Recent Business Reviews: Bakersfield.com

Prime Cut

I had to write a review after I saw the negative review by rflorez. As a waiter this is the kind of customer I detest. An over bearing woman with a passive husband who won't put her in her place ! First of all if the restaurant isn't self seating you don't sit where you want, if you had a problem with where you were seated, you should have spoke up ! Secondly, be a little more decisive , you sound like you don't know where to sit, what to order, what sauce you like- geez. And as a waiter speaking on behalf of other waiters we have sections, you probably sat in someone else's section who was busy and didn't have time for you to figure out what you like and then you stiff the waitress, bravo- she just got taxed on a tip she never got, you just ripped her off and then bragged about it, as a rule I tip 30 % for good service, 20 % for decent and 10 % for bad, the person could be having a bad day, and don't take it out on the waiter if you didn't like the food, he didn't cook it.

I ate at the prime cut on wed. with my buddy and I thought it was pretty cool, nice atmosphere, I liked the butcher shop next door, looks like a good place to buy meat, anyways I had the tri-tip and my buddy had the chicken, my tri tip was ok but my friend's chicken- that's the ticket , awesome, the blond girl that waited on us was knew but seemed to have good server timing and made me comfortable, I hate servers who bug me all the time with stupid questions like, do you want a refill on your soda ?, when I downed it in ten seconds and have it out on the edge of the table.

The owner saw us looking around and came over and asked us how we were doing, I think we were just checking out all the stuff on the walls, so that was cool, ok I've said my piece !

T-Bones Steak House

My family and I visited the Tbone Steak house. I thought it was great. It was pricey but you have to remember it's a Steak house. My son had the chicken which was very flavorful. My husband and I had he sirloin steak. They were both great. Good flavor and cooked just like we ordered. I would recommend it if your looking for a good piece of steak.

Akira's Japanese

Recently my dad took me to Akira where they serve Japanese food. I have been to Akira and tried the sushi, only California rolls. This time I tried sashimi and other rolls. We ordered an LPGA roll, tuna tataki, and a sashimi combination which comes with miso soup and sticky rice. We received all that we ordered except we were given a PGA roll with no L.

We went around 12:45pm and it was not too busy. We sat at the bar where you can see of the variety of fish and your food being prepared. The restaurant is dimly lit with shaded hanging lights, but is brighter than candle light. Our drink orders were quickly taken and quickly brought to us. My dad ordered iced tea and I lemonade. The drinks were $1.95 each. We were then given a piece of paper with the selections or you can also write down if you want something different. Tuna tataki was not on the paper, but we were able to just write it down. We ordered a sashimi combination, LPGA roll, and tuna tataki. Then set the piece of paper in front of the chef preparing our food. We received a wooden tray with wasabi, ginger, and a cucumber and carrot salad. The salad had a nice tang to it. After the salad we received our tuna tataki. The tuna is seared on the outside and cut into about eight pieces. The tuna was served on top of thinly sliced cucumber with pepper, lemon and a spicy red sauce on top. The tuna did not bring any new flavors I have not had before. It tasted a little like chicken and just wasn’t something I would recommend. The tuna tataki was $14.50. There was nothing special about the tuna that chicken could not give you and was not worth the $14.50.

We watched the chef prepare our next item. He rolled our LPGA roll with bamboo and cut it into pieces. It was not our LPGA roll it was a PGA roll. The PGA roll and the LPGA are much alike in that they both have tuna, albacore tuna, and salmon. The only difference is that the LPGA roll also has spicy tuna. The PGA roll was a little difficult to chew because the seaweed was tough. The roll left you with a lingering spice but it was not uncomfortable. The PGA roll also cost $14.50. I felt the same way about this roll as I did about the tuna, it was not very good and even less memorable than the tuna.

Next came our miso soup and sticky rice. The miso soup was not anything special, it tasted like every other miso soup. But I love the smell of miso soup, it smells really salty which is a change compared to many of the bland foods served. The sticky rice was only slightly stickier than regular white rice. Then the sashimi combination. There were three slices of each type of fish about four inches long. The fish included albacore, tuna, yellow tail, and salmon. With each of these fish I was given the suggestion to first try it without soy sauce and then with. If your taste it without the soy sauce you get the pure taste of fish. With the soy sauce all of the different kinds of fish begin to taste the same. The Albacore had the best texture it was smooth and melts in your mouth. The tuna tasted most like chicken but did not have any other memorable quality. Next the yellow tail which was my favorite, was smooth and had a buttery taste to it. Last was the salmon which was my least favorite. The salmon was a little difficult to eat because salmon has different layers. The sashimi combination I would say was the best deal at $19.95. After finishing our meal we were given a half of an orange that was in cut in sections.

We were then given our check and it was short, the sashimi combination was not on it. We gave it back to our server and he took it up to the front; then we went and took care of our bill. He gave us our receipt back, and the sashimi was still not on the bill; we went back in and paid for it. The total cost of our meal was $57.17, which according to my dad is not that bad for a trip to Akira.

To give a quick review. The service was quick but not very accurate. The atmosphere was calm. The restaurant was quiet and not very bright. If you like more lighting, I recommend you sit at the bar. I did not like the sashimi that much, but if you do want to try it I recommend the Yellow Tail. If you don’t know what you will like, try one of the combinations that offers the largest selection within your budget. When trying sashimi try it without soy sauce first. There are some items on the menu that are worth the price, but others that are not, but it’s up to your taste buds to determine the difference.

Evil Eye Tattoo

I work here so im biased but, we are very clean and art oriented...

www.evileyetattoostudio.com

Call us @ 661-393-1320

Please come down and check us out at 1340 Roberts ln... Bakersfield Ca.

El Portal West

Food: Best chile verde I have ever had.

Service: Good service our waiter was very friendly.

T-Bones Steak House

We had a party of 3 late on a friday. We had great service and wonderful food. The food was a bit pricey but worth it in my opinion. The only problem is if you are trying to be health conscious there are few to little options. We had tried 2 different steaks and the chicken. All came with the setup of bread/cornbread and salsa, salad with a house ranchstyle dressing, beans and baked potato with all the fixings (or coyboy potatoes). The stainless steel bowls did strike me as awkward and brought forth the idea of dog dishes (as a previous reviewer mentioned).

T-Bones Steak House

I ate at this place and it was awesome...better than Black Angus...I was served quick and the food was really hot..... I loved the atmosphere in there as well... I'm glad we know have some variety in the SW....What a great place for dinner that isn't too far from home!

Jacalito Grill

As I stepped into the fine dining Mexican restaurant, I caught my feet doing a side-stepping move to the rhythmic sounds of Spanish radio music. This is the Mexican restaurant on the corner of Fairfax and Auburn St. The next thing that I noticed, was that of savory smell of sizzling fajitas that captured the attention of my taste buds and made my stomach growl slightly. As the waitress walked my sisters and I to the table to be seated, I took two big whiffs of those delicious smelling fajitas. She seated us in a booth, in which, the color of the seats resembled a parrot green like color. We were seated, the waitress gave us our menu’s and took down our order for drinks. As I was looking through the menu, I noticed that they had quite a variety. From tasty shrimp and fish tacos to the regular burritos, tacos, and enchiladas of the three different meats; chicken, beef, and shrimp. Not only did they have other traditional plates such as tacos with rice and beans or flautas with rice and beans, but also seafood. The waitress came back with our drinks and also had chips and salsa with her. These tortilla chips had a bright yellow glow to them, as if they were just done, hot off the frying pan and to our basket. Not only did they have this great glow, but also tasted really good. They had the perfect amount of salt seasoning, they were not to salty, nor did they lack any salt and taste like that of paper. After about five minutes, the waitress came back and asked if we were ready to order. I made my decision. I ordered the seafood plate, “Camarones Vallarta,” which includes eight cooked in garlic, butter, and a special green sauce, and that came with rice and beans. For my sister, she ordered the “two chicken enchiladas” that came with rice and beans. She took our order and was off into the kitchen to place it to the chef. I don’t know how much time went by, but the smell of the fajitas was getting to me and made my stomach growl even louder, I was really hungry. I started eating chips and salsa at a frantic rate in which I took a chip, dipped and scooped a good amount of salsa on it, and down the hatch it went into my mouth. Not only was I eating these chips and salsa because I was hungry, but because it was really good. The salsa had the perfect combination of tomato, onion, jalapenos, and garlic all mixed and cut together. I could tell the salsa was hand made because the shapes of the tomato and onion bits were too square, perfect, and unproportional. They had great service, as soon as I was about to finish the basket of chips, there was another waitress on her way with more chips and delivered me another fresh basket of chips. I must have had about four baskets by the time food came out. It didn’t even take that long for them to prepare our food. I’d say it took about fifteen minutes, twenty minutes at the most. It didn’t even feel that long; it felt more like five minutes because of the perfect smell of the dishes, the music, and not to mention the exquisite chips and salsa. The waitress gave us our plates and boy was I licking my lips, I thought I was going to get eight small to medium sized shrimp, but I was wrong. These shrimp were large almost jumbo like that could barely fit into my mouth as I tried to eat them. As we were eating, the waitress came back gave us tortillas, and she even opened the tortilla container and offered us some. I took the tortilla and was about to start rolling it up to eat, but soon felt pain of something very hot in my hands. I blew on it for a bit and instead of rolling it up, I first took my spoon and scooped up some beans and rolled them into my tortilla. Then I took some rice and did the same, and last but not least, took a shrimp that was dipped in the very good green special salsa and started eating it. I was finished my plate in about ten minutes, I was very hungry and soon after finished, I was so full that I had to unbuckle my belt one buckle. My sister and I finished and they took our plates as soon as they saw that we had finished. I was expecting to see the tab coming but it wasn’t. I was in a little rush and asked our waitress to bring it so that we could pay. She brought it to us with three green and black colored mints. It turned out to be the best twenty seven dollars I have ever spent on food. It was delicious and very much worth it.

T-Bones Steak House

My husband and I visited T-Bones Steak House last Thursday. I would like to review this place and focus on 3 main areas, atmosphere, food, and service.

As we pulled into the parking lot, I noticed an outdoor kitchen setup in the front of the building, under a wooden patio structure with lots of smoke billowing from underneath, which concerns with the Kern County Health Department safety rules and regulations for restaurants.

When we entered the restaurant, we were greeted warmly and immediately seated to a booth in the dining area. Not many people there, maybe because the time was a little bit late at 8pm. I noticed that T-bones has very nice interior decoration with a strong feel of western. They paint the ceiling with light blue and white which looks like you are eating outdoors under the nice blue sky. On the walls, there are many little cow-boy style decorations, such as leather cow-boy boots, a wagon wheel, metal cow-boy tools, and many other western items. It was a big surprise that there are a few flat screen televisions in the dining room. The lighting was a little bright for a dinner house. It could be a little dimmer to create a more cozy atmosphere.

While I was looking around, the waitress came to our table and brought us the menu. She has very nice attitude which made us feel comfortable. After we told her that this was the first time we came here, she was very patient to answer our questions and introduced to us about their specialty. The menu is pretty full, very strong promoting Angus certified beef which means the top quality beef they are serving. They are a local operator, instead of a chain restaurant. That is nice.

We felt good so far, but after our food came, we were disappointed.

We took the waitress’s suggestion and ordered the appetizer – hot wings, which on the menu states “grilled over Oakwood fire”. But it didn’t appear any oak flavor or even looked grilled. It didn’t take crisp and it was not HOT at all. For the main entree, I ordered the Baby Back Ribs and my husband had the house sirloin steak. Any entree comes with salad, potato, and bread, but with the salad, we don’t have any choice of dressing for the salad which I think that is a big mistake. And another thing I didn’t like is that the bowl they use to serve the salad is just a stainless steel bowl, which looks like a dog bowl. That was a little embarrassing. As far as the salad itself, the lettuce seemed to be wilted and didn’t taste crisp. For the side dishes, they only give you baked potato or cowboy fried potato as your starch. I am a rice and vegetable eater, so that made me feel not satisfied. For the entree, the baby back ribs I ordered were dry without much sight of any sauce. The flavor was very bland, and not much flavor of any spices, such as garlic, onion, pepper, or salt, etc. I was very disappointed. The steak that my husband ordered was overcooked, because he requested median rare, but it was well done. The BBQ sauce tasted like it came from a can, not very pleasing for a local operated steak house to serve generic sauce. The cowboy fried potato we chose were very large pieces of potato that we are not pleasing. As you are paying such a high dollar for meal, the quality of food that T-bone served was not acceptable. But the portion that was served was appropriate amount for an entree meal.

However, the best thing about our dining experience was the service. The waitress was very attentive and always checking if we needed anything. Every time when we need anything or ask any question, she was always there and gave feedback immediately. I can see some other waitress for other tables were the same way. The service was great.

Overall experience rated on the 1-5 star rating we would have to give it 1 star.

BJs Restaurant & Brewery

For many, first impressions mean a lot. For myself, that’s not so true when it comes to rating a restaurant. Just a few weeks ago, I visited BJ’s restaurant and brewery for the first time and I’m still not sure if I would go back again. Every experience, anywhere, can and will always be different.

For someone who enjoys fresh beer and loves the bar, it’s a great place to go. Them having their own brewery makes those who drink happy and satisfied. They also offer a special service for the customer when they ask for a beer. If one is not sure of which of their unique beers to ask for, they can pick one for you just by letting them know what beer you regularly drink at home. As for me, when I go to a restaurant, it depends more on the service and the food choices along with its taste.

The waitress, I could tell, was not so happy to be there. Maybe she had issues in her personal life, but I think those should be left at home or outside of the restaurant. The server’s attitude always seems to persuade the attitude of the customer so it should be a happy one. BJ’s menu has a wonderful variety of food on their menu and the choices are great. It being my first visit, I decided to try something that I had a high chance of enjoying, so I went with the pizza.

On my order, I asked for a pepperoni pizza with a chicken topping and my taste buds were aroused. The time it took for the food to be ready was not too bad because nobody was really there, which was a good thing. Having the restaurant almost completely to ourselves made the atmosphere more calm and quiet as opposed to loud and rowdy. Having some music or volume for a sports game wouldn’t be too bad, but sitting next to a family with little kids that can not be controlled, really obliterates the ambiance. Upon its arrival, my pizza was not at all what I was expecting. The toppings I asked for were given to me, but my pizza came with extra and unwanted toppings. I had itty bitty pieces of celery blended in with the cheese and it tasted awful. I had never tried celery before and figured it would be flavorless like lettuce, but it wasn’t. So little, yet so packed with “yuck” flavor.

As far as getting my moneys worth, I don‘t think I did. Being so hungry and having to eat such a pizza just made everything seem like a waste of money and time. The prices weren’t bad at all, but the service overall really ruined it for me. Maybe I care too much about the service, but that’s one of the main goals a restaurant should stand-by. If it is not met, their job is not being fulfilled and customers will avoid the restaurant next time they want to go somewhere to eat.

Special and unique things that made BJ’s stand out was the fact that it has its own brewery and that its almost like a restaurant mixed with a sports bar. So many TV’s and so many different sports being played at the same time. The way the structure of the building was brought up is quite amazing as well. Upon entering there is the bar to your left hand side and on the right are some tables and booths. Although not secluded, at the far right of the restaurant there is another section in which bigger parties tend to be seated. On your way to the restrooms the small hallway right before entering is decorated with classical-style pictures that make you stop by and admire them. The restrooms themselves were really clean and also, well decorated. Once again, it was my first time so maybe it could be better, but it will be a while before I go back and give them more of my money and time. If you hadn’t had a chance to visit the restaurant, make sure you are willing eat whatever they bring you. It might not be what you ordered, but if it is, it might just have a simple kick to it.

Elephant Bar

My pleasant dining experience started at the Elephant Bar Restaurant, at the corner of Stockdale Highway and Old River. I had lunch at Elephant Bar on October 27^th 2008 at about 3:20 P.M.

Upon arriving at Elephant Bar I was already enticed by the restaurant’s curb appeal. In addition, Elephant Bar is in a very good location. Moreover, this restaurant has very lush landscaping with various types of flowers, plants, trees, and Bermuda grass that are all well maintained. Also, another very nice feature that Elephant Bar displays is its elegant waterfall in the front of the restaurant. All these elements deffintly gave me a very good perception of the restaurant.

Once I entered the Elephant Bar, I noticed how well the interior of the restaurant looked. In addition, the restaurants interior decoration is very nice. Moreover, the interior has an elegant safari theme displayed throughout the whole building. Also, the Elephant Bar Restaurant is very well designed and developed. Overall, the interior of the Elephant Bar Restaurant was well maintained, clean, and aesthetic.

After standing in front of the greeting area for a couple seconds, I was promptly helped by my waitress M.J. After introducing herself to me I was escorted to my table. Once I was seated I was generously asked what I wanted to drink. After ordering my lemonade I was given my menu, and my waitress M.J. informed me of the different plates and appetizers that the Elephant Bar Restaurant had to offer. My waitress was very knowledgeable about the Elephant Bar Restaurant’s fine cuisine, and she was very polite.

After looking through the variety of meals that the Elephant Bar Restaurant’s menu had to offer I opted for the Pan Pacific Shrimp. Moreover, I really enjoyed how promptly my food and drink were brought to me. As soon as my waitress M.J. put my plate on the table I could smell the three types of freshly cooked shrimp and its condiments. Before, I ate my Pan Pacific Shrimp, I took a sip of my lemonade it had a taste of fresh lemons, and was cold as ice. After, drinking some lemonade, I got my fresh cut lemon from my plate, and squeezed the delicious lemon juice on my Pan Pacific Shrimp. Then, after having a couple bites of the three types of shrimp, I quickly decided on a favorite. My favorite type of shrimp was in a bowl with, white rice, and vegetables. The other two types of shrimp were fried shrimp, and regular shrimp with a black condiment sprayed on top.

While I was enjoying my Pan Pacific Shrimp, I took in the pleasant ambiance at the Elephant Bar Restaurant. The mood was mellow, and the guests seemed like they were enjoying themselves.

After enjoying my entree my waitress very kindly brought my bill. I was really satisfied with the price of my meal. My bill was processed very quickly by my waitress M.J., and off I went back to my office a very satisfied customer of the Elephant Bar Restaurant.

To summarize, the Elephant Bar Restaurant offers a variety of fine meals, a pleasant ambiance, good customer service, and the best part is its affordable prices. The food is served promptly, and I would recommend the Elephant Bar Restaurant to family, friends, co workers, and to all the citizens of Bakersfield.

Root Beer King

When you first step into the fast food restaurant Root Beer King (the one located in Lamont on 11000 Main St.), you are hit with the bitter yet tasty smell of seasonings. Then you notice the 50’s greaser theme all around and how clean the place is. You notice the jut box, the checkered floor, “I love Lucy” and “Grease” posters, vintage wanted signs, classic cartoon characters, and vintage furniture. All you want to do at that point is bust out into song from the movie “Grease” or just think about what we learned about the 50’s in our American History class in high school. Then you notice the very appetizing menu. It was extremely shocking to see that there were combos priced under $6.00. These combos are not like regular combos. They seem large and there are a variety of burgers to choose from like the jalapeno burger combo priced at just $5.97, which is extremely spicy and would only be recommended to those risk takers. There are also the avocado burger, the pastrami burger, the salad burger, as well as the classics, like the cheeseburger. Not only do they serve burgers but they also serve burritos, hot dogs, and salads to go along with the fifty’s theme they serve shakes as well. As I stepped closer to the counter still undecided about what to choose, one of the employees told me to take my time, there was no rush. The service was great; they were very friendly and speedy.

That night I was in the mood for some spice so I chose the jalapeno combo (I was in for a rude awakening) and my sister decide to go for the salad burger combo priced at $3.62. The jalapeno burger came on lightly toasted bread with mustard, mayo, fresh lettuce, tomato, pickles, a jalapeno cut in half, and a thin patty. As I went in for the first bite my mouth was watering due to the scent of jalapenos. I took the first bite and it was extremely spicy. I wanted to spit it out but could not because it was too delicious. It was painful, yet addicting; at least it seemed so at the first bite. After the first bite, I realized what the first problem was. I soon realized that the burger was not that great. The patty was slightly overcooked and looked extremely dry. Secondly, there was also a bit too much seasoning on the burger for my taste. Lastly the burger just seemed tasteless with the exception of the excessive amount of seasoning. I could have been eating paper and not noticed the difference. It was placed what seemed to be carelessly on top of the burgers’ bun which made it an even bigger mess. The seasoning just made the burger to salty and a medium sized refreshment could not quench my thirst. I honestly could not completely finish the burger so I left about half of it on the tray. Since my jalapeno burger was no longer appetizing I decide to try my sisters’ salad burger. This burger consisted of a thin patty on toasted bread, tomatoes, pickles, a secret dressing, and a surplus of fresh lettuce. I took a small bite and I could already tell that the bread tasted a little old and too dry and the meat was also overcooked. I asked my sister how it tasted to her and she agreed and also added that the slices of tomatoes did not seem fresh. She said it felt like it just melted right away in her mouth and I do not think tomatoes are supposed to do that. Next came the fries. The fries also had seasoning on them; the same seasoning that topped off the burger. They looked plump, fresh, and not at all greasy. I took the first bite and I was hooked. It felt as if I were in fry heaven! I saw the light! The fry was so soft and warm. It seemed to just melt away in my mouth. In this case, the seasoning was the perfect addition. It seemed as if they were meant for each other. The seasoning on the fry made a great combination with the ketchup as well but it tasted just as great without for all the non ketchup loving people.

Although the main attractions are supposed to be the burgers at Lamont’s Root Beer King, they were definitely outshined by the amazing fries. Root Beer King to me gets a rating of two stars out of four since there main attraction was a disappointment. I felt I got robbed when I tasted the jalapeno burger but was reimbursed once I tasted the fries. For the best fries you will ever taste I recommend to go to fry heaven at Lamont’s Root beer King. In all honesty I would not go back to Root Beer king for the burgers but I will go again for the remarkably outstanding French fries.

Don Pepe's

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

I went to Olive Garden with my mom, my sister, and my brother for lunch. We went to the one located on New Stine and Ming. The first thing they ask you is “how many people?” Then they give you this vibrating circle with lights which turns on when your table is ready. When it vibrates a waiter shows you to your table. The place is nice and clean and everything runs smoothly. Since there were only three of us I will only talk about what we ordered.

I ordered the Chicken Carbonara. Its chicken breasts sautéed with Bucatini pasta mixed with parmesan cream sauce, pancetta bacon, and seasoned Breadcrumbs. They also give complimentary breadsticks and salad or soup. When my plate arrived I just looked at it I didn’t know where to start. I started with the chicken. It was fancy, juicy and cut so perfectly that you didn’t want to mess it up. All it takes is one bite and you are hooked. The pasta was creamy cheesy and it exploded with flavor in your mouth with the pancetta bacon. You don’t see the bacon because of the pasta but you can feel it and taste it in your mouth. It was very colorful and happy.

My mom ordered Stuffed Chicken Marsala. Its oven roasted chicken breast stuffed with Italian cheeses and sun-dried tomatoes with creamy marsala sauce and mushrooms, served with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes. This also comes with complementary breadsticks and a salad or soup. She said that she was impressed with the stuffed chicken because she has never seen or heard of stuffed chicken. She said it was creative, full with flavor, soft and tender. She didn’t like the mashed potatoes; she doesn’t know why exactly. She said that there was something about them which didn’t click.

My sister ordered Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo. Its grilled beef medallions drizzled with balsamic glaze served over fettuccine mixed with gorgonzola alfredo sauce and spinach. This also comes with complimentary breadsticks and soup or salad. She said that the meat was so bomb because once she put it in her mouth she couldn’t let go. It was full of flavor and cooked to her liking. She said that the pasta was awesome that it tasted like salad dressing. She just didn’t like how the pasta looked. She said it looked boring and could use a little more color not just green from the spinach

The salad that we had was the best. It was your basic salad but there was something that made it all different. We didn’t try the soups so we have no comments. The breadsticks looked so perfect in the napkin that was wrapped around them. They were very shiny and attractive. To the bite they were soft and just right.

The service was awesome the thing that we hated was that the waiter just took our food without asking like our drinks when he saw that they were halfway empty he took them away and gave us a full drink. My mom got annoyed with that. Overall the waiter was kind asked question even mingled a bit with us. The noise level was normal you could here your conversation and not someone else’s. The restaurant had warm lighting which makes it romantic for couples. There were trees and plants but no flowers. The tables didn’t have a center piece which made them look boring. The restaurant could use a surprise of color, but its ok with what they have done. We give Olive Garden an eight on a scale from one through ten. We definitely suggest you go there and order one of these dishes or any other.

Arby's Roast Beef

If you want a real good burger with a lot less fat in it, your best choice is Arby’s. I went to the Arby’s that’s on Buck Owens Blvd. They have a variety of foods in their menu ranging from roast beef burgers to turkey sandwiches to salads and subs. There are so many superb items that you can be certain that you will be back for more.

I ordered the Crispy Chicken Bacon & Swiss combo. The combo consisted of the sandwich itself, a fountain drink, and some curly fries. Like all restaurants, the “upgrade” of fries was a little extra, but it was worth the money spent. When they called my order number, I reacted as if I was an obese child that has been given a chocolate cake all for himself. I got to the counter and I saw the meal neatly placed on the tray. I took the tray and went to a table near a window. Leaving the food there as I went to go get something to drink, I was wondering what to choose. They had a good variety of drinks: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Dr. Pepper, Tropicana Pink Lemonade, Sobe Fruit Punch, and water. My favorite drink is Dr. Pepper, so that’s exactly what I dispensed in my cup. I put the cover on the cup and retrieved myself a straw from the dispenser. Once I was back at the table, I remembered about the Arby’s Sauce. This restaurant owned sauce is a sweet , barbeque like substance that has a unique taste. This sauce can be used with almost any meal from Arby’s menu, enhancing the flavor like nothing else.

The sandwich was still warm and fresh as I arrived to my table. I unwrapped it and took my first bite. It was so juicy and delicious that I could actually taste the different components of the sandwich. The sesame buns were warm, the chicken was juicy, the fresh swiss cheese melted on top of the chicken, the thick cut peppered bacon, and honey mustard combined to make a fresh and wonderful work of art. Every bite was mouth watering. The curly fries were just taken out of the fryer; thus, giving it the warm, fresh, marinated taste. After about half way through the fries, I covered all the fries with what was left of the Arby’s Sauce. The food was spectacular and nothing could have finished it off like the gassy and multi-flavored taste of the Dr. Pepper. I can most definitely say that it was the best meal I had that whole week.

The ambiance of the restaurant was outstanding. Everything was clean and organized. Other customers were enjoying their meals as well as I was. Like every other family, they were talking at a moderate noise level. This, however, did not intrude with the satisfaction of the overall feel of this Arby’s restaurant. The staff was very nice and greeted everyone that came in. The service was unbelievably fast . I got my meal in less than a minute after I paid for it. The meal was hot and perfectly made in such little time. Based on my experience at this Arby’s location, in a rating system of ten points, I give the restaurant a 9.

Frugatti's Italian Eatery

Do the doors sense motion and open automatically? No, that’s just an employee at Frugatti’s fine Italian restaurant opening the door for you. It certainly is quite impressive to have someone be so courteous at a restaurant these days. It makes me feel important and welcomed when I enter the restaurant. Right away I was greeted and asked the number of my party so that I could be seated as soon as possible. What’s that playing in the background? Well, that would just be the very skilled accordion player; he hangs out by the door and plays to all of the customers walking in to the restaurant. His smooth playing sets you at ease and ready to eat.

Frugatti’s is located off of Truxtan and Coffee. It’s in a tight little shopping center. The parking is a tight squeeze so it might be hard to find a spot before you actually get into the restaurant. If you’re worried about space and comfortable seating, Frugatti’s has its good and bad aspects. The restaurant offers booth or table seating, and also patio seating for those warm days in Bakersfield. I sat in a booth and it was quite comfortable. We were able to fit three people to one side of the booth comfortably. The overall space of the restaurant, however, is not very big. Although to me, I liked the small setting because it made the whole dinner scene more laid back and it was very family friendly. Other than the accordion, there wasn’t any music playing so it wasn’t hard to have conversations with your party. Also, don’t worry about dressing up for this restaurant. It can be a dressed up atmosphere but it is solely up to the person. When I went to eat at Frugatti’s there wasn’t a wait time, but once we were leaving, the restaurant became much more crowded. I remember hearing a thirty minute wait time was being. Most people waited outside by the nice water fountain, or enjoyed the accordion music until it was their turn to eat.

The employees at Frugatti’s are professional and genial. They dress in uniform which include: black pants, black button down shirts, and white ties. The waitress I had was very attentive and definitely made my party and I feel welcomed. She held conversations with us and always put on a smile. Also, our drinks were filled without hesitation each and every time they went empty. I would rate the service a solid 9 out of 10.

Okay, now for the good part, the food! The complimentary bread was very appetizing. It came out warm and ready to eat with some butter on the side. The dinner portion’s at Frugatti’s are worth every penny. The plates are with loaded with luscious looking food filled from rim to rim with your order. This restaurant definitely did not disappoint me. I am a spaghetti lover, and the spaghetti with meat sauce at the restaurant did not fail my expectations whatsoever. I was quite happy and it left me satisfied. My friend got a salad and it was the biggest salad portion I had ever seen in a restaurant. My other friend had the Baked Mostaccioli. Baked Mostaccioli is a type of noodle, kind of like spaghetti but baked, with cheese on top. She said it was real cheesy and that it was one of the biggest sized Baked Mostaccioli dishes she had ever ordered. She was happy overall with what she ate. Although I was too full to even try the dessert, it certainly looked really tasty. There was some good looking cheesecake and the cannollis looked delicious. Next time I will be sure to save enough room for dessert.

At the end of dinner, the waiters and bussers made it a priority to clean up the tables as soon as you and your party were finished with our dinners. After they cleaned our tables we just sat and talked for a good thirty minutes. None of the employees rushed us to leave or pay our bill even though they were on a wait. They just let us be and it was a good feeling not having to rush out after finishing our meal. We had time to relax before we decided to leave, and it was relieving. Overall, I would strongly recommend this restaurant if you are looking for a fun family dinner.

-- Samantha Rodriguez

EAST HILLS SMOG

Absolutely the best. I spent only 15 minutes there. The techinician was pleasant and helpful. My smog certificate was electornically sent to the DMV. So, there was no hassle. A great experience.

Don Pepe's

For my CSUB English class, Dr. Schmoll asked the class to “investigate” a restaurant in Bakersfield, California. I narrowed my search to a few local restaurants, and decided to taste the food of Don Pepes. Don Pepes, a Mexican restaurant in southwest Bakersfield on the corner of Real and Wilson, is family operated with authentic Mexican food. I went to this restaurant to critique, give gratitude, and grade the restaurant in three different categories: the ambience, food, and the service.

As I pulled up to the location, I was a little curious how the result would be. I noticed the location was not the best, but, as many people say, the restaurants hidden or even in random places are typically the best. I pulled into the parking and noticed parking was minimal, but this covers the other shopping center stores also. The appearance of the building is simple with white plaster, and a blue roof. Basically, it’s do-able. I walked through the wooden double doors, and was abruptly slammed with air in my face. This is good, however, because flies can be quite disgusting on my food. I was immediately greeted by a waitress who sat me at a nice booth table.

Besides the backs of the booth being a little steep for me liking, the seating was relaxing. The atmosphere in this restaurant is “Patio Dining.” The booths are wrapped around the room under eaves, while tables sit in the middle of the room. The restaurant is not a large one, and is filled up with “originals” on Fridays and Saturdays. But with that said, waiting, if any, is at most five to ten minutes. There is a bar located at west side of the dining area, but this bar doesn’t look like the type people hang around. It seems to be the bar where the waitresses go to fetch drinks for the customers. I was greeted quickly with a batch of home-made corn chips and salsa, along with an extremely cold glass of water. The salsa was more a liquid type, but had good heat, color, and texture. It also had an unique taste for their restaurant, whereas many salsas may taste similar. It wasn’t too mild or too hot. I would, however, prefer hotter salsa. I looked through the menu and saw many mouth watering items, but, if you haven’t notice, I love Mexican food. I decided to order a Chile-Verde burrito with beans and rice on the side ($7.99). I ordered two drinks, a Pepsi and a Shirley Temple ($2.25 each).

The drinks were brought out together, and I tasted and examined both. They had good amount of ice and they actually had color. I dislike watered down Pepsi or when they are flat. They both had great amounts of flavor and fizz. The temple was very sweet, with three cherries! The service is, and I repeat, fantastic. They treat every customer as a family member, or a good friend. They ask multiple times throughout the night if I needed anything, or had a question. My food came within 15 minutes, which is a little scarce on time, but the food was extremely hot. It looked very tasty, with generous portions of refried beans, rice, and guacamole. The burrito was very large and stuffed with Chile-Verde. I chose to taste the burrito first. It had much flavor, and plenty portions of all ingredients were present. But again, the Chile-Verde burrito needed more spice. The beans seemed quite mediocre, as did the rice. The bill came after my meal, and I was satisfied. I wasn’t satisfied, not only because the food was fantastic, but the price is extremely reasonable. If you buy The Bakersfield Californian newspaper card, you can get an additional 20% off your total bill. I decided to walk around the place before I left just to get a feel for the place, and to see how clean everything was. The bathrooms were not fancy at all, quite simple actually, however they were not dirty in any sense. The main dining room was a little compact, but organized.

I went to this restaurant to give a review on the ambience, food, and service. I decided to rate each category out of five stars. I gave ambiance three and a half (3.5) stars, because of the simplicity of the dining area. Nothing fancy was used, but it does capture the casual dinner with the family feel. I gave food four and a half (4.5) stars. The only reason why I did not give a five was because I needed a hint of more spice. I recommend cooking with a Habenero pepper. The food had great appearance and color. The burrito came with a wonderful olive green sauce poured over it, with melted yellow and white cheese. The drinks were wonderful, as with the chips and salsa. The service is definitely five (5) star quality. They approach you as if you were friends, and treat you with the upmost respect. Timing was quick and smooth, along with the check-up times the waitress preformed to refill drinks or chips.

As you may see I gave this restaurant much gratitude, and praise. I know some critics may believe I was lenient, but I am all about first impressions. If it starts good, it typically ends well. I highly recommend any family to try this restaurant, and explore the lovely menu through Mexico.

China Cuisine

China Cuisine has to be the most magnificent restaurant I have dinned in. This is a restaurant I have been dinning at since a child and it has never disappointed me. In fact it continues to impress me the more I go. China Cuisine has best ambiance, service and delicious varieties of food that I have personally come across.

Since the place burned down a couple of years ago, the restaurant has gone through some amazing transformation. They brought in new tables, chairs, and some paintings to decorate the walls. China Cuisine is kind of a medium sized restaurant that is split up in to a couple of section. First, you have the dinning area which is separated by a wall into two parts. Towards the kitchen area they have a bar; I don’t have much to say about that, since I’m not twenty-one yet. The restaurant also has a salad and buffet bar towards the back of the building.

China Cuisine has a very serene and relaxing atmosphere that makes a person feel at ease. The main reason for this is due to the ambiance of the restaurant; an example of this would be the vivid paintings on the walls which gives you a sense of tranquility. Another would be the huge statue of a golden Buddha; it’s the first thing that caught my eye when I walked through the entrance. The Buddha gives off a religious sense which many could relate to. Part of it also has to do with the insufficient amount of customers, which surprises me because the food is marvelous. The advantage to this though is peace and quiet.

The staff at China Cuisine is very respectful to their customers and they don’t hassle them to leave early like some restaurants. Their very friendly and they aren’t hesitant to make conversation if you’re the talkative type. No matter what I’m there for whether it’s to dine at the restaurant or just there for the buffets on Fridays I can always count on the staff for excellence service.

When I do decide to eat at the restaurant I normally order Chinese food along with a cold glass of ice tea. I enjoy their Chinese food because of the chowmang, fried rice, and their egg rolls. They know how to cook their chowmang just how I like it, with the right consistency of oil. As for the egg rolls, they make it in a way that vegetables are delicious and not disgusting as their made out to be. Oh, and I can’t forget about that warm sweet delicious divine sauce that you pour over your chicken that makes it taste so amazing. After eating its always exciting to open and reveal what the fortune cookie have to say. I always enjoy watching their collection of enormous fish while eating at China Cuisine.

When I go for the buffet, which is only on Fridays and Saturdays, I pack so much food that the container is hard to close. This way you can save some for that midnight snack; which always taste good cold. The buffet cost around seven dollars. China Cuisine has a variety of foods to offer not just Chinese food. Other foods they have to offer would include simple hamburgers, well done stakes, clam chowder, salads and much more. The prize for these delicious foods are very moderate and well worth every penny.

I can honestly say that my experience at China Cuisine has been nothing put positive memories and will continuing to be positive. I recommend this restaurant to everyone in Bakersfield which is only fifteen minutes away from Shafter. You won’t regret wasting your gas after experiencing the amazing food and the great service offered. In case you do decide to go China Cuisine is located on 563 James Street in Shafter; it’s right in front of West America Bank.

Elephant Bar

Named after a wild animal, serves different foods, with a great environment, what is it? You guessed correct, Elephant Bar. Located at the corner of Calloway Dr. and Stockdale Hwy. Elephant Bar is a family restaurant with many different dishes to choose, from fish and steak to hamburgers and salads.

When you first arrive, the parking lot has a big space. Although, most of the time it’s full because Elephant Bar shares it with another local restaurant. At the front entrance you are greeted with a nice water fountain, which at night is lighted giving you a beautiful view. The entrance is surrounded with flowers and bushes that partially block the roadway, which makes it a little more private.

When you walk in, the hostess greets you with a smile giving you a warm welcoming. The ambiance has an enlightening mood. The surroundings give off a happy energy, though at times it gets so loud you can barely hear the person directly in front of you. This restaurant is designed to fit many people, it’s quite big. Some of the tables though, are tightly fit, making the walking space very small. The look of the restaurant is a wild life theme. There are different animal prints everywhere, from the ceiling to the food plates. I think it’s a clever way to compliment the restaurants’ name. There are also palm trees adorning the a few corners. The walls are decorated with animal paintings, which were very classy. The lighting also gives a romantic and elegant vibe to the place.

Now, let’s begin with food. The menu has a bit of variation, but variation within the same categories. There was a lot of Tai food and fish as well. They have different combinations for steaks and chicken. Out of the whole menu there was only one pasta plate. That was disappointing since I am a pasta lover. For their salads they had many different choices, from fruit salads to oriental chicken salads. Desserts and appetizers also varied with different selections. They had about four soup selections, which I would consider not diverse.

The food was exquisitely delicious! I had the Sautéed Chicken Marsala, it was fantastic. The entrée consisted of chicken breasts and pasta covered with a sauce containing sliced mushrooms. It also comes with garlic bread on the side. I recommend this plate for pasta lovers like myself. The Center Cut New York Steak was great as well but the steak was missing spices, which made it taste peculiar. The salad was very fresh. None of the tomatoes, lettuce or carrots had brown spots, it was also washed well. The only fixable problem was the ranch, it hardly had any! The dessert was like wedding bells on a wedding day: delightful! The Fudge Fudge Walnut Brownie was so rich and chocolaty it blew my mind away. The prices are not expensive at all, considering that the plates are quite big suitable for the pricing. The price ranges from plates that are five dollars up to nineteen dollars, it just depends on what you order.

I was very disappointed with their services. The host did her job perfectly but our waitress took a very long time. It took her almost ten minutes to get our drinks. When we finally got our food, I asked for silverware. She completely forgot. I asked another waiter and we sat there for about five minutes before we got our silverware. To top that off, we got our salads after our meal which was awkward. She also only checked on us twice and the second time was to give us our tab. I was dissatisfied by these actions; although, I do admit that they were busy and they were very friendly.

The place was very sanitary. All the tables were to be wiped down and we did not have any hair in our food thank goodness. The bathrooms were surprisingly clean; they had a good scent to them. There are no complaints on sanitation issues.

Overall, Elephant Bar is a nice place to eat. I would rate this restaurant with a four stars out of five because it had a few issues. The food was excellent. The service had a few issues, which I am sure are fixable. The ambiance is energetic and fun all at the same time; I would recommend Elephant Bar for any time you are hungry.

Farmer Boys

Looking for a fast food restaurant with a country feel to it? That’s exactly what you will get at the Farmer Boys on California Avenue. It has a different atmosphere than all other fast food places. It has a sit-down feeling like Denny’s, but the food tastes like ordinary fast food. The moment you open the glass doors, your eyes have to adjust to decor. The room almost makes you dizzy with all the busy decorations. The walls are full of busy wallpaper, pictures and photographs, and memorabilia. Your eyes do not know what to focus on because the room is completely cluttered. Even though the ambience was distracting, it was appropriate for the theme. It really did make you feel like you were in a small country town, eating at the local diner. The rate of the ambience was three and half stars.

There was a small line at the counter, and it moved quite quickly. The cashier was extremely nice and helpful. In fact, all of the employees that worked here were courteous and friendly. They were continuously smiling and making small talk. The rate of the employees was four and half stars.

The menu consists of what most typical fast food restaurants offer. The breakfast menu offers “hearty breakfast plates” and “farm fresh breakfast on the run.” The plates include three eggs with optional bacon, sausage, ham, or steak, three egg omelets, or french toast and hotcake plates. They also offer convenient breakfast burritos and farmer’s egg sandwiches. For lunch, you can choose from “farm fresh salads”, “world’s greatest hamburgers”, “hearty farmer’s sandwiches”, “char-broiled chicken” and “hand battered fish and chips.” The Char Broiled Chicken Salad and the Farmer’s Chopped Cobb looked like a great choice of salad to make you fell full. The large salad had fresh lettuce, tomato wedges, avocado, and sliced chicken breast. All burgers come with a slice of fresh tomato, onions, farm-direct lettuce, and a sesame seed bun. The burgers included: Double Bacon Cheeseburger, Double Cheeseburger, Chili Cheeseburger, Gardenburger, The Farmer’s Burger, Char Broiled Chicken Sandwich, and also a Hand Battered Fish Sandwich. And last, but not least, the side orders offered are giant onion rings, crispy zucchini, and fresh made chili cheese fries.

We ordered our food and were given a number. The restaurant was pretty full for a mid afternoon day. The customers sitting in the booths were very amiable, and smiled at us as we made our way to a booth. One little girl proceeded to say “hi” to me at least six times. We chose the booth that was towards the front of the restaurant near the door. The seating arrangements were in a very comfortable manner. The booths were surrounding the walls, with tables and chairs in the center. About five minutes later, our food was served.

My companion ordered a patty melt with french fries, and apparently it was good because it was devoured instantly. I ordered chicken strips and french fries. The food was pretty standard and definitely fast food. The saying “you get what you pay for” is appropriate here. The french fries reminded me of the frozen french fries you buy at the store and heat up in the microwave. I advise you to not go there if you are craving delicious french fries. The chicken was greasy, but was good quality meat. It didn’t taste like rubber, like most fast food restaurants do. Overall, the rate of the food was three stars.

What meal is complete without dessert? Not one that I can think of. Looking at the menu, I was extremely disappointed; there was no section of dessert to be seen. But, I did spot a milk shake machine and was comforted a little bit. After lunch I proceeded to go fill my sweet tooth, but was rejected. The milk shake machine is no longer working! Talk about a bummer!

After finishing our lunch, my companion and I sat and relaxed in our booth for a couple of minutes. I would later found out that we would have spared ourselves if we had left right as we finished. One of the customers across the booth from us was patiently waiting by the door for her husband and young son to finish refilling their drinks as something caught her eye at the first set of tables nearest to us. I heard a nice, plump smack and then she lifted up her foot to reveal an enormous cockroach. The sound that cockroach made was so loud it was sickening. It is a very good thing I don’t have a weak stomach. The only thing on my mind was I hope that the cockroach did not come from the kitchen. A waitress walked by just as soon as she smashed the rodent. The mom simply stated, “I didn’t want it to be walking around.” The waitress gave her a quick grin and then walked into the kitchen. I figured the waitress would have gone to get a dustpan or some cleaning device to get rid of the evidence, but that nasty creature stayed smashed against the floor for who knows how long! Therefore, the overall cleanliness of the chain restaurant was one star.

The overall rating of Farmer Boys is a three and half. The bottom line is there are other fast food restaurants without the charm of the country feel that have better tasting fast food and cleanliness. Farmer Boys is a place you need to experience once, and then probably never desire to go again.

- Krista Quiring

Mexicali

I had the pleasure of dining at one of the few locally owned and operated restaurants in Bakersfield. Mexicali on California Ave. has been serving authentic Mexican food for 55 year. I went there on a Friday night around six. Upon opening the heavy wooden doors, we went to the desk on the left, my mother and I were a little confused as to who the hostess was, but a women approached and walked us down the three steps leading into the main dinning area and sat us immediately.We were sitting near the elegant white three tiered fountain. We sat on Mexican style wrought iron chairs under which laid brick red large tile squares. The small potted trees arranged in the corners of the room gave the dining room a unique feel. On this Friday the place was crowed with people enjoying themselves. Our waters were brought, along with the traditional chips and salsa. The waiter that served us was friendly and attentive. He was dressed in a crisp white long sleeved collared dress shirt, a black bow tie, and black dress pants and black dress shoes. The waiters were dressed the same, but the waitresses were dressed in traditional flamenco dresses each different in color.It was time to order. There were many dishes to choose from: I settled on the chimichanga with rice and beans. It was filled with Chile Verde, beans, green onions, and jack cheese and served with a good seized amount of sour cream, chopped tomatoes, and guacamole. The chimichanga was satisfying what with it being fried and all. It was crispy on the outside and doughy and creamy from the cheese on the inside. The pork was tender. The rice was excellent and the cheese topped refried beans were smooth and creamy. My mother had the albondigas soup served with corn tortillas. It had just the right amount of spices.The lighting was perfect due to the wrought iron lanterns that hung above the tables. The restaurant had high ceilings and an arched doorway. After our meal we poked our heads into the bar area. Aqua blue cushioned seats lined the bar. It was packed. It had a cozy and embracing atmosphere, more dimly lit than the dinning room. The bar was still lively with many conversations going, the margaritas obviously flowing freely.Before leaving, we grabbed peppermint candies from the smiling jack-o-lantern and I noticed large burnt colored candles on long narrow pedestals behind the pumpkin which I thought was a nice touch in keeping with the fall season. Upon exiting, our eyes were dazzled by the white Christmas lights that adorned the trees outside. It was the perfect end to my enjoyable time at Mexicali.

Mexicali has their full menu, wine and tequila list posted on their website along with a brief history of the restaurant.

Prices range from 13.25-18.95 for their Platos Tipicos which include Carne Asada, Pollo Frito, and New York steak

Prices range from 10.95-13.75 for their Platos Grandes which include your choice of any two entrées like enchiladas, tacos, and Chile Rellenos

Vallarta Mexican Grill

As soon as you enter Vallarta Mexican Grill you will see decorations mimicking authentic south of the border style. The walls are textured with plaster and there are arches along the wall, reminiscent of homes and other buildings in Mexico and El Salvador. To express their pride towards the amazing places where their exquisite food originated from Vallarta Mexican Grill displays the Mexican, Salvadorian and American flags.

There is a large screen television for you to enjoy your meal while watching your favorite telenovela or the all important soccer or football game. If you don’t want to be distracted by the TV there is also Mexican music being played in the background at a low level so you can still have a conversation.

The softly dimmed lighting allows you to feel relaxed and comfortable. The seating arrangements are in groups of four seats per table or booth. If you go with a large group the staff will gladly arrange tables to accommodate you.

Vallarta Mexican Grill offers a wide assortment of drinks from horchata, jamaica, tamarindo and other various authentic drinks. These drinks are called “ aguas frescas” which are refreshing cold drinks that came about in Mexico and El Salvador. Horchata is commonly made in Mexico. It contains rice, cinnamon, sugar, almonds and sometimes milk. Fountain drinks and Jarritos are also available. Jarritos are Mexican soft drinks.

The bar is fully stocked for your convenience. You can order any type of beer or a margarita. They can also concoct any alcoholic beverages of your choice.

The waitress’ are friendly and attentive. Right after you sit down in your preferred seats they bring you chips and salsa along with the menus. First they ask you what you would like to drink and then bring them to you. The waitress will gladly answer any questions you have. She will describe the food options and ingredients if you desire.

After they bring you your food they regularly come back to check if everything is okay or if you need anything. The waitress brings you your bill accompanied by some mints or candy for each person of your party.

The food comes in the right amount of time, as you are finishing your chips and salsa your waitress brings in your order. The staff takes the time to make sure that your meal is fresh.

You can hear the food sizzling in the back and when your order comes the food is steaming, yet not too hot. The smell of hand made tortillas fill the air, they are soft and thick, just as they should be. The carnitas plate comes with a light salad, rice, beans with melted cheese on the top, pieces of shredded meat and Pico de Gallo. Pico de Gallo is chopped tomato, cilantro and onion mixed together with a sprits of lime. The burritos are ginormous, and they come with the side of rice and beans. The smell emanating from the burritos of cheese and beans makes you want to devour into it. Boldly colored, the menudo looks enticing. Since the portions are oversized for those of us who have small stomachs you can get your leftovers in a box and take it for lunch or dinner.

Portions are super sized so I advise that you go with an empty stomach. From the chips and salsa to your meal and then your dessert, you will be stuffed. The salsa is extra hot and spicy. If you can’t handle your heat then don’t dive into the bowl because you’ll be in for a surprise when you taste the salsa and feel like someone just karate chopped you in the throat. Spicy salsa is a must in Latin communities and the salsa from Vallarta Mexican Grill lives up to that reputation.

Vallarta Mexican Grill offers chimichangas, guachinango, seafood and fried yuca. The menu extends to many Mexican and Salvadorian delicacies. There is a lunch special Monday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm when a lot of dishes are on sale. Kids menus consist of smaller portions and some American food.

The prices are very reasonable. Drinks are only two dollars. A plate with meat, rice and beans is less than ten dollars. The price is appropriate for the portions you receive.

You don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot because there will always be plenty. The bathrooms could be of higher quality but they are extremely clean. There is plenty of seating available so a seat is almost always guaranteed but just to be sure may reservations can be made in advance.

Vallarta Mexican grill is truly amazing. This restaurant should be at the top of your list if you want to eat at fun, affordable, family restaurant with fantastic food and divine service.

Vallarta Mexican Grill

Location: 1011 Columbus St.

Bakersfield, CA 93305

Phone: ( 661) 871- 6940