The 2024 Best Of Bakersfield
The votes are in and the community has spoken! The annual Best Of Readers’ Choice Poll showcases the best of the best — from food to shopping, services and more — as decided by those who call Bakersfield home. This is your guide to the Best Of Bakersfield.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Best community theater
Fox Theater
FAVORITES
* Gaslight Melodrama Theatre
* Stars Theatre Restaurant
Best kid/family entertainment
Rocket Fizz Bakersfield
FAVORITES
* American Kids Sports Center
* California Living Museum (CALM)
Best local band
Johnny Owens and the Bakersfield Sound
FAVORITES
* Hot Taco
* Mento Buru
Best movie theater
Regal Edwards Cinemas
FAVORITES
* Maya Cinemas Bakersfield
* Studio Movie Grill
Best museum/art gallery
California Living Museum (CALM)
FAVORITES
* Bakersfield Museum of Art
* Kern County Museum
Best music venue
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
FAVORITES
* Fox Theater
* Mechanics Bank Arena
Best nonprofit event
CALM HolidayLights
FAVORITES
* Light Up a Life, Hoffmann Hospice
* Hot Pink Celebration Event, Links for Life
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COMMUNITY
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Best college
Bakersfield College
FAVORITES
* Academy of Health Careers
* Cal State Bakersfield
Best golf course
Rio Bravo Country Club
FAVORITES
* Seven Oaks Country Club
* The Links at RiverLakes Ranch
Best locally owned place to work
Valley Strong Credit Union
FAVORITES
* Hoffmann Hospice Home
* Rocket Fizz Bakersfield
Best ‘Made in Bakersfield’
Dewar’s Candy Shop
FAVORITES
* Salty’s BBQ & Catering
* Smith’s Bakeries
Best media outlet
88.3 Life FM
FAVORITES
* KGET
* KUZZ
Best place to take out-of-town guests
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
FAVORITES
* Luigi’s Restaurant and Delicatessen
* Wool Growers Restaurant
Best place to worship
VBF (Valley Bible Fellowship)
FAVORITES
* St. Philip the Apostle Church
* Valley Baptist Church
Best private school
Garces Memorial High School
FAVORITES
* Bakersfield Christian High School
* St. Francis Parish School
Best retirement home
Magnolia Place Senior Assisted Living & Memory Care
FAVORITES
* Brookdale Riverwalk
* Brookside Senior Apartments
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FOOD & DINING
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Best bakery
Smith’s Bakeries
FAVORITES
* Baked Bake Shop
* GhilaDolci Bakery
Best bar
Tiki-Ko
FAVORITES
* La Costa Mariscos
* Luigi’s Restaurant and Delicatessen
Best barbecue
Salty’s BBQ & Catering
FAVORITES
* Firestone Grill
* PorkChop & Bubba’s BBQ
Best Basque food
Benji’s French Basque Restaurant
FAVORITES
* Pyrenees Cafe
* Wool Growers Restaurant
Best breakfast
24th Street Cafe
FAVORITES
* Old River Grill
* Pappy’s Coffee Shop
Best brunch
Hodel’s Country Dining
FAVORITES
* 24th Street Cafe
* Moo Creamery
Best burger
In-N-Out Burger
FAVORITES
* Happy Jack’s Pie n’ Burger
* Moo Creamery
Best catering
Salty’s BBQ & Catering
FAVORITES
* Chef Lino’s Grill & Catering
* Frugatti’s
Best chef
Chef Lino, Chef Lino’s Grill & Catering
FAVORITES
* Chef Daniel, KC Steakhouse
* Chef Dom, Flame & Fire Brazilian Steakhouse
Best Chinese food
Great Castle Chinese Restaurant
FAVORITES
* Bill Lee’s Bamboo Chopsticks
* Rice Bowl
Best deli/sandwich
Sequoia Sandwich Co.
FAVORITES
* Caesar’s Deli
* Jersey Mike's Subs
Best family restaurant
Frugatti’s
FAVORITES
* Hodel’s Country Dining
* Luigi’s Restaurant and Delicatessen
Best food truck
Birria Bros
FAVORITES
* Fuego’s Taco Shack & Grill
* Pita Paradise
Best frozen treats
Dewar’s Candy Shop
FAVORITES
* Moo Creamery
* Rosemary’s Family Creamery
Best happy hour
La Costa Mariscos
FAVORITES
* Mexicali Restaurant
* Yard House
Best Indian cuisine restaurant
Viceroy Indian Cuisine
FAVORITES
* Harrington House
* Taj Mahal
Best Italian food
Frugatti’s
FAVORITES
* Luigi’s Restaurant and Delicatessen
* Sorella Ristorante Italiano
Best Korean food
Crazy BBQ
FAVORITES
* Kalbi King
* Love Korean BBQ
Best local coffee
Covenant Coffee
FAVORITES
* Cafe Smitten
* Caffeine Supreme
Best local microbrew
Lengthwise Brewing Co.
FAVORITES
* Kern River Brewing Co.
* Temblor Brewing Co.
Best Mexican food
La Costa Mariscos
FAVORITES
* Mexicali Restaurant
* Rancho Grande
Best new restaurant
Brazas Cocina Latinoamericana
FAVORITES
* Buena Vida Tapas Lounge
* Harrington House
Best patio/outdoor dining
Luigi's Restaurant and Delicatessen
FAVORITES
* Frugatti's
* Village Grill
Best pizza
Tony's Pizza
FAVORITES
* Pizzaville USA
* Rusty's Pizza Parlor
Best romantic restaurant
Frugatti's
FAVORITES
* Horse in the Alley
* KC Steakhouse
Best seafood
La Costa Mariscos
FAVORITES
* Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill
* Kan Pai
Best steakhouse
Hungry Hunter Steakhouse
FAVORITES
* Flame & Fire Brazilian Steakhouse
* KC Steakhouse
Best sushi
Jin Sushi
FAVORITES
* Kan Pai
* Love Sushi
Best tacos
Birria Bros
FAVORITES
* Mexicali Restaurant
* Taco Bros
Best takeout
Salty's BBQ & Catering
FAVORITES
* Firestone Grill
* Jake’s Original Tex-Mex Cafe
Best teppanyaki/Japanese food
Kan Pai
FAVORITES
* Shogun Place
* Tokyo Garden
Best Thai restaurant
Blue Elephant Thai Cuisine
FAVORITES
* Chef's Choice Noodle Bar
* Thai House Restaurant
Best vegetarian/vegan
Cafe Smitten
FAVORITES
* Locale Farm to Table
* Sequoia Sandwich Co.
Best Vietnamese food
Maui Pho
FAVORITES
* Jasmine & The New Taste
* Pho Hut
* Rolls and Grill
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
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Best acupuncture
Frank S. Lu
FAVORITES
* Acupuncture & Herbs
* Acupuncture of America Bakersfield
Best aesthetics provider
Alex Ramirez, MSN, FNP-C, EuroPhoria Medical & Personal Spa
FAVORITES
* Jennifer Tougas-Genova, MSN, R.N., FNP-C, Elite Aesthetics & Dermatology
* May Bonnin, MSN, FNP-C, Beautiful You Medical Aesthetics
Best allergist
Patrick Leung, M.D.
FAVORITES
* Eric J. Boren, M.D., FACAAI, FAAAAI
* Tonny Tanus, M.D., DACAAI, FAAAAI
Best cardiologist
Atul Aggarwal, M.D.
FAVORITES
* California Cardiovascular Institute
* Tommy Lee, M.D.
Best chiropractor
Christopher Berry, D.C., Core Chiropractic + Wellness
FAVORITES
* Brent M. Musolf, D.C.
* Jeffrey D. Haynes, D.C., Haynes Chiropractic
Best dentist
Capital Dental Group
FAVORITES
* Brimhall Dental Group
* McCullough Dental
Best dermatologist
Geover Fernandez, M.D., CBCC
FAVORITES
* Ana Cardenas, M.D., Advanced Cosmetic Dermatology
* Jeffrey J. Crowley, M.D., Bakersfield Dermatology
Best general practitioner
Rafael Huezo, M.D., Mint Health Clinics Bakersfield
FAVORITES
* Jorieth Jurich, D.O.
* William Farr, M.D., Farr Medical Group
Best gym
Vitality Fitness
FAVORITES
* Drop Fitness
* In-Shape
Best hearing care
Hearing Aids Today
FAVORITES
* Costco Wholesale Hearing Aid Center
* Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center
Best hospice
Hoffmann Hospice
FAVORITES
* Bakersfield Community Hospice
* Solace Healthcare
Best hospital
Dignity Health — Memorial Hospital
FAVORITES
* Adventist Health Bakersfield
* Dignity Health — Mercy Hospital Southwest
Best implant dentist
Center for Implant Dentistry
FAVORITES
* Alan Esla, M.D., Esla Oral & Facial
* Andrew Dreyer, DDS, M.S.
Best medical group
Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center
FAVORITES
* Farr Medical Group
* Southern California Orthopedic Institute
Best neurologist
Maheep Virdi, M.D.
FAVORITES
* California Neurology Institute
* Richard Alexan, M.D.
Best OB-GYN
Rebecca Rivera, M.D.
FAVORITES
* Gregory R. Klis, M.D.
* John R. Owens, M.D.
Best oncologist
Ravi Patel, M.D., CBCC
FAVORITES
* Ajay Desai, M.D., Rio Bravo Cancer Center
* Vinh-Linh Nguyen, M.D.
Best ophthalmologist
Daniel H. Chang, M.D., Empire Eye & Laser Center
FAVORITES
* Andrew A. Kao, M.D., Empire Eye & Laser Center
* David B. Hair, M.D., FACS, Bakersfield Eye Institute
* Lisa Cowan, M.D., Kaiser Permanente
Best ophthalmologist group
Empire Eye & Laser Center
FAVORITES
* Bakersfield Eye Institute
* Premier Eyecare Optometric Center
Best optometrist
Margarita Huezo, O.D., Pinnacle Optometric Eye Care
FAVORITES
* Ranjeet Bajwa, O.D., Empire Eye & Laser Center
* Cache Crawford, O.D., Premier Eyecare Optometric Center
Best orthodontist
Cardall Orthodontics
FAVORITES
* Donald R. Montano, DDS, Montano Elevated Orthodontics
* Michael Thurman, DDS, Thurman Orthodontics
Best orthopedic doctor
David M. Fang, M.D.
FAVORITES
* Charles D. Wong, D.O.
* Fadi S. Saied, D.O.
Best pain management provider
Philip G. Khoury, D.O., Premier Pain Management
FAVORITES
* Anna Marie Frank, Ph.D., Happy Whole You
* David K. Wahba, M.D.
Best pediatrician
Rosanna Vichuaco Abary, M.D., Kaiser Permanente
FAVORITES
* Crystal Carney, M.D.
* Nimisha Amin, M.D., Southwest Pediatrics
Best physical therapy group
Pair & Marotta Physical Therapy
FAVORITES
* Montoya Physical Therapy and Wellness
* Terrio Physical Therapy & Fitness
Best plastic surgeon
Harinder Chahal, M.D., FACS, Empire Aesthetic Center
FAVORITES
* Darshan Shah, M.D., Beautologie Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics
* M. Brandon Freeman, M.D., Ph.D.
* Vipul Dev, M.D., California Institute of Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery
Best podiatrist
Brandon Hawkins, DPM, Stockdale Podiatry Group
FAVORITES
* John C. Zimmerman, DPM, FACFAS
* John L. Etcheverry, DPM, FACFAS
Best urgent care
Accelerated Urgent Care
FAVORITES
* Kaiser Permanente Urgent Care
* Priority Urgent Care
* Sendas Northwest Urgent Care
Best urologist
Robert L. Waguespack, M.D.
FAVORITES
* Ed Youngstrom, D.O.
* Shahab Hillyer, M.D.
Best veterinarian
Travis Thurman, DVM, Thurman Veterinary Center
FAVORITES
* Julie Mischke, DVM, Thurman Veterinary Center
* VCA Bakersfield Animal Hospital
Best yoga studio
Bakersfield Yoga
FAVORITES
* Solitute Healing Arts
* The Haven Yoga Studio
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RETAIL
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Best antique dealer
In Your Wildest Dreams
FAVORITES
* Central Park Antique Mall
* The She Shed by The Peachy Pig
Best florist
Log Cabin Florist
FAVORITES
* Garden District Flowers
* White Oaks Florist
Best furniture store
Urner's
FAVORITES
* Archer the Storefront
* Mor Furniture for Less
Best local shoe store
Guarantee Shoe Store
FAVORITES
* Boot Barn
* Emporium Western Store
Best locally owned apparel store, men/women
Lemonade Locks Boutique
FAVORITES
* Emporium Western Store
* Sugardaddy's Women's Boutique
Best locally owned appliance store
Urner's
FAVORITES
* Bob Johnston's Appliances
* Perla Appliances and Furniture
Best locally owned flooring/carpet
Carpet Outlet Plus
FAVORITES
* Bill Ray Tile
* Stockdale Tile
Best locally owned jewelry store
Knight’s Jewelers
FAVORITES
* Don Hall Jewelers
* Roco's Jewelry
Best mattress store
Urner's Z's Please Mattress
FAVORITES
* Costco
* Sleep Number
Best new car dealer
Bakersfield Hyundai
FAVORITES
* Jim Burke Ford
* Motor City Buick GMC
Best nursery
Bolles Nursery Landscape
FAVORITES
* Robby's Nursery
* White Forest Nursery
Best outdoorsman store
Dirty Bird Guns & Ammo
FAVORITES
* Bear Mountain Sports
* Valley Gun
Best pet supply store
Petco
FAVORITES
* Self Serve Pet Spa
* Village Pet Market
Best shopping center
The Shops at River Walk
FAVORITES
* Northwest Promenade
* The Marketplace
Best tire store
Clerou Tire Co.
FAVORITES
* America’s Tire
* Big Brand Tire & Service
Best used car dealer
Bakersfield Hyundai
FAVORITES
* CarMax
* Motor City Buick GMC
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SERVICES
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Best advertising/marketing agency
Citryn Marketing
FAVORITES
* Barton Marketing Group
* Genuine Web
Best appliance repair
Your Neighborhood Handyman
FAVORITES
* All Appliance Repair
* Bob Johnston's Appliances
Best business law attorney
Robert Noriega, Young Wooldridge
FAVORITES
* Darling & Wilson
* Belden Blaine Raytis
Best car wash
Mister Car Wash
FAVORITES
* Country Club Hand Car Wash
* Sparkling Image Car Wash
Best carpet cleaning
Bell Carpet Maintenance
FAVORITES
* Heaven's Best Carpet Cleaning Bakersfield
* Spotless Carpet Cleaning
Best CPA
Richard Bowen, CPA, Bowen Accounting & Tax
FAVORITES
* Williams Group CPA
* Wren Kelly CPAs
Best day care/preschool
Little Red School House
FAVORITES
* American Kids University Preschool
* St. John's Lutheran School
Best defense/DUI lawyer
Law Offices of Tony V. Lidgett
FAVORITES
* H.A. Sala, Attorney at Law
* Kyle J. Humphrey, Humphrey & Thompson
Best divorce lawyer/family law
Azemika & Azemika
FAVORITES
* Law Offices of Paige Etcheverry-Barnes
* XM Garcia, Attorney at Law
Best dry cleaner
Today Cleaners
FAVORITES
* New City Cleaners
* Waterfall Cleaners
Best electrical company
DaLessio Electrical
FAVORITES
* A-C Electric Co.
* Pavletich Electric & Communications
Best escrow company
Ticor Title
FAVORITES
* Chicago Title Kern County
* First American Title
Best event planner
Fairy Godmother Events
FAVORITES
* JoRonCo Rentals
* Lili Marsh Events
Best financial adviser
Dani O'Donnell, Barnes Wealth Management Group
FAVORITES
* Adam Mackall, Barnes Wealth Management Group
* Valley Strong Credit Union
Best financial institute
Valley Strong Credit Union
FAVORITES
* AltaOne Federal Credit Union
* Safe 1 Credit Union
Best funeral home
Greenlawn Funeral Homes and Cemeteries
FAVORITES
* Angels Cremation Service
* Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary
Best handyman
Mr. Fix-It Professional Handyman Services
FAVORITES
* Toolin' Around Handyman Services
* Your Neighborhood Handyman
Best heating/air
Monarch Home Services
FAVORITES
* Gallardo Air Conditioning & Heating
* Oasis Air & Solar
Best home improvement building contractor
Hardt Construction Services
FAVORITES
* DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen
* Urner’s
Best home security
Secure Systems
FAVORITES
* ADT Security Services
* Alpha Technologies & Alarm Systems
Best insurance agency
Kern Golden Girls
FAVORITES
* State Farm Insurance
* Vizion Integrated Insurance
Best interior design/decor
Kelly Archer Interiors
FAVORITES
* House of Moseley
* Sarah Ruth Interiors
Best IT services
Grapevine MSP Technology Services
FAVORITES
* Norstar Technology Group
* TRIS Technology Solutions
Best landscaping company
O.W.O. Landscaping
FAVORITES
* Bolles Nursery
* Lesaca Landscape Co.
Best law firm
Chain Cohn Clark
FAVORITES
* H.A. Sala, Attorney at Law
* Young Wooldridge
Best local automotive service
Fruitvale Automotive
FAVORITES
* Clerou Tire Co.
* G&G Auto Repair
* Motor City Buick GMC
Best local insurance agent
Vonda Peralez, Kern Golden Girls
FAVORITES
* Elizabeth Cardenas, State Farm Insurance
* Frank Toscano, Vizion Integrated Insurance
Best mortgage company
The Mortgage House
FAVORITES
* AltaOne Federal Credit Union
* Safe 1 Credit Union
Best new home builder
Delfino Homes
FAVORITES
* Castle & Cooke
* Froehlich Signature Homes
Best painting company
Steve Holloway Painting
FAVORITES
* Brad Valdez Painting
* Hamilton Painting
Best personal injury lawyer
Chain Cohn Clark
FAVORITES
* Daniel Rodriguez, Rodriguez & Associates
* Joel T. Andreesen, Rodriguez & Associates
Best pest control
Bakersfield Pest Control
FAVORITES
* Killian Pest Control
* Wow Pest Control
Best plumbing service
Stan’s Discount Rooter & Plumbing Repair
FAVORITES
* Advanced Plumbing Service
* Hometown Plumbing Sewer & Drain
Best property management
Basham Management
FAVORITES
* Empire Management Group
* Watson Property Management
Best real estate agent
Sheeza Gordon, The Gordon Team
FAVORITES
* Jerri Delfino, Watson Realty
* Marissa Aceves, Coldwell Banker Preferred, Realtors
Best real estate company
Premier Realty
FAVORITES
* Agentcor Realty
* Watson Realty
Best real estate team/group
The Gordon Team
FAVORITES
* Jeff Jackson & Associates
* The Bush Team, Premier Realty
Best roofing company
BSW Roofing, Solar & Air
FAVORITES
* S&S Roofing
* Wilson Brothers Roofing
Best solar company
Jeff Periera Home Energy
FAVORITES
* BSW Roofing, Solar & Air
* Oasis Air & Solar
Best spa/aesthetics
EuroPhoria Medical & Personal Spa
FAVORITES
* Allure Aesthetics
* Elite Aesthetics & Dermatology
Best specialty service
Hoffmann Hospice Grief Support Services
FAVORITES
* Empire Management Group
* Daphna Levy, MarriageAide.com, marriage and couple counseling and marriage coaching
Best tree trimmer
All Tree Care
FAVORITES
* General Tree Service
* Johnny's Tree Service
Best tutoring
Sylvan Learning of Bakersfield
FAVORITES
* Kern Literacy Council
* Kern Tutoring
