I've lived in Bakersfield and eaten basque food for over twenty years. There are a number of basque restaurants in Bakersfield and I think Benji's is the best. They have the best pickled tongue known to man and everything else is always consistantly excellent. I would recommend Benji's to anyone!
March 23, 2003 @ 11:57 AM
a diner from Diamond Bar, CA
On a recent trip north on Highway 5, we detoured to Bakersfield for dinner. What a pleasant experience. The restaurant looked as though it had recently been painted, so it looked clean and fresh. We were seated immediately; and when we told our waitress that this was our first time, she was most gracious and helpful.
Water and bread came immediately - good french bread with plenty of sweet butter. Then came a dish of warm salsa for the bread while we were still looking a the menu. When we ordered, out came a bowl of pinto beans and two bowls of soup - clam chowder that was thickened only with potatoes and a vegetable soup. Both were excellent. The waitress informed us about mixing the beans and salsa or mixing beans, salsa, and vegetable soup together.
Then came fresh greeens in a vinegrette, tomatoes and sweet sliced onions in vinegrette, and slices of pickled tongue - all made a wonderful salad.
We ordered the rack of lamb, beautifully served in a light au jus sauce, and filet mignon in a port wine sauce. Both were cooked to order - just right and were supurb.
I would detour any day off Highway 5 for such a good meal.
They did have a few items onl the menu for children, but I do not remember what they were. There were a few children in the restaurant, and the children were very well behaved. I knew they were there only because I was facing their table. The well-behaved children helped to make our experience enjoyable.
looks and feels like a biker hangout. i love the old bar back and vibe of 19th century bako, but that was destroyed by the patronage. The mananger should have a sitdown with the owner and decide who's welcome and who's not.
Great food. The owner came to our table and was a genuinely nice person. She found out that we were from out of town, and made us feel right at home. A great experience.
not good. i expected a lot more than i recieved; from the outside it looked pretty good, but that was deceiving. The owner was a jerk, not professional.
I've lived in Bakersfield and eaten basque food for over twenty years. There are a number of basque restaurants in Bakersfield and I think Benji's is the best. They have the best pickled tongue known to man and everything else is always consistantly excellent. I would recommend Benji's to anyone!
March 23, 2003 @ 11:57 AM
a diner from Diamond Bar, CA
On a recent trip north on Highway 5, we detoured to Bakersfield for dinner. What a pleasant experience. The restaurant looked as though it had recently been painted, so it looked clean and fresh. We were seated immediately; and when we told our waitress that this was our first time, she was most gracious and helpful.
Water and bread came immediately - good french bread with plenty of sweet butter. Then came a dish of warm salsa for the bread while we were still looking a the menu. When we ordered, out came a bowl of pinto beans and two bowls of soup - clam chowder that was thickened only with potatoes and a vegetable soup. Both were excellent. The waitress informed us about mixing the beans and salsa or mixing beans, salsa, and vegetable soup together.
Then came fresh greeens in a vinegrette, tomatoes and sweet sliced onions in vinegrette, and slices of pickled tongue - all made a wonderful salad.
We ordered the rack of lamb, beautifully served in a light au jus sauce, and filet mignon in a port wine sauce. Both were cooked to order - just right and were supurb.
I would detour any day off Highway 5 for such a good meal.
They did have a few items onl the menu for children, but I do not remember what they were. There were a few children in the restaurant, and the children were very well behaved. I knew they were there only because I was facing their table. The well-behaved children helped to make our experience enjoyable.
I've lived in Bakersfield and eaten basque food for over twenty years. There are a number of basque restaurants in Bakersfield and I think Benji's is the best. They have the best pickled tongue known to man and everything else is always consistantly excellent. I would recommend Benji's to anyone!
March 23, 2003 @ 11:57 AM
a diner from Diamond Bar, CA
On a recent trip north on Highway 5, we detoured to Bakersfield for dinner. What a pleasant experience. The restaurant looked as though it had recently been painted, so it looked clean and fresh. We were seated immediately; and when we told our waitress that this was our first time, she was most gracious and helpful.
Water and bread came immediately - good french bread with plenty of sweet butter. Then came a dish of warm salsa for the bread while we were still looking a the menu. When we ordered, out came a bowl of pinto beans and two bowls of soup - clam chowder that was thickened only with potatoes and a vegetable soup. Both were excellent. The waitress informed us about mixing the beans and salsa or mixing beans, salsa, and vegetable soup together.
Then came fresh greeens in a vinegrette, tomatoes and sweet sliced onions in vinegrette, and slices of pickled tongue - all made a wonderful salad.
We ordered the rack of lamb, beautifully served in a light au jus sauce, and filet mignon in a port wine sauce. Both were cooked to order - just right and were supurb.
I would detour any day off Highway 5 for such a good meal.
They did have a few items onl the menu for children, but I do not remember what they were. There were a few children in the restaurant, and the children were very well behaved. I knew they were there only because I was facing their table. The well-behaved children helped to make our experience enjoyable.