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Arizona Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Mexican Restaurants Cafes Mexican, Cafes [Edit]
809 Baker StBakersfield, CA 93305
(661) 324-3866
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Arizona Cafe
14 reviews in English
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Review from John F.
Bakersfield, CA
4/23/2012
I have only ever ordered the chile verde here, and probably only will order the chili verde here.
This is authentic chili verde. Bone-in short rib meat, sauce is hot and a little on the runny side, but that's what the side of rice is for.
The service is nothing special, and I would not want to be in the neighborhood after dark, but for lunch this place can't be beat. -
Review from Kristina O.
Cypress, CA
5/21/2012
Fine, not amazing. I won't object if someone wants to go there but I won't be suggesting it.
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Review from Bill W.
Bakersfield, CA
8/3/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Being friends with strong ties to that culture, I've been told this is authentic Mexican food. I agree that I never had a bad meal. You have to be ready for the Chile Verde as it is not the normal or typical you usually see in the mainstream Mexican food places.
This style Chile Verde has the rib still attached along with pieces of the marrow. I love it think its the best in town. At times it can be pretty darn hot and cause beads of sweat to form on your forehead.
The place is clean for hole in the wall standards but be prepared for the surroundings neighborhood. The homeless shelter is within two blocks and the element can be leary at times. Just be aware of your surroundings and all should be fine. -
Review from Mike K.
Porterville, CA
12/17/2011
The best ever chile verde. EVER! You have to ask for chips and salsa
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Review from Christine I.
Los Angeles, CA
1/7/2011
If you are a vegetarian, run.
The waitress was nice enough, but seemed to be baffled at the idea of a burrito with beans rice lettuce and tomatoes.
She looked at me like I was crazy, and condescendingly complimented my choice. I decided to just go with it, and see what she brought out and I was given a cold tortilla with beans, lettuce and tomato. I have seen bigger burritos for about half the price at Taco Bell, and left wishing I had just gone there.
They don't have guacamole apparently, so don't bother getting excited for avocado with your "Authentic" Mexican food, in the 50's greaser style diner. Confusing to say the least.
I definitely would not recommend this place, the reviews are insanely misleading. -
Review from Jeremy M.
El Cajon, CA
7/25/2010
Is this place some kind of local Bakersfield joke that you like to play on tourists and folks just passing through? Seriously.
Here's the story...
My family (wife and 20 month old daughter) and I were in Bakersfield because we decided to cut a trip to Fresno for a wedding into two parts. We get to Bakersfield and decide to check Yelp for suggestions on restaurants. The wife wants Mexican food. Arizona Cafe has 5 stars and GREAT reviews...so...we decide to go there.
Place was easy enough to find, but in a sketchy looking area (boarded up buildings, alleys with kiddie toys in 'em, etc.). We ended up parking on the street near some no-name dive bar that had a couple of (and I'm not making this up or exaggerating here) crack-heads hanging out in front. We figured, eh, it's around 6:45pm...the sun will be up for long enough that we'll be leaving during daylight...no worries. I work in a rough part of town, so stuff like that doesn't creep me out easily. We cross over to Arizona Cafe and pass another crack-head that's walking in and out of traffic while smacking her toothless gums. Yikes.
We go in, and sure enough, the reviews were right on the setting. 1950s diner-style. Not in a Ruby's restaurant kind of way though...more in a horror movie setting kind of way. The waitress is nice enough and brings us the menus and drinks. Though I asked for a coke and a glass of water, and my wife got lemonade and a glass of water, the waters never came. Oh well. Luckily we had a small sippy cup of water for the kid.
So fast forward a bit. I'm busy scraping some kind of crusty gunky off our table when my wife asks me to switch sides of the booth so our baby will stop trying to look over the shoulder of the Alcoholics Anonymous characters at the booth behind her. No problem. Then we notice the place is clearing out. Why? Apparently closing time is 7:15pm. Now it makes sense though...no one in their right mind wants to be in that neighborhood after the sun goes down!!! The food isn't out yet, so the wife goes to see about getting it to go instead...don't want to be pests ya know? Right then the food is up though, so we decide to sit down and eat quick.
Apparently the carne asada burrito is adult-priced but kid-sized. I've seen bigger and more complex burritos on the value menu at Taco Bell (just meat and tortilla - none of the usual guacamole, salsa fresca, etc)! The wife was sad about her tacos because it actually seemed as though they used the pre-made crunchy taco shells that White folks buy at the supermarket instead of fresh oil-fried corn tortillas.
Anyway, food tasted fine, but was WAY overpriced. We're talking $22+ for my mini burrito, 2 tacos, rice & beans, and two drinks. We'd have been better ff finding some spin-off of Albertos, Roybertos, or Alibertos. Would have tasted better and been much safer!
Maybe it's because we're from San Diego and we're spoiled by good, plentiful, cheap Mexican food. Maybe it's because Bakersfield Mexican food just sucks that badly. Maybe it's because the reviewers got free dinners for their 5-star reviews (seems like the type of neighborhood where that'd be a popular option)...who knows? I know one thing for sure, I'll never be going back to this place again. -
Review from Love Food R.
Bakersfield, CA
5/22/2011
I had the chile verde plate and it wasnt even chile verde it was red tomatoe! The meat was hard, was more like hard chicarones in red sauce. The horchata tasted like frozen milk w/out sugar. I also had the chicken enchilada, and although it wasnt bad, it was drowining in sauce.
$10 for the something that wasnt even chile verde was a waste of money -
Review from Ernest G.
Bakersfield, CA
10/4/2008
A HIDDEN GEM!
Everything is delicious, especially the Chile Verde! I can go on forever about this place and it still wouldn't be enough to do it justice. Please go, it's simply incredible. -
Review from Jesus M.
Bakersfield, CA
2/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is real mexican food!
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Review from Cheri W.
Bakersfield, CA
4/12/2011
I have visited often. Ordered from full dinners to only beans and rice with tortillas. Some days the beans are tasty toasty with melted cheese all over and hot. Other times, cheese looks fake, no flavor and the verde salsa lacks flavour and heat. Sometimes the tortillas have a hint of cinnamon, sometimes not. Sometimes service is okay (Jose only talks to his people he knows-even though we frequented his eatery for 4 yrs +).Don't go on Tuesday, they close at 2:15pm. Better service and a better chance at getting more flavorful food is noon time, when the business types are catered to. Consistent it is not(isn't that a safety issue?).We no longer eat here. Don't miss it. Rather eat at Los Hermanos.
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Review from Aaron P.
Bakersfield, CA
2/1/2010
Try the chile verde and chile rellenos... Homemade awesomeness. This truly is authentic Mexican food. Their chorizo and eggs is also awesome for breakfast!
Listed in: Places I LOVE
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Review from Libby C.
Oakland, CA
1/29/2010
Mexican Food....authentic, rich and beyond real! Frequented Arizona Cafe since I was in diapers. This is the best kept secret of Bakersfield! Everything is fresh...the way grandma makes it. Try the chile verde, albondigas soup, chile rellenos, enchiladas, and simple tacos. There are no frills but there is always good food!
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Review from david b.
Bakersfield, CA
1/30/2010
must agree with libby. It is a fun place to visit. this is old school mexican, feels like a cafeteria out of the fifties. Delicious food, but make it a day trip or you wont want to get out of your car. The neighborhood is colorful but has some of the best food in so-cal(woolgrowers, pyrenees, narduccis, luigis, noriegas, arizona cafe, pyrenees bakerey) old sumner is a gem.
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Review from Patty B.
Bakersfield, CA
3/28/2010
Classic Bakersfield, great food, very friendly waitress's, super clean, looks like you stepped back into the 50's..nice twist on vegetarian burrito
