a bigger one.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (3)
Cool (3)
Not a huge fan of large portions but if you do this is your place. lots of all american dish here.
Weird I know but I always get the "house salad" but wait .... i know it sounds really sad and pitiful but you have no idea how amazing this house salad is. Its so big and so full of veggies. Its delicious.
Go a head and try it. You will be shocked too that something so simple as a house salad can be so amazing. I wish I could eat there every lunch but its too far away from work.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Goldrush chicken, absolutely delicious. You can choose from a half order which is about $14 or a full order just a couple bucks more. The half order is pretty big. This goes for many other entrees. The Clam Chowder is really good. And The Widow Maker? Burger is HUGE. My friends and I came here twice; once for our "before christmas" gathering and for a friends birthday. I should have gotten the Goldrush chicken the second time but I got the Pot Roast instead, it didn't melt in my mouth like the first time I tried it(when my friends and I basically traded food), it was salty and so were the vegetables that it came with potatoes and carrots. The vegetables that came with the Goldrush chicken were better, much better.
There's a Walmart across from it and a Macy's around the corner. There are other restaurants around.
OH 6 layer chocolate cake *drool.
The Apple Cheesecake was fulfilling.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
The decor of this restaurant is like faux 1849 Sacramento hills gold rush nonsense. I don't know who or why they thought this would be successful but it kinda is.
If you're into looking and snickering at fat people this is the spot to be. Whole families of fatty boombahs come here, occupy a booth, and get down to business. They have this tire sized chocolate cake that I once saw sitting in front of this 13 year old softie and his family, probably celebrating his birthday. He looked excited and so did everyone else. It was parody.
Oh America, you allow this place to exist.
People thought this was:
Funny (4)
Interesting restaurant that could probably use a good cleaning (at least of the carpets inside).
I went here on a "first date" recently - the restaurant was not chosen by me but was close to the bookstore in the plaza where we initially met.
The food was average. Nothing to get excited about or necessitate a return visit any time soon. The staff was inattentive for mid-afternoon on a Sunday and the wait to get in was on the longish time for the same time period.
Food is not cheap here and I'm not sure what you really are paying for but at least there is plentiful parking.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
If you like fatman portions of mediocre food, this is your place! The waits are always ridiculous and they don't take reservations. I can't imagine who in their right mind would wait more than an hour for this food!!
Hint: There are some lunch specials that are decent.. like the half chicken. That is the only time I would go here.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
I'm going with 3 stars because (1) they have a good chicken fried steak, (2) while you wait for a table beepers are provided and you can visit the bar in back with the beeper in hand and (3) the decor is rustic.
The Claim Jumper staff needs some serious training. Mostly it is an attitude problem but it's spilling over into poor service. Claim Jumper management should remind them of these things:
(1) Greet me as I enter the restaurant: you need to smile and actually be pleased to see a paying customer.
(2) Grooming: wear clean wrinkle-free modest clothes.
(3) Wear your name badge, say your name clearly and honestly make me comfortable.
(4) "I'll be your server tonight." Smile. Let your face tell me you are happy to be an employee and offering me service.
(5) Be sure I have napkins, silverware and a menu.
(6) "Can I get you something to drink while you look over the menu?" Take the drink order and then get the drinks to the table QUICKLY.
(7) Help me with the ordering process, smile, repeat back the order and put the order into the kitchen immediately.
(8) Deliver the orders to the right person.
(9) Be alert and available.
(10) Don't draw hearts on the bill; smile when you present it.
(11) Tell me THANK YOU and mean it!
(12) Thank me for coming as I leave.
People thought this was:
Useful (28)
Funny (22)
Cool (26)
I think this place is just great, the food is excellent (and yes the portions are huge), I always have to have one of those delicious Long Island Teas they make (at least one)... one of my fav. is the Chicken parmessan (you can have 1 or 2 chicken breasts), it comes with alot of mashed potatoes, yum...
To give you an idea of the price, just yesterday I was there with a friend, we had:
-1 cup of Tortilla soup
-1 cup of French Onion soup
-6 Long island Teas (yes, it was a fun day lol)
-Chicken parmessan (full order)
-Goldrush chicken (also full order)
-1 small slice of cookies and cream cake (to share, and believe me, it was everything BUT small)
The total came up to aprox. $97, so you can be the judge of being to pricey or not... just remeber another thing the drinks (at least the long island) are BIG, and believe me: you will have to leave the place with alot of leftovers.
Hope this yelped =)
LIke the decor but not the prices, best to go during happy hour pricing for appetizers.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Are you underweight? Sick of being called names like bean pole, slim jim, or tooth pick? Are you looking to bulk up for the cold San Diego winters? Like to cram all of your calories into one weekly meal? Then the Claim Jumper is your salvation. This place takes overeating and makes it an art form.
You start your adventure in gluttony by joining the masses of "big boned" people waiting for their tables. After grabbing a beer (or four) in the bar or maybe standing outside for an hour you are finally led to your table. Take a few moments to look over the big menu. Skip the appetizer unless you are trying to break your personal caloric intake record for a single meal. Choose the Ore Cart (chicken,beef ribs, pork ribs, and sides) or the 24 oz Porter House steak. Now that your order has been placed you should probably start stretching and doing some deep breathing exercises to prepare for the onslaught of food.
You are soon greeted by your impossibly large entree with sides. Remember, you are not a quitter! First things first, you gotta remove the one remotely healthy item on your plate. Grab that little red apple that is staring at you mockingly and cast it aside....you are on a mission. Now begin your feast. I know that your never ending mountain of food seems so daunting, but don't quit now...you are a winner and winners don't quit.
Bite after bite of meaty goodness lies before you. You have barely made a dent in your plate and that huge baked potato still calls to you with it sour creamy deliciousness. Keep on shoveling...you can do it! Uh oh, you are starting to cramp up? I told you that you should have stretched out. Just take a breath and dig back in...what the hell, you are asking for a to go box? I am very disappointed in you...you had so much potential. Oh well, got room for dessert?
The food at the Claim Jumper is big, real big. For the most part you get large portions of average food. I think they may be single handedly responsible for the American obesity epidemic or is that Hometown Buffet? If you are coming here I recommend splitting an entree and maybe hitting the salad bar. A check of their website revealed five entrees that they considered healthy out of a very large menu. So, skip a couple of meals then give Claim Jumper a try.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (3)
Cool (1)
i don't have any complaints about claim jumper. i've been there a few times and ordered something with chicken from what i remember. the food was good and the service was just fine. i wouldn't call it my all-time favorite, but it's worth a try. make sure you get a reservation (i think they take them) if it's a weekend or you'll wait forever (as with most places).
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
the skins are the best, the food portions are ridiculously huge, and the mud pie rules the world. yep, a stop on the ol' food run fo sho...
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
My Neighborhood--La Mesa
Okay, I've been putting off making a La Mesa/East…
Hot and New
- Jyoti Bihanga
69 reviews
Neighborhood: Normal Heights
- Izakaya Masa
26 reviews
Neighborhood: Mission Hills
- Mama's Bakery & Deli
120 reviews
Neighborhood: North Park
- Sandwich Emporium
22 reviews
Neighborhood: Clairemont
- The Linkery
168 reviews
Neighborhood: North Park
