Had he known, he might have ordered a different lamb dish. Famed Bakersfield Basque restaurant the Noriega Hotel is closing permanently, reports the Bakersfield Californian. Have a restaurant in mind? It is Spanish Basque food. . We did notice a large banquet room that faced the front with large windows, so they can accommodate larger parties. The restaurant needs a little upgrade in decor, but it is very clean and interesting. Wow, their meats were some of the tenderest we've ever had. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "hellabasque-20"; They have a separate bar and it looked like a band was setting up to play on Friday. Benjis is more French than Spanish (frogs legs are popular), but the big ticket is a dessert soufflchocolate, lemon, Grand Marnier, or raspberry. See photos, floor plans and more details about 3141 N Inyo St in Bakersfield, California. Ambience is niceand original from prior owners. And to get in on these fun discussions were having on social media, follow Hella Basque on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Location. 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. 15 Best Restaurants in Bakersfield, CA for 2023 (Top Eats!) Now, the food is decent, and you feel like just another customer. Bass said he personally received requests to save items for posterity, including from the Basque Museum in Boise and a museum on the Basque diaspora in the Basque Country. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Order the garlic paste on the side for added flavor. All dinner meals come with soup, salad, bread, beans, spicy tomato sauce, vegetable and tongue salad. Service was slow sometimes, the sides did not come with the meal. Home to Bakersfield sound and the famous Kern County Basque festival, the city of Bakersfield has something for everyone. Meals Served Family Style--Copious Amounts! He never even came by to refill my husband's water glass. Soup and lamb was delicious. It was our anniversary and we wanted something a little more upscale than fast food or a chain restaurant. JB and Marie owned it then. Of course, you might wonder why a family (one who had the Misfortune of answering a phone while in a restaurant) was asked by the waiter to leave rather than the table of drunk old Men of are apparently "bar regulars".. Add a photo 37 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details CUISINES Spanish Meals Dinner, Lunch FEATURES Favorite Basque Recipes - Euskal Kazeta The broker led them to local restaurant owner, Bill Osathanugrah, who already owns two restaurants in Bakersfield, Happy Wings and KKs Caf. It has been watered down and Americanized a bit. 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. In Bakersfields Old Town Kern neighborhoodalso known as the Basque Blockyou'll findthe largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States. Try their butterfinger pie for dessert! amzn_assoc_region = "US"; recommend you try Chalet Basque on Oak Street. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "hellabasque-20"; We will definitely be back again the next time we go through town. I almost got up and had to go get the drinks from the bar myself. Benji's French-Basque Restaurant. The community response was surprising to the family, considering that business hasnt been that good for the past few years, she added. Garrett Snyder is a former staff writer for the Food section of the Los Angeles Times. Noriega's Hotel in Bakersfield Closes for Good - Euskal Kazeta Online Menu of Chateau Basque Restaurant, Bakersfield, CA 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. We also have banquet space available for your private events. Carl's Jr ($) Burgers, Fast Food Distance: 0.09 miles. ADDRESS. Not once did he ask if we were enjoying the food or to check on us. 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. We proudly offer Bakersfield locals and visitors a unique and authentic Basque dining experience. I will still go here for cheap and plentiful eats.More, We have eaten here many times & usually better. CHALET BASQUE, Bakersfield - Menu, Prices & Restaurant - Tripadvisor Basque Restaurants in Bakersfield Results 1 - 8 of 8 restaurants Wool Growers Restaurant ($$) Seafood, European, French, Spanish, Basque Menu Available 620 E 19th St, Bakersfield, CA (661) 327-9584 Write a Review! Some had worked there for decades. El Taco Rojo Birrieria ($) Tacos, Food Trucks Distance: 0.06 miles. Overcast with rain showers at times. It came with a sauce on top - tasted good, kind of lemony. Roasted leg of lamb implies a dry preparation. The whole effect is enormous! In Bakersfield, Calif., the landmark Basque spot serving a four-course meal including outrageous oxtail and garlic fried chicken. 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. Bakersfield, CA 93305 (661) 327-9584 In operation since 1954, this is one of the best rated restaurants in Bakersfield, with its authentic dishes from the rich Basque region. Their website says they serve Basque family style dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 5-9PM. August 23, 2014 In Media Press No Comment Read More. 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! One Basque delicacy: tongue. 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? What are people saying about basque restaurants in Bakersfield, CA? Service was OK, the waiter was friendly and did well overall, his helper (busboy?) What are some highly rated basque restaurants in Bakersfield, CA? With beans and bone broth, this soup can even serve as a main course. Full menu with prices & pictures. The Ultimate List of Basque Restaurants in the United States (2019) But the Lamb and the Veal were dry. Bakersfield, CA 93305 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. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; (661) 324-2961, Narducci's Caf622 East 21st Street The doors finally closed on Noriega's, the oldest Basque boardinghouse-style restaurant in the West. Since I aim to please, today Im doing just that! Pan Rustico $7.00. This just hit them between the eyes, she said of the restaurant closure. Starting in January, the rent increased, Stewart said. Adress: 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA 93304, USA First comes a cabbage soup, very flavourful, Basque salsa and bread. 620 East 19th St, Bakersfield, CA 93305 +1 661-327-9584. In Bakersfield, a hungry and weary soul searches for a bite to eat They did offer to take off the ticket.Lamb shanks were good.More, Went here on a Wednesday around 430. Benjis is more French than Spanish (frogs legs are popular), but the big ticket is a dessert soufflchocolate, lemon, Grand Marnier, or raspberry. Lisa loves getting to know her customers and offering them an unforgettable dining experience! Learn more, Copyright 2023 Visit Bakersfield | All Rights Reserved, Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge. Good size shrimp, lot". Great dining experience. 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. Bakersfield is home to the largest collection of Basque restaurants in the United States. Roasted leg of lamb implies a dry preparation. The restaurant only had one table filled. Low 44F. 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. Come join us at Restaurant Basque for a unique exciting dining experience unlike anything else in Tulsa. Bakersfield, California 93308, 4809 Stockdale Hwy Their wait staff are courteous and attentive. Required fields are marked *, Paul Angelos Mar 23, 2021 at 3:09 pm. Tongue. We would certainly eat here again any time we were in Bakersfield. By using this site you agree to Zomato's use of cookies to give you a personalised experience. She came from the back and seated us right away. 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. If there are any restaurants on the list that intrigue you, I encourage you to visit their websites and check out their menus. Noriega Hotel, one of Bakersfields oldest restaurants, announced Friday that it would not reopen following its closure due to the coronavirus outbreak. more, Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Takeout, Serves Alcohol, Table Service. Fully leased, Value-Add, Office/Warehouse Project The Basque region is famous for its beaches, ancient culture, and free-spirited people. 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. Service was OK, the waiter was friendly and did well overall, his helper (busboy?) This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Call 661-327-9584 to place your orders. I was very happy with the steak and I gave him half. Basque Vegetable Soup - Euskal Kazeta We looked up and 2 of the 3 light bulbs above our seat were burned out. We didnt but were clued in and it was great. We got the set-up and the beef bourguignon. The food was very good and plenty of food for our gathering of ten people. Thanks for sharing such information. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. He previously edited the food sections of Los Angeles magazine and L.A. Weekly and has co-authored several cookbooks. Basque restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area - Northern California. Frank Sr. passed away April 10, on his birthday. Vegetables are very good and plentiful. special of the day - halibut. 2021 by Erock. Due to a power outage that occurred overnight Basque will open at 4:00 today. Basque salsa really spices up the soup, by the way. It took forever for him to bring us our drinks. This would have been really hard on him, I know, she said. top of page. Huell Enjoys Noriega's Basque Restaurant in Bakersfield Classic Basque dishes are comforting and unfussy, and many deserve a spot in your weeknight rotation. 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. Surprisingly the entree was quite good, my roast beef was slightly pink, very tender, really good. The museum is planning a display commemorating Noriegas in its Trolley Car Station. The wife's pork chops were large and juicy. Chalet Basque Bakersfield | Bakersfield CA - facebook.com Everything in the setup, seemed like they were scrimping on ingredients to save money. MORE STORIES FROM EUSKAL KAZETA It was cooked perfectly, was tender and melt in your mouth juicy. Anywhere you go, youll be served a similar setup, as its calledsourdough bread, cabbage soup, beans, salsa, boiled vegetables, pickled tongue, and spaghetti. Bakersfield Basque Restaurants | Visit Bakersfield My filet was huge. The bread was off the shelf plain sliced bread. I had to scale down, Frank Maitia Jr. said. Address. Chalet Basque Restaurant from Bakersfield Menu The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere that is perfect for a date night or a lunch with friends. The cuisine has an upscale appeal while welcoming in the casual diner. This restaurant has good atmosphere great food and great s service. 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. Start your exploration of Basque food culture at the Wool Growers Restaurant on 19th Street, clearly marked by a neon sheep sign. Any restaurant is hard work, said Mayie Maitia, 79, Frank Jr.s aunt. Basque restaurant Noriega Hotel in Bakersfield closes for good - Los Yes, Chalet Basque offers takeout services. amzn_assoc_title = "Basque Cookbooks"; amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; The place was dark inside, not too many windows. Many visitors of Chalet Basque Restaurant say that tasty fried chicken, cabbage soup and roughy are offered here. rank this one toward the bottom of the list. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. The food is amazing here. PETE TITTL: Noriega's good in new neighborhood | Food | bakersfield.com Basque Restaurants in New York and East Coast. Noriega Hotel, one of Bakersfield's oldest restaurants, announced Friday that it would not reopen following its closure due to the coronavirus outbreak. Wool Growers; History; Recipes; Reservations; Lunch Menu; Dinner Menu; Banquet Menu; . Each dining hall has its specialties, but one fact unites them: Basque food is served in hearty, prodigious quantities. Some items are gluten free. Restaurant Basque - Tulsa, OK | OpenTable amzn_assoc_linkid = "23fed3e85ca8b79837c918e0c4c48c44"; Phone (661) 885-8515. Lunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. 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. By noon, I was at Benji's French Basque Restaurant west of Bakersfield. The historic Noriega Hotel in Bakersfield, California was brought down by the coronavirus pandemic. It was cold inside the bar, which was empty, and only slightly warmer in the restaurant, my wife was shivering when we left. Chalet Basque Restau. Mrs. Maitia co-founded Wool Growers Restaurant, a local Basque cuisine landmark, in 1954 with her husband, J.B. Maitia. The theme of which is the outrageous rudeness of answering a phone when in a restaurant. Wow, their meats were some of the tenderest we've ever had. Unless you and your family want to be traumatized! I prefer the family-style leg-o-lamb steaks and sirloins w/ frites and vinaigrette salade a la Elko. You can see him in the second row, 5th from left (next to my sister) in the group photo , Was able to practice my Euskara with everyone at hotel reception and with the taxi driver who took me to the airport. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "hellabasque-20"; Enjoying Basque food at the Basque restaurant Harvest Vine in Seattle, Wash. In future, we would order one entre, and one vegetarian meal, which is all the accompanying dishes. We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. The doors finally closed on Noriegas, the oldest Basque boardinghouse-style restaurant in the West. The bar was nice and looked like a cool place to hang out. was fresh yesterday. I don't think it changed at all from 20 years ago. A brief history of some of Bakersfields beloved Basque restaurants. It was our anniversary and we wanted something a little more upscale than fast food or a chain restaurant. The set ups are good with the soup alittle on the weak side. However, considering the level of colorful obscenities, the act of answering a phone seems to pale in comparison! The menu has a good selection of items with great specials. 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. Tag #VISITCALIFORNIA on Instagram to have your trip featured on our page. Benji's French Basque Restaurant menu - Bakersfield CA 93308 - (661 She said her husband and father-in-law built the larger Maitia Basque Cafe on Union Avenue near 34th Street, and ran it from around 1981 to 1996. 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! I moved from Bakersfield about 10 years ago and truly miss my Basque meals ! So you leave shaking, with your 8 year old son crying and shaking.. 20 BEST Restaurants in Bakersfield, CA [2023 UPDATED] - Exploreist WOOL GROWERS, Bakersfield - Restaurant Reviews, Photos - Tripadvisor Downtown Bakersfield is home to antique stores with unique and hard-to-find items collectibles. But for California's Basques, a way of life was unalterably transformed. The cocktail miraculously straddles the narrow line between tart and sweet. These are some highly rated basque restaurants in Bakersfield, CA: What are some basque restaurants with a large number of reviews in Bakersfield, CA? Open. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. The Elizalde family, owners of the restaurant since 1931, announced the decision on Facebook, thanking all the people that have dined with us.. Susan Maitia said her in-laws, Frank Sr. and Louise Maitia, founded the family business in Old Town Kern in 1946. You do get a lot of food; Soup and Salad.More, I grew up eating in this restaurant. They still serve dinner as family style, which I enjoy. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Still love the Pickled LambTongue. Call 650-583-8091 RESERVATIONS: 650-583-8091 VIEW FULL MENU Ongi etorri! 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. Banquet Hall/Venue He called McCoys Bloody Mary an art form.. We looked up and 2 of the 3 light bulbs above our seat were burned out. "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, [] Contact address. Learn more about offering online ordering to your diners. I am desperately trying to get the "salsa" recipe . You can also discover places to eat by searching by cuisine or category, like Chinese, and in Bakersfield, you have about 20 to . Some new restaurants have popped up and others have closed. Does this new robot-staffed chocolate emporium signal a themed restaurant comeback? The Pyrenees breakfast menu offers pleasant surprises: Nab a seat at one of the outdoor patio tables and order the bacon-stuffed pancakes., Right next to the 99 freeway, and surrounded by graceful queen palms, the Chalet Basque Restaurant has small tables and booths in lieu of family-style trestle tablesmore appropriate for date nightbut everything else is traditional Basque. Basque Restaurants in Bakersfield. Basque restaurants in Nevada. It was cold inside the bar, which was empty, and only slightly warmer in the restaurant, my wife was shivering when we left. Benji's French Basque Restaurant - Bakersfield, CA - Yelp Experience authentic Basque cuisine prepared the same way as it has been for over 100 years.