El Torito Thousand Oaks Served Its Last Burrito on Tuesday, January 24th

It is with sadness to report that the Thousand Oaks El Torito on Moorpark Road (adjacent to Janss Marketplace) closed its doors last night, Tuesday, January 24th. El Torito has been in town ever since I've lived in the Conejo Valley in 1993 and has been a margarita mainstay for many. We're sorry for the employees and wish you well in quickly finding new jobs. In fact, check out one of these many recent/upcoming new restaurant openings around town.

There are** two other El Toritos in Ventura County in Oxnard and Simi Valley. For more information, visit www.eltorito.com.

** Update: WERE. The Oxnard and Simi Valley locations subsequently closed in 2016 and 2018, respectively.

Thousand Oaks Acorn Reports Greenhouse Cafe Closed Its Doors on 12/31/11

This article in today's Thousand Oaks Acorn written by former editor Steve Holt notes that the Greenhouse Cafe in Thousand Oaks (near the corner of Moorpark and Janss Roads) closed its doors on December 31, 2011. Though I have not independently confirmed this, I can confirm that their phone has been disconnected. The Greenhouse Cafe has operated in Thousand Oaks for over 27 years. Never is good news to hear about a long-time restaurant closing. We wish the best to those who worked there.

Baja Fresh Newbury Park Location Closed as of Tuesday, January 10th

Several CVG Facebook followers indicated last night that Baja Fresh located at The Village at Newbury Park on Broadbeck Drive had an eviction notice on the door.  I'm sad to say that Baja Fresh Newbury Park is now Buh Bye Fresh effective yesterday, January 10th.

We hope and trust that the employees of this location quickly find jobs elsewhere. In fact, I noticed there was a "we're hiring" sign at Presto Pasta a few doors away.

There are 10 other Baja Fresh locations in and around the Ventura County, including Camarillo (2), Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Simi Valley (2), Oxnard, Ventura and Calabasas. Visit www.bajafresh.com for more information.

But what makes this particularly sad from a nostalgia perspective because the very first Baja Fresh location opened in Newbury Park in 1990, at the corner of Wendy and Kimber. Ultimately that location moved over to Broadbeck Drive. So this marks the first time in 22 years that Newbury Park is without a Baja Fresh.

It is not surprising to me that this location is closed, given it is across the parking lot from a newer Chipotle and a Rubios, El Pollo Loco and Taco Bell are all within a few blocks of this location, not to mention a Sharky's in Newbury Park. Lots of competition for Mexican food.

Nate 'n Al Deli in Thousand Oaks Closed Its Doors at Lunchtime Today

Sad news. Nate 'n Al Deli at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks closed its doors at lunchtime today. Nate 'n Al, a legendary deli that has run a successful location in Beverly Hills since 1945, opened this Thousand Oaks location in November 2009 in the space previously occupied by a sushi restaurant. Recently, under new management, Nate 'n Al ran a popular Sunday brunch.

Sorry to see you close your doors, Nate 'n Al Thousand Oaks. And to your staff, best wishes in finding new local jobs. In fact, click here for some recent new restaurant openings around the county.

Lamppost Pizza Newbury Park Closing Its Doors December 4th

Well this is sad news. One of the more popular venues for hanging out after kids' sports games will be closing its doors permanently on Sunday, December 4, 2011. Lamppost Pizza has been a Newbury Park mainstay for as long as I can recall (and I've been in the Conejo Valley for 18 years) but apparently the economy has taken its toll as they announced their closing on their Facebook page 2 days ago. I always enjoy(ed) Lamppost, even when I have to deal with kids nagging me for quarters for the little toy machines.

Lamppost Newbury Park will close its doors for good at 10PM that night, according to a worker there. Their address is 2160 Newbury Road. Phone is 805.499.0303.

But the owners said that the Oak Park location (corner of Lindero and Kanan) will remain open. I actually like that location better. Their number is 818.879.2195. 

There are now actually 28, well, soon to be 27, Lamppost locations in California and Reno, Nevada. Other Ventura County locations managed by other owners include Moorpark and Simi Valley.

Jack's Deli in Westlake Village Closed Its Doors Yesterday

Jack's Deli in Westlake Village closed its doors yesterday, Sunday, November 20th. It has been a Westlake Village mainstay since opening its doors in 1976. Though in recent years I didn't eat there often due to the location of my day job, I frequented Jack's for a number of years and always enjoyed the food there. Jack's joins Roxy's Deli as an alumnus in the Conejo Valley ex-Restaurant Club. Both will be missed.

Ventura County Star Says Thousand Oaks Chili's Closed Its Doors on November 14th

On Friday, November 11th, the VC Star reported that Chili's Thousand Oaks, located at The Promenade at Westlake, has closed its doors effective today, November 14th, after serving lunch. This can be confirmed by the lack of a Chili's Thousand Oaks location on the Chili's website tonight.

The article states that most of the 50 employees are being offered jobs at other local locations in Newbury Park, Oxnard, Simi Valley and West Hills. The Newbury Park location on Newbury Road, near In N Out Burger, is only 6 miles from the Thousand Oaks location.

So this is a primo spot if you ask me, right at the juncture of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Boulevards. Hopefully we'll see a new restaurant in there soon. Who knows, maybe another Hooters (ha ha).

Terri's Cafe in Agoura Hills is Closed

While stopping by one of my favorite local running shoes, Future Track, I noticed "Available" signs posted on the windows of Terri's Cafe, 30135 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills. Apparently Terri's Cafe has been closed for awhile, maybe a few months or so. That is too bad, as I know several people who enjoyed the place (though apparently didn't eat there often enough to keep them in business). I peeked inside and it appears everything is still inside the restaurant, tables, signs, etc.

Across the parking lot of course is the newly opened The LAB Brewing Company. I stopped inside and it does look nice in there, with its own microbrewery.