D’Carlos

We’ve lived in Ramona on and off over the past 26 years. This restaurant is either spot-​on 5 stars or barely getting by with 1 star. The owners have changed hands and now the original owner has taken it back.
One of our favorite menu items has been Prime Rib Bones. The first time we tasted them (circa 1990) we couldn’t stop. We even ordered some to go for a midnight snack. Today I ordered some to-​go for my wife (disabled) and they were fatty, grisley and flavorless.
I ordered my favorite Lamb Shanks. They are out-​of-​this-​world delicious… accept what I got when I got home was a dry pork chop, no baked potato and a carrot and couliflower veggie mix that was over steamed, unseasoned and limp as a noodle.
My 89 year old mom and I ate-​in for lunch. She ordered a chicken breast lunch which was almost inedible. I hate chicken breasts because no one seams to know how to make one juicy and tender. What she received was a bone-​dry, unseasoned version of a Chickfila sandwich left out for a few days.
I do need to give props for the Ahi Salad. The dressing was wonderful. The fish was okay if you’re not familiar with tuna. The greens were crisp and fresh.
The restaurant was well decorated and the service excellent, however, we didn’t go there for service. Based on our dining experiences this place is over-​priced for the quality of food served. Ramona=Fine dining??? I don’t think so. I liked the ‘ol cowboy cooking.

Too bad the food does not match the ambiance. The place looks clean and has a charming western theme. Unfortunately, the food is bland and overpriced. Today was our third visit and nothing changed. $ 50 for my wife and I to get low-​end diner quality food. My ribeye was unseasoned, undercooked, and a low quality cut full of fat and gristle. My wife’s burger tasted like a grill that hadn’t been cleaned in a while. The burger was $ 14, and they used American cheese. Seriously, American cheese. On the bright side, service was prompt and our waitress was attentive, but that wasn’t enough to save D’Carlos from getting permanently crossed off our list of places to visit.

We stopped by D’Carlos for lunch on the way home from the Ramona Pumpkin Patch. This was our first time there. It was pretty slow that day and we were seated right away. We had few questions about the menu and our server was able to answer them for us. Although he was a bit of a smart ass. When we got our food everything was really good. D’Carlos isn’t that far from where I live so I will be definitely be back.

Ok a new restaurant open in town and we’ve tried it for dinner (with another couple) and again for lunch. Yes it is beautiful and offer some different twist on some mainstays. Now back to D’Carlos as a comparison… you can’t not beat D’Carlos for it’s simplicity in great sandwiches, a great piece of prime rib and of course the everyday specials. I love their salads my husband loves D’Carlos fall off the bone short ribs. Our favorite American Restaurant still remains D’Carlos!

Had a great dinner here tonight, our first time here. Great, friendly and fast service. Sat outside on the patio and enjoyed the lights and sound of the fountain.
Enjoyed the fried jalapeño slices which were not too hot… Had a generous 8 oz prime rib that was perfect. Only wish was that the horseradish was stronger… Everything was as described and we were happy that we made the trip from Escondido to enjoy it. Highly recommend!

I went for dinner with my family and was overcharged. When we brought it up to the wait staff, the manager was unavailable and the intoxicated bartender was unable to help rectify the situation. I have to drive back today to speak to the manager.
The food was mediocre and bland, the bread was okay and the vegetables that was served with the chicken dinner tasted like it was frozen for a very long time. I wouldn’t have a clue why they would serve a full course to a five year old.

Okay, I’ve been coming here since 2000. The service has been a okay. Tonight was crappy. Diana or Dianna was my server and she lacks customer service. I waited quite a bit before she came to get my order. She was not friendly. It was a long wait for my drinks, didn’t even offer if I want a bread while waiting or with my salad. I never had a Ceasar salad where it is not mixed with the dressing but okay. No silverware? Hmmmm… She was nowhere to be found. I actually have to go find a staff for silverware. The food arrived and it was okay. I have never seen my server came to check on me. The wait even just to close my tab was a lifetime.
FYI: It was not a busy night. I don’t think I’ll come back after this evening. I don’t recommend this place to anyone. The 1 is for the ambiance at the patio.

We love D’carlos! We recently discovered they have breakfast and have been back every Sunday since. The food is always delicious and the service is great!

Only my 4^th 5 star review! P R O P S
No wait and they had a booth available-​mashed back, so I need it, and no filth, ANYWHERE-​that I saw.
I ordered the meatloaf and it was fantastic, pretty quick and even the soda was awesome!
I can’t believe I saw no scum or filth ANYWHERE!
You guys rock. Hope it stays this way.

The food is ok, but not great for the price you pay. It’s a nice atmosphere for a romantic evening. Nothing to write home about.

My review is not really a full review, since I only came to the bar. However, the service was good, the environment was cozy, great for a date, or even to just unwind, and grab a drink. I can’t leave a review about the food either, since we just had drinks. Either way it is a place, and I will be coming back to try the steaks.

Nothing Special. …
Don’t be fooled by the fancy exterior.
Run of the mill food, lazy service, bar full of older people that time forgot. (It’s 2pm!)
It wasn’t horrible, it wasn’t great. .
For all this, it’s EXPENSIVE!
host was nice, waitress ok
Fries from a bag, overly fried chicken strips
Again, Nothing special
Spend your $ 40 lunch else where

Probably the best in Ramona… definitely the best steak… but they have a good variety on the menu… I prefer to sit in the bar since they always have sports on the tvs. …they also have a really nice patio with heaters and a fire pit. …staff always seems to be friendly… check them out your next pass through ramona.

Have always wanted to try this place since they seem to have a great clientele. We live up the block and finally went in. I had the ahi tuna salad and it was by far the best I’ve ever had and I can be a little picky. Laurie out server was really great.
Anyways I loved the salad so much that I sent my boyfriend to pick me up one tonight for dinner :) I’ll go there for ahi from now on.
The only bad thing which isn’t even bad was it was a little cold in there when we went to eat but I’m sure you can’t even feel it when it’s super packed. We just went when there weren’t many customers. But that’s just preference for me everything else was lovely.

We sat outside in the covered patio which had a very nice décor. The weather was warm and muggy, but the patio was surprisingly comfortable.
The bread was good, as were the appetizers. We ordered bruschetta and it was delicious.
I had a pizza as my main course and it was also very good. Some of the other food that my party ordered looked good, as well (but very rich /​hearty).
Service was good overall, there were a few moments where we needed drinks or our check, and our server was nowhere to be found, but we weren’t kept waiting for long enough for it to be an issue.
Overall a good restaurant if you’re in the area.

I had not been to D’Carlos in years, but recently passed through Ramona and stopped in for dinner.
They recently had a renovation and WOW! The place looks great!
D’Carlos has always stood above the rest in Ramona, but with this remodel it’s standing in a new class!
We sat on the patio which was completely redone, including a new roof, lights, and even a fireplace! We ordered martinis and prime rib. Everything was great. Excellent food, drinks, and ambiance on a warm summer evening.
Can’t wait to come back!

Me and my family decided to make the trek to Ramona this weekend to visit one of our favorite restaurants. Haven’t been to D’Carlos in years. First off the roads have been improved immensely making the trip more pleasant than we anticipated!

D’Carlos had a recent renovation, everything looked fresh! We sat on the patio since we brought our well behaved pug! The
patio is beautiful and the staff was very attentive as always. We started off with martinis and a couple of appetizers. The calamari and green beans were very good. Their ranch dressing is excellent. We had prime rib, strawberry salad, sirloin steak and shrimp scampi. Everything was delicious! We ended with coffee and a chocolate éclair that was to die for!
Yum! I wish there was a D’Carlos in San Diego!

Oh my high blood pressure! If you cant do salt do not eat here. I have the worst headache. The country fried steak was not what I thought it would be. The gravy was very salty and a very interesting taste. I was taken back by the potatoes I got a mouth full of black, I spit it out quickly to find that it was a dry rotted potato. I was totally done at that point. I will not be going back.
If anyone is thinking of giving them a try the service is really great, the bathroom was tidy but small, watch out for all the doors it is easy to get hit.
My husband enjoyed his prime rib sandwich. I really just felt the food was WAY to salty. my advice is put the salt shake down.

Took the family in on Saturday following a book signing and was VERY pleasantly surprised with the remodel. This has been a long time coming and it was WELL worth the wait. New signage, paint, and a much more updated appearance made the place a completely different experience.
I always get the prime rib, end cut, done Medium, and I’m never disappointed. My wife gets the chicken and the kids do well with the fish and chips or something else off the kids menu. Everything was cooked correctly and we had no complaints.
Specifically, the French Onion soup and our appetizers of Calamari and Sausage Dippers were all very well-​done and enjoyed by all.
The only reason I’ll continue to give D’Carlos 4 stars is their lack of draft beer. They have a «decent» selection of bottles and a full bar but they really need to add a draft system. There just is no reason that a restaurant of their caliber shouldn’t have at least 2 – 3 beers on tap. None. I would also urge them to expand their craft bottle beer menu, which currently is pretty much non-​existent. You live in San Diego County and have access to 60+ breweries. There just is no excuse.
Regardless, we’ll continue to come back and I applaud the obvious time and money they spent in «updating» what was previously and extremely dated motif.

I’ve been here a few times but this is my first time here since the remodel and I must say I was quite taken back by the overall experience!
First off, it’s much better lit than before and sports a cleaner brighter look now that the green carpet is gone. The booth seating is new and comfortable and the country motif is well done.
I had wonderful service from a waitress named Samantha and have nothing but good things to say about the hostess and other staff.
I started my meal with French Onion soup, which was fantastic. It was brought out along with some sourdough bread and butter.
My main course of filet mignon and mashed potatoes was perfect! And the onion rings it came with made me make a mental note to come back for those especially!
To pair with the steak, I got a glass of Brazin Zin and it was impeccable!
And to top everything off, I was pleasantly surprised by the 20% off I got from being there before 5pm! Definitely going back and bringing friends next time!