Carli’s Bistro

Ermagahhh the California cheesesteak sandwich is soooo ammmaahhhzzzing. I like the pastrami sandy too :) So I vouch for those 2 things, every time I come I always say I wanna try something new but then I don’t because I don’t want to risk it. Do you do that too? I never wanna risk it because I already know whats good. lol
I always wonder how they stay in business because it always looks closed and empty inside. It’s in such an unassuming part of Old town Moorpark and I think it gets forgotten back there on High St.
The owner is really chill, the food is so good, I just wished it was slightly cheaper. Everything is kinda overpriced, probably to make up for the lack of foot traffic. Spending 20 bucks on a sandwich is kinda harsh, albeit a delicious sandwich.
I’ll try and come back more often. Its a nice place to chill and have nice conversation since I always have the place to ourselves when we’re there.

Excellent food and a wonderful owner/​operator. He’s so friendly and the food is out of this world good! Best Bistro on Ventura County… hands down.

So much flavor! Delicious! Tried the Gyro for the first time. I will definitely be back :)

The food here is amazing. We’ve been here many many times. The Gyro, the cheesesteak, the tri-​tip are all fantastic. This is a hidden gem. The owner is friendly and engaging if you get the chance to be there when it’s not too crowded. A must for anyone visiting Moorpark.

First time trying it today and all I can say is that I’m glad I got on the wrong train back to oxnard and ended up in Moorpark. Had the bulldog burger, best burger I’ve had in a long time and not small at all special for a guy with my appetite. As if the food and experience coukdbt get better he offered his homemade sauces, spicy btw (great flavor) and his ranch that he warned not to drink. He was right it was hard not to drink it was on point. Service was great and their was only was person running the show. Gentleman gave great hospitality, was very attentive, brought out our food fast (perfectly prepared) and surely lived up to the positive decorative signs that hung inside and out of the restaurant. Coming back soon!

No doubt about it, best tritip ever… love the Sinatra and Dean Martin Music, Lias is an old time entertainer, food with laughter and stories

My first time trying out Carli’s based on the reviews and pictures of others and let me tell you this place did not disappoint!
I placed an ordered for pickup and chose the BBQ Steak sandwich w/​a side of chips for myself and got the Meatball Sandwich and fries for a co-​worker. When I got there the Owner Les (I believe that was his name) was inviting and extremely attentive.
Now to the food! The sandwiches are simply amazing, I would say this one of the best sandwiches that I’ve ever had, I am a huge fan of BBQ and while it was a bit messy it was the perfect amount to compliment all of the other ingredients in the sandwich. The chips were okay as there was nothing excited about them and I would probably order the fries next time.
My co-​worker was also extremely pleased as well and wanted a copy of the menu for future use as he was so impressed. We’ll definitely be back!

This is a very cute place in the middle of old Moorpark, near the train station. The food is solid, and the menu is varied, with an emphasis on barbeque including pulled pork, brisket, and the like.
The day we went, it was 10,000 degrees out, and no air conditioning. I would suspect there are many hot summer days in this neck of the woods, so investing in an air conditoner would be my #1 suggestion for this restaurant.
The menu was extensive, and the barbeque came recommended. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, which came with fries. A sizable portion, it had coleslaw as well, on a very nicely toasted golden bun. Trouble was, it was so heavy, and juicy, it had to be eaten with a fork. But it was very good, I must say.
The service was friendly (owner?) and fast, too. I’d try it again, when its cooler, maybe. I’d like to try some of the more ethnic offerings.

I can not say enough wonderful things about this place!
From the moment we stepped into Carli’s it was nothing but great, from the service to the food. Everything was great! Felt like home but without the work! Wonderful friendly owner and waitress! Wonderful portions for the price and seating was awesome. Eat indoors and get to explain to your children why the pictures of these «50’s stars» are so amazing instead of staring at your kids while they look at their cell phones!
Or eat outdoors and get a chance to see all the cool things on High Street including the MP Fire Station and fire fighters with the amazing fire engines haha. Either way you’re getting 100% great service and amazing food at an affordable price!
My daughters LOVED everything about this place and so did we! And one happens to be a teenager lol
Trust me! You have to try it
We will definitely be back!

First of all, when reading reviews, always take the «quality of service» with a grain of salt. Personalities clash, or perhaps generational gaps might create misunderstandings, or customers forget to notice that maybe a restaurant just got slammed with business …
I look at slow service as a good thing. It means they are busy. And that’s awesome for a small, family owned restaurant.
Carli’s is incredible. We go on summer evenings and sit on the patio. The warm evenings, coupled with people taking strolls along high street, makes Carli’s a great place to dine and unwind.
Tonight, there were four of us. We ordered the Chicken Ravioli, a grilled chicken and avocado sandwich, the lasagna, and a Mediterranean salad. Four different meals. All came out amazing. I would have to say this was one of the best overall meals we’ve all had. Very good food.
The breakfast burritos are to die for. And the tri-​tip puts any larger BBQ restaurant to shame.
The owner is from France. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and is passionate about his business. That matters. If you’re looking for an 8 page menu from a chain, with waitpeople with piercings galore and ear plug thingys stretching out their ear lobes … then this place isn’t for you.
But if you’re looking for great food, at a great price, prepared by an owner who is passionate and brings old world flare to his American business … Carli’s is the place.
We’ll see you on the patio.

One of the few times Unilocal reviews actually were reliable… stopped in on the way to Moorpark Country Club for a last minute golfnow tee time.
On their recommendation, tri tip with homemade chips. Added mushroom, peppers and onion (this is extra but makes it delicious)
Also, comes with a free drink at lunch time.
Super quick service, the sandwich was great.

It makes me sad to write a review like this because the owner was so friendly and I really wanted to like it here, but I did not have a good experience at all.
Wanting to try something new during a break between classes, my friend and I looked up some local eateries on Unilocal.Carli’s had countless stellar reviews, but I won’t be fooled by this as a reliable measure of quality again.
It was cool to see that the restaurant is an old house converted into a business. That gave it a very quaint feel. However, from the moment we were acknowledged by the cranky server waiting on a table outside, everything went downhill. The interior felt intimate, like sitting in a neighbour’s kitchen. Unfortunately, the walls are decorated with tacky ‘50s kitsch and seemed like it could have used a good dusting. The TV was playing old concert footage of some big ‘70s bands, but it was far too loud for such a small space.
The (same) woman who took our orders was so unfriendly and unpleasant, she acted as though our presence was a mortal wound and spoke little more than ten words to us during our visit. She seemed put out to have to serve us. It made both of us feel very unwelcome and set the tone for our meal.
The menu featured a standard list of sandwiches. My friend got the Mediterranean pita; I got a salad. For one, my salad came out 10 minutes before my friend’s food and I always wait to eat until everyone has been served, so I had time to pick my salad over with a fork to find it had very little in the way of toppings. A ton of croutons, sure, but literally two slices of bell pepper, some scallions, and pickles?! Who puts pickles on a salad?
When my friend’s sandwich came out, we were both shocked to see that it was just a piece of pita bread stacked with chicken, cheese, a small army of capers, and some dressing drizzled over the top (for $ 10!). It didn’t come in a pocket and was a total pain for him to eat.
Our server never checked back on us and did not refill our drinks. (There was only one other table eating during our stay.)
The chips were the only saving grace– they’re made in-​house from real potatoes. They were a little burnt, but they were tasty nonetheless.
Terrible service, overpriced mediocre food… had to eat somewhere else after to make up for the unsatisfying lunch.
I’m completely flummoxed by the many 5-​star reviews.

Mediterranean salads/​sandwich are epic! Chips and fries are great! Indoor outdoor.
Great lunch date.

Enjoyed my tri-​tip sandwich for lunch. The owner was very friendly. I can’t imagine having a large group, but 6 or less would be perfect. There’s a small park nearby to play in afterwards (which makes a great kid bribe).
Almost forgot the homemade chips… GET the homemade chips!

My husband and I love so much about this restaurant. We love the outdoor seating with the smell of the grill going. The sandwiches are beyond delicious! (Try the California Philly!) However, the service is hit or miss. There is one particular waitress who never seems to notice when we sit down and we often have to go in and find her. She’s a woman of few words and rarely comes back to check on us. Last time we were there she completely forgot about our drinks. It was a quiet day and a woman who had been sitting at a table with her stroller ended up leaving after not being waited on for a good 15 minutes. I’d love to give this place 5 stars if it weren’t for the poor service half of the time we go. The owner himself if very pleasant, however, and I am hoping to revise my review once the service improves.

I have been coming to Carli’s Bistro on and off since 2009, anytime I’m passing through Moorpark I always stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and am always sincerely greeted with a welcoming smile and kind words.
The food is alway freshly prepared and done to order. Lias the owner is always willing to add special touches and prepare the food to my liking. I have no idea how he remembers how I like my eggs cooked, and that I like my coffee black. I can’t recommend them highly enough. Great food, kind people, nice homey atmosphere. I wish I could come more often! 5 stars in my book!

We went to the quaint little renovated home/​café for the first time last weekend while waiting for a late train. The owner was the kindest and most welcoming man we had ever met. He creates a very «home away from home» atmosphere. Very genuinely warm and attentive. The kind of service any patron longs for. The cheese ravioli was amazingly yummy. The philly cheese steak was so good and my husband fell in love with the crispy three tier BLT. We will definately be going back to try the breakfast burrito and be treated like good friends again. Thank you!

Cute little house converted into a restaurant. The theme of the place is old school actors and actresses and the rat pack.
Their basics are good an their sandwiches are excellent.
Note to the owner/​manager is to fix the fountain machine and ice dispenser.

Well, since my first review, I have been here numerous times. And have tried most of the menu. It’s ALL good. All of it. Every bite. But the Tri-​Tip is off the charts good.
This is my favorite local place to get a great meal when I don’t feel like cooking at home.
Service is fantastic. Friendly. It really is a pleasure to go to Carli’s Bistro.
This is not a fancy, stuffy, uncomfortable place. It is welcoming and comfortable.
On a typical beautiful California day, you can enjoy the patio while savoring the smell of the smoking Tri-​Tip.
Great place for families with kids. The owner, Lias, loves children. Actually, he loves everyone. He’s just a great soul. Moorpark is lucky to have him.

Very friendly place. Menu is worldly, mid-​eastern, east coast and west coast. You can find anything for your taste. Fantastic crisp homemade chips, fresh homemade fries, wonderful messy pastrami burger with a great bun, great flavorful cheesesteak on a fantastic hoagie roll. Really really a good casual stop for good home cooking. Don’t leave without a piping hot homemade cinnamon roll, just one more fantastic item. Going five star on my first review simply because of delicious home cooking and top notch friendly service by the owner.