How cool is this? Woolworth food hall with coffee, beer and diner serving traditional American fares. I'm sold! Must stop in Bakersfield for a throwback experience relaxing with friends and family. Great job renovating the place and keeping the retro feel and art deco architecture. Clean restrooms is a plus. Street parking out front just like the good old days. They also sell memorabilia like vintage shirts and stuff. read more

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My fries were super salty - almost inedible. Unfortunately, I didn't get to try anything else besides that and a black and white malt. Im from LA so I loved the experience. It was pretty busy for lunch and service was very friendly - just took a little long especially since I was at the bar. Ambiance is retro with a diner feel in DT Bakersfield. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Pastrami chili cheese fries - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Woolworth's is back, baby! Painstakingly restored with the lunch counter, chairs, floor, and so on. It may not be a department store anymore, but it's a worthy stop in the Bakersfield area. I was told a lot of the customers are nostalgia chasers like me, coming from far away. The staff are all super friendly without exception. Overall, this is a fun throwback, one-of-a-kind food experience. The food was generally ok, but I have to give the veggie burger a big thumbs down. It didn't hold together, even with a bun. It was more like veggie crumbles and it didn't taste very good at all. On the plus side, I did enjoy one of the most delicious milkshakes I've ever had. Happy to have made the trek here. Cool merch too. read more

Came for lunch with my fiancé. Got the teriyaki burger and the Rueben. Both were pretty good. The bread in the burger was super soft and moist. The fries were honestly addicting. Couldn't stop eating them! The remodel looks cool, but still miss how it was back then. Overall pretty good. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Rueben sandwich - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

So FUN and nostalgic! Mama said just like she remembered! Albondigas soup was fresh, filled with meatballs and carrots and DELISH!! Pineapple shake and rootbeer float were amazing! The atmosphere was like stepping into the 50's diner! Original counters and chairs! We will be back! read more

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We were downtown with some friends when lunchtime rolled around. We were pretty close to the Woolworths luncheonette and none of us had tried it yet. The place is newly remodeled and we wanted to give it a try. We had eaten at the old Woolworths many years ago. It's a basic menu: burgers, Patti Melts, Salad. I ordered the burger with avocados and a side of fries. Service is great. Very fast. We found a table. It's a nice space. The food is good. They use seasoned fries. The prices are normal for today. Everyone enjoyed their food. It's a bit noisy for casual conversation. We would go back again. read more

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Delicious food with reasonable prices in an old school diner surrounded by fascinating history and community, what more could you ask for? My family and I stopped by Woolworth's Luncheonette after enjoying Reverb Coffee in the same Woolworth's building. I felt an instant sense of community as I received and returned compliments from strangers at the luncheonette counter while admiring the spacious old school diner feel they've been able to create. The food was super tasty and the prices are very reasonable. I had the double cheeseburger and we were able to share a large fry between 4 people. And the fries came with fry sauce! (Iykyk) the patty melt received high praises from family members, and I look forward to trying it on the next visit. When speaking with the owners, I can feel their excitement around building a new place for the local community to gather. They always seem to be on site finding new ways to engage with the community and ensure Woolworth's is a part of the success story of Bakersfield. I remember walking in the building months back while it was still under construction, and it's amazing to see how far they've come. Woolworth's Luncheonette is now the last functioning Woolworth luncheonette counter. The mural and plaque commemorate the history of Woolworth's connected to the Civil Rights Movement and is fascinating to learn about. read more

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I honestly wasn't sure what to expect coming here. After reading a few reviews, I was pretty hesitant about visiting, but I'm really glad we decided to give Woolworth Luncheonette a chance because our experience was very positive. I went with my wife and kids, and from the moment we walked in, the staff was amazing. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely happy to chat with us. They even took the time to talk about the history of the place, which made the visit feel more special and authentic. You don't get that everywhere anymore. We ordered burgers, fries, and chili fries, and the food was beyond my expectations. Everything came out hot, fresh, and full of flavor. The burgers were solid, classic diner-style, and the chili fries were a hit with the whole table. My kids loved their food, my wife enjoyed hers, and that alone says a lot when you're eating out as a family. I also stopped by Reverb Coffee and grabbed one of their specials, which was excellent. It was the perfect way to round out the visit and made the whole stop even better. I do want to say that, based on other people's reviews, this was just my personal experience at this location. I can see how service might slow down when it's really busy, so I'd recommend planning accordingly. That said, the food is definitely worth the wait. Overall, this place exceeded my expectations. Great food, friendly staff, and a cool bit of history all in one spot. I would highly recommend giving Woolworth Luncheonette a try, and I'll definitely be back again to enjoy more of their food. read more

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I was visiting Bakersfield and ultimately decided to come here for lunch, being lured by the new tuna melt advertised on their door. The cashier was amazing and answered all my questions. She was so sweet and patient with me. The establishment is very clean and open. I had the option to order the sandwich on Sourdough. She mentioned that she thought the bread was grilled, but I believe it was pan fried because the paper in the plastic serving bowl was soaked with grease when it was delivered to me. Despite this, the sandwich was delicious and I highly recommend. They use American cheese; this is truly a diner experience as advertised. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Tuna melt - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Food at the Woolworths luncheonette is delicious! You can never go wrong with a Double cheeseburger with added lettuce and bacon, possibly avocado if I'm extra hungry! I also enjoy the BLT with roasted turkey and avocado, create a delicious turkey sandwich! The new limited special teriyaki burger with a whole slice of pineapple is definitely worth trying, I'm not big on pineapple but this was too good to pass up. I also love coming to Woolworths for dessert! The milkshakes are entirely customizable, I like to get a peanut butter banana chocolate milkshake and add in some butterfinger! However the house-made strawberry purée is also delicious in a milkshake! read more

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So happy this place is now open. It was buzzing for lunch hour but the service was very fast. I thought it was very nicely styled inside, glad they kept the lunch counter and there's also now a bar, and coffee shop connected on the other side. I ordered the patty melt and loved it! I love their sauce they give you on the side. Fries were really good too. Can't wait to come back to try more items, the cashier told me they also have Mac n cheese, didn't see it listed on the menu though. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Patty melt - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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I waited some time to write this review. First, I attended the grand opening a week earlier which included much fanfare. I get it, the luncheon has a long history and I love and appreciate that people are investing in the Bakersfield downtown area. I can see where they were trying to go with the interior decor, retro, trendy, modern-ish. I really think they missed the mark. The inside looks sterile and not very inviting. It really looks like they ran out of money to do something great. Perhaps some Bakersfield-themed memorabilia and decor? If you've never been there, it can be a little confusing as there is no signage telling you to seat yourself, wait, or where to order. Now to the food. I opted for a cheeseburger and fries (my companion ordered the reuben sandwich). Not even joking, we waited 40 (FORTY) minutes for our two sandwiches. That alone was super annoying as it was early Saturday (4:00PM ish) and not busy whatsoever. My burger was OK, cooked nicely, but definitely not worth waiting 40 minutes for. The food was not hot as in freshly made (I would've accepted heat-lamp heated food at this point). And the sauce was overly salty. The staff was OK but not very enthusiastic (come on, it's the opening week!) but somewhat attentive. The only person I noticed smiling at guests was the gentleman with the slick back hair who was hustling, getting things cleaned, stocking napkins, etc. Again, for the amount of fanfare this place received, they missed the mark on several things. I hope things get better for them but with the wait times, unenthusiastic staff, sterile decor, and mediocre food, I think it will be a while before I remember to try them again. read more

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My visit to Woolworth's Luncheonette was, unfortunately, a letdown especially given its reputation as a beloved local staple. Drawn in by its popularity and nostalgic charm, I stopped by for lunch expecting a satisfying, classic diner experience. Instead, I left still hungry and underwhelmed. The fries were aggressively seasoned, coated in a heavy, smoky Cajun chipotle blend that overpowered rather than complemented the meal. It felt mismatched more like a random experiment of seasonings than a delightful side to a burger. Speaking of which, the burger itself didn't get much better. The patty carried a similarly confusing mix of seasonings that masked the natural flavor of the meat, ultimately distracting from what should have been the highlight. Also, the remodel of this building just turned into a very modernized burger spot that felt dull and unappealing unlike the original design. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Woolworth's Burger Combo - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Never been to any old Woolworth's before so I couldn't compare. Iv'e been craving for some chili cheese fries and a burger so we went for lunch there. So far, we loved all the food that we ordered esp. the chili cheese fries! The serving was like good for 2 people. The soft serve ice cream was creamy but not too sweet. The ambiance, hmmm, was more of like a shopping center fastfood feel, probably cos of the colors, I think it needs more red? I dont know maybe that's how it really was in the past :) Service was fast. The cashier staff was helpful with my questions. Nonetheless, we had a great lunch and will be coming back for sure! read more

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My wife, daughter, and I had a great experience here, after having wanted to try it since new management/ownership took over. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was fun and friendly, every single staff person that helped us was friendly, helpful, etc., and overall, our experience was everything we could have hoped for and more. We will definitely come back before too long - definitely recommend!! read more

I'm so glad we finally get to return to Woolworth's! I always enjoy coming here for the delicious food and lively atmosphere. The menu is simple diner food. You order at the counter and take a seat anywhere you'd like. It was pretty busy the day we went but luckily we still found a place to sit. The burger was well cooked and the chili was delicious without being too salty. In my opinion the star of the show are their French fries and fry sauce. They are seasoned very well and so crunchy. I was hoping to try their soft serve but it wasn't available the day we went in. I'm looking forward to going again soon and hopefully we get to try more menu items. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Chili cheese fries - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

The Reuben sandwich here is awesome! Perfectly toasted bread with a generous helping of meat and not too much coleslaw. It tasted perfect! The fries here are seasoned and are very crispy giving you flavor and the crunch you need with a sandwich. I've also heard very good things about their chili cheese dogs (which i want to try next) You order at the diner counter kiosk and you can choose a seat at either the countertop or a table. They bring the food straight to your number from the kitchen and everything is hot and fresh, there's a fountain drink station and the place has an old school vibe. They're currently remodeling the downstairs area so i'm very excited to see how that looks once it's done! read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Reuben Sandwich Combo - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

This place is great! A great cup of coffee and they have gluten free pastries which my family looks forward to since some of us have celiac's disease!! Also the lunch is really awesome and I love the art they displayed. People who are complaining about the food are kind of ridiculous. I even went a third time with my two friends who had seen the woolworths prior and they enjoyed the newly revamped woolworths. The food is good, staff is friendly, and it's reasonably priced. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Tried Woolworth's Luncheonette and it did not disappoint. The patty melt with fries was delicious and full of flavor, and the sauce paired perfectly with the fries. We also ordered the Woolworth burger, and honestly, it was one of the best burgers I've ever had. Everything tasted fresh and well-made, and the service was great. Definitely coming back! read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Patty melt and fries - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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I miss the old Woolworth's. I had not been back since it reopened. I was very sad to see the burgers are completely different along with the fries. I think the inside of this place looks great, but I'd 100% take the original over the new and improved if it meant the original burger recipe. The burgers were soggy and not what I was expecting. Service at the register was good young lady was very polite who took our order. read more

Stopped in on a Monday afternoon for lunch. The last time I was here was before the remodel happened. They kept it looking the same as in the entrance and ordering area. Much more seating and spacious open plan. The food was good, I ordered the cheese burger and chili cheese fries. Oh, I also ordered a milkshake which was the best part. The drinking station for sodas is self serve, they added a bar area. Overall the experience was good. read more

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First time at the luncheonette since it reopened. We went early to beat the rush and it was perfect for a fresh, easy lunch. We both got the Woolworth's burger combo. Love that the burgers have grilled onions, and the seasoning on the fries and the sauce were fantastic. The bun could have been a bit sturdier for the burger but tasted good. Food came out quickly and every employee was friendly and helpful. Atmosphere was nice, great spot for downtown. One thing I really loved was how comfy the chairs at the tables were! Not sure why that stood out, but it made for a great place to sit and eat. Can't wait to go back and try the chili and milkshakes. read more

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Great hamburgers and their fries are addicting. The BEST thing was their Lemon Cheesecake, OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So amazing. The staff are so friendly, service is great. I love the new design of the place. Nice little beer and wine bar also. read more

Historic building and great vibe. Food made from scratch and off menu items are always tasty. Very affordable with large portions.

Long honest review here but worth the read: I have been to Woolworths many times before the remodel. I read the reviews about how everyone was disappointed with the remodel and food, service, etc. I decided to reserve judgement until I ate there myself. My food mantra: It better be damn worth it so I don't feel guilty about gaining 5 pounds. Verdict: Darn tootin.. it was worth the 5 pounds!! My experience: I went the week before Christmas and circled the block a couple of times for a parking space. At this point it became female grit and determination to finding parking just like at a Trader Joes on a Saturday morning. Snagged a spot and when I entered I saw it was packed. Went for the Fairytale and got a combo: Burger, Fries, and Soda and was able to modify order w/ no onions. I was skeptical based on past reviews and expected food to come out slow but came out super fast! Fries are seasoned and the burger had a good saucey spread that rivaled IN n OUT. OM NOM NOM... and it was gone. I sat at the counter and watched the staff cook the sandwiches on the original equipment. From what they told me they had a rocky start but the kinks and the feedback from customers and reviews stepped up their game. Burgers come out quick as they are cooked in the back and the sandwiches and other items are up front for faster service. Pricing was comparable to the delicious food and quality of beef in the burger. Hats off to the friendly staff! Everyone asked if I was doing okay and were engaging with the customers and you could tell they liked their job...having worked at 4 Cheesecake Factories and various family owned establishments while in college back in my younger days you know when staff are wishing they were anywhere else but there. The atmosphere looked festive with the homey Christmas decor, but I could see why reviewers are saying walls are plain. My recommended decor would be to have large poster size framed black and white pictures of Woolworths or historical photos of Downtown Bakersfield to give it more character and match the mural on the back wall. This Foodie Karen will be back!! read more

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I wanted to LOVE this place! We were eagerly awaiting the opening after the remodel, but unfortunately I think it missed the mark. Ambiance: missing the old charm of what it means to be a classic luncheonette. I understand wanting to modernize and move things into the future- but then do something different. Don't call it Woolworths, with the classic sign and menu- because it just doesn't match. The seating area was in complete disarray and gave heavy cafeteria vibes. Random tables and chairs everywhere. Service: I interacted with 2 employees- the cashier- very kind and nice, ordering went smoothly and she even let me take onions off one of the burgers (I know people were having issues with modifications?) and a bartender- again, very kind and nice, smiley, ordering drinks went smoothly. * this is where I also had some issues- the set up of service is a rough one. They only had one cashier to help the whole place. Luckily we hit the line just in time because shortly after the line was all the way to the door. Also, there are no servers- so seating is a hot mess. People were just moving tables to accommodate their needs, random chairs were everywhere, everything was just scattered about (leading to the cafeteria vibe). Everyone bringing out food/ walking around just looked confused- couldn't find table numbers, were walking in circles, there was no flow to service at all. Food: I thought the food was pretty on point. The burgers we had were pretty solid (flavorful, fresh veg, Woolys sauce was tasty), the chili cheese fries were delicious- the chili seemed to be a bit more tomatoey and veg forward which we liked, and the guest who had the pastrami said it was great. I guess overall, it's just missing the charm of what was once there. The interior misses completely and really wants to be something else, the bar is fine- but could be so much better, the food is good for a quick lunch. Just don't go into it expecting any type of nostalgic (but better) experience. read more

Food is excellent and the building is amazing. Thanks for preserving it. The staff is friendly. Very clean as well

Customer service was great. Staff were friendly. It was busy during lunch time, but wait time wasn't too long. They do have plenty of seating inside and outside. It was clean inside and outside. The fries were crispy and had like a Cajun seasoning on them. The burgers were also good. Next time we'll be trying some ice cream. Will definitely be back. Plus they have a coffee spot right next to it. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Main Menu - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Wife and I sat at the bar where the bartender Jody was genuinely friendly. She was fun to talk to and she made us feel welcomed. They have a few beers on tap and some wine. We enjoyed a couple glasses of Mind Haze. For food, my wife and I had the double cheeseburger and shared a large order of fries. Burger was delicious and very basic, in a good way. Kind of like the old days. Just meat, cheese, pickles, caramelized onions and sauce. Meat patties had good seasoning and flavor. The fries are seasoned perfectly. If you want a fancy burger, this isn't the place. If you want a juicy, flavorful, simple burger like the old diner days, this is the place. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Double cheeseburger, side of large fries. - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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We came in an hour after the lunch hour "rush" and still had about a half hour wait, which wasn't a problem since this place is fairly new and had much hype around the grand reopening. The menu was pretty simple. Once we made it to the register, the cashier informed us there would be about a 40 minute wait. Again, expected and we obliged. We decided on the Woolworth burger with American cheese, a side of coleslaw and a chocolate shake for my husband; and a BLT sandwich combo (fries and a soft drink). Total came out to 40 bucks. The food was great. Absolutely loves the BLT sandwich and the fries were the best I think I've ever had! They were the perfect cut to give the that balance of crispy and chewy. The sauce that came with the fries was super delicious and I used it on my sandwich as well. My husband absolutely loved the burger, but didn't really care for the slaw. He tends to lean towards a sweeter coleslaw. We sat at the counter which gave us that retro feel, but I will say for the size and popularity, this place could use with more table seating. I hope to give this place a few more months before returning to see how their wait times have improved. read more

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I've tried most things on the menu and have not been disappointed! plus I love knowing that they prepare their ingredients in house

I wanted to love this place! It has such a historic significance that I was very excited to try. The burgers are going around for what others are however they did not live up to the hype for me. They are nothing special in terms of flavor. I wish the patty's were more seasoned. The fries were good though. I was a little disappointed my order was wrong when received but it wasn't a big deal to return the burger. The place is super cute and definitely a place to visit at least once. One small recommendation I'd make would be to have the staff at the front grill to were some hairnets. Since I sat at the counter, it was one of my main thoughts as I had my lunch. read more

Point off because I couldn't see a phone number. It was busy but damn so glad to see it back! The Woolies sauce makes the ketchup for fries unnecessary. The patties are nice snd berry and cheese still cheesy. The cookie was perfect. Can't wait to go again!!! read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - The front of the menu - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Great burger, tasty & well-seasoned. Fries were thin, crispy, hot and seasoned as well. The atmosphere FEELS so much like the 'old' Woolworth's, but it was a great experience! Friendly staff, reasonable pricing and enjoyable dinner! Thank you so much for all your efforts! read more

Well I am sad to say Im going to have to get my honest review. Went to lunch with my daughter. Well first off yes the interior does look more modern. Even though I read all about original flooring and all that went into the renovation. With that aside it was clean. The person at the counter that took our order wasnt overly friendly, I did ask about the pickles if they were sweet or dill. He said they made their own and they were dill. We ordered two burger one woolworth regular burger with added cheese and no sauce. I said they could add mustard and mayonnaise, he said I could get packets and pointed to where to get them and add that on my own. There is nothing at all similar to the old luncheonette. Pickles in the burger were sweet not dill, the French fries which no longer come with your meal are seasoned and I didnt care for them nor did any one else at our table. The chile has a sweet taste also which my son in law ordered, bummer. There are no longer little chiles offered which I used to love. There is floats but you get a bottled soda if you want to pick, nothing like the previous orange float. It was disappointing. I expected changes but we were all disappointed and dont plan on returning. I wish we had better review but honesty is how I roll. read more

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Staff is nice fries are bomb soft and crispy and I mean that I not a fan of soggy fries burger was good as well

Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Locally owned and refurbished original Woolworth's building. Off menu items are amazing for those who are not crazy about hamburgers or chili, although the hamburgers are amazing. read more

The food is amazing. Love it in the heart of downtown Bakersfield. Place is in a convenient location near stores. They even have a coffee shop inside. read more

Not the same as old Woolworth's at all. Burger was soggy and the interior feels like a Marriot Hotel. read more

Woolworth’s Luncheonette - Double Cheeseburger Combo - Diners Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Oh boy, here we go. To start, let me just say this. They should have NEVER touched the original Woolworth's to begin with. Everything was perfect: the nostalgia, the kitchen and bar, the diner, the food, THE ROOT BEER FLOATS.... Ugh. It just isn't the same now. And the food isn't really that good. So what was the point in changing it? They said they tried to restore the vintage charm, but they didn't really. It's just a name now, and that sucks. But.... I will also say, I would rather have this new gentrified burger business so-called "Woolworth's" than not have it at all. The only reason I say that is because they're actively trying to support the local music scene with their downstairs venue, and that's pretty rad I guess. read more