Mucho margaritas, mezcal and mondo Mexican menu at Julio’s Agave Grill

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT /// Julio’s Agave Grill



SERVICE WITH A SMILE—At left, Daniel Chavarria prepares tableside guacamole. Above, surf and turf Mexican-style at Julio’s Agave Grill.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE—At left, Daniel Chavarria prepares tableside guacamole. Above, surf and turf Mexican-style at Julio’s Agave Grill.

After such a short time being open, including having to beat a huge obstacle of the Woolsey fire during its soft opening effort in November, Julio’s Agave Grill in Westlake Village has still managed to gain the popularity of a large part of the community. So much so that reservations are required on Friday and Saturday nights, otherwise there’s no guarantee that you’ll get in on those evenings.

And this family-owned and operated Mexican restaurant will actually only have its ribbon-cutting ceremony next week, at 5 p.m. Wed., March 20, a Chamber of Commerce mixer that’s also open to the public. But since November, Julio’s has still been busy offering lots to it customers.

As residents of Conejo Valley for over 25 years, the Wilson family has been very active in civic events and in their community. Linda and Bob Sr. Wilson and their six kids have been involved in everything, from being Chamber members—and one of them was even a mayor—plus all the children have attended local schools as well as worked in the kitchens of the Wilson’s various locations, including Cisco’s in Thousand Oaks and the former one in Westlake.

Photos by ELA LINDSAY/Acorn Newspapers

Photos by ELA LINDSAY/Acorn Newspapers

Now, Bob Jr. is the manager of both Julio’s and Cisco’s, T.O., which Linda Wilson says they like to refer to as the “sister store” to Julio’s. In addition, one of their daughters has been running her own successful Cisco’s in Texas for the past 10 years. So you might say, pleasing customers is in this family’s lifeblood.

According to Bob Sr., the restaurant is actually called Julio’s Agave Grill and Mezcal Lounge because he’s very much a connoisseur of all things tequila and mezcal, the latter being the latest up-and-coming trend in all the cool places, he says, and now it’s here in Westlake Village at Julio’s.

Sit down with the guy sometime and you’ll also get to know all about this alcohol treat made from the agave plant, hence the nod to it in the actual restaurant’s name.

But Julio’s definitely has more than just its bar offerings, although before I go on—make sure to check out Happy Hour for yourself, or, as they prefer to call it, “Attitude Adjustment” hour from 3 to 6 p.m., where the cantina menu features $6 to $10 Mexican treats and a 9-oz. glass of wine is only $6 and a margarita is only $6, too.

Another great thing about Julio’s is the fact that the bar and eatery are separated, so if it’s music and sports you want to watch or hear, head one way, and when you want some quiet fine dining, head to the other part. Or, in good weather, the lovely patio is a perfect spot for a party, family gathering or just a romantic dinner for two. Either way, the owners Julio’s know what’s important to people.

Linda, for instance, is proud of the fact that three of their staff members all together have been with them for over 100 years! To me, that’s very indicative of how well they treat their employees.

For Bob Sr., he says the meat at Julio’s is important. “We only use prime beef for steaks and prime tacos. And we use fresh halibut for our tacos as well.”

Both agreed that fresh, locally sourced veggies when possible are also crucial, along with the fact that customers are welcome to substitute items for what they want. Want a chimichanga, for instance? Even though it’s not on the menu, feel free to ask for what you want. Treating the customer like gold seems to be as important as feeding them prime, fresh food. In addition, “people want good salsa, good chips and good margaritas,” both owners said.

Personally, I love the fact that Julio’s offers table-side guacamole, something I’m seeing less and less of these days but like it any time I can get it. There’s nothing that beats that creamy fresh taste and the smile of the person making it.

Except for maybe their surf and turf serving, featuring a delicious prime steak that Bob Sr. insisted I try cutting with a regular knife instead of the steak knife. (It cut like butter, by the way.) And the shrimps were perfectly grilled and stuffed with crab, and, the piece de resistance, at least for me, was the delightful cilantro rice, which, left to my own devices, I probably would not have ordered. However, I could now eat a bucket of the delectable stuff. Yum!

There’s lots to be said about Julio’s Agave Grill and Mezcal Lounge but I guess you’ll have to check it out for yourself. Ask for a private lunch buffet or catering service, not to mention plate brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Or try their Albondigas meatball soup, “the best anywhere” says Bob Sr. I say it’s good for what ails you. And don’t forget to ask for a beverage: it’s Moonshine Margarita time as we speak!

JULIO’S AGAVE GRILL
2809 Agoura Road
Westlake Village
Phone: (805) 370-0145

11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon. through Fri.; from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sun. and till 12 a.m. Sat. julioswestlake.com