Good restaurants near California Science Center and the cities of Bakersfield and Lancaster?

[isabellea]

Before heading to Disneyland, we are planning a short road trip. Our plane lands at LAX at 11am a Saturday and we will pick up a rental car. Our first stop will be the California Science Center so DH can see the Space exhibition and the shuttle Endeavour. I already reserved tickets for 2pm on 4/21 and I was thinking we could stop to eat lunch on our way. Any suggestion? After the California Science Center, our destination is SEKI and the Wuksachi Lodge for 2 nights (we are planning on eating lunch at Grant Cove restaurant and dinner at The Peaks restaurant). The drive is at least 4h30 and I was thinking of stopping in Bakersfield for dinner. Again, any suggestions of places to eat?

Finally, after SEKI we are planning on visiting Red Rock Canyon State Park and we will stay in Lancaster, CA for the night. Again, I need suggestions. After that we are driving to see a beach sunset before checking in our last hotel, BWPPI across DLR. For that part of the trip I am set for restaurants.

We are from Montreal, QC and it will be our first time in California. I already know about trying In n Out Burgers so I would like other suggestions than this one. We prefer local restaurants but don't mind chains, especially if they are West Coast or California specific (we often travel to FL, VT and NY). The chains that we like in the USA that we don't have in Canada are Texas Roadhouse, Panera Bread (it's in Canada but not QC yet), Hardee's (I think it's the east coast equivalent to Carl Jr?!?) and Firehouse Subs. Suggestions can be for either quick service or table service but moderately priced.

Thank you for your help!!

 

[bcla]

Bonjour.

Hardee's was acquired by the parent company of Carl's Junior years ago. Right now the menu is class Carl's Jr.

Lancaster and Bakersfield are hardly great places to find fine dining. If you were on your way to SEKI, I might have recommended Elephant Bar, but the chain close most of their locations about 3 years ago. The chain I like is Blank Angus, which has locations in Bakersfield and Lancaster. They serve steaks, and they're only on the West Coast. It's basically a cowboy theme, with photos of cowboys riding horses on the wall. They also have coupon specials, and you can just find anyone who has them online and print them up. If you hotel has a printing station, you could print up the coupons.

http://locations.blackangus.com/ll/US/CA/Bakersfield/3601-Rosedale-Highway
http://locations.blackangus.com/ll/US/CA/Lancaster/44690-Valley-Central-Way

Supposedly the best dining in that part of California is Erna's Elderberry House in Oakhurst. I don't know if going out of your way for an experience like that is a possibility, but I thought I'd mention it. It's attached to to a very small hotel. The rest of Oakhurst isn't exactly fancy - mostly chain dining and fast food serving locals and people visiting Yosemite.

http://www.chateausureau.com/ernas-elderberry-house-restaurant/

 

[theluckyrabbit]

In Bakersfield, we like Eureka Burger (http://eurekarestaurantgroup.com/blog/locations/bakersfield/). There are other locations throughout CA -- good burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Very friendly service. Good happy hour.

 

[dotfurio]

Bakersfield has Panera and Carls Jr. and many other great chains. I'll be honest, I'm not sure which chains are regional, but a few that we frequent are Lucilles BBQ, California Pizza Kitchen, Blackbear Diner, BJs Brewhouse, and Olive Garden.

I have to disagree that you can't find great food in Bakersfield. Here's some local restaurant ideas:

If you want to try something unique we have several Basque restaurants. I'd recommend Benjis. https://www.benjisbasque.com/ The "set up" is always more than enough food, and I rarely order an entree.

Hodels is a locally owned buffet that's been around for ages. I usually despise buffets, but this one is good https://hodels.com/

If you like craft beer, we have a local brewery/restaurant with good food and a fun atmosphere https://temblorbrewing.com/

If you're a country music fan you could have dinner at the Crystal Palace, home to Buck Owens and filled with his memorabilia http://www.buckowens.com/

(semi local) Flame and Skewers Mediterranean http://flameandskewers.com/ I love their chicken shawarma plate and falafel

All of the above local places are close to the 99 (hwy you'll be on) except Flame and Skewers. Some of the chains mentioned are close to the 99, others you'll have to go off the hwy a bit to get to them.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Don't forget Dewar's Ice Cream (and the peanut butter chews!) in Bakersfield! Disney's El Capitan used to serve Dewar's at the Soda Fountain before they switched to Ghirardelli's Ice Cream.
And we love the Basque food in Bakersfield, but it's so much food that I also have a hard time getting beyond the "set up."

 

[maltdizzy]

I've noticed no one has spoken up about dining near the Ca. Science Ctr.

The Science Center is in Expo Park, which also houses the impressive L.A. Natural History Museum and the L.A. Coliseum -- home the USC Trojans, LA Rams (temporary), and to the 1932 and 1984 Olympics and will be used again for the 2028 Olympics (the Coliseum gives tours but I believe has just started a massive renovation). Expo Park is a major tourist center in LA. but is not surrounded by a touristy area (South L.A. has not gentrified, and while tourist shouldn't consider themselves at risk the area around Expo Park, many do find it intimidating..it's a relatively desperate-looking area). But the (very affluent) USC main campus is directly across the street to the north, and there has been exponential development on the blocks just north and east of campus adding a lot of new dining in the last 5 years (mostly small QS chains targeting the student population). Today's USC students get to eat much better than I did. Plus, the Science Ctr. and Natural History Museum also have cafes.

If you looking for something more unique to the area, I few miles north in downtown L.A. there is the famous Phillippe's (110 years old this year, and one of few eateries in L.A. that live up tho the hype) near Union Station, and lots of interesting options in nearby Little Tokyo.

 

[isabellea]

Bakersfield has Panera and Carls Jr. and many other great chains. I'll be honest, I'm not sure which chains are regional, but a few that we frequent are Lucilles BBQ, California Pizza Kitchen, Blackbear Diner, BJs Brewhouse, and Olive Garden.

I have to disagree that you can't find great food in Bakersfield. Here's some local restaurant ideas:

If you want to try something unique we have several Basque restaurants. I'd recommend Benjis. https://www.benjisbasque.com/ The "set up" is always more than enough food, and I rarely order an entree.

Hodels is a locally owned buffet that's been around for ages. I usually despise buffets, but this one is good https://hodels.com/

If you like craft beer, we have a local brewery/restaurant with good food and a fun atmosphere https://temblorbrewing.com/

If you're a country music fan you could have dinner at the Crystal Palace, home to Buck Owens and filled with his memorabilia http://www.buckowens.com/

(semi local) Flame and Skewers Mediterranean http://flameandskewers.com/ I love their chicken shawarma plate and falafel

All of the above local places are close to the 99 (hwy you'll be on) except Flame and Skewers. Some of the chains mentioned are close to the 99, others you'll have to go off the hwy a bit to get to them.

I don't think we ever had Basque food although when I look at the menu, everything sounds familiar except Trig-Tips (we are French Canadians so we mostly eat/cook French-inspired meals). I like country music but DH is not a fan so I'm not sure he will want to try the Buck Owens restaurant.

Don't forget Dewar's Ice Cream (and the peanut butter chews!) in Bakersfield! Disney's El Capitan used to serve Dewar's at the Soda Fountain before they switched to Ghirardelli's Ice Cream.
And we love the Basque food in Bakersfield, but it's so much food that I also have a hard time getting beyond the "set up."

Unfortunately, I am now dairy-free. So hard since I was a huge fan of ice cream before I had to stop eating it for health reasons. Looks like Basque food is the way to go at Bakersfield!

I've noticed no one has spoken up about dining near the Ca. Science Ctr.

The Science Center is in Expo Park, which also houses the impressive L.A. Natural History Museum and the L.A. Coliseum -- home the USC Trojans, LA Rams (temporary), and to the 1932 and 1984 Olympics and will be used again for the 2028 Olympics (the Coliseum gives tours but I believe has just started a massive renovation). Expo Park is a major tourist center in LA. but is not surrounded by a touristy area (South L.A. has not gentrified, and while tourist shouldn't consider themselves at risk the area around Expo Park, many do find it intimidating..it's a relatively desperate-looking area). But the (very affluent) USC main campus is directly across the street to the north, and there has been exponential development on the blocks just north and east of campus adding a lot of new dining in the last 5 years (mostly small QS chains targeting the student population). Today's USC students get to eat much better than I did. Plus, the Science Ctr. and Natural History Museum also have cafes.

If you looking for something more unique to the area, I few miles north in downtown L.A. there is the famous Phillippe's (110 years old this year, and one of few eateries in L.A. that live up tho the hype) near Union Station, and lots of interesting options in nearby Little Tokyo.

We have changed our plan and we will stay at Bakersfields for 2 nights instead of SEKI. We will still go to SEKI but only for one day and then visit Red Rock State Park before heading to Anaheim. Staying in Bakersfield will also allow us to stay in LA and the Science Center longer. Thinking of having dinner in LA on our arrival day (Saturday) and Bakersfield on the Sunday (probably Basque food).

Philippe's looks fun! We might try it. As for Little Tokyo, any favourites? DH spent 4 months in South Korea and he often craves asian dishes.

 

[dotfurio]

If you looking for something more unique to the area, I few miles north in downtown L.A. there is the famous Phillippe's (110 years old this year, and one of few eateries in L.A. that live up tho the hype) near Union Station, and lots of interesting options in nearby Little Tokyo.

We're going to have to try Phillippe's! Thanks for the tip

 

[maltdizzy]

Philippe's looks fun! We might try it. As for Little Tokyo, any favourites? DH spent 4 months in South Korea and he often craves asian dishes.

Los Angeles is city on the Pacific Rim, your hubby can get whatever Asian food he wants in whatever desired degrees of authenticity. It's one giant fusion of Mexican/Latin America, Asian, British, and Southern US cuisine as you can find. It's a paradox, in many ways it's very comparable to NYC, yet couldn't be more different. Except it's really hard to find a consistent slice of pizza in California.

In Little Toyko there is Daikokuya and Orochon for ramen; Suehiro for Udon;the Shabu-Shabu House for...shabu-shabu, and several good sushi places (I think there are better elsewhere in L.A.). For Korean, there is the BCD chain, mostly in Koreatown for soon tofu soup and other dishes; on the West Side there is Yakitoria for yakatori. And more Thai restaurants than anyone can count. Angelenos are very defensive of their more "authentic"-style Chinese food, very dumpling-based, and let the East Coast who want General Tsos and Egg rolls go to Panda Express (and Panda Express knock-offs).

 

[isabellea]

Los Angeles is city on the Pacific Rim, your hubby can get whatever Asian food he wants in whatever desired degrees of authenticity. It's one giant fusion of Mexican/Latin America, Asian, British, and Southern US cuisine as you can find. It's a paradox, in many ways it's very comparable to NYC, yet couldn't be more different. Except it's really hard to find a consistent slice of pizza in California.

In Little Toyko there is Daikokuya and Orochon for ramen; Suehiro for Udon;the Shabu-Shabu House for...shabu-shabu, and several good sushi places (I think there are better elsewhere in L.A.). For Korean, there is the BCD chain, mostly in Koreatown for soon tofu soup and other dishes; on the West Side there is Yakitoria for yakatori. And more Thai restaurants than anyone can count. Angelenos are very defensive of their more "authentic"-style Chinese food, very dumpling-based, and let the East Coast who want General Tsos and Egg rolls go to Panda Express (and Panda Express knock-offs).

Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For Korean food, I would suggest a trip to Korea Town in L.A. It is VERY trendy right now, and there are many good restaurants to try. Daikokuya always seems to have a line (and, to be honest, we aren't fans of their ramen). We prefer to go next door to Marugame Monzo for udon (you can watch the noodles being made in the kitchen). The portions aren't large, so we usually pay extra for a larger portion.
There is some good Korean food to be found in the areas around DLR. If you are willing to drive or use Uber/Lyft/taxi, your DH can find quite authentic Korean food as near by as Buena Park.

 

[loveswdw]

We dined in Bakersfield a few years ago on the way to Anaheim from Yosemite. We met up with my husband's friend who is a Bakersfield local and he took us to an Italian restaurant called Fruggati's. Pretty sure it's not a chain. The food was good and it was reasonably priced.
http://www.frugattis.com/

 

[Purrkins]

If you're in Bakersfield you must try a communal Basque dinner. Delicious and pretty regional specific. Noriega Hotel and Wool Growers are probably your two best bets. Dewars is probably the best old time soda shops in the entire state and worth a stop.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The peanut butter chews at Dewar's are delicious and make great location specific gifts! We get requests for those from friends every time we make a trip through Bakersfield. And Wool Growers is pretty cool.

 

[abayaflowers]

Before heading to Disneyland, we are planning a short road trip. Our plane lands at LAX at 11am a Saturday and we will pick up a rental car. Our first stop will be the California Science Center so DH can see the Space exhibition and the shuttle Endeavour. I already reserved tickets for 2pm on 4/21 and I was thinking we could stop to eat lunch on our way. Any suggestion? After the California Science Center, our destination is SEKI and the Wuksachi Lodge for 2 nights (we are planning on eating lunch at Grant Cove restaurant and dinner at The Peaks restaurant). The drive is at least 4h30 and I was thinking of stopping in Bakersfield for dinner. Again, any suggestions of places to eat?

I would recommend downloading the Yelp and Opentable apps which will help you pick your favorite foods by the ratings. Opentable allows you to reserve a table. Also, TripAdvisor has a section of recommended restaurants.

 

[isabellea]

Thank you all for your help!Looks like we will have to try Basque food and Dewar's at Bakersfield! For Lancaster we will eat at In and Out burgers.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thank you all for your help!Looks like we will have to try Basque food and Dewar's at Bakersfield! For Lancaster we will eat at In and Out burgers.

Google the secret menu for In'N'Out so that you'll know all your options before you get there. Definitely worth ordering your fries "well done" if you like even semi-crispy fries. Regular fries tend to be rather undercooked for my taste.

 

[isabellea]

Google the secret menu for In'N'Out so that you'll know all your options before you get there. Definitely worth ordering your fries "well done" if you like even semi-crispy fries. Regular fries tend to be rather undercooked for my taste.

I will! Thank you.

 

[Purrkins]

Whenever we hit Exposition Park we like to stop by Mercado Paloma, an indoor market with different restaurants which is good if we go with friends and everyone is in the mood for something different. About two minutes away:

http://www.mercadolapaloma.com/

If you want something amazing, the best birria de chivo is about 10 minutes away at El Parian Restaurant. This is one of those hole in the wall joints, barred windows, barred doors, been around for 50 or 60 years. I'm often the only English speaker there but I've had nothing but warm and generous service. Easy parking in back. Cash only. And they have amazing carne asada and carnitas if goat is not your thing.

 

[isabellea]

Whenever we hit Exposition Park we like to stop by Mercado Paloma, an indoor market with different restaurants which is good if we go with friends and everyone is in the mood for something different. About two minutes away:

http://www.mercadolapaloma.com/

If you want something amazing, the best birria de chivo is about 10 minutes away at El Parian Restaurant. This is one of those hole in the wall joints, barred windows, barred doors, been around for 50 or 60 years. I'm often the only English speaker there but I've had nothing but warm and generous service. Easy parking in back. Cash only. And they have amazing carne asada and carnitas if goat is not your thing.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have to confess that I have no clue what is burria de chivo. I checked on google and it's a goat stew?!? Also, while I've heard of carne asada or carnitas, I don't think I have had any of those either. I think I need to get better acquainted with Mexican food as we don't have many real Mexican restaurants in Quebec. We're more into French, Italian or American food. And poutine of course!