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Name: Bakersfield OTR
Address: 1213 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202
Telephone: (513) 579-0446
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.30

Bakersfield OTR

1213 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202

(513) 579-0446
Store is closed

Bakersfield OTR Menu

Ensaladas

Johnny

June

Johnny

June
Tortas

Milanesa

Short Rib

Milanesa

Short Rib
Tacos

Mole

Pollo Verde

Fish

Pastor

Cochinita Pibil

Short Rib

Rajas

Huitlacoche

Mole

Pollo Verde

Fish

Pastor

Cochinita Pibil

Short Rib

Rajas

Huitlacoche
Main Menu

Chips and Guacamole

Chips and Salsa

Corn Chowder

Black Beans

Chips and Queso

Chips and Guacamole

Chips and Salsa

Corn Chowder

Black Beans

Chips and Queso
Side

Crema

Guacamole

House Pickled Jalapenos (Hot)

Crema

Guacamole

House Pickled Jalapenos (Hot)
Mexican Soda

Mexican Coke

Jarritos Mandarin

Jarritos Grapefruit

Mexican Coke

Jarritos Mandarin

Jarritos Grapefruit

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bakersfield OTR

Ensaladas

Johnny [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

June [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Johnny [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

June [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tortas

Milanesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Short Rib [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milanesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Short Rib [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tacos

Mole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Verde [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pastor [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cochinita Pibil [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Short Rib [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rajas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huitlacoche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Verde [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pastor [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cochinita Pibil [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Short Rib [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rajas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huitlacoche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Main Menu

Chips and Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chips and Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Chowder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chips and Queso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chips and Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chips and Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Chowder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chips and Queso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side

Crema [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Pickled Jalapenos (Hot) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crema [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Pickled Jalapenos (Hot) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Mexican Soda

Mexican Coke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jarritos Mandarin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jarritos Grapefruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican Coke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jarritos Mandarin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jarritos Grapefruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.

Kfc ( 7716 Beechmont Ave )

Kfc ( 3006 Reading Rd )

TGI Friday’s ( 8150 Montgomery Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.

Kfc ( 7716 Beechmont Ave )

Kfc ( 3006 Reading Rd )

TGI Friday’s ( 8150 Montgomery Rd )

Write An Anonymous Review

L M.

boo on the hostess! I arrived to meet my friend for a quick drink and chips. They would not seat me because not everyone in my "party" (2 people) were there. I explained that she was parking her car but they still wouldn't seat me. My friend showed up and we went next door to Lavomatic for a drink and a spectacular view on their roof top patio. That is terrible business to deny someone a table. Big turn off!!! Where are we? In LA at a 4 star restaurant. boooooo!!!!!
(1)
Julia C.

Their tacos are delicious, and the chips and salsa are pretty awesome as well. It's a little loud and busy, but that would describe pretty much any restaurant in OTR. Service was quick, and we (party of two on a Wednesday evening around 6pm) were seated immediately.
(4)
Austin M.

Place is absolutely awesome! great tacos, good booze, always packed for good reason
(5)
Brian K.

You must get the guacamole and chips. Great margaritas and an unbelievably good tostada. If you plan on going on the weekend, get there about 2 hours before you want to eat and they will take your phone number and call you.
(4)
Manasa R.

Love this place! It's always busy so long way to get seated but good selection of food and drinks. Very chill.
(5)
Umber A.

Cozy and fresh atmosphere. Good food, wasn't the best tacos I have ever had but definitely hit the spot. I usually love fish tacos, but felt like their tacos were a bit on the salty side. However the restaurant redeemed itself with its short rib tacos !!! Delish! Yum! Guacamole was on my top 5 guac list! Sauces were AMAZING! Overall experience, better than average! I would definitely go again.
(4)
Becky P.

My favorite restaurant in Cincinnati (and I've supposedly been to all the best ones). Fun environment and really good, cheap food. Thought the tacos were super flavorful. I loved their pickled jalepenos too-yum!
(5)
Dan T.

First thing you need to know about Bakersfield is that you will not walk in and get a seat if you go around prime mealtime. Having said that, it is worth the wait. As with most OTR spots, they take your phone number, so there is no need to hopelessly sit and wait, you have the freedom to peruse the area and get a drink at one of the numerous bars. Bakersfield's food is delicious. Taco's are not large, but they are made with very fresh ingredients and are reasonably priced for the quality you get. My personal favorite is the Short Rib Torta. For $9 you get a hefty sandwich with some of the best beef I've had in a sandwich. Their Cali-Mex flair adds so much flavor to the meat, I literally drool thinking about it. Plan to spend a couple of hours and visit Bakersfield. The Vibe, the food, and the people will not disappoint.
(5)
Magda C.

Love love love! Tried everything from the menu by now. Tacos are amazing, especially fish and rib. Tortas are incredible too, luckily both chicken and rib are delicious and one makes a huge meal. I really love their tortilla chips with quac or the Mexican cheese with chorizo. And Bakersfield Margarita, mmmmmm! But be careful, they seem harmless but they KICK fast. I have no complaints about this place! Check out the bathroom and leave a message for your date on the board, it is cute!
(5)
Caitlin M.

If you want the most amazing queso and best margaritas of your life, this is the place! For $24 you can get a margarita pitcher and boy are they STRONG! Pair that with the best queso I've just about ever had and you have the perfect start to your night. The tacos are good as well, but beware that spicy means SPICY! There will likely be a wait if you go on a weekend night, but it's nice that they take your number and then you can walk down the street to any number of other bars and have a drink or two while you wait.
(5)
Jason W.

Have tried to get in this place for months on a weekend without any luck. Went on a Friday around lunch with 3 others and got a table immediately. I really liked Bakersfield but I don't think I would ever wait more than an hour to eat there. The tacos are small but are good. My favorites were the fish and cochinita tacos. Chips and salsa was really good with the salsa being spicy with a smokey/roasted taste to it. I will definitely go back again but on a weekday afternoon for sure.
(4)
Aimee H.

Guacamole was amazing... Really all of the food was delicious. My husband loved the chicken torta that our waitress reccommended. Like most restaurants in OTR the place is tiny so be prepared to wait. It's worth it though.
(5)
Shannon S.

Absolutely loved the food! The short rib taco is my favorite. Will definitely be going back!
(5)
Dan W.

Lively atmosphere, decent drinks, just okay tacos.
(3)
Tony D.

Very good tacos and food in general. Tried the mole, cochinita pibil, short rib, and pollo verde, and they were all delicious. Be wary that they are pretty small though (probably snack-size), and so an individual taco is somewhat hard to share. If you're just getting tacos, you'd probably want at least 3 or 4 to fill you up, which can add up. We also tried the milanesa torta, which was surprisingly good. I wasn't expecting much from a chicken cutlet, but it wasn't dry or plain at all, and the accompanying condiments made a good combination. It was big enough to share, even after 4 tacos between 2 people. Ambience is also nice, a bit loud but very active bar on a Saturday night in the area.
(4)
Samantha M.

This place is amazing! Cute little spot with the most delightful guac I have ever had. Super chunky with a whole lot of flavor. Seriously...a whole lot. Love the edgy decor and big bar. Sweet bartenders too!
(5)
Ed P.

I think I am the last blogger in Cincinnati to visit Bakersfield OTR, but my wife and I finally did so last week. I had wanted to visit many times before, but our nights without our kids are very limited, and Bakersfield is not child friendly. I would have no problem taking a baby there, as the environment isn't bad for kids, there just isn't much that our picky two-year-old would eat. We arrived just after 6 PM on a Tuesday evening and were happy to find plenty of available seating. I've heard stories of long waits, but our early week visit likely helped. We were asked if we would rather have a seat at a table or at the fairly large bar. When we replied that we would like a table we were shown to one half of a large community table. Later during our meal, three women would occupy the other end of the table and there was still plenty of room for all of us. I immediately ordered some chips and guacamole for us to start with ($6). The guacamole was very fresh and filled with large chunks of avocado. Overall it was pretty basic as far as ingredients go, but still quite delicious. I don't think it's the best I've ever had, unlike many others who do think it is the best around, but it is definitely worthy of ordering. My wife ordered the Bakersfield margarita ($6), which came served in a mason jar. I had a couple of sips from it while we waited for our dinner to arrive and immediately fell in love. It isn't overly sour and packs a punch with a stiff pour of el Jimador Blanco tequila. When ordering another round of drinks, I gladly switched over from the beer I originally had to get a margarita of my own. As I hinted at earlier, the menu is not lengthy at all. Basically there are a handful of appetizers and sides, a couple of torta sandwiches, and eight different tacos to choose from. My wife and I split six of their taco offerings: cochinita pibil ($3), mole ($4), pollo verde ($3), fish ($4), pastor ($3), and rajas ($3). The order I listed them is from my favorite to least likely to order again. The cochinita pibil is a fairly simple combination of achiote braised pork, pickled red onion, Habanero salsa, and cilantro, but the pork was perfectly cooked and tender with a ton of spicy heat from the salsa. The mole taco is filled with Oaxacan style braised chicken, pickled red onion, queso fresco, and cilantro. The sweet flavors of the mole sauce combined wonderfully with the creamy cheese and pickled onions. The pollo verde mixes tomatillo braised chicken, queso fresco, pickled onion, cilantro, crema, and radish. The sauce/marinade on this chicken was not as good as the mole, but I still enjoyed this one. The fish taco was piled high with crispy Mahi, Tabasco lime sauce, and citrus slaw. It definitely had the largest amount of protein and the toppings were exploding out of it. I'm not a very big seafood fan, but I had a few bites of this and this would be one fish item that I would actually consider ordering again. My wife loved it and it was probably one of her favorites of the night. The pastor combines chili marinated pork, pineapple, pickled onion, and cilantro. I do typically love the combination of pineapple with a somewhat spiced meat, but I felt that this pork was little too tough and chewy. It was not shredded like most of the other tacos and was mostly harder chunks of meat. Finally the rajas was our choice from the two vegetarian offerings. It is stuffed with poblano, fresno, and bell pepper, ejotes (green beans), chihauhua, queso fesco, and cilantro. This one was actually a great combination of flavors, but I really missed the meat, so I would not be likely to order it again. Overall we had a great first experience at Bakersfield OTR. The food was mostly great and the drinks were superb. I wish there was something for our son to eat, that way we could make it down for dinner more often.
(4)
David W.

This spot in my opinion is the best bang for your buck spot in all of Cincinnati! The food is excellent! My personal favorite is the Rojo & Pastor Tacos. Can't go wrong with the Chips & Quac or Queso for starters either! Also if it's dinner and drinks they offer a $3 shot of featured tequila & whiskey daily as well as $2 pbr boots. The margaritas are the best in the city! The downside is it's always busy. So most likely you will have to wait. (BUT ITS WORTH IT). If you want to beat the rush, I have found the best time is late lunch early dinner.
(5)
Todd R.

Great place to grab a quick taco and hang with friends. I have been a few times and never had a bad meal, I should warn you that it is pricy for what it is but like a lot if places in OTR you are paying more for the location.
(4)
A M.

Bakersfield is amazing! Very popular spot on weekend nights. Plan ahead! You will have a wait! Short rib tacos and their margaritas are excellent!
(5)
Max S.

Logistically, you will surely be seated on top of another group, so unless you've got a sizable group of your own, would only recommend between-meal hours for anyone looking to have a conversation while eating. I've had most of the tacos and tried the queso and chili. If you're into the cast iron thing, the queso dip comes in a skillet, but for me, you come here for the tacos. Enjoyed the food more than the environment. Lack of seating/over-capacitated feel to the place prevents this from being a real go-to for me.
(3)
Steve H.

This is a fun place with some great food. The atmosphere probably isn't for everyone. It is pretty loud and crowded almost all the time. If you can deal with it the food is amazing! I haven't had anything that wasn't good to eat here. The tacos are fantastic and unique. You won't be disappointed. They are smaller gourmet tacos. Typically 2-3 are plenty. You can tell it is fresh made food! The appetizers are also great! The cheese dip is not your typical processed cheese dip. This is served in a cast iron skillet that is all real cheese! Amazing. The guacamole is also just fantastic. You won't be disappointed with either and the portions are good. The bar is great here too. They have probably 7 or so taps generally with a bunch of good local craft beer. They also have specials with PBR that you can drink min a glass cowboy boot. The margaritas here are also amazing! This is a place I take all my friends that come into town. Located in OTR it is very accessible and is in a safe area. There is a secure parking garage just a block away or street parking. The only bad part about is the wait times for a table. It frequently is 90 minutes plus. However, they take your cell phone number and call when a table is available so you can go explore while you wait. We often go grab a beer at Rhinegiest just down the street while we wait. What a great place!
(5)
Sara P.

I visited here while in town with my best friend, celebrating our shared birthdays by attending a show at the Taft. Although a Bakersfield recently opened in Indy, I hadn't been able to visit yet....my huge mistake. We started with margaritas and chips w. guacamole. After years and years of sub-par, weak-ass margaritas, I was surprised to finally drink a strong, delicious margarita on-the-rocks. I was tipsy after only two (2) of them; for $6/each, this seemed to be a great deal. The guacamole was not mushed into oblivion, but was chunky, topped with radishes, and nicely tart from the perfect amount of lime juice. We shared the following tacos: mole chicken, pork pastor, achiote pork, and the poblano "rajas". The poblano taco was our least favorite, but the remaining 3 were pretty tasty, especially the combination of pineapple and pork in the pastor taco. We also split the short rib torta, which was the highlight of the meal. My friend commented that I actually made an "angry face" at the torta, exasperated with how damn delicious it tasted and frustrated to think I had wasted time not having this torta in my life. We experimented with the squirt bottles of red chipotle and tomato verde salsas throughout the meal, and couldn't pick a favorite. If I had to make a recommendation, I'd advise to order a short rib torta, guacamole, and the pastor taco...and wash it down with plenty of margaritas. The place was packed, filled with young flannelled persons intermixed with suited professionals. Our server was very friendly and helped us first-timers navigate the menu. I loved the wooden accents, soundtrack, and overall environment, and definitely need to visit the Indy location as soon as possible.
(5)
Chris C.

From beginning to end, Bakersfield was an awesome experience. We ventured here on a Tuesday night around 5:00pm, so I didn't have to experience the epically long wait that I'd heard about. We walked in and were seated immediately. The margaritas were absurdly good, with zero sour mix in sight. The rims of the mason jar glasses were caked with salt, which I loved. Make sure to get guac and salsa with your chips. The guac is slightly spicy and extremely well seasoned. The salsas are markedly different, with a mild salsa that's heavy on the cilantro (yum) and a medium salsa that's rich and smoky. The tacos were clearly created with care, and the Al Pastor taco was the best I've ever had. The price is surprisingly affordable, since tacos are only $3-$4 a piece. If you can sneak in on a weeknight or early on the weekend, there's absolutely no reason not to visit Bakersfield.
(5)
Aly S.

Bakersfield is such a fun place to come with a small crowd. Their tacos are pretty good, I always get the fish and then mix it up for 1 or 2 more. Their guacamole is really good, huge chunks of avocado. Their margaritas are really delicious too. They have a nice cheap 2$ boot of PBR which I usually indulge in after a marg or 2. Also have a decent selection of other beers. Bakersfield is a great place to take a few out of towners or just go out with friends. You might have to wait but if you can get a place to stand around and enjoy drinks/guacamole it is totally worth it!
(4)
Chris A.

I've been here too many times to count. Great tacos, awesome queso and guac. Probably the best queso in town. It has a hard crust on the top which is unique and definitely adds to the quality. I love that there are community tables. It forces you to talk with other people and I always end up making a few new friends and having more fun. FYI, there is always a wait, up to two hours sometimes. I'll give the hostess my name and go down the street to the Lackman and have a few drinks. Just go earlier than you would usually go to make it a nice evening.
(5)
Mary Clare B.

The margaritas are the best but expect to wait for at least one to two hours or to eat out in the corral.
(4)
Nathan K.

One of the original hot spots partially responsible for the resurgence of OTR. Great tacos, delicious guacamole and margaritas! As seen on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Usually a slight wait but great chance to have a boot of beer.
(4)
Michael R.

Great Guac and Tacos. If you like fish make sure to try the Fish Taco.
(5)
J B.

Variety of tacos and salsas for all tastes. Daily drink specials. Excellent service. Music and crowds are much louder at night than early evening.
(5)
Brittany M.

I have never had a bad experience at Bakersfield. The service is always impeccable, the hostess is efficient, and the servers make you feel like a regular. The restaurant has the best service in the area, and I would recommend it to anyone in the Cincinnati area. If you have not had a Baskerfield Margarita you have not truly lived.
(5)
Ben N.

Let's get this out of the way first: Bakersfield OTR's food is quite good. But based on a single experience, it's not good enough for me not to call this one of the most overrated restaurants in Cincinnati, at least among Yelpsters and Urbanspoonsters. The food is obviously prepared with care, and it's fresh and has distinct, clean flavors. But for me, it lacked pop. I liked the chunky guacamole, but I felt like it needed more lime and garlic (and/or onion) to amp it up a notch or two. And I probably did a double-take when they put the platter of tacos in front of us--are these tacos designed for frigging Liliputians? Yeah, many taco trucks out in LA serve tacos of this size--the tortillas are about three inches in diameter--but those usually run ONE DOLLAR or a DOLLAR TWENTY-FIVE each. But at $3 and $4 a pop, these look like they've been run through an Incredible Taco-Shrinking Machine, if such a contraption existed. If you've got a normal appetite, you'll need at least three or four of them unless you fill up on chips and salsa and/or guacamole as well. (Which is good idea, BTW.) So for the price, these tacos had better be damn good. Well, they're good, but not good enough. Cochinita pibil lacked the bold pork flavor--the meat seemed a little too lean--that I've had in carnitas and pastor tacos elsewhere, although I did like the habanero salsa (not as fiery as advertised by the server, tho). The short-rib was better, although not quite as good as the similar barbacoa (with short rib) tacos at Nada. Nice flavor combination with the pickled onion, crema, queso fresca, and cilantro, though. Anyway, the histrionics about the "best" tacos "ever," or whatever you might read here, are a little over the top. These are good, but there are better tacos in this city, let alone elsewhere. Table salsas are good but not great. The verde is very fresh-tasting but lacks complexity, and the roja tastes a lot like the not-remarkable salsa Nada serves (black pepper seems more forward than any hot peppers). The smokier salsas at Taqueria Mercado (a restaurant I'm otherwise not too nuts about), a few blocks away, are better. Our server was great: personable, informative, and attentive. Why all the hype? I don't know. But Bakersfield is up front about being a high-concept restaurant, what with the Bakersfield country music and outsider image, lots of alcohol offerings that old-time Bakersfiled Okies could never have afforded even with adjustment for inflation, and Westerns on big TV screens (movies that don't really have a thing to do with Bakersfield motif except for a loose geographical connection). Cincinnatians, or at least professionals and OTR residents, sure are digging the concept. I think it's kinda contrived. I'm probably going to get flayed for this on Yelp, but there's also the "OTR curve," as my wife called it, and I think she's onto something: Many businesses in this vibrant and gentrifying neighborhood--I don't deny that OTR is currently a great credit to the city--simply get hyped beyond their worth because of their location. (On Yelp, OTR restaurants seem to get a half-star rating boost on location alone.) In short, I can't imagine waiting hours to get into Bakersfield, like some fans apparently do. I realize people make a night of it by going out for drinks during their wait, but maybe they're getting too impaired--and hungry--to have great judgment about the value of this restaurant. And I don't intend to be sarcastic or condescending in saying that getting inebriated enhances a lot of life experiences. Nada, even though no longer the New Kid on the Block, is still the better restaurant in the Upscale Gringo Mexican division. P.S. For the drama here made by some about the hipster quotient at Bakersfield, we went at lunchtime one day and felt like we were surrounded by power business lunchers made up almost entirely of white professionals my age (forties) and even older. This crowd could just have easily been at Montgomery Inn. The young happening kids obviously must come out at night. P.P.S. Yeah, the music's good, certainly better than what you hear in most restaurants. P.P.P.S. A number of Yelpers here are impressed by the fact that at Bakersfield you order your tacos "individually." But guess what: That's how just about every taqueria or taco truck operated by actual Mexicans or Mexican-Americans does it. And for that matter, I don't get why the restaurant serves an entire table's tacos on a single tray; I imagine that this can become quite confusing to a large party. P.P.P.P.S. I am suspicious of the number of reviews that use the unfortunate words "guac" and "marg." P.P.P.P.P.S. (7/15): If your favorite food or dining descriptive is either "amazing" or "awesome," or both, I guarantee that this is a restaurant you'll love because at least half of Bakersfield's five-star reviews include either or both of those words.
(3)
Amy E.

It baffles me that so many people love this place, and that people are willing to wait hours for a table. There is a great alcohol selection, and the queso was fantastic. I was incredibly disappointed in the tacos-- there wasn't enough flavor. I probably won't go back.
(3)
Eman S.

Bakersfield is a fun atmosphere with great food and drinks. There is usually a 1-2 hour wait time...but it is worth it! We kill time with drinks at the neighboring coffee/ wine bar. Amazing guacamole and queso as starters. My go to tacos are the short rib and fish tacos. Both are melt in your mouth delicious!
(4)
Barry L.

Gary said "OH BARRY YOU GOTTA TRY A MARGY AT BAKEYS" and Gary picked me up in his Honda and we went to Bakersfield and let me tell you their GUAC is delicious but not really that good. The drinks are great and expensive! But the tacos remind me of the tacos my step-uncle used to sell back in Gary's old hometown. But on most nights it's busy here and there might be a line but it's worth it if you like waiting for drinks and food! Thomas cannot eat here because he is a boy. Men only at Bakersfield! 4/5 stars! Love it!
(4)
Tammy R.

Food was good but overpriced,music to loud could not hold a conversation unless your leaning into the persons ear ,chips and salsa you have to purchase separate .menu lim
(3)
Allison M.

GUACAMOLE! Seriously get the guacamole. It is just like homemade chunky guac. All of the tacos I have tired are amazing.. The fish tacos are my favorite. Today I tried the willie salad.. Sad I wasn't getting fish tacos but wanted to try something new. I was surprised at how fresh and full of flavor the salad was! It was big enough for leftovers for tomorrow :) I'm a beer drinker but have heard the margaritas are amazing!
(5)
Natalie J.

I have been to this place several times now, and I can only think of one thing wrong with it; It gets incredibly crowded on certain nights after about 6:30-7. But seeing as they are located in a tiny space on one of the hottest spots for food, this is a no-brainer. Expect to wait for your mouth orgasms, people. Also, get yourselves down here for dinner on a night other than Friday or Saturday. Or you could get there at 6 and be fine. Or probably after 9. You learn to go at the right time for good food. This is what you need to order when you go there: -a margarita (they are hands down the best in the city, totally worth $6, and STRONG) -if you don't like margaritas, get the $3 tequila shot special (comes with salt and fresh lime) and a $2 boot of beer (PBR) instead. -the queso with chorizo (trust me, it's worth the extra dollar and the impending cardiac arrest) -1 or 2 tacos of your choice (if you like spicy, do the cochinita pibil, if not, do the fish or short rib) -You are probably thinking "Only one or two tacos? They're so small though. Won't I still be hungry?" No. You will actually already be bursting at the seams, but the tacos are completely necessary. Plus, their tacos are about 90% meat, much more filling than they appear. You will soon be in the Southwestern Elysian Fields. I have never been disappointed by the flavor or the service. Yes, it gets a tad noisy, but hey, that means other people love it too! It's also the best bang for your buck in the Gateway Quarter. The aforementioned dinner would cost between $11 and $17 a person. For perfectly paired drink, an appetizer, AND dinner? AND you get to watch John Wayne films if the conversation gets awkward? You're welcome.
(5)
Jessica L.

ok, everyone raves about the Tacos. Yes, they are fabulous. BUT the atmosphere if you go on a calm night is awesome. The Bartenders were Chill, attentive and cheery(on the verge of bubbly). It was not too loud. I had just seen TRUE Grit at the Know theater and was looking to find a nice place to grab a beer with a friend. Bakersfield beckoned. I had heard the rants from friends about mind blowing taco but also heard the horror stories of long wait times and countless bouts of exhaustion as famished guests waited for a seat. I went at 10 pm on a Monday. It was full, but Me and my friend found two seats at the bar easily. There were westerns on the TVs. There was beer. There were Margaritas. There were Tacos. There was Merriment. I like this place. Go when it is not crowded. Tacos rock, margaritas are awesome and the staff is wonderful.
(4)
Jodie F.

A nice add to OTR. Love the vibe, tequila, chalk board hallway by the bathroom. Its a bit too crowded but you know, that's a good sign. Currently having a love affair with the tacos (in fact we got them two nights in a row) and will for sure make frequent stops. Already referred Bakersfield to my out of towners to show them how fun Cincy can be. Keep up the good work!
(4)
Joeye S.

Finally, made it to Bakersfield OTR! My first time ever experiencing Downtown Happy Hour. Will I do it again? Does Cincinnati hold the Flying Pig? "YES" This little adventure was worth it's weight in gold. The Atmosphere, was lively, with businessmen and women, walking up Vine to get to this little gem. Surprised, I was able to get right in and found myself a cozy seat at the bar right in front of the impressive taps. Jeff one of my bartenders, was a Mixing Master, filling the fabulous mason jars full of various margaritas. Supplied with a menu and a cold NA BECKS, I placed an order of Nachos, 1 Pastor and 1 Huitalacoche. As I checked my surroundings a gentleman that was waiting to order drinks introduced himself, ironically we had the same name, and even more ironic so did one of his co-workers. So we all toasted the occasion. The old westerns on the TV's, some may not like but I absolutely LOVED this little feature. I remember watching the Saturday Westerns with my mom when I was younger, I actually recognized Peter Fonda and Charles Bronson. I even remember smiling about that cool memory. The music, again the mix from trendy to country was great, variety is the spice of life. Bakersfield OTR Definitely offers spice for anyone looking to try something different. My Food Compliments to Chef: The Nachos were out within minutes of me ordering with fresh guacamole, mouthgasmic pleasure. Then the Huitalocoche taco, I like black beans, cilantro, and cheese. It brought back memories from the Mexican vendors that brought us food where I had tended bar years ago. The Pastor was like a spicy, sweet dessert only better because it had meat. Overall first experience 10, from the employees to the patrons walking in the door. Friendly + Courteous =Full Satisfied Repeat Customer. Thank You
(5)
Trinh T.

amazing tacos, prices & margaritas! :D
(5)
Jason S.

Was pretty excited about this place after seeing the menu and come on...who doesn't like tacos?? Got there around 6:30 and there was about a hour wait...on a Wednesday. It wasn't really a big deal because there are some places nearby and we happened to hop in a nearby bar and grab a drink. Nice thing was they took down our number and just called us when the table was ready. Anyway, we get seated and instantly crave all the food that was around us and decide on chips and guac since we heard they were great. Turns out, those people were right. Also, we ordered a pitcher of margartias and I highly recommend yall do the same. We ordered four tacos and I can't say I loved them all but I really did enjoy the Pastor taco as it had some good spice and flavor. Fish taco was also good but was a little bland for my taste. Overall, great food and atmosphere at this place and we are most likely going to be back.
(4)
F D.

Consistently good. The food is yummy, but more than anything its a great place to to go with friends -
(4)
Konstantin A.

Pretty good but I don't know that it lives up to all the hype. The guacamole we had was way over salted. The salsa was good. The 3 tacos I had - fish, short rib, and pastor - were definitely above average. I would definitely go here again (especially with their good beer selection) but not sure if it's worth the long wait that you sometimes encounter here .
(3)
Krista N.

I was so excited to see this new restaurant open in OTR, and my first visit there didn't disappoint. The atmosphere is unique - it has its own style and a great vibe. The only downside is that it is SMALL.... I was there for a drink on a Tuesday and we didn't have to wait, but I expect that most weekend nights there will be a long wait - especially while it is still new. One cool feature is that they have a large round community table, where they will seat multiple parties. If you are having a casual evening this is way better than waiting for a table. The servers were really great, and one of the owners stopped by to ask about our experience. They were very attentive and seemed to really care about our experience. Now on to the food. I just had a drink, but all of my friends ordered some tacos, and said they were amazing! We also got chips and guac, and it was fabulous.... The have a number of tacos on the menu for $3 - $4, which can make for a cheap dinner (depending on how many you eat). Definitely well worth checking out - I can't wait to go back for more!
(5)
Mike R.

Scene: Fits in well with the rest of OTR on Vine (Senate, A Tavola, Abigail St) in terms of crowd (YP's, hipsters) and imagine it will cater to younger crowd when the opening dies down given its mexican-food tilt and cheap prices Atmosphere: Has a Hip/Texas Cantina feel, think Nada but not as pretentious. Much more laid-back/chill than some of other restaurants around. Have a nice collection of whiskey's and tequilas behind the bar, and two TV's playing western classics on mute. Didn't notice the music, which means it was good. Like other OTR spots, fairly small and no reservations. They do have a long table behind the bar which makes it nice to stand and have a cocktail/appetizer (something the other places lack). . Food: I've eaten twice and say some of the items are very good and some are okay. Majority of menu is taco options (about seven) and they have a few other items (topas, salads, chips).The short rib by far has the most flavor of the tacos, in my opinion. The guacamole is fresh, and the chips were okay (Nada still has the best) - then again, not expecting much for $4-5. If you like spicy food, you'll likely enjoy this place as most of their items have a nice 'kick' to them, and they provide two really good salas with your meal if you want to turn up the heat more. Price: Very cheap. $3-4 tacos, $4 guacamole and cheap drink options ($2 boots of PBR, $3 shots daily) if you are on a budget Service: Has been busy with the opening, but everyone is friendly and the service has been fast. Overall, nice addition to the OTR Scene and I will probably be frequent customer
(4)
Karen D.

Last night a friend & I stopped by to try Bakersfield OTR. It was packed on Saturday night and were told we would have a wait of 40-45 minutes, but only turned out to be 20. Andrew our server was great, explained and recommended a variety of items, he stopped by a few times to check on us and if we needed any more drinks. The margaritas are good with lots of tequila. The corn poblano chowder is the best I've ever had, roasted corn, creme and just enough poblano heat. I had seconds! The June salad with arugula, oranges, jalapenos and lime dressing was very fresh and flavorful, great mix of sweet & heat. We ordered a variety of tacos per Andrew's suggestion. The Cochinita Pibil is the best, I'm not a pork fan, but melted in your mouth, plus the heat from habanaro salsa was just right. You must use the fresh cut limes provided with your tacos, they enhance the flavor & we used all of them. I can't wait to return soon and try more, what another great addition to Gateway Quarter.
(5)
Khoa N.

Yummy. Great addition to the Gateway Quarter. Stopped in twice last week and luckily didn't have to wait. First, let's talk about the drinks. Between the two visits I had 2 of the barrel aged cocktails - the manhattan and tegroni. I've read about barrel aged cocktails and was so excited to finally try one. Really enjoyed the tegroni; but I've never had one to compare how the barrel aging affected the taste. The Manhattan was also quite good, but my personal taste would prefer a regular Manhattan. The barrel aging smoothed out the drink, but perhaps a bit too much for me. I was missing the nice little kick that I usually get. On to the food. The tacos were DELISH! and the guac was fantastic. Great limey cilantro flavor. I had the fish taco, chicken taco, and short rib. At first I thought the tortilla shell was a bit small, but after eating them, it turned out to be a great proportion to the meat of the tacos. The ingredients tasted fresh and all had a great complexity of flavors and textures. Soo excited to have this as another food/drink option in OTR!!
(5)
Stuart T.

Another great addition to the gateway district! I went 2 night in a row so i can try more of the tacos and drinks. Bakersfield is a taco and whiskey bar. You pay per taco and they are fairly small but reasonably priced. I tried the pastor taco (the best in my opinion), the short ribs and the spicy habanero salsa taco. They were all excellent! We also started with chip and guacamole and queso. The guacamole is chunky and cistrusy but very good. As for drinks they have barrel aged cocktails. I tried the mahattan which was great! They have sangria which was kinda strong, but good, and, of course, marguerites which were also very good. For $2 you can get PBR in a glass boot. Totally hipster! Bakersfield is a welcome addition to OTR giving a cheaper dining option with exceptional food and drinks!
(5)
Lauren B.

Great place! We went while it was not very busy, got a table right away, and got our food rather quickly. The staff is extremely nice and helpful when it comes to navigating through a mostly Spanish menu. We got a couple Rajas and Huitlacoche tacos and they were great. Preferred the Huitlacoche. Tacos are pricey for their size, but their flavor makes up for it. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Amy G.

Great little tacos and queso dip, guac wasn't great though. Busy little place with a fun atmosphere.
(4)
Clint S.

After my last day of work the other day, I decided to stop by Bakersfield for a celebratory drink or two. I've always wanted to go here, but if you don't get there before 7 or after midnight, its packed. I'm happy that biz is well here, based on my brief visit, it definitely deserves the packed houses. I had one tequila drink and one bourbon drink, both made by head bartender Jeff Snyder, and both were excellent. If you are looking for some quality liquor, Bakersfield is a good place to visit. They also have a decent tap selection if you are in a beer mood. And of course you can order a PBR in a boot. I didn't get a chance to try any of the food, but it looked good and I have heard positive things about their grub. I enjoyed the set up and atmosphere. They play old westerns on their tv's which works well with their theme. Overall I enjoyed my Bakserfield visit and think its a good addition to the Gateway Quarter area of OTR.
(4)
Beth G.

Another amazing successful option in OTR. The food, the drinks, the staff & environment are wonderful. Small and simple is the key to Bakerfield. My drink of choice is wine, but here I had hoped I'd go for the PBR in a boot. Wine selection is good. Small, but varied with price and selection. Several taco options to choose from and a queso bean dip that I'm eating as a meal most times. This is Americanized Mexican, so I wouldn't exactly say mexican food, but delicious food it is. Not too spicy, heavy on the lime & cilantro which is a bonus to me. There are lots of crowds right now because of it's latest release, however if you can get there on a week night, the price and scene are right. Only complaint, why are there always LCD screens in new restaurants? I think they're distracting.
(5)
Carol J.

BEST MARGARITAS IN TOWN! Tacos and guacamole are probably the closest thing to authentic you'll find around town. Some of the flavor combinations might be slightly "Gringo", but all the tacos are served on corn tortillas and the flavors shine through the simplicity of the tacos. Don't expect a table on a Saturday night, but try to at least get a drink from the bar!
(5)
Jessica P.

Wow! After drinking a few beers at Bockfest, we all decided we needed to eat. So we walked over to Balersfield OTR and put our name on the list. They took our phone number and said it would be about an hour and a half wait, but we called and added two more people to the reservation do it took at little bit longer. It was worth the wait. They seated our group of 6 at the big round table with another group of 4, so it wasn't exactly conducive to talking. But the music was so loud that we couldn't really hear anyone anyway. I took off one star for being so loud, even the waitress had to yell to get our order. But the food, oh the food! It was fantastic and reasonably priced! I got two fish tacos and a chicken taco. Then our table got several orders of chips and salsa and guacamole to share. It was all so delicious. The tacos were amazing. My friend got the short rib torta and let me have a bite. I could probably eat that everyday and never get tired of it. SO GOOD. I had a little bit of meal envy. I will definitely be coming back here.
(4)
Drew W.

Try the short rib tacos, you can thank me later.
(4)
Orval Ale S.

Arrived around 10:00 on a Tuesday night and had seating options at the bar or table. Prompt service with a thorough menu explanation. Sampled many of the tacos which were all very tasty indeed. Was not very impressed with the chips and queso though...Probably spoiled from living in Detroit and consuming flaming cheese many times in Mexican Town! Overall, a solid place worthy of a return visit when in town.
(4)
Dominique B.

One word: Margarita! I'm just going to say that they have the best in the city, and they are served in a little mason jar...how cute is that. The portions are a bit small, but you can order as many taco's as you want. I wouldn't go here if I were starving, but it's great for drinks and snacks. It's fun, but it's new so it gets super crowded...be prepared to wait.
(4)
Amanda S.

After hearing all the hype, my friend and I finally made it down to OTR and we were not disappointed. At only 5:30 on a Tuesday evening, the place was filled with people starting to wait. Our served was great and explained the whole menu and gave suggestions. We tried the al pastor, short rib, fish, and corn tacos. Love the al pastor, but the fish was just OK. Guacamole was outstanding and my margarita was perfect and STRONG. Excellent. I texted my husband from the restaurant that we needed to get down there asap. Parking is always an issue in that area, but it's worth the trip. I already want to go back!
(4)
Julie Z.

My mouth waters just thinking about this place! The guac, the queso, the short rib tacos, the margaritas!! Worth every second of the typical long wait!
(5)
Erin J.

Best guacamole in town... even better than Nada (I might be killed for that). Seriously I recommend it. I would consider it more of a happy hour place grab a strong drink, a taco or two and share a bowl of guacamole with some friends. I do wish they had more of an out door eating area for the pretty weather. If they did I would give them 5 stars for sure!
(4)
Chris C.

LOVE THIS PLACE. Easily one of my favorite spots in the city, partially because I love mexican food, partially because this place is just flat out awesome. Seriously, I don't feel the need to describe anything because you just need to go eat there, and not read any thing else on here. Go NOW!
(5)
Barb B.

Love this wonderful place!
(5)
Kyla M.

Love this place! Great tacos, awesome guac, margaritas are amazing!! The music is also great and really adds to the atmosphere. I am a country girl, so coming to a super trendy place in the city where i knew all the songs was totally validating to me.
(5)
Sarah D.

The atmosphere here is fantastic. On a busy night, expect a wait... or eat your meal standing at the rail as we did, which was surprisingly fun! The queso dip is beyond incredible and the fish tacos were outstanding. Aside from the very small space and the cramped quarters I absolutely LOVE Bakersfield. $2 beers in a boot and $3 shot of the day... how can you go wrong? :)
(4)
Adrienne C.

Have I really never written a review of Bakersfield?? WELL....let me go ahead and do that :) This is my favorite Mexican place in the city, although I hate to refer to it as a Mexican place, and have everyone expecting the same, ho-hum Mexican fare that can be found in just about every suburb of the city. Noooo, this is nothing like that. This will make you question your decision to ever go anywhere else! Their menu is small, and that's ok. They have a few things on their menu, and they do them consistently well. Staff is always friendly, margaritas are always strong, and tacos are always fresh. Drink some PBR out of a boot for a real authentic experience! If you are in the area, hell...even if you aren't.... stop in to Bakersfield to get your taco fix. Bakersfield is never a decision you regret :)
(5)
Megan T.

Um. Where do I start? I have been craving, craving, craving fish tacos since I left grad school in Boston. My friend and her husband took me here a couple weeks ago and wow what a gem! The fish tacos were fresh and DELICIOUS as was the queso dip appetizer we had. I ordered guacamole and pickled jalapenos on the side for my tacos. Just wow. The meal was stellar. I didn't try their margaritas, but I did eye the other patrons who had ordered them and will definitely try one when I go back. That's right, WHEN I go back!
(4)
Ryan C.

I stopped by with a few friends after work during their first week open. We honestly had NO CLUE what to expect when we first walked in. As we walked in, we were smacked in the face with a fun, intimate, casual vibe with some Johnny Cash as backup. It was definitely a great first impression. We all tried various tacos and there was not one gripe about any of them. Some people will probably think it's overpriced. If you're like me and compare the price of food to the quality of it and not the quantity or size, it's definitely worth it. Much like most of the restaurants in OTR. With Bakersfield also being a Whiskey & Tequila bar, I honestly feel bad for not trying Whiskey. I will say they have a great variety of beers to choose from and their Margarita's are choice. The only thing I don't really understand is the boot of beer. I'm sorry, but when I think of a boot of beer, I think of a gigantic boot of beer. It was just a normal mug that happened to be in the shape of a boot. The service was quick, friendly and simply put, amazing. It was their first week open so I'll probably update this review in a few months to see how their service stands after all of the excitement wears off. I'm really hoping all of the excitement stays because it really is a great place.
(4)
Carol P.

After Segway tour we stopped in, Fish tacos as good as ones I get in Florida. Had one Margarita, knocked my socks off, so glad I wasn't driving, best one I have had, not too sweet, but next time I think I should ask for kiddie size.
(4)
Suzan S.

Good tacos. I recommend the short rib taco and the guac. Service is soooooo slowwwww. I got the Johnny salad this time. Delicious but ask for the dressing on the side as it is absolutely drowned in it.
(3)
Jillian H.

Like this place needs any more reviews. The short rib taco is the best taco I have ever had the pleasure of putting into my mouth. The ingredients taste so fresh and clean and the salsa... oh my the salsa. The beverages are priced so fairly and are always cold. Plus they send you home with a custom postcard with a drink recipe on it. The decor is a perfect mash of urban southwestern. The tables look close together, but everyone fits in surprising comfortably. This place is perfect. I'm so happy its only steps from my office and one of the very few places that I am perfectly content having a wait for.
(5)
Courtney R.

I love the concept of this place. I love mini tacos, and we definitely need something in the Cincy area besides Nada and Taqueria Mercado (though both are good options), but the two tacos I had were just okay. I tried the Pollo Verde & the Huitlacoche, and both didn't have the flavor I was expecting (pretty bland). The salsas they give you to put on the tacos have more flavor than the "gourmet" tacos themselves. Disappointed. The guacamole, however, is pretty good. Love that it's chunky instead of that runny, lime green weird stuff that a lot of Mexican restaurants serve. My friends raved about the queso. It looked like greasy goodness on a skillet, but queso isn't my thing. Based on the fact they ate the entire thing in about 10 minutes, though, I'd recommend it secondhand. The atmosphere is good. Not worth the 2 hour wait or whatever it usually is on a weekend night, though.
(3)
Jane F.

Although there is always a long wait, Bakersfield has the best margaritas in town (actually best I've ever had) and all the food is excellent. You can put your name in and they will call you when your table is ready (usually 2 hour wait).
(5)
Rob J.

Tacos!! I'm here all the time. Great margaritas. Great chips. An excellent example of California and Mexican street food. Get the chips and salsa (or queso) and a couple Pastor or Cochinita Pibil tacos. Pair it with a house Margarita. Perfect.
(5)
Hannah P.

I don't have anything bad to say about Bakersfield.The food, the vibe, the music, and the staff are all great. I'm withholding a star for two reasons: One, It's hard to get a table, especially on weekends (which has probably has more to do with the neighborhood, but no one ever said this was a Yelp-ocracy) and two, ever since I had their basic margarita, the Cuervo-Gold-armpit-water served everywhere else simply won't do. Ruined.
(4)
Sarah N.

I don't care too much for their tacos or salsa, however their margarita's, chips, and guacamole are to die for.
(4)
Kristie S.

One thing we knew is we all wanted margaritas so we started with the pitcher of margaritas. We each (4 of us) had two margaritas. Then we got the chips and queso with black beans. There was a very good ratio of chips to queso. We had a few chips left and tried the sauces. Even the sauces were delicious. I ordered two of the huitlacoche tacos. They were amazing! I just wish I had a fork to eat the filling that fell out of my taco.
(5)
Filmon B.

I finally made it to this place on my third time of visiting Cincinnati. The 30 minute to an hour wait most of the time discouraged me from going there when I needed a quick bite. However, I finally made the arrangements and went there for my birthday. And what did I find? One of the best social restaurants ever. The place was packed and we had to wait for 30 minutes to get a table. But we walked to the bar and ordered some guacamole and chips to pass up the time. They have a great and diverse menu for tequila and our waiter helped us pick two delicious shots. Once we got a table, the tacos we ordered were amazing. I had the short ribs, cochinita pibil, and pollo rojo (chicken) and they were all 3 of the best tacos I have ever eaten. The ambiance of the place was really great and the noise level was loud but still good enough to have a conversation. Before we got up to leave, our waitress brought us two birthday shots. The only sad thing about my experience is that they don't allow you to buy the stuff drinks for the amazing service they provide. Awesome place, highly recommend it.
(5)
Anne R.

How can you go wrong here?! Great atmosphere cold cold beers and a fantastic tequila list. We did not eat on saturday there but the tacos are all good. A must!
(5)
Jason F.

Just plain good all around. The tacos are completely unique a nod tasty. Can get VERY busy. Go early. OTR needs to start taking reservations during peak times.
(5)
Jeffrey C.

Great atmosphere and delicious tacos.
(5)
Todd S.

The menu posted online really got my hopes up so maybe that's why I was less than happy. The menu boasts in-house homemade tortillas but they were really low quality and reminded me of the cheapest possible tortillas you would find in a grocery store. The El Pastor Taco was way way too sweet and had kind of a low quality feel as well. House Margarita was good and the bartender did a nice job of walking me through the beer selection.
(2)
Jenny S.

Visited the Cincinnati location knowing that one was soon to open in Indianapolis. It was a fun place, the food was pretty good. Perhaps a little too "themed" for my taste, but all in all a pleasant place.
(4)
Adam S.

Ate here with some friends last Monday - during the week still had a wait for our own table, which was expected. You can do the mass seating, but it's very loud and hard to have a real conversation with others at the table and spread out like that. The wait staff know the menu and the food is definitely worth a visit. The Huitlacoche veggie tacos are amazing. Gordo alert - you could just eat and eat here, but it's very yummy.
(4)
Ronita D.

The queso, salsa verde and johnny salad were delicious. I wasn't too impressed with the chicken verde taco. Maybe it was the shell itself that I didn't like. Overall I loved he atmosphere and we were sat next to some really fun people. The bar was lively and I would go back to try different items off he menu. I love the drink recipes that were attached to our checks, I can't wait to try them at home.
(4)
Rachael G.

Yet another place that I'm not sure how I managed to not review. I've been here at least half a dozen times and every time, I leave thinking "GOD, I love this place". I know there are plenty of people who have actually lived in California and say that Bakersfield tacos don't even compare to street vendors in Cali. Well guess what, this isn't California, if I happen to find the most sublime tacos the next time I visit, I'll knock this down to four stars. For the time being, my rating stands. Bakersfield is always very busy, so if you are absolutely starving and don't feel like waiting, you might want to go somewhere else. However, I have never had to wait more than 30 minutes; you can usually find a seat at the bar, and I have actually eaten an entire meal, complete with queso, 3 tacos and about 4 margs, standing up at the bar. I still left happy. My absolute favorite, hands-down, is the short rib tacos (but I LOVE short rib anything), with the chochinita pibil as a close second. I've tried most of the others on the menu and everything else is pretty good as well. I absolutely love tequila and I'm a fan of their margs as they are pretty generous with the tequila. They have good beers on tap as well. Lastly (and this may be revealing my inner nerdiness but so be it), I love it that they play old-school country (i.e. Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard) AND awesome/terrible old Western movies on mute. I could literally eat/drink here many times a week, I still don't think I could get sick of it. At least, I hope not.
(5)
Heather S.

It's mexican with a twist, the tacos are sold individually and are small but taste soo good. My favorite is the short rib taco, although I am not a big red meat eater, the short rib meat is so juicy and flavorful. The guacamole is also the best I have had a sit down, Americanized restuarant, Its clearly from scratch and must have.
(4)
Tim J.

It might be hard to get to (parking) and hard to get into (popularity) but it's worth the wait. I was driving through and saw that there were parking spots. I had a few tacos and it was incredible. Wish I wasn't in a hurry because the service was as wonderful as the food for me. Hope to be back.
(5)
dominique s.

5 stars for flavor, ambiance, and a damn good music selection BUT please double tortilla your tacos! It would make them over 5 stars amazing.. we would appreciate that..
(5)
Spenser S.

This is probably my favorite restaurant in OTR. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and I have never felt like they are trying to get me to buy something, it's always about what I want. Drinks are cheap ($2 PBR boots) and they have a featured shot each day of the week. Tacos are creative and delicious, queso is great and their homemade guacamole is incredible. I recommend this place to anyone and everyone.
(5)
Erika J.

Bakersfield OTR is a great place to go after work to chill, the atmosphere is nice, the food and drinks are tasty, but I do have one huge complaint- and that is about the service. The servers are young and have a 'holier than thou' kind of attitude, which is annoying.
(3)
Amanda H.

I'm late to the party on reviewing this one, but in my defense every time I tried to go here it was packed. And Senate is across the street and beckons me to go there instead. Today however, I was hellbent on not getting sidetracked on all things glorious across the street. So we went (me and my little mini me Lauren) and braved the wait. When we finally got a table the restaurant had pretty much cleared out, which was nice. I like the decor its very wood like and has that bistro pub feel sorta like M Oven Pizza in Hyde park. I like the setup with the picnic tables and chalkboard walls. Yes, we indulged and colored on the walls. (She's 7 and I act like I'm 7 so we had to.) The drinks looked spectacular and I cant wait to go back and try a margarita, but I had little bit so no alcohol for me. Now onto the food. I ordered the queso to start out with. This I loved!!! Rich, creamy, ooey, gooey goodness in a bowl with some of the best chips I've ever had. Good enough to say I like them way better than Chipotle. (Blasphemy I know) I asked the server what the most popular tacos were and he said the short tib and fish, so that's what I got. As blown away as I was with the appetizer I had high hopes for the tacos. They were good tacos, but the ratio portions were a bit off for me. I will say that the presentations were really pretty. (Short Rib taco is braised short rib with queso fresco, crema, onion, radish, cilantro.) There was way to much short rib and I was craving some sweetness to go with it. I think the amount of short rib dried it out. Just to get some moisture I ended up spooning some salsa and Queso onto it. The fish taco was better, and if I come back I'll probably get this again. (crispy mahi, cilantro, coleslaw, and tobasco lime sauce.) This time it was the coleslaw. There was just too much and it was too dry. I will say it was MUCH better when I took off 1/2 the slaw and could taste the lime sauce. It's not fair to Bakersfield that I was comparing it to Nada's fish tacos but I was. Nada's are more expensive but they are bigger and you get more fish. The guac looked great and I wish I would have tried some, maybe next time. I'll definitely be back even if its just for a margarita, guac, and queso.
(3)
Adam B.

Hailed as "The Best Mexican Restaurants Across America" on Yahoo! food yahoo.com/food/the-best-â€¦ Be prepared to have some tasty Margaritas and Tacos. Only the best in Cincinnati!
(4)
Chloe H.

Definitely my favorite food joint in OTR. Nada also offers good Mexican downtown, but nothing beats Bakersfield. Even with a limited menu I always seem to be trying something new when I go and I would strongly suggest the fish tacos. Each taco is only $4-$6. And the margaritas are some of the best in Cincinnati! They keep the music classic country, and are always playing what seems like the same classic Western movies over and over - but it just always sets the perfect mood. Did I mention the guacamole is out of this world? Not kidding. Every time I go in, no matter what people order, every table has an order of guacamole.
(5)
Alexander P.

This place is fantastic. DO NOT come here at any peak hour and expect to get a table with less than a 1-2 hour wait though (but, of course, there's a reason for this...) The portabello mushroom tacos were fantastic, and the margaritas were great too. The western 'theme' of the restaurant can be a bit cheesy, but the food is definitely worth coming down for, especially if you have not seen how great the new Over-the-Rhine can be. Do yourself a huge favor and eat here. It is right across from the main parking lot on Vine (valet on the weekends) and very very close to the parking garage. I would recommend putting your name in early, walking down to the Lackman for drinks and then coming back when they call/text you. Oh, by the way, they can call/text you when your table is available :) Despite what the main page says, they DO have wifi...
(5)
Lyn C.

This place is awesome. I no longer live in the Nati but I came here when I was in town visiting and loved it. The atmosphere is super fun and the food was amazing. It reminded me of Big Star in Chicago. Margs were good, tacos were good, guac was good. Pastor tacos are my fave. One of them that I tried kind of tasted like Skyline to me but I can't remember which one it was (mole maybe?). It was packed but in a fun way not in a get me out of here kind of way. Parking across the street in that little lot or on the street. Will definitely go back when I'm in town. Well done, OTR.
(5)
Brieanne S.

My experience at this restaurant is the perfect example of how service can make your entire experience AMAZING. We had to wait 1.5 hrs to get a table and I am so glad that we actually waited because we would have really missed out. When we finally got a table our server greeted us. Immediately, I like this place right from the start and I honestly think it was because we had such a great server. After I met the server my mind was already made up that I would love this place. That is what quality service will do. Here is why I loved the service: He gave us the entire run down of the menu, answered all of our questions and then some, acted like he liked his job and our table, was patient, and checked on us throughout the entire meal. I could go on and on about the service but I don't want to bore you. I just want to say that I cannot remember a time when I have had service that good. The food was super delicious. Honestly I will say that I thought the quality of the food was comparable to Nada without the crazy prices. This is good food that you can actually afford. I mean the quality of the meat to the way it was prepared was to die for! Also the booze was great. The tequila is yummy and the prices are so manageable. You can drink here without going broke....score. I really loved this place. I walked out the door not wanting to leave. I cannot wait to come back! I would tell people to stick out the waiting time to get seated because you would be disappointed if you missed this place.
(5)
Meg G.

How have I not written a review of Bakersfield yet? I'm going to start off with the negatives. It's loud. Extremely loud. The space is tiny. And crowded. The best and worst part of all the up and coming restaurants in OTR is everyone wants to go there. Bakersfield is no exception. On any given night, you can have up to an hour wait during peak times. I have been lucky enough on a few occasions to hover around the bar and grab a seat, but if you want a table, expect a wait. Just like everywhere else on Vine Street. Now let's focus on why I give it 4 stars. The food is terrific. While a limited menu, they do well with what they do. The tacos are superb. My personal favorite is the Short Rib. And please, by all means whatever you do, order the chips and queso. Just trust me on that one. The price isn't great, but compared to the $10 hot dogs across the street at Senate, $3-4 for a taco might seem like a bargain. And the service is excellent. Your drinks are served quickly, your food comes out fast, and that's just the way you want it. Because with so many people hovering around, you don't really want to linger. Perhaps the best secret to Bakersfield is late night. You been to a play or concert, or out drinking, and want something small? This is the place. The crowds die down a bit, and the portions are just enough to satisfy your late night craving. The bar is also known for two things I treasure: bourbon and tequila. How can you go wrong with that? There are drink specials every night, and of course their signature $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon in a boot. So go ahead, don't be fearful of the crowds. Give Bakersfield a shot. You won't regret it.
(4)
Samantha B.

Average at best. Annoying hipster waitress obviously had no interest in being there. Gauc was dynamite, would def get that again. Tacos were decent. And hello you have a huge list of bourbons but no Kentucky Tavern?!
(3)
Patricia P.

Commandment #11: Thou Shalt Judge Mexican Cuisine by Tortilla Quality Bakersfield features house-made, handmade, fresh, white corn tortillas that literally melt in the mouth. The scent of these tortillas is that of a heady summer's day on the playa. The rest? The menu is to the point - yet carries charming choices for every taste. The bar is absolutely full service with craft cocktails that are far too enticing for our own good. Even the table by the kitchen is a good table because the designers positioned it just right to obscure the kitchen entrance from view and even to soften the impact of sound and passage of serving staff. Brilliant interior with flexible seating options that are downright delightful. The music is a sumptuous hash, a la the Bakersfield Sound. Lastly, this is a Fun Place. This is a Happening Place. This is a Romantic Place. Be warned. Non-fun-loving, unspirited, grouchy types - please give Bakersfield a miss so the rest of us can frolic with our hornitos cocktails garnished with charred lemon and fanciful tacos...
(5)
Barbara M.

Unique & delicious! We tried all the tacos (they are small but it was still a lot of food). Hard to pick a favorite, they were all good. The chips & Queso are a must. The Queso is served in a sizzling skillet. Not your Taco Bell Mexican!
(4)
Nikki M.

I was SUPER excited to check this place out! I finally got there this evening with friends, and we were all so happy with this choice for dinner tonight. A beautiful spring night, and the front windows were wide open letting in lots of great natural light. The interior is pretty dark, but modern and fun, and it's got a great cozy feeling to the place. The playlist of old country classic music was fantastic, and our server was helpful and attentive. We ordered a pitcher of margaritas & guacamole to start with. The pitcher is the way to go. Split between three of us, we each had 3+ glasses full. They were strong and perfectly sour margaritas. The guacamole was amazing. And the price was just right too at $5. Between 4 of us we managed to order every taco on the menu. I had the Mahi and the Huitalacoche. The Mahi was my favorite. Everyone else raved about their own tacos too. I can't wait to get back there to try the salads, the sangria, and the rajas tacos. YUM. What a great addition to the Gateway Quarter!
(5)
Ryan L.

Bakersfield opened while I was away in DC, so I really wanted to try it when I got back! They certainly did not disappoint either! There was a lot of hype for this place, so it was possible that it would be a let down. Like all things on Vine Street, the restaurant is small and a little on the pricey side, though not bad. So far I have had four different tacos and plenty of margaritas! All food was very good. Also if you like chips and queso, get chorizo on top. Delicious! Seating is very limited though, and it would have been nice to have the Reds game on one of the TVs at the bar. Besides that, great place! I highly recommend it. The party during Cinco de Mayo was also a lot of fun. Drinks and tacos were cheaper than usual and went to a good cause. Hopefully they host more events at that parking lot in the future!
(4)
Philip T.

After watching a matinee showing of a musical at the Ensemble Theater with my lady friend, I felt like I needed a boost of testosterone and I needed it quick. I knew that Bakersfield OTR was a half block away and I knew they always had old westerns playing on their televisions. When I arrived, an old John Wayne movie was playing and I felt my testosterone level returning to a normal level. My lady friend I I saddled up to the bar and ordered drinks. She had a wheat beer of tap whose names seems to evade me and I had a Margarita. Do not worry the Margaria was made with el Jimador, the best selling Tequilla in Mexico, and served in a Mason Jar. My lady friend soon realized that she had ordered the incorrect beverage and coerced me with lovely eyes to trade her drinks, and being the gent that I am I obliged to her request. Along with the need to wet our whistles, are belly's were a growling so we ordered up an order of Chips & Queso and Chips & Guacamole to tide us over while we waited for our tacos. Both the Queso and Guac paired well with the warm tortilla chips. I was partial to the Guac which had a hint of heat and large pieces of avocado in it. The queso was hot as an steers ass after being branded and was as equally as tasty. Our tacos came out on a tray ready to be devoured by us. I had a Pastor being the religious man I am and a Pollo Verde. I decided to eat the Polle Verde first and I was pleased that I ordered it because the tomatillo braised chiken with all its fixins was delicious. The Pastor was good and I'm glad I saved it for last because the sweetness of the pineapples on it was a pleasant end to my meal and my time at Bakersfield OTR.
(4)
Elizabeth O.

Bakersfield suits a very particular niche. I personally never go there for dinner. Why? I don't like to wait hours for a table, I don't like to yell to be heard by the person sitting next to me, and I don't like to have to worry about ordering a ton of food a la carte to feel full. No, Bakersfield is perfect for the end if the night, when a margarita and two or three little tacos is all I'm looking for. By then the crowd has disbursed. And those delicious little pastor taco and some tequila can bite through the gloom of a long day. At that time, too, the knowledgable staff can actually spare a moment to impart their recommendations and a smile. Be warned, however, I have on more than one occasion been unceremoniously booted out the door once the posted closing time was reached. Time's up, everybody out.
(4)
Timothy H.

Hands down my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. It is almost always packed so be prepared for a wait, but it's worth it! The queso with jalepenos is amazing to start with. Add a margarita and a $3 shot of the day and you're set. The tacos are the perfect size and I normally get three or four when I'm hungry. The mole and the fish are my two favorites. They also do togo orders if you don't feel like waiting for a table! Service is great and the cooks are awesome. The head chef even comes out to see how everyone's food is from time to time. I go at least once a week, don't miss out!
(5)
Bansi V.

Love, Love, Love it! We arrived as a group of 6 and had a bit of a wait (they don't take reservations and weekends are VERY busy) but it was a beautiful evening so no big deal. The hostess came over a few times to apologize for the wait and let us know they were just waiting for the table to pay. The house margarita is delicious and chips, guacamole, and green salsa can't be beat. Taco menu is very creative and I love the concept of individual tacos so you can taste and sample as many as you'd like! Loved the corn tacos and would recommend everything on the menu. In fact, we were having such a good time we lost track of time and the waiter kindly came over to let us know that there was a 3 hour wait and he would be happy to buy us a round if we were willing to relocate to the patio! Win win situation. Will definitely go back.
(5)
Sal R.

Yum, yum, yum! Three of us went in on a Saturday afternoon and were quickly seated around a big circle table with other groups. The waiter said it's usually a packed house. The Bakersfield margarita was outstanding -- so delicious and deceivingly strong -- and the guacamole was fresh and tasty. There are two vegetarian tacos on the menu -- the rajas taco (bell peppers) and the huitlacoche taco (corn, poblano). The waiter was more than accomodating to remove cheese. Both tacos were great! The tacos are small. The waiter recommended two to four per person, and I easily scarfed down two.
(5)
Dan M.

Dropped by this place with a good sized group and got seated immediately. That kind of thing won't last long because this place is going to get packed once people discover it is open. very. very. quickly. The tacos range from good to great and the tasty margaritas (can) come by the pitcher. The service is friendly, and the owners were even in. Check out the braised short rib taco. Next time I go back, I'll definitely be sampling the al pastor (which got rave reviews from my table). The tacos weren't cheap considering their size, but the quality of ingredients in inspired menu are worth the price (price= $3-4/taco * 4tacos/dinner... that's a $12+ taco dinner). The food was delicious anyways, and I'm glad to see this little corner of OTR develop into a culinary delight. Bottom Line: I'll definitely be back for some gourmet tacos.
(4)
Andrea K.

Bakersfield is GREAT! It's reasonably priced, the margaritas and the queso is fantastic and it's absolutely my FAVORITE place in OTR. There will typically be a wait, so come early, and be prepared to put your name in walk around, which is totally find if it's nice outside. The service is always excellent and the menu is smaller, but the food comes out quick. One margarita does the trick and they are only $6!
(5)
Joe T.

Mexican food, made safe for yuppies. How starved is Cincinnati for trendy, chic eateries? This little stretch of Vine Street is just exploding: 1215 Wine Bar, Taste of Belgium, Senate, Abigail Street -- all of them are fairly new and absolutely blowing up. Bakersfield is one of the newest, having only been open now for a month or so. And yet the buzz is already out of control. The wait for a table on a Friday at 5:00 p.m. is a testament to its popularity. Arriving last Friday after work with several co-workers, I was quoted a 30-40 minute wait. We negotiated a spot at the bar and spent an hour enjoying two pitchers of margarita. Realizing we were overdue for our table, one of us inquired with the hostess, who explained that our table was almost ready; the previous patrons had paid their bill and were lingering unexpectedly. After an additional fifteen minutes had passed, our apologetic hostess offered to seat us at the two barrel-tops near the window-front. Only one barrel-top was immediately available, so we hovered uncomfortably around it until the second one freed up and we were able to spread out. To management's credit, they handled the situation as best they could: having woefully underestimated the wait time, they apologized, made every effort to accommodate us, and comped a pitcher of margarita and our food order. The food and drinks were all great and everything on the menu is affordable. The only problem is crowd management, something I figure will be improved with time. If you've been to Big Star in Chicago, this is essentially an identifical business model: an impressive selection of whiskey and tequila (with a featured $3 shot each night of the week), and a menu that, while of limited scope, is capable of offering endless combinations. Whereas Chicago has innumerous authentic Mexican restaurants, Cincinnati is somewhat lacking. That said, those seeking a slightly less trendy experience (with no wait) ought to seek out Taqueria Mercado, only a few blocks away.
(3)
Debbie Z.

This past Saturday night, we stopped in at the new Bakersfield OTR to check it out for a nibble and a drink. When we walked in, it was apparent that everyone else was also checking it out. It was packed full with a 2-hour wait for a table (according to the hostess). We didn't give up; instead we made our way through the crowd and back to the bar. It took us a little while, but we finally got a bartenders attention to order our drinks. We ordered a couple of Bourbon and Cokes and were very pleased with the pours and the price. After our drinks, we decided to give up on dinner and go see if we could get in somewhere else. As we left, we told the hostess that we were going to see if any other place had a shorter wait and that we would be back to officially cancel if we found something. As soon as we walked outside and across the street our cell phone went off. The hostess informed us they just had a table for two open up. Yeah! It's cool how they take your cell # and call you. Once we got seated, we both ordered another drink and a couple little bites. We ordered the Corn Poblano Chowder ($4) which was amazingly out of this world good. We also ordered the Short Rib Tortas ($8) that was also very, very good and quite a significant sandwich. We got the Pastor Taco also to try and it was good. However, I was surprised at how small the taco was, but I think it's meant to be tapas size so that you can try several. The Pastor Taco was $3 for about 3 bites. The dÃ©cor on the inside is the standard rustic old feel of most of the venues in OTR. Nothing fancy - just a natural, authentic atmosphere. Two Thumbs Up! Bottom Line: this is going to be a great addition to the already awesome OTR hot spots.
(4)
Christopher W.

Went back again tonight. Food update - 1.) Margarita was great again. 2.) Short rib torta was amazing. Whatever black bean mixture that was used on the torta was amazing. 3.) Try the house pickled jalapenos. They were fantastic. Perfect kick to my torta.
(5)
Ashley D.

Love. This. Place. I've been twice since they've opened and while the waits are long, you just have to give the host your cell phone number and they'll text you when your table is ready. Both times they've quoted an hour to hour and half wait and the actual wait has never been over 45 minutes. Four of us went on a Friday night and arrived around 9:15p and were told the wait would be about an hour and a half so we headed next door to Lavomatic to grab a drink at the bar. Thankfully, the host texted us about 45 minutes later and we were seated at one of the large, round, communal high top tables in the back. This is one of my favorite things about Bakersfield. It has a great community vibe. They also play the best music and show old western movies on the TVs. Between the four of us we split queso with chorzio, guacamole, the short rib torta, and then each had four tacos. My favorites are the al pastor, the fish tacos, and the short rib taco. They are wonderful little bites of heaven for $3! It's easy to have a cheap and fun night out if you stick to the $2 boots of PBR. Also, be sure to check out their shot of the day for $3. On Friday it is Jack Daniels. Don't let the long wait get you down. Just plan accordingly, give your name to the host and then head to one of the many neighborhood watering holes and have a drink while waiting.
(5)
Kara P.

Even on their first official open night, Bakersfield was like a well-oiled machine. I was sure we'd have to wait a while for a table but we were magically squeezed in immediately. The ambiance in this new, trendy, OTR restaurant is very chill. The lighting is perfect (love the lights behind the booths) and the music is awesome. The waiter knew his stuff and was really helpful explaining everything from how much to order to where they get their ingredients. The Whiskey & Tequila: They have a really great beer and wine selection and a very cool bar. To the left of the bar on the wall there is a little board listing their daily drink specials. Every day of the week there will be a different $3 shot of either whiskey or tequila. And the margaritas were great! They pour a strong one. The Tacos: While some people may think the menu is slim pickins, I found it to be just right. I got a pollo verde taco and a short rib taco + crema and held the cilantro (which they were fantastically great about). The tacos were delicious! They were the perfect combination of ingredients, even if I did hold the cilantro (just not a fan). We got a side of black beans and for some reason they were amazing and we also got the chips + guacamole. The guacamole is big, chunky, and very citrusy = SO good. I really hope everyone that lives in Cincinnati can make it to Bakersfield sometime soon. It's really a great restaurant and it's NOT your Tex-Mex that we've all come to accept as "real" Mexican food. This is straight off the street vendors carts in Los Angeles kind of good.
(5)
Emily H.

Great tacos, great guacamole, great cocktails, great vibe. Mexican is one of my favorite foods so I'm always interested in trying out a new place. Bakersfield is definitely unique among mexican restaurants in Cincinnati. Their decor/setup/etc is typical of other bars & restaurants in the Gateway Quarter but with it's own style, and that is also one of the things that sets it apart among other mexican restaurants. On that note, it's very small, new and trendy so expect crowds and a long wait) The first time I went was for happy hour and I got the Bakersfield Sour. I loved it. (I was excited when I went back the second time that I got a postcard with the recipe! And a smokin' picture of Johnny Cash) We also got the chips and guacamole. Let me tell you how much I love guacamole and how good theirs was. Very chunky with a big kick of lime. Yum. We hadn't planned on eating but did try 2 of the tacos, the short rib and pollo verdo. Both were very good. The tacos are small, but only $3 so the idea is to try several different kinds. The next time I tried the pastor which was also excellent. I look forward to going back many times to try more of the food and cocktails!
(5)
Mark A.

Good food and margaritas. They will not show reds game however. They will only show western reruns.
(3)
Andrew B.

Not much to add! Another great eating establishment in OTR. The menu is very limited (hence only 4 stars) but their tacos are delicious. I had the carne, pollo and fish tacos and all were great. Also a side of chips and fresh salsas. I passed on beer that day and had a couple of margauritas. Served in minature mason jars they are larger than you expect. I only had two and I still had my friend drive us back to be safe. Whoo hoo!! Staff was very friendly. Prices are good. As with most OTR places the seating is limited and close but everyone there was chilling and enjoying the great food.
(4)
Scot H.

omg, the queso is unlike anything you've ever had. as an obese man surviving in the west side republican chaos, i have had my share of cheese dip from local mexican joints. this does not compare, not even in the same league, game, sport, atmosphere, et al. the short rib sandwich (which i shared with preggy wifey) was very good, the cheese and greens add a wonderful after-taste which comes late (unexpectedly). we then shared a fish taco, pastor taco, pork taco, and chicken taco. the fish and pastor were very good, distinguishing themselves through their blend of flavors. the pork and chicken were okay, uneventful compared to the other two. the smokey chipotle salsa and verde salsa were both excellent in their own respects. flavorful without any overpowering spices or heat. i understand the dinner wait is ridiculous, so we stopped by for lunch, which i recommend. the interior is simple, but charming.....in a wild west fashion. the staff were all friendly, helpful, and attentive.
(5)
Anne F.

So good!! It is similar to Nada (which I love), only better and less expensive....
(5)
Moira V.

I officially can't drink a margarita anywhere else since Bakersfield has open. Their bartenders really know how to make a drink - or maybe the other places don't. EIther way, I definitely enjoy their drinks. I've only tried the well because wasting money on an expensive liquor in a mixed drink is silly to me, but to each their own, I suppose. I love their chips and guac - definitely fresh as sometimes you'll get what seems to be a quarter of an avocado in the bowl. The tacos are good - some better than others. Love the cochinita (I do habanero on the side because I want to be able to taste the others) and the short rib. The only real downfall is the wait for this restaurant - even on a weekday it's sometimes over an hour and a half and sometimes I'd rather walk a few blocks to another taco place to eat quicker.
(4)
Ann S.

Delicious! That about sums it up. I have had take out once and dinner there once and both times it was excellent. It is very small and the wait can be long (they get crowded quickly) but it is worth it either way. The portions are somewhat small, but packed with flavor, so I suggest you try several different types. The queso was awesome too. This is a great little addition to downtown and I would recommend it to all!
(4)
Troy S.

A welcome addition to the revamped OTR scene, Bakersfield is only slightly on the pricey side and will send you away satisfied. It seems best for 21-40 year olds, as the atmosphere is pretty loud and energetic, and the drinks are a nice mix of delicious and potent. The tacos are second only to Nada (the restaurant, not as to say second to none) and come individually, so you can order according to your hunger. The service is friendly and welcoming, but a bit slow at times. Be sure to get there early and plan on doing something else for an hour or so while you wait on weekend nights, it's (for good reason) very busy one the weekends. Great, but still second fiddle to Nada.
(4)
Josh K.

Plain and simple, this place is awesome. Their tacos are amazing and the guac is second to none in downtown Cincinnati. The only place that could compare guac wise would be Nada. This place always has a 2+ hour wait on the weekend nights as well it should. Cool atmosphere giving it a western feel with the old John Wayne movies playing on the TVs but, the lighting and wall paper makes it feel more hip. There is an extensive list of whiskeys and tequilas and they have a "shot" board giving 3$ shots of decent tequila / whiskey. They are known for their margaritas which are a must try if you stop in. I had the pleasure of sitting at the bar for several hours on a summer Sunday and learned that their bartenders are trained on the growing and handling of tequila and whiskey. Awesome learning experience if you get the chance on a quiet evening to pick their brains. (Probably wont happen after the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives TV show which catapulted their popularity). The staff seems to always be in a great mood and are very responsive... I have seen reviews around the size, this place is a tight squeeze for sure and holds maybe 40-60 people. If you plan to squeeze in there you wont be disappointed as they have servers who go around and take drink orders for those who are standing bar from the bar top. I give it a 5 out of 5 for the fact that it meets all of the criteria in my book for 5 stars. Food was stellar, Experience was warming and fun and the Atmosphere was different from anything else in Cincinnati
(5)
Matthew R.

The food here is incredible and the prices are very reasonable. We had the queso and tacos in three variations. Everything is fresh and comes out hot. The chips are incredibly light and airy. The atmosphere is fun and casual. We will certainly be back again soon.
(5)
Jennifer V.

I wanted to take a moment to update my previous review from earlier this month. As a reminder, I was not satisfied with my experience on Friday, Jan 31st due to the noise level, the perceived recipe changes and a snippy comment from a server. After leaving a comment on yelp, I immediately received a message from management saying they would look into it. I went back today but did not let any of the staff know about my previous experience. However, the manager recognized me from my picture on yelp and from my name on my credit card and he immediately came to talk to me. He asked about my experience this time to ensure it was better for me. He also took the time to explain how he approached the original complaint and asked if there was anything he could do to make up for my previous negative experience. I politely declined his offers as it was about ensuring my complaint was heard and attended to, not about getting free food. I appreciated the personal attention and concern but especially the humble nature of the manager in ensuring my current experience exceeded my expectations. And he was the one who seeked me out vs. me drawing the attention. That is true customer service! I will be back...many times.
(5)
Taylor E.

The short version: the tacos are ridiculously good, but it's a little expensive and don't expect to get a table late on the weekend. All of the tacos are good and you should give each once a chance at least once. The guac is really fresh and a tad spicy, and though it comes in a nice large, shareable size, I may or may not admit eating the entire cup myself in one sitting. Tacos are small at about five inches in diameter, so you'll want to order a few. As an "average man", I eat 3-5 tacos for lunch / dinner depending on appetite. In other words, you're looking at a minimum ~$20 lunch once you add a drink and tip in there. If you're trying to go on the weekend, call ahead or show up really early. It's not unusual to have a 3 hour wait (or more), even as early as 8 pm. Overall, I think it's a little expensive, even for OTR, but the tacos are so fresh and special and delicious that it's hard to say no. This is one of my top 5 spots in OTR to take friends from out-of-town.
(4)
Hannah C.

You can't go wrong at Bakersfield. If you decide to wait to be seated at a table (which you should), start with their chips and guacamole. Or better yet - chips, guacamole, and queso with chorizo. The chips are fried and salted perfectly, and they are always served steaming hot. The guacamole is a "good chunky" consistency, with satisfying pieces of avocado throughout. If you're hungry, order three tacos. Otherwise, two is substantial. The fish taco and the short rib tacos are my go-tos. I tell myself everytime that I'll get something different, but they are both too good to pass up. Their quirky "$3 Tequila of the Day shots" are fun, especially in a large group. Their margaritas are good, if not average. Don't come here for beer; there's nothing great on tap besides the typical Mexican varieties. The bar is always packed and televisions above the backbar show old school Western flicks. Overall great food, vibrant atmosphere, and definitely worth the inevitable wait.
(5)
Katie B.

A great way to spend $75 in half an hour....whoops. Food is great but the space is way too small. We sat at the bar which was cramped but whatever, we got attended to by the awesome bartenders. My only complaint (other than the cramped quarters) is the cost. The margaritas are expensive and what will get ya.
(3)
Ieasha A.

Great food, excellent chill/casual dining spot in a fun and upcoming part of downtown Cincinnati! Great tacos!!! I enjoyed the fish tacos!!
(5)
Kristie T.

I had a job interview yesterday in Cincy and my BFF drove me and found this place by walking around downtown with the assistance of Yelp. When I arrived there, he had made friends with some locals and I tried his Red Headed Stranger which was very tasty. I was starved so I ordered the queso. It was ok, but had the consistency of grits rather than the typical queso I'm used to. The guy next to me had the guacomole dip and it looked amazing. It was a huge portion and he also had a Sangria. It looked good. I opted for an IPA on tap and it was delicious. The atmosphere of this place was what I gave the four stars for. It was busy and and met sevral interesting people in here.
(4)
Sophia B.

You really can't go wrong here!
(5)
Susan L.

Cool little spot that get super crowded, both for lunch and for dinner. I've been here before for a dinner with a friend, and we had to wait 2 hours to eat on a weekend night. We passed the time with some wine at a wine bar near-by, and they gave us a call on our cellphone when they were ready to seat us. Today, I went for lunch with some co-workers at 11:30. We got there just before the lunch rush, and the place was packed solid by 11:40 am. Both times the foods has been good. I definitely recommend the guacamole, it's amazing. It's possibly even better than the actual entrees. Both times I got 2 tacos for my meal. I've had the fish taco, the carne asada, and the short rib. They're all pretty solid taco creations, and run about $4 each. 2 tacos will be sufficient for a light meal.. but most are likely to want 3. I would like the place more if it didn't take hours of waiting, or if they took reservations. The bench seats in the middle of the restaurant are also shared seating, so you'll be sitting with various random other people (unless you're a large party the fills up the table). Lastly, there was an "odd situation" at the restaurant that did not directly affect me, but affected another customer during my visit. I brought the situation to the attention of upper management, and they were very prompt to do what they can to rectify the situation. Although the situation itself had left me feeling a little unsatisfied, I learned that the philosophy here is to do all they can to provide quality products and great customer service. I'm impressed with their attention to mistakes, and readiness to make changes to be improve. ----------------------------------- Explanation of my rating system - 5*: Epitome of something, the best I've had, would LOVE to go back 4*: Great food and happy to go back regularly, but not the best of the category 3*: Food is fine. I may spontaneously decide to go there based on convenience. But no need to go back either. 2*: If you insist, I guess I'll come along. I'll find something to eat. But I wouldn't have picked it. 1*: No plans to come back. I'll try to talk companions out of going.
(4)
Sandra F.

My husband and I meant to go to Lavomatic, but wanted to check this place out instead. OMG!!! Love it here! I love the whole western/contemporary vibe! I like the fact that they specialize in Bourbon, Whiskey, and Tequila. I love Bourbon and they carry some of my favorites. They also have beer on tap/bottle. We got the guacomole and chips. Delish! The guacomole was made chunky with great spices. Just the way I like it. Staff was friendly and my favorite part of the experience was that they played old western movie flicks. Next time I come back, I definately need to try their margarita and a different meal. Highly recommend coming here.
(5)
Joel G.

Love this place. Can certainly be crowded and you may have to wait and share a table with a stranger or two, but the food and drinks are terrific. Not a single taco I wouldn't recommend. Guacamole is wonderful and the margaritas are tasty and strong.
(5)
Rachel D.

So myself and about 7 friends were in Cincinnati this past weekend to go wedding dress shopping in Reading Bridal district for our best friend. We arrived in staggered times Friday night, and we stayed with our friend who lives in Cincinnati. She decided to take us to Bakersfield for dinner that night (I am from Columbus, and have been to that Bakersfield before and loved it). She went in as me and my friend were arriving at her apartment and were told it would be 1 1/2 to 2 hours wait. After the whole group met at her apartment (almost 2 hours later) we all went to make our table. The table wasn't ready for us - as it was a Friday night and we had a large party, so we went next door to get drinks at 1215 Wine bar and Coffee Lab. We waited about another hour or so, which was frustrating, however the GM Ian was super nice and kept keeping us posted on the status of our table. It wasn't too bad waiting next door with our drinks though! When our table was ready, Ian apologized and thanked us for being patient. He bought us our first round and chips and guac - so great! The tacos, margaritas and chips/dip were all fabulous. Even though we did wait about 3 hours, and started dinner at 10, the staff and quality of food made it all worth it. Best tacos ever! I definitely recommend this place, just know it can get crowded so prepare accordingly!
(4)
Marzina R.

Okay, so update, food is still great! This time the service was OUTSTANDING! Sharon our server this Sunday night was amazing. She was so knowledgeable about the menu and drinks she made our dining experience great. But it wasn't just her knowledge about the restaurant, she was so happy and upbeat, really just a great server all around. You are lucky to have her! Definitely will ask for her when we return!
(5)
Brandy V.

Woo hoo! Stopped in on Friday around 5pm with a friend for a bite to eat and a drink. We started with the chips and queson with chorizo, yum yum yum. My friend and I both had a tostada and she also got a taco.Everything was delicious. I was going to order a salad as well, but the server told me that we already had a lot of food and would be stuffed, so I am glad I took her advice and didn't order the salad. Super excited to see 21st Amendment beer on the menu as well! Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Michelle C.

My husband and I were in Cincinnati for our anniversary staying at 21c and we decided that some tacos sounded good. For a Sunday night the wait was longer than I thought it would be, but they offered to take a phone number and call us when the table was ready which I thought was awesome. We actually got a "table" (aka barrel with two stools by it) to ourselves. The queso that they have is delicious! And I think it filled us up most of the way. The hubs loved his margarita, but they didn't have other favors so I got the sangria which was ok. I got the Jacob salad I believe, which was very good, it had a lot of toppings and some hearty lettuce and it was delicious. I also got a taco but ended up letting the hubs eat it. The tacos are a la carte and are around $3-4 each so you can pick and choose which is really nice. The tortillas are small but packed really full, not only of filling but of flavor too! I don't know if we'll be back since there are so many other restaurants to try, but it was tasty while we were here!
(4)
Jordan M.

So happy that we found this place! We are from out of town and requested some place unique in character but with delicious food. And that was exactly what we got. It was a Saturday night so I know it would be crowded; however, I didn't know just how crowded it would be. We arrived around 9:30pm after a long day of shopping and the wait was an hour and a half! The hostess informed us that the bar and patio were first come first served, but the bar was completely packed. That left us with the patio. We weren't ready to give up yet so we headed over to the patio to discover there are no seats. It's literally a gated off par to side walk with a little shelf barely big enough to set a plate. We waited for about 10 minutes with no acknowledgement from our waitress. My boyfriend had to go request service from the hostess again. (Still wondering why this review is five stars?) The experience quickly corrected itself. Our wait or was awesome. He was friendly, funny and attentive. We ordered drinks, guacamole and tacos. Let me just tell you, I really liked their margarita, which is rare for me. I am pretty picky in my margaritas. I likes that it was made with fresh lime juice and only served in the rocks. Plus I liked that you could taste the tequila. The guacamole was good (not out of this world but still good). The chips were delicious. And the tacos... Oh the tacos. I had the fish, pastor and short rib. They were all so good I could not tell you which was my favorite. The fish was traditional and right up their with some of the best fish tacos. The short rib was just tended and savory. If you like BBQ, you will love this taco. But I also enjoyed the pastor because it was so different. We left very satisfied with our experience. The food and drinks made up for the shaky start. We will defiantly be back to Bakersfield!
(5)
Danni J.

This Place is awesome!!!!! Tacos are great Tortas are great. I don't have a bad thing to say. We arrived at a great time so there was no waiting for a seat. Cool Waitstaff really helpful attentive and when my companion forgot her leftovers and we went back, they just made her another taco! Great wonderful place. I saw it on Diners Drive ins and Dives and thought could be overrated but I'll go anyway. It' is not overrated. So great.
(5)
Nathan H.

Top notch drinks! Top notch tacos! Super wait staff and cool ambience. Definitely a must stop lunch spot in Cincy.
(5)
Dania B.

We love Bakersfield and tonight they totally surpassed themselves with not only with the food but the customer service was amazing!!' We came from a really bad experience at Krueger's, Ally and Parker made us forget all about it!!!! They treated us like we belonged there and we will now forever be loyal patrons of Bakersfield!!! It's amazing what a difference the staff makes at an establishment!!!
(5)
Amanda I.

Visiting at 2pm on saturday and had a 40 min wait. It was very good.... had the queso which was fabulous with a crunchy topping and gooey bottom. The pastor was amazing. Fish taco was a little too 'fishy'. Margarita was great and tortillas were made in house. Yum.
(4)
Kat L.

Saturday night bumming around OTR with my homegirl. It's late, we're hungry, and our prospects are looking dim. We look at each other and the same thought is in our head. "Bakersfield?" Bakersfield. If you can push your way through the crowd, Bakersfield is a pretty pleasant place to enjoy a late-night snack or last-call margarita. The tacos, while being expensive for the size you get, are fantastic for the late-night munchies. The queso dip (add black beans!) is the best I've found yet in this city. Also, as a margarita lover, the drinks are on par. I've only experiences this place between 12 and 1am, so perhaps the crowd is different during normal hours, but I've always been seated quickly, had great service, and enjoyed my visit.
(4)
Marcus F.

Since I have been there many of times, I am now obligated to share my affection for Bakersfield in OTR. I will begin by describing my first time many many sunshines ago; it was with my "lunch buddy", during lunch she and I will usually go up through OTR scoping out great places to have lunch at. Initially, we both wanted to go to Lavamatic but unfortunately it was closed. I was disappointed at first, until I stepped into what was about to be one of my new favorite places to have lunch at. Generally any restaurant is exceptional in Over The Rhine, but what makes this one unique is it's Mexican menu. I was hesitant to try their Queso with bacon, it was my first experience eating it with bacon crumbled on top. I'm not speaking of the bacon bits near the produce department at your grocery store, I'm talking about fresh crumbled bacon prepared right in the restaurant. It made a world of difference and quite honestly the amount of chips and Queso they provided; for two people it was a heaping amount. During my conversation with my friend waiting in our food, I was getting full from munching on them. The main course was a crunchy chicken fajita, I tried researching the menu on the website and couldn't find out the name they had given it. (Hoping I don't lose any credibility from not knowing. Yikes!) However this meal was the deal breaker from me going back to this place or not. The waitress brings out the course in one of the pans, and it has steam spewing off of it. I take my fork and scoop a bit onto it, the crisp shell cracking, and begin to munch on it. The flavor was absolutely amazing. Usually I'm very persnickety about Mexican food, but I had no complaints about this meal. The fajita itself was beautiful, garnished with a peeled radish on top. (I will post a photo.) I did share my first experience on Instagram and many of my friends were impressed and wanted to visit this place after seeing the fajita, that's how great it was! Well there's my first experience story. I still 'frequent' Bakersfield, I usually get anything with chicken, but I ALWAYS make sure to get the Queso with bacon.
(5)
Kim B.

Bakersfield definitely lives up to the hype. I was skeptical of a Mexican restaurant with such a distinctly un-Mexican name, I was proved wrong. The chips are thin, crispy, and fresh, and the tacos are to die for. My only complaint is that the salsa verde (which comes with the chips) was super mild. The queso looked kind of like you scraped the top off a Pizza Hut pizza, but tasted much much better. I loved the chicken tacos (I had one each of the Pollo Rojo & Mole) and while little, they were loaded with meat and packed a punch. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in OTR.
(4)
Jordan B.

Classic street tacos and MUCH more. I can comfortably say these are the best tacos, guacamole, margaritas, and queso dip I've had in the Cincinnati area. Like the surrounding OTR restaurants, you'll want to either get here early or have other plans while you wait for a spot, but also like (most of) the other OTR restaurants, it's totally worth it.
(5)
Vance B.

I wasn't all that impressed. We went for a late lunch and the place was packed. We decided to sit at the bar rather than wait 30+ minutes for a table. Good move, bad move. We got seated quickly but as soon as they saw we were more interested in food than drinks they didn't pay much attention to us. The service was slow and indifferent. We got better service from the bar tender than we did from our alleged server. I ordered a fish taco and it tasted like the fish had been around a little too long. My wife had a short rib taco and found it a little chewy. The decor was interesting. For some reason they had photos of Johnny Cash on the wall but none of Merle Haggard or Buck Owens. (Merle grew up in Bakersfield and Buck was the creator of the "Bakersfield" sound.) They were showing The Wild Bunch on the TVs. It was kind of fun watching all of the blood and gore while eating lunch. We were there long enough to see the last scene where the vultures were sitting next to the bodies waiting to chow down. It made for an interesting atmosphere. Would I go back? At this point I'm undecided.
(3)
Molly M.

After a 2 hour wait, the waitress was rude & didn't seem to want us to be there. The food was really good, but the noise level was so high you practically had to scream at the person beside you to hear them. I expect that from a bar, not a taco joint. I'd recommend going on a slow night, or in the afternoon maybe. Very unsatisfying Saturday night dinner for my husband & I.
(2)
Ken M.

I feel like this concept of the higher end taco lounge (with high end margaritas) originated back in SF. Been seeing places like this for over a decade now. We stumbled onto this place after meetings in Cincy one day. It would be the #1 place of this type were it in SF. It's way superior to any of them. No guidance needed... or the taco that sounds like something you like and it will probably be pretty good. Two or three tacos is certainly enough to be full, but this is a rare place where I really want to overeat. They're all good. Looking forward to this place spreading to more and more cities.
(5)
Dawn B.

The energy in this place is awesome. Such a cool place to hang out with friends and grab a drink and a good bite to eat. And apparently a lot of people agree...this place is always packed! I love the queso dip here. It's so different than any place else. Served in a mini cast iron skillet, it was still bubbling a little when the server brought it to our table. My bff liked it so much, she filled up on the ap and didn't leave room for her tacos! The tacos here are small, but big in flavor and worth the wait.
(4)
John M.

I have been here several times and I always enjoy Bakersfield. The tacos are distinctive and fresh, the restaurant in general is clean and there is usually some good people watching. If you are in the mood for a few tacos that don't taste like the traditional choices, this is a very good pick.
(4)
Anjelica N.

I've been putting off reviewing this place because of their already high rating, despite having a staggering 240+ reviews...but alas I'm giving in and writing my own love story (read: rave review) to the best restaurant in OTR...bar none. Bakersfield, let me count the ways I love thee... 1. The overall atmosphere is cozy but lively. The Old Western vibe rids any semblance of high brow, nose-up-in-the-air vibes I've come to associate with some downtown establishments. There are individual tables but many communal tables which might seem awkward at first, but you quickly realize it's no big deal! Additionally, the staff here are always welcoming and friendly! (Trust me, I frequent here enough to have encountered bad service and I'm convinced no one has had a bad customer service experience here." 2. The margaritas are super tangy with the right amount of kick. These babies just hit the spot. 3. Given the hypothetical "what would your last meal on earth be," my answer would undoubtedly include their piping hot, ooey-gooey queso and the lime-tastic, creamy guacamole. Talk about a way to go, amirite? 4. Some people contest that the "Pastor tacos" are the best, but all I can say to that is [faceplam] SHORT RIB TACOS, FOR THE WIN. I'd liken to this perhaps being manna from the heavens, or what have you. I could keep going on about this restaurant but it's easy to see why this place is so good. Great customer service. Fun atmosphere. Delicious food. In closing, I must add there's a reason I bring all out-of-towners here (they all now rave/reminsice about it) and there's a reason why Bakersfield loyalists will wait 2.5 hours for a table. If you don't understand it yet, get on my level and try this place out!
(5)
Alex N.

Stopping by Bakersfield for lunch in OTR is not a bad choice. I have been there on multiple occasions from business lunches to a night out with friends. There is quite a variety of tacos to choose from. Personally I like the fish tacos the most. The quac and queso dip are also delicious. Their Queso is probably the best I have ever had. The experience there during peak lunch hours in contrast to late the night hours is quite different. The kitchen is no longer bustling with food but instead the bar is moving with bartenders getting drinks. They have a PBR boot which is quite unique that goes along with the overall theme of the restaurant. The place is very lively with tons of people on the outside and inside. I would definitely refer this place to a friend.
(4)
A-Aron G.

I just moved here from California where tacos are usually 99 cents. I'm not used to trendy taco places that upcharge 400% so I'm not a fan of the price point. I like the location and the service but the prices are too high for the type of food being served. Also, they have TV's but no cable so they play old movies when the rest of the block is showing the superbowl (or other notable games). Why have TV's if they don't serve a purpose?
(1)
Gurinder A.

Went there a couple days ago and I was in love with it! The portions were a lil smaller than I am used to but it was worth it for an increase in the quality.
(4)
Tom R.

Some of the best tacos that I have ever had. They have not been "Americanized" to being bigger than your head. And the music with the old movie loops makes for a great place to dine. If I could still drink beer, I'm afraid that I would never leave.
(5)
KC K.

I'm writing this after 10-15 meals here, because I was just reminded how amazing this place is. An out of town friend dined with me and couldn't stop talking about it. If you want amazing tacos, great margaritas, $2 PBR boots, and the best guacamole on earth....put your name in here and wait for 2 hours to get a seat. No joke, this place is still bumping like the day it opened. The service here is great and the atmosphere can't be duplicated anywhere else in town...I just wish I had the time to wait on a table every time I'm in OTR. I also really enjoy writing something inappropriate on the chalkboard walls by the John. Yup...that's me!
(5)
Sherry T.

Fun atmosphere, great service, and the best tacos I have EVER tasted. I loved the Mole and Short Rib tacos; the Cochinita Pibil had an odd aftertaste that reminded me of soap (no, it wasn't the cilantro; I don't I have that issue). The Guacolmole was phenomenal--very chunky and perfectly seasoned. I would like to go back again, and again, and . . .
(5)
Suzanne M.

Fabulous. Only issue is everyone else knows it is too! so be prepared to wait!!
(4)
AJ D.

Awesome tacos and tequila. Only downside is the wait time, can get out of hand during peak hours.
(5)
Rachael W.

Sangria only had apples? Wth. Queso was not traditional but very very good! You order tacos individually. $3/$4 each. Variety variety variety! Miss and match any combo you'd like... two at a time is suggested. They also have tostadas which someday I'll come back and try. Menu is small but unique. Scene and service: bar scene and super trendy. Ultra hipster hang out. I wouldn't suggest bringing the kids in. . . No separate menu for little ones. Waitress was very nice and service was fast! Although, it is a Monday afternoon.
(5)
Rick S.

Lively atmosphere at noon mid week. An obvious local favorite. Guacamole was fantastic. Comes to you extra chunky. Tacos sampled and all were lick nothing we had experienced and were fantastic. Guacamole and 2 tacos were plenty
(4)
Emily E.

A littel crowded, but delicious food!
(4)
Cer B.

Tacos were ok. Place is noisy, and difficult to get a seat. Sometimes it feels as if the staff is trying to rush you to make an order.
(2)
Emilie C.

I have a consistently incredible experience at Bakersfield OTR as long as I can get in! I've had to wait up to 3 hours on a Friday night to eat but it's completely worth it. I love the music/atmosphere and the waitstaff is great. I absolutely love the tacos pastor and the margarita pitchers are similarly deluxe. Bakersfield's creative recipes are made even better by their super fresh ingredients.
(5)
Neil P.

My fiance and I love this place. Great ambiance, food, and drinks. In our opinion best taco's downtown. The only con's would be the price and the wait. 24oz Tecate for $6 is way too pricey. It's basically slightly more alcoholic than day old coffee, let's price it as such. And there seems to always be a wait for a table. We're usually able to get a bar seat within 15 minutes though so this isn't a huge problem. We were very surprised that there was a wait on a Friday afternoon for 45 minutes for 2! I guess that shows how popular the place is. We'll be back!
(4)
Sarah R.

I had the short rib torta and it was absolutely delicious, and the margaritas were wonderful. Great atmosphere and quick service. I absolutely love this place, I never leave disappointed.
(5)
Sonam P.

This place knows how to do Mexican! Like all other restaurants in OTR the wait can be long but it's worth it. To start, they're guacamole and chips and quest dip are amazing. I always pair with their delicious margaritas. As for the tacos, I have to say I love the unique flavors and freshness of the tacos. My usual favorite is the mole and pastor. I've tried them all and you can't really go wrong with any of them. So many flavors for your mouth to enjoy. The atmosphere is great for a group or date. The service once you sit down is quick and the staff is friendly. They've got some communal booths where you share with different parties and it is typically fun and leads to some great convos. All in all I wouldn't say this is authentic Mexican but definitely one of the places I love to go when craving tacos.
(5)
Drew S.

Great atmosphere but not perhaps a tiny step down from the best food in Cincinnati. Truthfully, their tacos are not the best in town (Nada and several others are better), but I gotta say that there was so much hype going into this place that maybe I'm being too hard. I respectfully give it 4 out of 5, but I will say I haven't returned (which is the the true vote cast).
(4)
Janet C.

Tacos that I crave daily!
(5)
Michael F.

The Milanese torta (chicken cutlet) is maybe the best sandwich I've ever eaten. The tacos are great too but once I tried the torta it was over. Now I order it every time I go there and I can't recommend it enough. Be prepared to take half of it home in a box unless you are starving.
(5)
Sandra P.

My husband and I came here early Friday afternoon for our anniversary lunch. We got there around 11:30 and were seated immediately, but by the time we left the place was packed. We split a spicy margarita (yum!) and had some chips and quite possibly the best guacamole I've ever had. We also picked out four different taco's which were wonderful. We will definitely come back! By the way, our waitress Meredith was super friendly and fun!
(5)
Paras P.

Well well well. Always a good sign when the wait is over an hr and the place is packed. I carried out and ate 45 minutes later. Yes, it was worth the wait. It was delicious. Torta short rib was lip smacking good. Tacos were solid. Guac was yummy. I guess if I was to wait there, tequila would prep me and force me to eat more. Darn.
(5)
Joel L.

I went during lunchtime on New Year's Eve and it was packed. This is a highly Americanized Mexican restaurant. Not very authentic but great taste. I had the Pastor taco and the Mole taco. Both tasted great and the ingredients were very fresh. I sat at the bar and the service was quick even though they were busy. The bartender was very nice and you could tell the servers enjoyed working there and working with each other. The interior is great. They play old western movies on the TVs and the music isn't exactly southwestern but works with the place.
(4)
Emily H.

When I was a fresh young'n out of college, my first real job was as a reporter for the newspaper in Bakersfield, Calif. I thought I was moving from chilly Chicago to sunny Cali -- lots of beaches and babes and sun tans -- but what I found was California's Central Valley, a dusty area that is more like Arkansas with palm trees. But it was also here that I met a lot of people who would become some of my very close friends. Anyway, given my almost three years in Bakersfield, I was intrigued when I heard about the Bakersfield restaurant in Over-the-Rhine. Could this spot be all that I loved about Bako on a smaller scale? Well, no. It wasn't. But I felt like some new bits were added in that I wish Bakersfield had when I lived there. Bakersfield OTR seems to be known for their margaritas, so we ordered some. They were definitely tasty, a bit on the strong side and definitely hit the spot. I don't remember tequila having such a strong stake in Bako -- but, again, I wish it did at least when I was there. The restaurant's chips and guac and queso also did not disappoint and were a bit more complex that the type generally tossed onto tables at some TexMex chains. Music akin to "the Bakersfield Sound" -- a twangy kind of country -- played over the speakers, and I love how the restaurant nominates a "Bad Ass of the Week." During my visit, Eddie, the bathrobe-wearing, cigar-smoking, unemployed cousin played by Randy Quaid in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," held the honor. While I was sipping on my 'rita, though, it hit me how this version of Bakersfield was filled with hipsters, young professionals and an assortment of other people dressed for a night out on the town. The Bakersfield from my early 20s was more of a town with some dirt under its fingernails. It definitely had some of these hip people in it, but when I think of a "Bakersfield" restaurant, I see farmers in overalls, oil workers and some other rough people sitting at a bar and knocking back a couple of beers after a long day at work. But time often smooths out memories, taking away some of its rougher edges, so maybe I'll go with this Bakersfield instead -- a mix of the good of the past and the new.
(4)
Jen H.

Great Mexican street food. The tacos were fantastic, we were not very hungry so we ordered some vegetarian tacos and tostadas. They were full of flavor, it was obvious they use good ingredients. I like the limited menu, it seems they focus on doing everything right. We will be back with a bigger appetite.
(5)
Chris T.

A great place to eat in OTR (if you can get in) but thats not a bad thing its just busy! Great food and drinks, nothing too fancy to write home about but you'll leave with a smile on your face and a full belly. Other than the margarita I haven't tested out the bartenders but they have all been super nice and fast. The tacos are small so order more than you normally would. Try them all, I haven't had a bad one yet. Service is on point as well. If you are in the OTR area I would recommend this place to anyone.
(4)
Kristen R.

We eat here seriously every week and everything is always perfect. Some people get mad if they have to wait for a table but we usually just eat at the bar or rail. The servers are quick and friendly and the food is incredibly fresh. The margaritas are perfection (and very strong). You can tell this place runs like a machine and that the people who work there are well-trained and genuinely happy.
(5)
Matt Y.

I do recommend. However just know a few things. I went late at night about 10p and had no wait. I do not feel a long wait would be worth it. Not that the experience was bad but the place specializes in tacos which are not worth the multiple hour waits that I've heard about. I got guac for an appetizer and although it was pretty good it wasn't so amazing blow you away awesome. Also the tacos are small so that means you have to order more to feel full; but the quality and options are very good. I do feel the tacos were a little over-priced but still good enough to go back. I do think there are other places around where you can get a better bang for your buck - but overall I enjoyed myself. They had a lot of beer and n/a options which I liked. The waiter was friendly and overall a good experience.
(4)
Adrick C.

I've been to Bakersfield OTR enough times at this point to have legitimately tried everything on the menu. Caveat: Not ALL possible combinations of add-ons and substitutions, nor the cocktail menu. That said, I feel confident in saying- the kitchen has always (thus far) been on-point, everything on the menu is worthy and delicious and a visit here would almost never be regrettable. For my tastes this is the best guac in the city. The tortas both heaven sent. Every- Single- Taco- Is- Excellent. If you have a bad time at BakesOTR it's probably because: A.) A wait. Either a long one, or one unpleasant due to conditions (such as: weather, crowdedness, etc.) or B.) Service. I never mind waiting if I know there is going to be a wait, and when it comes to OTR on Vine, I always expect at least 20 minutes. Have a plan, chill out and don't try to dine on this block if you have time constraints. As far as service- it's slightly better than a coin toss. Actually, that's not fair. I would say that 65-70% of the time the service has been Good to Top Notch. But when it's good it's highly frustrating. I know it's busy, I know that when people drink it can get rowdy- but I just waited to pay a decent amount of money for a taco the size of a post-it note; it's not my fault. How the service is has been a little touch and go when the kitchen is so consistent (part of me thinks that the only way to have flavors deliver the same experience so many times is to whip up a years worth of Mole in advance...) I don't know. This isn't really a place for big groups, and it's not the kind of place I would plan on having a two hour meal. It's perfectly suited for the semi tapas- bar crawl nature of OTR on Vine, but it's also a solid choice to sit down and fill your belly up to full. Highly reccomended.
(4)
Tiffany D.

Very good! I love their tacos and they are the perfect size. My fiancÃ© and I always share the queso dip w/ black beans. Our favorite tacos are the Mole and the Pollo Rojo . Definitely a must go to if your in The Nati. It is a little small inside so if you go on a Friday or Saturday night, I would suggest you get there early. If not the wait can be a little long, the those little tacos are worth it.
(4)
Pat J.

Took my wife here she loved the guacamole the atmosphere here is loud and casualI I had some gourmet tacos the one with pineapples tasted pretty good and a lemonade was handmade not that cheap Countrytyme stuff. Get there early if you don't want to wait.
(4)
Tabitha W.

I've lived in Cincinnati almost half a year now and just this past weekend, I finally made it to one of the restaurants I've wanted to try basically since I moved here.What took me so long, you ask? Well, it wasn't exactly for lack of trying. Bakersfield OTR is located in the trendy Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. We've stopped more than once but decided that the wait was too long. The first time we ended up across the street at Senate - the closest thing to gourmet tacos being gourmet hot dogs. ;-) This time we decided we were determined to wait it out - it was only a 20-30 minute wait to be seated, so we walked around a little bit and checked out some of the nearby shops. We had been lucky enough to find a broken meter to park at, so we weren't worried about time. And Bakersfield (similar to Senate) takes your number and calls you when your table is ready so you have a little bit of freedom while you wait to eat. Bakersfield OTR has a limited menu focused on their exotic tacos. The selection includes 8 tacos, two of which are vegetarian. The one I was most excited to try was the Huitlacoche -this is a fungus that grows on corn and is considered a food delicacy in Mexico. I'd first seen huitlacoche used in a cooking show challenge on the Food Network, so when I saw that it was offered on Bakersfield's menu, I couldn't wait to try it. We got two each of the vegetarian options, the Rajas - poblano, fresno, bell pepper, ejotes, chihuahua, queso fresco, and cilantro, and the Huitlacoche - corn truffles, roasted poblano, corn, onion, cotija cheese, and cilantro. We loved both of them...in fact, if we didn't have other places yet to go, we would have gotten some more to go.
(4)
Vince L.

I travel around a lot for work. Who knew I would find the best guacamole I've ever had in Cincinnati, Ohio of all places. Good food all around, the guac steals the show, and in my favorite district of Cincy to hang out in when I travel there, OTR.
(5)
E G.

Regardless of the wait the food is good and always consistent. Be sure to have a drink While you wait. I get the house margarita with a sugar rim.
(5)
Martha C.

My body says it all, I like Bakersfield OTR. Seriously though, my hips don't lie! My personal favorites are the Fish and Huitlacoche taco's and of course the Guac & chips. Both taco's are on the small side, but I promise they are good. I have yet to get a Marg here, but based on the reviews and what I've heard from friends they are pretty amazing as well! Yo Quiero Bakersfield!
(4)
Nick T.

Bakersfield never disappoints!! The food is great and reasonably priced (especially to $2 PBR boots). It's a great atmosphere with old western movies and Johnny Cash playing. The only downside is that they don't take reservations, so plan on waiting at least 30 minutes.
(5)
Rachel F.

Loved the atmosphere in Bakersfield OTR! The exposed brick walls and industrial style lighting over the bar was a great touch to this trendy little restaurant. As my dinner progressed, the Bockfest crowd began rolling in and it got pretty cramped. Even with so many people jammed in, I still felt like I had plenty of space and privacy at my little side table. The food was amazing and very reasonably priced. After reading all the rave reviews about the chips and guac, I had to try it out for myself and it didn't disappoint. I also ordered the "June" salad and the corn and mushroom taco. Everything I ordered was just perfect! I loved how many veg options there were. The only reason I am giving Bakersfield 4 stars instead of 5 is because the service was "meh" at best and they forgot to bring me my chips and guac.
(4)
Alessia W.

Went here after work with a friend... Amazing food, Amazing service, and Amazing drinks. This place was PACKED on a Wednesday night around 9pm which was very surprising to me. Wait for dinner was 45 minutes but we found 2 seats at the bar and had a wonderful time. The bartenders were attentive but not overly in your face. Don Julio shots were only $13. When I visit Cincy, I'll definitely go here again!
(5)
Andy M.

Awesome tacos with extremely fresh ingredients. You order the tacos individually, and I'd recommend getting 3-4 different tacos or more and share them! Margaritas are excellent as well. This place was packed at 5:30pm on a recent Friday. The wait for our party of 6 was about an hour. We gave our cell number and had a drink at a bar down the street. This place has an excellent atmosphere and great wait staff as well. All around a great experience, I'd recommend this place to couples, larger groups or taco/margarita aficionados.
(5)
Jim K.

This was a really fun date night location. It is small, trendy, casual, and has a nice atmosphere. The TVs play old westerns even though there was a huge ND vs. USC football game on. A Saturday night wait was one hour but they call your cell phone so we looked at the local shops and bought some cool things (it was shop small business night). The margaritas were generous with the alcohol which was good but too tart for my taste. My wife loved them though. Also, they are served in mason jars. We got four margaritas for $25. As for the food, we loved the queso dip because the cheese is browned on top and has great flavor. The green salsa was also delicious. I got two tacos, fish and short rib. The fish was ok but mostly taste like the cole slaw. The short rib was fantastic! The tacos are small but pack a lot of flavor and they only cost 3-4 bucks. There is a limited menu which was not a problem for us but could be if you are with a group of diverse eaters. Overall a great place to go and not to expensive. I'll go back.
(4)
Angela C.

Best bang for your buck at Bakersfield: short rib torta, hands down. Party in your mouth, and it will fill you up for $9. I couldn't even finish mine on my own. Yum. The tacos are tasty and fresh, but as others have said before, pricey to make a full meal of tacos. They probably could also add a second tortilla shell under the taco for support (plus then you could kind of make a second taco with the filling that inevitably slides out. The red and green sauces in the squeeze bottles, which I'm sure have actual names, are so good I wanted to take them home. I'm a little less enthused about the guacamole- it was fresh but too lime-y for my taste but others in our group loved it. For me it was more of a shrug. Love the brick and wood, and I actually thought it was fun to share the giant table with other folks. No complaints about the daily tequila shot deal for $3, either! We went on a Saturday afternoon so did not have to deal with a wait.
(4)
Courtney K.

Bakersfield for me is better than Nada. The guacamole is the best I have had and that says a lot! I love that you can order the tacos individually so we you get a variety. They have a good beer selection and their margaritas are delicious!!
(5)
Stephanie A.

The food is "muy delizioso". The drinks are immaculate. With good company this place is bar none.
(5)
Nikki F.

I love Bakersfield. I go during the week so the crowds aren't as bad. The guac is awesome. The cheese dip with beans is so good we crave it. Last time we went I found out they have champagne by the bottle so we shared some and it was really good. So basically they have everything we love. Yay! Keep up the good work!
(5)
Opal K.

One of my favorite places in Cincinnati. Great tacos, great guacamole, great drinks, great atmosphere.
(4)
Maurice L.

Great taco spot. This is the second time I've had the pleasure to visit Bakersfield so this review will encompass both visits. Atmosphere 5/5 Great decor. Nice open feel in a small space. Drinks 4/5 About 5-6 beers on draft and a few bottles selections. I had the Sangria and It was very good. $7 isn't a bad price to pay. $2 PBR can't be beat. Food 4/5 On my first visit I tried the fish, short rib and a chicken selection. The fish and chicken were good but the short rib was OUTSTANDING! The depth of the flavor of the short rib with a twist of lime is well balanced. The cheese was light and the radish garnish is a nice touch. I tried the pork belly and I wasn't impressed. They had Chorizo chilli on the menu on my first visit and I was looking forward to trying it, but the server told me it was seasonal and I was disappointed! The chips and salsa are top notch. Chips are light, crispy and fresh. The salsa, especially the red salsa, it really, really good! I'll try the queso next time. Service 5/5 We sat at the bar on my second visit and a table the first time. Both times the service was excellent! Tentative and fast. I spoke to one of the owners on my first visit and he was very kind and appreciated my input. Overall 4/5 A 4/5 only because I didn't get to try the chilli and the pork belly was lackluster. It's a definite "must visit" in the OTR district!!
(4)
Robert L.

The food here is delicious and I think a hallmark of what makes OTR a trendy and fun place to spend an evening. The restaurant is small so there may be a wait time, but it is worth the wait. I recommend the tacos. There are small so you need to get a few but they are very tasty. There is a lot of positive vibes here so expect a good time. I haven't had alcoholic drinks here, so I cannot comment on them.
(4)
Ana M.

This place is decent. I will admit they have great tacos, but there are a lot of things I don't like about it. First of all, the place is always packed and is not for the soft spoken. You have to talk loudly to whomever you're with. Second, I know some people who like the queso, but I do not. It's a strange texture, kind of like you can feel the shredded cheese in it, not creamy like authentic Mexican queso. Third, the tacos are really kind of over priced for their size. Sometimes they are just so small. I'll go back, because I've heard good things about the guac and I do like the tacos, but probably just for lunch.
(3)
Elizabeth B.

These were hands down the best tacos I have ever had. I may even venture to say the best margarita I have ever had. Went in for lunch this Saturday and was seated right away. We sat at a big shared circular table but still had plenty of privacy. To start, we ordered margaritas and queso. The queso was different from any kind I've ever had and was absolutely delicious. Between all of us, we ordered just about every taco on the menu and kept arguing about whose were best. Only solution? Go back until I've tried every one and can say for myself.
(5)
Jessie B.

Everything was incredible !!! Long wait but service was fast and friendly. Margaritas were perfect( fyi get a pitcher). We shared a queso dip that my very picky husband loved . Salsa is so fresh . I love that everything is made fresh from scratch , I had a fish taco and a short rib Taco and they were perfect plus prices are reasonable I will definitely be back. My only wish is that this restaurant was closer to my house.
(5)
Cari B.

Let me start off by saying I'm pretty sure this is the coolest place I've every been . The place has this old rustic western saloon theme going on and there is old western movies playing on the tv's over the bar and they have rockabilly music blaring . I love love loved it !! This place is definitely not you run-of-the-mill typical bar , while it's rocking the old western saloon appearance this place is hip fun definitely not for the older crowd . Now let we get started on the food ... This is now the meal I will request if I ever get sentenced to fry in the electric chair . Yes that's right I think it's last meal material . I started with the chips and salsa and queso with JalapeÃ±os and chorizo . The salsa came out and to my surprise it was green . I won't lie I was a little scared when I seen it but I decided what the heck and gave it a try and then ordered some more !! The stuff was to die for . Next the queso came out . I'm not really sure what blends of cheese they use but they mix together well to create this this tasty dip . The chorizo and JalapeÃ±os made it that much more enjoyable . On the the tacos ! I had the pastor and the short rib . The pastor was amazing , it was filled with perfectly seasoned pork topped with cilantro white onions and pineapple . The pastor is my all time favorite taco and this one I would rank in my top 2 if not #1 . Next I tried the short rib . It was equally as good . The meat was seasoned to perfection and moist and juicy . I was just in town for the weekend but I will be finding more reasons to travel to Cincinnati just so I can eat here !
(5)
Calvin C.

For me, i judge tacos based on an al-pastor/price ratio. The better the al-pastor (pork) and the cheaper it is, the better my grade. Here, the al-pastor is horrendous and you're paying $5-6 per taco. At a decent Mexican place, I can get fantastic al-pastor for $2-3 per taco. Now that I've talked about the food, I do have to admit that the place has a fun atmosphere with a great beer list. The place always is packed like the building has diarrhea and is pooping out people so most people must agree that it is a fun place (and maybe don't appreciate good al-pastor)
(2)
Seth A.

If you're reading this, congratulations! You've just found yourself a real gem. Don't ask your friends "if" they want to go here. They do. Ask if they are okay with "a wait." If they are, great, magnificent margaritas await you. Some choice tacos too.
(5)
Aaron B.

Just go. Get a margarita, (or a pitcher) a short rib taco (or two) and some guac and thank me later.
(5)
Ryan D.

Want a Margarita? Come on over! It's on the man drag in OTR, right next door to some amazing places to eat and drink, but this place has the best margaritas. From my understand, they juice their own lines and make their own simple syrups which make these taste smooth and fabulous. I always grab a drink at the bar and head outside to drink and people watch (just make sure to stay inside the wood cage, aka the designated drinking area). This might sound weird but I also really like their ice cubes. They are perfect cubes and look awesome when you're drinking. Make it happen people.
(5)
Helen P.

This place is amazing! The margaritas and guacamole are the best and the tacos are yummy! For dinner time there might be a wait...
(5)
Richele S.

The wait for this place CAN be absolutely ridiculous (like 2hrs+ and no call ahead/reservations available), however, once you're in be prepared for a good meal and a good time. The longest waiting times are on Friday & Saturday, obviously. There is bar seating, booths, and some community style picnic tables. Make sure you order some of their delicious guacamole and the queso topped with chorizo to go with chips to start! Once you get to entree's, you can't go wrong with any of the taco options. The fish and short rib tacos are a tie for my favorite. The atmosphere is hip/fun/tex-mex-ish with ambien lighting. I highly recommend this place, if you get a chance.
(5)
Amber C.

The tacos are pretty good.... But I honestly can't believe they have a 3-4+ hour wait on a Friday or Saturday. It's impossible to get in there! The menu is somewhat selective as well. If it were easier to get a seat there, I'd rate them higher, but I've gone before and they have turned me down. :/
(3)
Sarah G.

Went the Saturday of the all star weekend so there was a bit of a wait, everything was perfect and absolutely worth the wait. Everyone in my party ordered something different, so got to try a little of everything. Food, service and margaritas were excellent. Can't say enough good things about the guacamole and our server. She was eager to show us around the menu since we had not been there before. Cannot wait to go back! Try the spicy margarita!
(5)
Keith L.

Great place, fantastic food, wonderful service. Always friendly but plan ahead to get a table because this place is always packed. I recommend the house margaritas by the pitcher AND the guacamole
(5)
Gabe H.

I go 5 stars because the price/value/ambiance equation is fantastic. Mix n' match tacos at 4$ a pop, great Guac and Margaritas, efficient and an environment that could easily charge 50% more. This was a great experience, lively, and enjoyed the experience. If you haven't been to the city for a while (been 3 years for me) the OTR area has changed a lot and some great spots to check out. Cochinita Pibil is awesome, just wait for the kick at the end!
(5)
Ashley W.

The Short Rib Torta was unbelievable. The meat was beyond tender and had so much flavor that exploded in my mouth. All the components worked together like a sweet marriage. The Willie salad was also amaze-balls! The buttermilk dressing had an amazing tanginess to it that brought out the freshness of the corn, black beans, and tomatoes. I can't wait to go back to this place.
(5)
Ariel V.

I've been to this restaurant numerous times and have never been disappointed. The margaritas are always fantastic and the food is to die for. Can't go wrong with the quest or any of the taco options. Better get here early if you want a seat or anything less than a 15min wait. Arrived at 5pm and had a 15min wait until we found seats at the bar!
(5)
Tiffany J.

Awesome place! Small menu but don't let that fool you. The menu is full of flavorful items. My favorite was the short rib taco they are little but oh so fierce! Also the guacamole was heaven sent! And I don't even eat it! We shared a pitcher of Bakersfield margaritas, which were delicious and easy on our pockets lol always a plus! My friends towards accidentally came out with beans but they had no problem making a fresh one. The manager Aaron came to our table, apologized and even took care of the item on her bill! He was the sweetest guy and really made our experience that much better. Overall this is a great place to hang with friends and eat some authentic Mexican food with out breaking the bank. One tip though the wait is usually between an hour an a half to two hours so make plans to do something around the area while you wait!
(5)
Miriya S.

Great restaurant! The chips and queso are must haves. I have tried the following tacos: mole, pollo rojo and short rib. All excellent. It's worthwhile to get an assortment to try, especially if it is your first visit. As some others have mentioned, the only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because of the wait that you can encounter to be seated. The restaurant isn't very big, so it seems kind of cramped even when it isn't crazy busy. It's a good idea to go at an 'off time' (like right before everyone downtown gets out of work).
(4)
Tommy L.

Let me start off this review by saying that I am a huge fan of fish tacos. So of course I ordered the fish tacos here, and they exceeded my expectations by far. I expected them to be very average since the restaurant is not located near the ocean; however, they were very fresh and some of my favorite fish tacos I have ever had. Although I am normally only a fan of fish tacos, the short rib tacos were even better. The tacos are ordered separately, so you can combine whatever kinds you'd like and get as many as you'd like. The guacamole is delicious as well. The atmosphere is also very good, although it can be a bit noisy. But overall, this is now one of my favorite places to eat and I will be certain to return here.
(5)
Maggie B.

Oh Bakersfield, you are my Mexican dreams come true. I remember sitting in a Mexican restaurant in a small town in West Virginia holding a tostada and wishing that it could be more than it was. Now quite a few years and many many disappointing tostadas later I have found you. What a tostada was always meant to be. With your double decker deliciousness. Everyone raves about the tacos, but not me. To me the tostada will always be first in my heart.
(5)
Jack P.

Queso was great, green salsa on table also very good. Seating could be better. Wait staff very friendly. Fish taco very good, short rib taco very good, polo Tojo taco a little dry, pork belly taco was good, cochinita pibil taco was good, bistec taco was also good. Margarita was ok, second one was better. The worse part of the meal was the guacamole- the garlic was so overwhelming it took away from the rest of the meal. Couldn't get the garlic taste out of our mouths. I would go back but I wouldn't order the guacamole again. Also if they would offer flour tortillas that would be great.
(3)
Tim M.

Another great reason to visit the Cincy OTR area. The restaurant has a great decor and fits into the new vision of the over-the-rhine area. The food was excellent I had the short rib taco and the mole taco. The bartenders were great, they suggested some great beers ago along with my food. I would say this is a must stop if you're in the Cincinnati Over the Rhine area for lunch or dinner.
(5)
Rick S.

Bakersfield is always packed and for good reason. The place has good tacos at good prices. It's very small so I don't advise going with a large group of people unless you intend to stand shoulder to shoulder. And, it's not unusually to see just that. It's right in the heart of all the OTR action, so you can put your name in and wander around outside visiting nearby stores until your estimated wait time comes up.
(4)
Matt C.

You know the hype just doesn't live up to my expectations. I expected a lot better quality. It may have been for the three hour wait. I'll give it another try.
(2)
Isaiah F.

Ended up coming here for a end of the year party with 15 other people on a Saturday night. I was surprised that such a well known bar in OTR would not only take reservations but also one so large. Bonus points awarded. We had the reservation for 7:15 and were seated at 7:30. I barely had enough time to chug my Truth I ordered over at Lackmans. We were seated at the large round table in the middle of the restaurant which afforded me a great people watching vantage point. We ordered a couple of rounds of chips and guac, chips and queso and a few pitchers of margaritas. Service was prompt which was unexpected just based on how packed this place was. We all ordered tacos of some variation and they came out in a staggered fashion. My only "carne de vaca" is that the tacos are TINY. (I guess I should have written that in a all sublower case letters.) These guys were two biters. They were delicious but I wanted to enjoy at least 3-4 bites of mouth watering Tijuana gold. Best part about this place, IMO, the fact that they split our bill 15 different ways WITHOUT A PROBLEM!!!
(4)
Lynn V.

Yum! On weekends plan to put your name in ~2 hours before you want to eat. They'll call you when you're table is ready and can you spend the time walking around OTR, hanging in Washington Park or getting a drink at one of the many places near by. Must try the guac!
(5)
Shannon H.

Bakersfield was one of my favorite restaurants when I lived in Cincinnati. I must have been there over 20 times! I like Nada a lot too but Bakersfield's guacamole blows it out of the water. You cant beat the prices either. I recommend ordering the guacamole, queso dip WITH Chorizo (it's a huge mistake without the chorizo) and some tacos. My favorite tacos were the Pastor and the short rib. Such an AMAZING mexican spot for Cinci! Will definitely miss this place.
(5)
Lizbeth M.

Best Guac in Cincy! It has a very chill atmosphere and servers are super nice. Tacos are delish, definitely recommend the short rib tacos. Margaritas are a most, get a pitcher of them!
(5)
Megan K.

I love what OTR has become! Just 5 years ago, I would have never considered heading down there for a day of fun and great food. But now I do! Bakersfield is one of those places that cause a lot of hype. I've heard of it from multiple people who have turned into regulars. I'm a taco enthusiast, so I knew I had to try it! I ordered two mole tacos and they were delicious! Smaller than I expected, but good nonetheless. Just for the record, I actually prefer the taste of the tacos at Django Western Taco in Northside. They just seem to pack a bit more punch. The atmosphere is pretty awesome at Bakersfield, complete with a small shrine to the one and only Johnny Cash at the bar. Westerns play on the TV and play as a backdrop to all of the conversations taking place at the bar. It's a small place so expect to wait a while for a table. I was here around 5:30pm on a Wednesday and it was a total madhouse. This place is lots of fun and would be a great place to go to get drinks. The wait staff are all very attractive and attentive. I will certainly be back and based off of prior reviews, it sounds like I need to try the torta!
(4)
Ashley K.

Cheap drinks, good food, outstanding queso. What more could you want from mexican food??
(4)
Dave M.

My wife and I decided to head to Bakersfield for a date night. It wasn't quite the experience we were hoping for. The place was bursting at the seams around 7pm on a weeknight, which left us with an hour wait. Luckily we lingered at the bar area until a lone seat opened up. We ordered a few different types of tacos and the chips with guacamole. The tacos were a big letdown, with none of them bringing any distinct flavor that would make them memorable, especially for the cost. The tacos were definitely redeemed by the chips and guacamole...some of the best I've had in a long time. I would recommend Bakersfield for an appetizer and a drink, but not sure I'd stick around and make a full meal out of it.
(3)
Alisha W.

Amazing! You cannot go wrong with the guacamole, short rib tacos, and margaritas. The restaurant is very small, so expect a wait. I promise it'll be worth it. As far as the tacos go, the price is per taco, so it isn't a cheap stop. If you're exceptionally hungry, three tacos will hit the spot just fine. I always opt for two. The queso is also great, but isn't a traditional queso. It's a very stringy and lumpy texture , but the cheeses used are phenomenal.
(5)
Ron G.

They offer excellent tacos and a great selection of adult beverages. There are usually westerns playing in the background. The place has a slight dive bar feel but the food makes up for it.
(4)
Brian M.

If you live in Cincinnati, it would be absolutely criminal to not come here at least once. The short rib tacos alone are worth the trip. They don't take reservations, so prepare to wait if you're not into blue hair specials on a Tuesday or Wednesday (i.e. show up prior to 6 pm). It's so worth it though.
(4)
Andy D.

This place is great. Great drinks and food, and is run by people who really care.
(5)
Zack F.

So, I've voiced my issues in the past, but they've been solely due to the fact that this place is entirely TOO POPULAR and needs to be twice as big. Why is it so popular you say? Because the food is incredibly fresh (made in-house daily), imaginative, well presented, and just amazingly delicious. You would think you were in any large metro area other than Cincinnati. This is the kind of place that Cincinnati needs. This last time I brought the whole family, and everyone couldn't stop talking about how great an experience they had. Not only was the food delicious and satisfying, but the service was exceptional. Truly it was. Becca was fun, engaging, helpful and right on top of everything. I would go back just for her service. The margaritas as always are the best in town, hands down. I also sampled some of their premium tequilas. It's refreshing to finally have a place locally that offers so many quality tequilas paired with a great environment. You MUST get the guacamole. It is so good, you'll probably end up ordering two. They have added a few new menu items recently. The Tostada is huge and delicious and possibly the best value on the menu. (A great option for vegetarians) I had a torta. While they do not offer a vegetarian torta on the menu, (for shame! ;) ) they were quick to pull together anything I wanted on mine and let me just tell you, it was really tasty and satisfying. The only downside? It's so popular, there's a long wait. They set out to be a bar that had good food, but Cincinnati has spoken and it appears they are a top notch restaurant AND an excellent bar. They need twice the space! Do yourself a favor, set aside some time, get on the waitlist and eat here sooner rather than later.
(5)
Travis L.

Short rib tacos were amazing. the queso dip is overrated. Wasnt a big fan of the texture. Margaritas were good as usual.
(3)
Toral V.

Good things come to those who wait- definitely true for Bakersfield. If you're out for an evening in OTR, I'd recommend stopping by Bakersfield, putting your name on the list (often 2+ hours wait), and then roaming around til your name is called. Lunch time during the week is definitely less busy (more like a 20-30 minute wait) and also worth a try! All in all, this is a great place whether you're really hungry and in the mood to pig out on delicious mexican food or looking for a fun night with friends in a cool, energetic atmosphere. However, if you're like me, you're likely in the mood for both of these things! As for food- I've tried all of the tacos on the menu and my favorite are the fish tacos. The queso dip is honestly the best I've ever had. And you can never go wrong with their guac. As for drinks, as you'd imagine, margaritas are a must- the house margarita is my go-to (and it's pretty strong, too :) ) If I'm with 2-3 others, we will usually go for the pitcher and see where the night takes us... The only reason I would give this place a 4-star rating instead of a 5-star is because of the very long wait times and slightly pricey menu. However, for the quality of food and location of Bakersfield, I can definitely understand why their prices might be higher compared to other mexican restaurants/bar in Cincinnati. Overall, I'd recommend trying out Bakersfield if you're in the area! It's always a good time and it won't disappoint.
(4)
Stephanie H.

I've been here many times and have never had a bad meal. I've tried almost everything on the menu, but I do tend to stick with my favorites. As far as drinks, the Bakersfield Margarita is delicious. A real margarita! Always wanted to try the premium because I love Grand Marnier in my margarita but it's expensive! For when we go with big groups, we like to get a pitcher of margarita and sangria. It's tasty to mix the two as well! We always start w the chips and guac. Their guacamole is just delicious. Clean and full of flavor garnished w thinly sliced radishes. For tacos, I always end up with a couple short rib. They are my favorite. Also love the pollo verde and the pastor. The short rib torta is fantastic but I can't help but get tacos almost every time I go. Atmosphere is comfortable. Great bar selection aside from the margaritas and sangrias.
(5)
Miranda H.

Although the star of Bakersfield is supposed to be their tacos, I love their sandwiches. They are top notch and large enough for sharing. The soup changes seasonally, but whether they have the corn chowder or the tomato, I always get it as a side. Service is consistently good, employees are nice and food is excellent. Like all places in OTR, there can be quite a wait to get a table. However, the food will not disappoint once you finally get in the door.
(4)
Amber J.

Agave wheat beer is so good. This is my afternoon happy hour spot! I rarely ever make it to the main meal of tacos because I'm too busy binging on chips and guacamole. Best guacamole in Cincinnati with Nada's being my second favorite (sorry Nada).
(5)
Jessie T.

I try to come to Bakersfield every once in a while, but it's only once in a while because of the crazy wait time it always has! I would recommend eating here more to casually eat with drinks rather than eating a full dinner. The menu is comprised of a variety of smaller bites, including the tacos, but everything packs a wonderful punch of flavor! My favorite taco would have to be the Pastor. And if you're not feeling tacos, their queso with churrizo will not disappoint and the corn chowder is pretty delicious too. But if you're a first timer, go on a week night to avoid a long line! And if you want to brave the weekenders, definitely go in on their margarita pitcher specials. They are delicious and dangerous.
(4)
Pamela F.

Love the $4 fish tacos and $3 house tequila shooters (lime, salt graciously provided). Great lively buzz, feels like a porch party. Casual, cheap. Don't miss
(4)
Drew S.

Great tacos and appetizers (try the guac and queso fundido), outstanding margaritas and whiskey cocktails. Wait can be crazy long, so prepare for that! Try as many tacos as you can, they're all good!
(4)
Caroline P.

Love the cheese dip, all the tacos, margs, the green sauce that comes with everything.
(4)
Michael K.

Great margaritas and Guacamole
(4)
Tom O.

It sounds strange to say the best thing at this place is probably the chips and guac. But, seriously, it's the best guac ever. I could just eat it as my meal with a spoon. Just make sure to bring some gum or mints for after your meal because you will be tasting that garlic all night. I've had the fish and short rib tacos. They are good, but not mindblowing. The margaritas are very good. On my most recent visit, we were able to find immediate seating at the bar, and the service from the bartender was exceptional and entertaining. I couldnt go 5 stars here due to a few factors: typically, unreasonably long wait times unless you can find a spot at the bar, community seating (sorry, not a fan), and no reservations. I realize that none of OTR spots take reservations and all have long wait times, but when you factor in all 3 of these things, it's not a perfect experience for me. Love having a place like this in Cincinnati and will definitely be back (if we are able to find seating).
(4)
Dale H.

Excellent tacos!!!! Had to try the guacamole and chips after so many other yelpers raved about them :o) Agree that it is on the limey side, so if that's not your thing, beware! Also had a margarita which was delicious!! Nicely served in a mason jar mug. Have tried the corn truffle taco, chicken one, and the fish taco. (They have fancier names, but these were the main ingredients of each.) My fav is the corn truffle taco. I'm not a fan of spicy, so it was perfect. Nice blend of corn, roasted poblano, and cheese. The fish was deep-fried. Wish it could be ordered grilled....but it was crispy with a nice slaw and dressing. Last was my pollo verde. Yummy as well with tomatillos, queso, and pink picked onions. All were very tasty! Reason I'm docking one star was the loooong wait :o( 1 1/2 hrs the first time, though kudos to them for taking you cell # and calling you when the table's ready. Second time we went, we got there on Sat. about 5:15 and didn't have to wait. Just snagged the last tables! Both times I've gone they've been showing a Clint Eastwood flick. Yay! I'm a fan! It is so loud though that if they are playing the volume, it'd be impossible to hear. The server was also super friendly and efficient!
(4)
Lauren M.

Love coming here when I'm craving tacos. Note: they don't take reservations or call ahead as but the wait usually isn't as long as they quote.
(5)
Katy S.

During the 8 nights that I was recently in Cincinnati, I heard people mention Bakersfield numerous times. After finally getting the chance to eat here, I see why. We sampled a ton of the tacos. They were all original, fresh, and flavorful. I really really enjoyed the short rib taco. The guac and the margs were also good. Tip: If you want to come to Bakersfield on the weekends, prepare to get there at least a couple hours early as the restaurant is small and the wait is long.
(5)
john e.

Service was pretty good. Food okay. Had better in in other places. The meat overpowers the entire taco. The flavors of the trimmings don't come through. Very one dimensional. To sum it up just ok.
(3)
Sarah F.

Why yes, I have lived in Cincinnati for 2 years and JUST went to Bakersfield for the first time. Realizing that it was run by the same people as my new fav restaurant ever, The Eagle, I really had to try it. Compared to most OTR restaurants, it's surprisingly spacious once you get inside. The wait times are still ridiculous. And while the food was good, I would be less likely to actually wait compared to some of the other offerings on the street. The menu and setup was familiar as I've been to all the Northside taco joint knock-offs that came after the success of this restaurant. However, I feel that the Northside places have all fell a little flat. We ordered the queso and it was the first time among all these places that the queso was actually good to the point that I would definitely order again. We also had two tacos each. They were simple but tasty and a perfect blend of flavors. What I really enjoyed was the spice level. They packed a punch...but not too much of one. And mostly, they were flavorful hot...not just HOT. My one complaint is that the barrel tables for two near the front of the restaurant really suck. They look cool...but damn, they are not comfortable. Nor are they conducive to easy and non-messy eating of tacos.
(4)
Emily V.

Good question dip, mole taco, and mole taco. Cute ambiance but there are a lot of frat boys in the bar.
(4)
Joanne Y.

GOOD FOOD, every thing is good. and they have new management, and manage is very nice and friendly. The beef noodle soup is so yummy and delicouse.
(5)
Mandy H.

This is the best place for tacos and yummy margaritas! The food is always fresh and AMAZING! Totally love the atmosphere! Get there early!
(5)
Eric S.

Great atmosphere. Good service. Strong drinks. Yummy (but small) tacos. We tried 4 tacos. Pastor and short ribs were our favorites. Queso and chips were ok but need some salsa, beans or something spliced with the cheese. Fun time in otr!
(4)
David H.

Really like the ambiance here as well as the unique take on Mexican fare. I have tried three different tacos here and all were excellent. If you're coming for dinner, be sure to show up around 4:30 and be prepared to wait until 6:00 for a table - this place is busy!
(4)
Chelsea L.

My favoriteee restaurant in Cincinnati ! Its cheap to eat and cheap to drink! You can get a PBR boot for $2.00. The fish tacos are the best. I recommend going earlier in the day as on a Friday or Saturday, its usually a 2-3 hour wait.
(5)
Amsul K.

Went there after reading one of the reviews and was pleased. The guac was fresh, chunky and good. Server was very attentive and polite. The tacos were very good too. I got one chicken, one pork and one short rib. The pork one had a little kick to it and was very good. I guess my only qualm is that it is however priced a tad bit high, but for the quality I guess I should have expected that.
(4)
Krystyna C.

Total disclaimer here: When we went to OTR last weekend, we were not expecting to actually go to Bakersfield. We actually had dinner at The Eagle, then went for drinks at Neons, and as we were walking back to our car, we ran into friends who were heading to Bakersfield to eat dinner (after a 3.5 hour wait) around 9:45 pm. We ended up joining them and sat at a picnic table in front of the restaurant. We had an absolutely wonderful server- he was attentive, knowledgeable and willing to deal with 7 people who had been a little over served at the previous bar. (Patience of an angel!) The Bakersfield margarita was delicious and packed a punch, so of course I had two of them. The guac was so amazing and fresh that I could have eaten two whole containers by myself. My husband and I split a short rib taco, just because we wanted to see what the hype was, even though we were still so full from our dinner at The Eagle. My husband described it best, it tastes like Skyline Chili. There's a distinct flavor that the short rib carries that makes it taste similar to the chili. We will most definitely be back to Bakersfield to try this again, but we'll try to go early, hungry and get a few more items.
(4)
Sarah S.

Definitely one of the best places in OTR to grab a bite. The tacos are wonderful, the queso and guac are great, and the westerns playing on the TV add a little nostalgia to an otherwise cool place.
(5)
Jacqueline M.

I love coming here! Lunch, margaritas, dinner, date night. Just make sure you put your name in advance or you'll be waiting out in the cold! Skip the queso, but everything else rocks!!
(4)
Savannah K.

Best Margs in the city! Delicious, strong and wont break the bank! The Short rib and fish tacos are to die for, but the Guac is the breadwinner! I do NOT like guacamole, never have. I mustered up the courage to try some and i fell in love! Bakersfield is the only place i will ever get this, chunky, fresh and citrusy goodness from. Definitely recommend this place for anyone who has taste buds.
(5)
Ben M.

For the amount of hype Bakersfield receives, the food is just OK. The queso with black beans was excellent. However, the tacos were very, very small and not very hearty. There isn't enough seating and the place extremely busy, even early on in the evening.
(3)
Ross F.

The service was fast and very friendly. We tried six different tacos and all were delicious. My favorite was the fish taco. Highly recommend this place. Great look and feel of the restaurant.
(5)
Lauren G.

This place is just awesome. Delicious margaritas, AMAZING guacamole... and really great tacos and tostadas. It can definitely be a long wait until you get a table, if you're trying to get fast service, definitely don't come here. But if you're okay with taking in the scene and drinking a bit while waiting, this is a perfect place. All the staff is very friendly and helpful, and I've always just had a great experience coming here.
(5)
Rachit S.

Great food!!! Great drinks and drink selection!!! Fantastic atmosphere!! Food: Chips n Guac are the best i have ever had. Do try the Chicken Mole taco, its out of this world, bursting with flavor.Veggie taco is delicious. From credible references I can say Fish and Beef tacos are great too. Drinks: Margaritas are perfect!! Lots of tang and right amount of tequila. Good selection of whiskey, craft/local and international beers. They can do nothing wrong in terms of food and drinks, my absolutely favorite place in OTR. Getting a place in Bakersfield is the only issue. Its absolutely packed on weekends, even though its bigger than most OTR restaurants. All in all a great experience. Go on and try it our today if you haven't.
(5)
Whitnie E.

OH- EM- Gee. Where do I start? The libations! I highly recommend getting a margarita here. Served in cute mason jars (with or without salt) they are the perfect mix of tangy and sweet. I cannot stand an overly sweet marg, and this one is just fantastic. Next, is their yummy dips. I am a HUGE fan of guacamole, and I love that theirs comes with chunks of avocado. It is extremely fresh with a slight kick. I want some. Like now. We also had their queso dip with chorizo. I preferred the guac (oh the guac), but this was a cheesy, salty, rich combination that was quite delish as well. I had 1 carne asada taco, and 1 Huitalacoche taco. I couldn't pronounce it, but man was it good. Smoky corn, corn truffles, and fresh cilantro. I would definitely order that one again. The Carne Asada was excellent as well. What really makes their tacos, however, are the 2 sauces they put on the table. There is the green cilantro / lime / avocado one, and the smoky / intense / slightly hot red one. Neither disappoint. The environment every time I have been in here is up beat. I like that you can give your cell # to the hostess and go walk around OTR and they will text you when your table is ready. Why not go have a glass over wine next door at 1215 while you wait? I did :) The wait staff is nice, friendly, and most importantly do their jobs so you have a great experience. I will definitely be back next time I am in Cincy.
(4)
Katie F.

Bakersfield has the best guacamole in Cincinnati, no competition! It's super fresh and really tasty with a little bit of a kick at the end. Not being a huge fan of more "upscale" tacos, I wasn't overly blown away by the taste - but I can see why people love them. They have a lot of flavor and a lot of meat, so even though the tacos are small, they fill you up! I just wish their menu was a little more expansive so I could have maybe found something more my style. Their margaritas were delicious (and cheap - $6)! But beware, they are made fresh and they don't use margarita mix, so they may taste a little stronger than the ones you're used to. The service was good and the ambiance is great. I would definitely come to Bakersfield more often just for guac and drinks, but the wait is usually pretty long during the times I want to go.
(4)
Michele G.

I am not a fan. I went and met a friend for a lunch. We sat at the bar and waited about 5 minutes before I could order a drink. I asked the bartender what tacos they liked the best. I ended up getting the short rib tacos. When the tacos came out, I was a little surprised by the size. My hands were bigger. I was hungry. Does this fill most people up? Am I glutton? My friend looked at me and said " I should have warned you they are small." I thought she knew me. I love Mexican influenced food, I will over eat like it is my last meal. That's how much I love it. Anyway the flavor was all there. The tacos were delicious. I just wanted more. The service was just o.k. I think if the bartender hadn't known my friend(regular for drinks) it wouldn't had been mediocre. The atmosphere is good. This is an adult place.
(2)
Steven F.

Get the short rib tacos and guacamole. You're welcome.
(5)
Becky P.

I spent the summer interning in a nearby office - and probably ate my body weight in Bakersfield grub over the summer. Best guac in town. Don't skim by the tortas on the menu - the short rib is divine. My go-to tacos are the Cochinita Pibil and the Fish Taco. If sitting with a group, there is no shame in hoarding the verde salsa. Good beer selection. The only drawback is the limited space, but hey- it's OTR.
(4)
P S.

meh..too small, too crowded. Not a bid fan of tacos anyway but people seem to like it. Will go back if in the area but wont go out of my way.
(3)
Katie K.

Great food and amazing customer service. They aim to please at Bakersfield. Some of the items could be a bit bigger for the price, but overall the food, ambiance, and service is fabulous. My sister had an amazing fish taco and my vegetarian tacos were delicious. We will be back to Bakersfield soon!!
(5)
Laurie E.

Love this place! I would go there all the time if I could. The food is amazing! The atmosphere is inviting! Definitely a must see!
(5)
Sherry S.

This is one of my favorite places in OTR!! Guacamole is out of this world! I have tried all of the tacos (Fish taco is a MUST)....Johnny and June salads are amazing! Yeah the wait is long but grab a drink at the bar and enjoy some Johnny Cash tunes and have some fun!!
(5)
Rachel G.

Well, I feel out of the loop with this review. Really I would give it a 3.5, maybe because it was overly hyped. My date comes here more then often. He loveees it. Service was good. Guac was fantastic. Sangria was delicious, really strong. As in made me a little more then tipsy. Yes, I'm a major light weight. I got one taco, the Huitlacoche. It was good, but expecting more flavor. I also ordered the short rib torta. Also good, but I've had better.
(3)
Anna S.

I just adore this place. No need for me to write an extensive review as to the reasons why I do. The food speaks to my soul; the service is always good; and I'd want my personal kitchen to mimic Bakersfield's ambiance. Because I rely frequently on Yelp reviews, I have gotten better at deciphering the relevant criticisms from the irrelevant. For this reason, I did not think it was fair for me to subtract a star from Bakersfield (which nails the Top 5 Cincinnati dining picks for me) just because they have a small square footage and are so dang good that they can't help that hordes of people want to eat there all seven days. So, full stars for Bakersfield (even though it really doesn't need my measly update :)
(5)
Ryan G.

Two thumbs up for this place. A one hour wait after 9 pm on a Tuesday says a lot about it. Well worth the wait. Exciting atmosphere. Excellent food. Jeff the GM really "gets it" too. We offered some feedback about our experience which he welcomed warmly and rewarded us for. He went above and beyond. Probably a big reason why Bakersfield OTR is what it is.
(5)
Michael A.

Go here. NOW. This is the best place to eat, drink and be merry....in all of Cincinnati. Thank you "Jeff" (manager) and staff. Best food and drink there is. DO IT. Period.
(5)
Thomas F.

Good stuff. Great Tacos.
(4)
Greg S.

I like the taco's, the music, and the prices. Can get loud but the vibe is very cool. Love this place and will be back.
(4)
Michella K.

I've heard the hype, but was just not impressed. The food is OK. I had a taco and a tostada. I really liked the tostada. It was the smallest taco I have ever seen! The guacamole was boring and bland. I don't like the concept of serving all the tacos for the table on one big platter. The atmosphere was OK, but super loud, and we were there during weekday lunch! It was kind of expensive for the amount of food I got. I was hungry again soon after we left. There are better places to go for tacos in Cincinnati.
(3)
Todd W.

Wife and I stopped in for lunch...great timing!! We have attempted to go here before, but didn't want to wait 2 hours. We had the quesodillas and salsa, both excellent. We also had the short rib tacos...wow!! Excellent! ! We will definitely be back!!
(4)
Lisa R.

I wrote a detailed review of how I was disappointed by this restaurant back in September when we went for my anniversary. The owner contacted me, which was very classy, and offered me a gift card to go try the Eagle instead. That was over two months ago. I sure never received anything. I didn't really want anything for free in the first place. But he didn't keep his word, which bugs me.
(3)
Donna-Marie T.

OMG! DELICIOUS!! We tried the guacamole and chips and the queso and tacos. All very delicious. The margarita gave me heart burn but that was a personal problem more than anything else. As a visitor to Cincinnati this was a huge SCORE!
(4)
Abbey E.

My husband I have been to Bakersfield many times in the past, but our most recent experience tops them all. My husband and I decided to head to Bakersfield for dinner for our 3 year anniversary. We struck up a conversation with the hostess and it came up that we were out for our anniversary. It wasn't long until our server, several other servers, and even the manager came up to us to specifically wish us a Happy Anniversary. They made our anniversary dinner very special. The staff members at Bakersfield are always wonderful (all the way from the hostesses to the managers). We have never had a server that we didn't like and that has recommended anything that we haven't liked. In fact, it is very rare that we pick out any of our food. We often tell the servers we would like an appetizer, and 2 taco's each and let them surprise us. The servers are very personable and love to get to know their customers. The hostesses always do everything they can to ensure your wait is as short as possible and are always running around checking on tables and making sure the appearance of the restaurant is appealing and willing to hang out and have a conversation as well.
(5)
Kara C.

El queso es delicioso! I personally do not care much for Mexican food but their queso is amazing. It is a very generous portion, served bubbling hot in a skillet. There is often a wait on a weekend evening but my favorite time to go is on Sunday afternoon. OTR seems to shut down on Sundays but Bakersfield is always there to satisfy by Sunday Funday queso cravings! As a warning, you may get placed with strangers as there is some communal seating. We have sat with some really awesome people, as well as others we were quite annoyed by (they were super drunk and creepy). All in all, it's okay though. They have a decent beer and whiskey selection, but margaritas is where they shine. If you are with a group of friends, definitely get the pitcher. It is a great value and you get to scoop out ice with a giant wooden spoon!
(5)
Sara C.

I'm a self-professed Mexican food snob from San Diego. Spent some time living in Mexico City. This place rocks. The tell tale sign is the salsa. It's authentic and delicious. I highly recommend the cochinita tacos if you can withstand the habanero chili. Guac was also buenÃssimo!
(5)
Rushiraj T.

This please has the best best tacos in Cincinnati. Nada had reined supreme for a very long time, finally this place out did nada. The only part that is holding it back is the lack of space. Every time I go I have wait at least an hour. I hope the open another location locally or somehow expand at their current location.
(4)
Brittany S.

Great prices and even better margaritas! Lots of taco choices & they will let you customize however you want.
(5)
John B.

You've been to MOTR, now it's time for BOTR.* After reading a few reviews about a long wait even on a weekday, I headed down about a half hour earlier than my party planned to curtail a long wait. I was surprised to find a full table available and promptly sat down and perused the menu. A very nice and attentive server, Trevor, quickly took my order and answered my questions. I decided to venture off my typical drink choice and ordered a shot of Bulleit Bourbon $5, which was on special. yelp.com/biz_photos/-kkSâ€¦ It was a pretty large pour (past the line on the glass) that I sipped slowly while enjoying the wonderful weather and open air feeling. I love that the garage door front was lifted up and a slight breeze came through the restaurant. Even though no one from my party was there, I figured I'd order two appetizers and get things started. Trevor recommended the Queso and Guacamole, $5 each. I ordered both and found the Guacamole to be superior with its creamy consistency and large chunks of avocado. yelp.com/biz_photos/-kkSâ€¦ The Queso was bland which is probably why they offer black beans or chorizo as extra cost additions. yelp.com/biz_photos/-kkSâ€¦ Once my friends arrived, we ordered a few different types of tacos and really enjoyed the Pastor and Short Rib. The Pollo Verde (chicken) was ok, but I don't think I'll order the Huitlacoche (weeitlaa coach eh) again. Prices are reasonable, but with the right combination of tequila and food, you might find yourself buying a pitcher of Sangria $20 or a Tequila Flight $14 and have a large bill. Just be careful. Some negatives: the seating, at least on the wooded picnic tables, is open seating, so you might end up sitting by complete strangers. If that bothers you, down a tequila shot and you'll probably become best friends a few minutes later. This place is super popular right now and you might face a really long wait on a weekend, so plan accordingly. If you sit long enough, the picnic tables are a little uncomfortable for those with bony posteriors. The cushioned seats at the bar and elsewhere might be good alternatives. The sun: during sunset, the sun reflects off the Art Academy building and creates a wicked bright ray of light into the restaurant. Bring shades or sit with your back to the glare. Noise: It can get pretty loud, but considering the amount of tequila consumed by most of those dining, it wasn't that bad. Decent food, alcohol, and great service. Another great addition to Over the Rhine. *MOTRBOTR makes me giggle, ha ha.
(4)
Ken T.

This place features an awesome variety of tacos that you would not normally come across. I recommend trying one of each as they are all distinctly different. The staff was also friendly and attentive. I recommend this place if you're in the mood for something different than the standard local faire.
(4)
Daniel W.

Fantastic tacos and queso
(5)
Neil H.

I went to bakersfield Sat, and the food was excellent and the service was even better.
(5)
Brittany T.

The guacamole is AMAZING!!!! I don't get to go here as much after graduating from college and it's such a shame. I love Bakersfield!
(5)
Blake W.

We will be back and we will ask for Meredith! Meredith gave my wife and I perfect customer service and menu recommendations. She was way outgoing which makes the experience fun.
(5)
Claude S.

I was turned on to this place from Food Channels Diners, Drive Ins, and Dive, and this doesn't qualify as any of these. This is a pretty unique restaurant in the heart of OTR on Vine and 12th. As we entered we discovered that we weren't the only ones who thought this was a place to discover as it was completely full and it was only 545pm. We sat at the bar and ordered a couple of drinks, they've got an extensive selection of Bourbons. We ordered their Chili con Queso dip as an appetizer with a topping of chorizo, this pretty special item and the chips were fresh and crisp. We both ordered the Short Rib taco along with the Chicken Pollo Taco, each of these tacos are street type small (approx 4" dia), the meat in each was well seasoned and delicious. From the two I ordered, the Short Rib is the one I would recommend.
(4)
Danielle S.

Bakersfield is great, if you don't mind crowds and long waits! The chips and guac is amazing! Best in the city! Pitchers of margaritas, a must! Well done! I ordered 2 different tacos. The Fish - mahi, lime sauce and cabbage. I liked this however I am not a huge fan of cabbage. Due to this preference I probably would not order this one again. Rajas - Portobello, roasted poblano, onion and queso fresco. Loved this one! Great place, I will return!
(4)
Alex S.

I was waiting to try Bakersfield a few times before giving it a review. After three different experiences, I think it's finally time to give this one a go. Bakersfield is a chic new restaurant on Vine, popping up in a street filled with chic new restaurants. The genre is new - it's tacos and tequila. It is not a place to get dressed up for (like, say, Nada down the street.) It is an old-school Mexican joint. The menu here is awesome. It's a one-sided selection of delicious tacos with different meats (mahi and chicken and pork.) They also have some nice salads and appetizers like chips and salsa. No frills, just great food. Everything I've eaten here has been delicious. The tacos are tiny though and at $3 to $4 a pop, it can be a little disappointing. I'm still not convinced this is a spot to actually have dinner at. More like a after-dinner, after-drinking, now I'm hungry and could use maybe another drink kind of spot. And trust me, we need more of those places in Cincinnati. The drinks at Bakersfield cannot be beat. They've got a great selection of beers and cocktails (especially those with tequila.) Plus, their sangria is freaking amazing. Love sangria? Get it. Trust me. Bakersfield is small and it sometimes feels even smaller. There are always people here - people sitting, people standing near the bar, people. If you don't like crowds, wait till the popularity of this place dies down. They also don't do themselves any favors with their tables, specifically one giant round on across from the bar. It can fit a ton of people for sure but a big group of my friends had to share it one night with a big group of strangers ... We couldn't talk to each other, since we were basically sitting in a straight line and we couldn't talk to the new people because the table is so big, it's awkward to shout across. Not a great use of space at all. I wish they would get rid of it and add in a few more square ones. All in all, I am a fan when anything moves into OtR to get new people down there. But this is a much needed addition to the late night scene and I've enjoyed every trip so far.
(4)
Jessica A.

This was definitely the worst experience I have EVER had at an establishment. My family and I came to have a couple drinks and appetizers. We were told the wait would be an hour and thirty minutes. Ok no, problem. There was standing room so this was was fine to have a couple drinks. We got a round of margaritas from our waiter Steve (who was excellent by the way). Steve was very friendly and seemed to be very knowledgable about the different drink options. The margaritas were ok, but they didn't seem to have much alcohol in them, mostly sweet and sour. We ended up ordering another round of drinks anyway. After the hour and 30 went by, my boyfriend had our waiter ask how many people were ahead of us. The extremely rude hostess Kim (that later claimed to be a "general manager".. not true) snapped at my boyfriend, "I already quoted you at 9:45!" I was obviously very upset about the way she had just spoken to my boyfriend. I told her that we did not ask for her rude attitude. That was the end of that conversation. Some more time went by. Some of the people waiting for tables were getting upset and leaving the restaurant all together. Then, several people that had come in after us were seated as well. (There were only three of us by the way) My sister casually said to my boyfriend, "I think we were here first weren't we?" This hostess then went out of her way to stick her neck out, interrupt the both of them, and say, "UM NO, actually you weren't!" At this point, I was livid and the altercation resulted in a screaming match between all of us. The patrons close by were stunned by the way this girl was talking to us. The situation escalated to the point she SNATCHED our drinks away from us and told us to leave and she was calling the police. She tried to make us leave without our credit cards. Sorry, not happening, sweetie. Needless to say, we will NEVER return and I will discourage ANYONE I know from going there. I have never been treated this way in my life! She then gave us a business card of the real general manager. Then, a totally different woman called us later that evening saying she was the "corporate" manager. I told her I was only interested in speaking with the owner, to which she basically told me there wasn't an owner to contact. Which I have come to find out is also (imagine that), not true. I assume the sweet little hostess Kim told her boss we were "intoxicated" and caused a scene so she could cover her behind. This "manager" was concerned we were drinking and driving and just wanted us to be "safe". Are you serious?! Yes, because those 2 and a half watered-down margaritas over the three hours we were there really did me in *eye roll*. If you enjoy being sassed by a 21 year olds, then you will love Bakersfield.
(1)
Lisa H.

I came here and put my name in for a party of 8 at 4 PM. They told me between two and a half and three hour wait, and they would call when my table is ready. I checked my phone the whole time and no call. We finally went back at 7 PM and they claimed they called me and I didn't pick up. I had zero missed calls on my phone and showed them my phone history. The managed actually said "well some people delete the calls from their phone"... I could not believe the manager actually accused a paying customer with a party of 8 who will spend a lot of money of deleting the history and being dishonest. This place SUCKS horrible service
(1)
Lia V.

It's Taco Joint (Chicago) but not as good. Not crazy about the staff... at all... pretentious hipsters. Love the incredible selection of bourbons. Love the guacamole (big chunks of avocado and great flavor). Liked the tacos (tried a few - the short rib was the best). Like the margaritas. The space is really nice and inviting - it's an ok size - definitely not big enough for how popular it is - I went on a Sunday afternoon and it was packed. Prices are equal to Chicago which surprises me because everything is cheaper in Cincinnati - so they must be profiting a lot - good for them. Tip for restaurant for a little flare: save the bourbon or tequila bottles and use them as water pitchers for each table (with small glasses) - automatic cute factor people love in a place like this.
(3)
Luke S.

Salsa are good. Guacamole is good. $2 PBR boots are great. The tacos are a little on the small side but they are delicious. I would recommend getting the chicken sandwich as it is the best thing I've had here. Maybe split the sandwich and a couple of tacos. Cool vibe inside although the wait times can be extreme. I highly recommend it..
(4)
Shane F.

Such amazing food and the margaritas are the best margaritas I've ever had!
(5)
Rachel R.

chips and guac are the way to my heart. Their sliders are so tasty. I love the boot shaped beer mugs in which they serve drinks! It's not even 10:30 AM and I'm getting thirsty for one of their margaritas already... I do wish they had a private dining area, or expanded so it didn't get so packed, but I guess that's part of the shtick right? Regardless, I keep coming back.
(5)
Jeff D.

Great vibe, fantastic tacos and a well stocked bar. Got pretty crowded when I was there, but still a great time.
(4)
Kevin P.

Very nice, little trendy spot on this side of Cincinnati. Chips were delicious, but the salsa was a little too mild for my taste. However, the tacos were absolutely delicious and were the right size. They also had a good selection of beers and even Mexican sodas! Service was a tad slow but that was mostly due to the place being packed! Definitely a hit.
(4)
Cathy M.

Better than any Mexican we have in Columbus! Amazing guacamole, refreshingly original dishes, and reasonably priced small plates. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Mike P.

The tacos are delicious but not necessarily worth the wait you'll encounter. I also felt the prices were fair.
(4)
Home Plate Gourmet B.

This place never disappoints. Great food and the best margs in town. Super cute atmosphere (love the old Westerns playing on the tvs!), and the fact that it's always packed gives it a great energy. I've never planned ahead enough to get a table, but with a small group of 2-4 people, it's not too hard to get a seat at the bar after a short wait. Service is fast and food is served hot! Highly recommend for anything from a snack/quick drink to date night to dinner with the girls.
(4)
Tango F.

Went for the first time last night before the Ellie Goulding concert. The weather was great so the front entrance was wide open. The hostesses and server were all very friendly and accommodating. We were sat at a communal table and our table mates were not wanting to chat with us but oh well. It's a nice concept. The food was good. Guac we had to do some extra work to smash up some overly large pieces of avocado. More cilantro is a personal preference but taste was good and fresh. Chips were warm and tasty. The red and green salsas were yummy and fresh. The queso was good. A bit grainy but ok. Didn't knock our socks off. We each got a Pastor taco which was highly recommended and good but like the queso did not knock our socks off. The margaritas were good and strong. I'd prefer a little less sour. All in all it was a nice change of pace. I'd like to try some of the other spots in that area at least once before venturing back to Bakersfield.
(4)
Erin M.

There food is the best! Awesome Salsa and tacos! The sangria's are good and strong!
(5)
Tammy I.

The food here is delicious. The tacos are more inventive than you'd find in many local places. I highly recommend the fish tacos (but be forewarned - if you're thinking they're like California fish tacos, they really aren't). The short rib tacos are also very good. I brought my mother for lunch on a weekend, to try to show her the joys of non-chain food restaurants. She loved the queso, though the waiter warned us that the house-pickled jalapenos were really hot, and neither of us thought they were. Lots of people rave about the margaritas, which I think are just so/so, but the sangria is excellent. As most reviewers probably have said, this place is CROWDED! I went to OTR to bar hop with some friends this winter, during one of the snow storms. Every other place was practically empty, but Bakersfield had a wait. However, I've gone for lunch on the weekends and found it to be much less crowded.
(5)
Alyssa F.

I've known for a while that Bakersfield would be a favorite spot, but since I really really hate waiting for a table, I have avoided the place so far. However, the lure of fish tacos and margaritas and legendary guacamole finally hooked me last weekend. The key here, which I didn't know until a couple of weeks ago, is that when you put your name in, Bakersfield will take your phone number and call you when your table is ready. So while you are waiting, you don't have to awkwardly stand and get disgruntled at your rumbling tummy, you can go have a drink somewhere else! Therefore, the 1.5 hour wait at 9pm on a Saturday was not even one bit awful, because I wasn't focused on that. Anyway. Margaritas, so good. By the pitcher! Guacamole was amazing. I had a fish taco and the huitlacoche. Next time I'll stick with fish, but both were good! I can't wait to try the queso next time.
(5)
Steve R.

Bakersfield has some of the freshest and most delicious tacos I've ever had. Their guacamole is great too. There is always no wait if you go for lunch. It could take a while to get a seat though if you go for dinner, especially on the weekend. If it's nice out, you can take a walk to Washington Park and wait for them to call you when a table is ready, which is very nice. I bring my parents here every time the come to town to visit. Highly recommended!
(5)
Jeannie B.

I live by Chicago, and travel to Cincinnatti 3-4 times per year. Bakersfield is always one of my first stops, and is always a must! I love the vibe, very hip,young, and fun. So the atmosphere is great. A little small, so there is usually a wait, but hey, they could tell me an hour, and I will order a drink and just people watch. I have to say sometimes when resturants are successful, they try to enlarge the dining room to accomodate more people and you can kind of lose some of the feel. So, I respect the smaller size of the place. The queso dip is fabulous, it comes out in a small cast iron skillet, nice and brown and bubbly on top. The guacamole is fresh, fresh, fresh, as is all the food at Bakersfield. Very fresh clean taste. I have had all the tacos on the menu, love the fish taco. The Milanesa chicken sandwich is awesome!! Service is always great! I will be back every time I am in Cincinnatti!!!
(5)
Eric S.

Unless you're attempting to grab a bite earlier on in the week, be prepared to wait. BUT, the wait is SOOO worth it. An amazing menu to choose from, and the food is really good too! But in all seriousness, I've never been let down. Great food served up fast and fresh with an amazing taste! Drinks are awesome, whether you're looking for a classic margarita or sangria, or itching for something a little stronger; whiskey or straight tequila. Fun atmosphere and a great addition to OTR and the Gateway Quarter!!!
(5)
Eric G.

As suggested by the name, Bakersfield is more a Cal-Mex place then Tex-Mex. What is Cal-Mex? Well, from my first experience, Cal-Mex is laid back and delicious. My first visit I was on a Thursday evening and I accompanied by someone who was already a Bakersfield veteran. Upon arrival, the place was very crowded and we were told that the wait for a table would be about an hour and a half. Undeterred we each got a beer and hovered near the bar waiting for a couple of stools to open up. Within about a half hour we were seated at the bar, fresh boots of beer in hand - Wait, boots of beer, you ask? Why, yes, cowboy boot shaped glass mugs of Pabst Blue Ribbon are always $2. With Gary Cooper and High Noon playing on the flat screens around the bar and The Bakersfield Sound in the background, we started with chips and queso with black beans ($6). The queso had a great flavor and was so thick that it pulled like mozzarella on a well made pizza. Accompanying the chips and queso were 2 sauce choices, in squeeze bottles, a red and a verde. Both of them (for me especially the verde) added tremendous flavor without being overpoweringly hot. These sauces were good enough to just squirt onto the chips and eat by themselves. The main menu offers salads, sandwiches (tortas) and tacos. As this was my first experience, it was suggested that I go with the main specialty, the tacos. I opted for a fish taco ($4) and the short rib ($4). Both were excellent, I especially enjoyed the Mahi based fish taco. We topped off the evening with $3 shots of bourbon, there is a different variety featured each day and after recently paying $7 a shot at a different OTR bar, this seemed to be quite a bargain. All in all, we left well satisfied for a total check amount for the two of us of $37.30 (plus gratuity). All in all, a very enjoyable evening at a very fair price. I will not be a stranger here.
(4)
Rebecca C.

Fantastic food and great drinks. You must try the queso with chorizo and all of the sandwiches and tacos... Pretty much everything on the menu is amazing. The corn chowder... I can't say enough good things about the food here and the manager is a sweetheart!
(5)
Julianne K.

I love Mexican street food. It's simple but delicious. I would say that is a perfect way to describe the food at Bakersfield. The menu has salads, tortas, tacos and a few apps and that is all it needs. The guacamole is fantastic, as good as it gets in my opinion. I've tried one of their salads and was quite pleased. I've tried their tortas, also very good. To me though, their tacos stand out. The short rib taco is by far my favorite. The meat is so tender and flavorful and makes you want to eat 50 of them. Really, all the tacos do not disappoint. I also love the cocktails at Bakersfield. They make a mean margarita. Their whiskey cocktails are delicious and then they have a good beer selection as well. It's a great spot for OTR!
(4)
Rick C.

Tried this place for the first time tonight and we can't wait to go back! Loved the tacos and guacamole dip. The wait was long, but well worth it. ;)
(5)
Sarah L.

Even during their soft opening, the staff ran like a well-oiled machine and the kitchen churned out delicious food very quickly. The owners have clearly done their homework, visiting the great urban taco joints around the country, and have come up with a simple but delectable menu. And the vibe is cool without being pretentious. I see myself frequently cozying up to the bar to relish a taco and a torta.
(5)
Paola R.

BEST mexican place in town ! All the flavors are very authentic. Great service !!
(5)
Karan M.

This is easily my favorite Mexican restaurant in the city. This place has single-handedly ruined Mexican food for me in Cincinnati. My fiancÃ©e and I would usually find ourselves here at least once or twice a week and have gotten the exact same items on the menu every single time. The guacamole is decadent and is unlike any other guacamole I've ever had. The queso with black beans is also the best I've ever had. With regards to the tacos, vegetarian options are very limited. I usually go with the huitalacoche tacos while my fiancÃ©e enjoys the Rachel taco, which is not on the menu but is a must try. Vegetarians also have a sandwich option, which I am not a huge fan of. The only reason this place doesn't get five stars from me is the sometimes ludicrous wait times. If they can fix this by providing call ahead reservations, I would be more than glad to update my review with five stars. Regardless of this, this place is amazing and is a great addition to the Over the Rhine neighborhood.
(4)
Leah S.

Amazing! Food is fantastic, but the drinks make this place. Sangria so good you'd swear you slaved over it for hours and you must try the Devil in Disguise. I'm quickly becoming a regular and have conversations with Buck Bakersfield on Facebook, LOL. All in all highly recommended!
(5)
Neil C.

Living in Chicago, a place where "mexican" street food is a familiar sight. There are these taco take out places literally all over town, known as Taquerias, which serve Tortas, Tacos (the small kind never fried) Horchata and various other "Mexican" delights usually with your choice of steak, chicken, pork, or beef always served with both red and green salsa. Well, I have a few Mexican friends and according to them it turns out the vast majority of these places which seem authentic to my Southwest Ohio originated ears are totally just "Tex-Mex" and not the "real enchilada" er, taco. In Chicago there are only a handful of places that serve the real deal, with dishes like Tacos al Pastor, Tacos Pescados, Tacos de Panza (known here with a slight variation as "Short Rib"), and a few more that varies based off of the place or in the case of the wonderful "Big Star" in the neighborhood of Wicker Park, by season. Its this kind of Mexican street food that is hard to come by in the states, Mexican that Bakersfield offers and it offers it with great service, great ambience and, of course, excellent quality food. My brother and I split 6 tacos, for those of you in Cincinnati who are unfamiliar with real mexican style tacos, they are smaller than what you'd find at Taco Bell, for two fairly young (one late 20s other early 30s) men 6 tacos along with a side of chips and salsa is enough to feed both of us, adjust accordingly to what you want. One thing I liked was that they were served family style which would be fantastic with a large group of people where you can easily mix and match different tacos to your liking. Also given the small size of these tacos they make great bar food, which IMO might be a good suggestion for them to stay open a bit past last call just to serve tacos to go to people who need to sober up a bit). As to the tacos themselves we ordered 2 of the Huitelacoche (Corn Smut... er Truffles) 2 of the Pescado (Fish) and two of the Pollo Verde (Chicken). All three tacos were awesome, though I'd rank the Huitelacoche as the best followed by the Pescado (my favorite at Big Star btw) and the Pollo. Everything was well prepared and quite authentic even the green and red salsas were very nice, with the red salsa in this case being more spicy than the green (which isn't always the case). Easily on par or exceeding the quality of Big Star in Chicago - which is no easy feat as Big Star is one of the most beloved gourmet/street food mexican places in all of Chicagoland. One area where Big Star and all other taquerias in Chicago is kind of lacking is with their chips. Too often taqueria chips are too stale tasting, and while this might be authentic, I kind of prefer the less authentic variety that is chips with flavor instead of staleness. Bakersfield delivers the goods with chips that are just the right mix of crispy, salty and flavorful (I believe they squeeze lime over them). Props to them for going the less authentic route here! As for the drinks, my brother ordered a Margarita and I made an attempt to order Horchata (Mexican Rice Milk), to which the waitress basically said "Please?" I was disappointed and ordered a water. I then had a sip of my brother's Margarita, which was very crisp flavorful and fruity, one of the better ones I've had. Either the one of the owners or the managers showed up and asked if anything was missing and I mentioned that he might consider adding Horchata to the menu, to which he responded, "we have it - its part of one of our mixed drinks, I'll just give it to you by itself without the Alcohol." He did and the Horchata was great, not too watered down with just the right amount of cinnamon. That's good serivice and on that note the same guy also replaced our totilla chips when he noticed that too many of the chips were kind of stragley. All and all the service was excellent and it being the first week officially open was willing and open to ideas. (A second owner came by and we talked about Big Star with which she was familiar). As to suggestions I for one hope Horchata is added to the menu standalone so that Cincinnatians can finally learn how delicious this drink is! Finally the ambience here is wonderful its, small its cramped, but full of character blending country westren with California and Mexico. Playing "The Good the Bad and The Ugly" on the TV made me almost feel a sense of dry California desert like air. A couple years back I brought one of my Mexican friends who is a big music fan down to Cincy for MPMF. He asked me if there were any good Mexican restuarants in Cincy, to which I responded, "no taco bell and other heavy sit down places are what rule here." If I bring him down again, I can now answer with certainty that good Mexican exists in Cincinnati and not only good but Big Star good and it can be found at Bakersfield in OTR!
(5)
Matt H.

Ester ester ester EsterEster Ester ester ester EsterEster She da best! Rachel and Hutchy think she should come to Portlandia!
(5)
Vicky N.

Okay, I have been to Bakersfield a couple of times, but I've only had their tacos. I'm not sure how much can be judged by that fact. Mexican cravings are pretty rare for me, but boy are their tacos delicious! They're unique and maybe a little too pricy for how small they are, but they go great with a beer. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these tacos, but I really like the fish and the short rib. On weekends/Thursdays, this place gets pretty packed. We were hungry last time, so we didn't mind standing and eating. It's a small place so prepare to feel like sardines! Great atmosphere and recommended for a late night bite.
(4)
April H.

Chicken tacos are great! Bartenders are nice ! The food overall is great! The rest I don't care about.
(4)
Sarah C.

I have been wanting to check this place out for quite a while now and finally made it in for a late dinner. I will start with what I really enjoyed. The cheese dip was gravy-like but very tasty. I would say I have not had cheese dip quite like it before. The salsas that they bring to the table were delicious as well. I really enjoyed the green (cilantro) one. The red one was good too. I ordered the papas tostada for my dinner and was surprised by the fresh tastes! I do wish the black beans had been on top instead of between the two shells since it was hard to get to them with most of the tostada. Yummy though! I also ordered a house margarita (or the original) and found it to be just the right amount of sweet and sour. I like the ice blocks that lots of places are using in their cocktails now. I did not appreciate the volume of the music that was playing. you would have thought they were hosting a dance party but instead it was just a room and bar full of people having to talk super loud to hear each other over the pumping country music. A bit much really. It really made dinner with my beau a bit hard to enjoy. I am not sure I would go back simply because of that. I wish I could give 4 stars, but because of the music I cannot. :)
(3)
Leslie W.

Over the Rhine has come a very long way in twenty years. Bakersfield is one of the popular hipster hotspots in this revitalized neighborhood. Housed in a narrow, brick building, Bakersfield is a carefully constructed taqueria. The limited menu focuses on Cali-Mexican food consumed in close quarters with a side of fairly loud music. Arriving at 2 pm on a Friday (of Labor Day weekend). We thought we would have missed the lunch rush. Not so. We gave our name and pursued the shop next door until we were called, on our mobile, by the hostess. We sat at a community table with five, young professionals. There were a few high top tables in the front, another community table behind us, a long bar, and some booths against a back wall. This place is not that big and stays hopping! We started with the chips and guacamole which were amazing. Large chunks of avocado with a bit of spice complimented by crisp chips -loved every bite. Only downside was the freaking tiny, demitasse spoon that was supposed to be our serving utensil. I gave up on it and started using my fork. My friend went for the Hongos (mushroom) taco and I tried the papas tostada. Her soft taco was filled with portobello mushrooms, slaw and queso fresco. She thought it was flavorful and filling. My double-decker tostada was overflowing with fried potatoes, avocado, queso fresco, and green onions on the top layer and a spicy, black bean purÃ©e on the second. Plating of the tostada was beautiful - a small skillet with a bed of greens tossed in buttermilk ranch cooled down the caliente tostada fillings. House-made salsas on the table were both delicious. I asked our neighbor her opinion of the fried mahi tacos which looked fantastic. She reported that they were excellent. I'll have to try that and the queso & chips (which looked more like fundido) on my next visit!
(4)
Jake B.

There isn't much I can say about Bakersfield that hasn't already been said. The food is really good! You must start your meal off with the queso and chorizo (preferably with a pitcher of margs)!! And all the lunch/entree options are very flavorful. The main reason that I did not give it 5-stars was because I'm not always 100% sure that it is worth the sometimes 2+ hour wait (I would have given it 4.5-stars had that been an option). Don't get me wrong, the food is amazing and the service is always prompt; but to wait that long, I thoroughly have to be blown away. The other reason I only gave it 4-stars was last winter after my GF and I waited 2-hours to be seated (it really wasn't a bad wait, she lives in OTR and they called us when our table was ready), we were seated right by the front door. The hostesses allowed for people to stand in the doorway which created a huge draft. My GF was noticeably shivering and we had to leave prior to finishing our pitcher of drinks with dinner. Food & Service are always top-notch!
(4)
Stephanie O.

I really, really want to love Bakersfield. It's literally right up my alley in everything: in the middle of the Gateway District of OTR, strong drinks and creative food, etc. Totally my thing. Unfourtnately, all I can say is meh. Sammi and I arrived at 9PM on a Sunday night. This was my second time here and I had an OK experience the first time, so I decided to let Sammi try it out and see if maybe it'd be better this time around. It was definitely busy, but we didn't come during peak so we didn't have the half hour wait I experienced the last time. We decided to start with a pitcher. I previously had the Rose Sangria and enjoyed it immensly, but Sammi wanted to go original so we had The Bakersfield Margerita. Their drinks are definitely on the strong side (I could never be angry about that), but I'm not a big fan of lemon-lime type drinks. It's a very good deal though, $28 gave us each 3 drinks. We started off with everything because we're fat. I've had their chorizo queso and it was stupid good the last time I had it so I insisted we get it again. We also started with salsa and guacamole. The salsa was okay once you mixed in some red salsa in there, but nothing to write home about. The guac had a strong anise flavor and was very chunky, which Sammi appreciated as she's not the biggest fan of smooth guacamole. The queso tho, THAT QUESO THO. It's not creamy like regular queso, but simply a cast iron skillet full of ooey gooey happy cheese. YAS QUESO YAAASSS. As for tacos, I stuck to my short rib tacos while Sammi went a little cray cray and got the fish and Oaxcuan style chicken. While I've never really been disappointed with my short rib, Sammi had the saddest experience. She loves her fish taco and boy was she saddened when it didn't live up to her expectations. Also, the chicken taco confused her and she didn't enjoy the texture at all. I wish we would have just ordered hella short rib tacos to make us all happy. The waitress was chill. She wasn't checking on us every 10 minutes but she wasn't ignoring us by any means. Overall, I like the ambiance of this place but some of the food definitely leaves something to be desired.
(3)
Angela S.

Sunday, late afternoon, our first experience with the OTR area. Not bad, but not fantastic. It's VERY small. No wonder there is always a line. The hostesses have it down, though, and they called my cell when our table was ready. We walked up the street and back for a few, then decided to wait at the bar. We ordered mojitos. We were served margaritas. They were really good, just not what we ordered. We were seated at a table for 2, and I must say, if we had been at one of the long, picnic style tables with other people, my birthday dinner would have been a much different experience. Glad we were seated alone. Chips and guac were good. Guac was fresh but a bit salty. Liked the different salsas available. We ordered 10 tacos. Pretty much everything on the taco menu with one or two exceptions: Mole, Short Ribs, Fish, Conchita Pibil, Huitlacoche, and Pastor. All were tasty, well-prepared, and the right temperature. Good food at a decent price, but not worth the hype, and certainly not worth it if there is a long wait. The server was friendly and attentive, and took time to explain the menu in detail. Nice job. We appreciate good service. It's a pretty hipster/college type crowd, at least when we were there. I would go back, but he wasn't too impressed, so I'll probably have to go with my college-aged kids.
(3)
Eli D.

During my second visit, I had the guacamole, the cochinita pibil taco, and a margarita with salt. The guacamole was chunky and good. I really liked the cochinita pibil taco, and when ordering tacos next time I will only order several cochinita pibil tacos. All the other types of tacos taste flavorless compared to this type. The margarita tasted batch-made, not individually mixed, but I felt pretty nice after just one. Again, I enjoyed dining here.
(4)
Ivet V.

I'm not sure what the big hype of Bakersfield is, I can tell you they do have great marketing and a great location because that's how I ended up here but that's about it. This place is overly crowded and loud. The food is mediocre. Anyone that says their tacos are the best they ever had has not ever tasted real tacos before and are definitely not from Texas. We tried a few tacos and other items on the menu to sample their food and we were not impressed. These are overly priced fancy tacos, and apps. The tacos are very small, the guacamole was okay nothing to be impressed about. The margarita was maybe about the only thing that was decent. The Mexican colas were also overly priced. If I were to come here again I would eat prior to coming. Location location location is the reason this place is always packed, the atmosphere Is great, the drinks are good, people are nice, a little loud at times but the vibes are good. As far as the food goes there is way better food and cheaper tacos at other places if that's what you choose to eat.
(3)
Joni W.

Great drinks, great guac.
(4)
Heather D.

Great tacos, great margs. Be prepared to wait... but if you love guacamole, it will be well worth it. Try the Johnny salad if you're not in the mood for tacos. It is phenomenal.
(4)
Jessi G.

I love Bakersfield. Every time I come here I leave happy! My favorite thing about Bakersfield is honestly the atmosphere of the place. The restaurant has amazing decor and it feels like you're in New York or LA, not Cincy. The bartenders are amazing. I had a 30 minute conversation with our bartender last night about the best restaurants in Cincinnati (I love that the people that work here are fellow foodies and Cincinnati lovers!), and we made new friends while sitting at the bar and waiting for our table. I've also always had good waiters when sitting at the tables, but I recommend just eating at the bar because it's faster and you don't have to wait 2 hours for a table. The food is obviously fantastic, which I think has been said a hundred times by now. ALWAYS get the margaritas and the queso with chorizo when you come here. Without exception! You will not be disappointed. The tacos are interesting. I like the short rib taco in particular because of the tender, flavorful meat and the queso fresco on top. My friends and I have debates about the best taco in Cincinnati all the time, and we're all split between Bakersfield and Mazunte. I personally prefer Mazunte's tacos, but I like Bakersfield's choice of tortillas better. So it's a toss up. The reason I can't give this place 5 stars is that in my opinion, tacos should be fast, cheap, delicious Mexican street food. And while Bakersfield definitely has the flavor I'm looking for, they are neither fast nor cheap. I like to come here for the margaritas, the atmosphere, and the cool people, but I'll go elsewhere for dinner (unless it's a week night and the wait is a little more reasonable). Still, I love this place for drinks, snacks, and meeting friends, especially on the weekend!
(4)
Alexander D.

We stopped by on Fourth of July before the fireworks at Washington Park and got a few margaritas and chips and guacamole and these are by far the BEST I have ever had. They were perfect in every way. It tasted almost like a lemonade and I almost drank it like one. We ordered regular ones and can not wait to go back. The guacamole was delicious and had a bit of a kick to it which you don't usually get with this type of appetizer but it made the taste unique. I will be back on another sunny afternoon!
(5)
Bianca D.

this place is easily the MOST PACKED restaurant on VINE. That being said, it's really hard to get a seat without waiting 30 mins first ON A WEEKDAY. The tacos are out of bounds. however I think the salsas are a little more salty rather than tasty. The fish taco is by far my favorite, and the service is good too. The hostess will always offer to take your number and call you when your table is available if you want to get a drink somewhere else. GET THE MARGARITAS, you won't regret it.
(5)
Rory B.

Friendly staff and good tacos. A little overpriced for the fare but given the likely monumental overhead costs, I can understand why. Short ribs and tongue. And the guac is totally worth it.
(4)
John M.

Mike Ness once said, "Bakersfield... that's where good times go to die." He was referring to Bakersfield, California though, and to be honest, I've been there and totally agree with him. This is not that place. Good times can be found here, but as with most OTR restaurants, at a price! Let me first say that the food at Bakersfield OTR is quality, but it's not Southern California Mexican food as it's name might indicate. Go there expecting a twist on that style that takes your average street taco, in all of its perfection, and dresses it up a bit...or a lot. The food is obviously prepared with care and attention to detail and that reflects in the taste. They have a decent beer selection, margaritas and a substantial tequila selection that will not leave a tequila lover longing for more. The problem? I find them to be overpriced for what they deliver. I get that it's the new hip part of OTR, but we're still talking street tacos here and I have a hard time wrapping my head around a $4 street taco. Beer prices, outside of the Pabst Blue Ribbon Boot are a little high as well. They have Yuengling for $3 a bottle, which is probably right where I would expect it, but $4 for a Pacifico? This is only an "import" by a technicality. I'm not even sure if it is solely still brewed in Mexico anymore. Stone IPA at $6 is tolerable, but considering you can land a 20 oz pint of it at other places in the city for that same price, or a buck cheaper, I think the mark-up here is on the high side. Their tequila prices though, seemed reasonable as I looked over the menu. Bottom line is it has a cool atmosphere, good food, and good drink selections. As with most of OTR, those who where tight pants, torn t-shirts and scarves at the same time frequent this place, so if hipsters make you uncomfortable, well, then you should probably stay out of OTR and just keep going to Applebees. Bottom line: The food quality could bring me back, but the cost could keep me away... we'll see. This is just one reviewer's opinion though, take it or leave it. Cheers!
(3)
Jennifer N.

I will say this I love the bar and it is quite cozy it is a nice place to have a drink but the food is a little spicy for me and it is definitely a place to hang out after work or on the weekends. I will definitely come back again for the drinks and the atmosphere which is amazing!!!!!!!!!
(4)
Erin K.

I love the atmosphere of this restaurant. It makes me want to stay and hangout, and aside from being pretty tiny, this is probably one of the reasons why it's always crowded with a ridiculous wait time!! (This is not a bad thing!) The staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the food and drinks they serve. They're always playing old western films and their margaritas - yum! I've heard some people think their guac is too chunky, but I like it like that, and alongside their salted chips it's perfect. I love that they have vegetarian and meat options as well as the fact that their tortillas are corn-based so that my gluten-free buddies can come with me too. The freshness and authenticity of the ingredients plus reasonable prices makes this one of my favorite restaurants in OTR!
(5)
Rosalie W.

This needs to be prefaced: I don't consider many meals worthy of 5-stars. Before this visit, I'd only been once with a couple friends: we stood on the small patio and shared chips with queso and guacamole on a Sunday morning, while waiting for a table down the street for brunch. I've been dying to try Bakersfield for a real meal for awhile now, especially since I lived in Columbus and watched them open a new/great/popular location in the Short North this past year. I hadn't made it to Bakersfield until now since by the time the weekend rolls around, I can't bring myself to deal with a long dinner wait in OTR. This Thursday night around 9 PM I finally made it to Bakersfield with my boyfriend. Two groups arrived seconds before us and were seated immediately, and we had a short 10-minute wait. After being seated our server took a little longer than I would've expected to take our drink/appetizer order, maybe because I was HANGRY by 9 PM and had obviously already read reviews and practically memorized the menu. In her defense, she seemed to be juggling quite a few groups and all was forgiven shortly. The margaritas looked so good and I think I'll be back to try one, but I couldn't pass up a $2 PBR (as a recent college graduate, I'm obviously still recovering AKA old habits die hard and I can't pass up a $2 draft). The PBR's came in the cutest (cheesiest) glass boots. They also have whiskey specials every night of the week, which I also would love to try. We ordered the chips and guac, and the hard-to-please boyfriend was more than pleased. The guac is a little to salty and a little to chunky for me, but the I can't really bring myself to complain about any kind of guacamole... I loved the cilantro and chips were perfect so we scarfed them down. I had my heart originally set on the torta milanesa, but the boyfriend ended up ordering it and I wanted to try as many items as I realistically shove in my mouth as ladylike as possible, so I ordered 3 tacos (I would've definitely been full after 2)! The tacos were a little smaller than I originally expected, but were actually perfect - my semi-fatal flaw has always been that my eyes are bigger than my stomach. My favorite taco was hands down the mole, which was juicy and perfectly sweet from the picked red onions. Honestly the best taco I have ever had. The cochinita pibil was my next favorite even if I still don't know how to pronounce it - it was spicy, like our server warned, but SO delicious and not too spicy in way that overwhelmed the entire taco. Despite all the raving reviews I'd read on the short rib taco, it was my least favorite of the three that I ordered. It was a little dry for me, but as a disclaimer I've always preferred chicken and pork to beef (except a good steak but I digress). I'd wanted to try the fish taco as well, but I've heard that they didn't compare to Nada's, which I really love. Next time I think I'll order it and decide for myself. The torta milanesa was awesome - the boyfriend promised I could have half and we would share my tacos, but I only was able to sneak 3 bites even though it was a large sandwich, because he loved it so much. I liked it more than the torta milanesa I had at our favorite local authentic Mexican place just a couple weeks ago, but he disagreed. The "avocado lemon mayo" seemed like a lemony salsa verde to me more than a mayo, but was awesome on the sandwich, and nice that it came on the side. The food itself deserves 5-stars, but the atmosphere really is fun and solidifies my five stars! It's not appropriate for an intimate dinner... I was borderline yelling and so was everyone else seated close (and the seating is close... but strangers are fun and their conversations can be interesting if you're nosy and you like eavesdropping like me). My only small complaint would be it does get a little too loud, but it makes for a fun space. The boyfriend and I agreed with a blood oath that we would return with friends to split a pitcher of margaritas with!
(5)
allison l.

Great place. I love the boots of Past!
(4)
Brad K.

Great food, awesome atmosphere. Looking forward to going back.
(5)
Alexis D.

Before the review, this was our first restaurant stop within that block of Vine Street during a quick bar hopping date. We began with a beer and two tacos at Bakersfield, then a beer and some fries at Taste of Belgium, then Abigail Street (where we intended to stay for dinner) and finally Lavomatic. I had heard great things about Bakersfield so I was excited to try. We sat right away at the bar (it was around 5:00 PM so the place was not full yet). We really only intended to get a beer before moving on, but I had to try a couple tacos. We ordered the Al Pastor (pork cooked in pineapple juice) and the corn truffle (with a name I don't remember off the top of my head). The tacos came out very quickly - obviously not cooked to order, but that could be ok. The corn truffle was bland. It was my first time tasting it so I had no idea what to expect. I had been told that it was an extremely authentic version of the Mexican classic, so I'll assume they nailed it at Bakersfield but I have no need to order it again. It just didn't have a ton of flavor. The al pastor was good but disappointing. There is a Mexican place near my office in Blue Ash (Dinastia Latina) that makes a much better al pastor taco. So, in isolation, the Bakersfield version has good flavor, but it doesn't compare to Dinastia Latina. The meat was also not hot - not sure if that's because there is some pineapple bits on the taco that chilled the meat, but they need to find a way to serve it warmer. The menu is cheap enough and the bar selection is good enough that we'd try ti again if we're in the area. I don't see it being a destination spot, but it's worth 3 stars.
(3)
A M.

I don't give 5 stars often. The restaurant has to have ambiance, service, affordable prices and above all great food. Bakersfield had it all! I'm visiting my sister from NC and I love to eat when I'm here. I love to eat anywhere, really. Keifer was very helpful recommending tequilas and whiskey. We got there around 2:00 Friday afternoon so we beat the rush. We ordered short rib tortas, short rib tacos and pastor tacos. They were fantastic! Three people $100 w tip- 5 beers, 6 shots and food.
(5)
Dave N.

Best tacos and guacamole ever. Very crowded after work. Need better flow with seating. Get the campers out. But always great food.
(5)
Autumn S.

I ordered the queso with chorizo, one of the short rib tacos, and a Bakersfield margarita; A+ for everything I tried! A friend and I went together and we split the queso, and even just having one taco was filling for me. Especially if you like to save room for dessert ;) this is definitely a must for anyone who is thinking about it!
(5)
Joe J.

Food was delicious, the service was only so-so. Hope they have gotten the kinks worked out since my visit. Would have rated higher if not for the service issue.
(3)
Kelly A.

Mexican food at its best! Bakersfield serves up a delicious assortment of tacos a la carte along with a nice variety of alcohol options. They also have amazing guacamole and chips and queso. My favorites are the Huitlacoche taco (heaven) and the sangria (strong but fantastic). Just go there--you won't be disappointed! Word of warning, though--it is often packed (for good reason), especially on the weekends, so expect a wait.
(5)
Javi M.

Tacos were awesome, very authentic. I love the way they serve them, family style on a big tray for everyone to grab at. Fish tacos were my personal favorite. Our table's consensus favorite item was the Torta Milanesa. It's basically a take on a fried chicken breast sandwich. SO GOOD! The margairtas were great, too. I was feeling especially adventurous and tried the JalapeÃ±o Margarita... delicious! However, WARNING: not for the faint-hearted! Boy does it have a KICK!
(4)
Holly A.

Tacos are delish and I love the a la carte style dining. I would generally order a margarita with tacos, but I have to drink bakersfield sangria when I'm there. It is so tasty!
(4)
Big Ass Kid D.

What can I say? It's always a great time at Bakersfield OTR...Short Rib Tacos are the move along with the $2 PBR Boot and $3 Shot of the day...My favorite spot in the Nati right now...check out my blog! bigasskid.com/big-ass-kiâ€¦ bigasskid.com/big-ass-kiâ€¦
(5)
Sarah K.

There are days where I crave Bakersfield tacos. They are the most delicious, close to authentic tacos that I have been able to find in Ohio and the margaritas are amazing.
(5)
L V.

I have been here maybe about 4 times now. Love it, especially the queso....amazing. Also the margaritas were probably the best I ever had! But today I went in for lunch and my margarita was shockingly sour and two out of my three tacos (the one with the pineapple - forget what it is called) had little pieces of what I can only assume to be bone in the meat. Not too fun to chomp down on. I do love coming here, but after today it is not at the top of my list anymore.
(3)
Stephen W.

There is a reason this is a must have for everyone in OTR. OTR is becoming nicer and getting better restaurants everyday, but Bakersfield is still at the top. I get the short rib sandwich and it's mouth-watering delicious. I have tried some of the tacos and you can't go wrong there. Margaritas are the best around too.
(5)
Todd S.

Fantastic everything. Best margaritas and guacamole in Cincy, Chicken mole, and short rib are top notch. Not to mention the prices and beer menu are easy on the wallet.
(5)
Stephanie H.

This place is legit. I've had just about all the taco's, and the Pollo Verde, Pastor, and Short Rib are my favs. But you MUST start off with Queso with Chorizo, and of course their super chunky amazing gauc. And for real, $2 PBR's in an adorable lil boot! But you gotta be prepared to wait for your table. No big deal, just head down to Lackman and have a beer and they'll call you when your tables ready.
(5)
Stephen B.

I'm a pretty big fan of Bakersfield, according to their sign they specialize in 3 things: Tacos: They certainly excel in this area. The tacos are kind of small and pricey, but my God are they amazing. There are all kinds of crazy gourmet tacos, some of my favorites are the one with the habanero salsa, and the one that's topped with bits of pineapple. The other food is good too. I know a lot of people have mentioned their guacamole and queso dip. Tequila: This seems like a dangerous area to explore. They seem to have a good selection, but I'm not very knowledgeable about tequila, so I'll just stick the beer in this section too. Decent beer selection, a few craft beers on draft. $2 PBRs. I don't usually drink PBR, but it's served in a boot glass, which obviously makes it taste way better(not sarcastic... I'll drink it if it's in the boot). Whiskey: I'm a big whiskey drinker, and I'm a little disappointed in their selection. There are more whiskeys than a typical bar would have, but maybe a little less that what you would expect from a place with it written on their sign. Like I said, the selection is above average, but with places like Nicholson's and OKBB around, I was hoping for a little more. overall, I like Bakersfield a lot, and it will continue to be a semi-regular stop on my OTR outings. It gets kind of crowded around dinner time, but I like to stop in during off hours and grab a bite.
(4)
Katie U.

Pros: - Fresh foods- including the chunky guacamole - Unique items with great flavor Cons: - Not a big variety. I hope you like tacos! - Not cheap - Can be loud (though this could also be a pro if you want to grab some drinks and socialize)
(4)
Alicia B.

It's definitely gourmet and tasty but I found the prices were somewhat too high for jazzed up street food.
(3)
Lynn M.

Great place - great food - great drinks. The reason I gave it a 4 star review is because it is very small so expect a wait. Also, many of the chairs have no backs and if you need back support you will have to wait longer for a regular chair back. Other than that, the tacos were out of this world de-lish!
(4)
Laura C.

Was excited to try this place out as a second location just opened in Columbus. I was in cincy for the weekend and my bf brought me here as our last stop. Margarita was pretty disappointing as it's made with a nasty sweet n sour type mix. Was expecting a fresh in house made mix. They are however very very strong so there's that. We tried a taco but to be honest it was late in the night (well for me) and I was many of glasses of wine deep from previous establishments and honestly I just remember it being a cold flavorless taco. I still plan to try the Columbus location when I'm a little less birthday drunk. Also the crowd here seemed collegey? Or right out of college. A little too packed/shoulder to shoulder for my liking at the ancient age of 28.
(3)
Rosie K.

Great food! If you are someone who does not like spicy food, I would not recommend Bakersfield. Great atmosphere,service and perfect portion size. I went on a Friday before 2:00 and we got seated right away. I've heard from others that there is a long wait at time, but we did not run into that. Lastly, it is open seating, so you will sit with others that you might not know. I found this fun and entertaining.
(5)
Thomas W.

Exposed brick, trendy looking folks, mason jar margaritas and fancy tacos: this place was hotter than poblanos. It came as no surprise the wait for a table was long; luckily there was a margarita special and Red River was on the bar TV. They might have read my mind. Bakersfield had some fantastic tacos with guacamole as chunky and lovable as Balloo the Bear. The queso there comes served in an iron skillet with a crisp, browned top that tastes like grilled cheese or a more liquidy version of an Argentine provoleta. The super-quick service turned out our taco tray as we were only a few bites into the chips, which made us have to prioritize and use what I like to call "eating strategery." The timing of entrees pretty much took care of the pre-dinner condition of being uncomfortably full of chips, bread, or hummus before actual food arrives. This condition prevents pigging out on entrees, but also curbs any enthusiasm for the rest of the meal. It's a problem. I'm eventually getting it to become a health topic. Our tacos came on 6-inch tortillas and were topped with fish (Mahi), chicken molÃ©, corn truffles, and chipotle peppers. While I wasn't crazy about the pepper taco (maybe "vegetarian" should have been a clue), the molÃ© one was fantastic. It had the traditionally spicy and chocolatey sauce on top with pickled red onion, cheese, cilantro, and radish slices. While it's not classic enough to get a jelly bean flavor (thank God), this taco was superb. When the weather warms back up, I'd definitely head back up to Cincinnati and get to Over-the-Rhine for a taco fix.
(4)
Chris S.

Simply outstanding. On every front. There is a reason the wait is so long to get a seat.
(5)
Christopher W.

Fond memories of a great night in OTR with fabulous Margarita's and some of the best tacos I have ever had especially the short rib tacos.
(5)
Jamey F.

It seems the new theme everywhere these days is rustic, open ceilings, old lights, exposed wood, craft beer, & a small menu. I'd have to say the ambiance here his just as expected. Old westerns playing on the TV's, amazing tacos, good libations, & better conversation. Definitely worth the visit if you can find a spot!
(4)
Brian W.

I've been here several times and I can tell you ... it's been time and money well-spent. Prices are very reasonable, so value is better than the other restaurants/bars in the area. Food and Beverages are outstanding. The Guac is amazing. The best way I can describe how good it is: I'm allergic to raw garlic, but I eat their Guac anyway. The satisfaction I get from eating it far outweighs the ill effects of my body's reaction. The Margaritas are delicious. Get a pitcher. Thank you Bakersfield, for making Cincinnati a better place to live.
(5)
Will H.

Delicious Tacos and Margaritas. Had a blast there with some friends a few weeks ago. Seating was limited, so we ended up getting seated next to another group of 4 and that was fun!
(4)
Megan C.

This has been my favorite Cincinnati restaurant pretty much since it opened. I mean what could be better - cheap, amazing tacos, the best margaritas and guac in the city, fun atmosphere and friendly staff. The only thing that makes me sad is that this local gem is no longer (and hasn't been for a long time) our little place - secret's out, this is well worth the long wait!
(5)
Kori E.

So, basically I am obsessed with Vine Street restaurants. This was another great stop on my recent visit to Cincinnati. We came here on a Thursday night and were quoted 30 minutes, but didnt have to wait that long at all. We got the $2 PBR Boot, which you must get while you're there because they are so cute. I was told that they had a recent event where people were able to return their boots they had stolen from the bar, but no one ended up returning theirs! Sad!! Anyway, we sat and ordered up the Queso and Guacamole, both were delicious. I felt like I was just shoving chips down my throat and couldnt get enough. The guacamole was super fresh with huge chunks of avocado! The queso has some chorizo served on top and was a wonderful cheesey mess! I ordered two tacos, the Pastor and Cochinita Pibil. The Cochinita was my fave! It was super spicy, but I love spicy and the meat was cooked perfectly! The tacos are a decent size and I would say if you havent gorged on the chips and dips then definitely 2-3 a person. I was suffocating I was so full at the end of my meal. It was definitely worth it! We also ordered up a pitcher of margaritas and I usually don't go for margs, but these were made really well! You must check them out if you live in Cincinnati!
(5)
Jodie S.

I've never really had to wait long to eat here. Tacos are small but they are amazing!
(5)
Megan B.

Outstanding food in a fun atmosphere. The tacos are to die for and the ambiance is great. It can get a bit crowded and unfortunately I'm always at work when I eat here but I'm sure the bar scene is great as well. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu!
(4)
Swerve S.

Tacos are pretty good, but the restaurant doesn't take reservation and it is small. You can wait one hour and end up sitting on a barrel by the front door.
(2)
Megan K.

Best tacos in Cincinnati! Their food is tasty and very reasonably priced. I could go there and only order their guacamole. Better than any I have ever had before.
(5)
Kristin D.

I came from out of town on a recommendation, loved the food so much I ate here two days in a row. With country music playing and westerns always on the TV this Bakersfield is like a saloon out of the old west. The Elote salad is a nice surprise and the gauc is pretty fantastic, but you have to go for the tacos - they are small but you can get a few different ones to try (2 or 3 should be enough to fill you up). My favorites are the pastor and mole tacos. The restaurant is pretty small, loud and you usually have a wait, but the food is definitely worth it.
(5)
Linsey G.

I have a feeling that I'm in the minority when I say that I'm just not super impressed with Bakersfield's food (more on this later). But that's not to say that I am not impressed by the restaurant in its entirety. Despite its Ã¼ber-small and inefficient table setup, the space is well designed and atmosphere is alive and well (albeit a bit noisy). The interior dÃ©cor is dark and modern rustic, and I particularly enjoy the chalkboard walls that line the hallway to the bathrooms. Whenever there is a wait to use the facilities (and there usually is), these come quite in handy in the entertainment department, especially if you'd like to avoid awkward and obligatory bathroom line conversations with strangers. Although the menu is pretty limited, I've tried most of their tacos. Most are just OK, and it wasn't until my most recent tryst with this chic new(ish) restaurant that I finally settled on the Pastor taco (chili marinated pork, pineapple, pickled onion, and cilantro). Because I'd been so underwhelmed with everything else I've had, I'm sure I will continue to opt for this particular taco in the future. The tequila they serve is tops. (After a few bad experiences in my day, I all but boycotted that genre of liquor, and have only recently started taking to it again.) You know a brand of tequila is good when salt and lime (or a chaser) are entirely unnecessary and, frankly, frowned upon. The service has always been pretty great; the servers extremely helpful and knowledgeable, especially in the beer and tequila departments. Another plus as far as service goes is, even though there are more oft than not lengthy waits (expect at least an hour in the evenings and up to two hours on the weekends), it is particularly convenient that the host simply takes down your number and texts you as soon as your table is ready (meaning you have the choice to leave, hit up a couple of other bars without ultimately having to sacrifice your table). Although I don't consider the food to be great, I always enjoy my experiences here, the fantastic service, and even better atmosphere. I will definitely be back.
(3)
Andrea J.

Everything is fresh. Every single item tastes like it was the only thing they had to do. I have been here many times and the quality is always the same: incredible. The perfect business plan is to do things well on a small scale, and do them consistently. I once visited with two cousins who didn't like spicy things or CHEESE. They somehow made quesadillas that fit the bill. Classic. Go there.
(4)
Jessica N.

The only reason I take one star off is because both times I've been here, I've had to wait for an hour and a half to be seated. BUT NO MATTER! Because I can just drink drinks at a nearby bar, such as the Lackman, during this time. It's worth the wait. I love the idea of this restaurant, and the execution. The inspiration for Bakersfield OTR came from the city of Bakersfield, CA, a "small agricultural city with Mexican influence." The focus is on tacos, tequila, and whiskey. Tacos are 3 or 4 dollars a piece and delicious; served a la carte style. The margaritas are excellent. Both times I've been to Bakersfield was with a group, so we just order pitchers of margaritas (sangrias are yummy too). And the queso... is like gooey cheesy heaven. NAY. It is gooey cheesy heaven. The guacamole is also worth eating four orders of. Bakersfield does get crowded. REALLY crowded. And it's loud. So be forewarned if you're trying to have a nice, relaxing dinner. If you're looking to get a little tipsy and put delicious Mexican food in your face with your friends in a cool atmosphere, then give Bakersfield your business.
(4)
Patrick B.

My wife and I started our Bakersfield journey the second day they opened. Their Big Star ( Wicker Park, Chicago) inspired tacos, beer, liquor and ambience instantly won us over. Your best bet for sitting quickly is to go during "off business" hours or grab a seat at the bar. Try the guacamole and chips with the fresh homemade salsa, tomatilla or chipotle. Skip everything else other than the tacos! The short rib with cotija cheese is life changing, use the chipotle salsa to enhance this one...The crispy fish taco comes in second when you add the tomatillo salsa. You will love El Pastor with or without adding anything. Do get a $2 boot of PBR, do get a $3 shot of the day, do feel free to re order as many tacos as you can eat! Do not leave this place without learning who Johnny Cash and Hunter S Thompson are, and what they loved to drink... This is a Chicago class taco joint in the middle of Cincinnati, enjoy repeatedly.
(5)
Ben B.

Tacos were excellent and affordable. Same goes for the strong margaritas. Great date place!
(5)
Ryan Z.

I'm sure I'm not the only one this happened to, but I thought I should share. I logged onto Yelp a few days ago and noticed that I had a message waiting in my inbox. I looked at it and saw that it was from the owner of Bakersfield, thanking me for taking the time to write a review and acknowledging his appreciation of my patronage. What a nice surprise! I don't know if other restaurant owners do this, but I think it makes all the sense in the world. Why not thank your customers... particularly those who act as unpaid advertisers, vouching for the quality of your place. Anyhow, this prompted me to return, which we did yesterday evening. We still got the queso with chorizo (solid choice), but mixed it up this time and had beers instead of margaritas. The Dos Equis were extremely well priced at $3, as was the tequilla shot of the day - Espolon - also $3. Needless to say, a couple hours later and we were stumbling out of the place having thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I also happened to see the owner a couple times, late 30's white male... very friendly and going out of his way to engage his customers and thank them for their business. What a solid business model, particularly in OTR where some places seem to have developed 'entitlement-itis' - ie. they think they not only deserve your business but will always have it. IMO, restaurants should always be striving to keep your business, not neglecting their current customers to chase new ones (hello cell phone providers!!!) Why not 5 stars? ummm, I'm not sure. I don't hand out 5 stars very frequently. I would give Bakersfield 4.5 if it was an option. The only con to me is the fact that it is consistently overcrowded. These two hour waits for a table on a Tuesday evening are outrageous, although I guess that shows that they're doing something right. Keep it up Bakersfield! We're lucky to have you.
(4)
Jen P.

Pros: Tacos are great. They are small, street tacos, but they are packed. 3 more than filled me up. Also, their guacamole is superb. Nice and lime-y and spicy. Queso is solid, too- although I wish I'd added chorizo. Excellent beer selection. Cons: Small place with a bunch of LARGE tables, so you end up eating communally. I don't really have a problem with this, but I think it contributes to them always being packed. Seems more like a marketing ploy...that being said, go for lunch. Dinner time will have you at a 3 hour wait. Not worth it.
(4)
Ryan P.

Hands down, the best guacamole I've ever had. That's pretty much all you need to know. A friend and I popped in here for a late lunch after visiting the beautiful new Rhinegeist brewery. We were surprised to find the wait for a table of 2 was over an hour, even at 3PM on a Saturday. That's how you know this place is loved. Luckily, two seats had just opened at the bar, so we bellied up. The service was a bit slow since they were so busy. The two bartenders had to take turns caring for us, since one didn't have enough time to get both our drinks, appetizers, and tacos. It wasn't too bad though. Let's start with the beer. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had more beers on tap than what was listed in their online menu. They had the usual $2 PBR boots (a great deal if you're a PBR fan), then had 7-8 solid craft offerings from breweries such as 5 Rabbit, Dogfish Head, and Avery. They also have great shot deals on bourbon and tequila, if that's your thing. I hear the margaritas here are the best in the city, and from all the people around me ordering multiple glasses and pitchers of them, I'd say they're right. I'm not a big margarita fan, so I passed, but I may try them next time just to see if they can change my ways. The food menu here is pretty basic. They have appetizers, salads, tortas, and tacos. I ordered the chips and guac, and my friend ordered the chips and queso. I thought that $6 for guacamole was a lot, but boy was I wrong. It was super fresh, the server proudly exclaiming that it was just made. There were huge chunks of avocado, lots of lime, and a ton of heat. It was probably the spiciest guacamole I've ever had, but it wasn't too overwhelming. The heat worked well with the rich fat of the avocados. The chips were good, but nothing spectacular. They could have used more salt, but they made a great vehicle for shoving guac into my piehole. The queso wasn't bad. It was nice and toasty on top and served in a cast iron skillet. The texture was a bit grainy, which was kind of off-putting. I wouldn't order it again. I ordered three tacos, the short rib, pastor, and the cochinita pibil. Both were great in their own right. I loved the flavor of the pastor with the pineapple, the heat of the cochinita pibil, and the savoriness of the short rib. They were very small for the price, and not nearly as good of a value as the chips and guac. If they were a bit bigger, it would be ok. At their size, they should be priced $2.50-3 instead of $3-4. The atmosphere here is a bit loud and cramped. The way it's laid out, no wonder there's always a wait for the table, and with all hard surfaces, it's hard to hear friends more than 1 seat over talk. The building is beautiful though, and I really loved the concrete bar top and TVs showing westerns. I'll definitely be back here, especially for more guacamole!
(4)
Jill C.

Everyone's already said nearly all there is to praise this place. It is small, but they do have community (picnic) tables which, if you're willing to share some space with people you don't know, can help you get seated faster and you might meet some cool people. Delish guacamole, good house margaritas, and great tacos. I've also had the milanesa which was amazing and a great choice if you're not in the mood for a taco. This is random, but the bathroom doors are heavy. I've waited in line for the restroom several times either behind or next to (men) people who thought the restroom was occupied only because they didn't try hard enough to open the door.
(4)
Aya F.

I went to Bakersfield for lunch today with my mentee. We got there early so we didn't have to waste time on parking or wait for a table. I am a vegetarian but there were two options for me (loved this) and I tried both. The tacos were good but the queso was the real star. I can't wait to try the margaritas everyone keeps talking about. The service was great, prices were fair and I definitely will return.
(4)
Josh C.

Sure, another five star review for Bakersfield. Of the three tacos I tried, Pollo Verde was he king of the tacos, and I, his loyal subject. Once you take the first bite of that tomatillo braised chicken, there's no looking back--your life will forever be altered. Queso? Â¡Amazing! Guac? Make it so. Specials on Tequila every day add a little extra kick to your meal. May take awhile to get your table (either family style with omelette strangers, or a fancy standing table), you'll no doubt enjoy your time here. Thanks to all the local Yelpers who blazed the trail and led an out-of-owner to his best meal in Cincinnati. Much appreciated.
(5)
Kevin B.

Came in around 9:00 on a Tuesday night. I've tried a dining here a couple times before, but I had no desire to wait over 45 minutes at such a small place. This time, we were promptly seated! We started out with some of the guacamole. It tasted fine with a nice zest of lime. It still had some chunks of on mashed avocado. No complaints, just noting it existed. I got two tacos for my main meal. My complaint here... the food wasn't really hot. With how fast it came out, the food was all pre-cooked and just sitting in warmers to be placed on tacos. The conchinta pibil had a good hot salsa that came with it, but the meat itself in it was a little dry. The short rib was a little bit better. The meat had a little bit more flavor, but still nothing to write home about. We didn't get any drinks here, so maybe I missed out on the whole experience. The food itself didn't seem that good, maybe it was because we came so late. Maybe I'll come around for their drinks, but definitely not just for the food.
(3)
Jason B.

My wife and I finally got a date night out and decided to have dinner here. We had heard great things about it, and they were all accurate. There are ample reviews already, so let me be short.... We arrived at 7 pm and were told 2 hrs. We were actually seated in less than an hour and a half. I like that they call your cell phone, it gives you time to try other bars. Fish tacos were ok, if not good. The short rib was awesome. I loved their queso and fresh chips and really enjoyed how you can add things to it. We added jalapeÃ±os. Our drink of choice was a pitcher of margarita which was also good. The vibe was great. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
David C.

Had the cochinita and the huitlacoche, along with the queso fundido. The huitlacoche was over powered by the crumbled cheese, which was disappointing because corn smut is a delicious and delicate food and very rare to find in a restaurant. The cochinita pibil was dry, but the red salsa was delicious and just the right level of hot. The tortillas were not very good - a bit too thick and a tad tough. The cheese dip was flavorful, but grainy. I was very excited to try the tacos and had heard so many raves that perhaps the disappointment has led me to be too hyper critical. The music and ambiance was top notch, though.
(4)
Jennifer R.

I love OTR and regularly visit each of the restaurants there. I typically only go to Bakersfield when other friends want to go. I won't go on my own whim. The tacos are good, the queso is great - it is very different. Everything seems fresh here, I just wished they used less garnish - a little cilantro goes a long way. The tacos are tiny and drinks are too. The upside to this restaurant is the ambiance. It is a great vibe and fun decor. It has a very contemporary southwest feel. Some drink descriptions can be deceiving. I ordered the waysider because I love bourbon and peach, but it was basically only bourbon, I almost asked the waitress if they forgot the peach! After that, I started ordering margaritas instead. All in all, I am not very impressed, especially considering the AMAZING restaurants surrounding Bakersfield.
(3)
Ryan J.

tacos and 2 pbrs
(5)
Ashley O.

After coming to this place over and over again, I wanted to test out the Take-Out service.....and I'm sad to say but it was really confusing and it was not the experience I'm used to with this place. I was rushed through trying to tell her my order and she gave me 1 word answers. Then when I pick it up (very timely making of my food tho. Props there), the person who rang me out was super unfriendly. I don't think he said anything other than "what's your name" to me. I love this place and I will come here again...but only if I get to deal with one of their super awesome waitresses. Maybe they were stressed, who knows.
(5)
Shannon H.

I had been a fan from living in Cincinnati before, but they were so great for my friend's bachelorette party. They saved a big table for us (and they don't take reservations) but the sister of the bride had asked them to earlier in the day. Our waitress was so great and split everyone's checks (without asking) as well as the bride's meal and drinks across the board. Definitely will be back. Thank you for a great time and a tasty meal. Definitely recommend the chorizo queso dip, the margaritas, and the fish and rojo taco. :)
(5)
Brian Q.

Great location, atmosphere, music, drinks and most importantly--queso! You will hear people complain that it's full of hipsters or that it's too expensive for what it is but in reality Bakersfield OTR is a great place for Mexican food. My friend and I shared the chips and queso with black beans and it was really outstanding. We also had the corn chowder and one fish taco each. It was the perfect amount of food. Everything tasted fresh. If the weather is nice--as it was surprisingly on the December day when we were there--it is great to sit near the small patio area on the street side of the restaurant. I also really enjoyed the Bakersfield country music sound which plays in the restaurant. I'm not really a big country fan, either.
(5)
Mark M.

I heard about this place from my sister in law when I came home to visit over the holidays and I was shocked when I saw the difference in OTR. It was busy enough that we had to sit near the door, which kind of sucked since people kept holding it open and letting cold air blast us, but it was totally worth it. We went around lunchtime so there wasn't any wait and we got our food fairly quickly. We started out with the queso dip, which was the best I have ever had. It had a different consistency than any other queso dip I have had, much thicker and more substantial, whereas most places make it much more liquid and thin. I really liked it and the chips also. My only complaint is that it was so good that we ran out of dip long before we ran out of chips. Then the tacos came. I got a couple of the short rib ones and it was so good I ordered more. I want to try some other ones but I couldnt bring myself to not eat more of them, so I guess I will have to wait until I go home next. My wife had fish tacos and she said they were the best she has ever had. Considering we live in Hawaii and have had some world famous fish tacos, thats saying a lot. Overall, this was a great dining experience. I dont know how good it would be for dinner, since the tacos are small and it would probably take quite a few, plus I hear its much busier. But for lunch? Awesome.
(5)
Kristan H.

For a "tacos and tequila" joint, Bakersfield has managed to create quite the buzz. We've been twice now, and both times it was PACKED. My advice is to get there before 6 and plan to wait 30 min. After 6, and you could be looking at a 1-2 hour wait. (Yes, even on a weeknight.) Is it worth the hype? I think so. I'm not really a taco person, but Bakersfield's menu is fantastic. I recommend the chips and queso, and the Cochinita Pibil taco most of all. My second fave is the Pastor, but really, they're all good. The average person probably needs 3, depending on whether you order a starter and/or drinks. Service is good/friendly, noise level is loud, and atmosphere is trendy-bar. Prices can't be beat, especially not relative to the rest of that OTR corridor. Note: In addition to the 2- and 4-tops, there are two "communal" tables, meaning you might get seated next to people you don't know. Normally I'm fine with that, but I wasn't a fan of the tall round table in the corner, which we got the first time we went to Bakersfield, because the half-rounded, half-angled seating can make things weird.
(4)
Kathy G.

Love this place!
(5)
Becca B.

I called weeks before my 30th birthday party and asked if they could accommodate a party of 9 at 7 pm. I was told, yes, if I called the morning of my event and put my name in, they would accommodate us. So I did, I called and asked again on the date of my event. They confirmed, yes they were willing to accommodate. We show up at 6:30, put in our name, and wait outside in the freezing November weather, and wait for our table. At 7:30, I am told that they can't accommodate and it will be at least another 30 minutes. I understand if that's the policy, but don't tell me they will bend the rules for me, make me wait outside in the freezing weather, and then not do SHIT for me after all!!! Don't lie to me and tell me you will work with me, when you won't. The food is mediocre at best, anyway. We went went to Lucy Blue around the corner, and had a better time anyway. Don't waste your money and your time.
(1)
Andrea C.

Eh, Bakerfield. The food is good, but not worth the hoops you have to jump through to get it. It's a pet peeve of mine when restaurants don't take reservations and act as though they're doing you a favor by letting you spend money at their establishment. You should be honored to wait hours to eat there, because pretentiousness. We get it; you're hip and everybody loves you. Whatever. There are several authentic Mexican restaurants in strip malls throughout the city that are as good, if not better, without the insane wait, parking annoyances and general air of obnoxiousness.
(3)
Claire S.

Good tacos, good drinks, good queso. Don't love how crowded it always is.
(4)
Amy B.

Great place for a few friends to catch up. The atmosphere was casual and laid back. The community tables help with that laid back atmosphere. No table cloths here and your drink may very well be served to you in a mason jar. The food is ordered family style so be prepared to share. There are plates already on the table to encourage you to split that torts with your friends. I love this because you can try a lot and not be stuffed. Definitely recommend: - Anything with short rib on it - Margarita - Guac - Getting here early Just a note: This place can get loud fast. Don't plan for an intimate evening here. The community tables and the extra yummy margaritas seem to help crank the conversation volume up a few notches.
(4)
Yolanda S.

I absolutely loved this place! The staff was very friendly and accommodating. My husband and I were there for lunch on Cinco de Mayo. It was busy with a 30-40 min wait for 2. The hostess advised the bar was first come first serve and invited us to hang out there as she was about to sit 2 to a table. So we sat at the bar and the festivities began. Jason one of the bartenders made the best premium margarita and we ordered the BEST guacamole I've ever eaten. I had the short rib and pastor tacos; the Short Rib being the best. Hubby had the pollo verde and fish tacos, Everything was soo delicious. I will definitely return.
(5)
Lizbeth T.

I don't have a lot to add to the other reviews, but I'm so happy someone finally brought cheap tacos, tequila and whiskey to town! Highlights are the guacamole, and two taco choices that are very common in Mexico but I've never seen in Cincinnati before: cochinita pibil and huitalacoche.
(5)
Phil M.

I take Kim Sizemore quite often. The food is generally excellent, but trying to get a place to sit is akin to trying to win the lottery. It's alway packed! We found a bar seat pretty quick, and the bartender is actually too cool to work there. He's rude and acts like you're bothering him if you want something besides a drink. The food is not authentic Mexican, but delicious nonetheless. Guacamole is great, the queso is amazing and the margaritas are high powered. When I got home, my house smelled like guacamole farts.
(4)
Peter B.

Great cheap Mexican food with an upsacle flair. Love the picnic tables.
(4)
Caroline W.

There are so many reasons why I love Bakersfield OTR it's hard to put them all into a coherent review. They specialize in tacos and tequila and don't waste too much time on anything else. Bakersfield's decor and atmosphere is trendy and kind of hipstery - which some may dislike but personally I really liked it. The bar is especially well done. But really why you come here is for the tacos. They're not authentic, no, but when you bite into the short rib tacos you *will* have a foodgasm. If you don't believe me then go try it. The other tacos, like the chicken tacos, are less foodgasmic but still are really delicious. My only complaint is the price: $3-4 for a single baby taco is a bit much. Maybe getting two tacos for those prices would be better (or a larger single taco.) As another reviewer, Alex S. said, this isn't really a place to go out for dinner to, but really a place to go drink and have some light bites with. It's a small place and can get crowded quickly because of how great they are, so be aware of that in making plans to visit. They have a tiiiny patio area out front with standing room.
(4)
Scott M.

Tacos and Tequi? I'm in! Just checked out another great and quaint addition to OTR. Stellar restaurants are popping up all over Vine Street like daisies in my front lawn. So glad this place finally opened. The theme: Johnny Cash for the win! My date and I had chips and salsa, Poblano, a Short Rib Torta, and two different types of pork tacos as well as a fish taco all for under thirty dollars. Not bad Bakersfield, not bad. Food: The chips came with a couple of salsas. The green is a very mild salsa, the red has a slight kick and smokey taste. We requested a couple of hotter sauces as we are a daring duo. I didn't catch the names, but they were sweet, orange-yellow and put a little heat on my breath throughout my meal, without driving out the flavor of the chips or the tacos. Tacos here have the soft corn shell similar to what you might find in Los Angeles and other places with a heavier Hispanic influence. The Short Rib Torta was basically a pulled pork sammy with a dipping sauce. It was excellent. We tried to consume everything we had ordered but alas our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. The crowd was no bother as we went early in the afternoon around 4:30ish. Our server, Esther, was very friendly and attentive. My only negative is that the men's restroom had a bit of a body odor stench to it (yikes!). I'm guessing this is an isolated occurrence and wouldn't hesitate to return!
(4)
Michael T.

I love the reclaimed wood look
(4)
Tom H.

The food was good, service was great. I plan to go again soon!
(4)
S V.

Wonderful food, friendly clientele and staff. The guacamole is amazing! It is worth the drive. Plenty of parking available.
(5)
Sable B.

Last week I finally made it to Bakersfield and it did not disappoint. Our group of 4 had to wait a little longer than anticipated due to a group that had been there four over 3 hours. The manager graciously bought our first round of drinks. The staff was incredibly attentive and kind. I ordered a sandwich and it was amazing. I couldn't decide on which taco to try, so I went with our waiter's favorite... and that was amazing too. The wait for a table can be long, and kind of ridiculous. But the nice thing is, they take your cell phone number to text you when you're table is ready. One of the guys in our group stopped by and put his name down on his way home from work. I would suggest doing something similar. Unless you don't mind standing around for 2 hours.
(5)
Bill E.

Came here on a Monday with the family and we loved it, my dad got down there early and got a table really quick for all of us. I was very impressed with the decor and I love the Westerns playing in the background on the TV as I am a huge western fan especially directed by John Ford. We all really liked Johnny Cash playing in the background for music. Onto the food, we ordered chips and guac and chips and queso to start off the meal, these were delicious, as the queso was kind of spicy, but perfect to start the meal and go down easy with a margarita. Next we all ordered tacos, I ordered the fish taco and alpastor while my sister ordered the johnny salad a fish taco, my brother two short rib tacos just meat and cheese and my dad two chicken tacos. We loved everything it was very delicious and had a great fun time. Our server was just OK, I had to ask for a water for my beverage instead of water being brought out when patrons arrive. The restaurant was packed on a Monday night!
(4)
Valerie G.

Bakersfield OTR converted me from a veggie & fish only diner to a meat-eater in one bite! I LOVE THE SHORT RIB TACOS!!! Ambiance - Love the Western Vibe combined with the old-school OTR feel. You can get your beer in a boot! Bakersfield seems to be always busy, sometimes the wait is long, but you can give them your mobile # and they will call you. There is a nice bar area and a teeny patio that you can hang out at while you wait, or you can mosey down the street for a cocktail and come back when you get the call. They have a decent ladies restroom, it is always approachable, even on the busiest night. Service - Never had a bad experience! Love the attitude and the helpfulness of the servers, bartenders, and hosts/hostesses. Ask for recommendations, especially on drinks, and they will set you in the right direction. I kind of want to be friends with the bartenders, they look fun. Food - Things I love at Bakersfield - SHORT RIB TACOS!, Guacamole, Queso, Huitlacoche (corn, truffles & peppers taco), Corn Chowder, June Salad, Margaritas, BEER IN A BOOT, black beans. Basically, I love all the food options. Like I said, I was a vegetarian, and now I regularly eat short rib tacos at Bakersfield. So glad they are open for lunch now! Looking forward to additional locations!
(5)
Mark L.

Distinctly tasty tacos, strong tap/bottle and rotating list of locals and general fan favorite beverages. In demand place, so put your name in and then enjoy OTR for a minute with a drink somewhere else. Hey, they call you when the table is ready!
(4)
Monika N.

When I heard that a taco and tequila bar/restaurant was coming to OTR I was very excited. Unfortunately the fact that it is in OTR means that it is ridiculously overcrowded and difficult to get into. So we decided to try it on a Tuesday for dinner, figuring that it wouldn't be super-crowded. While we were easily able to get a seat the room quickly filled and was rather loud. Because I absolutely love tequila, I was excited to try their margarita. They don't use a pre-made mix, but rather squeeze their own limes. Unfortunately it was too sweet for my taste buds. Next time I'll try the sangria. The tacos were good - easily the best I've had in Cincinnati but still not as good as the delicious tacos I enjoy every visit to California. The pastor taco was definitely better than the fish. Don't forget the squeeze the lime juice onto the tacos for extra flavor. I also really enjoyed their guacamole and the cilantro salsa, but the queso was quite bland. The best part of my Bakersfield visit, however, was the service. Trevor was amazing - all I needed to do was look at him from across the room and he was quickly beside the table making sure I had everything I needed. I hope to be able to return and try a couple more tacos and a tequila tasting flight.
(4)
Jesse F.

Ok, so I'm a little late to the game for this one. The Vine Street corridor has a new winner in its ever-expanding lineup of restaurants and bars. Nestled right smack dab in the middle of the popular dining and entertainment district, Bakersfield brings a bit of western swagger to the street. While dining on some of the best tacos in the city, be sure to grab a boot of beer, (yes, they really serve PBR in a cowboy boot. Don't knock it, it's awesome,) and maybe a shot of tequila; of which they have several choices. For my money, I'd recommend starting with the amazing queso. Remember to add the black beans and chorizo, especially the chorizo. Follow that up with these tacos: the Pastor, Fish and Cochinita Pibil. The Huitlacoche is supposed to be pretty awesome but I haven't tried it yet. The margaritas here are pretty great as well, but I thought it was a little overpriced. The only downside to BOTR is that it's very popular right now. Like most of the restaurants on the street, it can be a little hard to get service. So if you don't mind a crowded venue or a bit of a wait, saddle up to the bar and get you a drink; it's gonna be a wild ride.
(5)
David C.

Phenomenal tacos. Guacamole is some of the best I've ever had. Margaritas are freshly made, and strong! Only have been for lunches as I have heard evening times can result in long waits. Will continue to return over and over!
(4)
B Q.

Everyone raves about Bakersfield...I do LIKE it, but it's not a must-do for me. The margaritas are my favorite, and I don't usually go for margaritas. If you're going for drinks/happy hour, I think you'll be fine, but I think I've gotten disappointed when I've gone for lunch. Like most places in Cinci, they specialize in one thing, meaning they pretty much serve only variations of one thing, in this case, tacos. It's all good, but I've never been "wowed." It can get a little too crowded at happy hour time, so I prefer going if we're getting drinks at more like 3-5ish before it blows up!
(3)
Paige M.

I've been a fan of Bakersfield since I was peering through the windows during its construction. Like many others, I was beating down the door and dined here opening week. When a restaurant is packed late evening on a weekday, you know it must be good. My friend and I took seats at the bar, the last two spots in the house. While it was chaotic, the bartenders, Jeff and Eric, made sure to chat with us while they finished previous drink orders. Bakersfields is simple: tacos, tequila, and whiskey. The menu consists of a dozen items: gourmet tacos, a few salads, and tortilla chips with dips. The drink menu features either tequila or bourbons drinks. Don't like those liquors? Don't come here. I detest bourbon, but absolutely loved the Bakersfield Margarita, which comes salted and served in a mason jar. If you're gathering for Midweek Margaritas, they also have a 64 ounce pitcher option. I ordered two tacos: - Huitlacoche: corn truffles, roasted poblano, onion, cojita cheese, and cilantro - Pastor: chili-marinated pork, pineapple, pickled onion, and cilantro Two completely different, amazingly delicious flavors. The Huitlacoche was my favorite, as I could taste all the flavors and ingredients. The soft, corn tortilla shells highlight the medley of toppings. Tacos are ordered individually, which is great for mix-n-matching your plate. You will need 3-4 tacos for a filling meal. Bakersfield's atmosphere brings another unique vibe to OTR. With a hip, Catina-inspired interior, Old West movies playing on the TV, and the music of Johnny Cash, the restaurant captures the ideal theme of Western and avoids feeling like Outback Steakhouse. Be sure to check out the chalk graffiti wall by the bathrooms! To top it all off, the service at Bakersfield is stellar. Not only were they adequately staffed for the crowd, but the food was just as perfect during opening week as if they had been cooking it for years. At the bar, Eric made helpful suggestions on what to order; Jeff told us all about their original mixed drinks. My friend had the Red Headed bourbon drink, which tasted like sipping on a Red Hot candy. (Sounded amazing...if I liked bourbon.) Jeff also mentioned that they can make any drink with an alternate liquor, or they can make any taco vegetarian. Sweet! Of course, our visit was topped off by a visit from Bakersfield's friendly owners, John and Joe, as well as resident OTR bartender, Cookie. Love is a burnin' thing, and I'm bound by wild desire to return to Bakersfield again...and again... and again. Price per person: $20.00
(5)
Mike L.

Had the Mole, Fish and Short Rib tacos. Simply delicious. Well worth the wait. Graeter's is one block from here as well. Yum!
(5)
Caroline M.

Awesome food and really fun atmosphere. Gets extremely crowded at night and when the weather is nice. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of their margaritas but I think I'm in the minority with that. Their queso with chorizo can't be missed! Word to the wise...don't lean against the wall in the bathroom line unless you want chalk all over your clothes.
(4)
Andy R.

One of my favorite taco experiences ever. Even my girlfriend, who is total anti-hipster and prefers burgers to brioche, liked the place. The food was great, each taco very well thought out. I had a beer but the whiskey and tequila selection was vast and called for my return, probably sans the GF and with a buddy ;)
(4)
Christine M.

Oh Bakersfield...you may not be a choice destination on the West Coast, but you are one of my favorites here in Cincinnati. I have been here twice, though in all honesty, I think about going again quite often. Too often (like every few days)? Ah...who's to judge? My first visit I had the queso and chips since I was starving (good, but a lot for 2), and then the Torta Milanese. I used the word orgasmic to describe that sandwich and I stand by the statement. I'm salivating now. It was magical. In addition to that out-of-the-park winner, I love me some tacos and those are very good here, too. I think I'm partial to the street food concept versus the typical 'American family Mexican' joints, so there's that. Match made in heaven. The menu makes me very happy. In its one page glory, it keeps me dreaming of combinations and wanting to come back for more, and more, and more. It consists of starters like chips/beans/guac/salsa and chips, then moves to salads (they also look amazing), tortas (we've reviewed one of those already), and tacos. Pure and simple. The food is gourmet but accessible. The ingredients are simple enough but wildly transformed. The tastes are out of this world. I think I may be mega-excited about Bakersfield since I've been looking for a place like this for the entire 5 years I've lived in Cincinnati. Coming here from the west coast, I feel joints like this were all over the place and they are necessary; I now feel a little more complete in the midwest. The ambiance here is great, though last time I went (had an hour wait) I was practically hoarse from talking so much and so loud. It's not something I mind...but I see that in the foreseeable future this place will be popular, packed, and a tad rowdy. Not in the sense of people dancing on the tables or anything....but then again, those margaritas in mason jars are particularly delicious and could take things to the next level? Regardless, it's a super chic and classy joint but not put on, or stuffy. You could come dressed up, or come as you are...it's the beauty of a non-pretentious menu, I think, to let the food dictate what people wear and how they feel comfortable. The goal of a great meal and a good spot is enjoyment, a full stomach, and hopefully a memorable time. That's been my experience so far. I recommend the Torta Milanese, the short rib, huitlacoche (cause everyone should try this once in their life), and pastor tacos. Interestingly, these are the only things I've had...I recommend them all. The front doors of Bakersfield open to the sidewalk and 12th and Vine area, there are a lot of people enjoying the food, the drinks ('tacos, tequilla, and whiskey' is a motto afterall). Come on in, there may be a wait (have a drink next door at 1215, like we did ), but you won't regret this stop.
(5)
Priscilla P.

Strong margaritas that are worth the price... but you definitely need to like the taste of tequila. Delicious tacos! Fish tacos and pollo verde :) delicious. Downside is that it's pretty cramped and packed all the time.
(4)
Katie F.

Alright, we were foolish-tried to grab dinner here on a Saturday night because we craved the guac. Turns out (of course) there was a 1 hour 45 minute wait. After killing time at the excellent Taste of Belgium, we finally got the call! We quickly ordered our food, and equally swiftly received our guac, with the delicious tacos following soon there-after. I loved the $5 shot and a beer-a boot-ful of PBR and tequila shot. When we were too full to finish the guac, our excellent server packaged our food to go. And then we inquired about a more traditional food-to-go (aka take out) system, and said they had it. Hallelujah! The next time I need my Bakersfield guac fix, I'm absolutely getting it to go. The reason they lost the star is atmosphere-first, waiting for so long (and no, they don't take reservations, we tried) and then the douchy people we sat next to. Is that fair to lose a star for? I'm not sure, but it did affect our experience, and would make us think twice about eating there verses taking out. Overall, again, great food, fun service, decent prices.
(4)
Julie T.

Their food is amazing and so reasonably priced. Some of the best guac in town and the veggie tacos are delicious. The only bummer is the wait time which can be ridiculously long so try to go during off times to try this place. Oh, the margaritas are better than the sangria too.
(5)
Jaime S.

Bakersfield has win written all over it! Amazing cocktails, unbelievable food and the price to make it all a regular stop. Bakersfield is finally filling a gap OTR needs! The menu is small, but every item packs a huge punch. I started my meal off with the queso + black beans. The cheese, served in an iron skillet, is perfectly melty, spicy and slightly burnt on the top. With fresh chips this is a great way to start your meal. My appetizer was perfectly complimented by one of the many amazing cocktails offered on the menu. I can't wait to split a pitcher of margarita with a friend. I decided to have a trio of tacos for my entrÃ©e. I chose both pork option and the short-rib. They were all 3 bite wraps of pure bliss. While it is hard to choose a favorite, the pork with pineapple salsa will be my go to in the future. I capped off my meal with a Jose Gorbachav. This coffee, tequila and horchata white russian mutant cocktail is the perfect desert for a truly perfect meal. Between me and my friends we tried all of the staples on the menu. My companions are all veggies or vegans and thoroughly enjoyed there meals as well. My only complaint is the noise, but that is just being picky. After a few drinks I was pretty much yelling everything anyway! Bakersfield is my new favorite stop in OTR. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Lex L.

Who needs another great review about the fabulous food and great atmosphere? This place stands alone in quality and consistency, great ingredients, and an always fabulous staff. I love this place and am always willing to wait for a table here. This is the first place I bring people who are from out of town. You guys make Cincy a better place to live!! Go here, order a pitcher and every taco they have and indulge why don't you!
(5)
Courtney C.

This is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in the Greater Cincinnati area. I honestly don't have a complaint about this place, other than the fact that it gets insanely crowded...but that just speaks to how great it is! I haven't tried anything yet that I haven't liked...the queso (with sausage and black beans), the guacamole, the tacos, the margaritas, the sangria...it's all amazing. I especially love the short rib torta. The atmosphere is trendy, casual, and fun. I went here a week or so ago with some friends, and we were quoted an hour and a half as our wait. No problem, but a little over two hours later we were standing outside, still waiting. The hostess was very apologetic about it, and once we were seated, she brought us free guacamole for waiting. This gesture was unnecessary, as we weren't in any hurry and knew that she didn't have any control over the seating situation, however it was greatly appreciated. It was so refreshing to see that kind of dedication to customer service, even though we were just another table on a packed Friday night. I already can't wait to go back!
(5)
Adam W.

Stopped by on a Dishcrawl for the tacos. Had the short rib tacos and the chicken tacos and nearly died of joy. The place was packed while we were there, and since it was a Dishcrawl I can't really rate the service - we just showed up and were served tacos - but the food alone gets them 5 stars. I will definitely be back since I would probably cut off an appendage if it meant getting another of the short rib tacos. Once we've been on an actual visit I'll revise my review to include service and atmosphere and all of that.
(5)
Jessie N.

My husband and I went to Bakersfield OTR for my 25th birthday lunch. Generally we tend to stray away from OTR as a general, but I can definitively say we will be going back just to visit Bakersfield. The atmosphere is cool, the food is delicious, and we thoroughly enjoyed their margaritas. Would absolutely recommend to a friend, and we will be returning!
(5)
Cynthia R.

I had been wanting to come here forever but was scared off by the long waits I kept hearing about. When I finally visited on a Monday for lunch we got seated immediately. The three of us sat at a community table but it was big enough that it wasn't awkward at all when a party of two got seated across from us. I loved the chips, salsa, and queso, and the tacos were phenomenal. I got the pollo rojo and huitlachoche (or 'hootie-coochie as our server told us drunk people refer to it as) tacos. Yum. And the margaritas... they went down easily and packed a punch. A+ for atmosphere too
(5)
Sally Y.

Feeling like tequila and tacos? Ready for a fun and boisterous atmosphere? Bakersfield is just the place for all of the above! Bakersfield is an awesome place in an awesome location. The cocktails are tasty and the tequila is delicious. The tacos are good, but not necessarily authentic, However, I don't think they're trying to be an authentic mexican taco restaurant, so I'm not too surprised or dissapointed about that. Definitely check this out if you're looking for a fun evening atmosphere or a great way to start off your weekend night. Make sure to also draw on the chalkboard wall by the bathrooms!
(4)
Matthew D.

Great lunch. Loved the tacos. Ordered a a variety since they come a la cart. Good service. Took a while to get the bill. Wait was not too bad. Not really a lot to find wrong with this place. I will go back for dinner to try the margaritas and a few more tacos.
(4)
Kim L.

My absolute favorite place ever. I love everything from the food, drinks and service. I would definitely recommend anyone to try this. My favorite is the guac and chips, and pastor tacos. I would give 5 stars but I think their tacos should be a bit bigger.
(4)
Ron A.

Bakersfield OTR is a restaurant inspired by the town of Bakersfield, California. If you don't know anything about this city it is known for two things: its music and its Mexican influence (I was influenced by a Mexican once and I ended up in the ER not sober on mescaline). At this little hole-in-the-wall on Vine Street you will find Mexican fare, tequila, and a wide range of slick, pop country/rockabilly music. I am, however, there for one thing: tacos. The tacos are all $3 or $4 and are all money. If I had to list a favorite it would be the Short Rib; it literally melted in my mouth and was one of the best tacos I've had in a long, long time (since Taco Bell introduced the Doritos Taco). But seriously, they are all amazing and blow all other taco joints in the area out of the water. Another thing not to be missed is their chips and queso dip. For $1 more you can make your queso's swag meter hit the roof and add some chorizo to it. Or you can be boring and save a dollar. It's up to you. Bakersfield isn't my favorite spot in OTR (there are so many good restaurants here it's really starting to become hard to choose a place to eat). And it's also not my favorite taco shop ever. But it is the best Cincinnati has to offer and you better believe that I will be frequenting Bakersfield OTR more than my cardiologist would like...
(4)
Jessica H.

I went here for the first time a few days ago for lunch. My husband & I got queso & tacos. This restaurant/bar has a really neat feel to it & I think that was my favorite part! The decor was unique with a modern twist on a western theme, the seats were cozy & the small space was done well. We ordered Chips & Queso b/c the photos from the reviews looked amazing, it was good but I probably will never order it again. Do not expect your traditional creamy Mexican queso.. It has a very different flavor & texture that I couldn't put my foot on, not my fave but we finished it because who doesn't like chips & hot cheese..plus we were starving. The chips themselves were great & I wish I would have just ordered salsa or guac. The waitress waited until we were nearly finished with our queso to take our meal order & that was a bit frustrating but once we ordered our tacos, they didn't take long to come out. We ordered the Pastor, Pollo Rojo & Cochinita Pibil tacos & they were brought out quickly on a large metal tray, they looked great, small but loaded with meat. The annoying part was they don't "double-up" on their tiny tortillas like most taco places, so your taco can't hold the toppings, it rips & spills. My favorite was the Cochinita & my husband was unimpressed but seemed to like the Pollo Rojo. Typically our favorite authentic tacos from most places are 'al pastor' & these pastor tacos were a but disappointing :( I think the pineapple & sweet sauce ruined it for me. Overall the tacos were decent but not the best I've had. I may go back if I were invited by friends for appz & drinks but not solely for the tacos.
(2)
Heather M.

Bakersfield actually does remind me of Bakersfield, CA. It is in a desert on the other side of the grapevine northeast of LA. The decor was rugged, desert look with its cacti and horns and the bricks walls. This place is tucked in the New Vine District in OTR. Just look for the lines of people in front of it. Since it is in OTR, parking is slim and awful. A lot of driving around to find an opening and don't want to go too far from the district since it starts to get unsafe. This place was ok. Very cramped and packed with people. We came at a lucky time because someone cancelled their reservations and had an opening for 2. It was literally packed. We had to squeeze through people to get to our small table. They had a nice craft beer list. I had a margarita and it was pretty tasty. It was served in a small mason jar. The food was pricey and small. This is not a place to get a meal. This is a place to have some munchies while you are drinking. I had the chicken tostada and it wasn't bad. My boyfriend had the pork belly and the pulled pork taco. The taxi is a palm size taco. The pork belly wasn't too bad. The mango was nice with the pork belly. The pulled pork was dry. I probably won't go here again. I'm not a person that likes cramped loud places.
(3)
Emily S.

Without hesitation, my inaugural Yelp review should begin with my most favorite place to eat in Cincinnati: Bakersfield OTR. It is a small, but intimate, restaurant in OTR that delivers an amazing experience. The wait is notoriously long, but it is easy to stop by another establishment to pass the time. Upon arrival, I immediately set my sights on a margarita, their world famous guacamole, and if someone will share it with me, their queso dip. While these initial items are typically on the more expensive side, (a single margarita is $7 and the guacamole and chips are $7), the appetizers can be shared between two to four people to reduce the cost. Likewise, ordering a pitcher of margarita can cover three to four people in order to split the cost. While many people are big fans of their tacos, I believe them just to be okay. Varying from $4-$7, they are a good price point, but their taste has never enticed me. I would much rather stick with the appetizers to share. If you are looking for an expansive, bar hopping experience in OTR, I would recommend stopping by Bakersfield for drinks and appetizers, but moving on to a second restaurant for dinner. Everyone that I have shared the Bakersfield OTR experience with have immediately become fans as well and continue to patronize their other locations. As Bakersfield OTR's popularity and demand continue to grow, I do hope they find they keep their atmosphere, food, and experience at top quality.
(5)
Kayla T.

I was searching for a quick bite to eat after visiting kingsisland for the day. I used the yelp app and it led me here. I was more than happy. The tacos were amazing. They were unique. The drinks were amazing and inexpensive. Bartenders were awesome. Definitely going back.
(5)
Charles S.

Parking wasn't a problem and this area of Over-the-Rhine is perfectly fine so those factors shouldn't discourage you from giving the place a try. I didn't have a problem getting a seat but this place has very little seating and I could see it being the sort of place that requires a long wait or being uncomfortably crowded. I really enjoyed my lunch here. I chose to be a glutton and try a lot of their menu. The guacamole is very good although you should be warned that it's a bit spicy. My wife's stomach is too sensitive to eat it. That just meant more for me. The short rib tacos are amazing. Also, most of the tacos are very hearty so two tacos is really filling. If you get an appetizer you'll probably only need a single taco more. Also had to try out this taco that uses corn fungus (I think?) and it was alright. I was glad I got to try something new. The margaritas are very good as well. The drink selection/prices were pretty good.
(5)
Bob D.

This place is great, still one of my favorites in the city.i went for lunch and only waited about 20 mins. (any wait under 45 is a success for this place) we had the chips and salsa to start, good as ever and a must try if this is your first time ( or at least the guacamole and or cheese dip) We sampled three tacos, the fish and 2 different chicken options. In my opinion, the best fish tacos around hands down. I also ordered the short rib torta, it which was very good but not something I would order regularly. The short rib taco is my favorite so I thought this would be a great alternative, and although it was very flavorful I prefer the taco option . I can't believe I am saying this but I think it was just to much short rib. The short rib itself is so flavorful, tender and rich that it was almost overwhelming. If your with a group I suggest splitting it because half was all I needed. And for 9 bucks I would just rather have a couple of tacos.... nevertheless, 5 star service and atmosphere. Great food plan and simple
(4)
Victoria K.

Bakersfield is one of the few restaurants in OTR that truly lives up to the hype. I have only been to both the Cincinnati & Columbus locations, and the only advantage Columbus has is size. I went to OTR with a group of girlfriends a few weeks ago. We put in a reservation around 8 pm on a Saturday night and were told 2 hours. An hour later, we were seated. Don't be afraid of the long wait times; it really is the luck of the draw. We split pitchers of margs & sangria, both of which are excellent. As far as appetizers go, I am in LOVE with the guacamole and would pass on the queso. All of the tacos are excellent. They have some for the adventurous (Short Rib & Pork Belly) and the traditional. 10/10 would go back and back and back again!
(5)
Nada B.

I've never had a less than great experience here and I don't expect to. Once you accept the fact that more often than not there will be quite a wait, there are really no negatives to Bakersfield. The food is always delicious..I've tried a variety of their apps, salads, tacos, tortas, and tostadas and all were amazing. Their guac is hard to beat with huge chunks of avocado and it goes great with their verde salsa (soo good). This is a go to for small groups or taking out of town guests.
(5)
Rishabh G.

The place had a 2 and 1/2 hour wait, which tells a lot about the place. Food was great. The PRB bear for $2 is a must try. Very nice ambience. Love it!
(4)
Shelley C.

This place.... I. LOVE. THIS. PLACE! Why have we not been here before? Seriously? I mean this this place is just plain bad a$$! Do yourself a favor and go eat here ASAP! It is DELICIOUS!! We have been hearing a lot about Bakersfield and everyone says there is always a wait, so we must have lucked out because we went on Saturday about 1pm and walked in to about a 30 minute wait, however we there literally less than 5 minutes when 2 people got up from the bar and I used my cat like reflexes to sneak in and grab the seats! Jackpot! Cue the Margarita & Beer!!! I ordered the Bakersfield Margarita and my boyfriend ordered the Agave Wheat Draft. My margarita was excellent, you could definitely taste the tequila in the drink! Even though the bar was packed the two bartenders were both very attentive and very friendly. They both checked on us a couple times while we were enjoying our drinks and looking over the menu and chatting. We decided to start with the Chips and Queso and loaded it up (black beans, chorizo and house pickled jalapenos) - yummmm-o! We ordered a short rib taco, which by the way will change your world, (so just go ahead and order this now) another order of chips and a small guac. Let me first say that the short rib taco, was so full of braised short rib, there is no way I could eat more than one with the chips and salsa we already had. The meat was a perfect balance of spices and blended so well with the fresh crema, fresh queso fesco and the crunch of the radish....it was to die for. Second - the guac - I rarely, like never order guac out because no one can ever make it right, it is always mushy or tastes like you are just licking an onion. But Bakersfield gets its right. It is chunky, a nice blend of avocados, onion and spices, ...the only thing missing for me was a little tomato....otherwise it was perfect. Everything tasted extremely fresh, that was one thing that I immediately said when we started eating, you could taste how fresh everything was. I loved everything about this place. From the food to the staff to the decor. Everything is a perfect fit for Bakersfield OTR. I highly recommend you stop in and grab some food and beverages ASAP! Sit at the bar, their bartenders are THE BEST! It will not disappoint! I cannot wait to go back! Thanks Bakersfield OTR for some kick a$$ food and drinks! See you next time! #BakersfieldOTR #BakersFieldOTRRocks
(5)
Maggie G.

I love the food here so much which is why I gave it 3 stars but the service is something to be desired.. For the first time in months I received amazing service from Tyler the bartender. I was so pleased! I couldn't even get eye contact from the bartender Sara, and she rang me out FOR Tyler! She literally just plopped my check in front of me, no "thank you", most importantly NO EYE CONTACT! I even said" thank you" to her loudly and still nothing, she pretended to not hear me.. I will keep coming here for the food, and I think the bartenders here know it so most of them feel like they don't need to give everyone good service.
(3)
Kaitlin D.

Meh. We had reservations for a large group on a Friday night. We had to wait a little longer, so we went and had a drink elsewhere while waiting. When we came back, we got seated pretty quickly and our server came over for a drink order. When we got our drinks, we expected to be asked for our food order, but that didn't happen, so we socialized a bit and I began to wonder if our server would ever return. She then came back and asked half of the table if they wanted appetizers. Only a couple of people did, and she skittered away. When the guac and queso came, we started snacking on those, but again weren't asked if we wanted to order anything else. My husband and I were in this for some tacos, so we did our best to avoid the chips and save room for those, but we just couldn't get an order in. Upon our server's next visit, someone perked up and mentioned ordering some food, which she scribbled down and began to run away again when someone else started rattling off an order--this was met with "Oh! So we're all going to put in food orders now, then." Super sassy and not really happy to take the orders. When the tacos came out, they were served on communal trays, which was a bit of a hassle when she named things quickly and it was hard to hear in there, let alone reach the trays across the table. Just not a good or smooth experience at all. The corn tacos were nothing to write home about, but the short rib was melt-in-your-mouth and full of flavor good. I will never forget how delicious that taco was. Because we were here on a busy Friday night, things may be a little skewed, but I didn't leave as the hugest fan of this place. I could see it being a great stop on a slow weeknight and if I lived closer, I would probably come back on one of those slow nights and order a beer and a couple of those short rib tacos. Otherwise, I wouldn't suggest bringing a group here or expecting much of the rest of the food (I can't speak for it, but I don't think anyone else was thoroughly impressed).
(3)
Babak B.

So Cal Mexican in Cincinnati? You betcha! Done right! And that's coming from a So Cal guy who considers Mexican food a staple. 5 stars
(5)
Gwen B.

We came here on a Saturday night for dinner while visiting my in-laws. We put our name in and the wait was about an hour and a half which apparently isn't bad for OTR. Everywhere in OTR was packed and Bakersfield was no exception. Thank goodness it was worth the wait! The restaurant has share-picnic tables in the front and that's where we ended up being sat (along with other patrons at the end of the table). My brother and sister in law had been here before so they had good recommendations on what to order. We started with a pitcher of margaritas and chips/guac to share between 4 of us (the 5th person ordered beers). They love the fish and short rib taco and advised us to order 3-4 tacos each. I got one of the short rib, one fish and one of the pollo rojo taco per the waitress's recommendation. My husband got one of the "spicy" tacos and found it a little too spicy for his taste. I tried it and it was a smidge spicy for me even though I have a higher tolerance. The fish and short rib definitely lived up to the hype and if I ever come back, I would get two of each of these. They were both awesome in different ways and we found our meal to be totally, wonderfully delicious! Compared to DC, these prices were ridiculously cheap so I would come back to Bakersfield without a doubt!
(4)
Shawna H.

Excellent food and great service. Although Bakersfield does offer some gluten free options there is high risk of cross contamination because they do not have a dedicated fryer. They also brought my tacos and my boyfriend's tacos all on one plate. The tortillas used for tacos are gluten free but my boyfriend had fried fish tacos. I felt like as a precaution they should have separated our food. I have a wheat allergy and I am gluten sensitive but I did not get sick from eating there my first time. Bakersfield is more of a bar/pub so the menu is not huge. I hope hope that they will one day change their menu to denote what is gluten free and what is not. The server did do a good job of letting me know about the cross contamination ahead of time though and I really appreciated that. I will probably visit this place again in the future because the food was delicious.
(4)
Elle S.

Excellent food. The tacos are individually purchased which allows you to get a few different options. I liked all the ones I tried. They are about $3 a piece. (Cheaper and way better than Nada.) the guacamole is hands down the best I have ever had. It's insanely amazing, and what makes Bakersfield one of my fav places to eat. The margaritas are the best in town, if you get a good bartender. I was there while they were filming the A&E show and the margarita I had that day was awful. Hope they served Guy a better one. The atmosphere is unique. They play old western movies on repeat and old music. It's a mix between the "I just left the office" crowd and hipsters. I would fall into the "I just left the office" category and have found the other a bit annoying/dramatic at times. Not the bars fault tho. There is usually a long wait as its a small space with limited seating and great food. It gets kinda crowded.
(5)
Mira C.

Veggie-friendly taco place! Great options and amazing food. The chunky guacamole is one of the best I've ever had!
(4)
An N.

I really like coming here because of the fish tacos. They're really good and fresh tasting. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Lee M.

My goodness. If you like tacos like I like tacos, you will love this place! They serve tacos like you find in taco trucks. Small (4"), with just the right amount of delicious filling to make you keep wanting another! The taco fillings are also incredibly creative and go far beyond what you will normally find at other good taco places without seeming inauthentic. Come here with friends and will be very fun. The large tables are perfect for groups (if you don't have a large group, you'll probably be seated at the same table as another small group). Your whole group's tacos all come out together on a big platter, which makes for a fun and festive presentation. You may want to just spend all day here!
(5)
Lindsay T.

I have been here so many times and the food is always 5 stars! There is always a wait, so be prepared but it's always worth it. We always put our names down before we get hungry and wander around OTR until we're called. Always get the chips and guacamole, it's delicious and comes with chunks of avocado. I've tried almost all of the tacos and they're delicious, but my absolute favorite is the short rib. Bakersfield is one of my favorite restaurants in Cincinnati :)
(5)
Phil A.

Bakersfield has phenomenal tacos. Best in the city in my opinion! I love going there for margaritas and guacamole as appetizers to delicious tacos. Their guacamole is seriously the best I've ever had. The atmosphere is casual western; nice wooden tables and a cool bar. There's little to dislike about it. It's a bit pricey, and that's a downside, but honestly it's worth it. The only problem with it, and the reason I don't go there as often as I'd like, is it's a small restaurant and it's ALWAYS packed. I've never gone in there and sat down immediately. I always have to wait. Too long, didn't read: my complaint is it's always too crowded and I can't get in there to eat their delicious food without waiting for awhile first, but this is a must-visit restaurant because it's delicious.
(4)
Katie B.

I don't often say a 2+ hour wait is worth it, but there's always an exception -- and this time, it's Bakersfield. Everything you've heard about this mecca of a Mexican restaurant is true. From the margs to the tacos and guac, this place is amazing all around. If it weren't for the extreme wait times, I would legitimately go every week. I've been many times and each experience has been amazing, but this last time was the cherry on top of an already delicious sundae. My friends and I had been anticipating our girls nights for months, and about three days before we planned on going, I realized "oh crap, we have 12 girls. Does Bakersfield even have a table big even for us?" I quickly turned to my trusty Facebook account, and wrote a message to Bakersfield. They responded within a few hours assuring me they had the space, and to contact their general manager via email for details. After talking things over with him, he eased my nerves of getting a table for 12 on a busy Saturday night, and even stopped by our table that night and offered [what was later determined to be] a complimentary pitcher of margs. Say WHAAAAT. I didn't think it was possible, but you truly out did yourself, Bakers. Major props to this OTR staple, their staff, and their delicious tacos, guac and queso which I'm salivating for as I type. Can't wait till my next visit!
(5)
Thomas B.

The only downside that I have for this place is that, if you order a few tacos, the tortilla gets a little too soggy for my taste, or it eventually just falls apart. Don't get me wrong, I love the juices and the flavors, just wish that the tortilla held up a little bit better. I had the short rib, pollo rojas, and pork belly pastor. Definitely would recommend all three of them, with the short rib being the best. The pork belly was awesome with the pineapple on it. The chips and queso is delicious. We just got it plain, but definitely going to add more to it next time. And you can never go wrong with a margarita. Just had the house margarita, but heard that the hot margarita had just enough kick to it. Service was awesome. Was here for Cinco de Mayo and the tacos were out of the kitchen in 5 minutes within ordering. Was expecting a 30 minute wait, but it was very fast on such a busy day.
(4)
Courtney P.

I might be the last person in town to try this place but sorry I'm not waiting 2 hours to eat. Which why I came on a weekday afternoon for lunch with co-workers; no line no wait! I've been wanting to try Bakersfield for like 2 years and finally my dreams were fulfilled. The place has 5 stars for a reason: it's delicious. While I didn't drink during this lunch outing I have previously had their margaritas which are very good and strong! I also noticed they have a shot of the day on the wall near the bar which sounds fun and for $3 cheap. My group shared chips with guacamole and queso (delicious especially when mixed lol). I ordered the short rib taco (delicious) and a pollo rojo taco (delicious). Yes I paid $8 for two tacos but when it's the greatest taco you've ever had what's wrong with that? Our server was friendly and accommodating. The only thing I didn't like about this place was the music. Believe the hype...this place is awesome.
(5)
Stephanie P.

Disclaimer - I live in Texas now, so I'm a little biased when it comes to tacos. This place has the best tacos I've ever had...in the Midwest. If you are from Nevada, New Mexico or Texas, it's just not going to compare. Their margarita menu alone is not enough to compete with the big dogs down South. That's why I can't in good conscience review this place at 5 stars. Hating aside, these tacos are pretty damn good. I still go every time I'm in town and that is after eating tacos practically daily in Texas. I've had the majority of the tacos here (nothing else on the menu outside of chips and salsa) and I always remove the cheese since I don't eat it, but I consistently go back to the pastor. For some reason, it's my favorite taco. I also like that the tacos are priced individually instead of in platters so you can mix and match. The chips and salsa are really good (and I hear the queso is out of this world, but again, I don't eat cheese), but I hate that you have to pay extra for it. This is the only Mexican restaurant I've ever been to where you pay extra for the chips and salsa. The guacamole is amazing and worth getting. Guac is really easy to make and check out on since it's easy to skate by on - this is worth paying $7 for. The mixed drinks (both the sangria and the margaritas) are really good, but there is very little variety on that part of the menu. I wish they had a really good specialty margarita instead of different levels of a traditional and one traditional spicy. Their entire menu consists of three margaritas and one sangria (rose is the only option). I would really like to see a seasonal selection like watermelon, peach/blueberry or even an upscale strawberry. Their mixed cocktails are less successful to me. I dropped in for drinks alone with a friend once (my sister is a waitress here and her boyfriend is the head chef, so I try and frequent even when not eating)...and the bourbon cocktails were not good. I believe she had a red headed stranger and I had a manhattan. I'd be willing to chalk this up to one bad experience and give them a go again, though...but perhaps I should just stick to tequila here. My one other lament is the lack of a dessert menu and brunch. Some tres leches or sopapillas here would be (literally) icing on the cake. I think they could also be very successful with a brunch menu consisting of various breakfast tacos (which are HUGE in Texas). Bunch overall is sadly lacking in Cincinnati. Overall, while this review may seem somewhat critical, I love eating here and will still continue to go. There definitely isn't anything else like it in the Cincinnati area.
(4)
Amy D.

I had brunch with a friend at the bar here. The wait for a table was about half an hour but it was not too difficult to get a seat at the bar. We started with margaritas. Whoa the margarita is strong. The margarita was totally delicious and a great start. Based on recommendations we also ordered the queso with chorizo which was amazing. It is also served with two delicious varieties of salsa and of course chips. We also sampled a variety of tacos, the short rib and pollo rojo which were both well plated and delicious. I would definitely order a few tacos at a time because they fill you up quickly. The service was fantastic and the food was great. Pricing was decent too. We will definitely return!
(5)
Arvind M.

I have heard so much about this place so felt it was time to try it - but the wait is ridiculously long - waited about 90 min at Lackman bar to get a table for 3. The location is in the Rhine area - it's a transition from rundown ghetto down to a modern upscale territory. Pretty significant change in culture when u drive into the Rhine area. But once u make it - the ambience changes and u feel you are part of the high class. The restaurant itself is busy - had that bar feel to it but the food and the ambience is perfect. Food is mostly Mexican and while limited for vegetarians the 3 dishes are tasty! Tacos are traditional sized tapas and he filling for the mushroom option is rich in its taste. The Rajas version wasn't bad either. But I fell in love with the tostada that I ordered it twice - of course it was also small so it took two to complete my meal. Lettuce mixed with some aioli sauce at the bottom piled on by a sandwich of tostadas with blackbeans and topped with tomatoes, guacamole, and sour cream. Of course I also requested some habanero sauce! Oh this was really good!!! In addition we ordered a pitcher of red Sangria which actually reminded me of Pims in London. Light drink at first but hits u strong at the end! This was accompanied with an order of chips and guac. Though I felt the guac was made really sour but hat goes away when u have the sangria :) Definitely a trip to Bakersfield is a must and don't forget to try that tostada!
(5)
Allie N.

Come here for: the guac (delicious, fresh, amazing) and the chicken + chorizo torta. Ask to spice up your margaritas UNLESS you order a pitcher (every fresh jalepeno will settle in the bottom of the jug and the last marg out of the batch will burn like you are drinking lighter fluid!) Servers are hit or miss. Have had an awful experience when a hostess mixed up our group reservation for a friend's birthday when seating parties (their friends) out of line. Hoping this improves...but overall the food is very good, fresh, quick + affordable and that outweighs serving/management issues to us. Just know there is a trade off!
(4)
Michelle M.

Very rarely do I feel like I need to write a review while I'm eating... Short rib taco... Is amazing! I feel strange declaring that it's the best one I've ever had since I live in South Florida but it is. Perfectly seasoned and heavenly. The guacamole doesn't disappoint either. Some of the best I've had outside of my own kitchen. Short trip to Cincy and this place made it great!
(5)
Jonathan L.

This. Restaurant. Is. Amazing. It's also nearly impossible to get in without waiting at least 30 minutes to an hour. This is both a testament to how many people agree that Bakersfield is one of the best restaurants in Cinci and how insane it is that they don't take reservations. Anyway, the guacamole shouldn't be mentioned with Chipotle's guac unless "is way better than Chipotle's guac" is the theme of the sentence. The margaritas are strong without being overwhelmingly alcoholic. The tacos are superb; they're probably the best tacos I've had outside of Mexico. Pro tip - order take out and have a picnic in Washington Park. The dinner may be sans tequila but at least you'll be able to enjoy two of Cinci's best places at the same time.
(4)
Marissa P.

Their guacamole was amazing, queso to die for, and their margaritas were great. Not a fan of the music.
(4)
Alison M.

This was a must-stop spot when visiting my friend who lives in Cincinnati. Expect a wait but they will call/text you when your table is ready so you can head to grab a drink at any of the bars in the area (we chose Taft's Ale House). The short rib tacos are divine and the spicy margarita is on point. Love the decor, the old Western movies playing on the TVs and twangy country music. Staff was super courteous and helpful to a first timer too. I would definitely go back or check out their other locations when in the area.
(5)
Steve M.

Awesome decor. Love wood mixed with historic brick walls. Yummy tacos and tortas. Excellent drinks.
(4)
CJ W.

By far, my favorite watering hole in Cinci! Mexican style taco and tequila bar. I've eaten just about everything on the menu. Warm chips and guac, chips and queso, black bean dip, ALL their tacos as well as the tostados. Everything is made fresh in house and ALWAYS tastes amazing. Each night there is a different shot special. Tequila jumps of the shelf at you (especially if you get the other of margarita). They even have $2 boots of PBR. I've taken the parents, friends, newbies, oldies and it is fabulous EVERY time. Captain Awesome, aka Kasha, is my server request each time. She makes us feel like part of the family!
(5)
Erin J.

Expensive. However, these folks know how to make a divine Margarita. So, get ready to dive in. Tell your wallet to succumb to a part-time job. The tacos are worth the overtime. (TIP: Get there before Happy Hour. It gets crowded, quickly.)
(4)
Esther K.

Token girls' night out spot for us! Queso is ermergerd good and the tacos are delish! I prefer getting the short rib sandwich... because it's incredible. Drinks are cheaper than a lot of places in OTR. Margaritas, sangrias are super delicious and you can't beat a $2 boot of PBR! Will be going back again and again and again!
(5)
Kelly M.

I live in Oxford Ohio and came to Bakersfield which had scored high marks from my mom and sister. We checked in to the hostess stand and were told we had a 30 minute wait and could sit at the bar while we waited and we gave our phone number to the hostess. After 20 min of waiting and one beer later, we noticed two ladies walk in and give the hostess attitude for wanting a seat right away. Five minutes later, the hostess sat the two idiots, then saw us and told us she was "sorry, they were right there" and we would be given the next table in 10 minutes. I was told OTR has a chill environment, but I can't find myself relaxed when I'm surrounded by people who can't follow the most simple job of a hostess. Our server also left halfway through our meal and we were given a replacement. The short rib taco was delicious and I enjoyed the selection of beer. I was overall let down by customer service and won't return unless my mom and sister are choosing.
(3)
James C.

Tacos and tequila, it doesn't get better than that! The great atmosphere and creamy guacamole make this a great go to in OTR!
(4)
Nevena K.

My favorite place in OTR!!!! Life-changing short rib tacos and really fresh guacamole. Their Margaritas are the best in Cincinnati, if you are thinking of getting more than one or have at least three people go for the pitcher. Wifey loves their Chicken tostada with a burning passion, I am more of a taco lover... Depending on the day it might be more or less spicy, it keeps you on your toes, but the waiters are attentive and efficient so you will have plenty of water for the heat. The salsas that come in the squeeze bottles are delicious. I love the green one with cilantro and Lime ( Salsa Verde) and Wifey loved the smoky red one. DO NOT BRING YOUR KIDS HERE, the tables are high and the atmosphere is that of a loud bar. It is great for adults, but not suitable for kids. Feed them waffles at Taste of Belgium instead. Also, there is no room for strollers or high chairs,this is a small restaurant and since they don't take reservations you will have to wait.
(5)
Karli W.

Their queso is a thing that dreams are made of, but the wait is a bunch of BS. Quite frankly, I'm biased, because I don't always enjoy the hype given to OTR restaurants. I've been to some of them, and they're usually good. But between the ridiculous waits and how cramped they can feel, it just isn't my thing. I prefer to go somewhere relaxing where the atmosphere allows me to have a conversation. Bakersfield and those like it, just aren't the places for that. So, again, the food. The queso is killer and the tacos are good. Butletsbereal. I've reviewed Django and prefer them because the hype-factor makes it more practical to attend. Parking is a mess on the weekends in OTR and I'm not willing to wait an hour to be seated. (An hour?! For tacos?! %@#$#!) I went for lunch with some co-workers one time and we got there at 11:30 and I don't think we waited. That's the only time I'd suggest going: early lunch, on a weekday. If you've heard that you just HAVE to eat at Bakersfield, and you're willing to wait, you'll probably love it. But if you're a local and just want a chill night out, I'd avoid it altogether.
(3)
Samantha M.

Before getting into the service, let me just say I love Bakersfield and come here very often. I love the variety of tacos, the sandwiches are HUGE, and the margaritas sing to my soul. Can't decide between queso and guac? Definitely get the gauc, you won't regret it. Despite having awesome mexican street food, the service here truly deserves one star. On multiple occasions I have been served by a young lady with platinum blonde and purple hair. Every. Single. Time I am served by her, this is what the service cycle looks like: asks for drinks, we wait an abnormally long time for drinks, she brings them and quickly runs off and I have to flag her down for some gauc. Then once all the chips and guacamole, and all margaritas are completely polished off, we sit and wait. and wait. and wait. I always have to flag her down for her to take our food order, she never checks in on us, and I feel like my dinning experience is unimportant to her. If you plan on eating here, request to sit at the bar: that's where their service truly shines. Avoid the purple/blonde server at all costs. Bakersfield, you're lucky your food is amazing. Step up your service game.
(3)
Amanda T.

I went on a weekday around dinner time and there was still your typical Over-the-Rhine wait. They have limited space to wait like most restaurants in OTR. There is a small patio in front where you can have a drink while you wait. I would check in though periodically with the hostess though because she supposedly called us at our phone number to give us a table, but we never got the call. When we finally checked she quickly got us the next table, but I would check in regardless at this restaurant. Hopefully they have figured out the seating situation by now. You do have to pay for chips if you want any as a starter, which is unfortunate. I feel like tortilla chips should be like bread at an Italian restaurant, and at most places it is, but I guess since this is OTR you have to pay for your tortilla chip starter. The guacamole was average. I'm not a huge fan of guacamole though so I am not the best judge of that. Most people order a mix of tacos. You order each taco individually and most people need about 3 tacos. The waitress was very helpful in giving recommendations. I do not eat spicy food so I tried the fish taco and it was scrumptious! The sauce was unique and really good. They were a bit messy to eat, but they looked pretty before starting to eat. They have some TV's where they play old movies. It is brick and has a darker feel to it. It was good food, but it is a bit pricey. I prefer Mazunte over Bakersfield, but wouldn't be opposed to eating here again.
(4)
Patty C.

Absolutely loved it - some of the restaurant spaces, in OTR, can be like you're packed in like a sardine. Bakersfield does a good job of utilizing their space. Love that the menu is so simple. My margarita was awesome (tart and refreshing!), loved the guac (love the lime - could have a few more diced red onions and a smidgen less chunky), the short rib torta was fantastic and my favorite taco of the night was the conchinita pibil. Seriously, the best taco ever. The only disappointment was the chicken tostada. I didn't want to buy into the hype but Bakersfield is awesome!
(5)
John A.

I've been to Bakersfield many times - Great food, cool atmosphere and continuous spaghetti western movies on the TVs (a plus if you're a Clint Eastwood fan;). All of the tacos are great - The shrimp and fish tacos are my favorites. Be sure to try the fresh guacamole and chips appetizer - lots of tasty chunks of fresh avocado and radish add an extra dimension to the flavor. Definitely give it a try. Lines can be a little long at lunch, so go a little early or late.
(4)
Tiera A.

Bakersfield is definitely an OTR favorite. They have a great atmosphere, great margaritas and their food is amazing. This place is always crowded but their crowdedness is completely justified. Every time I've been there, the staff was very friendly and welcoming. This is a great place to go with a group of friends (expect a lengthy wait) but it's also a nice place for date night for two (not as much of a wait). When I go with my friends we typically try to find a spot at the bar which is usually much faster than waiting for a table. Tip: Try the Spicy Margarita! YUMMMM!
(4)
Katharine F.

Love the atmosphere and the margaritas and the tacos and the list goes on! Definitely worth a trip for lunch, dinner or just hanging out with friends!
(5)
Rudy N.

The fish taco and the case so is amazing but it is very hard to get a table here even on a weekday without waiting
(5)
Ben D.

I avoided this place for a while because it seemed too "hip" for my taste, but I went recently for lunch when my mother was in town visiting, and enjoyed it so much I've been back now a few times since. My only complaint is that there isn't enough seating! The staff is always friendly and helpful; they have good recommendations and are definitely hustling to move food and drinks fast. The ambiance is fun and quasi-casual. The drink selection is good, and the bourbon/tequila specials are great. They also serve beer out of a boot, so there's that... The food is the real star here for me though. The tacos are great, but I love the chicken chorizo tostada! Amazing! Prices are reasonable too; doesn't get much better than this!
(5)
Crace S.

I'll keep this short since there are so many reviews. I agree with my homey Nathan F. I really want to like Bakersfield as much as everyone else. But I can't. It's in the heart of OTR and hipster heaven. The menu is small but decent. I had two small tacos that were close to $4 each and was left wanting to hit Chipotle or Taco Bell on the way home. The chips and guac are pretty awesome and met the hype. The bar itself is narrow and pretty small. The music selections shift from folk rock, classic rock and country and may sprinkle in some punk now and then. The tv's regularly show spaghetti westerns and shoot out films from cinema's black and white glory days. The beer selection is ok. Everything about the place was ok. But not taking reservations and expecting people to stand for hours for gourmet tacos isn't my thing. Going along with the hipster vibe they do have PBR on tap and it comes served in das boot. Kitchy, right??? Great for a date, lunch or chilling when it isn't crowded. When it is I urge you to avoid this place at all costs.
(3)
christina k.

The guacamole and salsa are really delicious. Tried the mole and pollo rojo tacos. They were tasty but not worth the $4 price tag. Gomez Salas around the corner is is just as good if not better for half the price.
(3)
Khiemo S.

Awesome tacos! I got the fish, pastor and short rib tacos and they were fantastic! Great margaritas too! We also got the cheese dip with chorizo but you have to eat it while it's hot. No good after it's cooled down.
(4)
Keith C.

We really enjoyed Bakersfield OTR yesterday. The restaurant was very clean, had good food, solid service, and offered a unique dining experience that you won't be offered everywhere else (which makes me happy). I am always hesitant to blindly take my wife and two 6 month old children somewhere, but considering it was lunch, I didn't hesitate yesterday when we set out for Bakersfield. When we got to the geographic vicinity of the restaurant (OTR), it was a pain to figure out parking / and how to walk there due to the construction going on within the streets - obviously has nothing to do with the restaurant, but it did take my wife and I another 10 minutes longer than it otherwise would have had this not been going on. Once we finally got parked, I checked in at the restaurant and it was packed. I thought to myself, "must be a good sign if it is still packed at almost 1:00PM", so I put my name on the list and scurried back out to the street to collect my wife and kids and get them into the restaurant. We got seated promptly, and service was ok - we had a new server that really didn't have a ton of knowledge of the menu - he knew it was our first time and really couldn't offer any significant suggestions other than what could be read off the menu. We ordered the Johnny Salad (5 stars), Plain Queso (3.5 stars), Guacamole (4.5 stars) and 6 different varieties of tacos (collective 4 stars). In general, everything was great. Our only regret was not adding anything to the Queso; they have the option to add black beans, chorizo or jalapenos - we unfortunately chose plain. The salad was far better than we had anticipated and the Guacamole rocked. My favorite tacos of the six we ordered was Pastor (chili marinated pork, pineapple, white onion, cilantro) and the Fish (crispy Mahi, tabasco lime sauce, citrus slaw, cilantro). I really liked the ambiance and the overall experience that this restaurant had to offer. I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)
Kimmie N.

I love their margaritas my friends and I always get the pitcher definitely worth it! They are known for their guacamole & chips, their queso is also delicious! Must try!!!
(5)
Tim S.

My favorite place when visiting Cincy. Relatively concise menu but still tough to decide on all the delicious tacos and tortas! Good news: the tacos are small so order many! This is not your generic Tex-Mex, friends. This is real Tijuana-style street tacos, like you would find in Tijuana or San Diego (I've not been to Tijuana for fear of having my organs harvested, but San Diego is old stomping ground so I do know what I'm talking about). I suggest going at off-peak hours to avoid the wait. Like lunch at 2pm or dinner at 4pm. Otherwise, it's tough to get in. Dining by yourself is also easy given the bar size and small tables, or pull up a spot at the picnic tables and start talking to someone.
(5)
Anjelica P.

Came here last Tuesday night with my Boyfriend and his cousin who brought us. He told us that Bakerfield has the best Margarita in Cincy and he was spot on! We got the Queso with black beans & Chorizo to start. DELICIOUS!!! We each got tacos, which were amazing. Deff check this place out!!
(5)
Lee L.

CINCINNATI: This awesome little restaurant is as hot as a Mexican girl at sunset. So is the food! Ambience: (4 stars) I get welcomed into this trendy little joint by a super friendly and approachable gal who gets me set at a perfect table for observing the place. The music is a cool (and loud) hipster track list with a lot of Johnny Cash. I'm digging the Ring of Fire song as I pour my authentic sugared-up Mexican Coke. The ice cubes in the glass grab my attention: huge cubes-actual cubes-not weird trapezoidals or little dodecahedrons. When was the last time I saw cubes like that? Immediate conclusion: this place pays attention to the details. Service is great (5 stars) everyone is nice. The servers chat with me to keep me company as the guy dining by himself. They even sneak me some tastes of the excellent guacamole. Big plus, non-bureaucratic waitstaff. Queso (5 stars): They brought out this skillet filled with queso and piled high with jalapeÃ±os. It's Olympic. The top layer is straight up jack cheese and has been broiled to a bubbly dark brown. Reminds me of the delicious exterior of a roasted marshmallow. The house-made pickled jalapeÃ±os are spicy but awesome. The best way to describe the taste of the queso is to compare it to a $20 lobster Mac I had the other day at a high end steakhouse. The Mac was the best dish at the steakhouse, and the sauce tasted very similar to this queso. Definitely buy it. Tacos were terrific (4 stars): listed in order of my preference: Pastor: I was surprised, but these were my favorite, even above the famed short ribs. The meat was very tender, the spice balanced against the pineapple, and it had the right combo of onion and cilantro, sweet and savory, spicy and sour. Excellent! Huitlacoche: This vegetarian taco was schooling its meaty brethren. The cotija cheese, mixed against the flavorful corn, onions and more...Boom! Flavor punch! Short Ribs: These are famous for a reason: they are incredible. Super moist and tender meat, paired with savory and pickled sauce and toppings. Whammy. Fish: Excellent fish taco. Not fried, highly flavorful, excellent slaw, not too wet. Just right for the small corn tortilla. Carnita: This one packs some heat. It was spicy and delicious; the pork was a little dry, especially when paired against those ribs. The pickled onions saved it, though, and hit me with a burst of flavor. Mole: The chicken was a little too dry, and the mole flavor wasn't coming out like I had hoped. I dream of mole like an anorexic dreams about brownies, but I wasn't picking up on it. The pickled onions on top were amazing, though, as was the other fixings. My rec to chef: Add more mole! Smother that chicken! Make it the chicken version of the short ribs-nice and saucy, that's how we like it! Table Salsa: The verde was fresh and flavorful (3 stars) and the red chipotle was bangin (5 stars), I could have enjoyed it all night but my stomach quit after the queso and 6 tacos. Highest rated Mexican in Cincinnati for a reason.
(5)
Jeff B.

Some of the best tacos you can find in Cincy! The menu is fairly concise, but everything that I've had on it has been great. Definitely start with some Guac and cheese dip, they're both awesome. All of the entrees on the menu sound pretty great, but I usually just go for the tacos. The fish taco and short rib tacos are my go to. Fish tacos definitely feel like some that you would have in California, and the short rib are just all around deliciousness! You also can't beat the beer prices and margaritas here. Their house margarita is great and not badly priced. Plus $2 PBR, I mean come on! I would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for great tacos and good drinks!
(5)
Kristen W.

Divine! The fish taco was amazing. The staff was friendly and our order was taken and delivered very quickly, without sacrificing quality. This place is worth the (usual) long wait.
(5)
Lauren J.

Bakersfield is one of my favorite places to go for a great margarita! All the ingredients are fresh and you surely can taste the difference. This visit I went with a few co-workers for small bites and drinks. We only had to wait 15 minutes for a table, which was awesome! OTR restaurants can sometimes have a longer wait during those hours, so we truly lucked out. We ordered a variety of food to share which was delicious. I'm definitely keeping Bakersfield on my radar for future visits. Great visit as always!
(5)
Stefanie F.

I'm going to be the lone dissenter here, I guess. I make better tacos at home. I also make much better guacamole at home. None of this is hard. I don't get the raves.
(3)
Tyler M.

I had been reluctant to review this place after two mediocre experiences. Every time I drive by this place it's packed, spilling out of the restaurant almost. I kept telling myself: "You must be bakersfielding wrong." It's not you, it's me. I'm really glad I gave them another shot. This time, I told our server how I had been underwhelmed before and asked her what three tacos would blow me away. Jesus take the wheel. I wasn't disappointed. First, we started with chips and guac = wow, that guac is easily the best I have had in the city. It had this nice little kick to it, nothing overbearing, but just enough to really set off the flavor. Then, per our server (Laura, I believe? She was awesome), I ordered the short rib taco, the pastor, and the fish taco. The fish taco was definitely my favorite, with the short rib and pastor following shortly behind. Without booze, lunch came in around $14, not bad for the amount of food we had. I still think I would choose the tacos from Nada over here, but I'm not sure how fair I am being comparing the two. The moral of the story: I'll be back to get some more of the best guac of the city and to experiment with the tacos.
(4)
Hannah P.

I was so excited to finally get in here to try the tacos and margs. This place is delicious and lived up to the reputation its got. For a party of 2 we were told an hour wait. It ended up being only ~35 minutes. The place is "intimate" inside because it's quite small but the servers are still incredibly attentive and friendly for as busy as I'm sure they are. The guac is a total must!! It was so creamy and by far the best guacamole dip I've ever tasted. I had the spicy margarita that included jalapenos for an extra kick. It wasn't too spicy that it overwhelmed. I thought the regular margaritas were too sweet and sour. I tried a trio of tacos, and they may look small but three tacos and the guacamole will fill you up! The pastor taco with pineapple and pork was my favorite. Reasonably priced too.
(5)
Damian M.

Woooooow! Those tacos are amazing, home made tortillas, fresh ingredients, delicious! I also like the tortas, short rib is particularly good! Don't miss on guacamole, the best ever!
(5)
Andrew G.

Food is decent, but the margaritas are the best around. Normally a bar/restaurant might get a star taken away for okay food, but the staff is so awesome i couldn't do it. The staff is crazy knowledgeable and a lot of fun to be around and that is something else considering you can barely walk around in this place when it is busy! Great drinks and awesome staff is what makes this place a constant hot spot.
(5)
Eugene K.

If you're in the mood for mexican food and drinks this is the place to go in Cincinnati. Much better than Nada and it's friendlier on the wallet!
(4)
Amber K.

Hands down THE best guacamole I have EVER had! The cochinita taco is also amazing if you like spicy food. Ask for a skinny margarita, still tastes amazing but has less calories!
(5)
Bridget S.

I love this place. Their queso and chorizo dip is amazing, along with the fish tacos. I'm always pleasantly surprised when the bill comes that it's also pretty affordable. My only complaint is that the place isn't bigger. There is a reason why the wait can get up to three hours on the weekend. Go with a smaller group to get a seat at one of the communal tables.
(5)
Kelly M.

Solid food and yummy margaritas, if you can deal with the wait, this one is a winner!
(4)
Samantha M.

Awesome tacos that you can purchase individually allowing you to try different kinds. The only downside is the long wait.
(5)
Tim F.

This is an amazing place. I am a local business owner and I endorse Bakersfield every chance I get. Fun, fast, friendly, consistent, servers. Great food!! Such a great OTR hotspot!!
(5)
Caitlin R.

I try to visit a place a few times before I review it. The service tends to be hit or miss here. I have had rude servers who refuse to pre-bus anything off my table when I'm done with it, others who were rude and annoyed with my 3 yr old nieces presence in their restaurant, and other servers who blew me away with their kindness and helpfulness even though we came in a half-hour before close. The appetizers here are the bomb and reasonably priced. I cant seem to go in without ordering the queso with chorizo and/or black beans as well as an order of guacamole. The tacos are good but a little overpriced for their size. Tacocracy in Northside serves up much larger tacos (equally as delicious) for the same price. Bakersfield also only offers corn tortillas. Obviously not a big deal, but i personally like flour so i was a little disappointed. Every day Bakersfield has a $3 shot and $2 PBR boots. They also offer pitchers of sangria and margaritas. All of these things combined make it a great place to stop in and grab a few drinks and apps during happy hour. It may not be the best sit down spot for a special occasion if you want 5 star service, but it is perfect for a casual get together with friends.
(3)
Sara C.

Bakersfield is good. The tacos are great, the drinks are delicious, the atmosphere is cool...but when I have taken the time to get ready to go out to eat, drive to the restaurant, find parking on Vine street and then I'm told Ill need to wait an hour and a half for a table on a Tuesday night and no we don't take reservations, I get angry. Like really angry. THEN hours later I'm seated at a round community table and forced to eat my tacos while awkwardly making eye contact with a group of strangers that i would probably never hang out with...though I'm sure they are nice people. Long story short...No taco is worth 1.5 hour wait. I'll just make tacos and sangria at home with my friends.
(3)
Dina M.

So first if you want to go...make a reservation! Second if you'd didn't don't go..we were told it was a three hour wait and they were not taking names any further ...I would have waited however the margarita was only as good as what I can get out of a premade, chips and salsa were good but when you say you aren't taking names and you have 10 servers on it bodes that either you are a poorly run establishment or 1/2 your kitchen staff called in...note to the owner...you are losing money with the manner it which this is run!
(1)
Veronica E.

Tasty, but expensive. I went with two friends. We each had two or three (teeny tiny!) tacos and a beer each. At a total of over 40 bucks it's disappointing that we all left hungry. Service was great, our waitress was very attentive and the hostess was very good about keeping us updated about when our table would be ready, but the atmosphere was so loud I had to shout to the people I was eating with. I'd consider going back, but only if I wasn't very hungry. There are places with tacos just as good and margaritas just as strong where getting a filling meal won't break the bank.
(3)
Greg H.

Last night around midnight, my fiancee and I were having trouble finding a spot for a late dinner. (BTW, why do so many bars close their kitchens early? Liquored up clientele can get pretty famished, um, so I've been told.) Walking up Vine St, we were directed to Bakersfield, which keeps its kitchen open until 2am. That seems like a smart move, as evidenced by the wait for tables even at midnight. Bakersfield specializes in fancied up Tex Mex, and they have it down pat. They specialize in tacos, and offer a unique variety that are small and tidily served on house made soft tortillas. I tried four different varieties, and all were delicious. My date had the salad, which was also good: topped with hearts of palm among other non-standards toppings, and homemade dressing. Props to the service as well. The host was really responsive, and tracked us town the moment two seats went open at the bar, and later approached us to ask if we would prefer a table when one opened up. The bartenders were exceptional--a little eye contact, and they were coming your way. I wish some other bartenders in the vicinity, for whom I need to shoot flares for service, would take lessons. They were crowded not simply because they were the only place open, but because their food & service is really good. I'll be back.
(4)
Caleb H.

Great bar/restaurant with excellent Mexican street food styled tacos. Try the mole tacos - make sure you get the nachos with their great house made salsa as well!
(4)
Rachel F.

We walked by at 5pm and they were empty, after a few pre dinner drinks they had a hour wait... I didn't quite think a texmex place in downtown Cincy warranted that on a Monday night but when we went back at 11pm for a night cap it definitely deserved the praise. We ended up grabbing a few $2.00 PBRs and $3.00 Four Roses shots, and after smelling -- yea thats right smelling, our neighbors guac we had to grab a late night snack. It was easily some of the best guac I've ever had.. only Maddie O.'s is better. If I lived around here I'd be eating short rib tacos, guac, queso fundo, and all their other delights at least once a week.
(5)
Mark F.

Everything on the menu taste great! service is excellent but it is even busy on Sundays. Put your name in early. Entertaining and fun. Even my picky eaters liked it.
(5)
Kenny S.

Being from California, I was incredibly skeptical of a place that advertises tacos. I was blown away with how good it was. I had the Short rib and Fish tacos. The Fish tacos made me feel like I was back at home. They also have little boots of beer that you can get for great prices at happy hour (not a giant boot mind you, but still good). I think it was PBR that they were offering for that, but it was so cheap it was totally worth it. They also had happy hour tequila shots that were good as well. The cheese dip and Guac is to die for. This place does everything so well that I had to go back the next day because my hunger for great Mexican food was rekindled after living in the mexican void that is Cincinnati. You will not be disappointed by going here.
(5)
Abigail G.

Fun, group setting, bar atmosphere. Selection of bear good, including selection from cincinnati's own home town breweries. Best tacos I have ever had! Had the fish, huitlacoche, and short rib tacos. Very delicious. Got chips and salsa to go. Salsa verde was mouth watering. Gave us a huge bag of their store made chips to go. Definitely the place to be for food during the day in over the Rhine.
(5)
Taylor S.

Loved the food. Hate the wait.
(4)
Jim S.

Great Baja Mexican with excellent salsas, one is smoky chipotle tomatillo and the other is tomatillo, lime and avocado. Great taco selection and you have to try the spicy margarita....Excellent service and house made corn tortilla's Sunday afternoon and was crowded and great variety of music playing..Loud, but plenty of fun to be had. The only down side was I thought my guacamole had too much lime in it, but otherwise, we would go back again and again.
(5)
Cliff K.

Yeah I went there. DO: -No idea. DON'T: -Tacos $3-4 each. Not worth the money. PARKING: -Street parking and paid lots in OTR $3-4 for a taco? No thanks. I tried the pastor and the fish taco. The pastor didn't have the explosion of flavor that I usually expect from this dish, but the addition of pineapple was nice. I've tried a lot, I mean a lot of fish tacos all over the US and this one was disappointing. I can't even remember how it was, which means it wasn't good. I would rather get fish tacos from Del Taco for less than $2. Yeah, I went there.
(2)
Gera G.

Bakersfield OTR is a cool little place in the heart of OTR Cincinnati. Everything on the menu is amazing. The drinks: They have great sangria and great margarita by the pitcher. I also recommend getting them mixed. Delicious. They have Mexican coke if you don't want alcohol and always have good drink specials. Tacos: Amazing is all I can say they are so well thought of and the flavors have you begging for more. I'm not a huge fan of the chicken but the short rib, steak and others are amazing. Guacamole and Queso: The flavors of the guacamole and queso are amazing. The guacamole has a little kick to it and huge chunks of avocado. The queso is delicious and perfect. It's easy to fill up on guacamole and queso before your tacos arrive. The menu is simple and delicious the drinks are good and the atmosphere is awesome. You will be planning your next visit as soon as you leave.
(5)
Yang W.

This is one of my favorite after work, happy hour places in Cincinnati. The taco's are very tasty and their drinks, like the sangria and margarita, are well made. The drinks are on the artsy side, which matches the hipster vibe of OTR. Favorite foods - All the tacos are good. Sure, it's $3 for one but it's delicious.
(4)
Joseph C.

Bakersfield is fantastic. They have a very small menu of apps and tacos, but they really don't need anything else when they do those so, so well. Also have an extensive bourbon list to go along with craft beers and cocktails. The place is continually packed, and the wait may take forever, but once you get those tacos you'll see why.
(5)
Shama M.

This place has an awesome and fun ambiance. The staff is very friendly and their drinks are STRONG. The guacamole is my favorite. This used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Cincinnati, particularly because of their fish and cochinita pibil tacos. Recently, I've seen the quality of tacos fluctuate a bit, but I still love this place!
(4)
Leisa W.

BEST. GUACAMOLE. IN. THE. MIDWEST. What is the matter with me? I thought I had reviewed Bakersfield long long ago. I love this place--let me give you the good and the bad though: Let's start with the bad (at least in my book): Often crowded, with a ridiculous wait, and a noise level at approximately the same decibel level as the Indy 500. I can't eat like this, and I certainly can't enjoy it. That's about it on the bad. I'm going to go into the good in a moment (and there is lots of good), but I want to let you know that ALL the bad can be avoided if you go early, or on a random weeknight, or (sometimes) for lunch. Woohoo! So the gloriousness that will be addressed below can be yours, without too much difficulty. 1) the decor. I love the idea, I love the feel of the place, with it's wood and warm colors and beautiful bar. I think it hysterical that when I lived in LA, we all made fun of the actual town of Bakersfield, but I like the idea of making something cool out of it. 2) the music (when you can actually hear it). Waylon, Willie, Johnny Cash--love it. 3) (Most importantly): the food! As I mentioned before, the guac is spectacular--just exactly how I like it, very avocado-forward with nice chunks. Every taco I've ever had there is delicious: different, interesting, and tasty. My husband and I usually like to get a salad and 2 tacos and an order of chips/guac, and share it all. We leave fat and happy. The regular margaritas are pretty good; I haven't ever had the top shelf one but $12 is a bit steep for me for a margarita. In my opinion, the only thing this place is missing is an outside dining deck--but what can you do, the space is small. You should definitely go--just go early before all the hipsters get there!
(4)
Mariano P.

All I need to say is woooow....bad azzz! Sangria....damn
(5)
angie r.

In town visiting from CA and so happy to have some amazing tacos. Great for vegetarian. The guacamole is perfect. And really wonderful service. A must!
(5)
Golnaz P.

I was a little scared about going here because I knew there is a great chance I was going to have to wait a long time to be get a table. I got lucky though and was seated at the bar right away. I started with the famous guacamole. Totally understand all the previous reviews. Order this. It is delicious. The tacos looked amazing but I settled for the carne asada and the vegetable one (truffle corn is what caused me to order this). The carne asada was too spicy for me. My taste buds were seared off, but it was still delicious. The vegetable one was amazing too. The prices are super cheap ($5 guac and chips, $4-5 tacos, $3 beers). Parking is not so great and the area is sketchy.
(5)
Hank R.

This is the exact opposite of an authentic Mexican food experience. The food is over-priced and served by a staff of complete WASPs (always the best taco experts, naturally), but they over-charge because they're in the new "cool" kid neighborhood and serve food in crazy dishes. They like to play Westerns on the big screen TVs to make sure the entire experience feels plastic and fake. Skip it if you care about experience, food price, or atmosphere. If you want to be seen with your new fedora, check it out.
(1)
Brandon A.

When i went there, it was about noon on a Sunday and there was no wait, but from what I am told any other time like dinner time its packed and I could see that being true since it a pretty small place. That being said if you don't like waiting on a table go during off hours. We ordered some chips and guac as an appetizer and it was amazing- and I am not a huge guac eater so that should say something. My main meal were the short rib tacos and wow- some of the best tacos i have ever eaten. I might be a fatty but I could have eaten two orders as the portion size was a real portion and not the inflated fat american size. Overall the atmosphere was good, server was friendly and attentive and pricing was reasonable for being close to downtown. I'd say it is a good place to swing buy sometime during non-peak dinner hours for some amazing tacos.
(4)
Brian C.

Great food and drink. Noisy, but good atmosphere.
(5)
Doug S.

Took forever to finally get here but it was worth the wait. And quite a wait it is! You can pretty much expect an hour minimum wait on any given night and I haven't even tried on the weekend yet, have to assume it's brutal. They take your cell phone number which is great so you can go to a nearby bar for a drink (Lackman!) or just walk around and browse. Then they call you when your table is ready. I really like this system. Wish more places would do it. The food is awesome and reasonably priced. Service has always been friendly and polite, maybe not the quickest but as packed as the place always is, I think they do pretty good. The shot specials are great too; been now on Tuesdays and Thursdays and both nights have a tequila shot special for $3 that is exceptional! I forget the names of the liquor but damn they're good. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite restaurants in town.
(5)
Greg M.

Yet, another winner on Vine in OTR! The tacos, guacamole & margaritas are all outstanding!!! Expect a wait (75-90 mins at 8pm on a Thursday), but there are plenty of places to grab a drink while you cool your heels in this hip little neighborhood!
(4)
Corey T.

So last Tuesday I went to Habeneros for Taco Tuesday and thought they had the best tacos in Cincinnati. Well Bakersfield by far has the best tacos in the entire state!!!!! I had our bar tender bring us 6 fandom tacos and all 6 were amazing and so good that I recommend go hungry and order one of each taco. The vibe and theme is definitely one if a kind and by far my new favorite spot not only just for Taco Tuesday but of all the places I have tried in Cincinnati yet!!!!!
(5)
Wendy R.

We stopped here for a late lunch (~2pm) and the place was packed on a weekend and we did grab the last available table without having to wait. The guac dip was fab, even my 3 year old loved it. The have a great beer selection but do also suggest their margaritas! My husband got some tacos and they were all tasty. I had a short rib torta and it was very tasty and filling. I could only eat 3/4 of it after all the guac and chips. A little on the louder side but love the laid back atmosphere and my kids loved it too.
(4)
Elizabeth L.

*Disclaimer: I am from soCal, home of the best Mexican food in the States. Nice, but average ambience. Kind of like the seating though on the long, high cushioned booths (remember ladies, the man who sits on the booth side-- not the single chair side-- is a big no-no. Besides, you should be the one seated first). I got one fish taco because I wasn't hungry. Standard "American" sized taco (which means not "Mexican" style: tiny, but dangerously delicious). It was whatevs. The toppings with the red cabbage was good. But other than that, nothing I'd come back for.
(2)
Stacey H.

We visited over Thanksgiving break and had a short wait as to be expected. I had a wonderful passion fruit flavored wheat beer (5 rabbit Lizard) which was amazing. We got the guac to share which is a huge portion for the price. I only ate 2 tacos which was filling enough with the guac. You can't beat the price! So worth it! Also, they are putting a Bakersfield on Mass Ave. in Indy and have recommended it to many of my friends there!
(5)
Victoria K.

loved their quac the best I've had in this area and also their rib tacos but wasn't too impressed with the queso dip and the other tacos
(3)
Marissa W.

I honestly thought there was no way this place could live up to the yelp hype, the hour and a half wait, the keeping watch of your cell lest you miss the call your table is fiiiinally ready. But with the first bite of that awesome guacamole, and a sip of my very strong margarita, I realized there's a reason Bakersfield is as popular as it is. It's just that good. We tried the corn truffle, pastor, mole, short rib and fish tacos, and would rank them in that order of increasing tastiness. And our waitress, Alexis was great (she also used to teach yoga classes we attended, so that was fun). Plenty of food for two and a bill under $60. We'll definitely brave the wait again.
(5)
Marie A.

lives up to the hype. great food, service and atomsphere. parking is a pain but worth it. give this place a try and go early! place gets packed!!
(4)
Chad G.

This place rock! The tacos were excel, but more importantly my party had a wonderful time. Great place place to grab a few drink and a bite to eat. Try the short rib tacos!
(5)
Nathan F.

I want to like Bakersfield, I really do! But I just don't :( It sounds like a great Idea, a taco and tequila bar. I love Tacos and I kinda like Tequila so awesome. I guess what I really don't like is the atmosphere. It's so loud in the place that you almost have to yell when you're sitting right next to someone. The servers are hard to hear when they're trying to do their jobs. Maybe a few acoustic panels would make the place much more enjoyable I felt like the tacos were a little over priced for what you get. Now mind you that they are tasty but they are tiny but not priced tiny. I guess that's what you get for being in OTR. I won't choose to go back to Bakersfield but if the group is going I won't not go. I'll just make sure I eat beforehand
(2)
Curt R.

I'm a native Southern Californian living in LA, so I know my Mexican. And I gotta say I was pleasantly surprised by the authentic flavors offered in Bakersfield's tacos. We started off with some chips and guac - both solid. I had the Pastor, Fish, and the Huitlacoche (Corn truffles) tacos. All three were tasty, but the Pastor was the standout of the trio. The fish was probably the weakest, but that's 'cuz I've tasted the glory that is Ricky's Fish Tacos in LA, so no harm there. The house margarita was delicious and not too fancy or trashy - just right. Great atmosphere and style with a little open air patio overlooking Vine St.
(4)
Andrew H.

Long wait, but good food. Great Margaritas. Loud atmosphere.
(4)
Ella E.

Food is good but not worth paying so much for when you can go to an authentic Mexican restaurant for better tacos. You are paying for being on Vine st. and safe but not for the quality of the food. Good ambiance inside.
(3)
Emily O.

I love everything about this place... They have the freshest tacos this side of California... A small but still enjoyable outdoor standing/patio area... And they offer beer in a jar shaped like a boot. Every time I've been in at least one customer has been wearing a sombrero. It's a great atmosphere, and I will continue to spread the word about eating there!
(5)
Jennifer D.

So, I went ahead with 5 stars- because I have never tried to wait in the insanity that is prime-time dining. I've heard of people waiting 3.5 hours or so to get in here. For me, late night is where it's at. The black bean queso is to die for. I think I've gotten it every time I've been here. I don't even like CHEESE. Yes. Queso means cheese in Spanish. AND...ME GUSTA MUCHO! Yeah, I do. The queso, a taco and a boot of $2 PBR. This is the stuf that after 10pm dreams are made of. Throw in a few friends who live or work down the street, and you have the makings of a regular. That'd be me. The bartenders do a great job- we tried a shot of strawberry infused tequila. I was so sure I didn't like tequila. I guess I was wrong! The atmosphere is a bit kitschy- but they make up for that with chalkboard walls. The world is your canvas- or at least the walls are. Cute boys, please leave me your number. ;)
(5)
Mallory T.

Amazing margaritas and def not priced bad for how strong they are. I ate at the bar with a friend, the bartender was nice and made some funny jokes. I had a fish taco which was so good and my friend had the friend chicken sandwich which also tasted delicious. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Lynn L.

Great drinks. Great tacos. Reasonable prices. The small size of this place is my only issue. You'll need to bring some luck with you after 6pm on any day of the week. Expect to wait at least an hour to be seated. You just have to go there with this mindset so the wait is more tolerable. The food is really worth it. While waiting, my friends and I socialize at the bar or on the patio, sharing a margarita pitcher while chomping on chips & fresh guacamole or sometimes the chips & queso (w/ chorizo)... Both are so good, it's hard to choose which one....so usually, we end up ordering both. I've tried all the tacos on the menu and there is not one that I don't like, though my favorite menu item is the Johnny Salad. Mixed greens tossed with avocado, slivered almonds, hearts of palm, cotija cheese, and a dressing that melts in your mouth. Bakersfield OTR is a great addition to the City. The name itself incites a native Californian such as myself to think "why would a restaurant in the mid-west be named such?" Farm land & cow tipping are the only things that come to mind when I think "Bakersfield." On my first visit, I learned from the owner that the place is named in tribute to the "Bakersfield Sound", a genre of country music that emerged in the 1950's in and around Bakersfield, CA. The tacos served here are attributed to the Mexican influence in the Central California region, including Bakersfield. Enlightened by all of this - the menu selection here and the ambiance of old western movies playing on the tv's, country music in the background, and PBR's served out of a boot made more sense. Tacos, margaritas, and a history lesson. Two thumbs up in my book.
(4)
Robert M.

May be the most authentic and good Mexican food for 300+ miles. Really good tacos. Amazing and fresh salsa. Love the dÃ©cor. Look for drink special each night. Can be super loud and expect waits on the weekends.
(5)
Ashley B.

I'm vegan, and I had some kind of bean taco. It was just fine, nothing to remember or go back for. But I WILL go back for their margaritas. Their atmosphere was super fun, too!
(4)
Samuel C.

Delicious!!! Similar kinda deal as Nada except its more of a country western kinda feel. It's very casual and turns into a bar at night. I love the mole and fish tacos and they have some if the best guacamole I've had in my entire life.
(4)
Glen G.

Great. Outstanding. Food is very tasty. Communal environment. Margaritas will knock you to the floor. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
John H.

Great addition to the OTR community. The place has a great, intimate vibe, while still keeping it casual and fun. The bar has a great selection and the bar tenders are very helpful. The service staff is quick and attentive. The menu is small, but what it lacks in options it makes up for in taste. The service is fast, friendly, and professional. The Sangria is phenomenal. $20 a pitcher and you and your three closest friends are in for a very good night. Definitely an affordable, fun night out.
(5)
Matt R.

I'm a taco snob. The tacos here are amazing. They are small, but delicious! The corn tortillas are made in house, and made perfectly. The salsa is made fresh (a green and a red) and hit the spot! The chips are nice and warm too. I went on a Friday around 5:30pm to avoid the rush everyone talks about. The two of us sat down without a wait. Our server was very friendly and did a great job. We ordered the queso dip which was heavy and very tasty. All the tables have two containers of salsa so we used those on the extra chips from the queso. We shared three tacos - pastor, cochinita, and the short rib. All three were made perfectly, and each was served with a lime slice. I also had their take on a Michelada (a type of mexican preparation of a beer) which was very refreshing as I was hoping for. My other friends, 6 of us in total, were showing up around 6:30 so I put our name down for that group at 6:15pm. They said 1.5 hr wait. We had drinks near the bar where they have a middle section to put drinks/dishes on, but no seats. Great margaritas, good bourbon selection. Since people weren't leaving their tables, the waitress offered us free guacamole. Sure. Then when the guacamole came out, the server felt bad since no one was getting up from their tables (since it's a great atmosphere to spend the night in) and told us to order the food we wanted, and she covered the whole bill - drinks and tacos! So I got the fish taco too which was very good. It isn't a tiny place, but since the area has so many people going out at night, it gets packed quickly. You can still get food at the middle section near the bar and eat standing up, or come early and you'll be guaranteed a table. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(5)
Minh V.

The tacos were very tasty and each one delicious in its own way. Especially enjoyed the short ribs and the fish, which had a nice pickled slaw to go with it. The house salsa was also very good on everything. Owners seemed like nice guys and were genuinely interested in feedback. All I can say is, keep up the good work and you can never go wrong with a mason jar of margarita.
(5)
Lorilie K.

Best tacos in the entire Greater Cincinnati area, period. The guac was one of my top two or three ever. Great Sangria that went down easy. Service was good. The place must have been designed by a guy because the lady's room is one at a time - seriously???
(4)
Brandon W.

I was waiting for so long for this restaurant to open, and then it did...and it was severely underwhelming. The one thing that sets this block in OTR apart from all the other neighborhoods is that each place has their niche and they do it extremely well. My friend and I split all the tacos on the menu and they were good...they just weren't anywhere close to mind blowing. The food gets three stars, but I give the beer selection -1 star. PBR!? Are you kidding me!? This is Cincinnati! You mean to tell me you couldn't find a better beer then PBR!?
(2)
Ameet C.

I was dying to visit Bakersfield after reading about all the hype and hoopla on twitter since it opened a few weeks ago, and I must say, that Bakersfield did not disappoint me one bit !!! I went there last Thursday evening with my friend. I am usually nervous about parallel parking, but luckily there was a public parking lot just across the street, so that worked very well for me ! As soon as my friend and I walked into Bakersfield, we were lucky to get a table immediately. We got a table by the window and it was fun to people watch outside. The ambiance is very "Western" and the place was packed. I loved the interior, the exposed brick walls and the ambiance. Now coming back to the food : We ordered chips and guacamole to start off, and I am not exaggerating when I state that that was the best guacamole I have ever had ! The chips are made in house and they were pretty good. The server was very friendly and helpful and she made us some good recommendations. The menu is not extensive, but whatever items were on the menu sounded delicious. We had chicken tacos and they were very good. I had two chicken tacos and even though they were not huge, they were quite filling and flavorful. I have to say, that the place was a bit noisy, and sometimes I had to border on yelling to make myself heard to my friend, who was seated just across the table from me, but then to me, it's all secondary after eating all the fantastic food ! I couldn't get enough of the chips and guacamole and there are so many other things I want to try from the menu and for this reason, I will DEFINITELY be going back to Bakersfield !
(5)
Andrea S.

My fiance and I lived in San Diego for two years and have had a serious craving for good Mexican food since moving back to Cincinnati a few months ago. A different Mexican restaurant in downtown Cincinnati that we had frequented never gave us the vibe that the food and drinks were the passion. Bakersfield OTR has phenomenal food, great drinks, and awesome decor to boot. We tried almost all of the tacos, the signature margarita and the sangria (correction, TWO sangrias!). Everything was tremendous. We haven't had salsa verde (the green one) that came close to Ponce's in San Diego since moving back, and it may have been better than I remember. I want to give all of the people who made Bakersfield OTR possible a big hug. Truly. Thank you for bringing one of the best things we remember about San Diego to Cincinnati.
(5)
Richard H.

Went for dinner 4/4/2012. Split a Chicken Taco, Fish Taco, and Beef Short Rib Torta. The food was excellent with a special tip of the hat to the Beef Short Rib. My fiance had a margarita and I tried the Sangrilla. The Margarita was average and the Sangrilla was terrible. The beer list looked attractive and we will surely go that route on the next visit. We shared a common table (I enjoyed this actually) and was very busy for a Wednesday. Would have given 5 stars if not for the drinks. Returned 4/10/2012 with a couple friends for a few beers and tacos before the Reds game. $2 PBR drafts (in a boot!) and $3 Bulleit Bourbon shots were easy on the wallet. Had 1 Huitlacoche and 1 Short Rib taco, and split the queso. I would recommend all three. Showed up at 5:30 and there wasn't a wait.
(4)
Eleni K.

This place nails it with amazing cocktails, ambience, and food. The queso with chorizo is heaven. Johnny salad is great, and the tacos el pasteur are my fave!!
(5)
Kailani N.

hands down best margs in cinci. and i'm from california. aka a snob.
(4)
Kara L.

The 1.5 hour wait was not worth the wait for me. I'm a vegetarian, and the veggie tacos both contained somewhat indiscernible brown flavorless moosh in a tortilla. I don't recommend the tacos to other vegetarians. If you want to munch on the queso, salsa, and/or other appetizers (I got a side of black beans and those were also not bad), these are pretty tasty. But as a main dish, the veggie tacos were SO disappointing. How hard is it to screw up a taco?
(2)
Joey Z.

This is one of my new favorite spots in Cinci.... Great atmosphere, great food, and very reasonably priced! Creative drink menu and straight forward taco menu.. Had chicken, braised pork, and short rib... All excellent and you pay per taco! Expect a 40 minute wait on weeknights and up to two hours on weekends but if a bar spot opens up, grab it because you can eat at the bar. Another great thing about the restaurants on this strip is they will text you when your table is ready, so you can check out another place for drinks while you wait for your table.
(5)
Cory P.

I wish we had a Bakersfield in Appleton, WI. I would become a squatter and live off of their tacos!
(5)
Will M.

This place is a winner. To start with the bad: - Very crowded. This is good, this is bad. It's a function of the popularity, though, not the setup. You have space for yourself, it's just a matter of how long it takes to get that space - The theme. Sorry, I'm not a fan of the whole western cowboy motif. I know they're going for the whole Buck Owens thing, but I'm not feeling it. The cowbow beer mugs feel kitschy, the John Wayne movies feel lame. It's just not cool to me. - The price. 2 people with smallish appetites ordered guac, 8 tacos (they're about 3 bites each), 2 cocktails and 3 beers. It was dangerously close to three figures. Costly for what it is, and something people should take note of before bringing a date here - "Corn Truffle." Can we call this what it is? It's infected corn kernels. Google "Steve Don't Eat It" to see what this stuff is. It could be a case of not being hurt by what you don't know, but I feel like calling this "corn truffle" is a way to hide what you're actually eating The good: - I may not be head over heels for the theme, but at least it's committed to it. This isn't white trash Kenny Chesney country, this is true country. It's not to my taste, but I respect how it's done. Heavily respect. It's country done with class. - The staff. Hipsterish, it is OTR, with a slight country dash. Bartenders seemed to be meeting everyone. - The food. The guacamole was outstanding. The tacos were outstanding - The drinks. Good beer menu, good cocktail list I usually hit one of A Tavola, Senate or Abigail St at least once a week (usually A Tavola.) This will compete heavily in that mix.
(5)
Brad B.

Best tequila bar ever. Spend the $52 on the shot of Louis...I did and it sipped beautifully. Very knowledgable staff.
(4)
Marie E.

We went on a Monday night. Wait time 1.5-2 hours. We went elsewhere. Second try Wednesday night. Wait time 1 hour. Okay, more reasonable but really on a Wednesday night @ 8 pm I am still not into a 1 hour wait. Could I handle it if the margaritas were off the chart and the food was to die for? Yes, but neither was true. I am giving this place three stars because I like the theme, atmosphere, and trend towards spicing up Vine Street. Here are my concerns. 1) We ordered two pitchers of margaritas for four people. We drank them all. Nothing. We might as well have been drinking the Margarita mix from the grocery store. I tasted very little if any tequila. I know they put some in there. I saw them do it, but the margaritas were not good and didn't taste any different then the "are these from that smoothie machine" margaritas you get at the random Mexican restaurants around town. Maybe I am spoiled. When we lived in Charlottesville, Virginia we had this place called The Continental Divide. They had amazing Margaritas. 1 and 2/3rds was all you could get through. Exactly. No more no less. They were fresh and delicious and wonderful and I miss them every time I have a so so margarita. People waited outside for hours on end for one of their 7 or 8 booths. Their motto was "too loud, too small, too busy, too bad", but people waited. Why? Because the margaritas were awesome. I know i am not living there anymore and I have to let those delicious margaritas go, but I had high hopes for this place and was sadly disappointed. 2) Corn Tortillas are typically delicious. I just wish restaurants would take the time to throw them on some heat for just a minute or two prior to serving. It makes them taste so much better. These tasted undercooked and they only give one per taco so you spend most of the time scraping food out of your palm when your taco falls apart. Here is the good 1) Guacamole was delicious. 2) Queso with black beans was very satisfying 3) While the wait was long the hostess did a great job of standing up to some very rude people who took the opportunity to "grab" a table directly from the bar as soon as it was cleared even thought they were nowhere near their turn on the list if they had their name on the list at all. They were asked to move and continued to stay there even trying to get another waitress to take their order who didn't seem aware that this was happening. She went back and was more firm and they went back to the bar where they belonged. I think this place could be great and I would probably go back if the wait isn't crazy.
(3)
Amanda B.

I've been here twice since they opened and I've been really impressed both times. Great tacos. I love the way you can mix and match single tacos. The margaritas are excellent, so get a pitcher!
(5)
Shelly L.

tacos fabulous. drinks fabulous. guacamole is to die for. value is wonderful. service is not the best, so minus 1 star.
(4)
e w.

This place is terrific! Despite the crowd, we got great service. We ordered the queso and chips, the fish taco, the short rib taco, and the pork (something) taco. Everything was so good my husband and I can't stop thinking about our dinner there. Can't wait to go back. Great combinations of flavors and very affordable ($4/taco). Margarita was great too but I'm not a tequila expert.
(5)
Jennifer M.

It was ok. We went before a Sunday show, around 4:30, so it wasnt so crazy crowded as it usually is. Unfortunately, we were still seated at a giant round table (there were two of us), with the understanding that others would be sat with us. At a long table that would be fine, I found it a bit uncomfortable at a round table, but maybe that's just me. Our waitress talked us into the "famous" Bakersfield margarita. DO NOT fall for this! It was one of the worst margaritas I have ever had. Pretty much tasted like Sweet & Sour mix right out of the bottle. Way too sour, no taste of tequila or lime. I couldn't even drink mine. The guacamole was excellent, as was the Queso with Chorizo (though the Queso Fundido at Django in Northside is better). The tacos were all pretty good, none of them were amazing. We tried the Cochinta Pibil, the Short Rib, the Fish and the Steak tacos. The fish was definitely my favorite. And the two sauces that they brought out in squeeze bottles were excellent. Overall, it was fine. It was pretty cheap, so I would come back if it weren't crowded. But I would never wait to eat here. Especially not with Senate right across the street...
(3)
Yalda M.

A bit overpriced in my opinion and the food is good; fun with a good atmosphere. Margaritas are especially strong, (hurray!), so it's a good place to have drinks with work buddies and friends after a long day.
(3)
lisa w.

oh my god. too much testosterone. too many wannabe hipsters. too much. too.
(2)
Holly S.

Don't worry about the food, just have a margarita--Bakersfield's are the best in town---be sure to order a pitcher.
(3)
Shauna W.

Pretty good. Want to try it again.
(3)
Nadine P.

Kudos again to Alex (owner) for investigating and proving my charges were accurate. I appreciate your going above and beyond to ensure your reputation and I humbly apologize for MY mistake. Rest assured, Bakersfield is as good as it gets, from the food to the management.
(5)
Denelle A.

In the new and improved OTR community I was excited to check this place out, unfortunately I was disappointed. After being seated right by the door, I still couldn't hear my fiancÃ© as he was yelling from across the small table because of the blasting loud music. Hopefully the food would be Bakersfield's saving grace. Sadly it was not. The guacamole had so much lime in it that it made it taste salty. Definitely one of the worst guacs I've ever had. And when our food arrived I was just as disappointed. The tacos were ok, and not worth the price of the $3-5 price. I was most looking forward to the crispy mahi mahi fish taco. This was sadly the worst of the tacos I had. It tasted like I was eating a crispy fish stick. That old oil taste. So essentially I spent 30 bucks on 5 extremely small, mediocre tacos and some lime preserved guac. I would not recommend this place especially when there are so many better options for Latin cuisine and even better restaurants within the new OTR community.
(1)
The Amazing Kristin W.

Bakersfield - Tacos - Tequila - Whiskey, more like Tasty - Delish - can't Wait to go back! I went to Bakersfield last night and couldn't be happier about the experience. I went with a group of 3, knowing that like other OTR restaurants Bakersfield didn't take a reservation we expected a bit of a wait, which was fine as it was Tuesday night (the wait was only about 20 minutes compared to the 2 hours had it been a Thurs-Sat night). While waiting we grabbed a drink at the bar. My one friend, who was worried that Bakersfield would ONLY have whiskey or tequila to drink was pleasantly surprised at the extensive wine list (which included her favorite Malbec), while my other friend and I opted for the premium Margarita. While $12 may seem steep for a Marg, you can really taste the quality of the ingredients that makes the price worth it (it was strong in a good way and I had to pace myself because I knew I could drink that sucker down quick). Once seated, we immediately placed an order for the queso (you have to get Chorizo in it) and guac. Not to lessen the deliciousness of the guac (it was fresh, with a bit of heat and chunks of avocado) but I'm going to go on a bit of cheese induced rant on the queso. It was PHENOM. It came out bubbly on a cast-iron pot but not too hot that we couldn't immediately dive in, it was gooey, and the chorizo added a great smoky flavor to the dip. Needless-to-say, I will be back multiple times in order to get ahold of that queso, hands down the best I've had in Cincinnati. Our waitress suggested that we each order at least one taco and after eating order more if you're hungry, follow this rule, these are smaller tacos, (but only $3-4 bucks a pop) and they service is quick. I went with the corn-truffle (this gringo isn't even going to try to write out the true term) which my dinner companions and I decided was the best one. The corn was sweet and spicy and I loved the cotija cheese with it. The other taco I got was the Pastor (spicy pork balanced out by sweet pineapple) and this was another favorite declared by our table. Everything I tried tasted fresh and delicious. And did I mention the service? It was great! For being so crowded our waitress was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. One of the owners, Joe, who is H-O-T by the way, made sure to stop at each and every table making the patrons feel wanted and even though the place was extremely crowded I never got the impression like I was being rushed to finish so they could get in another table (which is important to this diner, being an extremely SLOW eater). All in all, I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a delish, Mexican meal and a cold, refreshing drink.
(5)
Susan L.

Bakersfield just opened, but based on the reviews it has had no growing pains which is normal for a new place, they have their act together. I was going to the ensemble theatre tonight so decided to stop by there to check it out. It was packed, but I did find a place at one of the tables you can stand at by the bar. Even though it was packed, the service was excellent, it was fast and very friendly. The food was very good, get the pickled Jalapenos (even if you are not a big fan of heat, the pickling of the Jalapenos takes away some of the heat and leaves a very tasty chili). Reading 5chw4r7z's blog someone asked him to compare it to Nada's. After going there I think he actually summed it up the best in that these are 2 different takes on this type of cuisine. One more street food inspired and one more high end restaurant inspired. I hope to go back on a day where it is not as crowed and be able to relax and really enjoy the atmosphere, however I think it will usually be very busy. It is a great addition to the Gateway area.
(4)

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Address : 1213 Vine St
Cincinnati, OH, 45202
Phone (513) 579-0446
Website https://www.bakersfieldtacos.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 12

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Loud
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

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Bakersfield OTR

1213 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202

Bakersfield OTR Menu

Ensaladas

Tortas

Tacos

Main Menu

Side

Mexican Soda

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bakersfield OTR

Ensaladas

Tortas

Tacos

Main Menu

Side

Mexican Soda

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