Primary Oven Handmade Bakery

This place just reopened in a new location. I’d never been before but my boyfriend said it was delicious. I had the meatloaf and he had the Dijon pork loin. The meatloaf was not bad but a little dry and lacking something. My boyfriend said his food was good. Heard the cook/​owner saying that she knows when her life is in chaos when looking at the menu. I guess that makes sense, the menu which changes every day was a little all over the place. The ingredients do all look fresh, and they use organic eggs.
I would recommend trying this place but go in with the expectation that it may be a hit or miss depending on the day’s menu.

I can’t add to the reviews except to say… flat out… bad ass GOOD! End of case.

When my mother suggested this place for lunch I was all for it. She told me it had a fresh menu and good reviews so I thought great we would have a excellent time. But soon after we walked it, I knew things were going to be quite different. When me, my mother and 1 year old daughter arrived the place seems cute with all the décor, art, etc. We ordered our food but I surprised to learn that they have no kid’s menu what’s so ever. That was fine with me because I could cut something of my own to give my daughter. Then I was very surprised to find out they had absolutely no highchair or booster seats in the restaurant and when I asked why they had no highchairs, etc I was given an attitude by all of staff. They said it was just the way they do it there and they had 1000’s of dollars worth of art work there. This restaurant is not family friendly at all. I felt like they did not want children there because they would not make accommodations for them. So we sat down and I had to bring the stroller in from my car so my daughter had somewhere to sit. We waited and got our food quite quickly. I must say that when I got my food it was not visually pleasing at all. But that doesn’t really matter to me as long as the favor was good. I think today I had one of the worst food experiences of my life. The chicken was almost cold and had no favor what so ever except the few red peppers and canned tomatoes dumped on top of the chicken. The chicken was sliced and in between there was raw onion chucks stuffed in the chicken. The side of potatoes were so raw and hard I nearly choked to death on them. The only thing I could say I enjoyed was the sliced of bread on the side which I gave to my daughter because they had no kids menu. To say the least, it was a horrible experience. I left hungry and unsatisfied with the whole thing. I would never ever go back there. Save your money and time! If you want to experience a REAL restaurant I suggest the Bonefish Grill they have a great atmosphere, it’s very family-​friendly, the staff is very professional, and the food is excellent.

I was expecting so much from this place because of loyal Unilocal reviews, but obviously because of my rating, my dining experience went foul.
Yea the building is great. The artwork is fun. The furniture: comfortable. But when i received a plate with a giant cube of food on it and a side of cold buttered noodles, i knew this would be an unpleasant meal. I got something called the Tower of Beef. I was expecting something dripping with cheese and rather lasagna like. It was more like a breakfast food, with veggies and random chunks of meat tossed in. It had a super flaky crust and to top it all off, it was cold! Ive had hotter food at Hobos. Anyway, Geoff got Chipotle Chicken. Horrible. Sour cream and spinach with slices of chicken. No spice, no heat, no nothing, just dairy. And cold as well. The side of little noodles was flavorless expect for an overload of herbs.
Completely disappointed. Was super close to asking for my money back. Left hungry and pissed. Never again Primary! No matter how good the reviews.

Friendly service, fresh bread and food. Great atmosphere. I will eat here any chance I get which isn’t very often since I don’t live in Ocala. I hope this place stays in business for the next 50 years so when I retire to the villages I have a restaurant with delicious fresh food to eat.

The food is fresh, different, and full of flavor!!! Awesome place for lunch. Different menu everyday… Never disappointed… Love it every time! Food is light but filling. Best orzo pasta in the world! The owner and staff are great! And great art displays. If I could give more stars, I would!

Went for lunch–
Premium Cheddar Melt w/​Rocky Mountain Bacon, Sliced Chicken Breast & Sundried Tomatoes; Organic greens and a homemade balsamic Vinaigrette.
In a nutshell light but filling with vibrant flavors. I only wished that it had a top slice of bread (think open face with the top missing).
Hummus: A little on the dry side but wonderfully lemony with immaculate flavors!
Ebony & Ivory Cake: Chocolate Cake w/​White Chocolate Mousse Icing
If I hadn’t been told the frosting was white chocolate, which I normally do not care for, I would’ve sworn it was whipped cream folded into pastry cream with a whisper of chocolate. Had this cake been served room temperature (it was cold) it would have been… UTTERLY PERFECT!
Although the owner/cook/baker’s preferred textures tend toward the dry side (usually); you cannot second guess her palate for flavors and sensibilities with sugar.
I stand by my 4 stars!

Other than the owner being an absolutely wonderful and friendly presence, there is only one thing to be said about Primary Oven… GUAVA STREUDEL!!! One of the most amazing things I’ve ever eaten!

Impressed. Really impressed. I would say this is probably the best restaurant/​bakery in town. It’s so unlike anything else in town. Whoever’s doing the cooking is serving healthful yet yummy food in a place that’s virtually been taken over by the Chilis, Outbacks, and Olive Gardens. Housed in an old stone building in downtown Ocala, the atmosphere was light and bright. The space also serves as a gallery on the second floor which is where the seating is located. I loved walking in and seeing the food being made in the clean, modern kitchen and being joyfully greeted by the ladies in charge. My mother, sister, and baby niece went for lunch and we each chose different things so that we could all have a taste.
Items taken straight off the Menu today:
Trainwreck Turkey Sandwich…“like no other, roasted right here, hand-​sliced and piled into killer bread with cranberry mojo and shaved sweet onion.” (I had this dish. The turkey was indeed piled into the amazing handmade bread and the cranberry mojo was dEElish.)
Beef & Broccoli Tower…“Layers of filo, sirloin, broccoli, onion, cheddar, all baked and melty. (My sister had this, it was like a pastry lasagna and was very comfort-​food like. She was very happy with it)
Spinach Streudel with «creamy herb-​studded cheese, shaved onion, sun-​dried tomatoes, and imported parmesan, baked to perfection.»
(My mother ordered this and found it quite satisfying)
«Real Crab Claw meat stuffed into a Vine Ripe Tomato, What else do you need to know? Crab lovers rejoice!»
Each dish came with a side of baked butternut squash. Really well done and a nice change from the usual side of greens.
Oh and not to forget the bread! yummmmmeeee…
This is a great place to stop in and get your morning coffee and pastry. We tried the apple streudel and brownie. Right on.
The menu changes everyday so check the website in advance to see what’s being served. They are only open Tues-​Friday from 6am to 4pm. Free wireless internet!
Hey Ocala, keep this place in business! It’s a real gem!