It’s been four years since I detailed my history with and love of train travel, and my first Lick the Plate Amtrak excursion to Los Angeles, to document the beauty of coastal rail travel and the glorious Philippe’s French Dip. It was during the train stop at the San Juan Capistrano Station that I noticed a charming restaurant right next to the tracks. I needed to know more; it was such an idyllic spot.
My research discovered it was the Ramos House Café, which sits in one of the most unique and historic locations in San Juan Capistrano, tucked alongside the train tracks and surrounded by preserved adobes. The building itself is steeped in California history and feels like a place frozen in time, not to mention the amazing menu.
I made plans for a weekday trip departing the Solana Beach station at 8:40 a.m., arriving in San Juan Capistrano at 9:32 a.m. with plenty of time to eat and do a bit of sightseeing before departing at 11:30 a.m. to be back in Solana Beach by 12:15 p.m. And of course, you can always take a later train back and make a day of it in this historic coastal community.
I prefer boarding in Solana Beach as I love passing through Cardiff and my street in Encinitas, plus all the businesses and restaurants up the coast in Carlsbad, Oceanside and Camp Pendleton. That’s when the trip gets incredibly scenic, with the train tracks putting you within feet of the Pacific and many surf spots up through San Clemente. Given that world-class scenery, I strongly suggest a west-facing seat, upstairs if possible.
Upon arrival, you simply cross the tracks, and Ramos House is right there, and it simply can’t be described in one word. Some that come to mind are charming, rustic, chic, warm, inviting and historic. If you can’t tell, I was smitten. It’s an indoor-outdoor space that is literally feet from the tracks, so it was heaven for a train freak like me.
I connected with Michelle Winrich, co-owner with her husband, Kris, before my visit to get her backstory, which is a good one. Michelle was born and raised in San Clemente and started working in restaurants at 15. Her first real restaurant home was the Ramos House Café in 2009, when she was hired by John Q. Humphreys, the original owner since it opened in 1995.
She started as a server, worked her way into a management role, and, with her husband, purchased the restaurant in 2020. One of those culinary stories I love to hear!
And as Michelle describes it, the location was part of the magic. The sense of nostalgia, the connection to the railroad, and the way it invites guests to slow down and linger. When trains pass by, it enhances the experience rather than interrupts it. It’s not something you find just anywhere, and it’s a huge part of what makes Ramos House feel so special and transportive.
Charm and an amazing location aside, there is some serious talent in the kitchen, led by Chef Leo Lagunas, who started at Ramos House in 2007. Chef Lagunas is passionate about seasonality and builds much of the menu around fresh ingredients. The menu reflects that balance — comforting, familiar favorites, some with innovative twists, alongside thoughtful seasonal updates.
As an added bonus, they have a full liquor license, so cocktails, beer, and wine are a fun option, with some very appealing reds, whites, bubbles, and handcrafted cocktails, including their famous Ramos House Vodka Bloody Mary.
That said, the aroma of their coffee was intoxicating as we walked in on a chilly coastal morning, and the taste backed up that fabulous scent. The menu is eclectic and divided between small and large plates. Scotch Quail Egg with Murdock’s Magic Mustard, Cinnamon Apple Beignets, and Grilled Oysters with Chipotle Bourbon Butter highlight that most interesting mix.
Large plates are distributed evenly across the map, in the best possible way. Pumpkin Persimmon Pain Perdu (French toast) with mascarpone and candied pepitas, Flannel Hash with poached egg, morning chubs (sausage) and chilis, Pulled Pork Sandwich with apple slaw and sweet potato fries, and Beef Stew with roasted root vegetables and blue cheese mash, to name a few.
After serious deliberation, we went with the Basil Cured Salmon Lox with toast points and baby herbs, and the Huevos Rancheros with fried poached egg, morning chubs, chilis, and flour tortillas. We were not disappointed. In fact, we were quite elated as they were the perfect dishes to share with the light and airy lox and hearty huevos … and the fried poached egg was a new and amazing discovery for me.
Sweets are represented nicely as well, and while we did not partake, they offer Warm Banana Berry Shortcake, Huckleberry Coffee Cake, Presley’s Girl Scout Cookie Ice Cream S’more and, of course, a Ramos 10-year Pinto Port wine to accompany your sweet delights.
Next time I’m going to make a day of it and enjoy some of their cocktails and wine on the train back as there is plenty to see and do in San Juan Capistrano.
So, between the glorious train ride up the coast, the historic and aesthetically fabulous restaurant, most excellent servers, and a menu that makes me want to keep coming back, I’d have to put this train plus Ramos House excursion in the top tier of overall travel dining experiences I’ve had anywhere. So yes, a wholehearted recommendation.
All the details at ramoshouse.com
