(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Some restaurants are about the food. Others are about the experience. Junkyard Café in Simi Valley is both—plus a little chaos. If you’re visiting the Reagan Library, Happy Face Hill, or one of the city’s amazing festivals, take a detour. Walk inside. You won’t regret it.
At first glance, it’s a bar and grill. Then, you look around. The walls, the ceiling, the tables—everything is covered in something weird. License plates, street signs, car parts, toys, clocks, and things you can’t even describe. It’s like someone took a flea market, a garage, and a massive man cave, threw them all together, and said, “Yeah, America needs this.”
Junkyard Café has been a fixture in Simi Valley for years. Locals might be used to it, but visitors walk in and immediately pull out their phones. Every inch of the place is an ‘Instagramable’ moment and worth a picture. Even the seating is unexpected—one table might be a repurposed engine block, another a surfboard.
The restaurant is casual and always buzzing. Families, bikers, business lunches, and birthday parties all mix together. The space is huge, with multiple dining rooms and eating areas, a separate bar, an outdoor patio, and a side room, known as ‘The Garage’ with a stage where you can watch comedians, magic shows and musical performances.
Junkyard Café doesn’t just rely on the theme. The food matches the atmosphere—big, bold, and over-the-top.
For example, Holy Chip. A mountain of crispy, house-made, kettle chips, loaded with bacon, tomato, Bermuda onion, and chunky blue cheese dressing. Every bite is crunchy, creamy, and absolutely addictive.
Then there’s the S.O.B. Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and bell peppers in a sizzling, flavor-packed dish, served with baked focaccia to soak up all the goodness.
Moon Shine Cherries! Sweet, boozy, and dangerously fun. A perfect little bite of rebellion.
Smelly Shelly Stinky Fries? Cheesy, garlicky, and absolutely unforgettable fries that live up to their name. Don’t expect a timid little snack—these fries bring the funk.
The Big Pig (Wilbur’s Nightmare) – This one’s not for the faint of heart. A massive, 1 lb. bone-in ham steak grilled to perfection, served with creamy mac ‘n cheese, veggies, and more of that amazing focaccia. The ultimate comfort food feast.
A Must-Visit in Simi Valley
If you live here, you’ve probably driven past Junkyard a hundred times. Maybe you’ve even forgotten how truly bizarre and awesome it is. If you’re visiting, make it a stop on your trip. Even if you’re not hungry, walk in, grab a drink, and see the insanity for yourself.
The portions are generous, the drinks are strong, and the atmosphere never slows down. Junkyard Café is more than just a restaurant. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
