Tehachapi Food News - - matokanji's Blog - Tehachapi News

Dec 29, 2007 at 07:12 PM : Hooray for variety!

Hooray for variety!

Dec 30, 2007 at 09:12 AM : What kind of...

What kind of restraunt are you going to open? I saw from some prior posts you are into buffalo, venison etc. I love buffalo burgers.

Dec 30, 2007 at 12:12 PM : ANOTHER vietnamese...

ANOTHER vietnamese restaurant??? Like we need that. I'm stoked on the Italian Bistro, I hope it lives up to my expectations.

Dec 30, 2007 at 01:12 PM : We already have a...

We already have a Vietnamese restaurant? The closest one I know of is in Bakersfield.

Guido's is pretty yummy- I had Fettucinni Alfredo (sorry, can't spell today!) and it was excellent.

(Hehe, my spam code spells a naughty word!)

Dec 30, 2007 at 03:12 PM : Although I am a...

Although I am a trained Japanese Chef, I grew up preparing game and other classic American dishes. What I am going to do is a fusion of the two. I own a catering company here in town and we do many local events throughout the year. I have a lot of ideas and I am looking for something small to start out with. Just simple honest food, with a bit of a twist. And yes, I will be serving Buffalo and other game.
There are no Vietnamese restaurants in this town but, there are 2 Thai, 1 Chinese and 1 Japanese. I am not sure if another Asian restaurant is a good idea. Then again, if it is well run and the food is good, I think it will do well. I have found that the other Asian restaurants here are mediocre. In fact, I have been to the Japanese restaurant once and I left half way through my meal. I do not go to either Thai restaurant anymore as the quality has gone down. We still go to the Great Wall from time to time (more so that my wife can speak to someone in Chinese) to eat at the buffet.
Madkow2747, the owner of Guido's is the one who is opening the other Italian restaurant. She is changing locations and good for her. I like the Rigby's location better (I too went there to see about buying it. It was already sold) also.

Dec 30, 2007 at 04:12 PM : I would like to see a...

I would like to see a restraunt that actually has good home cooking..Tired of the same things on the menu at all the restraunts, a little more variety. And I tried Del Taco today and will not return anytime soon.. I got a cheese/bacon/egg Quesidilla and it had a ton of grease on it and it actually was dripping grease.. And there staff is not even close to being trained on their registers!! Took about 20 minutes to just get my order taken and it was still wrong...

Dec 30, 2007 at 06:12 PM : I think your idea of...

I think your idea of combining the two cultures could prove to be an interesting twist that might make me a regular. I like game and I like Asian the best of all but I don't think the Asian restaurants we have here in town qualify for more than slightly above than fast food. I eat at Thai Palms once in a while because of the group I think they have the most variety although I wish they has a lunch combo once I spent over 15.00 for orange chicken and chow mien because I had the craving. I think the Great Wall needs to change up the buffet once in awhile, and then they would take the cake "at least here" in Tehachapi but I would like to see something a little on the nicer side. If I want good Asian food I have to travel down the hill for quality. So good luck and Thank God you didn't say a Mexican Restaurant!! We have more than enough of those in town.

Sorry....eek... Del Taco isn't a restaurant it's just another franchise grease pit, if you want fairly good home cooking try Kelly’s (in Old Towne) they have some of the good Ol' American dishes like chicken fried steak, meatloaf, pork chops etc. and the portions are enough for two.

Dec 30, 2007 at 06:12 PM : Luvmykatz I have tried...

Luvmykatz I have tried Kelly's for breakfast a while back. We did not get very good service and the food was so so. But I think it would be worth trying again maybe for lunch. Oh I know Del Taco is fast food not a real restraunt, I was just saying it was a bad experience...

Dec 30, 2007 at 08:12 PM : My family and I went...

My family and I went to Kelly's a few months back. It was ok. The food I do is different from theirs and everyone else's. We will have Buffalo as I said before but not just burgers. We will have Buffalo ribs and steak and other various game along with pork, beef, fish and poultry.

Dec 30, 2007 at 10:12 PM : If you open a...

If you open a restaurant that Sevres Buffalo ribs and steak you can bet that you will see me there. I wish there was a restaurant that offered a decent size steak you know one that is 24 ounces or bigger with potato's and no vegies. Kelly's is one of my favorites places to have breakfast. I usually order the chicken fried steak, i always leave there happy and never hungry.

Dec 31, 2007 at 12:12 AM : OK luvmykatz, have you...

OK luvmykatz, have you been to Kasagiri? Yea, the Japanese restaurant across from the police station, it is MUCH above the level of fast food, definitely one of the best places in town, if not THE best, the quality of their food is excellent. Kelly's is alright, but it was quite a bit better when Satterfield owned it.

Dec 31, 2007 at 11:12 AM : rmo-Have you ever been...

rmo-Have you ever been to a really good Japanese restaurant? Kasagiri's is mediocre. Greasy tempura and the dipping sauce tastes like water with a drop of something in it. Terrible teriaki and chintzy on the fish/seafood in the sushi. We need a really good Japanese Restaurant. matokanji please concider this. We also need a good fish/seafood/steak place.

Dec 31, 2007 at 11:12 AM : Fish,steak and sea...

Fish,steak and sea food now we are talking. Has anyone ever had the fish and chips at the west Chester bowling alley in Bakersfield. I know what your thinking a bowling alley. Let me tell you they have the best fish and chips i have ever had. Its there specialty.Olivia and i eat there often when we are in Bakersfield. In fact we have driven there just for the fish.

Dec 31, 2007 at 11:12 AM : My taste must be bad...

My taste must be bad because I have been to several Japanese restaurants and Kasagiri's is my favorite. I do agree with you about the tempura though. I've had better, BUT I like their salads better than some places I've been and I always get excellent service there. They always treat us very good. I have to admit that I don't get to go very often though. My husband doesn't like sushi and that bill can sneak up on you! :)

Dec 31, 2007 at 11:12 AM : I agree that the...

I agree that the service is always good at Kasagiri and I like the cali rolls very much. I just have been to much better japanese restaurants and have been spoiled.

Dec 31, 2007 at 11:12 AM : I have to agree with...

I have to agree with gillfish. Kasagiri's is not very good. In fact, I would never eat there again. I worked in a very nice restaurant in Japan when I finished school. After I came back to the states, I worked at a restaurant in Venice Beach. You can not even compare Kasagiri's with either of them. I may have some Japanese items on my menu every now and then but, let's get real. We live in a rural town and you can't get a steak here that is anything above average.

Dec 31, 2007 at 12:12 PM : Ain't that the...

Ain't that the truth about not being able to find a decent steak in this town. Some of these places call themselves Steak houses and that makes me laugh. matokanji when you open your restaurant please consider a steak for a real man. 24 ounces or bigger would be fine.

Dec 31, 2007 at 12:12 PM : Well, I did intend to...

Well, I did intend to hold my thoughts on this topic, but the more I read, the more I feel the need to add my own input.

First, let me say this about Petra's. The food is...well, different. The prices HIGH, the service SLOW and the place SMALL. I went once, and that was quite enough.

Guido and the Blonde's can open up by any other name but Chef Boyar De makes a more authentic Italian food than they do. Anyone who knows REAL Italian food will agree.

I hope matokanji will open up a restaurant or even take-out that will offer something truly different than we now have. And moving Taco Bell from point A to point B is still the same old Taco Bell.

I believe an Italian Deli, a Jewish Deli (with home cooked pastrami and corned beef made on the premises instead of some shrink wrapped product and "nuked" to make it hot) a good Fish 'N Chips, a take-out China Panda, an In 'N Out Burger and, I could go on, but anyone of those would be a winner, in my opinion, and enjoy a good success.

Calvin

Dec 31, 2007 at 05:12 PM : bigdog, I know exactly...

bigdog, I know exactly what you mean. My reservation is in the mid-west, and even on the rez I can get a better steak then here. We will offer steaks that will not disappoint. I am 6'4" 300lbs and when you put that 12oz cube of beef in front of me and have the nerve to call it a steak, well lets just say it makes my want to slap the sh@# out of someone! Anyone that has had my Buffalo ribs or any of the other food that I offer at my food booth will tell you that the portions are generous and I do not cut corners when it comes to the quality of my product.

Dec 31, 2007 at 06:12 PM : matokanji are the guy...

matokanji are the guy that has sold your buffalo ribs in the park? If so i am anxious to try them. The lines have always been to long and i settled for something else. Long lines for you is good. I can always tell the good food booths because they are the ones with the long lines. I love meat and i love big portions. I'll be keeping a eye out for your restaurant.

Dec 31, 2007 at 07:12 PM : No, rm6 I have not...

No, rm6 I have not tried Kasagiri although I have been wanting to try it, my husband seems to like Slickers the best since he can get the beer he likes and I like their food but I can’t wait till matokanji opens his restaurant I would love to try Buffalo ribs or steak. I have stopped eating red meat for the most part because of cholesterol reasons but I know that buffalo is one I can eat without worry so I hear. This sounds like a very interesting place so far and the big steak would be great for my husband since he loves his meat and potatoes. I only mentioned Kelly’s because eek wanted some home cooking and it was the first place that comes to mind I think they are good for breakfast, and I agree I miss Satterfield’s but at least Kelly’s has Banana Cream Pie once in awhile and that has become rare in this state so I just love it.

FYI as I drove past Del Taco around 4:30 this evening there were at least 10 cars in the drive thru out to the street and the parking lot was full Taco Bell was empty—I can’t figure that out even with the choice of the two I like Taco Bell best and I wouldn’t wait in a line like that-- but its new.

Ok Matokanji bring it!! Now you have some people interested form reading other posts and I look forward to your opening nite…………

Dec 31, 2007 at 09:12 PM : Yes, that is my food...

Yes, that is my food booth. No one else does bbq buffalo ribs. At least not in Ca. We also do the Indian Tacos. Most of my food is Native American based. I just use some Japanese techniques in the prep. As far as bringing it, we are actively looking for the right location. It must be small, I want to concentrate on the food quality; not the quantity.

Dec 31, 2007 at 10:12 PM : When are we going to...

When are we going to get a chicken place here? Kentucky, Popeye's

Way to many mexican and burger places. To many coffee shops.

Told you capri's would close along with video galaxy. I see Mama

hillybeans going belly up by july.

Jan 1, 2008 at 06:01 AM : Yeah, a Chicken Shack...

Yeah, a Chicken Shack would be a nice new addition. And, how about a Bakery? As a kid growing up in Pittsburgh I remember living a block away from a bakery and the smell alone was enough to drive people in. Fresh baked bread of all kinds and sliced to your own requested thickness. (I like mine sliced THIN. Can't be found in any supermarket.) And, fresh baked Danish Pastries, and crullers, and REAL Italian bread. Yummm! I miss that a lot. A Bakery here would be a real winner for someone. A location downtown would be perfect.

My Gram used to send me to the bakery to buy a lot of goodies and then she would set up a lazy susan in the middle of the kitchen table with an assortment of luncheon meats and cheeses and, of course, the fresh baked breads. People would stop over and make their own sandwiches and pour from the never ending coffee pot. Nobody ever left the kitchen as it was our main room for eating, smelling the foods and spirited conversations. The living room was NEVER used!

And, what's with all the Starbuck's wannabee's here? No wonder these places go out of business so quickly because all they have to do is read these blogs to see what THE PEOPLE WANT, and not what THEY want to give them. C'mon, Matokanji get a place even if it's just take-out. I've stood in line at the Park for your food and always came back for more.

Jim Richards

Jan 1, 2008 at 11:01 AM : When did Satterfields...

When did Satterfields close? I use to eat there often. I can't believe they close. They always seem to have alot of business.

Jan 1, 2008 at 11:01 AM : I agree. We really...

I agree. We really need steaks, seafood and real Italian food. I wouldn't mind seeing a chicken joint in town as well.

By the way, who's got the best country breakfast in town? I don't do breakfast very often but when I do, I want good biscuits and gravy with my breakfast.

Jan 1, 2008 at 11:01 AM : I'd...

I'd also love to see a great steak place open. I LOVE a great steak and it seems the best way to get one in tehachapi right now is to make it at home yourself-sigh. I also love appetizers like potatoe skins, real potatoe skins overloaded with cheese and bacon.....mmmmmmm. I love those places that actually have a dinner with mozzerella sticks, chicken strips, potatoe skins etc for those people like me that sometimes can't decide what they want and want a little bit of everything.

It'd also be awesome to have somewhere you can get take-out and call ahead your order.

Jan 1, 2008 at 12:01 PM : Oilfieldtrash As far...

Oilfieldtrash As far as I'm concerned Kelly's is the best for breakfast.I always get the chicken fried steak. It's real steak not some prefab crap that most places sell and it covers 3/4 of your plate. The B&G is good too. I never leave hungry.

Jan 1, 2008 at 01:01 PM : My husband and I had...

My husband and I had steaks at Gracian's last night. Baked potato w/the works and veggies cooked correctly! Al dente! They weren't the best steaks I've ever had, but not bad. My husband really likes them. Neither one of us could put away 24 oz of steak unless that's all we were eating. Steak, of course, that is so rare you have to chase it around the table.

Guido's wasn't bad, and the service was really good. No, no surprise about Cappi's.The coffee wasn't bad but another place with sucky service.

I would like to see a barbecue place along the lines of Famous Dave's. Had lunch there the other day and was, pardon the pun, in hog heaven. Or a good soul food place...yum. lol...Kelly's "homecooking" don't come close to the real thing. They aren't bad for breakfast, but the service sucks.

jimr, haven't you ever been to Kohnen's Bakery? They have a wonderful variety of breads and other baked goods. They make the best fresh sandwichs in town!

Jan 1, 2008 at 02:01 PM : I like the steak and...

I like the steak and cheesed enchiladas at Gracians. Ever time we go there we have a good food and service.

Jan 1, 2008 at 02:01 PM : Yeah, Joty. I've...

Yeah, Joty. I've been to Kohnen's and they will sell you whatever THEY want you to have. NOT what YOU want. They do NOT make Italian Bread nor do they make Pumpernickel and they don't have a slicer. SO, you get what THEY want to give you and nothing more. That's not what I would call a real bakery! Also, I never can smell amything baking there! You can smell a real bakery for blocks away! Huh??

Jim Richards

Jan 1, 2008 at 03:01 PM : I usually buy the...

I usually buy the whole wheat or sundried tomato bread at Kohnens and they slice it for me, so I'm not sure what you meant by they don't have a slicer? Can't say I've ever seen Italian bread, but I have seen pumpernickel there. Have you tried the other german place in Old Town?

Plus, they make my favorite pecan lace cookies, yummo.