This wasn't just a fried chicken sandwich--it was a statement. You can taste the difference immediately. The chicken is insanely crisp on the outside, juicy and clean on the inside--not greasy, not heavy, just done right. The kind of crunch that actually means something. The slaw brings freshness and balance, the bun is soft but holds up, and every bite feels intentional. But what really sets this place apart is the sourcing. Everything is local. You're not eating some mass-produced, freezer-to-fryer shortcut--you're eating ingredients that came from nearby farms, raised and prepared with care. That shows up in the flavor, the texture, and honestly how you feel after. It hits that rare sweet spot: indulgent, but still clean. Even the fries--simple, crispy, not drowning in oil--feel like they belong next to it, not just an afterthought. This is what food should be. Real ingredients, done well, no corners cut. Comfort food that doesn't leave you wrecked. Local. Thoughtful. Straight up dialed. read more

Best food in Ramona hands down! My family loves coming here, the fried chicken is some of the best I've ever had. Recently went for brunch for the first time, outdoor patio space was lovely. Pancakes were delicious and the bacon/potatoes were great as well. My only suggestion would be having ketchup/hot sauce/sugar packets at the table already since it gets so busy at times it can take awhile for someone to grab them for us. Overall, everyone who works there is lovely and the food is always excellent! read more

Marinade On Main - Lumberjack special - American Near Me - Ramona, California

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***** Food *****Service *****Location *****Ambiance Marinade on Main is a Farm to Table style, Country Sophisticated yet Quaint little place on Main Street in Ramona! My review is #940. That is an outstanding amount of people in agreement that Marinade on Main is an amazing eatery! A friend and I stopped in for brunch on our way to shop at the Barn Refined Christmas Shop. We are so glad we did. I've been back several times, lunch was equally as good as brunch. If you're a local and haven't been, please try it. Anybody driving through, stop in, you'll be glad you did. read more

Marinade On Main - I wish I would have taken a photo of before but here's my after! :)- This was the Season Scramble. Absolutelydelicious! - American Near Me - Ramona, California

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My second time eating here and it was just as good as the first! It blows my mind that this restaurant is located on the little main drag and Ramona. Food, quality, service, cozy, atmosphere, and drink selection are all top notch. We started out with the roasted carrots, and they are ridiculous. Roasted to perfection, a little bit of a seasoned yogurt sauce on the bottom of the plate, a light dusting of pitas and greens. I could eat this every day. The last time we went, we got the brussels sprouts, which were good, but this was way more interesting of a dish. Two of my girlfriends got vegetarian items. I didn't get pictures of these items, but per their report the portabello burger and the ancient grain bowl were really good. One of my other girlfriends got the world's largest hot honey grilled chicken sandwich. She loved it although she was sweating a little bit. That hot honey was HAWT. I got the southern bell salad, which is mixed greens, a little bit of feta cheese, some cranberries, grilled pears, and fried chicken. I also got a side of french fries and some ranch dressing. Being from the south, I am a huge french fry and ranch dressing fan and both were yummy! They always have a nice selection of local craft beers. I wasn't having anything to drink, but the server made me a really good Arnold Palmer. Not too sweet it was just right. read more

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Brunch in Ramona, CA today. We wanted to try this restaurant today and it was nice. It is a small place that gives the feeling of coziness. Service was ok. Our coffee came in take-out cups because they didn't have anymore the regular mugs available. Not sure what that meant since it is a coffee place and it is pretty small. I ordered a marinades breakfast sandwich. It was tasty specially the focaccia bread. We also order the veggie scramble, tasty as well. If you are in the area, try them out, share your experience if you will. Happy brunch time! read more

Marinade On Main - Veggie scramble - American Near Me - Ramona, California

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Good local spot with back patio for Dog friendly eating. I had the hot honey chicken sandwich, was fresh and tasty. Wife had the burger, which was tender and fresh.. Good selection of beers and well made fresh food. read more

Marinade On Main - Back patio - American Near Me - Ramona, California

What a cute place! Service is friendly, food is delicious! Their PPP Fries are the bomb, and the fried chicken ... you gotta try it!

If in Ramona this is a must for foodies! Julian was packed so we came down the hill. Marinade on main wow'd us! The service was top notch. It's a quaint, clean spot off Main Street. The food amazed. The Brussels Sprouts are a MUST! They might be the best I've ever had. They are all large, perfectly charred sprouts, full of a perfect balance of flavor. The Rib-eye! Oh the Rib-eye... perfectly cooked and flavored. Everything on the plate balanced together. My daughter had the Fried Chicken Alfredo. The fried chicken was a perfect flavor. The meat was juicy and flavorful. The batter was a perfect layer of crispness, and spices. The Alfredo was one of the best as well. It was a balanced cream with just a small hint of surprise spice on the end of the palate. I had the Carnitas Smashburger. This was a pleasant blend of an American classic with a mix of flavor from Guacamole, pico de gallo, and cheese. The meats blended together to really hit the carnivore in me. All in all, give them a try. You won't be disappointed. read more

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We decided to try Marinade on Main out after reading the positive reviews, but unfortunately we didn't have the same experience. The small restaurant feels and looks cozy (nice 'homy' furniture and decor) and thus fills up quickly for lunch/brunch. Waitress dropped off the menu without a smile and barely acknowledged us. Came back 5min later to take our orders: 4 of the beers on tap were sold out, and only the regular mimosa was what she could 'make' ... no explanations Brunch menu is ok: we went for a Benny and Chicken-n-Biscuit. Food arrived after 15min: cold plates and cold food (you can see the sauces all set a solidified on the pictures). What's the point to ask to warm it with Eggs Benedict??? Biscuit was amazing, the sole bright spot! Although many guests give the restaurant high ratings, for us this was a missed opportunity! ****Update: 1/14 thanks a lot to Jessica for reaching out and taking our concerns seriously. We'll visit Marinade again soon!**** read more

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What a gem of a place!! Highly recommended from friends... we went. Cute space, loved the decor, Paul our server, was not only friendly but attentive and gave great recommendations! We were blown away by the food, left me kind of speechless... my sandwich was soooo delicious! We will definitely be back and bring more people with us! read more

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We went back to try Marinade on Main again for a late lunch. We were seated inside their cute restaurant instead of sitting in the back patio. Service was much better this time around. Food was excellent. I ordered the chilaquiles and the tortillas were crisp and crunchy. We also ordered the cornbread with trio of butter. Oh my gosh, that espresso butter was delicious! Everyone was happy with their meal read more

Excellent service and deliciously prepared freshness What a gem in Ramona, under shady pines and awnings with a wonderfully attentive server, fantastic quinoa salad and iced tea too I dont usually like brussel sprouts or messy hot wings but these were fire and I made a huge mess read more

Marinade On Main - Habañero pineapple-salsa wings and Brussel sprouts with peanuts and parmesan shavings :p - American Near Me - Ramona, California

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I'm guilty of finding something I really like and sticking to that item. My go to here is the Herbed Fried Chicken, but the burgers are also excellent....basically everything is great so find a favorite! Tried the Butterscotch pudding and really enjoyed it. The Chocolate cake is VERY rich so know that if you like chocolate read more

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I'm not in Ramona frequently. It's usually a pass-through on the way to Julian or Dudley's. But we had occasion to meet some family up there and this was the recommendation for food. Very solid recommendation. It was an early dinner and we settled on comfort. The Mac and Cheese with bacon is way better than it needs to be. The rest of our party took on the grilled cheese / tomato soup combo. All around very good. Service was excellent. Very friendly staff. Overall quiet and cozy atmosphere. The location is a bit hard to spot along the road, but you'd be well served to seek it out. read more

Marinade On Main - Mac and Cheese - American Near Me - Ramona, California

Had an amazing Valentine's Day thank u to Tiffany who is always amazing and the for being so wonderful! Everything was delicious read more

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Tiffany was our server here and she made the entire experience lovely. My husband knows what he likes and doesn't and she was really great about giving him a couple of tastes of wine before he landed. He had a steak that was worthy of being served at Mortons- for half the price. They have a Viognier on their wines by the glass list that I can't wait to come back and try. The brussel sprouts are excellent as they are not sugar bombs like so many places have- just deep fried and savory and delicious. My husband mentioned coming back here for dinner for the rest of our stay in Ramona! read more

I was impressed with absolutely everything about this place. My godparents come here frequently and I really thought this place couldn't possibly be as good as advertised. Spoiler ... it was ! We started with the Brussel sprout app which was scrumptious. I had salmon on the autumn salad and I ate every last bit. Others had the pork chop and the Brussel sprout salad. The apple cider Moscow mule was refreshing and incredible. This gem is always packed and serves so many with wholesome and healthy food while also being delicious. The food is so good I am tempted to have the few leftovers I have for breakfast, now that's saying something !!! read more

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Let's start with the good... I ordered eggs and bacon. The eggs were great as was the bacon. Although, the side of bacon only came with 2 pcs, and were not as thick as described. They were just normal pieces of bacon. At least it wasn't packaged bacon. The restaurant itself is small, but have utilized all the space for max seating. Waitresses were nice and attentive, and food came in a timely manner. The bad would... their cheesy breakfast sandwich special. For $18, it was quite a disappointment. The sandwich itself came with an egg, a piece of ham and sausage. The side of potatoes were cold and stale. It's just such a bummer when we decide to eat out and splurge (for us) and the food is sub par. $32... it hurts just writing that out. Maybe we should have said something, but we didn't want to be a bother. Maybe their other plates are good, but I would stay away from their specials. There's nothing special about it. read more

Marinade On Main - American Near Me - Ramona, California

Hands down, best restaurant in Ramona. The food never disappoints, they have opinions for everyone. Definitely more of a comfort food type restaurant. Their friend chicken sandwiches are a must! Staff is always friendly and accommodating no matter how busy they get. read more

Great food and service. Friendly and very attentive staff. The pear bruchetta, habanero wings,fried brussel sprouts are great appetizers. I highly recommend the ribeye, fried chicken, caprese sandwich with bisque soup for dinner. To finish you can't go wrong with either chocolate ganache cake or butterscotch pudding with peanut brittle. read more

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Had brunch recently at Marinade on Main in Ramona, California! A dish they call "Ranchers Hash". Made with brisket, taters, red bells, shallots, cherry maters, roasted salsa and sunny side up eggs. Overall, I thought the dish was poorly executed. Not much brisket was included, and what was there were mostly slugs of fat. The taters were universally soft, should have been more crispy. It all quickly sogged out and turned into a chore to eat. Compliments on their sunny side eggs though. Always perfectly cooked with set whites and creamy yolks. I requested a side of biscuit & gravy which was outstanding. The biscuit is roughly the size of a small throw pillow, and that country gravy is some of the best you'll put in your mouth. read more

Great burgers!!! Tomato Bisque and grilled cheese sandwiches are great! Good service and fair prices! read more

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Let me just say, I'm one of the pickiest people when it comes to restaurants and food, and I rarely go back for a second or third visit. But I've been here three times now, and each time I've ordered the same salad (Southern Bell) because it's just that good! I can't bring myself to try anything else, even though the rest of the menu looks so tasty. On my last visit, I also ordered the peach bruschetta, and it was absolutely to die for. The restaurant itself is small and can get busy, so there may be a bit of a wait, and service can feel a little slow during peak times. But if you go in knowing that, you'll find the reward is well worth it. The staff is always sweet and attentive, and my food has consistently come out hot and fresh. Even though I've only ordered the salad, it comes topped with fried chicken and that has always been hot, crispy, and delicious! read more

Marinade On Main - Southern Bell Salad - American Near Me - Ramona, California

Great spot for a nice dinner! The ambiance was very cozy and comfortable. The food was amazing too. I ordered the Marinades Alfredo Pasta and it was soooo delicious. My boyfriend, who is a picky eater, ordered the Signature Burger and did not love the flavors. I liked the burger when I tried it, but if you are a picky eater this burger might not be for you. Overall it was a very enjoyable dining experience! I would definitely return read more

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This place is a gem. Our food was delicious. The service was great. If you find yourself in Ramona definitely check it out.

Checked into this spot on a late Saturday morning and it was half way full - surely filled up while we were dinning. We ordered: -Biscuits and sausage gravy, that came with a side of potatoes. The biscuit was a big serving - tasty. The gravy was a tad bit too thick to my liking and not as seasoned as I would have preferred. I added additional salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce. Probably wouldn't order this again. -Avocado toast that came fully loaded! Arugula, cherry tomatoes, pickled red onions, and a fried egg on top. Fresh fruits on the side - yum! Everything about it was delicious and it was a big serving! Thick slices of seeded toast. Would order this again! -Orange juice - not freshly squeezed. Service was great - welcoming and attentive. Ambiance was a little country style-like cafe, it was cozy! read more

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Arrived on a Sunday evening, 20 min before their closing time and they were still packed. The servers were so kind and still let us dine in. I ordered the Brussels sprouts and PPP fries on their appetizer menu and they complimented each other so well! The Brussels sprouts were perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and not overcooked on the inside. Thank god, can't stand soggy ass ones. The fried had goat cheese, pork gravy and fried onion strings on top with mustard seeds, so well balanced and made me Mmm with every bite!!! My partner had the curry quinoa patty and he enjoyed that as well! Although it seems boring, the sauce they made was delectable and it was light, healthy and delightful. read more

Marinade On Main - American Near Me - Ramona, California

Best place in town! Unmatched customer service and the food comes out in a timely manner. Beautiful ambience. Ramona's best!

Surprisingly good food. We ate outdoors (stay away from the fan) in their pleasant-enough back patio. Everything was good, and nothing outrageously priced; portions were extremely generous on the mac and cheese (which was a standout); the brussels sprouts were crispy and delicious; and the carrot lentil salad had tastes of curry and maybe even horseradish - or something. read more

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Wanted to say that the pulled chilaquiles are one of the best I have tried. Our waitress Tiffany was great, friendly and quick. It's definitely a hidden gem you need to try. Thank you read more

Brunch with some family. Place is pretty tiny but we were seated immediately at 12:30. I had a vegetable Benedict---roasted peppers, arugula, spinach, and eggs over a biscuit with hollandaise . Needed a little salt, but overall delicious. The home fries were next level great and obviously homemade. Husband had a gigantic pork burrito, which was also great not spicy. Free cookies for their anniversary was nice. Server was fairly on point. Space can be super loud because it's so tight. And there's one bathroom that always had a line. read more

This was my second time at Marinade On Main. Both times I had been in Ramona, finding ourselves very hungry after hiking/volunteer experiences nearby. Marinade on Main is a cute upscale diner lunch/brunch spot on the main drag in Ramona. It is quaint and small with a country style interior, and they had already decorated for Valentine's Day. This time I was there in a group of five, and we were given very attentive service. I felt like they handled all of our requests without complaint or upcharging. We asked for separate checks. I was trying to eat healthier so I ordered my scramble with egg whites only and no cheese, and with fruit instead of bread. In fact, I had simply told them to hold the bread, and they suggested fruit. Others in our group also made requests, which were easily met by staff. They came back several times to refill our waters, sodas, and coffees. They also brought condiments as needed. Despite my scramble having only egg whites and no cheese as I had requested, it had lots of flavor including large chunks of zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes. My friends were all happy with their breakfasts. The daily specials were the favorites of our group. The only issue is that there was just one bathroom, and the restaurant was getting crowded. There were people waiting, and that did not really offer the opportunity for cleaning. I won't downgrade my review for that, as it is a very small place, but if they ever have the opportunity to expand, that would be very helpful. All in all, it is a cute place with great food and exceptional service. read more

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If you are use to high end, farm to table food, you may not like Ramona options. Now, if you are looking for a cute, classic Ramona nice spot for dinner this is a decent spot. The food is okay and the wait staff is attentive. You can't go wrong trying this place out. I probably recommend brunch vs dinner. My opinion on the food: it was very oily. My brussel sprouts were dripping in oil. I had the pasta with fried chicken it was good, nothing special. read more

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My husband and I came in expecting mid food and expensive prices, but our expectations were exceeded! We got there just before 5, before they were technically open. We were seated and waited for the service to start. As we waited, a flood of other customers came in and the restaurant had several tables seated even before 5! The ambiance is lovely. It's cozy with warm lighting and cute fall decor. We thought the main waitress was actually the owner just based on her happy demeanor and because she was training a new waitress. The main reason we chose to write a review was because their food was AMAZING. My husband got the ribeye and I got the salmon. We both loved our food and everything was perfectly cooked. I'm sad we didn't get a picture! Definitely our new go-to nice restaurant when we don't feel like leaving Ramona. We definitely will be coming back soon for their breakfast and lin read more

Visited the Marinade on Main and it was such a cute spot for late lunch/early dinner on a Saturday. They were able to accommodate our large group of 7. I had the pan seared salmon and my husband had the hot chicken sandwich. The flavors of the salmon was so delicious! Would definitely come back if we were in town. The staff was super friendly. Recommend checking out this place if you are stopping by Ramona. read more

Marinade On Main - Pan seared salmon - American Near Me - Ramona, California

Love this small restaurant. Super cute. The Valentine's pillows were a lovely touch. The food is absolutely delicious. All the staff are friendly and warm, but shout out to Tiffany for exceptional service! Highly recommend! read more

Heavily indulged on a nice breakfast at Marinade On Main after my hike to Potato Chip Rock. I was sold when they mentioned their seasonal Cranberry Orange Pancakes. Their pancakes are some of the fluffiest I've ever tried! My Chicken N Biscuit was the perfect savory breakfast item. It wasn't as heavy as it looked, but the biscuit was huge! I could not finish that biscuit, but focused to devour the fried chicken and fried egg. My coworker ordered their breakfast burrito and it was also great with their green salsa. The service from the ladies was extremely friendly and hospitable! I'd say this restaurant is pretty rewarding to treat yourself (especially after hiking!). I had a great time and enjoyed their food! I would most definitely recommend it if you are looking for a brunch eatery in the area. read more

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What a beautiful way to start the afternoon off then a home cooked meal at marinade. Always served with a smile the wait staff is pleasant and welcoming. The special of the day was a brisket hash, it was very delightful with autumn root vegetables and a sweet yet savory flavor. But the cheese sauce on the chicken biscuit was out of this world! The Ortega chili flavors and the smooth consistency, I could get a side of that with oh everything. Yummy lunch always a good experience and this time of year the weather is perfect. Come visit and stay for a meal you won't be disappointed read more

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Walking into this place on a cold wintery evening with its holiday decor still up was like walking into a Hallmark Christmas movie. Super cute ambiance, very homey, very small town feel. You can tell this is one of the newer, hipper places in Ramona. Wine Wednesdays boast $5 glasses, and many were there to take advantage of the deal and its meal pairings. I had the seasonal grilled cheese which had butternut squash and came with the tomato bisque. My partner had the bacon Mac and cheese. While both were so good and so cheesy, the chef obviously loved pepper. My bisque had way too much pepper in it, I coughed with the first sip. It was still great for dipping my grilled cheese in though. Would definitely love to try more items on this menu! Our kid had the French fries too which were really good! No pepper on those. ;) Service was great. They weren't too busy for New Years Day, we got the comfy corner spot. They welcomed dogs as a couple with a well-behaved husky came and sat next to us. If you're in Ramona, you definitely don't want to miss out on this spot! read more

BEST restaurant in all of Ramona! Such great food, service and ambiance. We came here from Poway for a lunch date and there was great variety on the menu. The food was sooo delicious! We will definitely be back. read more