RED O Taste of Mexico: Authentic Mexican Flavors & Resort-Style Dining in Thousand Oaks

FINALLY after 2 years + we get Red O in Westlake! We held off on coming for the opening and decided to go for a late lunch on a Monday afternoon. It wasn’t crowded at all, but we knew several people at the bar which was fun. We didn’t get a whole bunch of different dishes and opted for goat cheese, corn tamales for an appetizer, and chicken and shrimp fajitas and shrimp and steak fajitas. The flavors were excellent and everything was really well prepared. However, my normal experience with fajitas is that you get sour cream, guacamole, salsa, as well as rice and beans as part of the dish. The only thing that came with the dish was rice and beans. I asked for guacamole, and I got a very small serving, which was fine. However, when I asked for salsa, I got a very, very small serving and I believe the bartender who we know from another establishment made sure that we got enough salsa. I found that very odd maybe that was because we didn’t order chips and salsa… but overall the flavors were delicious. My other big criteria when doing reviews is the room… I used to go to the red O in Los Angeles and the room was much more posh and cool. This room seems a lot more casual/Baja than upscale. However, it was still comfortable, and the bar is really nice. So for me that was a little bit of a letdown, but didn’t distract overall. I’m sure we’ll be back.

Wasn't sure what to expect in our first visit to Red O at the Westlake Promenade. I'll admit to some skepticism, but we were pleasantly surprised. Everything is made in their scratch kitchen, as explained by our server. Every staff member was pleasant and super professional. He knew every answer to questions about ingredients and preparations, making some excellent suggestions. We started with the duck taquitos. These are probably the best taquitos I've ever had. Very plump and filled with tender and juicy duck. They were crispy but not rock hard. The highest quality with tasty guacamole, too. We also had the branzino zerandeado, a type of preparation where the fish is butterflied, then grilled on both sides before being finished in the oven (at least, that's their version). This was also one of my favorite branzino preparations ever! So moist and a little smoky with excellent seasoning. It was delicate and hearty at the same time - enough for two, really - and served with handmade tortillas, avocado and grilled onion. The carne asada fajitas were pretty straight forward. Just well seasoned steak (8 oz?) with rice and beans, along with those fresh tortillas. Between courses, staff cleared and replaced our silver. When it came time for boxing leftovers, our server boxed up our food tableside. Nice touches that will guarantee a return! The place looks like a resort in Tulum with large dining areas and a large bar with a daily happy hour.

Our family of four dined at Red O last night, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish. The ambience is truly remarkable. The design is meant to transport you to a resort in Mexico, and it succeeds beautifully. The atmosphere immediately set the tone for a memorable evening. We started with guacamole alongside chips and salsa, and it was easily some of the best guacamole I’ve ever had. Fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. For entrées, I ordered three tacos: Carne Asada, short rib, and crispy chicken. Each one was exceptional. The Carne Asada was tender and deeply flavorful, while the short rib and chicken each stood out in their own way. It was hard to pick a favorite. My wife and our two kids (ages nine and thirteen) loved their meals as well. The whole family agreed it was a five star experience, both in food and service. The staff was attentive, friendly, and helped make the evening even more enjoyable. Red O is a restaurant we’ll absolutely be returning to. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys elevated Mexican cuisine in a beautiful, vacation like setting.

Our server Nina was awesome! Came here for joint bday dinner with a girlfriend. Ordered goat cheese tamales, scallops aguachiles, chicken enchiladas suizas. Churros and tres leches cake (bday surprise) for dessert. Everything was delicious except the enchiladas. Once we asked for more tomatillo sauce, it was better…but the chicken texture was a tad pastey and flavorless. Also had the best cocktail ever…tamarindo vodka with strawberry puree Would return.

Amazing atmosphere, it's very inviting! The staff were very accommodating and helpful, especially the GM Oliver! Wonderful food. Just need the drinks to be a little bit more heavy handed on the pour and this is your home away from Mexico.

We celebrated a birthday here and overall had a great experience. The atmosphere was fun, the service was attentive, the food was excellent, minus one small hiccup. What really caught us off guard, though, was being charged for a small sliver of cake that we did not order and was given because we were celebrating a birthday. That was pretty unbelievable and definitely put a damper on an otherwise lovely evening. That said, the overall experience was still positive and we would come back again.

Amazing food and service! The Branzino fish did have a few bones, but was still outstanding and very moist. Would definitely order it again. The shrimp with pasta was also tasty as were the plantains. Our server, Darius, was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu at this new and popular restaurant. Hope to return soon with another all-important Reservation.

The RED O Taste of Mexico offers spacious seating, attentive staff and management, and authentic Mexican cuisine. The name “RED O” pays homage to the RED ONION, while “Taste of Mexico” reflects the authentic recipes from the renowned Chef Rick Bayless, who has won numerous awards and authored numerous books. To minimize your wait time, highly recommend making a reservation in advance. Despite only being open for two weeks, the word of mouth is spreading rapidly! One of the standout appetizers is their crispy empanada toppings. They are incredibly delicious, and my wife raved about their authentic Mexican Caesar salad. It has a rich, unique taste that sets it apart from other Caesar salads. For the main dishes, we indulged in both the sizzling carne asada fajitas and the king of the main dishes: their one-of-a-kind and incredibly tender branzino. We’ve had branzino from various locations, but this definitely ranks among the best we’ve ever had. It is bursting with flavor and incredibly tender, an original creation from Chef Rick Bayless. The manager, Joey, also mentioned that their lamb is unbelievably delicious. To end your meal on a sweet note, their passion fruit butter cake is a must-try. It is incredibly tender and bursting with rich flavor, especially with the coconut ice cream.