New Eateries Coming Soon to the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County as We Enter 2022

Here we are in mid-December 2021, 18 months into the coronavirus pandemic and looking forward to good tidings in 2022. Here’s a compilation of the some of new local eateries that opened in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas in 2021 and eateries that are anticipated to be opening soon in the new year.

New Eateries That Opened in 2021

• The Waffle Experience Newbury Park opened in June

• California Fish Grill Thousand Oaks opened in July

• Sweetgreen Westlake Village opened in August

• West Tasting Room Thousand Oaks opened in July

• Ma-Kin Vegan Sushi Agoura Hills opened in July

• Azuki Boba & Tea Westlake Village opened in September

• Chakaa Tea Cafe Newbury Park opened in September

• Viet Kitchen Newbury Park opened in October

• Maru Kitchen Westlake Village opened in June

• Nick the Greek Souvlaki & Gyro House Westlake Village in March

• The Bamboo Room Westlake Village opened in June

• Honeycup Coffeehouse & Creamery Newbury Park opened in August

• Valentino’s Take & Bake Pizza Thousand Oaks opened in October

• Pokitomik Thousand Oaks opened in November

• Cork Dork Wine Bar Westlake Village opened in May

• Angry Ferret Brewing Moorpark opened in late spring

• Country Harvest Camarillo opened in November

• Itala Bakery & Cafe opened at The Oaks in July

• Loru’s Cafe opened at the Camarillo Premium Outlets in November

• Sweet Lady Jane Bakery opened in Calabasas on November 11th

• Drive-through Starbucks on South Westlake Blvd opened in October

• M on High Street in Moorpark opened in late October

• Country Harvest Moorpark opened in June

• Naughty Pine Brewing Co. Westlake Village opened in late summer

• Wingstop Thousand Oaks opened in April

• Everbowl Westlake Village opened in June

• Eddie’s Grill Ventura opened in April

• Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Oxnard opened in March

• Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen Agoura Hills opened in January

• O’t Bistro Asian Comfort Food Thousand Oaks opened in March

• Agoura Wine & Beer Co. opened in January

• Furn Saj Bakery Calabasas opened in May

• Drive-thru Starbucks at Janss Marketplace opened in January

• Burnin’ Mouth Nashville Hot Chicken in Oxnard opened in January

• Dave’s Hot Chicken Port Hueneme opened on December 10th

Eateries That Are Anticipated to Open in 2022

• The Stand to open at former Pitfire Pizza Westlake Village location in early 2022

• Black Bear Diner Ventura to open in January 2022

• Encore Kitchen & Bar at the Palm Garden Hotel Newbury Park to open in 2022

• Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken Thousand Oaks in the spring of 2022

• Phil’s Restaurant Thousand Oaks

• Parma Pizzeria to open 2nd location in Agoura Hills

• Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern Thousand Oaks is “coming soon.”

• Caribbean Haven will be opening soon in Thousand Oaks

• Rose’s Garden Bar in Calabasas

• Amy’s Drive Thru Thousand Oaks

• Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers in Calabasas

• Clean Juice Superfood Cafe in Agoura Hills

• Mai Thai Kitchen in Newbury Park

• El Sancho Loco to open Westlake Village location in 2022

• Mad Era Brewing Co. Simi Valley we sure hope opens in 2022

• Crumbl Cookies Westlake Village

• Salsa & Beer Calabasas - not sure about the timing

• Harold’s House of Omelettes - closed but we thought they will be reopening - status TBD

Eateries That Closed in 2021

• Jessica’s Cafe in Camarillo (now Country Harvest)

• STACKED Thousand Oaks announced they would not be re-opening after 18 month closure

• Red Robin Thousand Oaks also announced they would not be reopening

• 101 BBQ Hut Thousand Oaks closed in the summer

• Draught’s Restaurant & Bar closed in August

• Le Pain Quotidien Calabasas closed in May

• Flame Broiler Newbury Park closed permanently

• Fierce Ave BBQ Newbury Park opened and closed in 2021

• Lemonade Restaurant Westlake Village closed in February

• Mimi’s Cafe Thousand Oaks and Ventura closed in February

• Mali Cuisine Thousand Oaks

• Prawn & Basil Thousand Oaks

• Pitfire Pizza Westlake Village announced they would not be reopening after a long closure.

• Hunan Restaurant Westlake Village

• Mejico Grill in Agoura Hills closed after suffering fire damage in February

Other New Businesses That Opened or Closed in 2021 or Plan to Open in 2022

• Five Below opened at Janss Marketplace in November

• Bowlero opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard in October

• K1 Speed Indoor Go Kart Racing Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park to open TBA date

• Agoura Farmers’ Market at Whizin Market Square Agoura opened in November

• The Disney Store at The Oaks Mall Thousand Oaks closed in September

• Office Depot Thousand Oaks closed in late summer to make way for a Grocery Outlet

• Burlington at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks closed in July

• Weekly farmers’ market opened at The Collection in Oxnard in June

• Wild Fork Meat & Seafood Market to open soon

• The Mighty Axe Thousand Oaks opened at Janss Marketplace in August

• Amazon Fresh stores coming at some point to Moorpark and Westlake Village

El Tecolote Cafe in Camarillo Captured by Local Artist in Oil Painting

El Tecolote by Linda Dark of Camarillo.

Linda Dark has lived in Camarillo since 1978. For the last 12 years she has captured local scenes in oil paint. Here is her rendition of the historic El Tecolote, located at 333 N. Lewis Road, in the image above. El Tecolote serves up delicious, authentic Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

According to the El Tecolote website, World War II veteran Mike Loza opened his restaurant in Moorpark in 1946. The owls occupying the trees surrounding the restaurant were the inspiration for the name El Tecolote (The Owl).

The cafe was moved to a small house in Camarillo in 1948. It was so small that a frustrated customer helped finance a move to its current location in 1952. The restaurant is now owned and managed by the Guardado family. Visit www.facebook.com/eltecoloterestaurant or call 805.482.4318 for more information. 

El Tecolate the night of Monday, September 8, 2014.

Neptune's Net and County Line Beach in Malibu are Local-Area "Must Do's"

Neptune's Net is a Malibu icon, located across from County Line Beach in Malibu at 42505 Pacific Coast Highway. Everyone who lives in the local area just has to experience this favorite eatery overlooking the Pacific. 

Originally built in 1956, the location of the fryer and grill have not changed. However, it was originally a gas station, real estate office and restaurant called "Panorama Pacific at Solimar" but locals called it Jake's Diner (after Eastman "Jake" Jacobs, its owner). In 1974 it was sold and the new owners renamed it Neptune's Net. The current owners purchased it in 1991.

Some of our favorites at Neptune's Net are everything fried (fish & chips, shrimp, scallops, clam strips and calamari), fresh seafood (lobster, crab, shrimp and oysters), burgers and more. Quite a popular biker hangout but at the same time, family friendly.

If you're newbie, check out the menu and then find the back of the ordering line, which often stretches back to the refrigerated drinks area. Grab your drink first as you wait in line. Order. Grab a seat, either in the front patio overlooking PCH, the side patio adjacent to the parking lot or the indoor seating area. Learn more at neptunesnet.com.

After (or before) you've dined, park or re-park (it's nice to clear your spot at Neptune's Net for other folks) your car across the street at County Line Beach, a casual, perhaps 1/3 mile stretch of beach surrounded by residences on each side.

There are no facilities at this beach other than three porta-johns in the parking area. No parking fees. 

County Line Beach is popular with surfers and folks generally hanging out and jumping into the water. There are some rocks to explore on the west side of the beach too. And well-behaved dogs can often be seen at this beach.

Rocks about on the west side of the beach, which stretches around to residences.

MORE LOCAL AREA BEACHES AT THIS LINK

The Annex at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard Features Eateries and Boutiques

If you haven't already checked it out, The Annex, located within The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard, is worth a visit.

This 16,000 square foot is home to a dozen micro shops, artisan boutiques and craft food and beverage eateries. Tenants as of April 2024 include the following:

• Bottle & Pint

• Burnin’ Mouth Nashville Hot Chicken

• Burrata House

• Love Pho Cafe

• PizzaMan Dan’s

• Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters

• Silverlake Ramen

• Sueño Jewelry Studio - handmade and custom jewelry

• The Blend Superfood Bar

• Tow Hands Corn Dogs

• Mong Q Mongolian BBQ (coming soon)

The Collection at RiverPark has become quite an incredible destination within Ventura County in recent years, with so many great eateries all in one place as well as The Container Store, a fantastic Whole Foods Market, REI, Target store, movie theaters, Levity Live Comedy Club and more. Quite impressive what they have done over there off the 101, Oxnard Boulevard exit. thecollectionrp.com

Restaurants New and Adieu in Ventura County During 2019

Here's a compilation of restaurants throughout the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County that opened, announced plans to open or closed in 2019.

Restaurants That Opened in 2019

• Tabu Shabu opened in Thousand Oaks in December

• Denny’s New Location in Ventura in the fall

• Dunkin’ opened in Camarillo in October

• Vegiterranean Kitchen opened in Moorpark in November

• The Habit Burger Grill opened in November on the Cal Lutheran campus

• Hummus Bistro opened in November in Newbury Park

• Top This Chocolate opened at Ventura Harbor Village in November

• Robeks Juice opened in Thousand Oaks in October

• The Nook Restaurant opened in Newbury Park in September

• West Village Cafe opened at the North Ranch Gateway in Westlake Village in September

• Boney Mtn Tavern became Boney Mtn Pizza Co. this summer

• Tarantula Hill Brewing Company in Thousand Oaks opened this summer

• Jack’s Donuts Thousand Oaks opened on November 9th

• Santour Kabobery opened in former Famous Dave’s Simi Valley location in September

• Barone’s Pizza opened 2nd location at Northstar Plaza Thousand Oaks in September

• Braxton’s Kitchen opened at former Breakfast Cafe in Camarillo on June 8th

• Historia Bakery opened in Thousand Oaks in October

• Ruperto’s Kitchen Mexican Food opened in Newbury Park in July

• Cafe Sapienta opened in Oak Park this summer

• Marie’s Cafe Simi Valley opened in the Sinaloa Plaza in August

• Namaste Spiceland opened new, larger location in Thousand Oaks in February

• Huarache Xpress opened at the Simi Valley Town Center in March

• Surf Boba opened in June at the former Jamba Juice at the Simi Valley Town Center

• Currying Flavors opened at The Shops at Oak Creek in Agoura Hills in August

• O-R Authentic Thai Cuisine opened at The Oaks Mall in November

• Texas de Brazil Churrascaria opened at The Collection in Oxnard on September 24th

• The Original Pizza Cookery opened in Thousand Oaks on June 3rd

• Black Bear Diner opened in Simi Valley on May 28th

• Matcha Tea and Boba opened at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks in June

• Tsuki Ramen opened at former Aroha Westlake Village in April

• West of Orleans New Orleans Style Takeout Cuisine in Newbury Park opened this spring

• Oak & Iron Cocktail Bar opened in Thousand Oaks this spring

• Ameci Pizza opened at the Westlake Village Marketplace earlier this year

• Seven Spice Kitchen Chinese Food opened in Newbury Park in the spring

• Jack in the Box opened July 3rd across from the new Lowe’s Newbury Park

• Vegan Thyme opened in Newbury Park in March

• Noi Due Trattoria and Pizzeria opened at the Agoura Village Center in February

• Made in Italy Italian Deli & Bistro opened in Westlake Village on March 4th

• Peet’s Coffee Westlake Village opened in April

• Sadaf Persian Cuisine opened in Thousand Oaks in February

• Dave & Buster’s Thousand Oaks opened on March 4th

• Chick-fil-A Simi Valley opened on February 21st

• The Cheesecake Factory at The Collection in Oxnard opened on April 16th

• Social Monk Asian Kitchen opened at The Promenade at Westlake on February 25th

• Novo Cafe opened in late spring at The Shoppes at Westlake

• Coaches Old Fashioned Ice Cream opened in Newbury Park on May 25th

• The Royal Egg Cafe opened early this year at North Ranch Gateway Westlake Village

• The Cuckoo Rooster opened in Agoura Hills early this year

• MidiCI The Neopolitan Pizza Company opened in Downtown Ventura in December

Restaurants That Closed in 2019

• Brendan’s Irish Pub Agoura Hills closed

• Subway in the North Ranch Gateway (TJ Maxx) Plaza closed in October

• Subway in the Simi Valley Civic Center Plaza closed in the fall

• Bubbers Bowls at The Shoppes at Westlake closed in the fall

• Greens Up! at The Shoppes at Westlake closed on August 1st

• Subway at Janss Marketplace closed in the late summer time frame

• Westlake Brewing & Libations closed in June

• SpireWorks Modern Döner at the Westlake Plaza closed in June

• Outback Steakhouse Thousand Oaks closed in June

• Baja Fresh Thousand Oaks closed on May 30th

• Poke Tiki at Janss Marketplace closed on April 19th

• The Grill by Green Acres in Simi Valley closed April 28th

• Go Greek Yogurteria closed at The Oak Mall this spring

• Maya Mexican Cuisine Thousand Oaks closed in the spring

• Great Harvest Bread in Newbury Park closed March 2nd

• Haagen Dazs and Cinnabon at The Oaks Mall closed early in the year

• Famous Dave’s BBQ at The Collection in Oxnard closed in January

• Sweet XO in Agoura Hills closed in January

• Rubio’s Newbury Park served its last taco on January 27th

• Old New York Deli Newbury Park closed its doors this summer

• Marie Callender’s Ventura closed its doors on January 13th

• Cold Stone Frozen Yogurt and SweetFrog Frozen Yogurt in Camarillo closed this year

• Smashburger Simi Valley closed its doors in mid-2019. It opened in March 2018.

• Cake Monkey Bakery Westlake Village closed in September after 13 months in business

Restaurants That Plan to Open Soon

• Tifa Chocolate & Gelato Coming to Oakbrook Plaza Thousand Oaks

• Amores Tequila at former Brendan’s Agoura Hills

• Cafe Rio coming to former Thousand Oaks Baja Fresh location

• California Fish Grill and “national coffee tenant” coming to former Hooters Thousand Oaks location

• Borderline owners to open BL Dancehall & Saloon in Agoura Hills

• Tifa is also opening a location in Calabasas across from The Commons

• Grabbagreen to open 2nd location in Thousand Oaks at former Rocket Fizz in 2020

• Cracker Barrel at the Camarillo Premium Outlets to open in early 2020

• Urban Vejjie opening soon at The Shoppes at Westlake in former Greens Up

• Mad Era Brewing Co. opening soon in Simi Valley

• Little Calf Creamery opening 2nd location in Westlake Village soon

• Pedals & Pints Brewing Company opening in former Red Lobster Thousand Oaks in 2020

• Farmer Boys opening in early 2020 across from Lowe’s Newbury Park

This is not a 100% comprehensive list, so feel free to report notable additions to us at THIS LINK.

Hang Out with Motorcyclists at the Rock Store on Mulholland Drive in Cornell

Located at 30354 Mulholland Highway, in the community of Cornell, the Rock Store is one of the most famous motorcyclist and biker hangouts in the world.

The "Rock Store," made out of volcanic rock, served as a stagecoach stop after the turn of the 20th century. Pittsburgh transplants Ed and Vern (Veronica) Savco purchased the building in 1961 and turned it into a grocery store. As the town grew, the Rock Store became a popular destination for motorcyclists, perhaps the most famous motorcycle stop in Southern California.

Stop by the Rock Store for breakfast, lunch and beer/wine, to see celebrities and hundreds of motorcyclists/bikers.

To get there from the Conejo Valley/Agoura Hills, take Kanan Road south just over 3 miles and take a left on Sierra Creek Road. Turn right on Mulholland, and the Rock Store will be on your left after about half a mile. Open 9am to 6pm on Fridays and 7am to 6pm on Saturday/Sunday. Learn more at www.rock-store.com.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Name Their Favorite Family Eateries in the Conejo Valley

In a recent drawing on the CVG Facebook Page, we asked followers to name off their favorite family restaurant in the Conejo Valley. There were over 300 responses in the two day drawing and of course we would love to share them with you here, in alphabetical order. Some of these eateries are not technically in the Conejo Valley, but hey, that’s ok.

Listed below are the restaurants noted, and the number of times they were noted. The most mentioned eateries were Lure Fish House, Stonefire Grill, Toppers Pizza Place and Country Harvest.

• Agoura’s Famous Deli

• Ali Baba’s Kitchen 3

• All About the Burgers Simi Valley

• Alpine Deli

• Ameci Pizza

• Bad Ass Tacos 2

• Bangkok Avenue 2

• Bandits BBQ 9

• Brent’s Deli

• Cactus Patch in Moorpark

• California Pizza Kitchen

• Carrara Pastries in Moorpark 2

• Casa Nostra Ristorante

• The Cheesecake Factory 5

• Chi Chi’s Pizza Simi Valley 2

• Chili’s

• Cici’s Cafe 2

• Cho Cho San 2

• Cisco’s 2

• Country Harvest 9

• Cronies

• Dave & Buster’s

• Don Cuco Simi Valley 2

• Draughts

• Eggs N Things 3

• Eloong Dumplings

• Figueroa Mountain Brewing

• Fusion Grill 5

• Habanero Mexican Grill

• Holdren’s

• Islands 4

• Janchi Korean BBQ

• Jinky’s Cafe

• Junkyard Cafe Simi Valley

• Lakeview Garden Chinese Restaurant

• Latigo Kid

• Lazy Dog Cafe 5

• Little Calf Creamery and Cafe 5

• Los Dos Amigos 2

• Love Pho Cafe

• Love Sushi

• Lure Fish House 11

• Made in Italy

• Marmalade Cafe 2

• Mandarin Bistro

• Marcello Ristorante 2

• Mendocino Farms

• Mika Sushi

• Minato Sushi

• Mission Burrito

• Mouthful Eatery

• Natural Cafe

• Nonna

• Nori Japanese Grill

• Olive Garden 2

• P&L Burgers

• Plata Taqueria in Agoura Hills 2

• Poke U and Me in Camarillo

• Pokeland

• Pookie’s Thai

• Ranch Hand BBQ 2

• Red Robin 4

• Roma Deli

• Sake 2 Me Sushi Simi Valley

• Sesame Inn

• Sharky’s 6

• Side Street Cafe

• Snapper Jack’s

• Social Monk

• Soom Soom

• Stacked 6

• Stella’s II

• Stonefire Grill 10

• Sumo Sushi 3

• Sushi Oaks

• Taqueria El Tapatio in Moorpark

• Taqueria Jalisco Mexican Food in Moorpark

• Tavern 101

• The Habit Burger

• The Original Pizza Cookery 5

• Thousand Oaks Fish and Chips

• Thousand Wok

• Toppers Pizza Place 9

• Vegan Thyme

• Wood Ranch BBQ 6