MRK is a hidden gem. If you are lucky enough to be there while they have the pastrami on the menu, you must try it. It is only offered for limited times so make sure to call ahead to find out the next time it is available. If you miss out on the pastrami, no worries they have a vast menu that is spectacular. The wings are a MUST plus the BahnMi sandwich.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J C
The grilled chicken and Tuscan toast was very tasty. The Tuscan toast was very flavorful. It just needed a dash of salt, which they have, you just have to ask your server for the salt and pepper.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cassidy Coleman
Wow!! These reviews don’t lie. The most flavorful and unique food in town. Our server Jessie went above and beyond to give us an exceptional service. Chef Rayne knows how to leave you feeling perfectly satisfied. No wonder this place is a local gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Short Rib Sandwich, Thai Salad, Chicken Wings
Natasha Guzman
My brother and I walked into MRK Public and were blown away from the start. The daily soup was a scratch-made jalapeño corn chowder topped with fresh cilantro, cotija cheese, and long, crispy house-made tortilla strips. The flavor was incredible—creamy with just the right amount of heat, subtle yet right up front.
Then came the short rib sandwich—DIVINE. The meat was juicy, shredded, and tender, layered with banana peppers, crisp lettuce, horseradish crème, and served on the most amazing toasted baguette with a bubble-crusted finish. Every bite was perfection.
The fries? Gorgeous—stacked high and garnished with care.
And the ambiance sealed it all in: a perfect surf-city vibe, fresh and upscale, yet still with the warmth of a weekly neighborhood spot.
This is a meal and a place I will not forget.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Short Rib Sandwich, Sticky Wings, Soup of the Day, House Burger, Daily Soup
jim hamilton
A good place to gather. Food, drinks, seating. I left you a San Clemente Downtown Business Association, SCDBA, Resturant Week flyer at the patio door. This was by request.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Short Rib Sandwich, Thai Salad
Cynthia Logan
Such a wonderful experience! So many options. Everything we ate was fresh and flavorful. Can't wait to return.
Aaron Lemle
Best restaurant in San Clemente
tarik hurmali
Fire ribs, great vibes till close.
Shawn “The Plant Gurl”
Best fried chicken sandwich ever!
Morgan Mednick
We love the fried chicken sandwich, pastrami sandwich when on special, dal makhani fries, Thai beef salad, everything is a win here. Great beer and wines. Casual setting post beach but also our spot for date night. Glad to have this in our neighborhood!
The best food and chillest vibe. The Steak Frites is 🔥🔥🔥🔥👏🏼
Jennifer Storm
Exceptional food and laid back vibes
Julia Roberts
Food was delicious! Recommend the fried chicken sandwich and the PEI mussels
Dawn Tappen
First time here. The service was great, and the food was amazing! We had the steak special with mac and cheese and a chicken sandwich! Greatly wine selections, too! Wish we lived closer.
Jill Adler Ski Play Live Publishing
Great little spot right off the freeway. Parking is a bit tight and I would think that on a busy night it would be really hard to find a spot and also to find a table inside. It's a very open space and even if you're sitting inside you feel kind of like you're sitting outside. Service was a bit slow because they were short staffed but the service we did have was very friendly. Although the menu is on the small side there are lots of great options what we ordered was delicious - a banh mi sandwich with grilled chicken, and hot chili brussel sprouts. The fries were cold and just okay.
MRK is a hidden gem. If you are lucky enough to be there while they have the pastrami on the menu, you must try it. It is only offered for limited times so make sure to call ahead to find out the next time it is available. If you miss out on the pastrami, no worries they have a vast menu that is spectacular. The wings are a MUST plus the BahnMi sandwich.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The grilled chicken and Tuscan toast was very tasty. The Tuscan toast was very flavorful. It just needed a dash of salt, which they have, you just have to ask your server for the salt and pepper.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow!! These reviews don’t lie. The most flavorful and unique food in town. Our server Jessie went above and beyond to give us an exceptional service. Chef Rayne knows how to leave you feeling perfectly satisfied. No wonder this place is a local gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Short Rib Sandwich, Thai Salad, Chicken Wings
My brother and I walked into MRK Public and were blown away from the start. The daily soup was a scratch-made jalapeño corn chowder topped with fresh cilantro, cotija cheese, and long, crispy house-made tortilla strips. The flavor was incredible—creamy with just the right amount of heat, subtle yet right up front.
Then came the short rib sandwich—DIVINE. The meat was juicy, shredded, and tender, layered with banana peppers, crisp lettuce, horseradish crème, and served on the most amazing toasted baguette with a bubble-crusted finish. Every bite was perfection.
The fries? Gorgeous—stacked high and garnished with care.
And the ambiance sealed it all in: a perfect surf-city vibe, fresh and upscale, yet still with the warmth of a weekly neighborhood spot.
This is a meal and a place I will not forget.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Short Rib Sandwich, Sticky Wings, Soup of the Day, House Burger, Daily Soup
A good place to gather. Food, drinks, seating. I left you a San Clemente Downtown Business Association, SCDBA, Resturant Week flyer at the patio door. This was by request.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Short Rib Sandwich, Thai Salad
Such a wonderful experience! So many options. Everything we ate was fresh and flavorful. Can't wait to return.
Best restaurant in San Clemente
Fire ribs, great vibes till close.
Best fried chicken sandwich ever!
We love the fried chicken sandwich, pastrami sandwich when on special, dal makhani fries, Thai beef salad, everything is a win here. Great beer and wines. Casual setting post beach but also our spot for date night. Glad to have this in our neighborhood!
Restaurantji Recommends
The best food and chillest vibe.
The Steak Frites is 🔥🔥🔥🔥👏🏼
Exceptional food and laid back vibes
Food was delicious! Recommend the fried chicken sandwich and the PEI mussels
First time here. The service was great, and the food was amazing! We had the steak special with mac and cheese and a chicken sandwich! Greatly wine selections, too! Wish we lived closer.
Great little spot right off the freeway. Parking is a bit tight and I would think that on a busy night it would be really hard to find a spot and also to find a table inside. It's a very open space and even if you're sitting inside you feel kind of like you're sitting outside. Service was a bit slow because they were short staffed but the service we did have was very friendly. Although the menu is on the small side there are lots of great options what we ordered was delicious - a banh mi sandwich with grilled chicken, and hot chili brussel sprouts. The fries were cold and just okay.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Banh MI
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