Folsom chef John Hornibrook is trading ticketed dinner theatrics for early‑morning comfort food, as he prepares to open Ramblehorn, a rustic mountain‑town breakfast and lunch spot in Pine Grove. The new project marks a pivot from his intimate, reservation‑only events around the Sacramento region to a more casual, daytime neighborhood hangout built around hearty, scratch‑made Americana and classic brunch staples.
Filed permits and early online listings suggest Hornibrook has already locked in a Pine Grove location and begun hiring staff, according to What Now. The team is recruiting full‑ and part‑time employees as it gears up for an opening that has yet to be officially announced.
Chef's background
Hornibrook built his résumé cooking across the Bay Area, Japan, Central America and Southern California before stepping into the executive chef role at the tightly staged dinner concept Mystique Dining in Folsom. According to Mystique Dining, he started his career in Stockton, working his way up from food carts and catering into full restaurant kitchens. His track record with made‑from‑scratch menus and event‑driven dining is expected to shape Ramblehorn’s scratch‑forward approach.
Menu hints, hiring and timing
Job ads for the new spot describe Ramblehorn as a “rustic mountain‑town breakfast and lunch spot serving hearty Americana comfort food,” with a business listing on Yelp tagging it as New American with a breakfast and brunch focus, according to What Now. The Craigslist job posting quoted by the outlet adds, “We can’t wait to open our doors,” and calls for team members who want to serve scratch‑made classics to a morning and midday crowd.
Why Pine Grove
Pine Grove is a small Amador County community along Highway 88 with a population under 3,000, and its foothill location makes it a natural pit stop for weekend travelers and locals alike, according to Wikipedia. With a relatively limited daytime dining scene, a chef‑driven breakfast and lunch restaurant could turn into a regular draw for residents and passersby winding through the Sierra foothills.
An official opening date and menu have not yet been posted, so for now the hiring listings offer the clearest picture of what Ramblehorn plans to be. This story will be updated once the restaurant announces an opening date and releases its menu.
