My family has been coming to Jake's since I was a little kid. Their decor isn't exactly to my liking, but I'd be hard pressed to argue it isn't well put together with news clippings and classic Americana lining every wall. I particularly like the mural behind the serving area. I've sampled most things on the menu: works burrito, salad lite, nacho's, pit/chicken/tri-tip plates and have never once in what must be more than fifteen years now been disappointed with anything I order. Their Salad Lite and Nacho's are my personal favorites. Their Texas sheet cake is a must-buy as well. If I have to come up with a criticism it's that their parking situation is an absolute nightmare. It's resolved a bit since their neighbors have just recently become more understanding, but don't be surprised if you half to park down a side street and walk a block through an alley to get into it during peak hours. read more

I'm not originally from Bakersfield, but we've been living here now for about 6 months. We just ate here for the first time today. It sounded like a good spot for lunch as it is cafeteria style. We thought it was pretty good! The portions were generous and a nice variety to choose from. It was also packed with a long line. We were there at about 2:00 PM on a Friday. It is small inside and has a comfortable atmosphere with booths and tables. We picked from the "Plates O' Stuff" which comes with 2 sides and a choice of corn bread, tortilla or a roll. We each got the "Any Two Meats" combo, with the Slow Roasted Pit Beef and the Mesquite Smoked Beef Tri-Tip. I picked corn bread and my husband picked a tortilla. The cornbread is moist, sweet and a little spicy as it has bits of peppers in it. (I really liked it). For the sides my husband chose the Macaroni Salad and the Chili Beans. I chose the Broccoli Parmesan and the Potato Casserole. We liked the Macaroni Salad better than the Chili Beans. And we both liked the Potato Casserole and the Broccoli Parmesan. The Potato Casserole had a nice cheesy flavor and the Broccoli Parmesan was a cold salad of broccoli with a vinegar flavor. I wouldn't call it the BEST barbeque I've ever had, but it was very good. The meat was tender, and flavorful. I loved the barbeque sauce, especially if it's warm. The tri-tip had a nice smokey flavor, but my favorite was the pit beef. For dessert we shared a slice of the sheet cake, which was soooooo yummy. The frosting had a homemade flavor and texture, and the cake was very moist. The entire meal was excellent and filling. We'll definitely go back. :) read more

Doesn't look like much but it's a must go to. Reminders you a little bit of high school cafeteria but fast service and good food. Must try the bbq tri tip, chili beans and the cookies read more

It's not Tex-Mex, but I love it. This is one of my few "must visit" places in Bakersfield. I always end up here for my first lunch of every trip. Get the Works Burrito. Just do it. It comes with tender shredded beef (it beats the hell out of all the tri-tip mess you've had at other places), beans, cheese, a nice light salsa, and a well-sized chunk of guacamole. This is more than I can eat in one sitting and it always makes me wish I had a fridge in my hotel room. read more

Tri-tip 3.3 Jalepeno cornbread 3.3 Cheesey chunky potatoes 3.3 Salsa mixed with BBQ sauce 3.8 Macaroni salad 3 Potato salad 3 read more

I think this place is my new favorite place in Bakersfield! The people are super friendly, it smells like heaven before you walk in the door, and the food was perfect. Who puts cheese on tritip??? They do!!! And it's amazing! This is hands down one of the best tritip sandwiches ever! I had it yesterday and I promise I'll have it today! Thanks Jakes, I'll never forget you! read more

This place has a dedication to meat. I mean that in a good way and get your minds out of the gutter. It is not a gay bar. But it is a pretty good b-b-q joint. While not your typical bbq featuring ribs and what not it does feature texmex. Tri-tip and shredded meats sauced with bbq sauce on a bun. The sides are alright. Just keep this in mind, some people in Bakersfield will expound ad infinitum on this places excellence. It is not the very best, not in Bakersfield and not in its field. Whatever, its still good. Cheers read more

The no-meat taco salad is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes in town. The chocolate cake is great too. read more

Jake's - Tex-Mex Near Me - Bakersfield, California

A very simple place to eat fresh good food. This place has a lively vibe and friendly staff. Its fast and casual which is nice when you only have an hour. I had the garlic chicken plate and it was excellent. If your in a hurry, you can't go wrong with this place. read more

There's a reason this place is always packed. Come here early because parking is a pain. I had the salad of sorts, it is smothered with beans and meat. It's definitely wet and delicious! Next time I'm coming back to try the tri-tip sandwich which I hear is some of the best! read more

There were so many choices and I can't decide what to try first. So I decided on a large chili ($7.99), chocolate cake ($4.25) and a small tropical iced tea ($2.29). The tri-tip chili came with a piece of corn bread. It was hearty and I was soo full afterwards. I could have ordered a small chili and an addtl corn bread but it was my first time here so I didn't know. I still was able to take a few bites of the chocolate cake. It was big enough to share with a family member. It was good and a great end to a hearty meal. read more

You really can't go wrong with Jakes. Huge servings of great food. My five star accreditation really goes to the Salad 'Lite'. (There's nothin' light about anything at jakes) Salad lite is a choose-your-own salad that they toss for you. The addition of pasta salad to my green salad has rocked my Salad Lite and changed my life since. Cafateria style serving on plastic trays. I love the cheesey potatoes and the deep pit is fabulous. Pretty lean beef, always a plus. The nachos, burritos, taco salads and sandwiches all look huge and delicious. Recently they started serving white chocolate chip cookies made with lays potato chips, they're as good as they sound but you'll probably hate yourself if you eat a whole container. (That saying about potato chips translates to these cookies. You can't just eat one...) read more

Jakes is located on the East side of Oak Street between 18th and Truxtun Ave. parking is tight but available. They serve deep pit, chicken, tri tip, and fantastic sides. It is a little buffet style but the food lends itself to the style and you get it fast. Jakes is clean and sanitary. The staff are friendly and welcoming. Not a lot of kids here. They are kid friendly in attitude though. My daughter really liked it. The food is perfectly prepared and delicious. It is good ole stick-to-yer-ribs Kern County style Tex-Mex food. Everything is simple and feels like you are at an outdoor country barbeque. The main event for me is Jakes Cake! It is a sheet cake that comes in Chocolate and Lemon. The cake is moist and perfect and the butter-cream frosting is thick and heavy. Oh my goodness it is like crazy good! Remember, Jakes...Cakes... Sinfully good. read more

I visited this place yesterday with my husband, he got the tri tip sandwich and I got the tri tip nachos, it was good however for the price of the nachos (11.00) I wish they were bigger. The size of it was just a standard size plate with not much on it. The flavor was alright but the size and sogginess wasn't the best. I would try them out again but with a different menu item. 6/10 read more

I ordered a beef burrito and was notified they were out of rice. I wasn't sure if that meant I could wait for rice, or if I was to order something else, so I told them to skip it. I had hardly any beans so it was basically beef in a tortilla. I asked for cheese but none of it made it inside the burrito. No big deal, but kind of, "huh." The hubs ordered a signature sandwich. He said it was good but really simple. The chips and cookies were great. But overall we felt it was overpriced, and that we wouldn't seek it out. read more

Ok so the food is great. Likely a great lunch spot because it was still a little crowded after 1PM. They move quickly though. You stand in line and order at the counter. The dining area is very fast food like. The Jake's original shredded beef sandwich is really good. Their sides are great. The service friendly and good. No complaints on anything. I'll come back and try their burritos or their 2 meat plates. read more

Im gonna keep it 100 this place is really over rated. Food is tasteless and kinda over priced. I just feel like their shredded beef has NOOOOO FLAVOR! If your wondering what shredded beef should taste like try Victors grill. Must say the potato scallops were good though sad that I liked my side more than my entree. I keep trying to give this spot a chance but it just ain't it for me. read more

We were on a 5 week driving trip through the southwest when we stopped for lunch in Bakersfield. Jake's turned out to be a place that we wished we could go back to for more. The restaurant was very clean, and the food was as great as the menu selections were varied. But the friendly service, and fun we had talking to the them, was as memorable. They were genuinely delighted that we had driven from Chicago, and stopped at Jake's for lunch. We shared stories about each others towns, and felt really welcomed. Their recommendation that we have cake for desert was well worth the calories. This cake was delicious, but you can't leave without taking along a box of the Special Frosted Cookies. When we stopped in Fresno for a break to enjoy the cookies, we almost turned back to Bakersfield for more! If our return trip route is anywhere near Bakersfield we will not miss Jake's. read more

I was really excited to try out this place, but due to the food poisoning I got after eating here, I don't think I will EVER go back. All I got was the veggie burrito, and of course some of the chocolate cake. I wasn't very impressed with the burrito, it lacked a fresh quality to me. The cake was great, but gave me a migraine later because of how sweet it was. One of the first things I noticed when I walked in was the way the food was set up. It was kind of reminiscent to Chipotle, a full sized bar that one could pick their options from. However, almost all of the food was in these silver serving bowls. Maybe it was the dim lighting, but it all just didn't look that sanitary. Let's just say I never thought I would pay $12 to be so horridly sick. Only after eating here I can check that one off of my list. read more

In one word: Stellar. I wholeheartedly recommend their tri-tip platter or the deep pit beef sandwich. Or both. The pricing is fair when you consider the portion sizes. I'd say my only complaint is that they are so busy - though that only speaks more for how good their food is. The service is great. The servers are more than willing to change an order if there is a component to it that you don't like. To summarize, they are fast and friendly. read more

Tri tip plate w/ tip = $15.50 Tri tip was perfectly cooked medium. The potatoes were great, nice peppery flavor and not too overcooked. Had the jalapeño cornbread and it was great. Not too spicy at all. Finished my side choice with a tomato cucumber salad with my choice of dressing. Friendly service, generous portions, clean bathrooms and eating area. All in all a great meal! Definitely will be back. read more

Great beef, chicken, salads.. gee it's all delicious! If you in Bakersfield this is a must.

I can't get enough of their sheet cake. It's the best I've ever had. The burritos are enormous and enough for two. Parking can be a drag especially during lunch hour. read more

Awesome TexMex restaurant. Style served is similar to chipotle, walk the line and choose as you go. HIGHLY recommend the "lite" salad with choice of meat. It's a perfect salad that fills up and doesn't pack on the pounds. Chocolate cake is best I've had in town, try to resist:-) it's a bit pricey and customer service is okay but needs improvement, otherwise definitely check this place out! read more

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This place is the bomb! Great food, friendly staff, and a cool overall vibe. I will definitely be back! Make sure you get there early, there could be a line, cause a lot of people know how good this place is. read more

I am a huge Jake's fan! I always get the same thing. Nachos. Always nachos! Why? Because they are amazing. I always get them with Fritos, garlic chicken, chili beans, salsa, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream. They are delicious! I could definitely eat the chicken on its own, but the nachos are too hard to resist. I can never leave Jake's without dessert. Their original cake is good, but I've never been as crazy about it as other people. My first love was their chocolate chip cookies. They are absolutely perfect! I then graduated to cookie sandwiches, which are made of two chocolate chip cookies with their famous cake frosting between them. Delicious! I also recently tried their lemon cake and it was also amazing. I liked it far more than the chocolate cake. Jake's is little more on the expensive side. The nachos are about $12, but they are worth it. Not to mention, an order of nachos can easily be split between two people. Jake's can also get super busy. There is minimal seating so I usually call my order in and pick it up. That seems to be the best option. read more

Every time I visit Jake's, I wonder why it has been so long! I absolutely love their taco salad with Fritos. Everything combined is a mix of salad goodness. read more

Jake's - Taco salad! - Tex-Mex Near Me - Bakersfield, California

This place is delicious and fun. I usually get the nachos. It is cafeteria style service and seating. The parking lot sucks, but the decor is cute and clever. It is fun to come here once every few months, but it's not my regular go to. read more

This is one of my favourite places to go!!! Tried and true. I bring out of town guests here all the time. I consistently get the taco salad with beef and love it. I get it with the chips & all the goodies. My husband usually gets the nachos with beef & they are awesome as well. Don't forget to finish it off with their famous chocolate cake which is off the hook!!!!! read more

The pit beef was tasteless unless you cover it with tons of bbq sauce. My sides were bland. Cafeteria style seating, no draft beer. My wife's tri-tip was better, but not a lot better. The people serving were very nice. Overall experience was just fair to middling. I can't ever see me going back. read more

The first time I ever had Jake's was when I was at a party and they served the chocolate cake from Jake's. It may not be the richest chocolate cake, but that maple frosting had me sold. For years I just drop in just to get a slice for dessert. I finally had a chance to try their food and it did not disappoint. Their nachos are pretty good and loaded with all kinds of goodness. The works burrito is also a must. I had both chicken and the deep pit beef with my burrito. Both the meats were tasty and not dry at all. It's topped with guac, sour cream, cheese, pico, and jalapeños (you can choose to omit some of the toppings). I have also tried one of the plates with the deep pit beef and one side of country potatoes served with a choice of bread. You can choose different sides like salads, beans, etc., but the server recommended the potatoes. The potatoes were good, but next time I'd probably get a vegetable dish mainly because I need a some greens on my plate. Overall, I was please with the meal and will come back to try other items on the menu. read more

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The cake alone is worth the visit. On this visit I had the chicken plate which I've had in the past and like the past I wish I hadn't. The chicken is just average there's not a whole of seasoning kind of bland. The sides are always great, I will be back but not for the chicken. read more

Jake's is one of THE BEST places in town for lunch or a lite dinner. I have been a customer for over 35 years (before it was known as Jake's and in its current location it was called the Beef and Beanery). The food has remained consistently FANTASTIC, the portions are very generous, and the price is very reasonable. Their chocolate cake is a legend in Bakersfield! Jake's catered my wedding reception over 25 years ago, and my children have been raised on Jake's cuisine since we eat there about once a week. The cafe is always clean and the staff is always friendly. I HIGHLY recommend Jake's Tex Mex!! read more

It lives up to the hype! I moved to town recently and have been waiting to try the famous Jake's and finally got the chance last week. It was bomb! I had a vegetarian burrito and a slice of chocolate cake. I had previously tried the cake at work and it is magical. Seriously. The best chocolate cake evar! My friend and I went on a Monday at 12:30 and the line was at the door. We moved through it fairly quickly and found a good spot to enjoy our meal. I want to come back and try the other menu items which I'm sure are just as good as my burrito was. read more

Frito nachos! You can't really go wrong in my book with that meal. You get to choose your meat, mine is chicken, and your beans, cheese guac, sour cream, etc. They are so filling and good. I've been told by many a people that their chocolate cake is the best too, but I'm not a cake fan. Only bummer, went here 4th of July weekend and they were repaving their parking lot and were closed, very sad. read more

I was so excited to bring the sis-in-law to this place...she is a nacho connosiuer and I had hope she would love the magical Jake's nachos as much as I have in the past. Yet, when we went...something was missing. I actually had the bowl of chili (no beans) and cornbread and they both were BOMB! Yet, my hubby said his tri-tip was hard to chew and my sis-in-law had a hard time not making it through her nachos. Maybe it was an OFF kind of day, the service was as fun and helpful as always. I love the condiments bar and I know we will be back....just hope whatever was missing finds its way back! read more

Jake's - Tex-Mex Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Jakes was awesome. Quick service! Huge servings. Friendly staff. Great quality of food. Clean and welcoming environment for the family. Tons of options to chose from. You can't go wrong at Jakes! read more

Jake's - Burrito time! - Tex-Mex Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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This is my first experience here. I got the beef tip plate with potatoe salad and a green salad. The food was great. I think adding the bbq sauce really made the beef tip. My husband and I each got a plate and shared a cake and soda. It came to about $35. Though the price is a little high, the amount of food you receive is worth the price. read more

i ordered the tritp sandwich from here to go, for some reason they gave me every ingredient individually packaged. Forcing me to make my own sandwich.When I finished it looked like they didn't give me the other half. Definetly didn't look or even taste like the sandwich i usually order.Very disappointed i highly recommend you don't do that. read more

I haven't been to this place in at least 10 years but the last time I went it was good and the wife and were trying to figure out a place to eat that we haven't been to in a while. We decided on Jake's. The ordering is like a cafeteria with trays and all. I ordered the pit beef and the cowboy potatoes. My wife had a regular burrito with grilled chicken. My son had the nachos off the kids menu and they were huge and very, very good. The food was excellent, the meat and chicken were moist. As mentioned my sons nachos were excellent. I cannot really complain about this place, everytime I have came here the food is good. Granted I don't come on a regular basis, it is the consistency that counts. I will be be back, hopefully less than last time. It is pricey but worth the money. I am always willing to pay a few bucks more if it worth it. read more