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

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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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

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

Today, I had the opportunity to try this restaurant for the first time and it did not disappoint. The ambiance is very nice in the dining room with the tables and interior design. We were warmly greeted when we arrived. Nicole was able to seat us right away and we were so pleased that she was working here. We had previous experience being a customer when Nicole worked at another restaurant and she is excellent at what she does and a great addition to your staff! We had the Brussel sprouts and Veggie scrambles with potatoes, toast and coffee. The food was all delicious and I look forward to trying other menu items in the future. Prices were reasonable and in line with market. The only downside was the noise level in the dining room. With a big crowd it can become difficult to carry on a conversation at times. We may try the outdoor patio seating next time as a preference. So check it out if you were thinking about a nice meal! 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

Beautiful drive here.  I enjoyed seeing the country side.  Rolling hills and native shrubs were just out the window.  We passed a place selling bales of hay.  Ramona still retains that small town feel. We had dinner reservations for 6pm Sunday but it wasn't necessary as the place was only about 60% full.  Staff was really friendly and knew the menu well.  I started with the fried shrimp.  Batter was crunchy and shrimp tender and juicy.  I loved the flavors from the batter and shrimp.  Next I tried a drumstick from Lisa & Mr. W's dark meat fried chicken dinner.  Batter was thin and crunchy.   I loved the flavors which I believe were salt, pepper, and rosemary.  Chicken was fresh and juicy.  This is one of the best pieces of fried chicken I've had.  I noticed the special of the day was pot roast so I thought I'd give it a try.  Pot roast was juicy and tender.  Gravy gave the beef extra delicious flavor.  Vegetables were nicely seasoned and quite tasty.  French fries were kinda crunchy and had a delicious potato flavor. Night is darker out here as the street lights are few and far between.  We drove home through the darkness and I admired the stars. We also visited for lunch and the menu was not as big and had a lot of breakfast choices.  Sadly for me only fried chicken breast was available if I wanted fried chicken.  I gave the Chicken N Biscuit a try.  Biscuit had that dry biscuit texture like KFC.  Biscuit was fresher and had a smoother flavor than KFC.  Went nicely with the salty sausage gravy.  Fried chicken breast had a thin and crunchy batter.  Flavor was a bit like KFC original recipe only a few spices were missing.  White meat chicken was very moist.  If you like white meat this is one of best I've found.  The batter had more savory flavor and a bit saltier in the dinner version of this dish. I much prefer the dinner experience here as it's not crowded and the dark meat fried chicken is amazing.  There are alot more dishes on the dinner menu I'm interested in trying too.   Lastest visit.  Chicken pot pie had a crunchy crust with a tasty buttery flavor.  Loved the flavor of white meat chicken and carrots.  I was happy there were no peas I had to pick out.  Great tasting chicken pot pie.  Chicken pot pie is only served on Tuesday during the winter.  Wish it was available all the time. read more

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Great service at this really cute place. Avocado toast was good ... burger was tasty, but overcooked to our liking. We would definitely come back again! read more

Our family of 9 plus baby all oooo'ed and awwww'ed over every morsel we ate! Do not miss out on enjoying this generous and incredibly tasty country breakfast! And our friendly server, Tiff took great care of all of us, as well! Sweet experience around the table! read more

They make an amazing Brussels sprout salad. Lots of crispy roasted sprouts and blue cheese. Great dressings. My husband likes the ranch and I love the vinaigrette. Lovely salad. Service is spot on. Casual elegance in R Town. Thanks for being here. read more

Marinade On Main - Counter - American Near Me - Ramona, California

The drive to Marinade on Main is about 45 minutes from the Mount Helix area where I live. Just before you reach the restaurant, you pass through the famous "Ramona Colonnade", an arrow-straight road lined with majestic centennial eucalyptus. Friday was my fourth visit to Marinade on Main. As on previous visits, there is no real reception or greeting at the restaurant. One walks in the door and you awkwardly stand in the center of the room until a staff member deems it time to recognize your presence. I arrived at 5:10 p.m., and there was one staff member behind the bar aimlessly moving bottles around back and forth and another staff member was on an energetic telephone call. Neither woman looked up at me. After about three minutes, the staff member got off the phone. She looked up at me, not bothering to move from behind the bar. Rather than greeting me, she shouted out a question: "Are you here to check in?", she hollered. I smiled and stated my name. She shot back with the same question, and I again stated my name. She thereafter waved her hand towards an empty table along the banquette and told me to sit there. There are many delightful vineyards in Ramona. It has become a kind of San Diego wine country. I was aware that Marinade on Main had a number of "local" wines (as they are identified on the wine list). In a prior visit, the waitress had not opened the wine bottle at the table. Accordingly, I asked the waitress on this visit to confirm the wine would be opened tableside. To my inquiry, she replied "Yes,,,,uh...no, as she looked over her shoulder at the bar---we open it behind the bar". I then inquired, "well, do you at least present the wine bottle first to the client?" To that follow up inquiry, I received an exasperated eye roll and a disapproving frown, after which she responded "If you want". I nodded in the affirmative. Thereafter, the waitress delivered the Ramona Vineyards wine for presentation. Then she returned to the bar to open it. However, at that moment, the telephone again rang, so she was tied up for a while on the call. After the call ended, she opened the wine bottle atop the bar. Next, she oddly turned away from the bar, poured a full glass of wine into a glass out of view, then returned to the table with the full glass and the cork stuffed back in the red wine bottle. She plunked it all down and went on her way. It is a pity that a restaurant located in a wine county region appears to have no respect for the presentation, enjoyment and serving of wine. As to the food, the plat du jour was written on a plaque on the wall. It was a roast beef stew served atop a "cheesy" potato pancake with vegetables. It was delicious and beautifully presented on the plate. Before the main course, I enjoyed the tomato bisque. With the soup, I requested bread, and I was provided three slices of sourdough toast that I enjoyed as well [extra charge]. For dessert, the butterscotch pudding was good. However, the peanut brittle topping left me mildly choking during the night. I noted throughout the evening from observing the rhythm of the dining room that the dishes seem to take quite a while to come out of the kitchen after an order had been placed. That fact does not bother me in the least. I know the kitchen is producing good home cooking, and that takes time. In addition, I don't like to rush anyway. That was why it is so ironic that just as I was sipping my third spoonful of the Tomato Bisque, a waitress arrived at my table beckoning the pot roast in the air above me. I told her I had just begun my appetizer, and to please return the pot roast to the kitchen. To my request, she responded "What?" I repeated my request with a smile, and she thereafter complied. I further noted that when a staff member would ask a group of people at a table if they were finished with their main courses, if the response was in the affirmative, they would simply slap the check on the table without bothering to clear the plates away. It would seem to me that no customer should ever be paying the check surrounded by a clutter of a sea of dirty dishes, but I guess that is a nicety not granted at Marinade on Main. As I left the dining room after dinner, not surprisingly, no staff member bothered to say "goodbye" or thank me for my visit. read more

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We arrived tonight (Friday night) a little before 5pm and anxiously awaited their opening. Every time they open, there were several other people behind us, waiting to get in. This is still a popular place! We ordered the usual, fried chicken and pork chops. Both are delicious, but the fried chicken really stands out! The vegetables are so tasty as I the potatoes. Your service always friendly and efficient. This is our favorite place to eat when we are in Ramona. read more

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The best restaurant in Ramona and Julian by far. Love that they emphasize the farm-to-table sourcing for almost all of their dishes. Great staff and service- they provide excellent recommendations too! If you can, brunch is their best menu in my opinion, although they have some excellent burgers as well! As far as drinks go, they have seasonal mules like apple or blueberry that are amazing. Their biscuit plate appetizer is DELISH! I wish only wish it was bigger... Their homemade butters they give with the biscuit are phenomenal. Every time I make the day trip to Ramona/Julian from OC, this is the restaurant we stop in while passing through :) read more

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What a fantastic treat for a nice Sunday family afternoon. Marinade on Main is a cozy restaurant with farm to table options for brunch, lunch, and dinner. In the heart of downtown Ramona , there appeared to be limited parking on-site, but it was easy to find a spot right in front. The interior was clean, nicely decorated, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. We ordered a few drinks and the balsamic glazed Brussel sprouts as a starter. The portion was enough for the three of us. I ordered the Honey Mustard Fried Chicken sandwich with a side of fries. It was probably the best chicken sandwich I've had in a while. A golden crisp full chicken breast drizzled with honey mustard on a bed of lightly dressed coleslaw and a brioche bun. Simply delicious. For dessert, we tried the butterscotch pudding with peanut brittle and was just as amazing. It was nice to enjoy a homemade pudding with no lingering after taste. Hats off to the kitchen staff for making the best out of locally sourced ingredients and staying true to the farm to table concept. We don't get to come out to Ramona very often, but this is definitely going to be on the list of favorites. read more

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I get to spend time at my friends ranch not far from Ramona. A few years ago, while being on a month long stay, I ventured into town and discovered this gem. It has been months since I have been there, but I was surprised to find that I had not left a review of this place. I have had several of the dishes, including the Fried Chicken, Salmon, Rib Eye, and the burgers.... all left me full, happy and impressed! The staff and service was outstanding. They manage other combine an intimate friendly atmosphere with a top notch culinary experience .... my kind of place. Shoot... I need to get back up there asap! read more

Visiting family from N. Cal. Thx Carmen for the recommendation and Tiffany for serving us. My wife is gluten intolerant and rare to find fish and chips on menu's. Also the butterscotch bourbon pudding dessert was great. Highly recommend this place read more

Amazingly different iced tea flavored with grapefruit and lavender. Grilled cheese and tomato soup were the best I've had. Very quaint atmosphere. Service was divine. Took a bit to get the food but the restaurant was packed so to be expected. read more

Really delicious food! We came for an early dinner on a Sunday and they were bustling with business but we still got seated immediately. We ordered the brussel sprouts half size and the flavor is really good. We actually had a similar appetizer just the day before and Marinade's had a less crunchy/crispy brussel sprout but much better flavor with cheese and balsamic vinegar. The shrimp n grits were good the shrimp was cooked perfectly and had that juicy pop, though the grits were too heavy. If I only ate that dish without the other stuff I wouldn't have been able to get even close to finishing since it was so dense and rich. The fried chicken alfredo pasta was my favorite! It had arugula which cut through the richness some but I would've liked a little more veges. Overall the fried chicken and alfredo flavors were on point and delicious. I would come back here again and recommend you try! read more

Marinade On Main - brussel sprouts - American Near Me - Ramona, California

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My very favorite restaurant in Ramona. Whenever we have friends/family in town it's our go to place. Marinade never disappoints.

If I could I would give a 100/10 review ! First of all I would come here just for the side salad alone . Service was extremely over the top . Atmosphere lovely , food amazing ! Prices very reasonable for amount of flavor and quality and portions . Good for any occasion to come here . Will be coming back everything and to try more items of the menu ! *chef kiss* read more

Marinade On Main - American Near Me - Ramona, California

Dog friendly back patio with water bowls. The signature burger was excellent. The service was very nice. Great spot.

Had a great burger there the other night. Good service, very friendly and definitely that homey Ramona feel. I'll be back! read more

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The food was pretty bland given the reviews. The beers / cider on tap tasted off like they need to clean their lines or something. The service was subpar had to ask multiple times For things. The ambiance is fine. I don't see myself coming back the price per person was fairly high for what you get. It seems like they have elevated stars because there really isn't much competition in Ramona for places like this so if this was in a town with other places I think this review given my experience would be more accurate overall. read more

Marinade On Main - American Near Me - Ramona, California

Marinade on Main has become my favorite place to eat in Ramona. The food is amazing from the salads to the full course meals and the butterscotch dessert!! Service is excellent! read more

Great hidden gem in Ramona. We had salads that were super flavorful with farm fresh ingredients. The brussel sprout salad with added grilled chicken was one of the best salads I've had. Service was fast and very friendly. We'll be back for sure. read more

Marinade On Main - American Near Me - Ramona, California

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Still outstanding food, friendly service, and great ambiance. Glad they survived Covid! read more

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I love this place when going through Ramona. The back patio is great for the dog or to enjoy a couple of beers and kick back or the bar is nice if you are solo and just need to get some food. The food as been great too! The portions are good sized and I really enjoyed the pork chop one time and the fish and chips another. Others in our group had the honey mustard chicken sandwich and burgers. All was very good. The brussels sprouts were great for an app too! Can't wait to go back again. We also enjoyed good service by friendly folks. I hope this place continues to do well and keep up the good work! read more

Disappointing. Service was inattentive - my glass was empty most of my time - never got asked if I needed a refill on my water. Server (Justin?) did not check on us UNTIL we were done eating. Told him we celebrated a friend's bday - not even a smile or acknowledgment. Food not worth the money- at least not what I got . $20 for tiny piece of a fish with a horrible salad. Disappointed I hope it was just a fluke. Place was not very busy on Thursday during lunch so you would think your server would be more personable. Cheesecake good but nothing I would ordered again. read more

Marinade On Main - Mahi mahi with a tasteless salad - NOT worth $20! - American Near Me - Ramona, California

Fantastic food and staff. Had the New York steak and eggs for breakfast with potatoes. Really great! Such nice ambiance and late enough for breakfast there was no wait and still before the lunch rush. read more

Love their weekend breakfast!! Haven't tried other days or times, but they seem to use the freshest and wonderful ingredients.

Our favorite restaurant in Ramona, and top 5 in all SD county. Service is good but slow, as the food is cooked to order. Come with expectations to wait for good food. It's decorated ranch style chic and has a back patio for outdoor eating. Favorite reg menu options: Fettuccine Alfredo with fried chicken or Shrimp and Grits. read more

After hiking Ramona Grasslands, we stop here for lunch because of all the favorable reviews. This place serves some great choices - I had the grilled cheese caprese sandwich w/ tomato bisque. The crispy cheesy toast dipped in the tomato soup is a wonderful combo if you enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich dipped in tomato soup. This version is something special. My wife enjoyed the kale, broccolini chicken salad. The fried Brussels sprouts appetizer with basalmic is a must-try. Service was attentive & gracious. My wife kept commenting on how nice they've setup the place, catering especially to the local wine lovers. Highly recommended. read more

Marinade On Main - Grill cheese caprese sandwich w/ tomato bisque - American Near Me - Ramona, California

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Excellent, high quality! Ordered salmon dinner and ribeye dinner. Would highly recommend. read more

Best food in San Diego! That Shrimp, sausage and grits with the tomato based sauce is the most amazing delicious dish in Southern California! This place needs a Michelin star and needs to be on food network! Wow!! read more

Excellent food and good service. The rib eyes were cooked medium rare perfectly. The shrimp pasta is a garlic lovers dream.

What a find!!! We were starving after a day in Julian and looking forward somewhere to stop in Ramona. We couldn't have stumbled upon a better place! The atmosphere was cute, service was VERY pleasant thanks to the wonderful Tiffany, and the food was EXCELLENT. This is clearly the place to go and we'll definitely be back. read more

Great fried chicken sandwich. We also got a hamburger that was excellent. Their french fries are so delicious with the seasoning on them, all came with really nice staff. read more

The restaurant offers great food and excellent service. I've visited a few times and consistently enjoyed the farm-to-table concept they promote. It's a wonderful place to experience fresh, locally-sourced dishes! read more

We really enjoyed our experience. Our server was friendly. The food was delicious, we had the habanero wings and two burgers. The food came out quickly. read more

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