Harold's House of Omelettes Has Served the Conejo Valley Since 1961 (Now Bo's House of Omelettes & Waffles)

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UPDATE: Harold’s closed its doors on May 7, 2021, but was subsequently acquired and reopened in February 2022 as Bo’s House of Omelettes & Waffles. Open 7 days a week, 7 am to 3 pm. houseofomelettesto.com

Harold's House of Omelettes opened its doors to the hungry citizens of Thousand Oaks, before Thousand Oaks was even a city of its own, on January 19, 1961. Harold's has the distinction as the oldest restaurant in the Conejo Valley - a distinction previously held by Lupe's Mexican Restaurant, which originated in 1947 and closed in August 2016.

Harold's is located at 2440 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard in the Camelot Plaza, directly across from Thousand Oaks Toyota, and has been there for some time.

The eatery was originated by its namesake, Harold Warner, who was born in Green Bay, moved to the west coast in 1949, where he became a chef at Du-pars restaurant at Hollywood and Vine. He moved to Thousand Oaks to work at the new Du-par's Thousand Oaks. Instead of that, he opened Harold's House of Omelettes and was the chef until the late 1990s.

Here's a photo from the Thousand Oaks Library "Conejo Through the Lens" collection of Harold's at its original location next to the Green Lantern Tavern at 1938 Thousand Oaks Boulevard (now occupied by Enhanced Landscape Management).

Harold's House of Omelettes and the Green Lantern Tavern at 1938 Thousand Oaks Boulevard (just west of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza) in 1962. Photo Credit: Pat Allen via the Conejo Through the Lens collection maintained by the Grans R. Brimhal…

Harold's House of Omelettes and the Green Lantern Tavern at 1938 Thousand Oaks Boulevard (just west of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza) in 1962. Photo Credit: Pat Allen via the Conejo Through the Lens collection maintained by the Grans R. Brimhall Library.

Harold's, also known as Herold's Restaurant, serves much more than omelettes (though there are 51 omelette varieties on its menu). Its menu includes hot cakes, crepes, waffles, Mexican breakfast and lunch specialties, breakfast burritos, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, soups and more.

To learn more, visit www.eatatharolds.com. Open daily from 6am to 3pm.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Comment on Their Favorite Local Hamburgers

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In a recent survey on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page, followers were asked what their favorite hamburgers were in the local area, including the Conejo Valley and adjacent areas.

What prompted the question was a 2017 Harris Poll EquiTrend® that concluded on a national level that the top burger restaurants in America currently are:

  1. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
  2. In-N-Out Burger
  3. Shake Shack
  4. Wendy's
  5. Culver's
  6. Whataburger
  7. McDonald's
  8. SONIC
  9. Smashburger
  10. Steak 'n Shake

Out of the top 10 above, burgers available in the Ventura County area currently include Five Guys, In-N-Out, Wendy's, McDonald's and Smashburger. 

We asked a more specific question - what is your favorite burger. A bit of a popularity contest. The winner, hands down, was In-N-Out Burger, with 39% of the vote. The closest competitor was Habit Burger, with 17% of all votes.

Five Guys is a much newer brand to our local area and thus I suspect only a fraction of folks that have eaten at In-N-Out Burger for nearly seven decades have actually tried a Five Guys burger.  It received only one mention in our survey.

Other eateries that were mentioned by 4-8% of commenters were Hook Burger, Red Robin, Stacked and Umami Burger.

Others mentioned at least once included BLVD BRGR in Old Town Camarillo, Twisted Oak Tavern in Agoura, P&L Burger in Thousand Oaks, BJs, Freddy's Steakburgers in Westlake Village, Finney's Crafthouse and Kitchen in Westlake Village, Grinder Restaurant in Moorpark, Dog Haus in Thousand Oaks, Wood Ranch BBQ, Lucky Dogs at Janss Marketplace, Smashburger, Winchesters Grill in Ventura, Little Craft Creamery in Thousand Oaks, the Scratch Food Truck, Fusion Grill, Vintage Grocers, Cheesecake Factory, Breakfast Cafe, Ranch Hand BBQ and Marmalade Cafe.

So if you're looking for a good burger, this list may come in handy. Feel free to comment on your own best burger in the local area.

Toppers Pizza Tops the List of CVG Facebook Followers in Recent Drawing

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In a recent drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page, we asked folks to comment on their favorite local pizza place in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. 

Over 50 pizza places were mentioned in 380 responses to the half-day drawing. There was a clear top choice - Topper's Pizza Place. 

Operating for over 20 years, with Ventura County locations in Thousand Oaks, Oxnard (3), Camarillo, Simi Valley and Ventura, Toppers clearly has a huge fan base. It received 143 votes, nearly 38% of all votes cast.

Toppers all the way! Love their combination pizza and salad bar! Plus their turkey and bacon sandwich is pretty darn good too. - Maria D.

But the beauty of this survey was to learn about other local places to expand our collective pizzeria universe. I for one have not tried all of the 50+ pizzerias called out.

Rounding out the top 10 most mentioned pizzas:

Fresh Brothers in Westlake Village! Pepperoni, pineapple and jalapeno! Their pizza is cut into smaller squares so I don't feel so guilty eating more squares ;) -Meredith J.

This next group of a dozen local pizza places had a solid showing, receiving between five and seven mentions.

After consuming all this pizza, you might think about training for an upcoming 5K, 10K, half marathon or marathon around town at THIS LINK.!

But there were dozens of other pizzerias mentioned that may be worth a look. Or taste.

Receiving 2 to 4 mentions: BJ's (deep dish pizza), Custom Pie (Moorpark), Butler's Pizza (Thousand Oaks), Tony's (Oak Park), Al Mulino Eatalian (Westlake Village), Draughts (Thousand Oaks), Farfalla (Westlake Village), Papa Johns (various), Jax (Moorpark), Pizza Man Dan's (various). Allegro Pizza (Thousand Oaks), Pizza Nosh (Agoura Hills)

I love the gluten-free pizza at Pizza Man Dan's in Moorpark. So good! -Chelsee D.

Other mentions included Spumoni (Newbury Park), Roma Deli (Newbury Park), Tonino's Place (Westlake Village), Palermo (Simi Valley), Little Caesar's (various), Tony's (Camarillo), Marcello (Thousand Oaks), Valentino's (Camarillo), Santino's (Ventura), Whole Foods, Stonehaus (Westlake Village), Guido's (Simi Valley), Boney Mountain Tavern (Newbury Park), Chuck E. Cheese's, Blaze Pizza (Oxnard), Pizzeria Bianca Russo (Camarillo), Blue Table (Thousand Oaks), Pizzeria La Piccola (Thousand Oaks), Brick Oven Pizza (Moorpark) and Domino's.

Cisco's, 3 Amigos and Los Agaves Top List of CVG Followers' Favorite Local Mexican Eateries

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A random, delicious looking burrito combo plate from an unnamed Mexican eatery (from the Conejo Valley Guide archives).

A random, delicious looking burrito combo plate from an unnamed Mexican eatery (from the Conejo Valley Guide archives).

In a recent drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page, followers commented on their favorite Mexican eatery in the Conejo Valley and nearby Ventura County areas. There were nearly 300 responses in less than a day.

We tabulated the responses and it was quite a horse race. But in the end, Cisco's, with restaurants on Westlake Boulevard in Westlake Village and Avenida de los Arboles (at the 23 freeway) in Thousand Oaks, was mentioned the most, a total of 32 times.

Close behind with 30 mentions was 3 Amigos, with locations on Avenida de los Arboles (at Moorpark Road) in Thousand Oaks and on Reino Road (at Borchard) in Newbury Park.

In third place was Los Agaves at The Shoppes at Westlake, with 29 mentions...oh so close to 3 Amigos. Coming in at #4 was The Alamo in Newbury Park, with 24 mentions. And, amazingly, but not surprisingly, Lupe's Restaurant, which closed its doors on August 29, 2016, garnered a 5th place sentimental vote with 20 mentions.

Here is a rundown of all of eateries mentioned by Facebook followers in order of number of mentions (when more than one eatery was listed, we tabulated only the eatery mentioned first).

  • Cisco's (33 votes)
  • 3 Amigos (30)
  • Los Agaves (29)
  • The Alamo (24)
  • Lupe's (20) (closed in August 2016)
  • Yolanda's (Camarillo/Simi Valley) (12)
  • Sabor (Westlake Village) (12)
  • Latigo Kid (Agoura) (11)
  • Los Dos Amigos (Thousand Oaks) (10)
  • Habanero Mexican Grill (Newbury Park) (8)
  • Bad Ass Tacos (Thousand Oaks) (8)
  • Don Cuco's (Simi Valley) (8)
  • El Sancho Loco (Newbury Park) (8)
  • Money Pancho (Camarillo) (6)
  • Sea Casa (Westlake Village) (6)
  • Plata Taqueria (Agoura) (5)
  • Margaritas Mexican Grill (Oak Park) (4)
  • Taqueria Jalisco (Moorpark/Simi Valley) (4)
  • Lalo's Mexican Food (Moorpark) (5)
  • Manny's Mexican Grill (Thousand Oaks) (4)
  • Patron Mexican Bar & Grill (Newbury Park) (4)
  • Snapper Jack's (Camarillo) (4)
  • Others mentioned 3 times: El Tecolote (Camarillo), Mariscos Cancun (Thousand Oaks)(closed in Feb 2018), Establos Meat Market (Thousand Oaks), El Tapatio (Moorpark) and Tacos de Mexico (Simi Valley)
  • Mentioned 2 times: Adobe Cantina (Agoura), Burger Express and Mexican Grill (Simi Valley) and Chipotle
  • Also mentioned: Somis Market, Antonio's Mexican Food (Port Hueneme), Taqueria Tlaquepaque (Santa Paula), Rosabella's (Ventura), Baja Fresh, Rubio's, El Pollo Loco, Cinqo, Ay Chihuahua (Fillmore), Tito's Mexican Food (Simi Valley), Mercado Guadalajara (Newbury Park), Campos Famous Burritos (Simi Valley), Luna Llena (Simi Valley), Los Toros (Chatsworth), Vallarta Restaurant (Fillmore), La Fiesta Mexican Grill (Moorpark), Sharky's and Los Arroyos (Camarillo)

Enjoy exploring this list of nearly 50 popular Mexican eateries in Thousand Oaks and neighboring cities.

El Tecolote opened its doors in 1948 and moved to its current Camarillo location in 1952.

El Tecolote opened its doors in 1948 and moved to its current Camarillo location in 1952.

Dorothy's Chuck Wagon Cafe Captured in Oil Painting by Local Artist, Linda Dark

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2022 Update: Dorothy’s Chuck Wagon Cafe closed in June. The building was sold.

Dorothy's Chuck Wagon Cafe is located in Old Town Camarillo at 2344 Ventura Boulevard, serving home-style breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday. Their phone number is 805.987.2167.

Linda Dark is an artist has lived in Camarillo since 1978. She enjoys capturing local landmarks in oil on canvas, including her latest work piece above. Check out her work at www.camarillolandmarks.com.

The Chuck Wagon Cafe has been here for quite some time. According to the Pleasant Valley Historical Society, the building was built in 1944 and was owned by Larry Logue, who opened Larry's Malt Shop in 1946. It soon became Carmen's Snack Bar, owned by Ed and Carmen Quinn. Dorothy Johnson took over as new owner in 1983.

OldestRestaurants.com has a compilation of the oldest restaurants that are still in operation at the same location in California. Dorothy's Chuck Wagon Cafe is one of the oldest eateries in Ventura County, following the Golden Chicken Inn in Oxnard (the oldest still standing restaurant in Ventura County; founded in 1929) and Familia Diaz in Santa Paula (1936).

Also on that list as opening in 1946 are Casa Escobar (which closed its Westlake Village location last Fall) and El Tecolote in Camarillo.

A more recent view of Dorothy's Chuck Wagon Cafe.

A more recent view of Dorothy's Chuck Wagon Cafe.

July to December 2016 Restaurants New and Restaurants Adieu in Ventura County

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Here's the latest compilation of restaurants in the Conejo Valley and throughout Greater Ventura County that opened, announced plans to open or closed during the period July through December 2016. 

(Click here for previous January through June 2016 activity.) Let us know of any we missed!

Restaurants That Have Opened Since June 2016

Restaurants That Are Planning to Open Soon

Restaurants That Have Closed Since June 2016

New Thousand Oaks The Habit Burger Grill Continues This Burger Chain's Success Story

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The Habit Burger Grill originated on November 15, 1969 at 5735 Hollister Ave, Goleta - a location that is still in operation to this day. The Habit is a fast casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing fresh, made-to-order char-grilled burgers and sandwiches featuring USDA choice tri-tip steak, grilled chicken and sushi-grade albacore tuna cooked over an open flame. 

The chain was purchased by a private equity firm in 2007 and subsequently The Habit Restaurants, Inc. went public with an initial stock offering on November 19, 2014, 45 years after its inception.

The new location coming soon to Thousand Oaks. Ever wonder why the "b" in Habit is slightly twisted? I asked. The Habit indicates it "makes it special and light hearted."

The new location coming soon to Thousand Oaks. Ever wonder why the "b" in Habit is slightly twisted? I asked. The Habit indicates it "makes it special and light hearted."

A new location is coming to Thousand Oaks at the former Famous Dave's BBQ location at 3980 Thousand Oaks Blvd. This will mark the 4th Conejo Valley Habit Burger location, including existing locations in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Agoura Hills. Additional Ventura County locations in Simi Valley (2), Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura (2).

The Habit trades under stock symbol HABT and currently is (as of December 20, 2016) at $17.30 per share, down 4% from its initial public offering price of $18 per share. That said, its price soared to close at nearly $40 per share that first day of trading, making it a bit of a terrible investment for those that bought after the IPO.

Stock price aside, The Habit has been quite a success story, growing to 160 restaurants in 10 states and opening new restaurants at the rate of over 30 per year. Total revenue for The Habit's fiscal year 2016 is anticipated to be in the $283 million range.

Photo courtesy of The Habit Burger. While my Habit Burger doesn't look quite this perfect, that's no big deal. It usually reaches my mouth before my eyes have much time to admire it.

Photo courtesy of The Habit Burger. While my Habit Burger doesn't look quite this perfect, that's no big deal. It usually reaches my mouth before my eyes have much time to admire it.

But back to stock price. For a growth stock like The Habit, timing can be critical. Let's look at an example. Over the last two years ending today, had you purchased $100 in McDonald's stock (MCD), the value of that investment today would be $131, and you would have received cash dividends of close to $8, for a total return of 39%. $100 invested in HABT would now be worth about $52. 

So while The Habit Burger may have been rated #1 burger in a 2014 Consumer Reports survey (and I for thoroughly enjoy the burgers and other menu items at The Habit), you don't necessarily always want to put your money where you mouth is. Or your mouth where your money is, for that matter.

To learn more about The Habit, visit www.habitburger.com.