Junkyard Cafe — Restaurant in Simi Valley

The Junkyard Café located at 2585 Cochran St, is among one of my favorite places to dine. They have the most diverse menu I have ever seen and the food is amazing. They have all different kinds of food such as Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and of course classic American food. I happen to know that they have a completely scratch kitchen, and if you order something that is not on the menu they will try to make it for you. The owners’ names are Tony and Evelyn and they are extremely nice and outgoing. One of my favorite things is their incredibly unique atmosphere. They live up to their name by decorating the whole restaurant in collectable antiques/junk. Their decorative decor comes from some of the restaurant’s regular customers. They receive all different kinds of “junk” ranging from rock stars autographed guitars, vintage refrigerators that store their menus, and a taxidermy turkey that I actually gave them. One of my go to meals there is the Meat Lover’s Pizza. The crust is sweet, thin, crunchy and the toppings are out of this world flavorful. Coming in a close second, is their fish n chips. It is among some of the best I’ve ever had. This is coming from someone who loves fish n chips. One time when I ordered a pizza the owners let me go in the kitchen and make it myself. I started by pounding and rolling the dough into my preferred shape which was an oval. Then I proceeded to pour the sauce on along with all the toppings I wanted; pepperoni, bacon, and onion. In my opinion being able to make this myself made it taste ten times better. The pizza dough is my favorite part, they make their dough from scratch fresh every day.Even visiting the restroom is an exciting experience. The walls are covered with jokes and funny sayings meant to make you think and laugh. I don’t know if you can say this about any other restaurant in Simi Valley, California. All you have to do is drive by the Junkyard Restaurant to see its uniqueness. Their graphic signage is all along the roadside beckoning you in for a scrumptious meal. They also have a full bar, where you can order any of your personal favorite drinks. During Covid they have done their best to setup an equally pleasing outside dining area. Definitely, go check it out if you are ever in...

We frequent Junkyard Cafe for its wonderful, eclectic menu and delightful spirits. Their motto —and mantra, essentially— is written right on the sign out front: “Lighten Up, Life is Short”

Of course the food is fabulous, but one cannot discuss this iconic place without first discussing the decor. You’ve heard teachers and parents say ‘you just have to throw everything at the wall with these kids and see what sticks’ Well, at this restaurant, that’s just what they did. The walls, ceiling, courtyard, and interior is a wonderful study in zany, fun, decor. You are greeted by all kinds of stuff. Even the Oxford English dictionary isn’t long enough to describe everything.

If you’re here for breakfast, congratulations, you have lots of choices, but they should all begin with a Bloody Mary, and this place has the best. Next, enjoy cinnamon French toast, my favorite, with eggs and bacon and get ready to take some home because it’s an enormous portion. They of course have many other breakfast choices as well.

For lunch, you cannot go wrong with their wonderful big buxom burgers, and don’t forget this is not just the only place in town but perhaps the only place in the world where you can get a peanut butter coleslaw burger! Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!

The menu is so extensive and we have tried so many items. If you cannot decide what to order, just get the sampler plate.

This review will end up being the size War and Peace by the time I’m done, so let me cut to the chase: this is the most fun restaurant you could possibly go to, it’s great for the kids, and it is fully wheelchair accessible.

Enjoy Simi Valley to the fullest by going to the...

We used to eat there because my wife and I (both vets) thought they were veteran-friendly. If I recall correctly, they do not give discounts to veterans. But, after the last experience, we will never eat there again.

It's dark as heck in the place and the tables/floors are usually dirty.

The worst experience we had was on Thanksgiving. We ordered a week ahead to get their Thanksgiving meal specials. I think it was about $30 per meal. When I went in to pick it up on the day, it took them a long time to get it, I want to say 20 minutes. When I asked what was taking so long, they said they were cooking the Turkey.

Now, if you know anything about cooking turkey, it takes a LONG time. When we got the food, it was okay... but the turkey. This was the WORST turkey I've ever tasted. It was as if they poured gasoline on it, literally! It tasted like gas and it was drier than sand.

I reached out to the restaurant and they said management wasn't there. I asked why they weren't there on one of the busiest days of the year... they didn't have an answer. They said they would take my number and management would call the next morning....guess who didn't call me the next morning?

I called again later in the day and they said management wasn't there, but they would call me the next day. That also didn't happen. I called back on more time and was told once again that management wasn't in but they would call me back, so I just gave up.

What a waste of $60 and a heck of a shameful way to treat two...