The Ramos House Cafe in San Juan Capistrano

On a trip down to San Juan Capistrano with my son a few weekends ago, we came upon this little place down a gravel road called The Ramos House Cafe. Weren’t we lucky? The gravel road turned out to be The Los Rios Historical District and the cafe was a true find.

The decor of The Ramos House is hillbilly chic, with lots of rusted metal and patina. They even blast Woody Guthrie from the kitchen to round-out the whole “we’re hicks, but we’re cool” feeling.

We sat at a little table right next to the train tracks, which is considered live entertainment to a four-year-old. The wait staff was just how I like “my” wait staff–totally frantic. There is nothing that ruins my dining experience quicker than a lackadaisical, I’ll-get-to-you-after-I-text-my-girlfriend, slow waiter. I want my wait person to be stressed-out, whipping around the restaurant in a panic at the thought of a water glass being half-empty.

I was a waitress for YEARS, and that’s how I handled my tables. I want the same effort shown to me now that I don’t have to even think about “side work” or black tennis shoes ever again. (Though this staff was all Converse–another reason to like them.)

These gals were demented with frenzied servitude; mastering the “drive-by” drink refill, bussing each other’s tables, and buzzing around the kitchen like flies in a jar. I love that.

The food was excellent–fresh, original, and served in grand portions. Check out their weekend brunch menu here.

All in all, worth the trip and the cash you will have to throw down–at $30 a person for brunch. And make sure to tip big for that kind of service.