amzn_assoc_region = "US"; But she added: Everything has an end.. Maitia, an eighth-grade teacher at Compton Junior High, said her husband sold the restaurant in response to an aggressive offer from Stewart and her sons, whom she feels didnt do enough to nurture the business. The waiters seem to have all worked there forever and know the menu well. 4001 Rosedale Hwy A family-style dining experience that once . (661) 885-8515, Noriega's Basque Restaurant4809 Stockdale Hwy 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. 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. Some new restaurants have popped up and others have closed. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) A Bakersfield landmark has reopened for business in a new location. Call 650-583-8091 RESERVATIONS: 650-583-8091 VIEW FULL MENU Ongi etorri! top of page. Some had worked there for decades. Although there was easily 90% left of this horrible steak, the new owner only gave me a $6 discount. 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. Restaurant What to Get: Show / Episode / Recommended By Yelp! Pintxos y Montaditos / Snacks. In Bakersfield, a hungry and weary soul searches for a bite to eat Although they dont own the property, she said, the Elizalde family has run the Noriega Hotel since 1931. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Basque Tulsa | Restaurant BasqueBasque Tulsa In addition to the multi-course setup, the Chalet serves a garlicky escargot you wont find elsewhere. The waiters seem to have all worked there forever and know the menu well. See photos, floor plans and more details about 3141 N Inyo St in Bakersfield, California. The waiter made it very clear that he was uninterested in serving us. Noriegas owners worried that when the closures were lifted, the family-style dining and shared tables that were an essential part of the Noriega experience were likely to be prohibited. Low 44F. sushi-moon.cafes-guide.com - unofficial site, All copyrights belong to their respective owners. Osathanugrah is the owner of KK's Cafe on Golden State Highway. Bakersfield, CA 93305 The Official Bakersfield Restaurant Guide | Visit Bakersfield About 15 people in restaurant and one waiter. Typically, this first course consists of a simple vegetable soup. The Bakersfield community and the Basque community were devastated. There was one lady sitting there on a barstool who greeted us with a friendly hi. Your email address will not be published. End of beloved Basque restaurant hard for former owners In Bakersfield's Old Town Kern neighborhoodalso known as the Basque Blockyou'll find the largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States. Lisa L. I was told that should I ever make it to Bakersfield that I should try Basque food. 200 Oak Street It's sad to see an older establish restaurant going down hill, but that's what our impression was last night, and I doubt we will go back there again, there are just too many other good choices for Basque in Bakersfield. Basque Tulsa | HomeBasque Tulsa We would certainly eat here again any time we were in Bakersfield. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The matriarch of Bakersfield's renowned Basque culinary scene, Mayie Maitia, has died. Noriega Hotel - Home - Facebook A great video on the way things were. Brought us water and then took our order. I asked my followers recently on Instagram to name their favorite Basque restaurants in the United States. Wow, their meats were some of the tenderest we've ever had. They purchased a little cafe on 21st Street, she said, in a building that is no longer there. Benji's French Basque Restaurant is a family-friendly restaurant that offers a children's menu . Benji's is one of several Basque restaurants in Bakersfield and is really quite good. Luigi's Restaurant and Delicatessen Next, we bring you an iconic Bakersfield Italian joint, Luigi's Restaurant and Delicatessen. Order the garlic paste on the side for added flavor. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The wife's pork chops were large and juicy. El Taco Rojo Birrieria ($) Tacos, Food Trucks Distance: 0.06 miles. Yvonne Etcheveste, former owner of the Chateau Basque in Bakersfield and my cousin, shared her version of Basque vegetable soup. Jan 28. By noon, I was at Benji's French Basque Restaurant west of Bakersfield. There is also a lovely patio area that is probably a great place to sit on warm evenings. The food was good, it's the traditional basque farmers food that's been a staple in Bakersfield". Carl's Jr ($) Burgers, Fast Food Distance: 0.09 miles. 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Most who read my reviews know that my husband is from Spain and we tend to be harsh critics of Spanish food. Basically, in a nutshell, the economy got us, she said. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; It would easily feed two people who were very hungry. Home to Bakersfield sound and the famous Kern County Basque festival, the city of Bakersfield has something for everyone. everyone a choice. There were only two tables of guests (and a third table of two people came in over 1/2 way through our meal). Does this new robot-staffed chocolate emporium signal a themed restaurant comeback? amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; There are already some lists of Basque American restaurants on. Learn more 200 Oak Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304 No cuisines specified Grubhub.com Menu Appetizers Shrimp Scampi $10.95 Mushrooms Stuffed $7.00 With basque sauce. The primary reasons behind the familys decision were increasing rent and the pandemic, which prompted government health officials to close restaurants. 200 Oak St Bakersfield, CA 93304 (Map & Directions) (661) 327-2915 Cuisine: Basque, French, Spanish Neighborhood: Bakersfield Website: www.basquerestaurantbakersfield.com Leaflet | OSM See Larger Map - Get Directions Bookmark Update Menu Edit Info Read Reviews Write Review Share Hours Open Today: 11:00am-9:00pm Monday 11:00am - 9:00pm Not many restaurants in town take the time to create souffles. My filet was huge. Were gonna try to make it look the same, he said. Toll Free (866) 425-7353 Local (661) 852-7282 Adress: 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA 93304, USA Unless you and your family want to be traumatized! Benji's French-Basque Restaurant, among the old guard of Bakersfield's finest restaurants. amzn_assoc_title = "Cook Basque Food At Home"; T / 661-328-0400. she was very attentive and our food came FAST. Started in 1893 as the Iberia Hotel, it later became the Noriega Hotel. What are some highly rated basque restaurants in Bakersfield, CA? There are already some lists of Basque American restaurants onBubers Basque Page and Euskal Kazeta, but things change fast in the restaurant industry. We started the little (Basque Cafe) out on Coffee Road around 1997, his wife said. I had the filet cooked with a pepper cognac sauce and my husband had the roasted leg of lamb. The food was VERY plentiful and so delicious. Menu - Check out the Menu of Noriega's Bakersfield, Bakersfield at Zomato for Delivery, Dine-out or Takeaway. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; was fresh yesterday. Basque cuisine is at the heart of Basque culture, influenced by the neighboring communities and the excellent produce from the sea and the land. We will definitely be back again the next time we go through town. 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. When your entre comes, you also get buttery green beans, really French fries, and baked beans. Menu - Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge Named After: Benji's Basque Restaurant - Bakersfield Life He called McCoys Bloody Mary an art form.. He came by only to drop off the food. The April 24 post generated 386 comments and was shared 750 times. more, Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Takeout, Serves Alcohol, Table Service. According to my Spain expert, the food in the Basque restaurants in Bakersfield seem to come from the same region. 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. Benji's French Basque Restaurant. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, An almost vegan food crawl with Theo Rossi, Emily the Criminal star and hummus traditionalist, Chicken-flavored ice cream? The Noriega Hotel was the oldest surviving Basque restaurant and inn for male boarders in the United States and a civic symbol in Bakersfield. Chalet Basque Restaurant 166 Spanish $$ Family-owned & operated 51 years in business "of the few things people knew about the town was that it was known for it's Basque population and." more Outdoor seating 3. Their wait staff are courteous and attentive. Most who read my reviews know that my husband is from Spain and we tend to be harsh critics of Spanish food. Learn about Bakersfield facts here. Need to save room for dessert the next time we go there. Nestled between the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean, and straddling the border of northern. Get quick answers from Chalet Basque staff and past visitors. We apologize to those who wanted brunch and regret that we are unable to open at 11:00 today. They also have a bar/lounge and outside patio area. Some items are gluten free. The Ultimate List of Basque Restaurants in the United States (2019) This restaurant is like some place from the fifties. Online Menu of Chalet Basque Restaurant, Bakersfield, CA I was very happy with the steak and I gave him half. We didnt but were clued in and it was great. 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. Ladd said they received so many offers from people who wanted to buy the business, including calls from Europe, that they had to use a business broker to field the queries. The member built Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco operates under the leadership of General Manager, Francois Camou, and Executive Chef, Michel Veron. The set ups are good with the soup alittle on the weak side. The restaurant, which served traditional Basque cooking enjoyed family-style in huge portions at shared tables, had been in business for 89 years. They did offer to take off the ticket.Lamb shanks were good.More, Went here on a Wednesday around 430. Pierre Igoa, Writer February 18, 2023. . Bakersfield, CA 93305 The menu has a good selection of items with great specials. Where to Eat Basque Food in Bakersfield - Visit California The whole effect is enormous! We also have banquet space available for your private events. We waited a few minutes for someone to help us. Are you sure you want to delete this answer? Basque Restaurants in New York and East Coast. 25 Bakersfield Facts Explore California S Cool City | Kidadl . Fully leased, Value-Add, Office/Warehouse Project In Bakersfield, Calif., the landmark Basque spot serving a four-course meal including outrageous oxtail and garlic fried chicken. . She was 92. The setup comes with soup, salad, beans, salsa, bread, pickled tongue, vegetable and French fries - yummy!! You will not be disappointed that you stopped by to enjoy a meal or a drink with friends and family!More, Did you realize there was a Basque community in Bakersfield, raising lambs and wool and running restaurants? My friends had already consulted the menu. He previously edited the food sections of Los Angeles magazine and L.A. Weekly and has co-authored several cookbooks. Since 1986. Salad, soup & tongue was good. (661) 328-0400, Benji's French Basque Restaurant4001 Rosedale Highway Other expenses also went up because of high gas prices. by Anne-Marie | Mar 19, 2019 | Food | 8 comments. Bakersfield's most popular Basque restaurant - Wool Growers Years and years of mementos and memories left the two-story historic building in recent days, as a June 30 final deadline for the shuttering of the restaurant loomed and people and organizations bought items from the restaurant. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; 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. "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. amzn_assoc_title = "Basque Cookbooks"; amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Open. In future, we would order one entre, and one vegetarian meal, which is all the accompanying dishes. 165 reviews #19 of 553 Restaurants in Bakersfield $$ - $$$ French Basque 4001 Rosedale Hwy 4001 Rosedale Hwy, 93308-6130, Bakersfield, California, Bakersfield, CA 93308-6130 +1 661-328-0400 Website Menu Closed now : See all hours See all (34) RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details CUISINES French Meals Lunch, Dinner FEATURES Its dining room walls are lined with black-and-white photos of Basque pioneers. The member built Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco operates under the leadership of General Manager, Francois Camou, and Executive Chef, Michel Veron. The no-frills 1950s' eatery is one of Bakersfield's most popular restaurants, serving specialities such as oxtail soup and perfectly crispy French fries. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Love their food! I tried for six months to do everything I could, Stewart said. Rene Arduain passing is a notable loss for the local restaurant scene. Some of you suggested I make a list of Basque restaurants all over the U.S. Bakersfield, CA 93301 The soup comes in a big bowl, family-style, and you serve as much or as little as you want into your own bowl. Had he known, he might have ordered a different lamb dish. amzn_assoc_asins = "1742578640,0067574610,1910690082,1580089224"; The overland hotel in fallon is no longer a Basque restaurant its turned into a steak and burger only. To California's Basque Country, propelled by hydrogen Everything in the setup, seemed like they were scrimping on ingredients to save money. The current listed sale price for Fully leased, Value-Add, Office/Warehouse Project is $2,400,000. The classic Bakersfield Basque restaurant formerly on Sumner Street is now taking dinner reservations during its soft opening this week. The only bar (well, no, there is one in W Texas) with a walk-in safe ensuite. Huell Howser Wool Growers Basque Restaurant - Bakersfield, CA. Then theres salad like Greek salad, but with a tangy dressing and a plate of pickled tongue (yum!). This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Gluten-free menu. On social media, fans lamented the loss of the Noriegas signature Picon Punch and garlicky pickled beef tongue, as well as the historic culture and community the Central Valley restaurant had come to represent an end of an era in Bakersfield. You will not be disappointed that you stopped by to enjoy a meal or a drink with friends and family! Although there was easily 90% left of this horrible steak, the new owner only gave me a $6 discount. The description on the restaurant says Hungarian. The income went way down and we just couldnt sustain it. Yes, Chalet Basque offers takeout services. Bakersfield, CA - Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives - Restaurants and Foods If youre not that hungry, just sit at the bar and order a Picon Punchthe customary Basque brandy-and-grenadine highball, usually mixed with a bitter orange liqueur or sometimes maraschino cherry juice, and typically garnished with a lemon peel. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Owner was floating around and more concerned about ticket sales..not patronsfood is good but soda tastes like can! and I'm never disappointed. 2013-2022 Hella Basque. If you would like to experience this in a "family" restaurant I would also recommend Chalet Basque!!! 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! Delicious Basque Food and Great Atmosphere! It was less than half packed. 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 bar was nice and looked like a cool place to hang out. Note: your question will be posted publicly on the Questions & Answers page. It has been watered down and Americanized a bit. Fully leased, Value-Add, Office/Warehouse Project He was expecting a leg of lamb with the bone and instead got two slices of leg of lamb soaked in gravy. We offer a flavorful menu of traditional Basque dishes that you can enjoy in our family-style dining setting. You may want to ask for it on the side. Used to go there with my uncle George Marantos. Not once did he ask if we were enjoying the food or to check on us. Young Basque Shepherds No Longer Flock to Calif. - Los Angeles Times Bakersfield, California 93309, 601 Sumner Street 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! In any event, I think Basque food in the United States is the closest thing to visiting W mainland Europe to eat. The restaurant is named for its proprietor, 67-year-old Basque immigrant Bernard "Benat" Benji Arduain, who first established the French-style dining destination on Union Avenue in 1986. #ChaletbasqueMore, Went to Chalet Basque because the Basque place we wanted to dine at was full. Best Brunch Spot - Moo Creamery Photo by Moo Creamery If you get the chance to visit Moo Creamery for brunch in Bakersfield, you won't regret it. 12 Basque Recipes Straight from the Pyrenees | Saveur Love that Donosti provides these opportunities , 3 Basque Restaurants Featured on The Food Network, 7 Videos on Basque Sheepherders in the United States. The mealsseem a bit on the expensive side, until you realize what you get with them. Address. Bakersfield, CA 93309. 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. amzn_assoc_asins = "1558321403,1607747618"; Recent Stories. How to Make Basque Garlic Soup - Baratxuri Salda. 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. Good size shrimp, lot". BAKERSFIELD, Calif. The coronavirus pandemic has deeply hit home for a tradition that has been in Bakersfield since the city's roots - Basque dining. Dining and Drinking, Bar . and original from prior owners. Meats are so so. Bakersfield's Basque Food Culture | Visit California Wool Growers Restaurant 481 $$ "Bakersfield, prepare yourself for a stop at a historic Spanish and French Basque dining." more The sauces were excellent. amzn_assoc_linkid = "f86d15e943d55aa12179e13b27f109fb"; MORE STORIES FROM EUSKAL KAZETA Weve been talking a lot about Basque food over there, so I was curious to know where people like to eat. Garrett Snyder is a former staff writer for the Food section of the Los Angeles Times. Chalet Basque Restaurant from Bakersfield Menu We looked up and 2 of the 3 light bulbs above our seat were burned out. The restaurant was granted the prestigious James Beard award as an American classic in 2011, for its food and appeal. 20 BEST Restaurants in Bakersfield, CA [2023 UPDATED] - Exploreist He was 95, led a really wonderful life. French Restaurants in Bakersfield. I must say I liked this place best of the three we have tried so far. It was our anniversary and we wanted something a little more upscale than fast food or a chain restaurant. According to my Spain expert, the food in the Basque restaurants in Bakersfield seem to come from the same region. Some new restaurants have popped up and others have closed. Benjis is more French than Spanish (frogs legs are popular), but the big ticket is a dessert soufflchocolate, lemon, Grand Marnier, or raspberry. Benji's French-Basque Restaurant. Basque restaurants in Idaho. So after visiting a museum in Bakersfield I used Google maps to find Chalet Basque. COVID-19 closures hit home for Basque restaurants - KERO Chalet Basque Restaurant (661) 327-2915 We make ordering easy. Overcast with rain showers at times. Meals Served Family Style--Copious Amounts! Its a monumental task for even the biggest eaters, but Central Valley. One Basque delicacy: tongue. It is located at the former Cafe Med location at 4809 Stockdale Highway. give the food five stars and the service a zero or one. They stayed there for many, many years.. Lisa loves getting to know her customers and offering them an unforgettable dining experience! The restaurant needs a little upgrade in decor, but it is very clean and interesting. Noriegas was the oldest Basque boardinghouse still in operation in the American West. Bakersfield, California 93304, 4001 Rosedale Highway The restaurant, which served. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere that is perfect for a date night or a lunch with friends. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; 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.