So the new Chinese Buffet on Tucker is awesome compared to the older Chinese Buffet in the SaveMart shopping center.  They cost just a little bit more (like $3) but man its like $10 better.  I hope the competition makes both of them better than putting anyone out of business!

I've been working in Cal City one day a week for the past couple of months, if you'd like some fantastic BBQ.  There is a place on the Blvd same shopping center as the chinese place.  I think it's called Rogers.  You know, Calif City is a strange little place but they have some good food.

My daughter and I go to Jakes quite often on our lunch break.  We love it.  They have really good sweet potato fries. 

One of my most favorite places to eat in Tehachapi, CA is Jake’s Steak House. The owner, Barbara Ferrante has poured her heart and soul into making the restaurant one of the warmest and most inviting spots around. I’ve been there three times, and I can’t decide which menu item is better. Perhaps I’ll have to go back another half dozen times to find my favorite. The service is fine to excellent and always attentive – there are no problems here. The wine gets a gold star.

If there was a complaint is was because my parents each received a BIG hug from Barbara, and I received a firm handshake. I guess it pays to be a local.

Kenneth Turner

Sacramento, CA 95835-1538

 How is Edelweiss Deli? I bought some chocolate sauce there and it was great but I didn't try the food. The last time I went to Don Pericos I told the hostess that I thought the food had gone down in quality fast, the service was terrible , the drinks were weak and I wouldn't be dining there again. She was the one who asked how the dining experience was.  Coming from me it had to be really bad. I  don't like confrontation.

I still am not impressed with Kasagiri's but we all have different tastes.  I like the new Hot Dog place. Good Kraut dogs!

lol...isn't it funny how tastes can be so different?  I feel about Domingo's, Scott, the way you feel about Las Palmas. I just cracked up at your "hot" salsa story at Don Perico's. I hope your tip was mucho smallo. I don't do Bakes, but in Lancaster we go to Dave's barbecue. I don't head down that way too often either though. Especially now with gas prices. So I will definitely have to hit Don Juan's and Kasigiri's for a meal out.

oohchild, Susie from Canine Creek is our publicity person for S.T.O.P. I'm not sure how she handles it, but please, email her with suggestions/ideas, she's really open - or come to our next meeting on May 8, 5:30 p.m. at Eidelweiss Deli.

I sure would like to see an El Pollo Loco or Popeyes up here for fast chicken. Don't like Kentucky Fried Grease.

I'll have to try that Mojave pizza place.  I haven't had good pizza since I left NY.

I will never go to Don Perico's ever again.   The food was really bad.  The salsa was basically diced tomatoes.  When I asked for some hotter salsa (my wife and I like super spicy), they literally brought us "hot" salsa -- as in temperature. I think they microwaved it or something.  And charged us an extra dollar for it!

Las Palmas I was unimpressed with.  To me it was just "Americanized" Mexican food. Wasn't much of a step up from Del Taco in my opinion.  But considering the long line of cars always at Del Taco, I guess that might a good thing! :)

I still stand by Domingo's as the best Mexican restaurant for 60 miles. ;)

We stopped by the Wine Cellar yesterday on our way back from Petras.  Seems like a really nice place.  The owners and employees are incredibly nice and outgoing.  We didn't have time to do much other than look around (and of course I picked up some wine) but we'll be coming back there.  They have some good wines that you can't find easily -- certainly not at Albertsons.  Try the Opolo Mountain Zinfindel, and any of the Eberle reds.  They are great wines from Paso Robles.  The Ruffino Il Ducale at the Wine Cellar is a good deal.  Its about $7 cheaper than at Albertsons and its really good.

You must try both Don Juan's & Kasagiri, Joty! You won't regret it...

I'm glad you mentioned the STOP fundraiser since I was just thinking about that the other day (happened to have my old PR hat on at the time.) Has anyone put together a brief press release to announce STOP's activities? Something that could be faxed out to the local media. I had several events (at a winery I used to work for) covered by the local TV & print media. You never know when they might want a little local flavor in our hometown news. Bakersfield & Mojave should be included on the fax list.

Sorry for the tangent, Scott. Now back to your regularly scheduled commentary...

Yes, the new bistro next to the theater is owned by the woman who had Guido's. I don't think she is using that name any longer. We did eat at Guido's when it was over by SaveMart, it wasn't the best Italian I've ever had, but it wasn't bad. 

And sorry, Scott, I'm one of those who thinks the food as well as the service at Domingos sucks. I won't eat at Village Grill ever again either. Don Pericos wasn't very good.  For Mexican I prefer Las Palmas. For pizza we go to Graciano's in Mojave as there aren't any decent pizza places here in town. I did hear however, that the new Wine Cellar has excellent food (heard the basil pizza is to "die for"). We will be trying them out on May 14th for the S.T.O.P. fundraiser. Hope all of you will come that night and help us out. 15% of what they sell that night will be donated to S.T.O.P.

Don Juan's and Kasigiri are on my to try list also. Loved Petras. For breakfast Primos is primo - so are thier pastrami sandwichs. A lot of food for not a lot of money. I also like the breakfast buffet at Apple Shed.

Ok, now I'm hungry...

I noticed that one too, Scott. I do believe it's Guido & the Blonde's place, but I'm not 100%.

Wife and I did Petra's for lunch today.  Two thumbs up from us.  I had the falafel and my wife the lamb kabob.  The falafels were good but the lamb was GREAT.  Lucky for me there was so much food my wife couldn't eat it all so I got some lamb. ;)

As an aside, I noticed an Italian Bistro across the street and next to the movie theater.  Is that new?  I don't recall it being there.  Is that the "new" Guido and the Blondes?  Has anyone eaten there yet?  Is it any good?

Jake's is the steak place, right? I have to say that we went there a few weeks after they opened & were not impressed. I can grill a steak 100% better than they did! The sides weren't anything special either. I hope they've gotten better since then!

The OTCC has made a significant change to their menu. We go there occassionally, mostly because it's close to home. The food has always been good, & they really know how to train service personnel for a nice dining experience. My hubby always flirts with the cute waitresses, so everybody goes home happy.

;-)

Yeah I'm a Kasagiri fan now. :)  I know there's a proclaimed japanese chef that used to post on the blogs here who says he left in the middle of a meal it was so terrible, but I certainly haven't had that experience.  Its like so many people here bashing Domingo's.  I don't get it.  I take the family there, literally, every single Friday.  If they had bad food I would have eaten it by now. ;)

I will add Petra to the list of places to try!  So far Domingo's, Kasagiri, Don Juan's and Taco Sammich (for lunch, not dinner) are the only places I have found locally worth revisiting.  I haven't tried Jakes or the Bear Valley restaurant yet so those are on the list too.

Yay! So glad you finally got a chance to try Kasagiri, Scott. Yes, it's one of very few restaurants in our area that we find ourselves going to again & again.

They did a wonderful job for us recently when we had some visitors from Japan, and we wanted to take them to a very special meal. We had them order some special Kobe beef for us, and the ways they prepared it was delicious! We were the envy of the restaurant that night. They also order special bottles of sake for us, when we request them. We took some friends with kids there for dinner, who had never had Japanese food before. The kids actually had a blast, trying new food with the "special" chopsticks provided by the staff (rubber banded together so they were able to use them easily.)

I'd also like to write about the new Mediterranean place downtown, Petra. It's small, but the food was delicious & authentic. I had the lamb kebabs, and our friend tried the falafel. Hmmm, good! The side dishes (hummus, stuffed grape leaves, pita bread) were very good, too. The only drawback, for me, was the lack of wine & beer on the menu. I hope they can get a license to serve these soon.

At least it's not another Mexican place!

;-)

I know this blog is like a year old now, but my wife and I finally got a chance to try Kasagiri and I felt the need to comment.  Our kids are up north visiting family, and its hard enough getting them to eat "regular" food never mind sushi, so after almost a whole year without a kid break, we jumped at the chance.

 In a nutshell the food is awesome.  I can't believe there is such a great sushi place hidden away here in the mountains!  It compares with any of the sushi places I've been to down in South Bay and LA proper.  Now I'm going to have to figure out how to sneak off there while the kids are around. ;)  I'm also going to have to practice my chopsticks skills again!

I highly recommend checking it out.  Even if you don't like sushi, they have plenty of cooked food on the menu!

I have been to Don Juan's on at least six occasions, the service is excellent and the food is even better. The resturant is owner operated By Juan (Chef) and Yolonda (General operations and wine and beverage) They do a wonderful job together and will occasionlly randomly mingle with the customers, I think it is a very charming atmostphere.  Try the bacon wrapped shrimp!  Happy Dining!!