Rust General Store

The James Mc Coy Corned beef sandwich with potatoes and deli mustard is great! The staff is really attentive and friendly too. The back area tables are a good place to have some breakfast on a mild San Diego day. There’s also some interesting merch for sale in the store. And if you’re lucky, the owner might send some free hot chocolate samples your way too!

I officially love this place. It’s supposed to be a kitschy tourist trap but it transcends it. You come in and it’s cramped and tiny but very cool, all the shelves filled with food I want to buy. The staff are in pretty pioneer costumes and are very sweet.
We sat in the rustic outdoor area in the back (I don’t know why people sat our front when the back area is so much nicer) and had our order served to us there. They had a fall theme going on and it went perfectly with how they served their food. I’m a food stylist and had a blast taking pictures because I didn’t have to do anything to make the food look perfect.
As far as the food goes, presentation wise, 5 stars. Taste, probably 4 but only because I like my food really flavorful and the flavors here are quieter – which it shouldn’t be considering we ordered the wild boar chili and the corned beef pressed sandwich.
The James McCoy corned beef sandwich was delicious though, don’t get me wrong. Use the mustard because it adds to the flavor. The pretzel bun is really good, hot and crisp! The sandwich is served with slices of roasted potatoes in it, pretty different and quite good. (I would have liked more corned beef though.)
The wold boar chili would have been perfect with several dashes of hot sauce and some salt and pepper. We were outside so it was impossible to wave to anyone to ask and by the time someone checked on us, it was mostly finished already so never mind. Again, the chili was perfectly fine, really thick and full of beans and meat, just needed a kick of flavor. The bread it comes with is crisp and still good even when cold.
Both dishes come with a small cup of three chocolate balls. Yum!
The drinks we had were pretty interesting too! Prickly pear lemonade (hot pink!) and the dandelion and burdock Fentimans that tasted like a liquid bazooka Joe bubble gum. Fun!

Great find in Old Town. Sandwiches and service are great! Cute area in back to enjoy your food.

Loved the coffee and hot chocolate. Picked up a couple of delicious jams from amongst the many delights this place has to offer. Alana was very helpful and will serve your cookie at just the right temperature!

Wow! What a nice day my Daughter and I had in Old Town on a recent gorgeous Fall day! We shared some precious moments at Rust General Store on this sunny, warm day. It was the perfect Fall temperature in San Diego, so off we went!
A trip to Old Town is always a big adventure in itself, but what drew us here was the desire to eat lunch at Rust General Store’s Café. And was that ever a great decision! More on the food we ate later.
But first, a little bit about this super quaint place… The Rust General Store is an unassuming little building right next to the famous Cosmopolitan Hotel. There is so much history in Old Town, that whenever I go to visit, I’m always finding something new to learn about. I learned a lot from the employees at Rust. Everyone we chatted with was so kind.
Richard Rust was an influential man in San Diego in the 1800s and ran a business out of this building, but it’s unknown what that business was. He did go on to be San Diego’s first County Clerk, and later, Post Master General.
The cheerful young ladies who work here are very informative. Most of the store’s space is dedicated to a mercantile business set up like a general store from back in the day that sells various and sundry items, in keeping with the 1800s in mind, but bumped up to the 21^st Century.
They have various things such as loose leaf teas, decoratively packaged teas (Harney & Sons tea tins are now in, and that’s one of my favorites!), coffee beans, soaps, fruits and nuts, spices in tins, sarsaparilla, cured meats and cheeses, hot pretzels, unusual and old fashioned candies, imported food stuffs, and so much more. They are bringing in more European food stuffs all the time.
They boast having the largest selection of licorice, 50 kinds, and I found my favorite Australian black licorice here. It’s soft, with a touch of anise in it. I bought ¼ pound and let me tell you that it’s delicious! It’s amazing how helpful the young lady was in having me locate just the one I was looking for. She let me taste several samples until I found the right one!
The ladies dress in cute period clothing from the 1800s era, with long flowing dresses to the floor. You will find the employees in most of the stores in Old Town dress accordingly to their business. It’s cute and festive.
We ate out back, shaded by 100+ year old trees and foliage. Each table was beautifully set up with fresh Fall flowers (mums and succulents), along with seasonal décor. There also are about four or five tables out front on and near the small porch if you want to sit in the sun. Very nice. You order inside in an obscure area off to the left-​hand side of the mercantile store upon entering. Then they bring your food out to you shortly thereafter.
We both ordered GRILLED CHEESE sandwiches (of course!), since we are both on this kick about finding the best grilled cheese sandwich in San Diego! This one was delectable (Mrs. Robinson — $ 6.50). It had a great crunch to it, with several cheeses inside the sandwich, and grilled with a Parmesan crust onto it. Alongside it was Rust’s signature tomato chutney that was out of this world, and an oatmeal/​chocolate chip cookie. It was so filling I had to wrap up my second half, and then ate it later!
They have a very extensive menu, including many types of sausages (which I want to try next), salads, breakfast sandwiches and breakfast items, baked goods, designer sodas, and many other yummy treats.
Rust General Store’s hours are Monday – Thursday 9:00 am until 8:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm.
So go here and step back in time! You will have fun! Touristy, but that’s entirely part of the charm!
A FABULOUS FIVE STARS!!!

Here is a little brief description:
RUST General Store is an 1860s
inspired general store located
within Old Town San Diego State
Historic Park.
The products are meant to reflect
the history and culture of people
living in and the places trading
with San Diego during the American
and Transitional time periods.
From 1846 – 1872
I heard about this place through a
friend (Jack M.)
Thank you, Jack M.
I had to try the Mrs. Robinson’s
Grilled Cheese. Signature RUST
Style Grilled Cheese.
It also came with a
delicious Tomato Chutney.
and the delicious
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookie.
The grilled cheese had
a nice cheese that was melted all
the way through.
The bread had a nice crisp
texture and had a really nice
Parmesan crusted exterior.
I loved the Tomato Chutney so much
that I used mine on every single bite
I took of my grilled cheese.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE sell this
stuff. It’s really really good. It’s
the best Chutney I have ever had.
The chutney was sweet and didn’t
have any acidity taste to it which I
thought was better than something
acidity.
The Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie.
I certainly could taste the chocolate
chips in there. So decadent and rich
and I love the crispy exterior and a
crunchy interior which is why I could
taste the chocolate chips so well.
The girl that took our
order was really nice and sweet.
She explained a little bit
about this place like how
the grilled cheese tastes.
The quality of it and what to
expect when you’re eating it
and…
she said it takes
about 7 – 8 minutes to make.
They have seating out in the front
or back and directed us where to
go because we wanted to eat
outside in the back and stay in the
shade.
They sell a bunch of stuff in the shop
and on our way out my mom wanted
to buy some licorice and was offered
a sample of one and the girl nailed it
right the first time and that’s the one
my mom bought.
See you soon!

I’m gonna lead with a «thank you!» Thank you Unilocal community, thank you San Diego and thank you Rust for letting me be a part of something great! If you’re in the area and you don’t take home a sandwich, shame on you. Don’t ever talk to me again! I had like 5 different kinds of sandwiches. They were all amazing, but I’ll come back to that later.
You walk into the General Store and they have the whole American Old West type thing going on inside and outside. There’s a wall of licorice jars and old school candy and baked goods. There’s cool beverages and all kinds of nick nacks and doo dads. But I was here for the golden grail baby! I was here for hot pressed sandwiches.
My son did the Mary Fisher something or other. It had had baconish, mozzarellaish, tomatoish with baslamicish type vibe. Outstanding flavors and the bread tasted fresh and awesome. I had the James McCoy and it is well worth discussing! They make like a pretzel type bun perfectly warmed up with corned beef, aged cheddar (fancy talk for «extra stank») and like real cooked and slides potatoes right there! Like roasted right in the sandwich! There’s a brown mustard on the side, a delicious pickle and serious toothpicks holding it all together. Dude, this was an epic sandwich. I chased the dragon and I found it! Just to add the last bit, there’s was a mini sandwich trio with olive tapenade both green and black and a salami with cheese mini. All three little baby bites could easily pass for really good to great sandwiches, but you put the whole picture together and you get a special type experience. Go to San Diego and go eat there. Look at the photo evidence if you don’t believe me!

Very small and quaint general mill store in old town San Diego. It feels like you’ve traveled back in time, during the Little House on the Prairie time zone, when you step foot in here.
They sell a variety of items: medicinal items, candy, loose leaf teas, non perishables, and even basket outting items.
The staff are quite friendly and they play the whole theme well. They also sell hot sandwiches straight to the left when you walk in, seating provided outside.
If I you’re looking for a small unique gift or trying to make a holiday basket with trinkets here and there, this would be a good spot.

It’s a cool old time little place that has a large variety of items. They have spices to cook that are good. They also make food inside that really good. Me and my girlfriend had some sausage hotdogs oh my god they are good. I recommend you come and try it.

Cons: ** (Get them out quick as they wont keep me from coming!)
The only constructive critiques I have to say are (1) that the tables used for eating our delicious meals outside on the front porch are not the greatest. They are unstable and rock while you eat. Spilling a drink is completely possible. We had to place a utensil underneath to stop it from shaking. (2) The other critique is that the prices are a little high and that is why I had to give it only 4 stars.
But to their defense, they are a third party, having to buy these special items to sell to us, the customers. Being they are not a large chain or have multiple stores I imagine they dont get a big break in prices nor buy in bulk for the only one store. They do have to make a profit to stay in business.
I did check some of the prices from the actual websites of products they sell and they aren’t making it too high but enough to stay in business. .. and that is what we want them to do!
PROS:
Rust is everything everyone else shares in their reviews. What makes them special is that somehow the people working there just naturally seem to be of that time period of easy going and pleasant while looking and acting the part they dress.
I know someone mentioned in the only negative review Rust has that he wasn’t greeted when he walked in and how when he asked for help the guy said someone would be right out. That happened to me as well but I took it another way.
The young man behind the counter was busy and the young lady was in back. He is in charge of the food area and taking orders and making sure we get our delicious meals. The young lady is in charge of the store and she is the one who can answer any questions about products.
They were both lovely and helpful. Our food was delicious and I love how they prepare it. You get your main entrée of a big, tasty sandwich which also comes with a little desert of a chocolate or caramel. Everything was yummy. The prime rib is especially good here and I do suggest it if you eat meat.
I would heartily recommend Rust General for a meal as I believe the food quality and quantity are both of the highest level.

I bought a $ 40 voucher on groupon, I was not disappointed. We arrived to a quaint little shop in the heart of old town. I felt as though I was walking into a time capsule. It was like a scene from Little House on the Prairie. Great food, great atmosphere!
A fun place to take a date, kids, a picnic.

Everyone else is right! This spot is excellent!
Jam! Candy! Spices! Friendly folks in period garb! And delicious sausage lunch and other food!
Its the hat and mustaches that I love.
So sorry for the modern shoppers who don’t have access to a cool fun yummy spot like this!

Since when does a general store set up in a historical setting make a mean grilled cheese sandwich? Well, the Rust General Store located on Old Town San Diego’s Historical Park does.
I ordered Mrs. Robinson’s Rustic Grilled Cheese for only $ 6.50 and a Lemon Crinkle for $ 2.50. I have to admit, the grilled cheese was much better than I thought it was going to be, mostly due to the great quality rustic bread they used and in the manner the grilled cheese was prepared. The sandwich was hot pressed and very well done indeed. The bread had a great brown crusty crust. It was crunchy and a great lead into the melted cheeses inside. The rustic bread also had a great desirable flavor.
The cheese was very good. They did not advertise what kind of cheese they used and I forgot to ask, but I am pretty sure it was a very mild cheddar and provolone cheese. A great combination of flavors for sure. The grilled cheese came with a small side of thick salsa which was pretty good. It was chunky with a good tomato and herb flavor.
The Lemon Crinkle cookie had a very pleasant lemony flavor and quite scrumptious. Its texture was moist and soft and was a nice dessert to enjoy after such a cheesy lunch. I had a cup of regular drip coffee which was good. The two ladies working the time I visited were very sweet.

Just had the tri tip sandwich. It seriously doesn’t get much better than this. So juicy and flavorful with an epic au jus. You’ve got to do it. Rust is proving time and again to be a true gem in the heart of Old Town where things can sometimes be a hit or miss.

I would have never thought a place called Rust General Store, in Old Town, would have a full menu. I always thought Old Town only had Mexican restaurants so it was refreshing to see a menu filled with sandwiches, salads, bratwursts, cookies, and ice cold drinks. I was intrigued by many of their sandwich names such as Mary Taggert, Juan Bandini, and Madam Fisher. I mean I seriously thought Rust General Store sold general stuff like iron and copper that, like, you know, rust.
It’s a smaller store but my goodness was there a lot to be seen: teas, candy, hot sauces, cordials. They even sample stuff (there were lemonade and candied jalapeño samples that day).
You place your order with the sandwich cashier and they bring your item out to you.
We ordered:
ICED COFFEE $ 3.00
I believe they brew their own iced coffee in house. The coffee tasted nice with less acidity than a Starbucks ice coffee.
THE BAVARIAN $ 8.50
I can’t remember if the pretzel bun was toasted but it’s a pretty looking bun ain’t it (see pic). This is a large bratwurst and friend was happy that the brat was longer than the pretzel bun. He thought the meaty bratwurst paired well with the sauerkraut. I’m just now noticing there’s caramelized onions on this dog too.
MADAM FISHER $ 9.50
Oh man this was a panini grilled nicely. I enjoy paninis that have that extra heave-​ho-​smush to em. I was a bit disappointed that the filling seemed a bit sparse for the $ 9.50 pricetag. BUT, the hot sandwich tasted wonderfully fresh and crispy. The balsamic reduction tasted nicely sweet yet tart. It was a nice compliment to the creamy mozzarella and dark heirloom tomatoes.
My item came with chocolate covered raisins. It was a nice little complimentary dessert after a sandwich and ice coffee.
I wandered back in the store as I wanted to take one last look at their hot sauces. I saw this sausage menu on the door that we didn’t notice before. Sausage on a stick sounds totally low carb cool. Plus I think I heard the grill guide scream ‘Pickles on a Stick’ when we were eating (to passerby-​ers, not to like me or friend’s faces which would be so odd yet funny if he had).
Rust General Store impressed me with their menu, cute little store, and friendliness of the staff. Everyone that day just seemed to be in a great mood (perhaps because the humidity had lifted for a brief moment). This store is absolutely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

This well-​stocked general store is straight out of the Old West, circa mid 1800’s. It’s the type of place that tourists easily overlook, and locals visit frequently.
The café is so small, you have to look around to find it inside the store. Of course, all the assorted goodies on the general store’s shelves provide a major distraction. The food is. .. what? Bavarian? Yep, quite different from the usual Old Town fare, to say the least.
But the food is interesting, original, and above all, good. The star of the menu is sausage, which is cooked on an outdoor grill. The grillmeister frequently shouts about his labors to unsuspecting passers-​by just like a carny barker, and this guy has lungs ! You know this, because the um, ‘rustic’ dining tables are located outside, right near the grill, and its über-​vocal meister.
I had the Pio Pico ($ 10), a good-​sized thick-​skinned sausage in a pretzel bun smothered with wild boar and bean chili (yum!), cheese, and a sour cream drizzle. My wife had the namesake Richard Rust pork and beef sausage, ($ 8.50) in a pretzel bun covered with caramelized onion, ample sauerkraut, and red chili mustard. Both were delicious, and mine was delightfully messy.
I have never before seen such a broad selection of soft drinks offered. Wow.
I know there are strict State Park regulations regarding the modification of the leaseholds, but the tables are barely satisfactory, and the chairs not very comfortable. Sort of the definition of ‘rustic’, right? The main problem is that the dining area is located on uneven, hardpacked dirt. The tables tip, the chairs rock. This condition ought to be addressed if the business is to grow, but the State may balk at any changes. Advice: Stress customer safety, the State might buy into that.
There was a minor hiccup in the service, and my wife got her meal about 5 minutes before mine came out. The friendly and period-​costumed ladies gave me a fresh brownie cookie to compensate for the delay. A nice touch, and a great dessert.
Yeah, we will be returning, and we will watch the hoards of tourists walk by with nary a glance at this little general store, a diamond in the rough.

Absolute gem of a little store with super sweet staff. Make sure you take home of the Sugar Mamma caramels… they’re phenomenal!

You wouldn’t know it by just walking in, but there is a restaurant here in this General Store. Came here for lunch today and had a fabulous experience. We ate outside in the back patio and had soup, sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies and a soft pretzel with mustard. Everything was fantastic! The service was great too. After lunch, we shopped in the General Store part of Rust and enjoyed perusing through all the nice novelties they offered. I bought some ghost pepper beef jerky, soup mix and a mini corn on the cob that you put in the microwave to make popcorn off the cob itself. The staff is super friendly and the food was great. I’m looking forward to coming back already.

Very cool old fashioned general store packed with all kinds of goodies. Just walking in and smelling all the goodies made me want to stay awhile. Lots of cool things to see and purchase and they had some food and drink available for sale as well.
I had to buy a bag of the butter toffee nuggets (think Kelloggs Corn Pops with Toffee),
they were very good.
The staff was helpful and prices were what you would expect for a touristy spot in Old Town San Diego.

We always stop by Rust General Store to get some drinks while walking around Old Town. An 1860’s inspired general store, Rust has a great selection of candy, coffee, jams, soaps, and candles. On our visit here a little over a week go, this cute store was under construction. We were able to grab some snacks for the road, but the construction closed off a small section of the store.
When you first walk in, you notice the wall of shelves filled with glass jars of candy. I love the smell of candy and coffee as you walk in the door. I also like how the employees dress up in clothing of the period. It adds to the vintage appeal of this fun little store. We’ve also been here when there’s a sleeping dog in the corner of the store. On this last visit (probably due to the construction), the cute puppy wasn’t here. Hopefully he’ll be there on future visits.
We enjoy looking at all the yummy smelling soaps, candles, jams, and jellies. My son found tiny vintage puzzles here in the past. They have nice items, like handmade soaps and lotion, to give as gifts to friends and family. They also sell delicious custom chocolates by Saint Jacques Chocolat, a local San Diego company. We usually like to browse the unique selection of candy, grab something to eat and drink, and sit on the little porch in front of the store.
This is a really unique little store, and they really sell some fun things. I just read that they sell yummy pretzels and pastries here too. We will have to try one of those wonderful pastries on our next visit here. For a nice look back into the past, the Rust General Store is worth the visit while in Old Town!