If you're ever between Bakersfield and Tehachapi for breakfast or lunch. You must stop and try the Keene Cafe. It's a little hole in the wall along hwy 58 that only the faith folks know about and some YouTube influencers. It's a small restaurant and fills up fast. The waitress knows everyone that walks in and if she doesn't she'll will know by the time you leave. Now this place knows how to whip out some food and friendly service. OMG you must try their homemade salsa. They fact ask for some to go. I put it on everything. I haven't been disappointed yet with anything I've gotten from there. Wish I had gotten photo's but I forgot my phone. But remember the salsa. It's the best. read more

Very conveniently located off Highway 58 but it feels like the middle of nowhere. Such a quaint country diner. People were friendly, everything was clean including the outside restrooms. The service also was quick warm and friendly. And the food well, it was great! Back again when we are in this area. I encourage you to do the same. read more

See all

We stopped here on our way from Fresno to Vegas, and it was a delight. The menu has the story of the place, but it's out in the middle of nowhere (not even a gas station nearby). It began in the 1920s and was converted in the 1930s to be a boarding house for miners in the Tweedy Canyon limestone mine. It's a charming old building with the ambiance you'd expect of such a historical place. The place seems filled with locals, and everyone was having a good time. The service was fast and friendly, even to strangers stopping through. The food we chose was good, very solid. I got a breakfast burrito with ham and it was very fresh and tasty, with a good balance of ingredients. The salsa that came with it was mild but had excellent flavor. My husband got corned beef hash and hash browns and was very happy with this choice. Coffee was refilled and the server remembered that I was drinking decaf. Really nice place to stop and we'd definitely do it again. read more

See all

Great little place. Stopped here a few times and the food is always good. I live their home fries and the service is great.

Family owned diner on Hwy 58 between Bakersfield and Tehachapi in the small community of Keene. Great service, fantastic food, great value and very nice people to serve you. Open for breakfast and lunch. I've had most of the items on the menu and always satisfied with the quality and flavor of the meal. Great place to get off the highway and unwind after a long drive. read more

Fisr time there bad service overall . Wasn't bz at all waited 20 minutes for then to get my order then forgot to put it in . So I just paid for my coffee and left . read more

The food was great and the service was friendly. We stopped in on a Sunday around 10:30 and it was busy but not enough to wait for a table. I will stop here every time I'm taking this route. read more

Stopping here before they close. Their hours are 7:00 to 3:00 pm. All the food is great tasting. They have lots of indoor seating and outdoor seating as well and plenty of shade trees. If you eat outside you can either watch the Kern County Fire Department helicopters takeoff or land or you can watch the trains or the traffic go by. This place also has a large selection of beer and they have mixed drinks as well. They have plenty of breakfast items and plenty of lunch or early dinner options. I highly recommend this restaurant to others. read more

Keene Cafe - Cornbeef hash with eggs over easy and tomato slices instead of country potatoes or hash browns and sourdough toast and cup of coffee. - Diners Near Me - Keene, California

Wonderful old school diner with lots of history. Food is good and staff is friendly. I recommend the omelettes. read more

Keene Cafe - Cool Porsche in front of the famous Keene Cafe - Diners Near Me - Keene, California

Best Huevos Rancheros and Tacos (including their homemade refied, to perfection, beans), ever! Most friendly and accommodating staff in a truly neat (rustic) and super comfortable setting. The quality and quantity of their excellently prepared food is worthy of at least 6 (six) stars. Can't recommend Keene Cafe enough! read more

We have driven by many times on our way from the Central San Joaquin Valley to Vegas. Had never stopped before. The diner was clean and had a basic diner lunch menu. The burgers looked great but my husband and I decided to split a BBQ tritip sandwich with ranch fries. I also ordered grilled mushrooms and onions on the side for my half. Sharing these was just right for us. It's a messy sandwich with plenty of BBQ sauce. The sauce had a sweet component that wasn't my husband's fave but I liked it. The wedged ranch fries were nice and crispy. All in all good service and good food. Also as travelers we appreciated the clean restrooms. read more

Great breakfast burritos at a good price! The lady running the place was very nice and attentive

Best staff there and great service. Staff is always in a great mood and go above and beyond for their customers. I love this place and love that's it's right between Tehachapi and Bakersfield so great to stop in for a quick bite. read more

Keene Cafe - Delicious burger! - Diners Near Me - Keene, California

The chicken fried steak (most expensive breakfast option) was small and disgusting. Could not even eat it. Over battered and cheap awful meat. The hash browns were also mushy. Wouldn't recommend eating here. 1 star. read more

The Hills have Eyes motif. Walked in, was not greeted.... ever. Stood there while the HHE locals stared and went back to eating. We finally left to save our lives. It used to be a super friendly place to eat about 20+ years ago. read more

Great food, fast & friendly service...quirky country-style place. Can't wait to eat here again!

Great breakfast burrito, quick service, close to the road, friendly staff. , clean bathrooms.

Just had breakfast. Ordered menudo since its a Mexican style restaurant. The flavor was very good, but seemed like we got the bottom of the pot. it seemed like they had to squeeze 2 bowels that were 1/2 filled out of it. Wished they would have said they were out so we could have tried something different. We got some hominy, a little meat and a bone. Other than that the service was good. read more

This place really is an area gemstone,and so lucky to have such a fine establishment at this location.The food is really good here and the staff was very friendly and courteous and attentive and I hear a lot of laughter in the café and people having a good time it's clean and I would love to eat here again. read more

See all

I have driven past this cafe for many years and always wondered how it was. Well finally took a trip to find out! The staff was very friendly and accommodating. We arrived after breakfast hours but they still honored breakfast. The Cowboy Benedict was definitely a good choice. The Gravy was the highlight of this dish. The Ground Beef Taco was good but odd. It was half of a hamburger patty in the taco. It wasn't bad, just different. The shell was perfectly cooked and the produce was fresh. The salsa was fresh too! The pancakes had a great flavor just Kinda stiff maybe because they were a little dry. The butter really helped as you can see! Overall would definitely recommend to stop if you are in the area. read more

See all

Excellent food, awesome waitress, quaint cafe close to freeway. Had the country burrito special. read more

Keene Cafe - Patrons, bar, special sign - Diners Near Me - Keene, California

See all

Great folks own and operate the cafe. It's my favorite place for breakfast and lunch. Service and food is top shelf. I love this place!

Great little historical gem, with wonderful service; never disappoints! Big portions and unique breakfast items. We got the Cowboy Benedict today...homemade biscuits with a peppery sausage gravy and two eggs, with smoked ham...yummy! read more

Keene Cafe - Diners Near Me - Keene, California

While on an overlook view, a motorcycle rider told us he had the best breakfast at Keene Cafe. So the next day we took a detour from our route and tried it out. That was the best Huevos con Chorizo I have had in 40 years. Too bad we live so far away or we could eat there more often! Staff friendly and offer welcome hospitality. Coffee was also good. read more

Beautiful service. Super good food. Not the best bathroom. Definitely an unexpected joy! Passing by this place doesn't look like much, going in is much the same. But my food was very good. I am definitely intrigued and look forward to returning and trying other things. The fries are amazing! The Pancake omgosh. Definitely recommend you stop in. Great ranch too! Always a plus for me! read more

See all

The Keene Cafe has been wonderful through COVID. The service in the yard has been great given the situation. Now that they're partially back inside it feels like being back home. And the remodeled. Perfect place for breakfast or a burger. Their Huevos Rancheros are still the best! read more

Keene Cafe - Huevos Rancheros - Diners Near Me - Keene, California

Clean ,quaint cool spot to stop and have a great breakfast. Or lunch. Right off the hwy58. Usually not busy and service was quick and friendly. We will stop here again. Thanks. read more

Keene Cafe is a great little spot just outside of Tehachapi. This charming, old-school roadside cafe serves up delicious home-cooked meals. It's the kind of place where you can tell everything is made with care, and the flavors bring that comforting, nostalgic feel. The staff is incredibly friendly, and make you feel right at home, as if you've been coming here for years. It's a bit off the beaten path, but that only adds to its charm--it's clearly a spot where locals gather, and it feels like you're part of a little hidden treasure. If you're passing through or just looking for a laid-back, welcoming place with great food, Keene Café is a great choice! read more

Was excited to try this cafe. It's cute but food was lackluster. I got the Santa Fe chicken sandwich. It was dry. Fries were tasty. Mimosa was fair, but not for $8. Service was mediocre. read more

Keene Cafe - Chicken sandwich - Diners Near Me - Keene, California

Want to eat at a charming restaurant with a great view? If you are driving through Tehachappi area and need a quick bite, and enjoy a spectacular Mountain View, this is your place! A small restaurant, with great service. I had breakfast for lunch, why not? The food is home style, everything is delicious. A special tip, this place is owned by the family of legendary farm workers rights icon, Cesar Charvez. read more

See all

Love the history of this place and a perfect place to grab a bite (breakfast/lunch) before heading to the loop. Pretty basic decor on the inside and no frill table service, but the coffee and food hit the mark! I got the huevo rancheros which had enough kick and was super tasty. My friend got their house burrito and it was huge!! We were so busy eating we didn't take any photos!! Will definitely be back and spread the word! read more

Gabby runs a fabulous restaurant. Her homemade chili verde is my favorite! Great service, delicious specials and a friendly environment!

I'm really sorry to give this review but I have to be honest to my fellow yelpers and to Keene cafe whom I hope can get back to its old self. Service was fine but the food was awful. A couple of years ago-before covid- we came here quite a few times for breakfast and fell in love with their carne asada and eggs and their tri tip omelet. This time the carne asada was so over cooked and so filled with grizzle and fat that I could only eat about 1/3 of it. Absolutely terrible. So tough that I'm not sure my dog could chew through it. Because the tri tip was in an omelet, it was already cut up and able to eat but still not the quality of meat we were expecting. Sorry, but no plans to return. read more

Stopped in to eat at this historic restaurant after a morning of Dove hunting to eat with the fam. "Our new tradition" food is always so good. Like mama use to make. Service is super fast and friendly.. recommend to anyone passing by!! A must go!! read more

Keene Cafe - Diners Near Me - Keene, California

See all

This is very special local spot. In-door dining is back open (thank god) and the patio is amazing. The staff is fun, kind and extremely tolerant. The food is top notch. I highly recommend the Burgers and the Chili Verde Burrito. Should you be a train nut, this is a perfect cafe for breakfast or lunch while taking in the Tehachapi Loop. Thank you Keene Cafe for surviving this wild year with Covid. Well done. Debra n Ken read more

See all

I had the Ortega burger the wife hade the loop burger. Excellent presentation and the beef is great quality. read more

Keene Cafe - Ortega Burger with ranch fries - Diners Near Me - Keene, California

Easy going, easy access, delicious food and outstanding service. I had an omelet that included their house made salsa (wow!!!). The house potatoes were cooked to perfection. I highly recommend stopping here on your way through. read more

This is a small place just off of the freeway in Keene. The service was outstanding and the food was delicious! I had a pastrami sandwich which was just the right amount. I had the potatoe salad which was really good! The service was very fast! So all in all a 5 star experience! read more

See all

Great food, great service, good atmosphere! Had the most delicious Taco Salad, friends had burgers and the roasted turkey platter. Fresh food and fair prices! You need to eat here! read more

Never had bad food here before today. Ordered fish tacos, they were overcooked little pieces of fish I guess. Mostly lettuce. Left depressed, could have been much better. read more