Bakersfield Short North

I’m always happy to have a reason to come here. 2 $ PBR all day AND the most delightful staff you could ask for. I love the décor and general theme. Westerns on the TVs, lots of old wood, and a rustic feel. It’s usually busy, can’t fault them for that. They have a great product and a fun atmosphere. I know I’ll be back many more times.

My wife and daughter recently found out one has celiac disease and the other is Gluten Sensitive. I called Bakersfield and Brian, one of the managers, answered explained how they prepared their foods and which would be safe for someone with a gluten problem. We brought our own gluten free chips to use with the guac and ordered several of the tacos. We talked to one of the bartenders and explained our situation. The whole team was very accommodating and ensured our meals were safe for my girls to eat. We had a great time and appreciated their effort. Brian even came by to see how we were and to make sure everything was OK.
Our food was great and the service top notch.
Thank you all!

The margaritas were really good.
The service is really good. My food came out 15 – 20 minutes after ordering it and they took it off the check because they said it took too long, despite my protests that I had hardly waited at all.
The short rib torta was REALLY GOOD, and it was a good portion too.
Update: they also comped my chips and guac, despite me not having to wait at all for it.

It seems everyone knows that urban hipster who listens to Johnny Cash or country, and drinks PBR or low quality beer ironically. You’ll probably find them here. I thought it was a bit overpriced for the amount of food. The tacos were really small, though tasty. The cocktails were overpriced, which is not unusual for the area. It’s not somewhere to go out of the way for. There are tons of Tex-​Mex places with cheaper and similar stuff.

This place was so close to being 4 stars. The food was great — great tacos, queso and the guac was good. The atmosphere was nice and decorations good, however the service wasn’t great. In fact I would go further than that and say it was bordering on bad. Not actually bad, but not good. No boxes were offered at the end of the meal, no drinks were offered past the first time or refills of sodas. No additional food past the first round, no dessert, nada.
Such a shame because the food was tasty and ambiance was good.

I’ve been to the location in Cincinnati as well as this location in Columbus. Both have not disappointed with the quality of food. A semi-​trendy place that is great for groups or a date. I personally must insist on the guacamole paired with 2 – 3 of their small tacos. I’ve never had an option I did not enjoy.
Service is always great and it is a staple of the Short North. I recommend it often to people visiting the area and will continue to do so.
Enjoy the full bar and plan to have a great time. There is many places to choose from in the area and Bakersfield should be considered in the top 10 for food & drinks.

I am a huge fan of Mexican food, and Bakersfield just falls flat for me. The place is always loud, packed, and dark. The tacos are extremely small and extremely overpriced. I recall paying around $ 4 for a taco smaller than the size of my palm (and I have small hands). I didn’t even remember what they tasted like because it literally took 3 bites to finish one.
I appreciate that they do have the stand-​up eating area outside when the weather is nice. Still not my scene, and I would rather sit while I eat.
If you’re a fan of authentic Mexican food, I would not recommend Bakersfield. If you like loud, packed, dark places that sell overpriced foods, this is the place for you!

I’ve been to Bakersfield OTR before and wasn’t too impressed, but these visits are two very different creatures. OTR, we were looking for dinner and a nice gathering of friends. Short North, a friend and I were looking for a night out drinking.
I was pleased with the crowd we encountered on a Friday night! It was absolutely packed here, but luckily it was fairly warm outside and we could hang out on the patio area. No one was overly obnoxious, except the guy that said loudly when my friend and I were in the bathrooms «THEY MUST BE POOPING” – and if we were, I’d want him to be the one to smell it anyways. Jerk. On that note, the bathrooms are unisex… I think? Or at least everyone treated them that way? The amount of confusion they caused was actually comical, but a little scary when you have to pee real bad and the girl in front of you won’t go in the bathroom a guy just left… JUST GO DO YOUR BUSINESS.
We’ll probably be back for some margaritas and beers when I visit her again. And maybe we’ll poop in the bathrooms. Who knows!

I passed by this restaurant last week and decided to Unilocal it to see if it was worth a visit. It was so worth it! This place is great! Staff was very helpful and friendly. We started with chips and queso, which was delicious! I had the short rib taco which was very tasty and tender. I also had the pollo rojo which was also good. Great experience and great place to drink and eat. I can’t remember the name of my drink something with the word fizz in it, but it was one of the best drinks I ever had.

Okay. Rachael our server was awesome. She knew the menu inside out, suggested drinks based on our drinking habits, food based on our eating habits and just general great conversation.
I guess I should mention the tacos were amazing. I had the mole and short rib taco and it was juicy. Also, we had we the chorizo queso… Ummm it was baked and OOOHH so cheesey!!!
Lastly, the margarita pitcher. Thank you, I’m drunk!!!
I’ll be back to down some more queso and dranks! Happy holidays!!!@

It was good. We had the guacamole and queso dip. Both were yummy. We sat at the bar and the bartender was rude. It was our first time here and we weren’t sure what to get. Would’ve been better had our service been better/​more helpful.

I am not a food expert but I really enjoyed their Rojo taco. It had a great combination of onion (Caramelized, I guess), spices and meat in it.
If I had to describe the ambiance; its one of the best bar/​restaurant among generic bars/​restaurants. If you get the gist.
Decent space with kinda unique furniture like barrel tables, comfy seats etc.
Although, employees seemed to be in a haste as if preparing themselves in anticipation for shit ton of customers. They were eager to take my order, giving the itemized bill, get the payment done etc.
Someone even came to pick up my plate just after I stopped eating (I was not finished as I was looking for a spoon.) when I told them I was not finished, they gave me a ‘what a weirdo’ look and went to talk to another employee and they both started looking at me. I could be exaggerating but basically that’s what happened.
Overall it’s a good place.

We had a fun night here with some friends. First off though let’s clear the air with a name like Bakersfield Mexican was not the cuisine I was expecting but it’s all good. The atmosphere was boisterous and fun. We had to wait for a table but the margaritas were tasty and the company was great so no big deal. I however was not brave enough to try one of their signature margaritas the spicy whatever one but my friend loved them and had several. I’m a coward when it comes to heat.
Service was great! We ordered the tacos we each liked from the substantial selections and they were served on a round platter in the center of the table. This was the only fault I can give them. Even though we had ordered them we had no idea which tacos were which and belonged to whom. It made for a fun meal. It was all fun and games till I bit into a spicy taco! Haha it really was a great evening with great food and service. I would absolutely go back.

One of my favorite bars. Perfect place for a late night snack. Try all the tacos they are all good! We love the $ 2 PBR that come in a cute glass boot! I usually get the margarhita which is delicious!!!

My friends and I were trying to figure out where we wanted to eat, but since none of us were all that picky, it was hard to decide… so we went here!
We decided to split the chips + guac since we’d heard wonderful things (guacamole makes this world a better place, just so you know)…and of course, we had to try the tacos!
I had 1 Pollo Rojo, 1 Fish, and 1 Mole. It was late evening and the place was dimly lit, so I couldn’t get super-​amazing pictures of em’, but what really matters here is that they were absolutely delicious, and packed with tasty ingredients!
The service here is lovely, and my friend discovered a beer here that he absolutely loves (he says it blows all the others he’s tried away). Quite unfortunately, since I don’t drink, I have the memory of a goldfish when it comes to alcohol, and cannot tell you what it was. I’ll have to ask him sometime and update this review, but until then… at least try the tacos here! :]

I have a new obsession with fancy tacos and it’s partly due to Bakersfield. They were one of the first in Columbus to introduce these street tacos and I am in love. But first, if you get anything else here besides tacos, get their chips and guac. OUTSTANDING. The guacamole was garlicky and fresh and I think their chips are homemade. It’s a little pricey at I think close to $ 8 but worth it.
Their menu is simple. There aren’t many things on it, which I like. Definitely try the short rib taco and the pork belly pastor if you’re a first timer. The flavors are mixed so well. The only thing with their tacos is that they’re a little pricey at $ 4 each. They aren’t big tacos so I think they’re a little overpriced. Supposedly they have a happy hour that was voted best in the city at some point and I don’t understand why. We went for a happy hour and they had one beer on special so I guess I’m missing something… unless you get PBR, which they serve in a boot glass. Who doesn’t enjoy a boot glass?!
Anyway, the décor is western themed. They were playing «The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas» on the TV and usually play a John Wayne movie or some classic western. I think that’s pretty neat. A nice stray from a sports event. They have a fair amount of space and high top tables that can accommodate larger groups. I have been here a few times and will definitely be back. Get here for some simple, tasty tacos.

Best short rib tacos I’ve had in years! Good beer selection and lively atmosphere.
Open late and in a great location.

Believe the hype… Bakersfield is amazing! We stopped in to get out of the rain after Comfest. The atmosphere is cozy and hip. The service was perfect. The food was amazing! There were 5 of us and between all of us, we had at least one of every taco on the menu. They brought our tacos out on large round tray and had the ones we each ordered lined up in front of each of us. Creative! We were all amazed at how good the tacos were. I wish I could tell you my favorite. I cant pick just one! The table salsas were fantastic as well. If you love cilantro like moi… you will LOVE the green one.
The star for me was the spicy margarita. Deeelish!

Ohio, you have impressed me this far! Amazing margaritas, hams down top 5! Yes. I said hams down! Tacos are delicious, I recommend al pastor which is the pineapple one, bomb! Cheese dip was also really good but what tipped it over the edge was the service. I believe Rachel was her name, on point, fun and full of energy. Really made the experience a whole. I’ll definitely be back!

This place is A-​Okay for starters and drinks and service! Tacos. the jury is still out. If I wouldn’t have tried the tacos. I think this place might have gotten the 4 (but right now it’s a cool 3.5).
I wish I could remember my server’s name. he was AMAZING. he made you feel like you were the only customer he had. Attentive, authentic, knowledgeable. and yes I should know his name, but it escapes me. I’ll find my receipt!
I had the Bakersfield Margarita — heaven in a glass. and the queso. it’s a cross between tex mex queso and has a baked topping. it was absolutely amazeballs! I mean at this rate, I just knew this tacos would be an absolute winner. Add the jalepenos. definitely worth it.
That’s when it all changed. I had pollo rojo — tomatillo braised chicken, smoky guajillo chili salsa, queso fresco, white onion, chipotle lime crema, cilantro and the huitlacoche — corn truffles, roasted poblano, corn, onion, cotija cheese, cilantro. Both very different and very similar in the lacking flavor department. I was surprised. very surprised. The chicken was a bit tough and the other a bit dry.
Does that discourage me. absolutely not! I’ll be back for margaritas and queso!