Lofi Smoke and Grill is the BEST BBQ in Ventura County hands down. For so many years I'd been eager…read moreto find a spot that truly served up 5 star BBQ and after trying a few spots I was disappointed and the hunt continued. Thankfully due to a supper club hosted by Yelp Central Coast I was finally able to try them and I fell in love. Lofi was everything I had been searching for and then some. Fast forward to them being on my mind for months I had the opportunity to give them another try at one of their pop up events. The lines proved that everyone in the community loves Lofi as much as me! Family owned and operated this business is all about good vibes, teaching others about west coast bbq, their love for feeding their community and no ego. Steve and the family truly want you to have a wonderful experience and make you feel at home both with their kindness and the food that they put on your plate. Supporting them in this bbq community has been a refreshing experience as they are so kind and open to feedback. I love that they have fun pop ups opposed to a standard brick and mortar. They chose this because they truly want their bbq to be accessible and available to those that don't always have the opportunity to try them. They definitely give back to their community and supporting them is a win for our small but mighty 805 community. Okay now on to the food! Claiming anything is the "best" in the 805 is a bold move but I stand behind the flavors and complexity that Lofi brings to the table. West Coast BBQ makes me feel proud to be from CA as I've had bbq all over the states and they are doing us proud here. They have a killer bbq sauce that's the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Their meats and proteins are always cooked to perfection and juicy! My two favorite meats they do hands down is their 1. Brisket and 2. Pulled Pork. Their brisket is so flavorful and I love the little bit of fattiness that comes through. Also having never been a pulled pork girl, Lofi changed the game for me - so good and the flavors are on point. Another bite worth mentioning are their ribs, great seasoning and generous portions. I like to cut all of the heaviness of the bbq with their coleslaw. Makes for the perfect bite. I know they have a good amount of other sides but I'll need to give them a try. I am so beyond happy that we have Lofi BBQ in the 805. Their family couldn't be nicer and more welcoming. They are doing good work out here and I'll definitely continue to support them and spread the word on this amazing bbq spot.

Usually I only review restaurants but yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a private pop up…read moreevent. Lofi Smoke & Grill BBQ & Pleasant Burgers where in the house!!!!! Both were AMAZINGLY delicious. Move over CJ's, there's a newcomer in town. The pull pork was bursting with flavor, my tastebuds and some of my senses went wild. They didn't know what hit them. The meat was tender, soft, moist and thick. As you brought that pull pork sandwich close to your mouth, you could smell the smoked pork. Once it hit your mouth, it mushed and was easy to chew. It's shredded look was deceiving because it looked firm but this meat was juicy. They were generous with the serving so every bite was a mouthful. Good quality meat, smoked and season just right. Served on a yummy buttery bun with a kickass mildly spicy sauce. I'm telling you the flavor was off the hook. I highly recommend this BBQ for your catering needs. IN-N-Out got nothing on Pleasant Burgers. These burgers are IN!!!!! These burgers were juicy, and flavorful. It took me back to a little nostalgia. If you ever tasted Top Hat in Ventura, it reminded me of those burgers. It had that authentic homemade burger taste. Their grilled onions took it up a notch. If you were lucky enough to try the "Pile" then you went home a happy camper. Having the pull pork added to the cheeseburger was to die for....Uhhhh....YUM!!!!! Winning food experience for sure. Don't sleep on this.

10/10 street tacos! PERFECT flavors, juicy tender meat, great char, not greasy, double tortillas,…read moreamazing salsa - has the right kick and citrus zing. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Fast service. $3/taco

For years I have seen this mobile set up outside of Target on Main St. I recently tried it out…read moreafter seeing fellow Yelper's review. Great authentic pastor that is carved right off the spic. Generally cash payments, but also accept Zelle. Generally Zelle can be finicky finding people and making payment to new ones, so due to long lines, maybe it's best to bring cash. The workers are highly efficient; it's fun watching them quickly slice off the pastor and assemble your order on mobile grills. There's reason for those long consistent lines!

Incredible sourdough varieties. Nothing to compare to…read more Friendly and best ingredient available.

Had the pleasure of meeting Lance at his bakery. The whiff of fresh baked bread is so comforting…read more I bought a couple of sourdough bread loaves. He let me taste his beef with barley soup and it was so delicious- the best I've ever tasted. The beef chunks melt in your mouth. Can't wait to try other soups! The lemon white chocolate brownie is so good- not too sweet and right amount of tartness. So lucky I have found a gem of a place.

This is a tricky one! On Oak street, behind Bank of Italy - Cocktail Trust, you will see a sign and…read morea door on the sidewalk. This is pick up only, no dining in whatsoever. You order through the QR code and they only have one option which is the Bento Box for $16. You can however choose from 7 different options, 4 of which are additional pricing between +$2-$3 (spicy tuna, crab, scallop, or seafood trio - which is all of above). The bento box consists of seasoned rice, braised kombu, marinated egg, cucumber sunomono, scallion, togarashi, pickled ginger, and one choice of protein (salmon flakes, chashu pork belly, roasted "unagi" eggplant for the non-additional cost). You pick up by walking inside the opening and down a small hall where Strange Beast's kitchen is (right after the restrooms) to pick up. The food itself was fresh! Loved the protein from the seafood trio and the seasoned rice. Egg was soft but downside was it was cold. The only thing I didn't like was the cucumber and picked ginger taking up half of the box. Loved the meal overall and would definitely come back again.

Backdoor Bento is exactly what the name suggests. Look for the A-frame on the sidewalk outside the…read moredoor on Oak Street behind Cocktail Trust. Head inside, walk down the hallway, and you'll end up right outside their kitchen. It's low-key, no-frills, and very much an if-you-know-you-know spot. This is the same kitchen behind Cocktail Trust and Strange Beast, so expectations are already high and they absolutely deliver. They're open daily from 12 to 4 pm and specialize in grab-and-go Japanese-style lunch boxes that are naturally gluten free and made to order. Each bento comes with rice, cucumber sunomono, marinated egg, braised kombu, and your choice of protein. Options include chashu pork belly, salmon flakes, roasted eggplant "unagi" (vegan), spicy tuna, crab, scallop, or the seafood trio. I'm obsessed with the seafood trio. Fresh, flavorful, and always hits. They also offer sake, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks, which feels like a nice bonus for a quick lunch stop. You can order directly on their website for pickup or delivery, which makes it super convenient. Parking is easy for downtown. There's usually green zone parking right outside the door, along with paid street parking and a free public lot just a short walk up the street. Portions are satisfying without being heavy, and everything feels thoughtfully balanced. It's fast, consistent, and one of those hidden-gem lunch spots you're glad you know about, especially if you work or spend time downtown.

Had the opportunity to see these guys in action CATERING! After they left, the guests kept saying…read morehow kind they were to everyone. Then it got silent. Because everyone was devouring the delicious tri-tip and the juiciest chicken you'll ever have. The mac n'cheese is so flavorful (not your basic mac) and the baked beans may or may not have me packed into my car . But these guys are seriously some of the nicest people I've ever met. Thank you for making this special day even MORE special Wolf N' Bear. See you soon!!

My family is so pumped that J Wolf is back and partnered with another BBQ master. I've missed this…read moreBBQ a lot because it's so good. It's hard to beat. Ernest and Dan are just really cool dudes. They're always friendly, no matter how busy they are. They have a nice organized setup in their temporary pop ups. You can tell these guys have a lot of experience. I recommend you try everything. You can't go wrong.

Most warm and welcoming home EVER!! Filled with love, food, uplifting conversations, laughter and…read morefun! Went to hot springs and came back to Joanne and Rakesh's place and Rakesh had made a heaping tower of gourmet pasta, soup and salad! Deeeelicious!!! Then in the morning a scrumptious breakfast of baby Dutch babies with blackberries, raspberries and blueberries topped with whipped cream awaited me as well as a cup of fresh coffee! After breakfast I went streaking in the rain with Joanne in their backyard. Best of times!!!

Jo and Rakesh really know how to make you feel at home. This is the best home cooking in all of…read moreCalifornia.

I've been here twice and I got the cookie butter cheesecake. It was so good it's taking everything…read morein me to not eat the other half. *picture is me forgetting to take a picture of the cheesecake cause it was so good* With that being said, you see the price but trust and believe it's pretty big! I tell everyone about it cause it needs to get out there and I'm a huge cheesecake lover so it hits every mark for me. They have an instagram so you can follow what they have, they rotate their selections and they sell out on some favors. The owner told me that if you call or text them they can set it aside for you and you can pick it up same day. Hope you like it as much as I do!

They are super friendly It is a mobile truck, so location…read moreand schedules might change. Follow them on Instagram for updates. The Ubechata was refreshing and delicious. The pistachio cheesecake was ok. I think next time I would choose something a little sweeter for the cheesecake. Off course as a mobile truck, this is more of take home or eat in your car kinda place. I went on a Sunday and there was a line in front of me, so plan ahead. After you order they give you a "pager" that lets you know when the order is ready.

Best Indian food in Ventura / SB zone. Delicious food and A+ service. Highly recommend.read more

Lovely spot in a shopping mall (parking available). Staff is attentive, and we were seated almost…read moreimmediately. They even have some outdoor seating. High-backed booths offer privacy without feeling like you're boxed in. Well lit and comfortable. Whole page of vegetarian (and vegan) options available. Varied appetizers, biryani, meals for two, and even an ayurvedic meal option. Beer, wine, soda. Everything you'd expect, plus a few less common options. The food was fresh, very flavorful, and decent portion size (don't be fooled by the decorative bowls they serve in - there is more than it looks like). Found this recommended by locals in a Reddit thread (some responses from several years ago) - and it's obvious why this restaurant is still around. Damn good food at good prices.

These fish tacos were so flavorful! We have been wanting to try them for a while and we loved it! I…read moreloved the salsa and the pepper on the side. This is a very good fish taco and definitely will be back to try more!

I have been wanting to try this place out, every time I was to come it was closed they close at six…read moreso it's not very convenient by the time you get out of work and you're trying to grab dinner. I got 2 shrimp tacos which were very very delicious but they only come with four little shrimp. Diablo taco was delicious. My husband tried the aguachiles negros. Not enough portion for what u pay. You only get 6 shrimp. The sauce is good but for 6 shrimp only it's mostly cucumber and onion. This is an appetizer instead of a meal. I would definitely give them a try again and have to update. Portions definitely need to be re evaluated for the $$$ customer pays.

This place might feel like a hole-in-the-wall, but it's right in the heart of Ventura -- and it…read moreabsolutely delivers. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was welcoming. Great bar setup, relaxed atmosphere, and a fun, lively environment without feeling overwhelming. The service was super friendly -- the kind of place where you immediately feel comfortable. Now the food... excellent across the board. The fish and chips were battered perfectly -- light, crispy, and packed with flavor. Not greasy, just done right. My son ordered the carne asada tacos and couldn't stop talking about how good they were. He loved the seasoning and the flavor. I had the ahi burger, and it was cooked perfectly -- great texture, well-seasoned, and full of flavor. My wife ordered the original fish tacos, and they were outstanding. Fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and great quality overall. One thing we really appreciated was the three different house sauces they offer. Each one was excellent and totally changes the experience depending on your palate. Whether you like something sweet, spicy, or slightly tangy to balance everything out, they've got you covered. It's a nice touch that lets everyone customize their meal. You can really taste the freshness in everything. It's a great family-friendly spot but also perfect if you just want to hang out at the bar and enjoy good food and good vibes. We had an awesome time and will definitely be back.

I saw the reviews and thought this place was a "must try." Unfortunately, I was not impressed at…read moreall. My clam chowder tasted like bacon, overwhelmingly so. I could not taste anything else but that. Now don't get me wrong; I love bacon. However, here it was simply too overpowering making it not taste like clam chowder. I also had grilled fish tacos. Looking at them and eating them, I was concerned that they were not grilled at all. You can tell when fish has been grilled; there should be signs on the fish but they were not here. Unfortunately, it is not a place I will go back to. Clam chowder is one of my favorites and there are many other places around with better chowder.