For Ramona couple Michael and Katie Skahan, the 2026 Taste of Ramona offered a chance to meander through town and sample food at nearly two dozen venues.
“It’s great because we can walk to everything and get a taste of 20 different things,” said Michael Skahan.
Katie Skahan particularly enjoyed the shrimp bisque soup at Rachel’s Cafe and Eatery and the oatmeal cream cookie served by Wild Hearts Bakery in Ramona Town Hall.
“This was my first time here,” she said. “I loved it. I would love to see it continue to grow and become a bigger annual tradition. It’s nice to get out and walk around town.”
Julie Gallant
From left, Mackenzie Mahaffey, her fiancé Travis Stevens and mom Laurie Stevens returned to Taste of Ramona to sample food on a family outing. (Julie Gallant)
Julie Gallant
Longtime Ramona resident Mindy Waldhauser had a mix of sweet and savory bites during Taste of Ramona. (Julie Gallant)
Julie Gallant
Ramona Cafe crew setting out samples of the restaurant’s famous cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy are, from left, Cory Gilbreath, Jorge Zacarias and Ulises Cruz. (Julie Gallant)
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Julie Gallant
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From left, Mackenzie Mahaffey, her fiancé Travis Stevens and mom Laurie Stevens returned to Taste of Ramona to sample food on a family outing. (Julie Gallant)
Mindy Waldhauser, a Ramona resident of 32 years and a Taste of Ramona veteran, said she usually begins her tasting tour at the start of the event from Ramona Family Naturals Market.
“There were so many places to eat this year,” Waldhauser said of the 12th annual event.
Her favorites this year were La Cocina Mexican Restaurant’s chicken flautas with guacamole, Ramona Cafe’s biscuits and gravy with their popular cinnamon roll on the side, and Sweet G’s Confectionaries’ salted caramel cake pops for dessert.
“They’re the size of a marble but they’re very delicious,” she said.
Julie Gallant
Sue Robinson, co-owner of Correcaminos Vineyard in Ramona, poured wines at Red, Whites & Brews during the Taste of Ramona event. (Julie Gallant)
Julie Gallant
Pamo Valley Winery on Main Street served a variety of wines while partnering with Toothacre Ranch Olive Oils serving Tapenades and olive oils during Taste of Ramona. (Julie Gallant)
Julie Gallant
Rachel’s Cafe and Eatery served a shrimp bisque soup with a lemon bar at the Taste of Ramona event. (Julie Gallant)
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Julie Gallant
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Sue Robinson, co-owner of Correcaminos Vineyard in Ramona, poured wines at Red, Whites & Brews during the Taste of Ramona event. (Julie Gallant)
Laurie Stevens said she’s attended Taste of Ramona twice and is ready to make it an annual tradition.
“I just can’t wait to come back every year,” the Ramona resident said. “It is a fun time with friends and family.”
Stevens took the tour with her son, Travis Stevens, and his fiancée, Mackenzie Mahaffey.
“We’re going to do this every year,” she said. “We get to see people who live here who we haven’t seen in years because we have all day to spend on it.”
Mahaffey said this was her fourth year participating in Taste of Ramona. Last year, she enjoyed the chocolate eclairs at D’Carlos Restaurant, she said. This year her favorite was a bowl of pork and bacon with a side of barbecue sauce at the Mar & Ember food truck parked near Reds, Whites & Brews. She topped it off by sampling Alexis’ Cakery’s six different types of cakes.
“For $25 per person it’s a really good deal,” Mahaffey said.