Huarache Xpress at the Simi Valley Town Center

Huarache Xpress opened at east end of the Simi Valley Town Center in March. A huarache (pronounced WAR-A-CHAY) is large, thick, handmade corn tortilla with beans inside, topped with things like onions, lettuce, meat (carne asada, chicken, carnitas, al pastor, chorizo, etc.), cheese, avocado, sour cream and more. Other specialties include quesadilla, burritos, tacos, enchiladas and more.

Visit www.facebook.com/HuaracheXpress or call 805.422.8858.

Surf Boba Opened Last Weekend at the Simi Valley Town Center

Surf Boba opened this past weekend at the Simi Valley Town Center in the former home of Jamba Juice (n the east end of the mall, across from Coconut Crab and California Pizza Kitchen), offering smoothies, frappes, milk teas, blends, wraps, sandwiches, salads and more. Learn more at surfboba.com.

Currying Flavors is Coming to The Shops at Oak Creek in Agoura Hills

Currying Flavors is coming soon to The Shops at Oak Creek at 29125 Canwood Street, Agoura Hills (former home of Fire Island Grill and Freebirds World Burrito). Currying Flavors indicates it will be introducing a fresh new concept in fast casual Indian cuisine - combining authentic flavors with modern style, and customizability with simplicity.

No functional website at this time but perhaps follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/curryingflavors1/ .

NOTE: Previously, we had noted that Currying Flavors appeared to be opening a location at The Summit at Calabasas. This no longer appears to be the case.

White Elephant Thai Cuisine Under Construction at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks

White Elephant Thai Cuisine is under construction in The Oaks mall, across from Forever 21 and near the Starbucks in the space formerly occupied by Deliteful Low Carb Restaurant and prior to that, Johnny Rockets. Stay tuned.

The Original Pizza Cookery Announced Today That June 3rd Will Be Its Debut in Thousand Oaks

The new The Original Pizza Cookery Italian Restaurant & Bar sign, adorned by fresh bags of brown mulch delivered by Lowe’s.

The Original Pizza Cookery, which on March 21st announced it would be leaving its home of 45 years in Woodland Hills for Thousand Oaks, noted on its Facebook page this afternoon that June 3rd is its official grand opening date. Doors will open at 11 am.

They also indicated there will be a delay in its liquor license to July, so no beer for you with that pizza, garlic rolls and Italian favorites until then. And breakfast will be available starting sometime in July also.

Location: 75 W. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, at the Best Western Plus Thousand Oaks Inn.

Sapientia Coffee Roasters Opening Soon in Oak Park

The former Green & Bean in the Oak Park Plaza (northeast corner of Lindero Canyon and Kanan Roads) will soon be reopening as Sapientia Coffee Roasters. Although the sign on the window indicates April 2019, I’m told that the latest target date is mid to late June.

Sapientia will serve up fresh-roasted coffee, single origin expresso-based coffee drinks, teas, fresh juices, pastries and more.

Stay tuned!

Thanks to Amelia S. once again for the heads up.

Pedals & Pints Brewing Company Coming to The Oaks Mall in Fall 2019

Amelia S once again gave us a heads up that something new is coming to The Oaks mall this Fall in the former home of Red Lobster in the east parking lot between The Olive Garden and Bank of America.

Pedals & Pints Brewing Company is a bicycle themed 10bbl brew pub, according to its Instagram page.

Stay tuned! Sign up for email updates at www.pedalsandpintsbrewing.com.

Black Bear Diner Simi Valley Anticipates Grand Opening in Late May 2019 (May 28th)

UPDATE: There’s a sign on the front door indicating they are opening on May 28th.

A clear indication of things to come at the future home of Black Bear Diner Simi Valley.

I’m not going to hold my breath on this date as we’ve been reporting on the anticipated Black Bear Diner Simi Valley since May of last year, but Black Bear Diner corporate offices indicates an anticipated grand opening date of May 27th for the new location at 2022 First Street, next to Smashburger, at Los Angeles Avenue.

While it may or may not be the exact date, construction is definitely moving along. And there are multiple bear sightings at the site. And lastly, Simi Valley is listed in the Locations section of the Black Bear Diner section of the site at blackbeardiner.com/locations.

Founded in 1995, Black Bear Diner is a fast-growing family restaurant serving home-style comfort food classics at over 110 locations. Breakfast is served all day, including omelettes and scrambles, classic 2-egg combos like chicken fried steak and thick-cut smoked bacon, pancakes, waffles and French toast and other items. Lunch includes burgers, sandwiches, salads and other specialties. Dinner items include a number of down home favorites like Housemade Meatloaf and Slow-Cooked Pot Roast, steaks, chicken and waffle, etc. Learn more at blackbeardiner.com.