Recent Business Reviews: Bakersfield.com

Dewar's Candy Store

To be fair Dewars is tasty, but I don't write home about it. And actually, the chews upset my stomach. But, it is tradition. My favorite ice creams ever were found in two places. "Real"ly old-fashioned ice cream made by the church elders during socials. Nothing can beat the well-done homeade. The second was a shop in my hometown called Goodrich Dairies. Hard ice cream is must for me.

Dewar's Candy Store

I'm not sure what to make of an 8-year-old food critic who has found an ice cream he doesn't like. Dewar's could be a litmus test for your ability to assimilate to Bakersfield. What temerity it takes to move into somebody else's town and tear apart a traditional institution? I don't go to L.A., Kathy Bates, and tell you how much better the movies made in Canada are. Is the salt water taffy in Redondo Beach worth whatever price per pound it costs? Frankly if I had to list the number of overhyped SoCal and NoCal attractions it would take up all the Californian's server capacity. You live in Bakersfield, now. If you could have made it in SoCal, you'd be eating their ice cream. To try and run somebody out of business, because you needed a menu to understand your ice cream choices - wow. You had to pick a number and wait. Why are you so special? Enough with the "don't you know who I am," demands of Southern Californians. I guess you're showing them now.

Dewar's Candy Store

My mom comes to Texas every year and I have her bring me the Peanut Butter/Peppermint chews. The one thing I really miss the most is their punch. I haven't had any in quite some time but will be looking forward to it this summer. I am glad to see them still in business.

Dewar's Candy Store

My family and I went to Dewars Saturday night. The kids love it, the ice cream is GREAT and the service is alway good.

Dewar's Candy Store

I have one thing to say for all of those out of towners including Ms Bates that don't know good ice cream when they taste it, you can go back to where you came from and stay there. There is not a town around that can out do Dewar's. I highly recommend the Black and White myself.There is none like it. Not even Rite Aide can come up with something like that. I would not change a thing. And the price is well within reason. Dewar's is a tradition in our town and it is one tradition that I love here. debbie lucero

Dewar's Candy Store

If you ever have the opportunity to tour Dewar's please do. I can guarentee you that you will NEVER EVER eat their chocolate turtle candy again. Its made by hand....with NO GLOVES, in a dingy dirty room. The Kern County Health Department needs to pay Dewar's a visit, the sooner the better.

Dewar's Candy Store

This is the problem with folks today. Dewars is a "real" old fashion ice cream shop. For us regulars we are happy it has resisted change. My Grandfather and Jim Dewar were best friends, they both are gone now but I still remember going down there in the early sixtys and the place is still the same. If you don't like their vanilla ice cream then I guess you need to go to Jamba Juice or one of those other new age drink joints. For the rest of us (and there are thousands) thank you for keeping one small part of our town traditional. PS LA is south on the 99 San Fransico is north 99 We won't miss you when you go back to where ever yor from.

Cactus Valley Mexican Restaurant

IT'S NOT THE SAME ANYMORE. DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF THE NEW OWNERS FOOD AND SERVICE HAVE WENT DOWN HILL WITHOUT MARY AND SEF THERE. MY FAMILY HAS STOPPED EATING THERE AND WE WERE REGULARS FOR 15 YEARS. posted this on the 07/10/07

Dewar's Candy Store

I have to somewhat agree with Kathy Bates about the hoopla surrounding Dewar's. Seems a lot of the fanfare stems from those of us who grew up here in Bakersfield and years ago used to get a rare treat in visiting the place. Way before Baskin Robbins, Cold Stone and the like. There wasn't anything to compare it with back then. Now that the hoopla has spread, Dewar's prices have skyrocketed (adding to false hoopla) making them think, I feel, like the higher price puts them in an elite bracket and will attract more business. Now the Disney Ice Cream shop next to the El Capitan in Hollywood is serving their stuff exclusively. I'd love to interview people after they spend a fortune there and see what they think! Dewar's was a childhood memory for many, many Bakersfield natives...a memory!!!

Carl's Jr

The order was simple: Big burger, no onions. Zuchinni. The result: Lots of onions on the burger, and zuchinni that was obviously pulled early. Not a place I would recommend during busy hours at all.

Country Kitchen

Home of the short order. Not a lot on the menu, but seems to be well done with a panache lacking at an IHOP or a Denny's. The breakfast and dinner plates were examples of the best of the old "diner" concepts to be had in a while, all tucked behind the Del Taco on White Lane. A touch hard to find, but probably worth it for a nice, quick diner meal.

Golden Ox Diner

Bright white walls and a clean interior are very welcoming. Staff is on the ball. Steaks are usually blah, but the grilled chicken and lamb are quite tasty. Breakfasts are well done, filling. Prices range from cheap to really darned cheap. Better than your average chain restaurant.

Los Hermanos

Atmosphere is standard dun-colored villa theme, with typical fast food interior. Chicken was shredded-stringy, very wet and mushy, tasteless. Burrito had way too much sour cream, and almost negligable amount of guacamole. Funny, this place had decent grilled chicken just two weeks before, but switched to the blandest, mushiest stuff I've ever eaten. Prices are on the touch of the high side for a local quick-service restaurant.

Zingo's Cafe

Zingo's is OK. They could do a better job of keeping things looking clean. I also miss some of the better servers they used to have. Lately some of the servers look a little on the edgy side. The food is usually pretty good. The steak sandwich is a favorite of mine.

Akira's Japanese

We have never had a bad meal here. The food they serve is excellent and always fresh. For a fun "date night" dinner try Akira's. Akira's is also kid friendly.

Denny's

This is the only Denny's in Bakersfield to consider at this time. This Denny's is always clean. Kids eat free on Tuesday and Saturday. The food is always good. No suprises either good or bad. The management and staff are excellent at this location.

Young's Drive-In

First of all Young's Drive in is not Japanese. It is a regular drive in hamburger stand that also serve chinese food. Try their Jumbo Cheesburger special with a vanilla coke. They used crushed ice which adds that old fashioned hamburger stand touch. Go see Katie and Mike for a great lunch sometime. Don't let Oildale scare you.

Tina Marie's Cafe

Tina and the crew here really do a great job(Chelsea and Julia). If you are dining downtown and are tired of the crowds and 24th Street or the bland cafeteria style food from Lorene's, then you should give Tina Marie's a try.

Don Pericos Mexican Restaurant

Don Perico's is a very nice Mexican restaurant. My favorite dish is the fajitas. More than that they have a very nice quiet bar to enjoy a cocktail. Go see Nacho and have a Cadillac Margarita.

International House of Pancakes IHOP

This is the best IHOP in town. With that being said, that doesn't say much. The thing about IHOP is that nothing really stands out as being great. On the other hand, you normally will not be suprised with a horrible meal either. It is a great place to take the kids.

Kelley's Cafe & Scales

I have only been to this restaurant 1 time. The food was sub par at best. I ordered a steak sandwich that was served about half frozen. Nothing about the place was anything more than average.

Champs BBQ & Catering

Tim and his crew consistently turn out great food. A few favorites from Champ's: Pulled Pork, Tri-Tip, Hot Links and so on. Some other things from Champ's will surprise you though. Try the Jambalaya, Red beans & Rice and the French Fires to name a few. Also try one of their burgers. You will not be disappointed.

Bill Lee's Bamboo Chopsticks

Bill Lees is an average to slightly above average Chinese restaurant. The food is OK. The interior decor is one of the most interesting in town. The service is always good. In my opinion the entrees are generic and unexciting. So while Bill Lees scores high on service and atmoshpere I have to mark them as average based on an unexciting menu.

Grand China Restaurant

Grand China is tops when it comes to great Chinese food in Bakersfield. They have never served us anything that wasn't stellar. Service and pricing is also well above average. Some of our favorite dishes are the Kung Pao Chicken, Hot & Sour Soup, the Fried Shrimp Appetizers... the list can go on and on. Do yourself a favor and go see Julia and the crew at Grand China, you'll be glad you did.

P.F. Chang's

PF Changs is just OK. The food is good and there is plenty of it. I do not think it is outstanding in anyway though. There are plenty of other Chinese restaurants in Bakersfield with superior food and better pricing.

Jake's Original Tex-Mex Cafe

I love this place. The "Salad Lite" is really good. Your choice of meat, with assorted lettuce, along with either pasta salad or broccoli salad, tossed with your choice of dressing, as well as croutons, tortilla strips and other goodies... Yum. The Chocolate Cake is to die for!!

Jake's Original Tex-Mex Cafe

The owner is RUDE. But I love the Taco Salad!

P.F. Chang's

Blah!

P.F. Chang's

Tasty! Especially the Mongolian Beef and the Orange Shrimp. Pricey, but worth it.

Hodel's Country Dining

Incomparable! Class act! In spite of the many delicious choices and numerous visits, not even a hint of spoiled food and resultant consequences.

P.F. Chang's

Over priced place to eat. Don't waste your money trying it out.

Hodel's Country Dining

BEST place in town for an absolutely wonderful and inexpensive Sunday Brunch.

McGee's at the Ice House

Over priced food Poorly trained staff Dirty conditions WILL NOT RETURN

Great Wraps

Great Wraps has let most of their employees go and most likely will be closing soon. Hard to get to location did them in.

Great Wraps

My wife and I ate there for the first time since reading the review and found the food to be great and the people were so helpfull and friendly.I would suggest that everyone tries it at least once.I bet you will come back again.

Sequoia Sandwich Company

The best sandwich place in town!! I tend to go with the southwestern chicken sandwich because it is awesome, but there are about 6 sandwiches that I just totally love! The baked potatoes are huge! 2 people could share one. The iced team is amazing.. I am a pretty picky tea person, and this is my favorite! The desserts.. Gary's chocolate cake is amazing!! Rivals Jake's cake.. tho I think I like this one a bit more. I think it is all in the icing. The same icing is on the carrotcake and that is sooo good. They also use it for the strawberries and cream!! When that is in season..definatly get that!! They get pretty full at peak hours (12-130ish) but they actually move you along pretty quickly. You can also phone in, fax or even order from their website! They have a small parking lot, but in that area there is quite a bit of street parking, I have never had to park far. Only drawback is this is only open durring lunch hours, but.. the Rosedale Sequoia is open til 8pm!

Jake's Original Tex-Mex Cafe

If you have never tried Jake's, you are missing out!! The food is always awesome, huge portions! The cake is amazing.. rivals Gary's chocolate cake at Sequoia.. I'm not sure which I like more! The staff seem very knowledgable and are quick and friendly! The one drawback is that the parking sucks. I have passed it up several times because the parking lot was full. I wish they would add another location! With ample parking! lol

Johnny Rockets

Felt ignored here. Server didn't know much about the food. I asked what a certain sauce was and she didn't know. Didn't offer to find out.. I had to ask her to then she disappeared for quite a while. I don't believe then table was wiped down before I got there, when I mentioned it to the server she was just like 'oh.' Didn't wipe it down or anything. Food was ok, but not worth the poor service. I had similar service issues at the Johnny Rocket's inside Knott's Berry Farm, but atleast there they danced for you! One plus.. if you ask, they will give you dimes for the juke boxes

Champs BBQ & Catering

An excellent place to go when you're in the mood for barbequed food, especially the tri-tip.

Sorella Ristorante Italiano

Food's fine, at least at dinner. Haven't tried the buffet.The singing waiter, or whatever he is, is terrible, however.

Recently ate there again. The food, as always, was terrific. The singer is worse. And, oh my god, he's selling CDs! Yuck!

Take some music lessons, man, if you're going to attempt to sing. Finding the right key will help, too...

McGee's at the Ice House

Table was late, waiter was rude, bartender couldn't care less and bill was wrong. We'll try again but first find out when it's not crowded with the younger set bar hoppers.

Cheers

Nice homey bar where after a few visits, everyone knew our name! Gets crowded on weekend nights but the bartenders are quick. Good prices and great ambiance.

Wasabi Express

Great place, We eat there at least once every 2 weeks, Fresh sushi, food can't be beat for the price.

Sorella Ristorante Italiano

Went with a group had the lunch buffet after seeing the advertisement on TV. Was very dissapointed, for a $9 buffet i expected more than some spaghetti, meatballs, dried-up pizza, and a bag salad. what was at the buffet has mostly cold, the meatballs were warm. I definately won't be going back. Oh, also waited for an excessively long time for a drink refill, and to get the check.

Mama Roomba

All around one of the best places to eat in town. The lunch menu has plenty of excellent items under $10. It's also the only tapas place I know in bako. It would 5 stars if service were better. Around lunch time on weekdays, it seems like the place only has one server. I stopped going for lunch because it just takes too long.

Ivy's Yogurt & Ice Cream Cafe

I love this place =-) I have been going here for about 10 years now. The yogurt is great (and low cal and fat free!) They put a lot of toppings on them! They have a nice selection to choose from.. if you want yogurt or ice cream.. they have beverages and oatmeal! Everyone is really nice that I have talked with that works there, but there is usually one lady (I think the owner?) and she is very nice! Great customer service =-)

Great Wraps

Pete Sometimes I agree with you. Sometimes I don't. I've been to Great Wraps a few times. I've tried the Californian(my favorite) and their Philly and I've been back since. I truly enjoy their food and their fries. Just don't agree with you this time. They'll get my business.

The Garden Spot

I heard rave reviews about this place, but I went during their brunch and I was not impressed. Although the salad bar was great, the rest of the food was sparce. They kept running out of food and a lot of it was ill prepared...maybe they were having a bad day, but I don't know if I can go back.

Tahoe Joe's Famous Steak House

This place is awesome! Service is always great, food wonderful, I recommend the center cut porkchops! Alcoholic beverages are very potent for bar lovers.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

Love the Crispy Chicken Sandwich and their wonderful Bottomless Fries...Also their Long Island Ice Tea's are fabulous (Nuclear Ice Tea @ Red Robin)