The Botanist is such a vibe. From the outside, The Botanist is unassuming. But don't be fooled, a…read morehidden oasis lies just beyond the front door. The food was toptier. I was especially surprised by how great their chicken wings are! They also make a mean old fashioned. Our server was very welcoming and attentive. If you're looking for a nice, positive, and slightly secluded/intimate vibe with great drinks and food, I definitely recommend The Botanist.

The atmosphere The…read moreservice she was attentive, got everything right. The food the menu is pretty limited. The NY steak wasn't worth the price- The tacos were nice and well seasoned. The fries were amazing. The drinks- craft cocktails

We stopped by for lunch on the drive home and had such a great experience! We ordered the salads,…read moreand they were so fresh, flavorful, and delicious. We also loved that the restaurant is dog-friendly and even provided a water bowl for our pup, which was such a nice touch. The staff were incredibly welcoming and offered us samples, including the August Fresca, which we ended up loving so much that we bought some to take home on the drive home!

I came here trying to currently support only local businesses here in Bakersfield in 2026 and…read moreshowed up here on a recommendation from Howie's Micheladas--another amazing local business we should all support--and Locale absolutely delivered! ​The food was incredible, everything we ordered based upon Jasmine the waitress' recommendations rocked!!!! The Western Burger was the burger was cooked rare to my liking the onion rings were big And flavorful by themselves,the cheese was absolutely some of sharpest Cheddar I've had at a restaurant, overall, one of the best burgers I've had in the valley, and paired perfectly with the sweet potato fries, which were very good but a little soft for my liking maybe next time I'll ask for them a little crispier. We also tried the loaded tuna croissant and the pastrami ,salad combo which my wife raved about both stating that the dehydrated brussel sprouts in the salad was something she wanted me to prepare at home for her my daughter liked the tuna salad but decided to take out some of the Cranberries which she said were absolutely fresh as they were very tart, both entrees were extremely tasty and prepared with super fresh ingredients. ​Lastly, shout out to Jasmine, shes an absolute gem of a person. Even though the restaurant was busy inside, she was incredibly attentive, professional, and had the warmest attitude. She nailed the suggestions made sure absolutely everything came out perfectly without missing a beat. this place has great vibes, great cooks who prepare great food, and great service. We will definitely be back!

I was in Bakersfield, which is a rare occurrence, and I stopped by to eat at this place. I love a…read moregood barbecue, but I had low expectations for this one. I guess because it's a sports bar restaurant, and it's in Bakersfield. I got the shock of my life. It turned out, this was the best barbecue food I ever had. Not only that, but it's very affordable. I would say a bargain. I didn't have to spend 100+ dollars for 2 persons, like a lot of so called high quality barbecue restaurants. The briskets and ribs were amazing. Delicious, flavorful, and melts in your mouth. Sides were also delicious. The service was good too. You just go up and get your order. It took a little time, but the staff is helpful and friendly. I'll be back here again, the next time I'm in Bakersfield. Maybe I'll visit the Buck Owen's museum. Bakersfield is truly the Texas of California, although I've only been to El Paso, Texas.

My first time at Firestone and I gotta say this place is spacious, the employees at the register…read more were very helpful and professional. I really enjoy my ribs they were tender and in my opinion they didn't need the sauce. I enjoyed how spacious the place is and the giants fan they have keep the place cool during this hot weather. Was just passing by for a dinner meal, and I was very happy. If I could give one recommendation maybe smoke those ribs a bit more to be a bit more tender. Definitely will be back for that tri tip.

So I am not exaggerating when I tell you that the trip-tip sandwich is fantastic! The meat is…read moretender and well-seasoned, quite lean but still unctuous. One gets a generous portion and the sandwich was big enough for my husband and I to share with a side of tasty sweet potatoe fries (a bit extra - or you can get plain potato fries for no extra charge). We also got a side of the creamy coleslaw which is ok and even better if you add salt and a dash of malt vinegar (it needs acid imo). I didn't take a photo of the sandwich because so many other yelpers have already done so. But trust me it's worth the stop. Service is super warm and friendly, the place is spotlessly clean, and I am a fan. We liked the sandwich so much we ordered another to go for lunch the next day. I only wish I had room for pie! They offer a wide selection of pies and I've gotta think they are yummy too. Next time.

On a road trip, my friend Denise and I were looking for a convenience store in roads that were not…read morepaved with cement nor were they in the center of a chic boutique and a hits-the-spot every time boba shop. Yes, we were basically on dirt roads that saw a few scattered homes here and there, and visible old school phone towers (the brown kind) connected with wires (where crows sit on a row) existed, and not much else. We drove around in some circles, looking for this fabled store and found nothing, not even a Bigfoot. We noted how the moment felt like we were on an Iowa highway because we saw expansive fields and experienced a Middle-America atmosphere. I wanted a small stalk of wheat in between my teeth. As we drove, we saw this place and decided that this joint would replace the store we were looking for. At this point I started to listen to Carry on My Wayward Son by Kansas. If you know, you know. As soon as I entered I felt like I had stepped into a diner in the middle of nowhere, the type of spot where brothers talked about saving people, hunting things, you know the family business. My friend Denise did not know what I was talking about and when I tried to introduce the world to her with corny prompts she decided not to play along. Still for a fan the experience was nothing but a win!(chester). I cannot remember the person who helped us but she was a server who reported that she had lived in the surrounding area for most of her life. She was deepening the believe that we were on a route diner neglected by city reality. During this visit, I had fried okra for the first time in my life. It was weird to taste but not in a bad way. More like I had never tasted this texture before in my life. The texture that I had not tried before in my life was a gooey vegetable. Like the texture of the outside was exactly as advertised--- fried goodness. The actual okra was the gooey part. I do not want to sound crass, truly, I do not, but it did feel like enjoying something slimy, and I will leave it at that. Again, not wrong, just weird But I will not get it again. The server- the homegrown one- gave us fried pickles and these were much more to taste. Like, I i have had fried pickles before and I loved them but I had some that were not for me. But these, these, were pickle spears fried to brown goodness, and the mixture hit green- which does not mean go, more like Hulk enjoys, instead of smashes. It was a simple dish yes- green spear pickle fried but sometimes the goodness of a county fair is exactly what a roadtrip snack should be. The fair came to my table and I am not mad at that. On this trip I did have the Willow Dip which I feel is a close cousin to a french dip. What this place did well, at least I think, is putting it on an onion baguette. I am not sure if onion baguette is a middle-of-nowhere bread, but, I allowed it because the taste of the bread was, like tailored made for me, I am a sucker for onion, and not just because it gives me sexy breath. The food was standard, solid fare. Everything was just good nothing wrong with it, all good with it. The sauces were tasty, and added smoky sweet flavor that was welcomed. So this elevated the dish by addding a hickory taste. It did not save the dishes, but did make them better. The decorations were texas heavy. I should have taken more pictures. But sometimes the imagination allows for a space to feel more than at it is.

I really want to give it 5 stars but every time we come there has been an issue. The food is…read moredelicious and I will definitely come back but today the service was very very slow. We asked for napkins which never came and we waited a very long time to get our check and to go box. It was not our servers fault. She was the only server I saw for the inside and outside and I also saw her behind the bar making drinks. They need more employees working. We showed up at noon 1 hour after they opened and the place was dead. We were the only ppl outside in the patio. During our stay 3 other couples did show up. Im hoping next time I can give them 5 stars.

My friend and I spent a pleasant afternoon at Sonder recently. We went at around 2:30 in the…read moreafternoon. Perfect time for a friend meetup. It's quiet and peaceful, easy to chat without yelling. Jake was our outstanding server. He was so friendly and attentive. I love sitting on those lovely green sofas. I had the Lavender Lemon Drop Martini, Yum, my friend had glass of Cabernet. My companion ordered the chicken with mushroom sauce so rich and comforting. I had the seared Ahi appetizer. The interior is upscale industrial, very attractive. If you don't mind a fairly loud place during peak hours it's a nice environment for a date night. I've always experienced great service, delicious food and tasty libations here. Definitely check them out. I understand they are opening new locations. I'm looking forward to trying them in the near future.

Many have done the roadtrip from the Central Coast to Bakersfield via Hwy 166. And Cuyama Buckhorn…read moreis a favorite stop along that route. You can't miss the huge "Coffee" sign visible from the highway. We recently had to drive said route and decided to finally visit. And we were happy we did. Cuyama Buckhorn serves tasty American dishes from biscuits and gravy to burgers. It was lunch, so we had the burgers. Very good! We tried the apple pie as well and it was nice. We stopped by again on the way back home for some coffee. Good stuff. Not a fan of the matcha drink ( but too much milk) Great location for travelers, friendly service. Fun diner vibe. If you're traveling via the 166, definitely stop, have a coffee and a bite to eat.

Another great adventure driving out to New Cuyama to eat lunch at the Buckhorn Cafe. Last time we…read morewanted to stop here there was a field fire up ahead, so we drove back to San Luis Obispo through California Valley, a Wild West adventure on miles and miles of unpaved road, back through time to the Carrizo Plain national monument. The drive out was lovely, with lots of yellow broom blooming on the hills. We passed the Firefighter Monument that my husband tends that commemorates the firefighters killed in the Spanish Ranch fire, and checked out the growth of some oak trees around it. We pulled in for an early lunch at the Buckhorn and got a nice booth near a window. We were waited on immediately and provided water and a new menu with more of an emphasis on breakfast dishes. It was early lunch for us, and I ordered my favorite "Breakfast Salad," a Cobb salad, which has bacon and egg in it. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich, a specialty of the place. There was a delay getting the wine menu, and my first choice had run out, so I tried a white that was close to a Sauvignon Blanc from a local vineyard. I had spied some very authentic looking apple pie coming in, and we ordered a slice for desert. It came with a couple of scoops of creamy ice cream, and had a sure-enough baked through crust with juicy, cinnamony apples inside! On the way to the car, we noticed a local rancher "branding" the building, by pushing his heated up brand into the front wall of the restaurant where many other brands appeared. The paint smoked a bit, and when he was done, a spade appeared on the facade, "Spade Ranch," he told me, literally making his brand relevant to the cafe! We reveled in the beauty of the ride back, appreciated out step back in time into the history of this beautiful valley.

Well, after experiencing many steakhouses throughout the world, I will say that THE BEST RIBEYE -…read moreHANDS DOWN is at Bakersfield - Hungry Hunter SteakHouse (Bakersfield) is BY FAR THE #1 for RIBEYE hands down! Of course their Happy Hour at the Bar (is truly the best pls pls try it) - and don't forget the SALAD WHEEL - that comes with it!!!! Be sure to add ($6 extra) by requesting the Forest Mushroom peppercorn sauce as a topper on the RibEye! NOTE!!!! After visiting Ruth Chris', Salt grass, Outback, black angus. Brazilian steakhouse, (Sardina cantina (Cabo) nothing has EVER come close! We are avid foodie's if u want the best RIBEYE - U MUST GO ! I would not steer u wrong!!! Please comment once you try!!!!!

We came to Hungry Hunter Steakhouse for Father's Day and had a great experience overall. Since we…read morehad a party of six, I called ahead to make a reservation, and the process was quick and easy. When we arrived, we were seated promptly, which was especially appreciated on such a busy holiday. I ordered the lamb chops, and they were absolutely delicious. The accompanying sauce complemented the meat perfectly and was easily my favorite part of the meal. One of the restaurant's signature touches is preparing the house salad tableside, which adds a nice, classic steakhouse feel. My only wish is that the salad portions were a little more generous, as the serving felt on the smaller side. We also ordered the calamari appetizer, which unfortunately was the biggest disappointment of the meal. It lacked the flavor and texture we were expecting. The staff was friendly, but the service was a bit slow throughout our visit. The restaurant is conveniently located in the Costco shopping center, so there's plenty of parking available. Just be prepared for some traffic getting in and out of the shopping center, especially during peak dining hours.

I've been a loyal fan of this spot for a long time, but this was my first visit since they…read morerelocated the restaurant, and the upgrade is real. The vibes in the new space are absolutely immaculate. There is so much more energy here, and the decorations are incredibly cute. It's the perfect backdrop for a killer meal. The Main Event: This time around, I went with the En Fuego Burger. This beast is loaded with a chile-spiced beef patty, pepperjack, sharp cheddar, thick-cut bacon, chipotle mayo, pepper relish, pickled jalapeños, and a mountain of fried jalapeños + onion strings. The Flavor Profile: This burger delivers on every level, but those fried onion strings were to die for. For the side, I got the sweet potato fries, which are served as big, thick-cut wedges. They come paired with a duo of spicy ketchup and a marshmallow dipping sauce. Switching between the two was amazing, the marshmallow sauce actually makes the fries feel like a dessert. The Drink: To wash it all down, I ordered the basil lemonade, and omg, I need to figure out how to recreate this at home. It's exactly what it sounds like, crisp, refreshing lemonade with a perfect herbal basil finish. The Verdict: If you loved their old spot, the new location takes everything to the next level. Between the upgraded atmosphere, the dessert-like fries, and that refreshing lemonade, I will absolutely be coming back here again and again.