Places Where Kids Can Eat Free in Ventura County!

Here's a list of restaurants that have "Kids Eat Free" deals around Ventura County! These deals are subject to change at a moment's notice, so make sure to call the restaurants in advance!. Let me know of any changes or additions! Now let's go EAT!!

Added 1/31/11: For the month of FEBRUARY 2011, Mediterraneo at the Westlake Village Inn is offering FREE BREAKFAST for kids 12 from the Kids Menu with purchase of adult breakfast. This looks quite scrumptious if you ask me. Check it out! Call 818.889.9105 for details!

Added 1/16/11: We noticed the Carl's Jr in Newbury Park is offering FREE Cool Kids Combos all day on Sunday with the purchase of a regular combo. There are nearly a dozen Carl's in Ventura County so call your local one to determine whether or not they are carrying this deal. The Moorpark and Westlake Village locations did not have the deal when I called. www.carlsjr.com/locations

Added 12/29/10: Thanks to CVG visitor Wendy! SUTTER'S MILL STEAKS & SEAFOOD at 3885 Cochran Street, Suite A in Simi Valley offers Kids Eat Free ALL THE TIME for kids 8 and under. Dinners include salad, side and soft drink! Only $4.95 for ages 9 to 12. Visit www.sutters4dining.com or call 805.520.4797.

New 9/16/10: NATE 'N AL DELI at The Lakes in Thousand Oaks has a TUESDAY/THURSDAY Kids Eat

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California Pizza Kitchen - Another Good Choice for Kids

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) was founded on March 27, 1985, which makes CPK nearly 25 years old as of the day of this posting.  Nearly all of us have eaten there and have enjoyed their pizzas, pastas, soups, salads, sandwiches and other specialties. I can honestly say through the years that I've never had a bad meal at CPK.  My personal favorites include the BBQ Chicken Pizza, Chicken Tequila Fettuccine, Moroccan Chicken Salad and Sedona Tortilla Soup.  Food portions are always good, so plan to bring some home.

CPK has what I believe to be a fairly priced kids menu, with pizzas, pastas and chicken dishes currently ranging from $5 to $6, including beverage.  And desserts are only $1. CPKids menus is for ages 10 and under. You can also sign up the kiddos for the CPKids Birthday Club and they get a FREE meal on their birthday month! 

Visit the CPK website at www.cpk.com. Local Ventura County locations as of 6/1/12:

Simi Valley Town Center, Simi Town Center Way #790 (805.522.0030)

The Lakes at Thousand Oaks, 2200 Thousand Oaks Boulevard (805.777.1778)

Pacific View Mall Ventura, 3301 E. Main Street (805.639.5060)

CPK ASAP at The Promenade at Westlake closed its doors on 5/27/12 :<

Mexican Cuisine in the Conejo Valley and Surrounding Areas

There is no shortage of local Mexican cuisine in the Conejo Valley and greater Ventura County. Here are a number of choices along with opinions/observations when available. This list includes everything from fast food take out to sit down with a margarita, and everything in between. Only requirement is that burritos are available! Have an addition to this list? Contact us!

Adobe Cantina (no website) is at 29100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills (818.991.3474). CVG reader Stephanie says the Adobe is her favorite Mexican place in town and really loves the ribs and wonderful outdoor seating. I have been to Adobe Cantina many times over the years and my best recollection is the good margaritas and to relax outdoors there.

Agave Maria's is located at 106 S. Montgomery Street, Ojai (805.646.6353). This restaurant was newly renovated and re-opened in 2010, having been a Mexican restaurant since the 1960s (I believe it used to be called Antonio's Mexican Cantina). Have heard nothing but good things but haven't been there yet myself. Visit www.agavemarias.com.

The Alamo Mexican Grill is at 2311 Borchard Rd., Newbury Park (805.498.3115).  Also at 5617 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills (818.889.5092). Good, traditional Mexican food. This is a comfortable, casual sit down restaurant. Reasonably priced. They have been around over 25 years. Can’t go wrong there. There is also a take out window. You can get a full blown rotisserie chicken meal for your family for around $11 here. Can’t beat it. I’m getting hungry just writing about it. www.thealamobarandgrill.com (CLICK HERE FOR ALAMO DISCOUNT COUPONS ON BOGOPOD.COM!)

Baja Fresh locations in the area include 30861 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Westlake Village(818.889.1347), 595 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks (near Janss Marketplace) (805.778.0877), 888 New Los Angeles Avenue, 1-A, Moorpark (805.523.2143), 1464 Madera Road, Simi Valley (805.520.7301), 2679 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley (805.581.6001), 5021 Verdugo Way #101, Camarillo (805.484.6731), 1855 Daily Drive, Camarillo (805.383.6884), 23697 Calabasas Parkway #100, Calabasas (818.591.2262), 4726-2 Telephone Road, Ventura (805.650.3535) and 2350 Vineyard Avenue #1, Oxnard (805.988.7878). 

Baja Fresh is the granddaddy of local Mexican take out. It originated in Newbury Park in 1990. Today there are 300 locations around the country. I’ve always loved this place and I feel that I am eating healthy when I’m there. The kids meals are great…quesadilla, rice, applesauce and a drink.  www.bajafresh.com

Bobbi's Mexican Food is at 302 N. Lantana, Camarillo (805.484.0103).  I know people that swear by Bobbi's food and others that aren't as thrilled, but they have

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Eggs 'N' Things is My Personal Favorite For, But of Course, EGGS!

When I want an egg dish, the first place that comes to mind is Eggs N Things, not because the word "egg" is in their name, but because I LOVE THEIR EGG DISHES! Eggs N Things cooks up consistent, memorable egg dishes that keep bringing me back.

My personal favorite is the chorizo and egg dish. Savory, perfectly cooked every time. And I'm a sucker for their "O'Brien" style pan fried potatoes (one of many side dish options).

My personal favorite at Eggs N Things...chorizo and eggs with O'Brien potatoes.

But everything I've ever eaten at Eggs N Things has been satisfying. Burgers, egg dishes, pancakes, breakfast burritos and more. The kids meals are substantial and at $5.95 are reasonable deal, not to mention, are enjoyed by the kids.

And of course another unique aspect to Eggs N Things is their complimentary Swedish pancake before any breakfast meal. A small crepe with powdered sugar and jelly before the main meal. Basically their equivalent to the pre-meal tortilla chips at a Mexican restaurant. Don't bring your kids if you like these as they will eat yours. Mine do.

Who can't resist the scrumptious Swedish pancake at Eggs N Things!?

Incredibly, the original Eggs N Things opened in 1974 in the same building they are still located! Now that is staying power! I've eaten at the Camarillo and Thousand Oaks locations and there are other Ventura County locations in Ventura and Simi Valley, as well as Valencia. Don't plan on eating dinner at Eggs N Things as all locations close at 2pm.

More information at www.eggsnthings.net. Ventura County location specifics below:

92 East Daily Drive, Camarillo (805.987.4497)

2955 Cochran Street, Simi Valley (805.527.0055)

1542 Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks (805.497.1711)

4020 E. Main Street, Ventura (805.642.3190)

Daphne's Greek Cafe is Always a Good Choice

I really enjoy Daphne's Greek Cafe because I feel like I'm getting good value and the food tastes great and is healthy. My kids have enjoyed Daphne's savory fresh-carved gyros meat since their baby teeth grew in. We all like the rice and tasty pita. My wife loves the falafel, hummus and spanakopita.  The Greek salad is always fresh. We always feel full but not "stuffed" when eating at Daphne's. They don't overdo it. But if you have room, they offer baklava for only a $1!

We visit the Newbury Park location, where Niko, the amazingly outstanding manager has worked for many years.  This guy is "on it" - completely in control of that restaurant, ensuring customers are happy.  He is excellent at multi-tasking. He's taking orders while keeping an eye out on the tables, making sure everyone has what they need. They serve you the food at your table. I tried to clean off my table when we finished but he wouldn't let me!

This is "healthy" fast food. What I like is that I've NEVER had a bad meal here.  Very consistent quality. And the place is always immaculate...at least the Newbury Park location that I frequent.

Ventura County Daphne's Locations (as of February 2010):

Newbury Park: 1015 Broadbeck Lane, Unit F (805-480-0449)

Thousand Oaks: 265 N Moorpark Road, Suite A (805-418-1775) (Janss Marketplace)

Camarillo: 2390 Las Posas Road (805-389-0575)

Moorpark: 888 New Los Angeles Ave. Suite A (805-531-9310)

Simi Valley: 2667 Tapo Canyon Rd. Suite B (805-526-0450)

Ventura: 1708 S Victoria Ave., Ste B (805-477-0276)

Visit www.daphnesgreekcafe.com for more information and menu.  You can also order online for either pickup or dining there, which is pretty cool. Although I haven't used the online order system, it looks really easy to use.

Islands Restaurant "Gets It" When it Comes to Kids

I've had an Islands "Gremmie menu for surfers 12 and under" on my desk for 2 months as a reminder I wanted to write about this place.  Note that I had to look up what "Gremmie" is and according to Urban Dictionary means a "young or inexperienced surfer, especially one whose behavior is objectionable." The latter part of that definition aptly describes my 4 year old.

But I digress. We never go wrong at Islands. We being me and da boyz. The kids absolutely love the food at Islands and I appreciate the fact that it is priced right.  As of February 2010 most kids' meals are $4.99 (including hamburger, grilled cheese, quesadilla, hot dog and mac & cheese). The crispy chicken tenders are $5.99.

Each kids meal comes with a drink and fries. But the fries can be substituted with carrots AND applesauce, which I think is OUTSTANDING that they offer up this healthy alternative!  If the kids want fries, they share some of mine...the serving is HUGE!

To top that off, they offer up a $1.29 "jr. sundae" with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and a cherry.  Once again, Islands NAILS it because not only the price is right, but the serving portion is right!  Not too much, which I think is great.

Even the kids menu activities are perfect for the kids. My 7 year old enjoys the puzzles and word search games while the 4 year old busys himself smashing and gnashing his crayons the menu (and intermittently on the table).

Other than the great, cold, refreshing draft beer and the decent margaritas, I've tried and thoroughly enjoyed Islands' burgers (tried the Hawaiian burger with pineapple, terriyaki sauce and swiss and it was delish), definitely the excellent fries and the bottomless tortilla soup. I tried the fish tacos once and for whatever reason didn't like those as much (probably because while my head told me order the fish, my gut was telling me to go with the burger...note to self...go with the GUT).

There are currently 3 Islands in Ventura County:

Newbury Park, 935 Broadbeck Drive (Near Home Depot/Target) (805.498.7481)

Agoura Hills, 29271 Agoura Road (at Kanan) (818.879.8550)

Simi Valley, 1212 Simi Town Center Way (805.577.0693).

Visit the Islands website at www.islandsrestaurants.com for more information and a menu.