Cisco's finds new home in Oak Park
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

After a two-year search Bob Wilson has finally found a new home for his restaurant, Cisco's. The Mexican eatery, which burned down in Westlake Village in March 2005, will reopen in the former Rustler's location at 686 Lindero Canyon Road in Oak Park.

Wilson, the former mayor of Thousand Oaks, said he had a difficult time finding available property in the Conejo Valley.

"Everything is taken. There's really not much available," Wilson said. "I always liked this area (Oak Park), and I think it will do well."

Wilson is leasing the 2,200square-foot space and hopes to open the restaurant by June, pending county permit approval. He plans to paint and put in new upholstery. His son, Bob Jr., will manage the eatery. Wilson plans to retire in the next couple of years.

"I'll come and help when I can, but I'll stop doing this stuff pretty soon," Wilson said.

He had hoped to rebuild Cisco's in its original location on Westlake Boulevard but said the insurance settlement he received would not cover the cost. Wilson and his family built the restaurant and opened it in 1974. The family operates another Cisco's on Avenida de Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks.

Wilson subleased the Westlake property to the owners of Chapter 8 in Agoura Hills and P6 Restaurant and Lounge in Westlake. The company is in the final stages of building Suki 7, a Japanese restaurant and nightclub, at the former Westlake Cisco's site.

Although the Oak Park Cisco's is smaller than its predecessor, the menu will be similar to the original restaurant's, Wilson said. The main differences will be individual tapas selections and a variety of salads and sandwiches for what Wilson expects will be a strong lunchtime crowd.

Rick and Lena Tucker of Oak Park said they look forward to having a local Cisco's. The couple has eaten at the Thousand Oaks location and enjoyed the food.

"It's good to have a Mexican restaurant so close by," Lena Tucker said.