Low 44F. 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. He was a bit disappointed in the preparation, but said it was tasty. It is located at the former Cafe Med location at 4809 Stockdale Highway. We did notice a large banquet room that faced the front with large windows, so they can accommodate larger parties. So here's the 2019 update on restaurants serving Basque food in the United States. 200 Oak Street Call 661-327-9584 to place your orders. #Chaletbasque. Each dining hall has its specialties, but one fact unites them: Basque food is served in hearty, prodigious quantities. It would easily feed two people who were very hungry. 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. Where to Eat Basque Food in Bakersfield - Visit California Chalet Basque Bakersfield | Bakersfield CA - facebook.com Article highlighting the history of Benji's. In Bakersfield, Calif., the landmark Basque spot serving a four-course meal including outrageous oxtail and garlic fried chicken. One Basque delicacy: tongue. Order one when you choose your entre so the wait staff can time its delivery. amzn_assoc_title = "Basque Cookbooks"; Feel free to share this post with anyone looking for some good Basque food. They did offer to take off the ticket.Lamb shanks were good.More, Went here on a Wednesday around 430. Chalet Basque Restaurant - Bakersfield, CA - Yelp Benjis is more French than Spanish (frogs legs are popular), but the big ticket is a dessert soufflchocolate, lemon, Grand Marnier, or raspberry. Noriega's Hotel in Bakersfield Closes for Good - Euskal Kazeta I moved from Bakersfield about 10 years ago and truly miss my Basque meals ! I almost got up and had to go get the drinks from the bar myself. The classic Bakersfield Basque restaurant formerly on Sumner Street is now taking dinner reservations during its soft opening this week. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The current listed sale price for Fully leased, Value-Add, Office/Warehouse Project is $2,400,000. The Noriega Hotel was the oldest surviving Basque restaurant and inn for male boarders in the United States and a civic symbol in Bakersfield. Learn more, Copyright 2023 Visit Bakersfield | All Rights Reserved, Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge. Learn more about offering online ordering to your diners. Unless you and your family want to be traumatized! At lunch if you want all the trimmings you pay $4 extra. 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. The waiters seem to have all worked there forever and know the menu well. Mon - Closed . Bakersfield, CA 93305 We had been seated at a table with dim romantic light. Benji's French Basque Restaurant. Experience authentic Basque cuisine prepared the same way as it has been for over 100 years. This has been an incredibly difficult decision for the family to make and one that wasnt taken lightly, the family posted on its Facebook page. Bakersfield, CA 93309. Brought us water and then took our order. Good house wine gets positive reviews. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy. I was glad I did. Bakersfield, California 93301, There has been a Basque presence in the Central Valley since the 19th Century. . I included your recommendations and researched other restaurants to make a complete list. Garrett Snyder is a former staff writer for the Food section of the Los Angeles Times. 3 Best French Restaurants in Bakersfield, CA - ThreeBestRated Oh no! The theme of which is the outrageous rudeness of answering a phone when in a restaurant. 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 getting out of control, she said. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Fully leased, Value-Add, Office/Warehouse Project But the Lamb and the Veal were dry. Updated July 2021: A new Noriegas, with menu, chef and decor from the original Noriegas, has opened at 4809 Stockdale Hwy. So heres the 2019 update on restaurants serving Basque food in the United States. top of page. 4001 Rosedale Hwy Bakersfield, CA 93308. amzn_assoc_asins = "157965777X,1784880264,1558321403,1607747618"; The Elizalde family, owners of the restaurant since 1931, announced the decision on Facebook, thanking all the people that have dined with us.. Each dining hall has its specialties, but one fact unites them: Basque food is served in hearty, prodigious quantities. Service was OK, the waiter was friendly and did well overall, his helper (busboy?) A brief history of some of Bakersfields beloved Basque restaurants. So yummy! In future, we would order one entre, and one vegetarian meal, which is all the accompanying dishes. It was cooked perfectly, was tender and melt in your mouth juicy. Benji's is one of several Basque restaurants in Bakersfield and is really quite good. At lunch if you want all the trimmings you pay $4 extra. The museum is planning a display commemorating Noriegas in its Trolley Car Station. In-Depth Research Available for this Property. T / 661-328-0400. Start your exploration of Basque food culture at the Wool Growers Restaurant on 19th Street, clearly marked by a neon sheep sign. But the Lamb and the Veal were dry. amzn_assoc_title = "Basque Cookbooks"; amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; The set ups are good with the soup alittle on the weak side. Full menu with prices & pictures. Luigi's Restaurant and Delicatessen Next, we bring you an iconic Bakersfield Italian joint, Luigi's Restaurant and Delicatessen. It would easily feed two people who were very hungry. The waiter made it very clear that he was uninterested in serving us. 515 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93301. since 1901; local landmark serving Basque cuisine ("peasant food") View more restaurants in Bakersfield, CA from other shows - FoodiePie.com. Its a monumental task for even the biggest eaters, but Central Valley. Basque Cultural Center | Dine in and take out. Call 650-583-8091 Oops! noriegas bakersfield menu, . I don't think it changed at all from 20 years ago. amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; Basque restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area - Northern California. Nevertheless, locals celebrated marriages, birthdays and other special occasions at the historic institution, whose old-world homey setting and generous portions made the clientele happy. "It was never a Basque recipe [pickled tongue], 'cause in the Basque countries, they eat tongue it's usually warm and in like a stew," Jenny Maitia-Poncetta, [] In future, we would order one entre, and one vegetarian meal, which is all the accompanying dishes. We chose veal sweetbreads, garlic fried chicken and lamb kebab. I feel terrible that it came to this. Young Basque Shepherds No Longer Flock to Calif. - Los Angeles Times The whole effect is enormous! Roasted leg of lamb implies a dry preparation. They also have a bar/lounge and outside patio area. The restaurant was granted the prestigious James Beard award as an American classic in 2011, for its food and appeal. The soup tasted like it was probably good when itwas fresh yesterday. Thats why they closed, because it takes hard work and many hours. We started the little (Basque Cafe) out on Coffee Road around 1997, his wife said. As their motto says " It is not your typical grandparents' dinner " and their menu proves that. Tag #VISITCALIFORNIA on Instagram to have your trip featured on our page. Bakersfield, California 93305, 622 East 21st Street If your husband steps in to defend you, the waiter will then threaten to call the police of you don't all leave. MORE STORIES FROM EUSKAL KAZETA I asked my followers recently on Instagram to name their favorite Basque restaurants in the United States. Your email address will not be published. Noriega Hotel, one of Bakersfield's oldest restaurants, announced Friday that it would not reopen following its closure due to the coronavirus outbreak. It all needs to be consumed before the main course, which might be roasted lamb leg, beef or oxtail stew, or fried chicken. The only bar (well, no, there is one in W Texas) with a walk-in safe ensuite. Order the garlic paste on the side for added flavor. Bakersfield, CA 93305 525 Sumner St Bakersfield, CA 93305 Permanently closed this restaurant on May 1, 2020. This just hit them between the eyes, she said of the restaurant closure. Used to go there with my uncle George Marantos. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. When . With beans and bone broth, this soup can even serve as a main course. I look forward to trying more Basque restaurants, but I doubt I will go back here. With toppingit came to $26. Delivery & Pickup Options - 304 reviews of Benji's French Basque Restaurant "Bring your appetites and prepare to gorge yourself. Their website says they serve Basque family style dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 5-9PM. It was our anniversary and we wanted something a little more upscale than fast food or a chain restaurant. Anywhere you go, youll be served a similar setup, as its calledsourdough bread, cabbage soup, beans, salsa, boiled vegetables, pickled tongue, and spaghetti. However, considering the level of colorful obscenities, the act of answering a phone seems to pale in comparison! Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. When I prepare this rustic soup and smell the garlic, Im transported back to the Basque Country where I enjoyed this wonderful salda or soup. Basque Singer Mikel Urdangarin Sings for Basque-American Audience, Kern County Basque Festival 2022 Basques Talk about the Best Part of Being Basque, Institute for Basque Studies to be Inaugurated at Cal State Bakersfield, Basque Folk Singer Mikel Urdangarin to Perform in California, Basque Film Part of Online Smithsonian Film Festival April 1 30, Top Four Things to Do at the Bakersfield Basque Festival, Basque Exhibits at Kern County Museum in Bakersfield, Not Even the Rain Could Dampen Spirits at the Bakersfield Picnic, Yvonne Etcheveste, longtime Bakersfield restaurant owner, 1931 2017, People of Kern County Basque Festival 2017, Your email address will not be published. Bakersfield's Basque Food Culture | Visit California You can also discover places to eat by searching by cuisine or category, like Chinese, and in Bakersfield, you have about 20 to . He came by only to drop off the food. What a Set Up - Review of Benji's French Basque Restaurant, Bakersfield Their wait staff are courteous and attentive. Basque restaurants in Nevada. . It all needs to be consumed before the main course, which might be roasted lamb leg, beef or oxtail stew, or fried chicken. The restaurant was named an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2011. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Its dining room walls are lined with black-and-white photos of Basque pioneers. Lunch menu and Dinner menu The soup comes in a big bowl, family-style, and you serve as much or as little as you want into your own bowl. In Bakersfield's Old Town Kern neighborhoodalso known as the Basque Blockyou'll find the largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States. (661) 324-2961, Narducci's Caf622 East 21st Street Mrs. Maitia co-founded Wool Growers Restaurant, a local Basque cuisine landmark, in 1954 with her husband, J.B. Maitia. The cuisine has an upscale appeal while welcoming in the casual diner. It is Spanish Basque food. The description on the restaurant says Hungarian. 4809 Stockdale Highway, 661-885-8515, facebook.com/noriegasbasque Hours: Breakfast 7-10 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. We looked up and 2 of the 3 light bulbs above our seat were burned out. Low 44F. My friends had already consulted the menu. Basque Tulsa | HomeBasque Tulsa LOCATION | benjis Weve been talking a lot about Basque food over there, so I was curious to know where people like to eat. You may want to ask for it on the side. View more restaurants in Bakersfield, CA from other shows - FoodiePie.com. DINNER MENU | benjis 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. Ambience is niceand original from prior owners. Some had worked there for decades. This Bakersfield property for sale is located at 3624 Buck Owens Blvd. The soup comes in a big bowl, family-style, and you serve as much or as little as you want into your own bowl. The Pyrenees dark wood bar, vinyl booths, throbbing jukebox, and neon Budweiser sign attract motorcycle clubs, indie bands, and Basque old-timers alike. The food was VERY plentiful and so delicious. Baskin-Robbins adds a hint of waffle, and voila. 15 Best Restaurants in Bakersfield, CA for 2023 (Top Eats!) Add a photo 37 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details CUISINES Spanish Meals Dinner, Lunch FEATURES Address. 599 Railroad AvenueSouth San Francisco, CA 94080Free Parking. It was called The Basque Cafe. Sad news. The historic Noriega Hotel in Bakersfield, California was brought down by the coronavirus pandemic. Try their butterfinger pie for dessert! A local businessman, Seven Bates, hoped to keep the restaurant alive in an arrangement that would involve the Elizalde family and started a Save the Noriega Hotel Facebook. Lunch Tuesday - Sunday 11:30 - 2:00 Dinner Tuesday - Sunday 5:00 - 9:00 Closed Mondays Souffle Article The Bakersfield Californian (1-16-2011) Not many restaurants in town take the time to create souffles. And to get in on these fun discussions were having on social media, follow Hella Basque on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Meats are so so. 37 reviews #324 of 551 Restaurants in Bakersfield $$ - $$$ Spanish Basque 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA 93304-2433 +1 661-327-2915 Website Menu Open now : 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM See all (8) Enhance this page - Upload photos! The new Noriega's will open as soon as possible, according to Osathanugrah. I had the filet cooked with a pepper cognac sauce and my husband had the roasted leg of lamb. I was very happy with the steak and I gave him half. There are already some lists of Basque American restaurants onBubers Basque Page and Euskal Kazeta, but things change fast in the restaurant industry. The restaurants historic back bar, which dates back to 1940, was purchased with the help of donations and moved to the Kern County Museum. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Jessica was our server and the ONLY server (some people might just be impatient). Osathanugrah is the owner of KK's Cafe on Golden State Highway. 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. Check Fully leased, Value-Add, Office/Warehouse Project space availability located at 3624 Buck Owens Blvd, Bakersfield, CA 93308. Good size shrimp, lot". amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 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. Country-style Sourdough, Roasted Garlic Piquillo Butter. Most dinners at the traditional Basque family-style restaurants start with soup. Las Tapatias ($$) Food Trucks, Mexican Distance: 0.05 miles. Always good food and a friendly crowd. I can remember a tastier menu. Since I aim to please, today Im doing just that! Basque restaurants in Idaho. She came from the back and seated us right away. 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.