I'm glad Bakersfield has finally reopened after being closed for months! I have missed their margaritas! Honestly the best in Columbus, in my personal opinion. I would recommend making reservations during this time and it can get busy. They do have a lot of space for seats and social distancing though. Their margaritas are around the $10 range and I've tried their house, cucumber, and pineapple margarita. So good!! They're also not doing happy hour anymore FYI. Their chips and guacamole/salsa are delicious, but I'm not a fan of their queso. I think it's too grainy for my own liking. Their tacos are okay and are $4/taco, but they're pretty small. They house make their tortillas and those are pretty soft! I think my favorite taco is the al pastor. Overall a great environment to grab dinner and drinks or casually hang out with friends. read more

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Extremely glad that my girlfriend was craving tacos and Bakersfield was a highly recommended spot! Enjoyed the cool environment with refreshing drinks, queso, and Bakersfield's famous tacos. Our server, Kylie, was also beyond helpful and enhanced the experience. I highly recommend the Al Pastor, Huitlacoche, and Short Rib tacos if you're able. The other types were just as good, but the 3 are my personal favorites. Don't forget to ask for salsa! One suggestion, from Kylie, was to add the green salsa to the Al Pastor taco. It paired amazingly well. Drinks-wise, you can never go wrong with a light beer to wash down the food; but try the seasonal Cucumber marg if you can. It's well-balanced and unique. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Drinks menu - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I came here as my first time with my friend who had been here a few time. We both got margs and some chips and guac to share after being told everywhere had over an hour wait. We were sat instantly. The staff was super friendly and the food and drinks were amazing. I got the seasonal hibiscus and orange marg which was phenomenal! We also each got the Paloma which was to die for. We each ordered two tacos as well. The tacos were really small and 4.50 a piece I believe. That's the only reason I took a star off. The tacos were really small and I felt kind of expensive. Overall, a great experience and will be back for the drinks and apps. read more

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This is one of my favorite places to eat. They have the best tacos for a price you can't beat. & they have the absolute best chips, guac & queso I've had. The guac has chunks of avocado in it & I have yet to find somewhere that's better. This place is a must try! read more

Bakersfield Short North - Al Pastor Carnitas Queso Chips and Guacamole Baja Shrimp - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Great, until the food poisoning hit. Way too many other trendy taco places to risk going back and having it happen again. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

A great place to get drinks and food with friends. Their vibes are fun, and their staff is friendly. We got drinks and we shared small plates. I typically get tacos when I go to places so I figured I would switch it up and get taquitos instead. My friend got two tacos and said that they were really yummy. I gotta go back and get tacos when I'm back in town. Queso can be hit or miss in my opinion and they definitely got really good queso. We were tempted to get another order! A really good restaurant in the Short North. read more

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Perfect place to get late night tacos & drinks in! My boyfriend and I started off with short rib queso along with cucumber margarita & coors light. Queso was just the right amount of creamy and had bits of short ribs. Cucumber margarita was one of the best margs I've had so far & got it with tajin salt, recommended by our server Kylie. Tajin salt was a great call by Kylie, as it went perfectly with the cucumber flavor! As for tacos, we went for an assortment of them. My favorites were short rib & baja shrimp but all were very delicious. All flavors were nicely balanced and light! Service was great & vibes were immaculate as well since it wasn't too crowded and the music was subtle. Would definitely come back for a chill night out! read more

Bakersfield Short North - Short Rib Queso and Chips, Cucumber Margarita, Assortment of Tacos - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Unfortunately, I entirely forgot to take pictures! However, my husband and I ordered five tacos and chips and guac. The guac was fresh and delicious, and they brought us more chips for free once we finished them, which was super appreciated! We got all different tacos, and none of them disappointed. All of the meat is fresh and none of it was ground up. It was very affordable, and our server was very attentive and friendly. The inside of the restaurant was pretty and very clean. Plenty and table and stool seating. I would for sure recommend this restaurant to anybody looking for some yummy Americanized Mexican food! read more

We really had a good time here. Our waitress, Kylie, was super nice and helpful. I had the Willie salad and it's the best salad I've had in quite a while...very reasonably priced too! I highly recommend. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I catch happy hour at least once a week. Try the chips and guacamole, the stuffed pablano pepper, and the short rib tacos. Good atmosphere with big open windows and patio seating. The service is always friendly, helpful, and quick. read more

Overall great atmosphere, only complaint was the music was deafening loud. Our group had to scream to each other just to have a conversation. The food selection was pretty limited. The chicken taquitos we pretty bland, I added green salsa and that gave it some good flavor. Red salsa was not that great, and had a funky taste. Guacamole was fresh and honestly some of the best quac I ever had. Non alcoholic drinks were pretty limited. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Taquitos Chicken - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I have come here a couple times now. The first time I ever came here was during COVID. The food and staff were great considering the hardships at the time. You could tell they were short staffed (like most restaurants were then) but they were always checking on us and were friendly. They were in the middle of training one of the servers while serving us and they were both very kind and attentive. The shrimp tacos were very filling especially the short rib ones and the pollo verde (my Mom got that one and it was packed full! The fish ones were yummy but a little smaller on the fish (but to be fair they were the same price as the rest to supplement that). Most recent visit, they are thriving back in full force! They've also added outdoor seating! Which would be amazing if it wasn't full Haydes outside! Maybe return in the fall? Anyways, price is high but what isn't nowadays so I'd give them 4 stars on the 2nd visit but the 1st visit 6 stars on the service alone so ended up splitting the difference. read more

Stopped in here randomly because a different restaurant we were going to was closed and we stumbled upon Bakersfield. Glad we did! Service was great and attentive. The food was excellent with fresh ingredients. We tried the chicken taqueria, pastor taco, fish taco and the short rib quest. Our favorite item was the queso (but everything was really good). Gave four stars due to the small menu. I think this would be a great location to go out and socialize. Not a place to get full, but instead, have a small bite and some good drinks with friends or a date! read more

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We came as a group of 7 on a Friday night. Service was pretty good for it being so busy and such a large group. Drinks were great. I got the up in smoke with a muddled jalapeño and it was awesome. Really enjoyed the guac and queso. Salsas were delicious too. Thought the apps were the best part. For tacos I thought they were hit or miss. Loved the shrimp tacos but didn't really like the fish ones. Didn't particularly care for the carnitas (a little too sweet for me) but loved the veggie / mushroom one. Prices and sizes are so you can try 3-5 different tacos though which is pretty fun if you like to try a variety of flavors. read more

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My favorite place for tacos in Columbus! Right in the heart of short north, it's a fun restaurant with a great environment! Johnny cash is always playing :) the veggie tacos are awesome. Front desk staff asked my friend and I to leave after we had just ordered due to an incoming reservation. The manager took care of the situation but the rudeness from the check in desk made me and my friend both want to leave. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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The atmosphere was nice and there wasn't much of a wait but the tacos are overpriced and way too small. They would be okay if they were 2.50 but 4.50 is way too much. read more

We ordered a Taco Bar this weekend for our daughter's OSU graduation and it was fabulous. Ordering it was so easy as it's all done online and the response was very quick. The food came in these great pop up boxes with everything labeled and organized perfectly. Very generous portions. When we went to pick it up the hostess was super friendly and very helpful. I highly recommend the food and their catering experience! read more

Hands down, Bakersfield has my all time favorite margarita. And I've had a lot of margaritas. They use el Jimador Blanco tequila and even though I usually prefer a reposado tequila, these are still my favorite! The only downside is they are a bit on the pricier side. I believe a pitcher is $34. But so, so worth it. I have not yet tried their Premium Margarita, but I can guess it's even better (especially with the Grand Marnier!) Beyond just the drinks, they also have delicious chips, salsa, queso and tacos. While none of the tacos sound like any mix of ingredients I would ever put together, they are all very good. The only downside for me is that they are all on corn tortillas and I really prefer flour. But they are still good. They're also pretty small. I think I usually get 3. I love the atmosphere here as well. They have nice dim lighting, giving it a hip, sexy kind of feel. (It can be a bit of a hipster spot, though). It also gets really loud in there, so avoid weekend evenings there if you don't want to scream at each other. They also have a small patio area as well. This used to be just some standing room that acted as bar overflow but now they have turned it into real tables which is a great asset. Recently, they have also started taking reservations for smaller parties! You used to need 6 (I think) to make a reservations but now you can do any size. This is huge since anytime I've ever been there for dinner there's always a long wait (45+ minutes). However, if you do have to wait, just head on over to the bar and get yourself a margarita. Hell, just make it a pitcher, I promise it's worth it. I've always had good service here as well. They do turn more into a bar the later it gets, becoming much more crowded. Definitely a great go-to if you're looking for some yummy tacos and margs! read more

Went here for a early dinner with some friends and it was so great! I forgot how good their queso was! I ordered the short rib taco (one of their popular ones), the baja shrimp, and the papas and chorizo taco. They were all seriously so delicious. Pineapple marg was pretty standard! Our server was super kind :) read more

Bakersfield Short North - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Absolutely love this place. My daughter has been raving about it for months and we recently had the opportunity to visit her. So we decided to try it out. We were not disappointed. The tacos are amazing and everything from the hostess, the server, the tacos, chips and the ambiance were outstanding. We ordered a round of tacos and after finishing them we all agreed that they were the best we ever had. So we ordered another round!!! We are already planning another trip to visit our daughter and to enjoy dinner at your facility. WELL DONE. read more

Came a bit early for our reservation and was still seated right away. Service was great and quick. Happy hour on margs is a great deal if you can get there in time. The sangria was sweet and smooth. All the tacos were excellent and not dry in the slightest. Plan to go back on my next trip read more

Bakersfield Short North - Baja Shrimp Taco, chorizo taco, pollo rojo, and Huitlacoche - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I like coming here with friends for happy hour. The drinks are great, and the vibe is usually jumping. Make sure you make a reservation if coming here during happy hour. The food is made with fresh ingredients, and the presentation is excellent. Always a great time when we come here. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I will never forget when I was living in Cincinnati and Bakersfield opened one street over from me. I was there at LEAST once a week for the incredible Pollo Rojo tacts (RIP). Now I'm back in Cbus (and Bakersfield came too!) and even though the Pollo Rojo is no longer on the menu, there are still so many great options to choose from. My regular order consists of the Short Rib and Carnitas tacos, chips and guac and of course, one of the fantastic margs. My one and only con, is because its so good and so popular, it can get noisy. Not the place to bring Grandma during peak hours if you want to have a light conversation. read more

We came here for a drink and a quick bite to eat while waiting to get into a jazz lounge nearby. They have an extensive tequila selection, so if tequila is your drink of choice, you'll have plenty of options. I ordered an amaretto sour and my husband ordered a margarita, both good. We shared some short rib queso. I've never seen short rib served with queso, it was a tad spicy, but very good. We only ordered an appetizer, so I can't speak for the rest of the menu, but I'd like to go back and order different menu items. read more

I started a Saturday evening with a large group of friends at Bakersfield. This was my first time ever visiting and I came away impressed. We had chips with salsa, queso and guacamole for apps. They were all excellent. I split a pitcher of the premium margarita....this margarita is legit and I'd return just for the margarita. Great flavor without being to acidic. For the main course we ordered 40 tacos and we ate them all. The pastor and short rib were my favorites but the shrimp taco also received rave reviews from my friends. My photo does not do the tacos justice. They are amazing. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Stopped here after a long visit to the Columbus Zoo and it was such a nice treat. I started with the spicy pineapple marg and it was out of this world. I live a spicy margarita, and they really did not disappoint. The pineapple juice wasn't too sweet, but wasn't super boozy tasting either! The tacos are on the smaller side, but boy, do they pack a mighty punch. The flavors and textures were incredible. I typically prefer a flour tortilla, but I didn't kind the corn tortillas, here, one bit. I recommend the short rib and al pastor tacos- they are delish! read more

Bakersfield Short North - spicy pineapple margarita - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

The Willie is one of the best salads that I have ever had. Everything about it is delicious. The short rib taco was equally fantastic. We also started with queso and guacamole which were both great. The service was exceptional! And so were the seasonal margaritas. Overall a fantastic experience!! read more

Bakersfield Short North - The Willie and short rib taco - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Excellent food, reasonable prices. The manager Zoe was our server, it was such a busy night so she was helping out. She made great suggestions, was warm and welcoming. The cocktails were tasty, and we each enjoyed a few tacos. Honestly, all of it was good! The restaurant was packed and a bit loud, so if you're looking for a quiet meal, I'd say look elsewhere. But, if you want a fun and night out, this is the place! read more

So good as always!! Before i moved to columbus i used to go to the Bakersfield in Cincinnati by UC campus, and im so glad that theres one in Columbus too! Went there couple weeks ago for their new happy hour and they have amazing deals, the tacos are tasty and affordable, my fav has to be the baja shrimp & pollo diablo tacos. Their drinks come in boots shaped glasses, so fun & tasty too! read more

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I was so pleasantly surprised to not have to wait for a patio spot on a busy Friday night without a reservation. Even through it was starting to rain they still sat us, which made our night because we had already been turned down by two other places. For drinks, they really only offer what is on the menu. No additional flavors and no frozen margs but I will say the drinks they have are delicious and nicely strong but not overpowering. I got the seasonal special cucumber margarita. For food, I was so excited to try the tacos. Definitely what I like to call "boutique tacos" where it's about quality not quantity. About $4 a taco and they are very small. I needed about 3 tacos and some chips to fill me up. The Baja shrimp taco was really good, and the al pastor and pollo verde were tasty as well! Not the best I've ever had but I certainly was not disappointed. Overall great service and atmosphere, although being on the patio on a busy street led to some city folk coming up to ask for money a few times and just loud street noises. I would probably sit inside next time to avoid being disrupted during my meal. read more

I made reservations for 7:15 PM at the Bakersfield on Friday, April 1, 2022, for 15 people. I knew the Short North would be busy at this time and figured we would still have to wait for our table. Boy was I wrong!!!! It was my first time there; I will be back! We all were seated immediately with plenty of room for our party. The food was excellent and the service was absolutely amazing!!! Layla, our server--give that lady a Gold Star!!!--explained everything on the menu since it was everyone's first time. She was very pleasant, did not rush us and was always there when we needed something. Six of our party ordered the group meal which was an awesome assortment. We got a little of everything and had plenty of food. Others in our group ordered a la carte; everyone was very happy with their meal!!! The margaritas were FANTASTIC!!!!!!! read more

Bakersfield Short North - What a great time and excellent service from Layla!!! She gets a gold star - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

All tacos are relatively mild in flavor. There's not much dynamism in flavor, but that works for some people. A solid beer and drink line up, though. Then again, they're located in a perfect place for safe food, as the vast majority of the Short North strip features food without much flavor variety. Nothing bad to say about them, however. Opt for the Pollo Diablo for some relative heat and the Al Pastor for some good mouth feels. Pair with the Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat. Mild tacos catering to mild palates. read more

Bakersfield Short North - Pollo Diablo, Al Pastor, and Short Rib tacos. - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

The restaurant has changed a lot in the past couple of years. The floors were extremely sticky, and gave a weird feeling for lunch. The bathroom was also very dirty for just opening. I order a fish taco and pulled beef. The street tacos were good and very fresh! Best taco was the pulled beef!!! The fish would be good, if you like deep fried fish. The chips and salsa were ok, but the bottom chips were wet and soft. read more

Bakersfield has developed somewhat of a hype, but I've always wondered how true it was, being smack in the heart of the (whats become) a more commercial artsy, hipster area of town, than true authentic eateries of the yesteryears. Being a Sunday afternoon, the place was not full, so we were able to sit at the bar with no problems. The bartender was polite and social, and gave us time to peruse the menu and ask any questions. I like their concrete bar and the bold colors used all around. The wall murals were cool! I tried two things: the Loaded Queso and al pastor taco. Bakersfield's queso was new to my tastebuds. The warm cheese had a different texture than other queso I've had around Columbus - this being thicker consistency. I passed on the usual chips and just ate it solo with a spoon. It did have a kick of spice, and the chorizo was good. A bit more crumbled sausage would have been nice. The Al Pastor taco was also good. I love fresh shaved pineapple, and this was juicy. Then why not five stars Gwen, you ask? Simple: Bakersfield's $2 Tuesday tacos does not start till 9 pm. Basically, unless I lived in the Short North, my chances of stopping in during the Tuesday ritual are slim. read more

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Love Bakersfield, great location, amazing drinks and food! Tacos and Margs! All corn tortillas so, gluten free and there are some meatless options too. The pineapple margarita is amazing! All of the tacos are delicious. The staff is super friendly, street parking, happy hour specials! So good, a must try! read more

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Great spot in the short north for a good casual bite! Great food, great atmosphere, even better service! Our server Leyla was phenomenal! Thank you and see you next time! read more

I came here with friends on a very busy day. I previously had a bad experience at this location, but we decided to give it a second chance. They stepped up their game and we had a good time this second round. Their tacos, tostada, and dips were yummy, flavorful, and colorful. My favorite thing to order is the queso dip and it is delicious, as always. Our waitress really checked on us, talked to us, and acknowledged us multiple times. She was very friendly and delightful! We liked the variety of tacos you can order, but they're pretty expensive compared to other places. I do recommend their queso, it's what I come for! We got their margarita pitcher and it was strong and refreshing. The atmosphere was chill, but crowded, and loud, and it's a good place for drinks and tacos with friends. I recommend it as a casual date place or a chill hangout place with a group and friends. read more

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You must start with an appetizer when you come to Bakersfield! Their queso is out. of. this. world. I've had both the loaded queso (pictured) and the queso without toppings. You can't go wrong with either of them, the only way you can go wrong is if you pass up the opportunity to try the best queso in Columbus! We tried the Pollo Diablo taco and holy cow was it SPICY. There was not much of a warning on the menu or from the waiter on this taco, so make sure you have a margarita nearby to help put out the fire in your mouth. We also got the Al Pastor (pork pineapple taco) and the carnita. I would get those last two tacos again but probably avoid the pollo diablo since it was too much spice for my liking. Two to three tacos from here is a must because they're small street size tacos. Bakersfield is definitely worth a try! read more

Bakersfield Short North - Pollo Diablo, Al Pastor, Carnitas - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Came with a group of 6 on a weekend and was seated promptly. The lighting was too low at first, but made eating alot more enjoyable and felt more private. Great vibe and loved the food. Having been here before the Tacos are on the smaller smaller side, is usually get 3 which seems to be okay amount. I decided to try sometime new this time and get the Milanesa Torta and I'm happy I'm did. The sandwich was delicious with a giant piece of juicy fried chicken. This will probably me my go to order whenever I come back. Would recommend people give it a try, it will definitely fill you up. Margs are always a good choice here! read more

Bakersfield Short North - Milanesa Torta - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I've walked by this place many times but could never sway from Condado down the street. However, last night I decided to give it a try. While I felt like I was cheating a bit, the guilt was swept away almost immediately. My friend and I were seated quickly and the manager, Grayson was actually the first person to greet us at the table. He filled us in on the menu, including the drinks. When he said sangria with tequila, I was sold! I've never had that before and I was eager to try it. My friend got a classic margarita. The manager went to get our drinks and passed us off to our server, I think her name was Fox. She was awesome! We decided to share some chips and guac to start. The chips were crispy and the guac was exactly how I like it. A little chunky, plenty of tangy lime, and I love radish on top. I make it like that at home. After a while we both ordered some tacos. I got a fish taco and my friend got a chicken taco and a shrimp taco. The fish taco didn't quite hit the spot so I tried a bite of the shrimp taco and ordered one right away. Damn, that shrimp taco was fire! Seriously, one of the best shrimp tacos I've ever had. That alone will get me back here! read more

Bakersfield Short North - Sangria with tequila with chips and quac. Both delish! - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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