06/01/2026
El Tecolote, located at 333 N. Lewis Road, has served authentic Mexican food since 1946...which means it turn 80 this year! It is the longest-operating restaurant in Ventura County.
World War II veteran Mike Loza originally opened El Tecolote in Moorpark. The owls occupying the trees surrounding the restaurant were the inspiration for the name El Tecolote (The Owl).
The cafe was moved to a small house in Camarillo in 1948. It was so small that a frustrated customer helped finance a move to its current location in 1952.