A great mexican restaurant in the short north. We love the margaritas, the tostadas and the salads.

We came in a little bit later on a weeknight and still were warmly welcomed by multiple associates. We were seated quickly and they even accommodated for a friend of mine who prefers to stand rather than sit due to hip issues. I had the spicy margarita which is always delicious and we got chips and guac to share with the table. Try the darker colored hot sauce on top of the guac with a chip, delicious! Thanks for that tip from one of the bartenders/manager (?) read more

Bakersfield is my go-to place for street tacos and for pre-gaming! The location is perfect if you're having a night out in the short north. I love going to Bakersfield to fill up on queso and tacos before gearing up for a wild night. Must try are the short rib and carnitas tacos as well as their queso! It's not like other quesos and that's why I love it! Also, they have a great happy hour,so check that out! read more

Menu was a bit limited, but the food and service were great. The four of us had various chips, salads, tacos, and sides and all were really good. The shrimp tacos were the best. Corn side dish only so so. Top notch food overall and attentive service. Highly recommend. read more

This restaurant has fast service and very friendly staff. Overall it felt a little rushed, our food came out very shortly after the appetizer and our server checked up on us almost constantly. Helped but kinda felt like being pushed out. Enjoyed both the watermelon and pineapple margaritas! Would get them both again! The tacos and tequitos were also very good! The Mexican street corn was freezing cold. Our waitress said this was normal, but wasn't the best and seemed kinda odd. Overall would try again! read more

Bakersfield is a Short North staple with very good food and drinks. Food wise, they have updated the menu over the years and have taquitos and other Mexican favorites. The queso is thicker than normal but is made from quality ingredients and served with a huge basket of chips. Drink wise, margaritas start at $9 and are flavorful but not overly strong. If you go during the week, you likely won't have a wait but will probably have a 20-30 wait on weekends. Overall, you won't be disappointed! read more

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The food is great. Our server was quick and kept the drinks coming! It's a great spot to take a group of friends and hang out. I didn't give it 5 stars only because the street tacos were 5 bucks each, which is a little expensive for my taste. But all in all, I had a great experience and will be returning! read more

Love Bakersfield on Short North Columbus, great food, friendly service, Cameron was great! read more

Bakersfield Short North - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Been here twice when visiting Columbus. The first time it was super crowded since it was during Gallery Hop/Fourth of July. We sat at the bar then and service was great! Second time was very chill. Early on a Friday afternoon. The spicy margarita was pretty good! I do think for somewhere so large, that the single bathroom situation is a little rough. Maybe instead of having such a large hallway to wait for one bathroom, it should have been designed to just have larger bathrooms ? I remember when it was crowded that waiting to pee was yucky. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Spicy Margaritas - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Brian was a super attentive and friendly server! Always enjoy my visits here! He deserves to win this contest !

Food is okay. Drinks are okay. Waitress was superb. Hostess--nah. I made V-day reservations, arrived 5-10 mins early, and was seated at a "high top" table. I immediately objected--as I am 5'2 and it's very uncomfortable to sit at high tops. Also, I booked the reservation for "standard seating". The host told me their standard seating was already reserved. When I called him over to show my reservation was for standard seating he lied and told me that "high tops" are considered standard seating...in what world, buddy?! He tried to gaslight me, like there's not a clear differentiation between the two table types. The website gives you 4 options: outdoor, bar, high top, and standard. Adding insult to injury, we were seated near 3 available "standard" tables--that remained empty the entirety of our 40-minute dine in. Anyhow, that pissed me off and the food and drink being mediocre didn't help. Furthermore, Chad--or whatever your name is--if you can't tell me what those standard tables are called (aside from the obvi standard tables) how did u know they were booked and not by me? GTFOH. I've been to this restaurant over the years, and it seems they're doing just fine without my patronage. So, I won't return. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Four types of seating--but the host will lie to you. - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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So happy to have stumbled upon this restaurant while in town for the night. The food was delicious! The service was exceptional! The ambiance was cool! I am vegan and they were so helpful and accommodating. I got a tostada, chips and guac, and a margarita. My omnivore friend got meat tacos of some sort and she loved them. Will definitely eat here again next time I am in town! read more

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Cam and Paige were awesome.. the tacos are always amazing. The carnitas are the best, but I've never been disappointed with any.

Went here as a night to just get out and enjoy some tacos with a friend on high street. I had never been here before but had heard mixed reviews. Now we ordered chips and guac and margaritas and it took them about 3 minutes to bring the guac and chips but it took close to 15 minutes or longer for the margaritas. The bar wasn't even busy. Next after we ordered our tacos we waited for a while for our tacos. Our waitress did get us more chips after we hunted her down and ask, but upon receiving our tacos the meat was stiff and a little cold. I would go back and get the chips and guac and a margarita but I'd skip the half warm had cold tacos that were hard and dry to eat. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Visited this weekend and had a great visit. Paige recommend the bistec taco and it was such a great choice. can't wait to try it again.

Up on the corner of Buttles and High, in the picturesque 'burb call the short north, resides the seemingly innocent Bakerfield. I met a friend for lunch, and she suggested this place. Really enjoyed the atmosphere and help from the waiter. I wanted to try out the bar, but i played it nice and had a water. We had as an appetizer the chips and guacamole, of which i have never has a tastier guac before. The short rib tacos were delish, the flavor kept coming even after i swallowed and rinsed. The drawback you may ask? None. read more

Dustin is awesome & the food is great! Margs are even better! Would recommend 10/10. Busy most nights so make a reservation read more

Bakersfield Short North - Tacos - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Drinks and food were amazing as always! We started with the trio (chips plus guac and two types of salsa) which was delicious. The tacos arrived quickly and our server Dustin was great! read more

Bakersfield Short North - Chicken taco, steak taco, chips, trip (guac and two types of salsa), Bakersfield margarita. - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I'm not a huge fan of Mexican food generally (and my benchmark is a fantastically sketchy hole-in-the-wall place just outside LA county called Molca Salsa), but I saw Luke's rave review of Bakersfield and figured, "Well, it's just down the street, might as well give it a try." So Lea P. and I met up last Gallery Hop to check it out. It was already pretty crowded when we arrived around 5 PM, but we were fortunate enough to be seated almost immediately, near the windows at one of the whiskey barrel tables. Now, about these tables. They look really cool. I just don't understand how one sits comfortably at them. I ended up sort of sidesaddling the barstool in order to feel like I was close enough to the table. And where do you hang your coat? Your purse? I suppose I could have sat on my coat and held my purse in my lap instead of just shoving them between the table and the window. We started off with an order of the chips and guacamole, and that was pretty much the highlight of the experience. The guacamole was fresh and chunky, and the chips were still warm. I was looking forward to trying the ginger beer, but that was no longer available when we asked. I'm not sure if we were giving off a "don't bother us, we're eating guacamole" vibe, but it took a while to flag down a waitress to place our food order. I ordered the corn chowder and one of the short rib tacos. I wasn't terribly impressed by either; the flavor of the corn chowder was fine (not too spicy), but it was only moderately warm in temperature. I think I had Kogi expectations of the short rib taco, and though it was fresh and nicely presented, I wouldn't be in a hurry to order it again. I'm sure the place will do well in the Short North, as it's got that hipster trendy drinky drink vibe, but this is not really my scene. It's quite funny to me that the place has Bakersfield in its name, as I have driven through the town far too many times on my drives from Central to Southern California, and between the sprawling factory fields and the dairy farms you can smell from miles away, it's about the least hipster and trendy sort of town there is. Probably more of a 2.5 stars for me, but the guacamole is really good. Update: A couple of different folks from Bakersfield reached out to me via Yelp to address some of the concerns I mentioned in my review. They did a great job of communicating in a professional manner, and that counts for a lot in my book! It's still not my scene, but I'll definitely be considering a second visit sometime in the future. read more

Bakersfield Short North - GUACAMOLE OM NOM NOM. - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I really like Bakersfield! There seem to be some complaints on the price per taco, but I only eat 2 per meal so to me, the price ($3-$4) is just fine. The ambiance can vary from chill to crazy packed depending on what night you're visiting. I've been there with a group of 2 and a group of 25 and they handled each well. It's actually a great place to come with a group because you can order a mixed platter of tacos to share, eliminating a crazy specific order. I LOVE their guac ($6). It's chunky (sometimes bordering on too chunky) and just has that super fresh garlic-onion taste. The chips are good, too and the best way to enjoy it is to supplement the guac with the salsa verde available in a squeeze bottle on the table. The short rib taco is pretty awesome, as is the Chicken Mole. I've tried others but I think those 2 are my go-tos now. The short rib torta was pretty tasty (I mean, short rib, c'mon...) but it didn't come with many toppings, which was sad because I love the veggies. It was on a ciabatta-esque roll as well, which I thought was kind of weird. I'm sticking to tacos. Their margs are okay, as is the beer selection. Definitely better than La Fogata down the street. The only super weird thing is that they're always playing some old western movie on TV. I get that it's the novelty angle, but why not just put something on we want to watch? Overall, we like it here & will be back! read more

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Open, fun and friendly. I was Bakersfield this past Friday and stationed myself at a table with a close friend for at least an hour and a half and had a great time! A couple of yummy margaritas, bottomless chips, black beans and salsa verde -- where could we go wrong!? Not to mention the delicious papas I had (kinda like a taco salad). It really made for the perfect lunch. Not to mention our server...she was absolutely phenomenal. She seemed swamped with tables, but my drink never reached the bottom before I had another waiting on the table and our chips were always bountiful. The one consensus on Bakersfield it seems though is to just pass on the tacos. We were at a communal table and, true to what others have noted, the tacos are pretty tiny. I say, go for the margs, try something other than the tacos and enjoy! read more

Bakersfield Short North - Papas! - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Bakersfield is a welcomed additon to the former (and, dreadful) Black Olive. My partner and I were seated right away at a corner table within an hour after opening during a home game afternoon. We were promptly greeted by our server, confident and knowledgable of the menu and patrons' tastes. The menu was clean and simple. The decor was warm and inviting. We first opted for a pitcher of margarita and chips and queso. The queso, which was baked, was a bit flat. The available salsas, as table condiments, added additional flavor. A bit later, our tacos were presented--a short rib, fish, and, apparently a customer favorite, the cochinita pobil with braised pork and pickled onions--all were as tasty as they looked. The cochinita pobil was my personal favorite. All in all, a satisfying, affordable experience. I'll be a repeat customer. I imagine most weekend evenings, especially, will find a bit of a wait--a worthy incovenience in the Short North's ever-changing food landscape. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Chips and queso washed down with a pitcher of margarita. - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

The food was good, and the service was outstanding. We stopped in this past sunny Saturday and got a table immediately. We were surprised they weren't packed, like the last time we tried to visit on a weekend afternoon. Our server was great; he gave us the first-timer spiel, and we ordered drinks and queso/chips. It came out piping hot and was delish. They have Modelo Especial on tap! We got tacos, and the granddaughter got a chicken and cheese quesadilla which was cut into fourths. My two fish tacos were mahi mahi with a lot of slaw on top. Tasty. My husband and daughter got 3 tacos each and they were all brought out on a large tray that he positioned in the middle of the table with tacos facing the corresponding person. Nice. My husband noticed a table by the window having beer in boot-shaped glasses and asked our server about them. He advised they are $2 PBR's, available every day. The ladies room was nice and clean; there is a small seating area outside the restrooms in case the room is occupied and you have to wait. Cushy. read more

This place is A-Okay for starters and drinks and service! Tacos.. the jury is still out. If I wouldn't have tried the tacos.. I think this place might have gotten the 4 (but right now it's a cool 3.5). I wish I could remember my server's name.. he was AMAZING. he made you feel like you were the only customer he had. Attentive, authentic, knowledgeable.. and yes I should know his name, but it escapes me.. I'll find my receipt! I had the Bakersfield Margarita -- heaven in a glass.. and the queso.. it's a cross between tex mex queso and has a baked topping.. it was absolutely amazeballs! I mean at this rate, I just knew this tacos would be an absolute winner..Add the jalepenos. definitely worth it. That's when it all changed. I had pollo rojo - tomatillo braised chicken, smoky guajillo chili salsa, queso fresco, white onion, chipotle lime crema, cilantro and the huitlacoche - corn truffles, roasted poblano, corn, onion, cotija cheese, cilantro. Both very different and very similar in the lacking flavor department. I was surprised.. very surprised. The chicken was a bit tough and the other a bit dry. Does that discourage me.. absolutely not! I'll be back for margaritas and queso! read more

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Tacos are crappy and taste terrible very disappointed in the taste of the food. Decent otherwise

I remember when Bakersfield replaced the previous tenant... the Black Olive, I think? The BO was a little swanky and made the worst Shrimp and Grits I've ever had. Once Bakersfield moved in I made a mental note to drop in... and so I found myself here, probably six years later. The swank turned into very rustic, but certainly a nice mood setter. The server was very friendly and helpful. I explained this was my first visit and she provided the menu highlights. My buddy ordered the chicken taquitos, I ordered the pork. The food came out in short order and I was very impressed with how attractively presented it was. Definitely not rustic. This was a smallish plate... I would have appreciated a scoop of rice or beans to go with... though that was available as sides. The food was delicious. The shell was crispy and the innards were hot and flavorful. The server advised that the sandwiches were the best bang for the buck, and we saw both salads and sandwiches that looked much more substantial. But I was very happy with what I ordered... though I will probably try one of the sandwiches next time. And there will definitely be a next time. read more

I've been to Bakersfield numerous times for drinks. It's a popular bar in the Shorth North and a regular part of everybody's bar-hopping rotation. For this reason it's absolutely packed during the weekends. I also tend to avoid Bakersfield during these peak hours. Aside from being a popular bar, Bakersfield also has a pretty decent kitchen. The tacos are some of the best in Columbus. I actually prefer them over Condado, They are easier to order and also easier (less messy) to eat. Both the guacamole and queso are decent (but not outstanding). I would give the edge to Condado in regards to their dip options. My favorite thing about Bakersfield, however, is their spicy margarita. I'm not particularly fond of tequila or margaritas in general, but the addition of jalapeno and red chili peppers makes this margarita addictive. I've found the service at Bakersfield to be quite attentive. I do think that customers pay a small premium for food and drinks. The portions aren't the largest, with tacos being around ~$4 each and margaritas starting from $9 each. However, I think this is to be expected from a popular Short North restaurant. Overall, it's a solid spot to grab brunch or a casual dinner. Just be prepared for Bakersfield to be packing during weekends, especially during prime drinking hours. read more

Believe the hype...Bakersfield is amazing! We stopped in to get out of the rain after Comfest. The atmosphere is cozy and hip. The service was perfect. The food was amazing! There were 5 of us and between all of us, we had at least one of every taco on the menu. They brought our tacos out on large round tray and had the ones we each ordered lined up in front of each of us. Creative! We were all amazed at how good the tacos were. I wish I could tell you my favorite.. I cant pick just one! The table salsas were fantastic as well. If you love cilantro like moi... you will LOVE the green one. The star for me was the spicy margarita. Deeelish!! read more

Bakersfield Short North - Spicy margarita! - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

What did I eat when visiting Columbus? You guessed it! Something that I can eat right here in Cincinnati! The Cbus take on the Cincy classic didn't disappoint. The tacos and margs were fantastic. Our server made an excellent recommendation of the pineapple margaritas. Naturally, we ordered a pitcher. Located directly high street (Short North), this spot is a great way to begin a night out on the town. The guacamole at Bakersfield is second to none and the pastor + fish tacos are LEGIT. The space here is intimate (but busy) and as such, it's very loud. It was hard to hear the person across from me at times. All in all, Bakersfield is always a good choice (because it came from Cincy, duh...), and it's a must try if you've never been. read more

Alright. Went here recently to have a few tacos and some whiskey. They have an excellent selection. So let me tell you what I bought and then you decide if that's too much for a taco lunch. I purchased two $4 dollar small small(intentionally said that twice) tacos are a bit pricey, especially when it's covered in simple vegetables. A hungry man could eat four no problem. Plus I ordered a single shot of Cleveland whiskey for $11(which had a different price on the menu but I didn't care to dispute). Also pricey. $10 chips and queso. Let's do the math now . Two small tacos + chips and cheese + one whiskey= $29 not including tip. It was good, but not nearly worth a return at that price at 2pm. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I visited Columbus from Portland, Oregon this month, and decided to meet up with old friends over some (upscale) tacos. I had arranged, with the manager, Mischa, to hold a table for 15 people. Upon arrival, she greeted me with a warm smile and advised our table would be ready shortly. She was very professional and attentive to my needs throughout the entire process, corresponding in a timely manner via email with an immediate response. The food was a pleasant surprise, as I live in a foodie's paradise in Oregon. I tried the following: Fish Taco - super solid Pastor - One of the best I've ever had Cochinita Pibil - UH-mazing Rajas - Spot on Queso (add chorizo) - a notch above good The only thing I hesitated upon giving 5 stars, was the fact that they were blaring country music at ear piercing decibels. The only thing I hate more than country music is said music at ear piercing decibels. I, however, realize that some people like that sort of thing, and the place was super crowded, so it's not fair to ding over something that is my personal taste. read more

Bakersfield has some of the best tacos in Cbus. When building your tacos- I especially like the short rib and el pastor. The tortillas are made in house and are the perfect compliment to the overall taco. Finally, the green sauce is the final touch to top off the taco balanced construction. The Bakersfield margarita is simple and excellent- they aren't too sweet- just a good balance of citrus, salt and tequila. Our waitress, Jade was really professional, helpful and comfortable at the table. read more

Decent place to eat lunch. Very good tortilla chips (apparently you have to order them) and a variety of tacos on corn tortillas made in house every day. The huitlacoche and carnitas tacos were definite group favorites. We did not sample the alcoholic drinks, though I hear the margaritas are good. Music was very loud and service soso. read more

Bakersfield is our favorite place for tacos! I like the one in Cincinnati better, as it is smaller and a nicer environment. This location definitely seems to cater more toward the university culture. The bar is the focal point of the restaurant and they play games on Tv. We love love the guac and margaritas! My husband always gets the pollo taco and I always go for fish! By far our favorite tacos read more

Bakersfield Short North - Margarita - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I have tried stopping at Bakersfield when it's not so busy. It always seems to be busy though even in the middle of the afternoon. That is, the servers seem to act like it's busy since the wait is so long. As for the food it's good but overpriced. The hipster douche in you will like this. It seems everyone knows that urban hipster with Johnny Cash in their iPods and who drinks PBR or low quality beer ironically. You'll probably find them here. All the time it's filled with people who want everyone to know they're not trying to be cool. The inside is tables made from barrels which look really cool but these are hard to sit at. The bathrooms are impossible to get into when it's busy. It seems a bit overpriced for the amount of food. The chips are good but salty. It's not right having them without the guacamole. It's chunky but it's really spicy with peppers. The tacos were really small, though tasty. A taco is about the size of those little tortillas you get with fajitas. These would be okay if they weren't fucking $3 to $5. It has two vegetarian choices. The hongos is portobello, and has some kind of kale slaw. The huitacoche is corn fritters, actually corn mold, and poblano. It seems to be more of a bar than a restaurant. The best is the drafts of PBR for $2. Also on draft are Breckenridge and Modelo Especial. Some unique beers include Hell or High Watermelon and Lone Star. Cocktails are about $9 to $10. They underpour them so you should skip those. Margaritas are $5 and these are a lot better. The best ones are the Bakersfield and the spicy. Both are made with El Jimador Blanco. The spicy is made with jalapeno. As for the tequila and whiskey it's pretty good. There's over 30 kinds of whiskey here. I would recommend going to Bakersfield earlier when it's not so busy. The service then is a little better. You have a better chance of being seated or having a server acknowledge you. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Whiskey And Coke Was Nice And Strong - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Fun place. It was hectic and packed but the staff was really nice. Our server was a hoot --I don't know how she kept it all straight but she did. Tacos are fantastic. Great flavor combos and just a slam dunk. The appetizers were less successful for me. The queso was only average, the salads ok, guacamole was fresh and good. The shrimp taco was the highlight for sure. They were out of all but the original margarita--but it was very good. I'd return read more

Ok so like there are serious #Mexicans working in here! These #tacos were so delicious. #ShortRib, #Shrimp, & #Fish! Don't let the name fool you! #Wow! Will come back to try more on my next visit to Columbus. read more

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This was my first visit to Bakersfield and first impressions were good! The setting is very earthy with lots of wood and Edison lighting that gives it a modern farmhouse feel. Seating is spacious and open which makes the space feel even larger inside. There are also high tables outside facing a side street which makes for a more quite setting than you might think. Grade: B+ The service was prompt and friendly as you would expect, no issues here. Grade: B+ Last but not least...the food! I'm a taco buff and overall I was pleased. Lets start with the pros: We ordered 4 Tacos starting with the Fish, Mole, Al Pastor and Huitlacohhe. All four where very tasty, the fish taco was done perfectly! All had rich distinct flavors that did not get lost within the tacos, and all toppings were very fresh. Now to the cons: My only complaint was size vs price. The tacos, while very yummy, are a bit small for the price. Also be aware that Its an A la carte taco menu. Grade: B++ Ill leave you with the "Must Have" on the menu... The Spicy Margarita! Its got real bits of jalapeno in it, so you know its good! If this review was helpful please let me know by indicating below. Thanks, yelp ya around! read more

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We got to sit outside and watch people. That was nice. The service was friendly. I think they overdo the salt by just a bit, but the food was otherwise EXCELLENT. A fly flew into my wife's wine. I told the waiter. He replied "Shhhh. EVERYONE will want one!" Then he added, "It's okay. He won't drink much!" They DID bring us another glass of wine WITHOUT a fly. I really enjoyed this place, and we WILL be back! read more

In town for the Arnold love to eat out at different places. This place was great! The tacos were amazing, tried 5 different kinds all were different and delicious. Service was on point. Fast, efficient and thoughtful. We didn't try to bar bc we have to work in the Am but all the drinks looked amazing and there were plenty of people enjoying them. Totally recommend coming here!! read more