The Mrs. and I have had some pretty incredible meals in wine country. We've dined at Mustard's Grill in Napa. The Girl in the Fig in Sonoma. Rustic at Coppola Winery. Bravas in Healdsburg. Never did we ever think we'd find a place in Ramona that would equal the aforementioned restaurants. The Mrs. found Marinade On Main while we were enjoying a tasting at Hatfield Creek Winery. Marinade sits in a rather unassuming building on Main Street in downtown Ramona. The sign out front is rather small so keep your eyes open. We arrived shortly after noon and were able to get seated right away. Marinade was in the middle of brunch service when we arrived, which really isn't our thing, but we were able to find a few items that didn't involve breakfast foods. The Mrs. and I shared the Marinade's signature burger that was artfully composed of farm raised chuck Angus, cheddar, onion bacon jam, arugula, tomato, pickle and garlic aioli. It was cooked a perfect medium rare as requested and the flavor was incredible. I've had hundreds of "gourmet" burgers and Marinade's was one of the best. The flavor composition was so well put together and the fires were addicting. We also shared the Southern Belle Salad. Another artfully composed dish consisting of fried chicken, candied pecans, dried cranberries, with a goat cheese honey mustard dressing. Essentially a Waldorf salad with fried chicken. The flavor combinations was perfectly balanced and the fried chicken was INCREDIBLE. I've never had fried chicken that was both flavorful AND aromatic. Biting into the chicken I got this burst of spices that ticked my nostrils. The wine list is made up of a lot of local wines. I always think it is awesome when a restaurant supports their local wineries. The Mrs. and I enjoyed a glass of Hatfield Creek Fonzi Red Blend with our meal. The service was incredible as well. Unfortunately I forgot our servers name, but I made sure to point out how good our food was to her. Also, our server made sure that our food was split. I was expecting that we'd get our food and have to cut the burger in half and split the salad. Not at Marinade. It has been about a day since we had lunch at Marinade and I'm still thinking about or food and how wonderful it was. read more

Marinade On Main - Our incredible lunch. Marinade house signature burger, fries, and Southern Belle Salad. - American Near Me - Ramona, California

SENSATIONAL!! Went there for Father's Day dinner yesterday after a friend had recommended. Everything we had was delicious! The restaurant and ambiance is nice and casual. Very family friendly. I had the herb fried chicken which I confirmed can be done gluten free. Other items we enjoyed were the hot honey chicken sandwich, tomato soup, fried brussel sprouts and kids Mac n cheese. My only complaint was that the after dinner coffee could have been hotter. I know I know... Seriously... this place is on my top 5 favorites anywhere. Nicely done! read more

Marinade On Main - Herb Fried Chicken - American Near Me - Ramona, California

In town for a wedding and we decided to have breakfast here. We ordered on the phone, the hostess was pleasant to speak with. After telling her the order she repeated it back just to make sure. We order for 4 people. All food was packaged well and hot when I arrived at our condo (approx 20 minute drive). Country Sausage & Biscuit with an over medium egg ($11.00). This was mine, Sausage gravy was amazing, medium egg was cooked perfectly. Let me tell you their biscuit is huge, fluffy and tasty. Also served with country potatoes. I ordered a side of seasonal fruit (apple slices and grapes) fresh & crisp. Mini Classic with scrambled eggs, homemade sausage, country potatoes & toast with homemade jam. ($8.00) per my mother in law, really good, a lot of food for a mini. Veggie Benny with scrambled eggs also had a huge biscuit ($12.00). Tomatoes & spinach, she added avocado when we got to the condo. She ordered a side of fruit, couldn't eat it the breakfast was too big. Lastly we ordered Buttermilk Pancakes ($8.50) & a side of applewood bacon. ($3.50). She said both were good. Would definitely return if in town again. read more

See all

What a find in Ramona . This farm to table restaurant is so good . They focus on local ingredients . They have a menu for pretty much every taste. We had the house made Tomato Bisque and Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich . The soup was rich , creamy , peppery . Not sweet at all . The sandwich was crusted with parmigian. 10/10 dipped in the soup . We also had the fried Brussels with parm and balsamic glaze . The portion was huge . We also tried their black sesame goat cheese ball . I paired it with the Brussels . Soooo good . Thh h e staff was very nice and attentive . The service was fast . Their prices are very reao read more

See all

Food was delicious and very fresh (farm to table). The wait time wasn't bad to receive our brunch . Waiter was friendly although first time had to ask for coffee refill! The atmosphere was cute and very cozy as we struck up conversation with our neighboring table. read more

My first time here and I would define my return when I'm in the area and hungry. The food, ambiance and service were all 5 stars. I usually don't get chicken sandwiches but our server said they are known for their fried chicken, among other things. So I gave the honey mustard fried chicken sandwich a try and loved it. Large portions with delicious shoe string fries on the side. The batter on the chicken was perfect. My dad loves his burger and we both thought the chocolate cake was a winner. It reminded me of the chocolate motherload from Claim Jumper (if anyone remembers that restaurant). I would highly recommend and I would give them another star for being dog friendly. read more

See all

Oh my, Marinade nailed it last night! I placed an online order for Mac 'n' Cheese with Brussels Sprouts & grilled chicken, and the Southwest Shrimp Bowl. On a whim, I ordered the famous butterscotch pudding (which I had never had before). I received a text saying the order would be ready in about 30 minutes. I drove up and texted the number shown to let them know I had arrived. Only took a couple minutes for the server to come out (with a big smile, I think ... I could see it in her eyes) and put the bag in my car. Got the food home and it all held up VERY well. Can't always say that for take-out. Everything was soooo good. My husband and I were both pretty hungry and I even had enough left for a small lunch today. The pudding seems a little pricey, but when you taste it, it no longer matters. It was a great splurge and the perfect end to a great meal. Thanks to Jessica, Travis, Katie, and the entire Marinade crew for all you do for the community! read more

Marinade On Main - Take-out May 7th, 2020 ... So glad Marinade is back! - American Near Me - Ramona, California

See all

Enjoyed our visit to Marinade on Main. We had the Fried Chicken and the Fish and Chips. Everything was outstanding. Service was great. Smallish dining room, but we went when it wasn't so busy. Want to go back to try the Brunch on the weekend. read more

Breakfast: Pork chillaquiles and birria hash was the best I ever had!! Tiffany our server provided amazing service. Second time here and it was the best experience. Farm to table sourced meals made fresh, supporting local businesses, and great staff is always the best recipe for great food!! Can't wait to come back!! read more

Marinade On Main - Birra Hash awesome - American Near Me - Ramona, California

See all

If you have a food intolerance- please read this and consider dining at another restaurant. I'm not supposed to eat gluten and ordered a burger with a gluten free bun (which I thought was great that they offered that). The server was aware that I requested gluten free. I saw there was a cider mimosa on the menu. Most ciders I've had don't contain wheat and my husband said he thought the server would likely let me know if I was ordering a wheat/gluten-containing drink. When I received my drink and had a few sips I suspected it contained wheat so I asked the server if she knew what kind of cider it was and if it contained wheat. She said something along the lines of "it's a cider on tap and I have no idea" and walked away. I had to flag down another server to confirm and it was confirmed to contain wheat... I explained that this was an issue because I can't have gluten containing products. Our original server then simply asked "Want something else to drink?" No apology. I declined getting another drink and when we received our check the server said, "I don't understand why you're acting like that?! I took your drink off the bill!" I was astounded. I was feeling upset and worried for my health, but I didn't say anything to her to provoke that question. She then proceeded to take our credit card behind the bar area, smile and laugh with another co-worker who then took over the transaction and the original server didn't say another word to us. We absolutely won't be back or recommending this restaurant to others we know. Abhorrent service and treatment of their customers. read more

Terrific salad, so fresh! Glad to forego the fries for something more delicious. The honey mustard dressing was incredible! I wanted to ask about it because I wanted to purchase it from wherever they get it. Wondered if it was homemade? Philly cheesesteaks were gigantic, we definitely could have split them. Fried brussel sprouts as appetizer were good with shaved parm on top. Country music plays, did not have to ask for refills on water or teas. read more

We were heading through Ramona and came upon this place. EVERYTHING we ordered was fresh and delicious. Chef is special. From starter (pineapple habanero) wings to some very nice Prime rib to (choco cake) really good. Fun destination to visit in Ramona. read more

Amazing food. I ate the steak. The salad was perfect too and the potatoes. I really recommend!

Marinade On Main is a neat little restaurant on Main street in Ramona. The ambiance is rustic yet modern Americana farm style. There is ample seating both indoor and outside. Service by the staff is excellent and the food was excellent. Oh note, the bacon bloody Mary was outstanding. This place is worth the stop when you're in Ramona. read more

See all

Food was delish and service was attentive. Easy to make reservations and everyone was very friendly.

This is definitely Ramona's tastiest restaurant location! Their creative and gourmet salads and soups and sandwiches and especially their breakfast are memorable. The service is always top-notch, especially as they are so challenged with a too small location for the amount of customers who flock there. The outdoor area is nice, but nothing outdoor is decent in the summertime in Ramona. They feature local Ramona wines and have a really popular takeout service. We are hoping that the opportunity will arise, and they will move into a larger more comfortable location where you have more space and can hear each other talk. read more

Two weeks ago I had their hamburger and it was one of the best hamburgers I've ever had. My dad had the grilled cheese with tomato bisque, and it was surprisingly awesome as well. I went back tonight and had the honey chicken sandwich and it was quite delicious. Great ambience, fair prices and good service! Highly recommended. . read more

If you want fast food, don't go to Marinade On Main. If you want the best tasting, best quality and freshest food, then go to Marinade on Main. We found this place in the middle of the the shut down. Just lucky for us, they're real Americans here and we're able to seat us outside and feed us. Sorry Mastros and Flemings, the ribeye at this place was honestly the best piece of beef I've probably ever had. The Brussel sprout appetizer was awesome. All the servers are very attentive and available. To top it all off, all their ingredients are local farm raised. If you are anywhere in San Diego county, it will be worth the drive. read more

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

3.5 stars...the food was eclectic with a different touch but it wasn't as flavorful as I had hoped. Additionally, their cocktails are too sweet and all tasted funky (my group ordered 3 different ones). And a corona came with a lemon wedge?? But their wine selection gave them the extra .5 stars bc it's a great selection. read more

Waiter was awesome, no wait and excellent food. Pretty sure it's a lil pricey but fortunately I didn't pay lol Parking was kind of void but I have a placard so I followed suite. Also responded to my reservation timely and responded with love read more

Call in an order to go person answering the phone was absolutely wonderful helpful knowledgeable had the autumn salad which was beyond good with the I'm gonna call it hummus. The autumn hummus. Couldn't wait to order it again the next day it was that good. read more

I've been to this restaurant a few times and always have been very pleased with the food and the service. I have never been for lunch or dinner. The breakfasts are very good and plentiful and the service is always good. The inside area is a little small but they have an outside dining area. I would personally highly recommend this restaurant at least for breakfast. read more

We popped in here without a reservation on a Sunday evening. We were greeted immediately and seated very soon after. I will recommend a reservation since I genuinely feel that we got lucky. We had Tiffany taking care of us tonight and this incredible person genuinely loves her job and cares about the business and it shows. She was incredible to us. Had helpful recommendations and checked on us frequently. The food was really great. We tried the Fried Chicken Plate, Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich, and the Brussel Sprout Salad (the kids had burgers and mac and cheese). We also had Fried Brussels Sprouts, which was phenomenal. Everything was delicious. The food was made fresh to order, so it can take a little while so plan ahead. It's worth the wait. The restaurant is clean and the corner we sat in was veryyy comfy. Above all, was truly our experience with Tiffany. She was so patient with us and made us feel so welcome from the moment we crossed the threshold. I loved her honesty and she gave us fantastic recommendations. She even went out of her way to make sure our kiddos each got stickers which they were so happy about. We are looking to coming back up in the near future!! Thank you Marinade on Main and Tiffany! read more

Wow! Excellent farm to table california cuisine with spectacular service. Isabella was super helpful and friendly. Background music was excellent. Their beer selection was great, including a sour! Fried Brussel Sprouts Appetizer and Mac & Cheese were outstanding. It's a mellow place, not ideal for kids. Perfect for couples. We'll be eating there every time we're in Ramona! read more

Our server was amazing! His name is Tom. He handled our very large party with such grace and excellent customer service. The food was amazing also! What a great find in Ramona. Marinade is located on Main Street near all the antique shops & stores. The staff welcomed us with smiling faces. It really set us in a good mood. They also have a nice succulent display on the side and in front of the entrance. Will definitely come back again. read more

Marinade On Main - Breakfast Sandwich - American Near Me - Ramona, California

See all

Holy cow, what an awesome find in Ramona! Called the day of and we were able to snag a reservation for four adults and one toddler and thank goodness we did. When we showed up at 530p, there was a line out the door. They honor our reservations and we were seated right away. The service was friendly and quick. Sure accommodating to our hangry little one. The food was delicious. We loved it all, from our sweet potato salad, grass fed burger, tasty mac and cheese, crispy Brussel sprouts, salmon, it was all a hit! The ambiance is homey and feels like a farm vibe. They don't have a full liquor license. I'd recommend sticking to their beer and wine menu. Definitely will be back! read more

The food is great, the service is great and the restaurant itself is cozy and has a country feel. I'm local and go here a few times a month. One of my favorite places to eat read more

I think the food was very satisfying, friendly staff there were excellent I would recommend this restaurant highly to my family and friends. I definitely recommend trying the cheesecake. It was delicious. read more

Marinade On Main - Raspberry cheesecake - American Near Me - Ramona, California

Marinade on Main is one of our two favorite places for a killer dinner or a date night. Their menu always delivers for some great options, and usually changes on a regular basis. We love to open things up with the Charcuterie & Cheese board, and the Signature Burger will not disappoint. I will say that with the world being with it is, there are some shortages for supplies, so they were out of things, but that is becoming an unfortunate norm for a lot of businesses. Nothing that is really within their control on that. read more

This place was beyond words amazing. Drove out from LA because we heard of the awesome reviews. The meat was amazingly tender juicy and flavorful. We had a burger and a ribeye. 10 out 10!!!! Highly highly highly recommend this place!!! read more

Marinade On Main - An amazing charcuterie plate! - American Near Me - Ramona, California

We stopped by for a breakfast on our way back down to San Diego on Sunday. SERVICE - The moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were immediately ignored. We stood there for a moment and once they noticed the door was opened behind us, someone said "Can you close the door so the ac can stay inside please?" Once we closed the door, someone came up to us and said "How may I help you?". That was a bit strange because it did not feel welcoming. We let her know we were interested in eating there and she told us it would be a few min for a table since someone was getting their to go boxes. We waited for about 10min and then sat down. Once we sat down, they brought us water and said our waiter would be right with us. J came and took our order. We sat there for about 30 minutes with no food in sight. No one stopped at the table to check in. We had to flag down a waitress to ask about our food. She said she would go to the kitchen to check. 5min passed and she did not come out. We had to flag J down and asked him about our food. He came out and said "I just asked the cooks and I quote, they said 'it's in there' so I think your food is getting there". The waitress finally came out a few min after J and said "the cooks told me 4 to 3 more mins". It took another 15min for our food to come out. FOOD Biscuit Flight - This was soft and fluffy. The butters were interesting. Unique flavors but we would have preferred regular. Pork Chilaquiles - This was the table's favorite as the chip were still crispy. Pork was plentiful. Pork Skillet - This was very dry. It was missing a sauce that tied everything together. Cinnamon French Toast - Thick yet moist. It was not too dense so we enjoyed it. Bacon Benedict - They cooked scrambled eggs instead of sunny side so that was incorrect. It was not really a Benny. More so a biscuit w scrambled eggs and bacon on top. Pretty sad about this dish. At the end of the meal, J came by and we asked for our check. He conveniently already had it in his hand. He said to us "It looks like I wrote scrambled eggs for the Benedict. But, it looks like you guys ate it so you must have liked it". Just because we took a few bites from it does not mean we liked it. We were simply letting them know our order was incorrect but he made it seem like it was fine that they made the mistake because we ate it anyways. The entire experience from the beginning was very upsetting. The food was okay but absolutely not worth the wait. The staff here were rude. They need to train their staff to have better customer service. read more

Marinade on Main is fantastic! We made a reservation for dinner and it was delicious. My husband ordered the tri tip special and really enjoyed it. He also said that the Brussels sprouts (appetizer) were the best he has ever eaten. I had the fried chicken and it was delicious! The staff was really friendly and professional. The restaurant itself has a very airy, clean, modern country feel. The only con was that it was really cold in the restaurant and it made the food get cold faster. They also serve lunch and brunch, and have kids menus for both. We will definitely be back. read more

See all

I've been here for lunch and breakfast and every single thing I've tried has blown my mind. I sit and think about their tomato soup and grilled cheese some days because it was so good. Staff is sweet and I really love the bright open country aesthetic. This is a place I like to bring people when they visit Ramona to show them how nice it is out here. It's the absolute first recommendation I have when anyone asks where to eat here. read more

First time in Ramona let alone this nice restaurant. Lunchtime!!!!! Started with a 1/2 order of brussel sprouts. Have to say this is a knockout dish. Mixed with soy sauce and vinegar topped with thin slices of parmesan cheese (not powder but real cheese). A whole order can be a meal in itself. Decided to order the fried chicken. Have to say the batter was really tasty with a touch of garlic and pancake taste. The chicken was cooked just right as the juices just flowed from the white meat. And you know if you overcook chicken, white meat dries out. The coleslaw was tantalizing while the corn was sweet and tender cooked on a bbq grill. Definitely a small town, locals, type restaurant. Service is good, but had to flag down the server a couple of times. For the price, it's good. Highly recommend visiting at least once when in Ramona. Would not travel just to eat here, but would definitely eat here again when in town. Happy Eating and Fight On! read more

See all

My friend and I went here the other night. I was excited to have my friend try their food. I have eaten here two times before and the food was amazing. We both ordered salads, I had grilled chicken on mine which was so dry it was hard to cut with a sharp knife. My water was refilled but they didn't refill my friends water until the end of the meal. I will give this place one more try. But unfortunately disappointed this time. read more

I called in an order at 4:30 they told me to allow 25 minutes so I showed up at five, and sat down at the bar where all the servers were. They all looked at me, but no one would say anything to me. I watched people from other tables get up get their own napkins, and ketchup without the three servers addressing them. After ten minutes they asked me if I had been helped yet I said no I have a order to go, and gave them my name, keep in mind my order should have been ready fifteen minutes ago. A couple minutes later the server came and asked me what I ordered because there was nothing ready. This was the first chance I have gave them in two years for the same bad service and food at that time. I've lived here for 30 years why in the last three years do I have to shop and eat in Poway or Escondido to get service. NO STARS BUT I CAN'T POST WITHOUT ONE! read more

Wonderful meal, fantastic service (by Tiffany) and great ambiance. We love this place and drive an hour to enjoy the one of a kind 10 out of 10 culinary experience. read more

Absolutely LOVED this place!!! Super cute restaurant with wonderful service and delicious food. The cáptese grilled cheese was AMAZING!!!.... best grilled cheese I've ever had! The turkey focaccia was delicious and the fries too!! Everything we had was delicious... very fresh and home cooked meals. Will definitely be returning to try more items from the menu. read more

See all

We went there for the brunch menu. Food is quite good and portions are large. The only downside is the "country potatoes." They lack taste and are the driest potatoes I've every had. Too bad they don't serve grits. read more

Best place to eat in Ramona. The hamburger is consistently the best I've had. Nice fresh salads with homemade dressings. The fried chicken breast was lovely and perfectly cooked. A lot of great new places fall off in quality or service but Marinade has been delish and welcoming consistently. Be prepared to wait!! Everything is made fresh and with care. Don't go if you are looking for fast food. As with every restaurant, I wish people would leave their "comfort" dogs at home or outside inconsideration of other guests who have severe allergies. This is t the restaurants fault but there are health department standards for good reason. read more