Bakersfield Mass. Ave.

This is one time I really wish Yelp allowed you to rate using 1/2 stars.   If I could, this place would be a solid 2-1/2 stars.   However, if I had to choose between 2 and 3 stars, I have to lean towards 2.

First, the good.   The atmosphere is really cool.   When you walk in you don't even have an inkling that this used to be a pizza restaurant (Bazbeaux).   Everything has been redone and looks really (what I like to call) honky-tonk vintage.   Sumptious dark woods everywhere.   And I love the whiskey barrel bar tables.

For those of you familiar with the old Bazbeaux, you'll recall that much of the seating was in the basement.   That is still the case as the bottom has also been remodeled.  Not to the extent the ground level has been, but it still feels unified.
There's also a long table for larger groups.

When the weather warms up,  The windows facing Mass Ave can fully open and will bring the outside in.   There will be limited al fresco seating as well.

The music (and the videos playing on the wall-mounted flatscreens) fit the atmosphere perfectly.  For those of you unfamiliar (or confused) with the origin of the name "Bakersfield", a primer -- it's a type of country music that was popular in Bakersfield, California in the 50s.   Think dominated by vocals with a raw twangy sound.   There were so few true "Bakerfield" artists and recordings so don't expect the music at Bakersfield to be 100% authentic.   They mix in some other artists that have a similar sound.  While we were there, we heard some Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.

On to the food/drink--their motto is Tacos. Tequila. Whiskey.  I would say 2 out of 3 ain't bad with an "Incomplete" for one.

The tequila selection is amazing, sprinkled with some old standards while exploring several craft tequilas.   The whiskey selection is equally ambitious.  Not as large as some of the other craft whiskey bars in town, but that is understandable as they have to have enough shelf space for all the tequilas.   They limit their whiskeys to American-made which makes sense (to match the ambience) so no Scotches or Irish whiskeys.   There's a small selection of bourbons, but the real star are the rye whiskeys.   Beer drinkers need not worry either as there are several national craft beer brands represented as well as local-fave Sun King.   And being Mass Ave, no hipster is left behind as PBR is present as well.

So far, it looks like I should be giving this place 4 stars, right?  Wrong.

As cool as the ambience and libations are, the food, for the most part, doesn't stand up.

The menu is limited to some appetizers, a broad selection of tacos, and a couple tortas and salads.   The problem is, with such a small menu, I would expect the few items to be perfected.   However, that is not the case.

Their chips and queso was a sad rendition.   It was not smooth and I swear the cheese had curdled.   It had almost no flavor (and we even paid $1 for the side of homemade pickled jalapenos to be added).   The chips were good, though, as the tortillas are made in house.

Now don't get me wrong, a couple tacos were amazing (Fish, Pastor), but I was left wanting with the Pollo Verde and Huitlacoche.  I normally don't add taco sauce (2 squeeze bottles on every table - green and red) to my tacos as I like to taste the flavor as the chef intended, but those 2 really needed help.   The sauces are quite good, I might add.  The green is almost like a Mexican-style guacamole (blended to be smooth, not chunky how you find in the US), packed with avocado.  The red is a smoky, chipotle-based version.

I also tried their version of the torta (Mexican sandwich) and found it to be much more satisfying.  The bread had a nice crunch in the crust, but still chewy on the inside -- just the way I like it.   Think Cuban sandwich.

So why the 2 (2-1/2) stars?  Other than the hit-or-miss tacos, it comes down to the price/value.    Everything is served a la carte here and a single taco is $3 or $4.  And they're tiny.   4" diameter.   No chips.  No salsa.  No beans.   Even a side of jalapenos will set you back a $1.   A side of hot sauce (ghost pepper) will set you back a couple bucks as well.

The two of us had 3 drinks (total), chips and queso, 3 tacos and a torta, which set us back $47.

Service was prompt, knowledgeable and friendly.   Couldn't ask for anything more, especially considering it was opening night.

So 3 stars for the drink/atmosphere.  2 stars for the food.   Thus, 2-1/2 stars.  Rounding down to 2 stars because the food takes precedence.

Note:  Bakersfield promises the kitchen will be open as long as the bar is.   I foresee this being a 2 AM stop for scores of revelers every Friday and Saturday night, getting their munchie-fix before heading home.

You might see me there as well, perhaps having a torta while taking a tour of the whiskeys.

I respectable taco joint with fantastic atmosphere.  Some reviews I saw listed the prices as "cheap," but I have to disagree.  Each taco is $3 - $4 and pretty tiny, so to get full, you need at least 3, so about $12.  Not outrageous, but definitely not cheap.  With drinks and an appetizer, we spent about $60 on dinner.

Love, LOVE the atmosphere.  Lots of exposed wood and whiskey and tequila as far as the eye can see.  If you hate sitting on backless chairs, get there early.  There are a few booths, but mostly backless stools.  I saw a couple of patrons struggling to get comfy on them.  

Staff all appear to be prompt and polite.  Our server, Ann, was phenomenal.  She explained everything, had tried everything on the menu, and was able to give a good tequila recommendation.  

We tried nearly all the tacos.  The mole and fish tacos are standouts. The pollo and huitlachoche tacos did not have a lot of flavor, but they were ok.  The salsa was super good.  Don't be put off by the salsa in a squeeze bottle.  It is so flavorful.  Great on chips and on the tacos.  

We also tried the Milanesa torta.  Pretty much a perfect sandwich.  No complaints.  It is breaded chicken with a black bean paste, salsa verde (add more!), arugula, and an avocado lemon mayo that is a perfect accompaniment.

We started with the queso.  I loved that the top was browned, but the cheese underneath had a weird lumpy consistency.  It tasted ok, but next time I will try the guac.  I heard another table raving about it.

Definitely a place to try again, especially if they eventually add desserts to their menu.

p.s.  Along with having a huge tequila and whiskey selection, they have a full bar if you are a crazy weirdo and do not like tequila or whiskey.

There's a lot I like about the place.  Even with the communal seating, the tables are broken up enough (by napkin dispensers and stacks of plates) that there's enough separation that it's not really awkward (but I'm still not a fan of the trend).  Even when crowded, the tables are spaced enough that it's not ass-to-elbows.  The guac and margaritas are on par with Adobo (but the "premium" one seems a bit steep @ $12, twice the "house" variety).  The tacos are pretty small, but tasty- worth the 3-4 dollars each, IMO.  Best of the bunch were probably the short rib and the huitlacoche (mushroomy corn fungus), with mole and al pastor not far behind.  I'll be back.  My only real complaint was the volume level of the music (another trend I hope will pass).  Hopefully enough people will complain that they'll get the message and turn it down.