Benji's is one of several Basque restaurants in Bakersfield and is really quite good. I almost got up and had to go get the drinks from the bar myself. I ended up paying $20 for total garbage. The description on the restaurant says Hungarian. They have a separate bar and it looked like a band was setting up to play on Friday.More, Chalet Basque is a Bakersfield institution. Garrett Snyder is a former staff writer for the Food section of the Los Angeles Times. The food was good, it's the traditional basque farmers food that's been a staple in Bakersfield". The Basque Cafe, formerly known as Maitias Basque Cafe, a long-lived restaurant in Bakersfield famed for its garlic fried chicken, shut down just after Fourth of July weekend, a casualty of the economy, its last owner said. There was only one waitress on duty because it was 3 in the afternoon. 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 bar was nice and looked like a cool place to hang out. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "hellabasque-20"; If you would like to experience this in a "family" restaurant I would also recommend Chalet Basque!!! Twenty years ago, 95% of the shepherds in Kern County--the largest sheep county in the state--were Basque, Iturriria said . "I saw the ad under new ownership so i decided to tell my wife lets go back and it was the best experience i ever had we are making this our favorite basque restaurant", "This is my first time dining in at this place with some friends. Weve been talking a lot about Basque food over there, so I was curious to know where people like to eat. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times). The community response was surprising to the family, considering that business hasnt been that good for the past few years, she added. You can also discover places to eat by searching by cuisine or category, like Chinese, and in Bakersfield, you have about 20 to . Basque salsa really spices up the soup, by the way. Your email address will not be published. Roasted leg of lamb implies a dry preparation. Im glad to have had a Picon Punch and an ABC (Amaretto, Baileys and coffee) a few days before they closed, Bates said. Address. 620 East 19th St, Bakersfield, CA 93305 +1 661-327-9584. They just didnt spend the time there that they should have. Bakersfield, CA 93305 Surprisingly the entree was quite good, my roast beef was slightly pink, very tender, really good. Thats why they closed, because it takes hard work and many hours. It was our anniversary and we wanted something a little more upscale than fast food or a chain restaurant. Established in 1969.This restaurant has been a landmark in Bakersfield, CA since 1969. Each dining hall has its specialties, but one fact unites them: Basque food is served in hearty, prodigious quantities. The new Noriega's will open as soon as possible, according to Osathanugrah. Chalet is an old Bakersfield staple for Basque food, but it was obvious why we could get in so easy. Great dining experience. Thanks for letting me know. Steak was tough & no flavor & not a filet. It has been watered down and Americanized a bit. Basque restaurants in Oregon and Washington. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. It is located at the former Cafe Med location at 4809 Stockdale Highway. Across town, the Greek place cooking up authentic specialties. Bakersfield's 89-Year-Old Basque Institution Noriega Hotel Closes Permanently. My friends had already consulted the menu. Osathanugrah bought the name, the liquor license, the tables and much of the interior dcor. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. He was expecting a leg of lamb with the bone and instead got two slices of leg of lamb soaked in gravy. We will definitely be back again the next time we go through town.More, Just left about 30 minutes ago. Next in line is the Martin Hotel in Winnemucca, Nevada, established in 1898, and not far behind is the Star Hotel in Elko, Nevada, built in 1910. Compared to the other 4 or 5 Basque restaurants, I wouldrank this one toward the bottom of the list.More, If you're in Bakersfield and would like to enjoy a lovely dinner, followed by drunk fellow patron yelling at you for answering your cell phone, then be told by said patron to "get the f""" out and take your a"" hol" kid with you," Irecommend you try Chalet Basque on Oak Street. The restaurant stopped serving customers on Tuesday, March 18. As their motto says " It is not your typical grandparents' dinner " and their menu proves that. So after visiting a museum in Bakersfield I used Google maps to find Chalet Basque. Rene Arduain passing is a notable loss for the local restaurant scene. CENTRO BASCO 13432 Central Ave. Chino, California 91710 (909 . The description on the restaurant says Hungarian. So you leave shaking, with your 8 year old son crying and shaking.. So yummy! Chalet Basque Restau. They purchased a little cafe on 21st Street, she said, in a building that is no longer there. was fresh yesterday. Noriegas was the oldest Basque boardinghouse still in operation in the American West. The Basque Cafes founding family also felt the loss. Love that Donosti provides these opportunities , 3 Basque Restaurants Featured on The Food Network, 7 Videos on Basque Sheepherders in the United States. Is this the same place that held the 6th grade dare dances in the early 90s, InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in Bakersfield, Hotels with Military Discounts in Bakersfield, Hotels near California Living Museum (CALM), Hotels near Murray Family Farms, The Big Red Barn, Hotels near Rabobank Arena, Theater & Convention Center, Hotels near Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, Italian Restaurants for Families in Bakersfield, Japanese Restaurants for Families in Bakersfield, Restaurants for Group Dining in Bakersfield, Restaurants for Special Occasions in Bakersfield, Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Bakersfield. 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. The bar was nice and looked like a cool place to hang out. We parked in the parking lot and entered through the bar. (661) 323-0053, Pyrenees Caf601 Sumner Street Low 44F. We also have banquet space available for your private events. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Basque Restaurants in Bakersfield. However said waiter won't tell the drunk patrons to leave because the are " bar regulars." Chances are its in Pasadena, With a new spin on tinned fish, Saltie Girl is a standout on the Sunset Strip, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures. Pierre Igoa, Writer February 18, 2023. . According to my Spain expert, the food in the Basque restaurants in Bakersfield seem to come from the same region. At the Noriega you serve yourself from communal platters brought to the table, and wash everything down with cold, red wine. Due to its delicate architecture, your souffl must be served at the precise moment it comes out of the oven.. Your email address will not be published. If there are any restaurants on the list that intrigue you, I encourage you to visit their websites and check out their menus. However, considering the level of colorful obscenities, the act of answering a phone seems to pale in comparison! But for California's Basques, a way of life was unalterably transformed. Although there was easily 90% left of this horrible steak, the new owner only gave me a $6 discount. phone: (661) 327-2915. 4001 Rosedale Hwy The Elizalde family, which had owned the restaurant and boarding house at 525 Sumner St. since 1931, announced on Facebook that they would not be reopening after coronavirus restaurant closures were lifted. Toll Free (866) 425-7353 Local (661) 852-7282 Pyrenees breakfast menu offers pleasant surprises: Nab a seat at one of the outdoor patio tables and order the bacon-stuffed pancakes. Mon - Closed . It was less than half packed. Sorry for the inconvenience. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "hellabasque-20"; Basque restaurants in Los Angeles area - Southern California. Maitia, who immigrated from French Basque country in 1947 and opened Woolgrowers with her husband JB in 1954, died this morning, according to restaurant employees. 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. Brought us water and then took our order. I agree and consent to receiveemails from Visit California and its partners with special offers and exclusive content and that I am at least 18 years old, Where to findand how to eatthe unique European cuisine in Bakersfield, In Bakersfields Old Town Kern neighborhoodalso known as the Basque Blockyou'll findthe largest concentration of, Anywhere you go, youll be served a similar setup, as its calledsourdough bread, cabbage soup, beans, salsa, boiled vegetables, pickled tongue, and spaghetti. They also have a bar/lounge and outside patio area. First there are tureens of vegetable soup, which you enrich to taste with spicy Basque salsa and a dose of boiled pinto beans, wrote Gold in a 1992 guide to Bakersfield. This place is not near the same as it was with the previous owners. Read our story about Noriegas James Beard award. We are in the middle of one of the largest, Toll Free (866) 425-7353Local (661) 852-7282, This website uses cookies to enhance your user experience on our site. Initial negotiations after the Facebook announcement included attempts to keep Noriegas going in the same location under different ownership in an attempt to preserve an important piece of Basque history. Delivery & Pickup Options - 304 reviews of Benji's French Basque Restaurant "Bring your appetites and prepare to gorge yourself. Had he known, he might have ordered a different lamb dish. These are some basque restaurants with a large number of reviews in Bakersfield, CA: Benji's French Basque Restaurant (304 reviews). Meals Served Family Style--Copious Amounts! Basque cuisine is at the heart of Basque culture, influenced by the neighboring communities and the excellent produce from the sea and the land. and original from prior owners. Oh no! And far across town at Benjis French-Basque Restaurant, patrons try to manage their calorie intake during the setup so they save room for dessert. I can remember a tastier menu.