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    Red Pepper Restaurant

    3.4 (207 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Red Pepper Restaurant Photos

    RED PEPPER RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Red Pepper Restaurant

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    Chili Verde tostada
    Trish S.

    The service was very slow but our server explained they had a new boss and were being trained on new things. That's fine, but maybe not while the restaurant is open and customers are waiting. I can overlook that from the server, but a restaurant boss should know better. The food was decent. I enjoyed my chile verde tostada. The chile verde has no spice at all, but a decent green brightness. More verde than chile. My husband has the pork dip, which was thin sliced pork in a sandwich with "chipotle" jus. Did not taste the chipotle in the jus,band the pork was underseasoned, but it wasn't bad. I have this issue with walking into a restaurant and it doesn't smell at all like cooking food. It smelled more like cleaning products. I'm glad a business smells clean, but not very appetizing to smell mop-water more than grilling food

    A virgin pina colada
    Sadia H.

    One of my friends arrived before everyone else and she sat at the bar. When I got there, I coaxed her to move to the quiet location within the restaurant because it was ultra noisy at the bar. We settled into a comfortable table for six and were well-attended to by a really pleasant young woman, our waitress. The background music was subtle and calming, allowing us to carry conversation that did not entail shouting. As for the food--very fresh and delicious. My mushroom and spinach enchilada with shrimp was delectable and the shrimp was top-quality. I asked for whole beans and rice for my sides and both were superb. I also ordered a virgin pina colada and while it was beautiful, it was a tad sweet. My friends all said their food dishes were great as well. They consumed alcoholic beverages but I cannot definitively say whether they enjoyed them or not. All in all, our experience at The Red Pepper was an enjoyable one.

    Pepper bar
    Robert C.

    IMO, the best Mexican restaurant in Bakersfield. If you want a traditional combination plate (rice, beans, 1/2/3 items I.e. taco, enchilada, Chile relleno), you can get that here, but there's so much more. Owner/Chef Gilbert Saavedra has ran this kitchen for decades, and he has gleaned and cultivated a menu that includes recipes from all different parts of Mexico by personally visiting kitchens in several Mexican states. You can call him the Bakersfield version of Anthony Bourdain. His specialty are all the the different types of Mariscos (seafood) dishes he prepares, but enchiladas suizas, Chile verde, carne asada, and American dishes with a Latin twist are all fantastic. As far as the restaurant itself is concerned, it is a jewel of the northeast side of Bakersfield. When you walk in, you can veer left into the iconic bar/lounge, or wait to be seated in the main dining room. I can't say enough about the great local atmosphere you get, and the generous pours from any of the bartenders (especially Tracy). Margaritas, micheladas, and a great wine list make this place a spot everyone in Bakersfield should visit.

    Chips, Guacamole and amazing, chunky salsa
    Alice A.

    I was pretty blown away by the entire experience at RP. We don't get to the NE very often, and it's even less frequent that we eat somewhere in the NE. We decided to stop in based on recommendations from friends. I was not expecting it to be in a shopping strip area. Looks can be deceiving. When you walk through the door, you are transported to a well laid out bar and restaurant. I was a little worried that they closed at 8pm, but I think that's just when they last seat people, as we arrived around 7:35pm and still got a table. We had margaritas, and they were great. The flavor is unique and they definitely add alcohol. There's nothing worse than ordering a drink and feeling as though they skipped the most important ingredient. This was not the case at RP. The food is not just Mexican. There is a flare to it that you just need to experience. Everything we ordered was delicious. Rellenos, steak, beans, rice, shrimp. All fantastic flavors and thoughtfully made recipes. I believe we may be traveling to the NE more often. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and time together. The wait staff were attentive and chatted with us. It was lovely. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Give it a try.

    Red Pepper Cocktail Lounge
    Lisa B.

    This restaurant never disappoints! I absolutely love everything I have eaten at Red Pepper from the American Fare and of course their Mexican Fare!

    Lila C.

    I just want to say that it has been years since my husband who was my BF and I ate here. We have been together 38 years, married for 33 years. So in the late 80's early 90's. I want to say it's been a good 20 years. We tried a couple of months ago to come on a Sunday but found out they are closed. I decide to drive him all the way over from the SW for a lunch date. You walk in and it's just like nothing has changed. The lights are different, but for some reason I remember red chile peppers up, lol! The hostess greeted us right away and sat us down. Our waitress came over and took our drink order. She brought our drinks, chips and salsa together. I ordered their lobster and shrimp relleno with a side shredded beef taco. My husband ordered steak ranchero and a side of fries. For an appetizer we ordered the queso. I do want to say our waitress was staying on top of everything. The service was great. Now the reason for the 3 star. The chips and salsa needed salt, and the salsa was too tomatoey. It was not spicy at all. The queso was good. My shredded taco was great. Nice crunch, and the flavor of the beef was good. I also liked how there was a lot of meat in, unlike many Mexican restaurants that don't. My lobster and shrimp relleno was very flavorful but had maybe 1 or 2 pieces of lobster. The rice was okay but I didn't care for the beans. My husband said that the steak ranchero was very bland. He added salt to give it some flavor. He likes the enchilada and fries. So over all it was a great experience and I do recommend, just wish maybe some minor changes and spice it up.

    Enchiladas suizas
    Stella B.

    We have never been to this place even though we had known of it for years. Tonight we decided to go and have dinner. We were greeted by the hostess and seated at a nice table towards the back. She gave us menus. First impresión is that it's really cute inside. Love the look and feel of an adobe building. There is a bar area with seating also, but we were seated in the restaurant side. The waitress came quickly took our drink order. She asked if we wanted any appetizer and we said no. She brought out chips salsa and our drinks We looked over the menu and made our selection. It's very clean and great atmosphere. They do have great specialty items you can choose on the menu, plus tradicional ones. We chose enchilada combination and enchilada suizas. The enchilada suizas had great flavor and the rice and beans were good. The salsa served with the chips needed a bit more spice, in my opinion. I really enjoyed the food and service. We plan on returning to try more things.

    Guacamole (creamy & delicious)
    Laura G.

    The red pepper restaurant has been around for many many years in East Bakersfield. The food is good. The first time I went, I was weary and doubted my friend about the food not meeting authentic standards but it did. The food was delicious. The service was friendly, and the ambience is fun and festive with a hint level up intimacy.

    Gwen A.

    Enjoyed our dinner very much when we ate in house. However, my second visit for take out wasn't great. Plus, it took them 20 mins to decide what to charge us.

    Steak Ranchero Plate.
    Erica S.

    I wasn't impressed with the dish, overcooked and chewy steak. The rice was good, beans were very bland. My daughter enjoyed her quesadilla. I did enjoy the salsa, but the chips were very stale.

    Steak, wedges, chili beans and onion rings, the salad comes out first

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    I've had better at Frescos $5 Friday's, horrible customer service as well, won't be coming back

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Best service ever I love the food you have to try it. The atmosphere is good too.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Excellent Mexican food. Have been coming here for years and the food is always consistent. Highly recommend.

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    11 years ago

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    Page 2 of 6

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    The Stockyard Whiskey Bar

    The Stockyard Whiskey Bar

    4.9
    (7 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    Had no idea this place has been open for four years, and I'd never tried it…read more Went on a Thursday night, we ended up being the only ones there. I understand weekends has live music. It's rustic and clean, it's very clean. There's a very large side room for events etc. the main bar area is small with some nice chairs to sit in and the large tv was set to a fireplace. The floors are covered in various beef/farm brands, adds to the rustic western vibe. Bartender was friendly and attentive. She kept busy cleaning and dusting bottles- like I said- it's clean. Drinks for a "speakeasy" were not special. Very typical bar drinks- no special menu etc. I visit a lot of speakeasy's- this is, speakeasy-ish. Our two drinks & a club soda were nearly $40. They were made well. Unfortunately, they didn't have the ingredients to make the drink I had asked for. Overall, I'd like to see this place on a weekend night with music. The drinks were over priced for what they were- IMO. That said, I'll likely return, at least once. Still bummed KC doesn't have a nice speakeasy.

    Our favorite local spot with THE BEST ambiance. I have never had a bad experience here…read more Haley is a delight and is very knowledgeable as both a bartender and server. We love coming here just to see her. This is a great spot for a quiet date night. It can get pretty pricey, but half of what you pay for is the location and the service, which is second to none. This is a great spot to host a private party as well and does require a password to get in. A great way to ensure your party stays private!

    Photos
    Buffalo Trace
    Buffalo Trace
    The Stockyard Whiskey Bar
    Bar lounge

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    Bar lounge
    Tiki-Ko

    Tiki-Ko

    4.5
    (290 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    Nobody plans to spend an evening in Bakersfield. You pass through it on the way to somewhere else…read more-- Mammoth, the Sequoias, the long flat grind up the 99 to Sacramento -- and if you stop at all, it's for gas or a bathroom or because your BMW's brakes have decided, somewhere around the Grapevine, that they'd rather not. Thank you, Weatherford BMW of Berkeley, for the near-death experience and, inadvertently, for one of the best nights out I've had in years. Stranded and waiting on repairs, we checked into The Padre, the only hotel in Bakersfield that feels like someone with a subscription to Dwell had a hand in it, and set out walking through a downtown that time has treated with more kindness than reputation suggests. There's a Woolworth's luncheonette still hanging on. There are old brick facades and wide sidewalks and the particular quiet of a Central Valley evening when the heat finally breaks. And then, on 18th Street, there is Tiki-Ko, and suddenly you are no longer in Bakersfield at all. You are, instead, inside someone's magnificent obsession. Tiki-Ko is a proper tiki bar -- not a tiki-themed cocktail lounge, not a place that bought some bamboo at a craft store and called it atmosphere, but a genuine, committed, floor-to-ceiling shrine to mid-century Polynesian fantasy. The carvings are real. The lighting is correct -- which is to say, barely there. The mugs are serious. There are pufferfish lamps and carved totems and the whole glorious taxonomy of tiki ephemera, accented here and there with a skate-culture edge that keeps it from feeling like a museum. It's reverent without being precious. The drinks are the real thing. Mai Tais built with actual orgeat. Zombies that earn the name. The bartenders make them with the kind of care and enthusiasm that tells you this isn't a gig -- it's a calling. They want you to be here. They want to talk about rum. They want you to try the Painkiller. In a city that most Angelenos regard as a punch line, somebody built a world-class cocktail bar and filled it with joy, and the regulars clearly know it. You will not plan a trip to Bakersfield. But if you find yourself there -- by mechanical failure, by accident, by the peculiar mercy of a bad brake job -- walk downtown. Find the tiki bar. Order a second round. Stay longer than you intended. Bakersfield has been underestimated, and Tiki-Ko is the proof.

    Haven't been in here for probably 15 years. It's changed- a bit. I love Tiki bars and I go to every…read moreTiki bar I can find. It's tiny- like a lot of tiki spots. Decor is nice. Little hidden gems. Lighting is dark with bits color and neon popping through. The Bar Top curves around the bar- there are two booths that seat 5-6 and two short tables next to them- one seats 4- the other will comfortably seat two. There are a few bench style seating areas at the front with some short coffee tables. Think- skater tiki bar. The drinks were good- small menu if you're not sure what you want or are new to tiki. Both sides of the menu are the same menu. There are some nice mocktail options as well- you don't see that often. The service for me is mixed- it wasn't busy- steady but not busy- 1/4 full. I ordered two drinks to start for our table- (no cocktail servers here/not unusual for a small Tiki bar) I asked for a soda water- the bartender looked at me without a word- popped open a can of soda water and walked away. When he walked back by, I asked for a glass of ice- he said nothing and I got an eye-roll huff. I almost left. I don't think providing a glass with ice to pour your canned room temp soda water in, is too wacky an idea to be perturbed by the request. The female who took the order was friendly, smiled and was professional. We got a third cocktail- the Mai Tai. The grumpy bartender was friendlier this time. So, that helped. Maybe he felt overwhelmed and I threw off his groove by asking for water- then a glass... either way- being annoyed wasn't cool. The music.... Wasn't Tiki- it threw off the "Tiki Vibe" and made it feel typical small local bar that serves only Tiki drinks with some Tiki decor. It didn't take you to the land of Tiki- disappointed. Drinks were good.

    Photos
    Interior booth
    Interior booth
    Sunken Ship
    Sunken Ship
    Interior. bar area

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    Interior. bar area
    El Puesto Cocina & Lounge

    El Puesto Cocina & Lounge

    3.8
    (280 reviews)
    6.8 mi
    $$

    10/10 experience at El Puesto and a huge part of that was our bartender, Churro! We sat right at…read morethe bar and he made the entire experience so fun and welcoming from the moment we sat down. He was attentive, personable, and answered all my silly questions about the amazing drinks he was making without ever making me feel annoying. You can tell he truly loves what he does and takes pride in creating a great experience for his guests. Between the drinks, food, the atmosphere, and Churro's service, our whole El Puesto experience was an easy 10/10. Can't wait to come back!

    I see you El Puesto! Everything about our dining experience was A+!…read more Upon arrival on a Wednesday evening we had an approx. 5 minute wait to be seated which was quick for a party of 8. All the staff were friendly and checked on our table frequently. Lots of fun & mostly Spanish music was played at a decent volume throughout the evening & they played a different song for each party celebrating a birthday ~ They let you choose from a shot or a flan for the birthday, you better choose wisely ~~~ The food was plated thoughtfully and went with their nature inspired theme throughout the restaurant. Everything we ate was well-seasoned and the portions were massive. We really enjoyed our time at El Puesto. You'll love it too if you appreciate concept restaurants.

    Photos
    The live band. Great music!!!
    The live band. Great music!!!
    Ensalada El Puesto Con Pollo
    Ensalada El Puesto Con Pollo
    Café de olla with Maria cookies.

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    Café de olla with Maria cookies.

    Red Pepper Restaurant - mexican - Updated June 2026

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