Bakersfield?

Bakersfield, CA is where I was born and raised. Here's what it has to offer when I visit family there.
First off F&M's Fabric Store! This is no regular fabric store, fabric isn't on tiny bolts, its on gigantic rolls. Prices start at a buck a yard! They have everything, knit, cotton, crazy prints you will never see anywhere else, fancy stuff, upholstery, trims, buttons, ribbons, anything sewing related you could ask for. The largest selection of minky for only $10 a yard! I have been there twice on this trip and I have boxes of fabric that I'm going to have to ship home, but so worth it.

Most of the other places I like in Bakersfield have to do with food.
Basque is a mandatory stop on every visit. Woolgrowers is awesome. Basque food is usually served family style, first course is a vegetable soup, beans, salsa and sour dough bread. Second comes salad with a light oil vinegar, picked tongue, and sometimes tomatoes. Then is the meat course always followed with some ice cream! Eat light before you go! What do I get there, Pork Chops with extra garlic, keeps vamps away, and ice cream Spumoni!



Hey Luigi! Luigi's is a monument in Bako, celebrating 100 years in 2010! Italian food, family, friends, fun its awesome. Yep you can get pickled tongue here too, but you can also get some R&R, that's Ribs and Rigatoni! (Friday Only) Luigi's isn't open for dinner its a lunch spot, and if its not 100+ degrees, the patio is a nice place to relax. What do I get, an Arnold Palmer to drink, Giovanna’s Gourmet Salad, and White Pasta-Spaghetti with Butter, Parsley, Garlic & Parmesan Cheese, all is served with an antipasti of a roll, salami, cheese, pepperoncini and marinated carrot.

que paso? I love mexican food and I don't know many people that don't. Los Tacos De Huicho keeps it simple and delicious.

There menu is short and sweet, pick a meat pick an item, burrito, taco, sopa, torta, get some papas or rice and beans to go with it and your set! I hadn't been there in a couple of years and I have to say its just as good, the place is clean, the service is fast and hello they added a bar! What do I get there asada tacos Tripas, also known as Machitos taco, asada sopa and papas.

Still hungry? Bakersfield is lucky to have not one but two of the best made on site ice cream places in the USA! Dewar's Ice Cream is celebrating 100 years this year of serving some of the best ice cream and candy in the world.

It's across from Bakersfield High School so you can imagine all the kids that have made there way over there for some sweets after school. They have a counter with real soda jerks! They also make some great chew candies. A few years back Dewar's was asked to sell at Disney's El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. That's right so even if your not in Bakersfield, you can get your Dewar's fix in Hollywood, CA! What do I get when I go, a Black and White!

A little side story from my childhood, before I was 5 when my parents would take me there, they use to tell me that the building down the street was an orphanage and that they were taking me to get ice cream before they dropped me off to live there. Oh my parents, twisted.

The second amazing made on site Ice Cream place is Rosemary's Family Creamery. Not as old as Dewar's but its tasty too.

I'm surprised they don't seem to have a website? Anyway, what do I get there, creature of habit, a Black and White.

So I guess that is my culinary tour of Bakersfield, CA. What else should you know, if your visiting try not to do it in the summer, it gets over 100 degrees a lot. Bring loose fitting clothes, so you can eat :) Enjoy yourself.