Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Jake's Original Tex Mex Cafe
SOUTHWESTERN
(
www.jakestexmex.com
; 1710 Oak E St; mains $7.95-13.29; 11am-8pm Mon-Sat)
More Tex than Mex, this excellent cafeteria packs in city workers for smoky, slow-roasted
pit beef. The chili fries are a messy delight, and the combination plates decadent.
Noriega's
BASQUE
( 661-322-8419;
www.noriegahotel.com
;
525 Sumner St; breakfast $10, lunch $17, dinner $22;
7am-9am, from noon, from 7pm Tue-Sun)
Surly Basque gentlemen still pass the communal wine carafes at Bakersfield's last family-
style Basque institution. Join them at a communal table for a procession of dishes leading
to silky oxtail stew, ribs and every other possible protein (check online for the day's main
course). The magical ambience and the food earned a prestigious James Beard award.
Reserve in advance, seating hours are strict.
The Mark
AMERICAN
(
atthemark.com
;
1623 19th St; mains from $17;
11am-10pm Mon-Fri, from 4pm Sat, 7:30-11:30pm
Sat & Sun)
One of downtown Bakersfield's swanky new additions has red banquettes and big city
classics such as cioppino and pistachio-crusted lamb chops.
Entertainment
Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
LIVE MUSIC
( 661-328-7560;
www.buckowens.com
; 2800 Buck Owens Blvd)
For fans of the city's plucky musical heritage, this is the first stop - hard to miss thanks to
the huge neon homage to Buck's famous red, white and blue guitar. Part music museum
(gift shop open from 11am), honky-tonk, and steakhouse (dinner from 5pm, brunch
9:30pm to 2pm Sunday), the Palace has top-drawer country acts nearly nightly. Locals in
sharp, snap-button shirts, shiny boots and pressed jeans tear up the dance floor.
Trout's & the Blackboard Stage
LIVE MUSIC
