The R+Q Kitchen

A cafe in a car dealership

The showroom of the Bunin dealership in Fillmore houses classic, high-value cars, and a café.

The history of R+Q Kitchen is surprisingly recent and tied closely to Fillmore’s automotive heritage.

Origins

R+Q Kitchen opened in April 2023 inside the showroom of the former Bunnin Chevrolet dealership at 1024 Ventura Street in Fillmore. The restaurant was founded by Randy and Ashlyn Balades, a husband-and-wife team with extensive experience in Ventura County restaurants and hospitality. The “R+Q” name stands for “Randy and the Queen’s Kitchen,” a reference to Ashlyn.  

Why a Restaurant Inside a Car Dealership?

The dealership location already contained a restaurant space that had been operated previously by the dealership. When the Baladeses decided to open their own restaurant, they found the showroom location offered an affordable and practical opportunity compared with traditional restaurant spaces in Ventura County. They leased the existing restaurant area and transformed it into a scratch kitchen and barbecue operation.  

Randy Balades’ Background

Randy’s culinary roots go back to Fillmore itself. While in high school, he worked in the kitchen of the historic Fillmore Western Railway operation. He later studied culinary arts in Santa Monica and became head chef at the well-known Rabalais Bistro in nearby Santa Paula. Ashlyn and Randy also worked together opening a Yard House restaurant in Oxnard before launching their own venture.  

Growth and Reputation

What began as a small “hidden gem” quickly developed a regional reputation. The restaurant specializes in smoked brisket, tri-tip, pulled pork, and scratch-made sides, sauces, jams, and dressings. Their smoker is located outside in the dealership lot, making the setting even more unusual. By 2025, food writers were describing it as one of the notable barbecue destinations along Highway 126.  

A Fillmore Success Story

R+Q Kitchen is part of a broader trend of small, locally owned businesses helping revitalize Fillmore’s historic commercial corridor. Its combination of high-quality barbecue, breakfast service, and an unconventional showroom location has attracted both locals and travelers driving between Los Angeles and Ventura County.  

Try the brisket anything. Call ahead to confirm the availability of the brisket — avoid the tri-tip.