Chinese Eateries in the Conejo Valley

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According to a Pew Research Center study published in May 2023, some 12% of all restaurants in the United States serve Asian food, and 39% of those Asian restaurants serve Chinese food. Effectively, this means that 4.7% of all restaurants in the country serve Chinese food. Put another way, nearly 1 out of every 20 restaurants in the United States serve Chinese food, based on this study.

So let’s take a look at the Chinese restaurants serving us here in the Conejo Valley cities and communities of Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, and portions of Calabasas.

Color Oaks Chinese Food is located in the North Oaks Center at 1032 E. Avenida De Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks. It offers authentic Chinese food, with indoor/outdoor seating. www.coloroakschinesefood.com 805-241-7761

Dong Ting Spring, which opened at the Thousand Oaks Marketplace at 520 N. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park, in early 2017, serves authentic Hunan style and Szechuan style Chinese food. This might be the most authentic Chinese food in town. No website. See menu on their Yelp page. 805-262-0888

eLoong Dumplings opened in the North Ranch Gateway Center at 30843 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Westlake Village in November 2017. The owner is from the Sichuan province of China, which is known for steamed, savory noodles and dumplings. Indoor seating available. www.eloongdumplingswv.com 818-532-7668

Golden Dragon Chinese Cuisine opened at 2416 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks in 2013, serving Szechuan and Mandarin cuisine. Limited seating available. www.goldendragonthousandoaks.com 805-379-8858

Green Onion Chinese Cuisine is located at 30651 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Suite F in Agoura Hills (cross street Lake Lindero). Traditional Mandarin and Szechwan cuisine. www.facebook.com/greenonionchinesecuisine 818-707-6789

Hunan Yuan Chinese Restaurant has served Newbury Park since 1988 at 2160 Newbury Road, Suite E. They offer traditional Chinese specialties and have plenty of indoor seating. www.hunanyuan.com 805-499-9588

Imperial Garden has operated in Thousand Oaks since 1980 and changed ownership in 2013, located at 355 E. Avenida De Los Arboles, Unit C (cross street Moorpark Road). Plenty of seating available. www.imperialgardencalifornia.com 805-871-7116

Lakeview Garden Restaurant has served authentic Chinese food at 4703 Lakeview Canyon Road in Westlake Village for over 2 1/2 decades. www.lvgcr.com 818-991-3850

Mandarin Bistro in Newbury Park is located in the Albertson’s center at 501 S. Reino Road. It originally opened in the former Pick Up Stix on September 19, 2011. www.mandarinbistroto.com 805-375-1668

Mandarin Lotus Fine Chinese Fusion Cuisine opened in 1988 at 5015 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills (Agoura Pointe) offering a wide range of Chinese specialties, including plenty of vegetarian options. mandarinlotusagourahills.com 818-991-9831

Neighborly Curated Food Hall at The Promenade at Westlake opened in late December 2024 offers the Social Monk brand, which includes a number of Chinese dishes. beneighborly.com/menu/261857?type=social_monk

Panda Express locations in the Conejo Valley include the food court on the first floor of The Oaks Mall (805-230-2662), 2690 Teller Road in Newbury Park (this location has a drive-thru) (805-375-2737) and 1744 Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks (at Janss Road) (805-449-1882). www.pandaexpress.com

Pick Up Stix is a Chinese fast-serve eatery located at 2761 Agoura Road in Westlake Village. www.pickupstix.com 818-706-1927

Red Wok is located at 2368 Michael Drive in Newbury Park, adjacent to The Alamo, offering traditional Chinese food for dine-in or take out. redwoknewburypark.com 805-498-1301

Roast & Rice Asian Fusion Cuisine opened in February 2022 at 30990 Russell Ranch Road in Westlake Village. They offer Chinese specialties as well as sushi and other Asian options. www.roastandrice.com 818-699-6369

Sesame Inn Chinese Cuisine is located at 3327 Kimber Drive, Suite E, in Newbury Park. It has been there for decades. No website as of Feb 2025. 805-499-2800

Seven Spice Kitchen is located at 2454 W. Hillcrest Drive, #102 in Newbury Park, offering primarily take-out, though there is some limited seating available. www.sevenspicekitchenca.com 805-375-8788

Szechuwan Garden open at 779 Wendy Drive in Newbury Park in late December 2024. See their menu at www.szechuwangardenfastfood.com. Their menu includes all the standard favorites, plus dim sum. 805-262-2645

Vegan Thyme at 2247 Michael Drive in Newbury Park offers a variety of Chinese and other Asian inspired dishes, making it worthy of making this list. Plenty of indoor seating available. veganthymecafe.com 805-716-3088

Yunnan Restaurant opened in November 2022 at 668 Lindero Canyon Road (at Kanan) in the former home of Zen Garden. Plenty of indoor seating available. www.yunnanrestaurantoakpark.com 818-879-9888

Throwing in the Hot Towel (Chinese eateries that have closed over the years):

Chang 101 at 2024 E. Avenida de los Arboles closed in July 2016 after seven years in business.

Zen Garden at 668 Lindero Canyon closed in September 2022 after nearly 10 years in business. Yunnan Garden opened a couple months later at the spot.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Locations in Ventura County

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The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program recruits volunteer tax preparers to provide free preparation of federal and state income tax returns to taxpayers with incomes of $67,000 or less in 2024. VITA benefits these taxpayers by eliminating the cost of commercial tax return preparation and by securing valuable tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit and EITC.

Local VITA location sites are as follows (see this IRS link for details, including dates and times and contact information for making appointments, when required):

  • Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road - Wednesdays 10am to 4pm, 2/5/25 to 4/9/25. Appointments not required.

  • Conejo Creek South Park Community Building, 1350 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks - Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4pm, 2/3/25 to 4/15/25. Appointments not required.

  • Moorpark College - 2/1/25 to 4/30/25. Appointments are required. www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/business-administration/program/accounting/VITA

  • East County Job and Career Center, 2900 N. Madera Road, Simi Valley - 2/5/25 to 4/30/25. Appointments are required.

  • Oxnard College, 4000 South Rose Avenue - 2/6/25 to 4/30/25. Appointments are required.

  • United Way of Ventura County, 702 County Square Drive #100, Ventura. 2/4/25 to 4/30/25. Appointments are required.

  • Ventura Community Service Center, 4651 Telephone Road, 2nd Floor. Appointments are required. 2/1/25-4/30/25

Also see www.ventura.org/human-services-agency/tax-preparation

What to bring:

  • Proof of identification (photo ID)

  • Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents

  • An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter may be substituted for you, your spouse and your dependents if you do not have a Social Security number

  • Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN

  • Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return

  • Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G) from all employers

  • Pension, Retirement and Social Security Income statements (Forms 1099)

  • Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

  • A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available

  • Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check

  • Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number

  • Forms 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement

  • Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable

To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms

www.irs.gov/individuals/checklist-for-free-tax-return-preparation

The IRS partners with software companies to provide “IRS Free File” guided tax software for taxpayers with adjusted gross income (AGI) or $84,000 or less for the 2024 tax year. Learn more at apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile. Providers for 2024 filings include FreeTaxUSA, 1040.com, FileYourTaxes.com, 1040NOW, TaxAct, OLT.com, TaxSlayer, and ezTaxReturn.com.

Deducting Losses From Federally Declared Disasters on Your Federal Income Tax Return

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According to the IRS:

Personal casualty losses are losses from casualty, disaster, and theft that are not connected to a trade or business, or a transaction entered into for profit. Generally, if the loss is caused by a federally declared disaster, you may deduct personal casualty losses relating to your home, household items, and vehicles on your federal income tax return. For tax years 2018 through 2025, personal casualty losses are otherwise not deductible. A theft loss deduction is generally available, however, if the loss is due to theft related to a transaction entered into for profit. You may not deduct casualty and theft losses covered by insurance, unless you file a timely claim for reimbursement, and you reduce the loss by the amount of any reimbursement or expected reimbursement. 

A federally-declared disaster is any disaster determined by the President of the United States to warrant assistance by the federal government. Visit fema.gov/disasters for a list of federally-declared disasters. Current and recent federally-declared disasters as of January 2025 include:

If your property is personal-use property or isn't completely destroyed, the amount of your casualty loss is the lesser of the adjusted basis of your property, or the decrease in fair market value of your property as a result of the casualty. You must reduce the loss by any insurance or other reimbursement you receive or expect to receive.

Casualty losses can be claimed as an itemized deduction on Schedule A of Form 1040, less $100 for each casualty, then subtract 10% of your adjusted gross income to calculate allowable losses for the year. However, you may elect to deduct the loss without itemizing your deductions. Your net casualty loss doesn't need to exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income to qualify for the deduction, but you would reduce each casualty loss by $500 after any salvage value and any other reimbursement. Report casualty losses on Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts.

Casualty losses are deductible in the year you sustain the loss. You have not sustained a loss if you have a reasonable prospect of recovery through a claim for reimbursement. If you have a casualty loss from a federally declared disaster that occurred in an area warranting public or individual assistance (or both), you can choose to treat the casualty loss as having occurred in the year immediately preceding the tax year in which you sustained the disaster loss, and you can deduct the loss on your return or amended return for that preceding tax year.

www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc515

Hazardous Waste Disposal and Recycling Programs in Ventura County

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The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) website highlights common products that we use in our daily lives that contain potentially hazardous ingredients, thus requiring special care when disposed of.

Items that are banned from the trash are as follows:

Lights, Batteries and Electronics

  • Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes ("old school" incandescent bulbs can be thrown in the trash.). Remember that LED light bulbs and holiday light strands are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed off properly. Here’s a Home Depot guide on how to dispose of light bulbs.

  • Batteries of all types and sizes, AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, etc., both rechargeable and single use, as well as lead-acid batteries such as car batteries.

  • Computer and television monitors including cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal diode (LCD), and plasma monitors.

  • Electronic devices including computers, printers, VCRs, cell phones, telephones, radios and microwave ovens.

Household and Landscape Chemicals

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  • Flammables and poisons such as oil-based paints and reactive and explosive materials

  • Acids, oxidizers, and bases including some pool chemicals and cleaners

  • Pesticides and herbicides

  • Paints and Solvents - latex paint, oil-based paint, non-empty aerosol paint and solvent cans, and solvents such as paint thinners, nail polish remover, etc.

  • Building materials that contain asbestos and wood treated with chromium copper arsenate.

  • Automobile items including antifreeze, batteries, motor oil and filters and tires (tires are not considered hazardous but are banned from the trash for other reasons).

  • Items Containing Mercury including electrical switches and relays in old appliances, old style thermostats, pilot light sensors in some gas appliances, some gauges and mercury thermometers.

  • Other items such as propane tanks, hypodermic needles, syringes, expired/unwanted medications etc.

So what to do with these items? Recycle and reuse them! Here are some local Ventura County resident options:

The City of Thousand Oaks has a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Disposal Facility with details at toaks.gov/hhw. Appointments are required for HHW drop-offs. Materials accepted during regular operating hours include household items like aerosol sprays, nail polish, used frying oil, etc., items in the garage like antifreeze, brake fluid, oil, etc., as well as things like paint thinners, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Click the link above for more detailed information.

City of Thousand Oaks battery recycling centers listed at toaks.gov/hhw. Dropoff options as of January 2025 include Borchard Community Park (front entrance), Dos Vientos Community Center (front lobby), Goebel Senior Center (front lobby), Thousand Oaks Library (both entrances), Newbury Park Library (front entrance), Thousand Oaks City Hall (front entrance), Thousand Oaks Community Center (front entrance) and Thousand Oaks Transportation Center (lobby).

Thousand Oaks area computer and electronics recycling centers at toaks.gov/e-waste.

Unwanted and/or expired medications can be dropped off throughout Ventura County at designated police stations. Details at THIS LINK.

Medications and needle and sharps disposal locations in Thousand Oaks at toaks.gov/medsandsharps

The City of Westlake Village offers free monthly hazardous waste collection service via Waste Management. www.wlv.org/faq.aspx?TID=25

City of Simi Valley hazardous Waste Drop-Off Program on six Saturdays per year at THIS LINK.

City of Simi Valley household battery recycling options at THIS LINK includes Simi Valley Public Library, G.I. Industries/Waste Management and Anderson Rubbish.

City of Camarillo hosts household hazardous waste program drop-off events on the 2nd consecutive Friday/Saturday of each month. View upcoming dates and make appointments at www.cityofcamarillo.org/residents/trash___recycling/hazardous_waste.php.

Cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme household hazardous waste collection events www.oxnard.org/household-hazardous-waste

Cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme Antifreeze, Batteries, Oil and Paint Recycling www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=1022

City of Moorpark hazardous waste drop-off events www.moorparkca.gov/150/Hazardous-Waste

Ventura County needle collection facilities crma.org/home-generated-sharps

City of Ventura hazardous waste collection events www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2103/Household-Hazardous-Waste-HHW-Events

City of Ojai hazardous waste collection options at THIS LINK (pdf doc)

Hazardous waste collection in Calabasas at THIS LINK.

Hazardous waste collection in Agoura Hills at THIS LINK.

Would You Like Slides with That? Fast Food Places in Ventura County with Play Areas!

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Sometimes it's fun to take the kids out where you know they'll be able to burn off some steam after their chicken nuggets and fries. Mind you, my kids much prefer going to a park to play, but sometimes it’s nice to eat and play at these (mostly) indoor play areas.

Here are places to eat that have play areas.  Know of other places?  Well then, give me the scoop (the news, not the fries).

McDonalds Locations with Play Areas

Carl's Jr Locations with Play Areas

Chick-fil-A Locations with Play Areas

Other Places with Play Areas

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Options for Thousand Oaks Residents

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The City of Thousand Oaks Public Works Department's "GoGreen" website has hundreds of conservation tips relating to composting, energy conservation, hazardous waste disposal, recycling and trash, reuse programs, water conservation, living green advice, and much more. Check it out at www.toaks.org/GoGreen.

Like me, you may have a lot of junk lying around the house that you'd like to get rid of but are not allowed to place in the trash. 

Since May 2014, the City has run a permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility located next to the Service Center at 2010 Conejo Center Drive, Newbury Park.

Residents of Thousand Oaks and unincorporated areas of Ventura County may sign up to drop off items at this facility on Fridays/Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, except certain holiday weekends, at toaks.gov/hhw. Advance registration is required.

Items accepted at these monthly collection events include acids, motor oil, antifreeze, asbestos, nail polish/remover, automatic switches, oil filters, batteries, paints, cement, paint thinners, chlorine, fertilizers, pool chemicals, fluorescent lights, propane cylinders, fire extinguishers, rodent poison, garden chemicals, smoke detectors, gasoline, solvents, used frying oil, household cleaners, weed killers and more. They do not accept tires, medications. business waste and other items.

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One person's hazardous waste is another's gold! The City's Hazardous Waste Material Reuse Program allows residents to take away certain items previously disposed of, such as cleaners, paint, pool chemicals, motor oils, adhesives, etc. Selection obviously will vary. No appointment needed. Just stop by the Reuse Store (same location as waste collection facility) on Friday/Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information at toaks.gov/hhw.

The ReUse store will be closed weekends associated with the following holidays: President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

There are also convenient hazardous waste disposal for other items:

Batteries: Community Centers at Borchard Park, Dos Vientos and Thousand Oaks (next to TOHS), Goebel Senior Center, Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park Libraries, City Hall and Thousand Oaks Transportation Center.

Motor Oil/Filters: See toaks.gov/hhw

Electronic Waste: Best Buy, Goodwill Industries, PC Recycle, Waste Management and Gold Coast Recycling Center. More info at THIS LINK.

Fluorescent Lights/CFL's: You may bring any size or type of fluorescent and LED bulbs to the City's Hazardous Waste Facility.

(See www.homedepot.com/c/ab/how-to-dispose-of-lightbulbs/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901b263d806 for more information on what to do with light bulbs of various types.)

Unwanted and/or expired medications can be dropped off throughout Ventura County at designated police stations, such as the East Valley Police Station Lobby at 2101 E. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Open Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm.

Visit toaks.org/GoGreen for updates.