Mon - Closed . So after visiting a museum in Bakersfield I used Google maps to find Chalet Basque. It all needs to be consumed before the main course, which might be roasted lamb leg, beef or oxtail stew, or fried chicken. Lisa loves getting to know her customers and offering them an unforgettable dining experience! Vegetables are very good and plentiful. #tulsaartsdistrict #tulsafood. The chowder was great! I must say I liked this place best of the three we have tried so far. This restaurant has good atmosphere great food and great s service. Among the Noriegas biggest fans: Jonathan Gold, who wrote extensively about the restaurant over the years. 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. Full menu with prices & pictures. The Basque community has a rich cultural heritage with a love of dance, music, food, pilota and more. Now, the food is decent, and you feel like just another customer. Their wait staff are courteous and attentive. What a wonderful website! The. I was very happy with the steak and I gave him half. 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). Toll Free (866) 425-7353 Local (661) 852-7282 They have great stories, if its not busy, and obviously many customers are regulars.More, I went to this place about 20 years ago and wanted to take my wife, so she could experience Basque Food. You can also discover places to eat by searching by cuisine or category, like Chinese, and in Bakersfield, you have about 20 to . 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. Always good food and a friendly crowd. Restaurant Call Now More Home Reviews Photos Videos About See all 200 oak st Bakersfield, CA 93304 274 people like this 278 people follow this 15 people checked in here http://www.basquerestaurantbakersfield.com/ (661) 327-2915 Open now 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Restaurant Photos See all Videos See all 2:13 Skip the chicken and fries if you're celiac. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) In the city of Bakersfield, one can find a handful of Basque restaurants and delicacies. They also have a bar/lounge and outside patio area. Conveniently located next to the freeway, a great stop for those traveling through Bakersfield on their way to somewhere else. 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. It hurts us too, Ladd said. We looked up and 2 of the 3 light bulbs above our seat were burned out. When your entre comes, you also get buttery green beans, really French fries, and baked beans. Unless you and your family want to be traumatized! The place was dark inside, not too many windows. We parked in the parking lot and entered through the bar. Chalet Basque is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers: Are the prices at this restaurant mid-range / moderate? I look forward to trying more Basque restaurants, but I doubt I will go back here. He called McCoys Bloody Mary an art form.. There are already some lists of Basque American restaurants onBubers Basque Page and Euskal Kazeta, but things change fast in the restaurant industry. Call 661-327-9584 to place your orders. 0.91 miles. In future, we would order one entre, and one vegetarian meal, which is all the accompanying dishes. 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? Then theres salad like Greek salad, but with a tangy dressing and a plate of pickled tongue (yum!). Bakersfield's most popular Basque restaurant - Wool Growers My filet was huge. The soup comes in a big bowl, family-style, and you serve as much or as little as you want into your own bowl. Very clean restaurant, staffed by friendly and professional waitstaff. View more restaurants in Bakersfield, CA from other shows - FoodiePie.com. Not once did he ask if we were enjoying the food or to check on us. Sad, the place and food was so dated. Does this new robot-staffed chocolate emporium signal a themed restaurant comeback? Watch Huell Enjoys Noriega's Basque Restaurant in Bakersfield | California's Gold with Huell Howser Season | KCET They have great stories, if its not busy, and obviously many customers are regulars. A family-style dining experience that once . Benji's French Basque Restaurant It is Spanish Basque food. Everything in the setup, seemed like they were scrimping on ingredients to save money. Unless you and your family want to be traumatized! Its really nice to see this blog. The Ultimate List of Basque Restaurants in the United States (2019) I had the filet cooked with a pepper cognac sauce and my husband had the roasted leg of lamb. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; The other time I ordered thespecial of the day - halibut. Some serve traditional Basque American boarding house style dinners, while others just have a few Basque dishes for you to try. They purchased a little cafe on 21st Street, she said, in a building that is no longer there. and original from prior owners. and I'm never disappointed. We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Each dining hall has its specialties, but one fact unites them: Basque food is served in hearty, prodigious quantities. Vegetables are very good and plentiful. Benji's French Basque Restaurant. We enjoyed the salsa so much that we applied it liberally to the soup, beans and vegetables. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Basque salsa really spices up the soup, by the way. In Bakersfields Old Town Kern neighborhoodalso known as the Basque Blockyou'll findthe largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States. Your email address will not be published. I tried for six months to do everything I could, Stewart said. The corporation had to file bankruptcy, said Joy Stewart, 63, who bought the restaurant on Coffee Road in 2005 as an agent of James L. Stewart, Inc. to run it with sons Brian and Greg Riggins. Garrett Snyder is a former staff writer for the Food section of the Los Angeles Times. Benji's French Basque Restaurant menu - Bakersfield CA 93308 - (661 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. . Chalet Basque Restaurant - Bakersfield, CA - Full Menu, Reviews, Photos 599 Railroad AvenueSouth San Francisco, CA 94080Free Parking. 3 Best French Restaurants in Bakersfield, CA - ThreeBestRated Address. by Anne-Marie | Mar 19, 2019 | Food | 8 comments. Chalet is an old Bakersfield staple for Basque food, but it was obvious why we could get in so easy. She said many of The Basque Cafes staff stayed when her husband sold the business to Stewart. That was the charm of Noriegas, he said. The Bakersfield community and the Basque community were devastated. Jan 28. CHALET BASQUE RESTAURANT - 158 Photos & 166 Reviews - 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Chalet Basque Restaurant 166 reviews Claimed $$ French, Basque, Spanish Edit Open 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Hours updated 3 weeks ago See hours See all 158 photos Write a review Pickled Tongue Highlights from the Business The Basque Cafe, formerly known as Maitia's Basque Cafe, a long-lived restaurant in Bakersfield famed for its garlic fried chicken, shut down just after Fourth of July weekend, "a casualty Menu. So you leave shaking, with your 8 year old son crying and shaking.. When I prepare this rustic soup and smell the garlic, Im transported back to the Basque Country where I enjoyed this wonderful salda or soup. Basque Singer Mikel Urdangarin Sings for Basque-American Audience, Kern County Basque Festival 2022 Basques Talk about the Best Part of Being Basque, Institute for Basque Studies to be Inaugurated at Cal State Bakersfield, Basque Folk Singer Mikel Urdangarin to Perform in California, Basque Film Part of Online Smithsonian Film Festival April 1 30, Top Four Things to Do at the Bakersfield Basque Festival, Basque Exhibits at Kern County Museum in Bakersfield, Not Even the Rain Could Dampen Spirits at the Bakersfield Picnic, Yvonne Etcheveste, longtime Bakersfield restaurant owner, 1931 2017, People of Kern County Basque Festival 2017, Your email address will not be published. Basque | Noriega's | Bakersfield Reservations Order Online View Menu A Family legacy of BASQUE CUISINE Our continued tradition of family style seating, combined with a multitude of courses bursting with flavor, sets us apart from your everyday dining experience. THE 10 BEST Bakersfield Food Delivery & Takeout - Uber Eats Pickled tongue: a Basque-turned-Bakersfield delicacy | KGET 17 Nearby Restaurants. Chalet Basque Restaurant 166 Spanish $$ 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. Service was OK, the waiter was friendly and did well overall, his helper (busboy?) CENTRO BASCO 13432 Central Ave. Chino, California 91710 (909 . Since I aim to please, today Im doing just that! 515 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93301. 2021 by Erock. Favorite Basque Recipes - Euskal Kazeta In 1931, Gracianne Grace and Jean Elizalde, who Ladd referred to as Amatxi and Aitatxi, bought the hotel from the Noriegas. March 4 . I asked my followers recently on Instagram to name their favorite Basque restaurants in the United States. 4001 Rosedale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93308 No cuisines specified Menu Appetizers Sauteed Mushrooms $8.00 Ravioli $10.00 Escargots $10.00 Scampi with Lemon Garlic Sauce $13.00 Frog Legs with Lemon Garlic Sauce $13.00 Bakersfield, CA 93309. Menu - Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge Starting in January, the rent increased, Stewart said. amzn_assoc_asins = "1558321403,1607747618"; At lunch if you want all the trimmings you pay $4 extra. 525 Sumner St Bakersfield, CA 93305 Permanently closed this restaurant on May 1, 2020. noriegas bakersfield menu, . Noriega's Hotel in Bakersfield Closes for Good - Euskal Kazeta Updated July 2021: A new Noriega's, with menu, chef and decor from the original Noriega's, has opened at 4809 Stockdale Hwy. This just hit them between the eyes, she said of the restaurant closure. Couldn't eat it. Roasted leg of lamb implies a dry preparation. We looked up and 2 of the 3 light bulbs above our seat were burned out. Subscribe to get 15% off your first order and stay up to date with new blog posts. Chance of rain 40%.. Overcast with rain showers at times. Bakersfield, California 93304, 4001 Rosedale Highway A brief history of some of Bakersfields beloved Basque restaurants. JB and Marie owned it then. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. The coronavirus pandemic has deeply hit home for a tradition that has been in Bakersfield since the city's roots - Basque dining. basquetulsa. Chance of rain 40%. The waiters seem to have all worked there forever and know the menu well. The waitress was excellent. I've read previous reviews about the service being awful, but I had AMAZING service. MORE STORIES FROM EUSKAL KAZETA 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. View. Yes, Chalet Basque offers takeout services. He previously edited the food sections of Los Angeles magazine and L.A. Weekly and has co-authored several cookbooks. Any restaurant is hard work, said Mayie Maitia, 79, Frank Jr.s aunt. We will definitely be back again the next time we go through town. The whole effect is enormous! phone: (661) 327-2915. The doors finally closed on Noriegas, the oldest Basque boardinghouse-style restaurant in the West. The app shows good ratings, close by and open. What are people saying about basque restaurants in Bakersfield, CA? The restaurant only had one table filled. The Pyrenees dark wood bar, vinyl booths, throbbing jukebox, and neon Budweiser sign attract motorcycle clubs, indie bands, and Basque old-timers alike. Thanks for letting me know though. didn't smile or converse, and when clearing tables sounded like he was throwing the dishes across the isle to another table, very noisy, and annoying! So you leave shaking, with your 8 year old son crying and shaking.. Reservations highly recommended. Many visitors of Chalet Basque Restaurant say that tasty fried chicken, cabbage soup and roughy are offered here. Menu of Noriega's, Bakersfield, Bakersfield - Zomato The menu has a good selection of items with great specials. amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; The Elizalde family, owners of the restaurant since 1931, announced the decision on Facebook, thanking all the people that have dined with us.. Were gonna try to make it look the same, he said. Next, you can begin to explore California's Country Music Capital food and restaurant options. 15 Best Restaurants in Bakersfield, CA for 2023 (Top Eats!) The Basque Cafes founding family also felt the loss. So heres the 2019 update on restaurants serving Basque food in the United States. amzn_assoc_title = "Basque Cookbooks"; Feel free to share this post with anyone looking for some good Basque food. We started the little (Basque Cafe) out on Coffee Road around 1997, his wife said. 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! If there are any restaurants on the list that intrigue you, I encourage you to visit their websites and check out their menus. The countrys largest concentration of Basque restaurants upholds the areas Basque heritage with boarding-house-style meals of oxtail soup and myriad side dished. Seated promptly but took forever to get order taken! Adress: 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA 93304, USA It has been watered down and Americanized a bit. It was called The Basque Cafe. Learn more, Copyright 2023 Visit Bakersfield | All Rights Reserved, Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge. Basque Cultural Center | Dine in and take out. Call 650-583-8091 Chalet Basque Restaurant menu - Bakersfield CA 93304 - (877 - Allmenus The Official Bakersfield Restaurant Guide | Visit Bakersfield Read our story about Noriegas James Beard award. It's highway close and after wanting to stop for Basque food for years, I finally read some reviews and chose this place because of its ratings and the fact that they were open mid-afternoon.We ordered one dinner without entree and one with roast lamb. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 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. 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. 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. The bar was nice and looked like a cool place to hang out. Not once did he ask if we were enjoying the food or to check on us. The soup comes in a big bowl, family-style, and you serve as much or as little as you want into your own bowl. Thanks for letting me know. Basque Restaurants in New York and East Coast. 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. now for rental rates and other information about this property. Updated July 2021: A new Noriegas, with menu, chef and decor from the original Noriegas, has opened at 4809 Stockdale Hwy. He was 95, led a really wonderful life. This place is not near the same as it was with the previous owners.More, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Tag #VISITCALIFORNIA on Instagram to have your trip featured on our page. Steak was tough & no flavor & not a filet. But for California's Basques, a way of life was unalterably transformed. Required fields are marked *. Numerous Basque restaurants offer traditional Basque experiences, carrying on the traditions of their ancestors. I did eat at Piperade in SFO 4 years ago: very good, but upscale never quite sits right with Basque food . We ordered one dinner without entree and one with roast lamb. The legendary large-format restaurant is a James Beard Foundation American Classic category winner from 2011, and has been in operation since the 1930s. It was light and flaky and cooked to perfection. What a Set Up - Review of Benji's French Basque Restaurant, Bakersfield Bakersfield, California 93309, 601 Sumner Street 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. Noriega Hotel, one of Bakersfields oldest restaurants, announced Friday that it would not reopen following its closure due to the coronavirus outbreak. It is located at the former Cafe Med location at 4809 Stockdale Highway. My filet was huge. Its dining room walls are lined with black-and-white photos of Basque pioneers. The waiter made it very clear that he was uninterested in serving us. What sad news! I feel terrible that it came to this. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Many people have expressed their sorrow over the loss of the iconic institution and what it may portend for other similar family-style Basque establishments across the West. The no-frills 1950s' eatery is one of Bakersfield's most popular restaurants, serving specialities such as oxtail soup and perfectly crispy French fries. The change from daylight to dark took our eyes a bit to adjust. We also have banquet space available for your private events. Basque restaurants in Oregon and Washington. Frank Sr. passed away April 10, on his birthday. #ChaletbasqueMore, Went to Chalet Basque because the Basque place we wanted to dine at was full. 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). 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. Basque restaurants in Nevada. little on the weak side. I was very happy with the steak and I gave him half. 2023. Your email address will not be published. Love their food! Meats are so so. The food tastes home-cooked and not restaurant portioned. Article highlighting the history of Benji's. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. Your email address will not be published. Their wait staff are courteous and attentive. The new location will be on Stockdale Highway where Cafe Med [] What are some highly rated basque restaurants in Bakersfield, CA? With three banquet rooms, a spacious dining room, and an outdoor covered solarium, the Basque Cultural Center hosts many diners, banquets and parties daily.