The bar was nice and looked like a cool place to hang out. Across town, the Greek place cooking up authentic specialties. Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat Have your best lunch in Bakersfield in this restaurant which serves the most flavorful dishes in huge portions. Lingua Franca opens on this L.A. landmark. Baskin-Robbins adds a hint of waffle, and voila. Sad, the place and food was so dated. I would have loved to given the place five stars, however the service really brought the star level done. Chalet Basque Restau. Not many restaurants in town take the time to create souffles. 525 Sumner St Bakersfield, CA 93305 Permanently closed this restaurant on May 1, 2020. If your husband steps in to defend you, the waiter will then threaten to call the police of you don't all leave. Basque Restaurants in Bakersfield Results 1 - 8 of 8 restaurants Wool Growers Restaurant ($$) Seafood, European, French, Spanish, Basque Menu Available 620 E 19th St, Bakersfield, CA (661) 327-9584 Write a Review! amzn_assoc_title = "Basque Cookbooks"; amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; I am desperately trying to get the "salsa" recipe . The mealsseem a bit on the expensive side, until you realize what you get with them. He would come by and drop off the food, but he made no offer to give us more of anything or to check on us. Although there was easily 90% left of this horrible steak, the new owner only gave me a $6 discount. Banquet Hall/Venue Had he known, he might have ordered a different lamb dish. Try their butterfinger pie for dessert! Gluten-free menu. I had to scale down, Frank Maitia Jr. said. Benji's French-Basque Restaurant. 4809 Stockdale Hwy Bakersfield, CA 93309. He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and believes in driving long distances for a good sandwich. Ambience is niceand original from prior owners. 4001 Rosedale Hwy Bakersfield, CA 93308 T / 661-328-0400. We proudly offer Bakersfield locals and visitors a unique and authentic Basque dining experience. Watch Huell Enjoys Noriega's Basque Restaurant in Bakersfield | California's Gold with Huell Howser Season | KCET August 23, 2014 In Media Press No Comment Read More. Its real sad because we were real proud of our restaurant, said Susan Maitia, 64, speaking on behalf of her husband, former owner Frank Maitia Jr., 65, who has Parkinsons disease. The wife's pork chops were large and juicy. Huell's off to Noriega's Basque Restaurant in Bakersfield where he not only enjoys an amazing meal, but he is treated to wonderful stories about the Basque culture in the area. She said her husband and father-in-law built the larger Maitia Basque Cafe on Union Avenue near 34th Street, and ran it from around 1981 to 1996. The bright-lit dining room with long trestle tables is boisterous and friendly, a contrast to the film-noir vibe at the Pyrenees Caf on Sumner Street, two blocks away. The current listed sale price for Fully leased, Value-Add, Office/Warehouse Project is $2,400,000. If I could, I wouldgive the food five stars and the service a zero or one. We would certainly eat here again any time we were in Bakersfield. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Looking for your new favorite restaurant? The. Weve been talking a lot about Basque food over there, so I was curious to know where people like to eat. The restaurant needs a little upgrade in decor, but it is very clean and interesting. Then comes the entree, maybe lamb stew or braised oxtails; after that an enormous plate of spaghetti; after that a platter of ribs or fried chicken and the best French fries in the world; then finally slabs of blue cheese and bowls of delicious homemade flan.. 18 Month Jamn Serrano $16.00. The soup comes in a big bowl, family-style, and you serve as much or as little as you want into your own bowl. Everything in the setup, seemed like they were scrimping on ingredients to save money. A crane was used to move the historic bar from Noriegas to the Kern County Museum after closing of restaurant. Come join us at Restaurant Basque for a unique exciting dining experience unlike anything else in Tulsa. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; The Bakersfield community and the Basque community were devastated. The food was very good and plenty of food for our gathering of ten people. View. You can see him in the second row, 5th from left (next to my sister) in the group photo , Was able to practice my Euskara with everyone at hotel reception and with the taxi driver who took me to the airport. Some of you suggested I make a list of Basque restaurants all over the U.S. And if you know of any restaurants serving Basque food in the United States that I missed on this list, please get in touch and let me know. Read about the Kern County Museum Exhibit. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Basically, in a nutshell, the economy got us, she said. However, considering the level of colorful obscenities, the act of answering a phone seems to pale in comparison! We waited a few minutes for someone to help us. His theory is that the Basque people who settled in the area originally were probably from the same region, and that was most likely a shepherding region, thus the emphasis on lamb dishes, and the similarity in menu items. Each dining hall has its specialties, but one fact unites them: Basque food is served in hearty, prodigious quantities. CENTRO BASCO 13432 Central Ave. Chino, California 91710 (909 . amzn_assoc_region = "US"; This Bakersfield property for sale is located at 3624 Buck Owens Blvd. Some new restaurants have popped up and others have closed. We got the set-up and the beef bourguignon. I look forward to trying more Basque restaurants, but I doubt I will go back here.More, We had an early Saturday dinner yesterday while passing through Bakersfield. Article highlighting the history of Benji's. Mon - Closed . amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; All dinner meals come with soup, salad, bread, beans, spicy tomato sauce, vegetable and tongue salad. It all needs to be consumed before the main course, which might be roasted lamb leg, beef or oxtail stew, or fried chicken. The waiters seem to have all worked there forever and know the menu well. They have great stories, if its not busy, and obviously many customers are regulars. It was light and flaky and cooked to perfection. Pyrenees breakfast menu offers pleasant surprises: Nab a seat at one of the outdoor patio tables and order the bacon-stuffed pancakes. Experience authentic Basque cuisine prepared the same way as it has been for over 100 years. Their wait staff are courteous and attentive. Lamont restaurants. amzn_assoc_title = "Basque Cookbooks"; Feel free to share this post with anyone looking for some good Basque food. Thanks for letting me know though. A visitor can expect a Basque meal to be served family style at long trestle tables, with hearty courses, meat or seafood entree and a red wine present throughout the meal. Seated promptly but took forever to get order taken! (661) 322-8900, Sandrini's Public House1918 Eye Street The restaurant was granted the prestigious James Beard award as an American classic in 2011, for its food and appeal. He spent much of his time talking on his cell phone or waiting on the other two tables (he was very friendly/hands on and solicitous of the other table (of six people) so it was completely obvious that he didn't want to be bothered with my husband and me). Very tasty but possible cross contamination with the fryer. Benji's French Basque Restaurant is a family-friendly restaurant that offers a children's menu . Bakersfield, California 93304, 4001 Rosedale Highway We enjoyed the salsa so much that we applied it liberally to the soup, beans and vegetables.More, While heading to Yosemite from Los Angeles, we stopped off at the Chalet. According to my Spain expert, the food in the Basque restaurants in Bakersfield seem to come from the same region. It was cold inside the bar, which was empty, and only slightly warmer in the restaurant, my wife was shivering when we left. I usually order the pork chopsand I'm never disappointed. So after visiting a museum in Bakersfield I used Google maps to find Chalet Basque. Give it a chance if you have time! The restaurant only had one table filled. The waitress was excellent. I asked my followers recently on Instagram to name their favorite Basque restaurants in the United States. Bakersfield, CA 93309 The doors finally closed on Noriega's, the oldest Basque boardinghouse-style restaurant in the West. Sad news. CHALET BASQUE RESTAURANT - 158 Photos & 166 Reviews - 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Chalet Basque Restaurant 166 reviews Claimed $$ French, Basque, Spanish Edit Open 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Hours updated 3 weeks ago See hours See all 158 photos Write a review Pickled Tongue Highlights from the Business My all-time favorite was the Winnemucca Hotel, sadly closed. This restaurant has good atmosphere great food and great s service. I must say I liked this place best of the three we have tried so far. I included your recommendations and researched other restaurants to make a complete list. Its hard on them., She said her father-in-law died earlier this year. Overcast with rain showers at times. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Started in 1893 as the Iberia Hotel, it later became the Noriega Hotel. The new location will be on Stockdale Highway where Cafe Med [] We were in town to see a sick relative and decidedto have a late lunch/early dinner before heading back up to the Bay Area. He previously edited the food sections of Los Angeles magazine and L.A. Weekly and has co-authored several cookbooks. The Basque region is famous for its beaches, ancient culture, and free-spirited people. Once I just got the set-up, which is more than enough food to satisfy you - soup, beans, salsa, bread, pickled tongue, salad, vegetable and fries. Vegetables are very good and plentiful. Yvonne Etcheveste, former owner of the Chateau Basque in Bakersfield and my cousin, shared her version of Basque vegetable soup. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This just hit them between the eyes, she said of the restaurant closure. This place was a great find. Osathanugrah is the owner of KK's Cafe on Golden State Highway. Established in 1969.This restaurant has been a landmark in Bakersfield, CA since 1969. Benji's French Basque Restaurant Please call 661-328-0400 to make reservations. Call 650-583-8091 RESERVATIONS: 650-583-8091 VIEW FULL MENU Ongi etorri! amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Adress: 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA 93304, USA It has been watered down and Americanized a bit. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. It took forever for him to bring us our drinks. Lisa L. I was told that should I ever make it to Bakersfield that I should try Basque food. The bread was off the shelf plain sliced bread. In early years, the restaurants location next to the railroad depot brought in the customers young men from the Basque Country who got off the train looking for employment as sheepherders. That was the charm of Noriegas, he said. However said waiter won't tell the drunk patrons to leave because the are " bar regulars." Address. Pierre Igoa, Writer February 18, 2023. . We offer a flavorful menu of traditional Basque dishes that you can enjoy in our family-style dining setting. Online Reservations | OpenTable Restaurant Basque Restaurant Basque draws inspiration from the culinary traditions of the Atlantic coastal villages and provincial towns of the Basque region, which straddles France and Spain along the Bay of Biscay and the Western edge of the Pyrenees. Learn about Bakersfield facts here. Dinner seatings at 6 and 8 p.m.. Carl's Jr ($) Burgers, Fast Food Distance: 0.09 miles. more, Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Takeout, Serves Alcohol, Table Service. Love their food! The cuisine has an upscale appeal while welcoming in the casual diner. Add a photo 37 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details CUISINES Spanish Meals Dinner, Lunch FEATURES Lunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. We started the little (Basque Cafe) out on Coffee Road around 1997, his wife said. View more restaurants in Bakersfield, CA from other shows - FoodiePie.com. Your email address will not be published. These are some highly rated basque restaurants in Bakersfield, CA: What are some basque restaurants with a large number of reviews in Bakersfield, CA? The countrys largest concentration of Basque restaurants upholds the areas Basque heritage with boarding-house-style meals of oxtail soup and myriad side dished. He was a bit disappointed in the preparation, but said it was tasty. Explore the Bounty of Bakersfield! BAKERSFIELD, Calif. The coronavirus pandemic has deeply hit home for a tradition that has been in Bakersfield since the city's roots - Basque dining. Location: 909 18th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301 Website: Cafesmitten.com Instagram: @cafesmitten 2. 0.94 miles. Bakersfield, CA 93305 A great video on the way things were. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "hellabasque-20"; #Chaletbasque. Thats high-dollar rent out there (in Rosedale) as opposed to being out here on the east side where payments are more affordable, said Linda Elizalde-McCoy, co-owner of the Noriega Hotel on Sumner Avenue, another historical Bakersfield Basque restaurant. If there are any restaurants on the list that intrigue you, I encourage you to visit their websites and check out their menus. Tongue. Toll Free (866) 425-7353 Local (661) 852-7282 Required fields are marked *, Paul Angelos Mar 23, 2021 at 3:09 pm. Soooooo in conclusion, do I recommend Chalet Basque? He called McCoys Bloody Mary an art form.. 954 were here. Today Bakersfield is home to the largest collection of Basque restaurants in, New! Pan Rustico $7.00. There is also a lovely patio area that is probably a great place to sit on warm evenings. The change from daylight to dark took our eyes a bit to adjust. We parked in the parking lot and entered through the bar. Dining and Drinking, Restaurant, Hot Dog Joint, American Restaurant, Fast Food Restaurant . amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Basque Restaurants in Bakersfield. In addition to the multi-course setup, the Chalet serves a garlicky escargot you wont find elsewhere. Its a monumental task for even the biggest eaters, but Central Valley. Proudly created with Wix.com. What a wonderful website! I had the filet cooked with a pepper cognac sauce and my husband had the roasted leg of lamb. The community response was surprising to the family, considering that business hasnt been that good for the past few years, she added. Had he known, he might have ordered a different lamb dish. Lisa has been the owner at Chalet Basque Restaurant since 2002, and strives to maintain the Basque authenticity that the restaurant has been known since it opened it's doors in 1969. It was cold inside the bar, which was empty, and only slightly warmer in the restaurant, my wife was shivering when we left. Adress: 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA 93304, USA phone: (661) 327-2915 Work Hours Mon 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Tue 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Wed 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Thu 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Fri 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Sat 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Sun 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Specialties We are a traditional Basque restaurant in Bakersfield, CA. The soup comes in a big bowl, family-style, and you serve as much or as little as you want into your own bowl. (661) 885-8515, Noriega's Basque Restaurant4809 Stockdale Hwy Typically, this first course consists of a simple vegetable soup. Proudly created with Wix.com. The income went way down and we just couldnt sustain it. Bakersfield is home to the largest collection of Basque restaurants in the United States. Bakersfield, CA 93309. The primary reasons behind the familys decision were increasing rent and the pandemic, which prompted government health officials to close restaurants. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Rene Arduain passing is a notable loss for the local restaurant scene. Thank you for reading! These are some basque restaurants with a large number of reviews in Bakersfield, CA: Benji's French Basque Restaurant (304 reviews). 25 Bakersfield Facts: Explore California's Cool City | Kidadl Need to save room for dessert the next time we go there.More, Been going here for many years. One Basque delicacy: tongue. Tag #VISITCALIFORNIA on Instagram to have your trip featured on our page. At the Noriega you serve yourself from communal platters brought to the table, and wash everything down with cold, red wine. You may want to ask for it on the side. I prefer the family-style leg-o-lamb steaks and sirloins w/ frites and vinaigrette salade a la Elko. Wow, their meats were some of the tenderest we've ever had. Start your exploration of Basque food culture at the Wool Growers Restaurant on 19th Street, clearly marked by a neon sheep sign. All Rights Reserved. Learn more about offering online ordering to your diners. The bread was off the shelf plain sliced bread. Chalet Basque Restaurant (661) 327-2915 We make ordering easy. We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Sorry for the inconvenience. I was very happy with the steak and I gave him half. Since my husband was reading the menu with the flashlight on his phone, we moved to a table that only had 1 burned out lightbulb. she was very attentive and our food came FAST. Nice atmosphere." Escargot $9.00 Salads & Sides Tuna Salad $8.25 Shrimp Salad $10.95 Chef's Salad $10.50 Ham, chicken, cheese. Wow, their meats were some of the tenderest we've ever had. When your entre comes, you also get buttery green beans, really French fries, and baked beans. Basque restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area - Northern California. Figured there'd be a wait due to the church crowd like most other nearby restaurants. The people who bought it were not Basque. T / 661-328-0400. The bar was nice and looked like a cool place to hang out. Bakersfield, CA 93305 (661) 327-9584 In operation since 1954, this is one of the best rated restaurants in Bakersfield, with its authentic dishes from the rich Basque region. Open. Apparently the answer is that the waiter is in charge in that situation and there isn't anything you can really do about it other than just leave and bad Mouth them all over town! Bakersfield Kern County Brewery Trail. In future, we would order one entre, and one vegetarian meal, which is all the accompanying dishes. The waitress was excellent. Are you sure you want to delete this answer? Bakersfield, California 93308, 4809 Stockdale Hwy The doors finally closed on Noriegas, the oldest Basque boardinghouse-style restaurant in the West. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; In Bakersfields Old Town Kern neighborhoodalso known as the Basque Blockyou'll findthe largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States. Jan 28. Although there was easily 90% left of this horrible steak, the new owner only gave me a $6 discount. The food is amazing here. Dining and Drinking, Bar . It was too large and too tough to run. Surprisingly the entree was quite good, my roast beef was slightly pink, very tender, really good. The chowder was great! He came by only to drop off the food. And with over 100 comments on the post, it looks like you guys are passionate about this topic! I almost got up and had to go get the drinks from the bar myself. We did notice a large banquet room that faced the front with large windows, so they can accommodate larger parties. We looked up and 2 of the 3 light bulbs above our seat were burned out. This would have been really hard on him, I know, she said. Its a monumental task for even the biggest eaters, but Central Valley Basque food has been served this way since the mid-1800s, when many Basque traveled from their homeland between Spain and France to seek their fortunes in Californias Gold Rush. You can search for a particular restaurant, like Umi Sushi or Blue Elephant, by its name. We looked up and 2 of the 3 light bulbs above our seat were burned out. (661) 323-0053, Pyrenees Caf601 Sumner Street And to get in on these fun discussions were having on social media, follow Hella Basque on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.