Somehow, despite your tendency to drive past that same wing joint for three years without stopping, you’ve decided today’s the day. No, we don’t know what changed either. Frozen grocery store wings can only disappoint so many times though. How about you actually find something good? A radical concept for Bakersfield, we know. We tend to have two options: settle for mediocre, or embark on a saucy pilgrimage. But we’re saying sod off to settling.
Pizza Guys
$ | (661) 308-1222 | WEBSITE
There are only three things that truly bring people together in this world. Talking about the weather, laughing at someone dropping their food in public, and pizza. The third of these is perfect for you and your new b.f.f., and Pizza Guys serves some of Bakersfield’s finest. This is one of Stockdale’s best neighbourhood restaurants, and it’ll become ‘your thing’ instantly. We can think of worse things than regular pizza-and-Kogi-sauce takeout dates.
Slicer’s Pizza
$ | (661) 825-3500 | WEBSITE
Slicer’s Pizza is the undisputed champion of the casual but satisfying meal that will have your friends saying ‘I can’t believe I’ve never ordered from here before’. This is probably the best pizza in Bakersfield, and it’s cheap as chips. Make sure you get the Hawaiian pizza, and the wings and potato wedges, all described as delicious. Basically get lots, and reap the compliments. N.b. there is no dine-in option here.
Rock & Wings
$ | (661) 282-5104 | WEBSITE
You’re really glad you finally made it to this spot. Just think, one day you might be here celebrating a big win or accidentally ordering way too many wings after your only partially ironic Game Day Gathering(!) takes a turn for the best. Isn’t good food beautiful? For now, capitalise on how fun it all is at Rock & Wings. This chicken wing joint has a lively, rock and roll feel, is super affordable, and serves some seriously tasty wings.
And yes, no matter how much you get on with your crew, you’re not going to want to share the deep-fried ice cream.
Pizz-a-Perfection
$ | (661) 836-5085 | WEBSITE
You’ve been casually grabbing beers and watching games at the usual spots for weeks now, and maybe it’s time to see if this budding crew can handle something more. Without making a big deal of it, obviously. Keep it easy and head to Pizz-a-Perfection. It’s got that welcoming, spacious vibe that keeps things comfortably loud and beer-friendly.
The food is anything but boring, which is a handy fallback in case you’re concerned the chat might lag without a game on the screen, or a fresh pint in your hand.
Hot Tender Wings
$ | (661) 748-1070 | WEBSITE
Arguably Bakersfield’s best cheap eat, Hot Tender Wings is an excellent first date spot. It’s cheap, cheerful, and, if the other person isn’t sure about it you know they’re a wrong’un. A basic order of mango habanero wings with garlic toast is just eight bucks, which keeps things accessibly priced. Plus it’s right off Union Ave., meaning you have plenty of escape routes in case any unexpected and unwelcome political views start getting aired.
Bakersfield Pizza Co. & Bar
$ | (661) 381-7376 | WEBSITE
Find us a person who doesn’t like eating pizza and chicken wings. Go on. We dare you. If you do, don’t introduce us. We don’t want to know them. And neither should you. Bakersfield Pizza Co. & Bar is Bakersfield’s most welcoming and chill pizza spot. It’s very hard not to have a nice time here, especially when there’s a lot of Garlic Bombs involved.
Crazy BBQ
$ | (661) 873-7777 | WEBSITE
Imagine, actually imagine, if a Korean restaurant had the good sense to make every customer feel like they’re at a family gathering, with portions so generous you could share them with your entire extended clan. Well, actually, you don’t have to imagine, because that’s exactly what this cozy and welcoming, part-home kitchen, part-hidden gem has done.
Just tucked away in Bakersfield, Crazy BBQ serves exceptional Korean classics and has a warm enough atmosphere to fill in those gaps where you forget what day of the week it is. Plus, if one plate of short ribs turns to three, this place makes you feel like you’re part of the family every time you visit. Satisfaction, guaranteed.
Straw Hat Pizza Grille
$$ | (661) 218-8201 | WEBSITE
The beauty of suggesting Straw Hat Pizza Grille is that it is, by name, a pizza place. It probably isn’t a change from the norm. As such, it’s the perfect suggestion for someone you probably haven’t sat down with, one-on-one, for over an hour before. Both of you are in the non-committal, and relaxed mindset of going for pizza. But this place can mark a change.
Before you know it you’ll be eating Margarita pizza and cheesy garlic bread, and both saying, on loop, ‘I just can’t believe this is a pizza place’. Believe it.
Fire Wings – Bakersfield
$ | (661) 829-6648 | WEBSITE
You wanna hang out with your crew, not impress a food critic. Don’t overthink it by booking some trendy spot with tiny portions, but don’t just grab fast food and eat in the car either. Fire Wings is the perfect middle ground. It’s a lively joint that serves up killer wings alongside cold beer on tap. Plus, there’s a pool table right there, meaning a few extra games after eating is basically guaranteed.
KFC
$ | (661) 397-8794 | WEBSITE
No matter how often you crave fried chicken, a Tuesday dinner can still feel like a bit of a gamble. You don’t want to be stuck with soggy leftovers when, out of the blue, the kids start begging for something else. That’s why heading to KFC is the perfect casual solution.
They offer that great $10 bucket special on dark meat, so you can get anything from a quick drive-thru pickup to a sit-down meal in their clean dining room, and there’s plenty of distraction for if (or when) the conversation turns to wanting more coleslaw.
Magoos Pizza
$ | (661) 871-9000 | WEBSITE
Nothing says we’re-family-but-we’re-not-quite-sit-down-for-a-formal-dinner-fancy quite like a pizza, does it? Magoos Pizza is an ideal casual dinner spot that’s full of families and groups popping in for a quick and satisfying meal. The pizzas here are proper plates of food on a crust, so don’t be concerned about going home hungry. It’s impossible not to feel at ease here with the cozy atmosphere, TVs, and ample seating, and that’s just what you want.