Here's a polished 5-star Yelp review: Woolworth's Luncheonette is such a great place to grab a meal. I love the new remodel--it brought new life to a Bakersfield classic while keeping that nostalgic feel. The food is always fresh, the burgers and sandwiches are delicious, and the service is friendly every time I visit. It's the perfect spot to sit down, enjoy a great meal, and take in the unique atmosphere. If you haven't checked it out since the remodel, you're definitely missing out. I'll definitely keep coming back! read more

Great luncheonette It's bigger than before Lots of seating Friendly staff Good menu Prices are good Burger was good kinda dry Fries were good. Over seasoned but good and crispy. Different from before Fountain sodas were awesome Definitely recommend read more

Used to come here as a kid when it was still a drug store. It's cool they've added Reverb coffee, a basement for music and a long bar top area. The old lunch counter is still there. Order at the counter, find your seat, they bring your food. Stop has that nostalgic feel and original floors. Service was okay. read more

Came for lunch with coworkers. There was a perfect deal for us! 4 burgers, 4 drinks and 2 large baskets of fries for under $40! The burgers were handmade and it was amazing. They have their woolies sauce which is also given as a sauce for their fries. Let me tell you amazing. What's more amazong.... the lemon icebox cheesecake. The slice is a pretty decent slice too. The burgers were regular cheeseburgers. You got to choose the type of cheese. The food came out quickly too. Not a bad lunch for 4 coworkers! read more

First time in since the rehab project. Pretty nice venue, bigger dining room than I expected. Fairly clean inside, I think I'd expect a little cleaner being it wasn't too busy on a Saturday afternoon. Prices are decent and menu had a good amount of options. Was pretty cool that they had a giant bar for wine and beer not sure if they make other drinks too. Customer service was just ok not really friendly or anything but nobody was rude either. Got a hamburger and fries. Pretty good it was supposed to be a cheeseburger but by the time I realized I didn't feel like bothering to tell them they also forgot the cookie in the kids combo. Not really huge deal but you know these things keep me fr giving the 5 star. I'd still come back and give it another shot. read more

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My fries were super salty - almost inedible. Unfortunately, I didn't get to try anything else besides that and a black and white malt. Im from LA so I loved the experience. It was pretty busy for lunch and service was very friendly - just took a little long especially since I was at the bar. Ambiance is retro with a diner feel in DT Bakersfield. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Pastrami chili cheese fries - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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How cool is this? Woolworth food hall with coffee, beer and diner serving traditional American fares. I'm sold! Must stop in Bakersfield for a throwback experience relaxing with friends and family. Great job renovating the place and keeping the retro feel and art deco architecture. Clean restrooms is a plus. Street parking out front just like the good old days. They also sell memorabilia like vintage shirts and stuff. read more

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Woolworths Luncheonette looks very good on the inside and the dining area is classic Route 66 Diner Style accept these counters go on for a long time of the Luncheonette a very good update for 2026. Shout-out to Katey for her recommendations. Every suggestion she made was spot on, and we ended up ordering exactly what she recommended. Her enthusiasm on deciding for us..lol ,definitely made our visit even better. Thanks, Katey, for steering us in the right direction! THE GRUB: The double cheeseburger delivers classic diner vibes with 2 thin smash burger beef patties, melted cheese, house sauce, and caramelized onions,crunchy pickles on their potato roll.( side note potato bread is the only bread I'm going to eat from now on) 4.5/5 stars .. only because the first bite the bun was a little overcooked,(ok it was burnt) and I'm not a fan of thin burgers but overall one of the better burgers in Bakersfield. The Reuben is rich and savory, loaded with tasty grilled pastrami,Swiss cheese, their house sauce, and coleslaw on rye. 5/5 stars says my friend. He honestly wanted to order one for the road but figured he could need it the fries with thin and crispy think of McDonald's fries but super crispy and seasoned extra well 4/5 stars( I don't like fries therefore I didn't order any but I did taste a few of his and they were really good) the chocolate chip cookies we're the first thing I seen when I walk to the counter are the perfect finish to any meal if done right ....these were done right--golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle with plenty of buttery flavor. Overall 5 out of 5 stars but I'm only coming for the chocolate chip cookies.. just kidding I'll be back for the rest of the menu sometime soon. read more

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So FUN and nostalgic! Mama said just like she remembered! Albondigas soup was fresh, filled with meatballs and carrots and DELISH!! Pineapple shake and rootbeer float were amazing! The atmosphere was like stepping into the 50's diner! Original counters and chairs! We will be back! read more

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We were downtown with some friends when lunchtime rolled around. We were pretty close to the Woolworths luncheonette and none of us had tried it yet. The place is newly remodeled and we wanted to give it a try. We had eaten at the old Woolworths many years ago. It's a basic menu: burgers, Patti Melts, Salad. I ordered the burger with avocados and a side of fries. Service is great. Very fast. We found a table. It's a nice space. The food is good. They use seasoned fries. The prices are normal for today. Everyone enjoyed their food. It's a bit noisy for casual conversation. We would go back again. read more

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Delicious food with reasonable prices in an old school diner surrounded by fascinating history and community, what more could you ask for? My family and I stopped by Woolworth's Luncheonette after enjoying Reverb Coffee in the same Woolworth's building. I felt an instant sense of community as I received and returned compliments from strangers at the luncheonette counter while admiring the spacious old school diner feel they've been able to create. The food was super tasty and the prices are very reasonable. I had the double cheeseburger and we were able to share a large fry between 4 people. And the fries came with fry sauce! (Iykyk) the patty melt received high praises from family members, and I look forward to trying it on the next visit. When speaking with the owners, I can feel their excitement around building a new place for the local community to gather. They always seem to be on site finding new ways to engage with the community and ensure Woolworth's is a part of the success story of Bakersfield. I remember walking in the building months back while it was still under construction, and it's amazing to see how far they've come. Woolworth's Luncheonette is now the last functioning Woolworth luncheonette counter. The mural and plaque commemorate the history of Woolworth's connected to the Civil Rights Movement and is fascinating to learn about. read more

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I honestly wasn't sure what to expect coming here. After reading a few reviews, I was pretty hesitant about visiting, but I'm really glad we decided to give Woolworth Luncheonette a chance because our experience was very positive. I went with my wife and kids, and from the moment we walked in, the staff was amazing. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely happy to chat with us. They even took the time to talk about the history of the place, which made the visit feel more special and authentic. You don't get that everywhere anymore. We ordered burgers, fries, and chili fries, and the food was beyond my expectations. Everything came out hot, fresh, and full of flavor. The burgers were solid, classic diner-style, and the chili fries were a hit with the whole table. My kids loved their food, my wife enjoyed hers, and that alone says a lot when you're eating out as a family. I also stopped by Reverb Coffee and grabbed one of their specials, which was excellent. It was the perfect way to round out the visit and made the whole stop even better. I do want to say that, based on other people's reviews, this was just my personal experience at this location. I can see how service might slow down when it's really busy, so I'd recommend planning accordingly. That said, the food is definitely worth the wait. Overall, this place exceeded my expectations. Great food, friendly staff, and a cool bit of history all in one spot. I would highly recommend giving Woolworth Luncheonette a try, and I'll definitely be back again to enjoy more of their food. read more

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So happy this place is now open. It was buzzing for lunch hour but the service was very fast. I thought it was very nicely styled inside, glad they kept the lunch counter and there's also now a bar, and coffee shop connected on the other side. I ordered the patty melt and loved it! I love their sauce they give you on the side. Fries were really good too. Can't wait to come back to try more items, the cashier told me they also have Mac n cheese, didn't see it listed on the menu though. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Patty melt - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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I waited some time to write this review. First, I attended the grand opening a week earlier which included much fanfare. I get it, the luncheon has a long history and I love and appreciate that people are investing in the Bakersfield downtown area. I can see where they were trying to go with the interior decor, retro, trendy, modern-ish. I really think they missed the mark. The inside looks sterile and not very inviting. It really looks like they ran out of money to do something great. Perhaps some Bakersfield-themed memorabilia and decor? If you've never been there, it can be a little confusing as there is no signage telling you to seat yourself, wait, or where to order. Now to the food. I opted for a cheeseburger and fries (my companion ordered the reuben sandwich). Not even joking, we waited 40 (FORTY) minutes for our two sandwiches. That alone was super annoying as it was early Saturday (4:00PM ish) and not busy whatsoever. My burger was OK, cooked nicely, but definitely not worth waiting 40 minutes for. The food was not hot as in freshly made (I would've accepted heat-lamp heated food at this point). And the sauce was overly salty. The staff was OK but not very enthusiastic (come on, it's the opening week!) but somewhat attentive. The only person I noticed smiling at guests was the gentleman with the slick back hair who was hustling, getting things cleaned, stocking napkins, etc. Again, for the amount of fanfare this place received, they missed the mark on several things. I hope things get better for them but with the wait times, unenthusiastic staff, sterile decor, and mediocre food, I think it will be a while before I remember to try them again. read more

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I was visiting Bakersfield and ultimately decided to come here for lunch, being lured by the new tuna melt advertised on their door. The cashier was amazing and answered all my questions. She was so sweet and patient with me. The establishment is very clean and open. I had the option to order the sandwich on Sourdough. She mentioned that she thought the bread was grilled, but I believe it was pan fried because the paper in the plastic serving bowl was soaked with grease when it was delivered to me. Despite this, the sandwich was delicious and I highly recommend. They use American cheese; this is truly a diner experience as advertised. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Tuna melt - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Finally had a chance to get downtown to try out the nostalgic new Woolworths ! There have been a few modern updates but you still get the luncheonette feel. We ordered at the counter I landed on the patty melt and hubby got BBQ bacon cheeseburger both with fries. It was quite the wait for us to receive our food not sure what the hold up was since we were there at lunch time on a Friday. It was moderately busy with plenty of tables and counter space available. Overall the staff was friendly and attentive and we did enjoy our meal. Did get the time to enjoy the art!! read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Nice ambiance luncheonette with a modern touch. - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Friendly quick service, excellent food, the fries are so good! Love the vintage vibe of this place. Definitely worth stopping at if you're in Bakersfield. Also this place is Pepsi products if that means anything to you. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - BLT with avocado and fries. - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Came for lunch with my fiancé. Got the teriyaki burger and the Rueben. Both were pretty good. The bread in the burger was super soft and moist. The fries were honestly addicting. Couldn't stop eating them! The remodel looks cool, but still miss how it was back then. Overall pretty good. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Rueben sandwich - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Never been to any old Woolworth's before so I couldn't compare. Iv'e been craving for some chili cheese fries and a burger so we went for lunch there. So far, we loved all the food that we ordered esp. the chili cheese fries! The serving was like good for 2 people. The soft serve ice cream was creamy but not too sweet. The ambiance, hmmm, was more of like a shopping center fastfood feel, probably cos of the colors, I think it needs more red? I dont know maybe that's how it really was in the past :) Service was fast. The cashier staff was helpful with my questions. Nonetheless, we had a great lunch and will be coming back for sure! read more

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Food and service was good. The place was very clean and spacious. Definitely will go again. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Menu - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Took my Mom there for the first time and ordered the special of the day which was the patty melt. It was great; the burger was perfectly cooked, nicely seasoned, and came with cheese, pickles (homemade) and toasted rye bread held it all together. The Woolies sauce was something else, never tasted anything like it, complimented the seasoned fries very well. The atmosphere brought you back to a time less forgotten. Katey was was so nice and courteous. She even gave us a sample of their homemade ranch dressing and their in house chili. Both tasted great. Felt like you were eating history itself. Will definitely come back again. read more

I got the grilled cheese sandwich with turkey and jalapeños and avocado. If you like simple but good this is the spot. My partner got a good ole bLT and it was good asf too. Gotta make it a combo ! read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Grilled cheese sandwich with added avocado, turkey, and jalapeños. - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Woolworth's is back, baby! Painstakingly restored with the lunch counter, chairs, floor, and so on. It may not be a department store anymore, but it's a worthy stop in the Bakersfield area. I was told a lot of the customers are nostalgia chasers like me, coming from far away. The staff are all super friendly without exception. Overall, this is a fun throwback, one-of-a-kind food experience. The food was generally ok, but I have to give the veggie burger a big thumbs down. It didn't hold together, even with a bun. It was more like veggie crumbles and it didn't taste very good at all. On the plus side, I did enjoy one of the most delicious milkshakes I've ever had. Happy to have made the trek here. Cool merch too. read more

Pretty darn good hotdog. Everything was pretty chill, not much service, bathrooms are cool too.

I'm so glad we finally get to return to Woolworth's! I always enjoy coming here for the delicious food and lively atmosphere. The menu is simple diner food. You order at the counter and take a seat anywhere you'd like. It was pretty busy the day we went but luckily we still found a place to sit. The burger was well cooked and the chili was delicious without being too salty. In my opinion the star of the show are their French fries and fry sauce. They are seasoned very well and so crunchy. I was hoping to try their soft serve but it wasn't available the day we went in. I'm looking forward to going again soon and hopefully we get to try more menu items. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Chili cheese fries - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

The Reuben sandwich here is awesome! Perfectly toasted bread with a generous helping of meat and not too much coleslaw. It tasted perfect! The fries here are seasoned and are very crispy giving you flavor and the crunch you need with a sandwich. I've also heard very good things about their chili cheese dogs (which i want to try next) You order at the diner counter kiosk and you can choose a seat at either the countertop or a table. They bring the food straight to your number from the kitchen and everything is hot and fresh, there's a fountain drink station and the place has an old school vibe. They're currently remodeling the downstairs area so i'm very excited to see how that looks once it's done! read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Reuben Sandwich Combo - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

The double cheese burger I got was bomb! The fries were so well seasoned and the sauce that makes is darn good. It's a unique sauce that you can't at get many places. Service was fine. Good environment. Definitely worth it! read more

Stopped in on a Monday afternoon for lunch. The last time I was here was before the remodel happened. They kept it looking the same as in the entrance and ordering area. Much more seating and spacious open plan. The food was good, I ordered the cheese burger and chili cheese fries. Oh, I also ordered a milkshake which was the best part. The drinking station for sodas is self serve, they added a bar area. Overall the experience was good. read more

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First time at the luncheonette since it reopened. We went early to beat the rush and it was perfect for a fresh, easy lunch. We both got the Woolworth's burger combo. Love that the burgers have grilled onions, and the seasoning on the fries and the sauce were fantastic. The bun could have been a bit sturdier for the burger but tasted good. Food came out quickly and every employee was friendly and helpful. Atmosphere was nice, great spot for downtown. One thing I really loved was how comfy the chairs at the tables were! Not sure why that stood out, but it made for a great place to sit and eat. Can't wait to go back and try the chili and milkshakes. read more

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Everything was fantastic! The chili is a MUST try! Great food, wonderful casual atmosphere. Will definitely return. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Cup of chili with jalapeño - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

This place is great! A great cup of coffee and they have gluten free pastries which my family looks forward to since some of us have celiac's disease!! Also the lunch is really awesome and I love the art they displayed. People who are complaining about the food are kind of ridiculous. I even went a third time with my two friends who had seen the woolworths prior and they enjoyed the newly revamped woolworths. The food is good, staff is friendly, and it's reasonably priced. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I wanted to LOVE this place! We were eagerly awaiting the opening after the remodel, but unfortunately I think it missed the mark. Ambiance: missing the old charm of what it means to be a classic luncheonette. I understand wanting to modernize and move things into the future- but then do something different. Don't call it Woolworths, with the classic sign and menu- because it just doesn't match. The seating area was in complete disarray and gave heavy cafeteria vibes. Random tables and chairs everywhere. Service: I interacted with 2 employees- the cashier- very kind and nice, ordering went smoothly and she even let me take onions off one of the burgers (I know people were having issues with modifications?) and a bartender- again, very kind and nice, smiley, ordering drinks went smoothly. * this is where I also had some issues- the set up of service is a rough one. They only had one cashier to help the whole place. Luckily we hit the line just in time because shortly after the line was all the way to the door. Also, there are no servers- so seating is a hot mess. People were just moving tables to accommodate their needs, random chairs were everywhere, everything was just scattered about (leading to the cafeteria vibe). Everyone bringing out food/ walking around just looked confused- couldn't find table numbers, were walking in circles, there was no flow to service at all. Food: I thought the food was pretty on point. The burgers we had were pretty solid (flavorful, fresh veg, Woolys sauce was tasty), the chili cheese fries were delicious- the chili seemed to be a bit more tomatoey and veg forward which we liked, and the guest who had the pastrami said it was great. I guess overall, it's just missing the charm of what was once there. The interior misses completely and really wants to be something else, the bar is fine- but could be so much better, the food is good for a quick lunch. Just don't go into it expecting any type of nostalgic (but better) experience. read more

Just a damn good hamburger must I explain? One of the very first customers on a Memorial Day Monday so there were offering specials. One combo for 10 dollars only what a day for deals ! Keep on keeping on woooolllworth read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Woooolworths famous hamburger with a side of homemade fresh chilli on a Monday morning huzzah - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

My visit to Woolworth's Luncheonette was, unfortunately, a letdown especially given its reputation as a beloved local staple. Drawn in by its popularity and nostalgic charm, I stopped by for lunch expecting a satisfying, classic diner experience. Instead, I left still hungry and underwhelmed. The fries were aggressively seasoned, coated in a heavy, smoky Cajun chipotle blend that overpowered rather than complemented the meal. It felt mismatched more like a random experiment of seasonings than a delightful side to a burger. Speaking of which, the burger itself didn't get much better. The patty carried a similarly confusing mix of seasonings that masked the natural flavor of the meat, ultimately distracting from what should have been the highlight. Also, the remodel of this building just turned into a very modernized burger spot that felt dull and unappealing unlike the original design. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Woolworth's Burger Combo - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Long honest review here but worth the read: I have been to Woolworths many times before the remodel. I read the reviews about how everyone was disappointed with the remodel and food, service, etc. I decided to reserve judgement until I ate there myself. My food mantra: It better be damn worth it so I don't feel guilty about gaining 5 pounds. Verdict: Darn tootin.. it was worth the 5 pounds!! My experience: I went the week before Christmas and circled the block a couple of times for a parking space. At this point it became female grit and determination to finding parking just like at a Trader Joes on a Saturday morning. Snagged a spot and when I entered I saw it was packed. Went for the Fairytale and got a combo: Burger, Fries, and Soda and was able to modify order w/ no onions. I was skeptical based on past reviews and expected food to come out slow but came out super fast! Fries are seasoned and the burger had a good saucey spread that rivaled IN n OUT. OM NOM NOM... and it was gone. I sat at the counter and watched the staff cook the sandwiches on the original equipment. From what they told me they had a rocky start but the kinks and the feedback from customers and reviews stepped up their game. Burgers come out quick as they are cooked in the back and the sandwiches and other items are up front for faster service. Pricing was comparable to the delicious food and quality of beef in the burger. Hats off to the friendly staff! Everyone asked if I was doing okay and were engaging with the customers and you could tell they liked their job...having worked at 4 Cheesecake Factories and various family owned establishments while in college back in my younger days you know when staff are wishing they were anywhere else but there. The atmosphere looked festive with the homey Christmas decor, but I could see why reviewers are saying walls are plain. My recommended decor would be to have large poster size framed black and white pictures of Woolworths or historical photos of Downtown Bakersfield to give it more character and match the mural on the back wall. This Foodie Karen will be back!! read more

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Wife and I sat at the bar where the bartender Jody was genuinely friendly. She was fun to talk to and she made us feel welcomed. They have a few beers on tap and some wine. We enjoyed a couple glasses of Mind Haze. For food, my wife and I had the double cheeseburger and shared a large order of fries. Burger was delicious and very basic, in a good way. Kind of like the old days. Just meat, cheese, pickles, caramelized onions and sauce. Meat patties had good seasoning and flavor. The fries are seasoned perfectly. If you want a fancy burger, this isn't the place. If you want a juicy, flavorful, simple burger like the old diner days, this is the place. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Double cheeseburger, side of large fries. - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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I have had a great experience each time I have come. The food is great and the service is good. it is also a very clean space.

We came in an hour after the lunch hour "rush" and still had about a half hour wait, which wasn't a problem since this place is fairly new and had much hype around the grand reopening. The menu was pretty simple. Once we made it to the register, the cashier informed us there would be about a 40 minute wait. Again, expected and we obliged. We decided on the Woolworth burger with American cheese, a side of coleslaw and a chocolate shake for my husband; and a BLT sandwich combo (fries and a soft drink). Total came out to 40 bucks. The food was great. Absolutely loves the BLT sandwich and the fries were the best I think I've ever had! They were the perfect cut to give the that balance of crispy and chewy. The sauce that came with the fries was super delicious and I used it on my sandwich as well. My husband absolutely loved the burger, but didn't really care for the slaw. He tends to lean towards a sweeter coleslaw. We sat at the counter which gave us that retro feel, but I will say for the size and popularity, this place could use with more table seating. I hope to give this place a few more months before returning to see how their wait times have improved. read more

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I miss the old Woolworth's. I had not been back since it reopened. I was very sad to see the burgers are completely different along with the fries. I think the inside of this place looks great, but I'd 100% take the original over the new and improved if it meant the original burger recipe. The burgers were soggy and not what I was expecting. Service at the register was good young lady was very polite who took our order. read more

Point off because I couldn't see a phone number. It was busy but damn so glad to see it back! The Woolies sauce makes the ketchup for fries unnecessary. The patties are nice snd berry and cheese still cheesy. The cookie was perfect. Can't wait to go again!!! read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - The front of the menu - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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