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Bakersfield, located in the ground floor of the Encore building, bills itself quite simply with the tagline 'Tacos. Tequila. Whiskey.” In truth, the chain is selling itself shortthis hip taco emporium has quickly drawn a local following.
The simple menu allows for quick service, making it a smart stop before a big-ticket event at one of the nearby music venues. It features a short list of appetizers, including a fundido-like queso dip and an excellent guacamole that manages to be creamy and chunky at the same time.
In addition to a few hearty tortas and tostadas stuffed with a variety of well-spiced meaty fillings, the real highlight of Bakersfield's menu is the tight roster of tacos. The mole taco features a rich nutty sauce that's set off by the acid of pickled red onions atop Oaxacan-style braised chicken; the pollo rojo also features chicken, but this time slathered with a smoky guajillo chili salsa. The fish taco is fairly typical of the ilk but does benefit from the use of crispy mahimahi filets. Pork lovers can enjoy the cochinita pibil with its spicy habanero salsa or the sweeter pastor that's flavored with pineapple and white onions. Vegetarians can get in on the action with the rajas taco, which contains several varieties of mild peppers.
The bar offers more than 100 varieties of tequila plus a wide selection of other spirits and craft beers. You can even enjoy a PBR served in a glass mug shaped like a cowboy boot, if that's your kind of thing.
201 3rd Ave S, 615-522-0970; bakersfieldtacos.com