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    Old Town BBQ

    3.2 (13 reviews)
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    Sheena E.

    Inside the Ramona Mainstage Theater is this new BBQ place. Owned by Main Course restaurant. We came on a Friday night and they had line dancing going which was fun to watch. First off the service needs some work. They are new though so I'll give them a little break. Our waitress walked by us several times, stopped to talk to her friend a few times, etc. I tried to grab her attention but she was busy. My hubby had to go get her, she kind of gave him attitude. The food was good. Ribs were really delicious, they had a ton of flavor and came out with no sauce but sauce on the side. My only note would be the sauce was cold, warmed up sauce would be awesome. Chicken had good flavor but the skin was rubber and not edible. Mac and cheese was ok, macaroni salad was really bow tie pasta salad but delicious. The baked beans are not sweet, more like a bacon and white bean cowboy type bean. They were good though. Corn bread was fantastic. I would say 3 1/2 Stars is more appropriate but I rounded up because with a few tweaks this place could be even better. I will go again.

    Seriously... kinda crazy.

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    I love bbq and this place is legit. Had the pulled pork and it was great. I'm coming back to try the rest of the meats.

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    Pete's BBQ

    Pete's BBQ

    3.7
    (371 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Brisket: VERY nicely seasoned with a great smoke profile and texture! The smoke flavor is…read morelight-to-mid, beautifully complementing the seasoned bark. Visually, it's a stunning cook--great muscle texture, a beautiful smoke ring, and a perfect bark. All the intense flavor and smoke live between the surface and that inner pink ring, so make sure your bite includes a bit of both. Man, what a delicious bite. I've been to that Michelin-recommended BBQ joint east of DTLA, and Pete's 100% blows it out of the water. This place makes California BBQ proud (that other spot is an embarrassment). I only wish they offered some zesty sides to pair with the meats to take it to the absolute next level! 1/3 lb Sausage: First bite delivers a perfect snap followed by great meat texture. Initially, you get hit with a slightly heavy saltiness, followed by a sharp, spicy goodness. I was on the fence after the very first bite, but the more you eat, the more the saltiness balances out. That snap, texture, spice, and salt combo just gets better and better until you realize you can't stop eating it. It is incredibly good. Pairing it with a creamy side perfectly complements the kick. Cornbread Upgrade: YES! The cornbread itself is delicious--excellent texture, great corn flavor, and a very mild sweetness. Plus, it comes with a honey butter blend that is next-level delicious. It was a very pleasant surprise just how good this was!

    Was starving! Woman on her luteal phase needing red meat! Got their brisket burrito with fries…read moreinside, the menu said there's white onions and cilantro in it but I'm eating it right now and there is no cilantro at all! I do not like being lied to! It's honestly not worth coming back for, food is mediocre.

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    Pete's BBQ
    Pete's BBQ
    Pete's BBQ

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    Up The Hill Grill

    Up The Hill Grill

    4.1
    (469 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    A great experience. Our server, and there's only one, was very friendly and engaging. SHE made the…read moreexperience. We escaped today from the flatlander norms of North County and ventured up a path (State Hwy 78) that we hadn't trekked for a number of years. I think this is the only town with a Bol Weevil hamburger joint. We initially sought after and found it. We just couldn't bring ourselves to having lunch there. Too many good spots up here in Ramona. Searching Yelp, we found this place and decided to try it based on the large menu. We had a couple of delicious sandwiches, but I could see as the plates came outta the kitchen, I should've ordered a burger. They really looked awesome, ; and quite the variety, vbut we were already elbows into our plates along with house-made offerings. We also had the excellent ranch dressing that was offered along with the good onion rings. There are plenty of things to look at inside and out, as there are very much a hodgepodge of collections over the years. This place will be our visiting spot next time. CritDicks

    Very disappointed in the service was not greeted at the door, took a while to get seated. Was told…read moreto sit just anywhere wasn't taken to the table. Was not greeted by a friendly service person. She was very quiet. Didn't ask us how we were, didn't go over the menu,took forever to come back and take our order. Over all seemed very inexperienced and not wanting to be there. Treated other customers in the same fashion as we sat there for quite a while, watching people come in. There was also a younger guy there who had his back to the door when someone came in did not greet him just told him to wait. Someone would be with him then left into the kitchen. He did come back out told the customer, sit anywhere. seriously disappointed, do better.

    Photos
    Love up the hill grill!!
    Love up the hill grill!!
    Fry Sauce
    Fry Sauce
    Outside

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    Marinade On Main

    Marinade On Main

    4.6
    (967 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    First timer, and SO glad we found this place! Stopped by on a Friday evening, easy street parking,…read moreand was seated right away. The decor and style of the restaurant is very inviting and warm. All the ladies working were very friendly. Our server, Tiffany, was amazing! Gave us wonderful recs and went above and beyond for us. Everything was absolutely DELICIOUS! All made from scratch and not too salty. Will definitely come back one day! Not pictured but their black coffee is really good too. **Get the banana sea salt caramel cheesecake (which is seasonal)!

    Marinade on Main clearly puts significant effort into sourcing local ingredients and supporting…read morelocal farmers and producers. That commitment to quality and sustainability is commendable and something more restaurants should strive for. The staff is knowledgeable, and it's refreshing to see a restaurant that cares about where its food comes from. Unfortunately, that attention to ingredient sourcing seems to stop when it comes to cooking oils. Many of the menu items are prepared with soybean oil, which was disappointing given the otherwise high-quality and health-conscious image of the restaurant. Soybean oil is highly processed and contains large amounts of omega-6 polyunsaturated fats. While omega-6 fats are essential in moderation, excessive consumption relative to omega-3 intake has been associated with increased inflammation in some research. Soybean oil is also more susceptible to oxidation when exposed to high cooking temperatures, potentially producing compounds that some studies suggest may contribute to oxidative stress. In addition, many health-conscious consumers actively avoid industrial seed oils such as soybean, corn, and canola oils in favor of alternatives like olive oil, avocado oil, butter, or tallow. I would gladly give Marinade on Main a higher rating if they aligned their cooking oils with the same local, high-quality standards they apply to the rest of their ingredients. Switching to avocado oil or olive oil or beef talo would be a welcome improvement and would better match the restaurant's otherwise impressive commitment to quality. * also loose the standard strip of high fructose sodas and provide more natural optikns of drinks ...

    Photos
    Table decor
    Table decor
    Pear Bruschetta!
    Pear Bruschetta!
    Cranberry Orange Pancake (seasonal)

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    Cranberry Orange Pancake (seasonal)
    Farmhouse 78

    Farmhouse 78

    4.0
    (403 reviews)
    11.8 mi
    $$

    Not every review is written because of a bad experience--sometimes you write one because a place…read moretruly exceeds your expectations. That was definitely the case here. My husband and I were returning from a hiking weekend with our two doggies when we searched for a pet-friendly place to have lunch. Google suggested Farmhouse 78, and we are so glad it did. At first, I didn't notice the outdoor patio, so I went inside to ask. From the moment I walked through the door, every employee was incredibly friendly and welcoming. They made me feel valued as a customer and even offered to let us dine inside with our dogs. Out of respect for other guests, we chose to sit outside on their lovely patio. Everything about this place was wonderful--the cleanliness, the atmosphere, the service, and how quickly our food arrived. Most importantly, the food was absolutely delicious. My husband had the pork sandwich, and I ordered the cheeseburger with French fries. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and homemade. When I went inside to pay, I had the pleasure of meeting Cyndie at the register. I told her how impressed we were with our experience, and she was just as warm and friendly as everyone else we encountered. If you're visiting Santa Ysabel, do yourself a favor and stop by Farmhouse 78. Great food, wonderful people, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. We will definitely be back!

    We had high hopes this place would improve... but nope. This was my second visit--and definitely my…read morelast. I even brought friends who had never been here before, thinking it could become one of our regular stops when we're out hitting the trails. Instead, it left a bad taste in everyone's mouth... and not just from the food. Waitress: Where do I even start. She claimed she was hard of hearing--but her attitude spoke loud and clear. Tossing menus on the table, aggressively slamming salsa down, and getting snarky over being off because our party count was off by one person. Seriously? It took two seconds to adjust the table, but apparently that was just too much. Yes, she technically did her job... but with such a cold, unwelcoming, and rigid attitude that it made the whole experience uncomfortable. What really stood out? We were there first and ready to order, yet she chose to take care of every smaller table that came in after us. No communication, no "I'll be right with you," nothing. Just ignored. Basic courtesy clearly isn't part of the service here. And trust me--I used to be a waitress. I handled large parties all the time and actually communicated with my tables. It's not that hard. Honestly, if gratuity hadn't already been forced onto the bill, she would've gotten $0. The only pleasant person we encountered was the busser--quick, friendly, and actually seemed like he wanted to be there. Maybe swap their roles, because he outperformed her by a mile. Food: Let's talk about the food... if that's what we're calling it. Everything came out cold. Not "warm-ish," not "could be hotter"... just straight up cold. It felt like our plates were sitting under a heat lamp for way too long before making it to the table. One "white" friend asked to have her meal fixed--fine, no problem. But when another "Hispanic" friend asked the same thing? Suddenly there was attitude, menu slamming, and mumbling under her breath. So... what exactly was the difference? Why the inconsistency and hostility? If the kitchen is that backed up, maybe management should step in and help instead of letting food die in the window. Just a thought. Final Thoughts: This place had potential... but that waitress single-handedly ruined it. We'll be taking our group (and our money) elsewhere--Dudley's Bakery is looking like a much better option moving forward. I usually bring large groups out here, so this isn't a small loss. Unfortunately, if this is the level of service they're okay with, this place isn't going to improve anytime soon. At this point, it's less "Farmhouse charm" and more "junky barn energy."

    Photos
    Inside vibes. Cozy and clean
    Inside vibes. Cozy and clean
    Chicken pot pie, yummy, yummy!!!!
    Chicken pot pie, yummy, yummy!!!!
    11/27/22 Great ambiance

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    11/27/22 Great ambiance
    L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

    L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

    3.8
    (76 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Visited 2/18/2025…read more I've tried other stores in the past and was pleased. This was my first time trying the Ramona Store. This one was just ok. First the staff was pleasant and helpful. The seating was more along the line of any fast food restaurant. As for the food. I started with The Potstickers 5 pcs. They actually were Quite Tasty for frozen potstickers and would get them again. Next I ordered The Mini BBQ Short Rib Plate. It was flavorful although the beef was a bit chewy for my liking. Still I would try them again. Last I ordered The Mini Fried Fish Plate. Sadly it was not good at all. Super Paper Thin Pieces of Fish (at least I think it was Fish) where the breading was thicker on both sides than the thickness of the fish. Over Fried so it was like eating a Hard cracker. Also Zero Flavor. I don't recommend the fish. On the good side the Rice and the Pasta Salad are Winners. I love a Tasty Pasta Salad. I'm being Generous giving this review 3 Stars and will give them another chance trying more of the menu. Just not the fish.

    Always love this food. BBQ Mix combination plate is a great variety and enough for 2 people in most…read morecases. It's BBQ beef, BBQ chicken, BBQ short ribs with sides of rice and macaroni salad. Service is always friendly and helpful counter service. Key for bathroom. It's clean and well kept. Ambiance: soft background instrumental music, about 10 tables, TV playing some tropical beach type clips.

    Photos
    Outside
    Outside
    Chicken katsu mini plate
    Chicken katsu mini plate
    Chicken katsu plate

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    Chicken katsu plate
    Phil's BBQ

    Phil's BBQ

    4.1
    (2.2k reviews)
    12.7 mi
    $$

    Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5…read moreAmbiance: 4/5 Visited Phil's for a work lunch with colleagues after having ordered their catering trays for meetings many times before. This was my first dine-in experience at this location. Had the beef ribs tickler with sausage, coleslaw, and fries. The ribs were straight-up bomb! they were super meaty, tender, flavorful, and nicely charred. The sauce has a nice sweet, tangy, and spicy balance. The link was a good portion with a good smoky flavor, and the coleslaw and fries rounded out the meal nicely. Service was efficient despite a busy lunch rush and the staff were really nice and welcoming. The catering trays we've ordered have always been solid, and that same consistency carries over to the dine-in experience. It's a little pricier than your average lunch spot, but the food actually tastes good and consistent every time, which is why Phil's gets 5 stars.

    Sometimes, you're craving ribs and Phil's BBQ is here to satisfy your cravings. This location's…read moreline generally moves pretty quickly. When I am ordering just for me, I always get the baby back rib tickler. I like how it comes with 3-4 ribs, fries, coleslaw, and onion rings. Just a note that it doesn't allow for substitution of the sides. When I visited this location with family, we decided to order a bunch of different entrees to share. We got the Beef Rib Dinner (Full) with potato salad and coleslaw, chicken wings, colossal onion rings, loaded fries, and a side of macaroni salad. All of them were solid, but my favorite is still the well balanced baby back rib tickler for its flavor and price.

    Photos
    Next!
    Next!
    Big sister
    Big sister
    We met THE ONE & ONLY PHIL HIMSELF!!! And he was really nice!!!

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    We met THE ONE & ONLY PHIL HIMSELF!!! And he was really nice!!!
    El Flako’s Wrangler Barbecue

    El Flako’s Wrangler Barbecue

    4.0
    (220 reviews)
    13.0 mi
    $$

    We stopped in for an extremely late - so late it was almost dinner - lunch. There were two other…read moreparties when we walked in, one already seated and chowing down, the other finishing their order at the counter. The menu is fairly large, with lots of meat and side options. We were able to review the menu while the ladies in front of us finished placing their orders (and once the owner adjusted the TVs to be able to show the menus again.) We hadn't eaten anything that day, so we went in knowing we were going to be hungry. The sweet young lady working the counter that day welcomed us in and answered all my questions (what's the soup of the day? navy bean; what comes in the combo? ribs, ham, brisket, bread and two sides) before taking our order and our money. We ended up sharing the combo (with potato salad and onion rings for the sides) and my husband got an extra brisket sandwich because he thought the one plate wouldn't be enough to fill us up. The food came quickly, which was both good and bad. Good because we were, as mentioned, starving. Bad because - well, not "bad" per se, but not ideal - we got the feeling the food had been sitting for a while. And that's really the only knock I have on the meal: that the meat felt a bit tougher than I'm sure it was meant to be, just because we were eating so late in the afternoon. I'm sure it would have been much more tender had we arrived earlier. Still, we had no problems polishing off both the combo plate and my husband's sandwich (which I didn't get a chance to try...I was worried I'd lose a finger if I tried to go in for a nibble). I did enjoy the ribs and the brisket; the ham was my least favorite thing in the combo. It felt a little too bland compared to the other meat offerings, which were smoky and meaty. The onion rings were served with ranch dressing and the potato salad had a nice bite to it - from both the ingredients and the flavors. I think we'd go back, the next time we're in the area, but I don't think we'll go in at such an "off" hour.

    I've been coming here since the 80s--it was a family favorite throughout my childhood and a place I…read moreeventually brought my own kids. I was nervous about the new ownership, and unfortunately, my concerns were justified. This was my first time back, and it is definitely not the same food. When I asked if the recipes were the same, the staff gave a non-committal "I think so," but the meal told a different story: The Price: $20 for a single plate is a significant jump. The Meat: I ordered my regular ham and tri-tip combo. Both were disappointing--a mix of fat and overcooked, dried-out, bland meat. The Sauce: The original homemade sauce was delicious and consistent for decades. This new version tastes like generic, bottled sauce straight off a grocery store shelf. The sides: the potato salad used to be perfect and clearly made in-house. Now, it tastes like mass-produced deli salad from a supermarket. It's such a bummer. I don't understand why new owners take over a successful institution that has been a staple since the 70s only to change the recipes for the worse. I've seen this happen recently at other local spots like **Peterson's Donut Corner**, where the quality has dipped and they've stopped taking cash. If you want a taste of "old Escondido" that actually stays true to its roots, go to **Bamboo House**. I went there recently after years away, and it was like a flashback to being a kid--same friendly service, same great prices, and the same delicious food they've been serving for over 30 years. Sadly, The Wrangler aka El Flako's Wrangler Barbecue, has lost a lifelong customer. It's just not the same place anymore.

    Photos
    Remodel from old owners clean and up-to-date,
    Remodel from old owners clean and up-to-date,
    Pulled pork sandwich with a bunch of meat
    Pulled pork sandwich with a bunch of meat
    Order at register, and they bring it to you.

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    Order at register, and they bring it to you.

    Old Town BBQ - bbq - Updated June 2026

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