We are known for buck owens and oil. I work at a hotel where everyone comes from all over the world and hates Bakersfield. They have no idea. We are filled with a huge Basque and Italian community. I myself am an Italian descent. We have amazing Basque and Italian restaraunts. Give it a shot. I want people to see what Bakersfield has to offer. People have referred to us as the armpit of California, but when you dig deep, we are so much more. Woolgrowers, Narduccis, Benjis, Luigis, Chalet Basque, Pyranees Bakery... The list goes on. We are not the armpit but a full history of Italians and Basque and authenic Mexican restaraunts. Yes and Buck Owens. Give it a chance. Every year we have a Basque festival with games and basque dancers. Check it out!!!

The whole San Joaquin Valley is an overlooked gem. You could go from Bakersfield up through Hanford, Selma, Fresno, and find Basque, Greek, Armenian, Mexican, and since the late '80s and early '90s, Hmong and Laotian communities.

I lived there for only three years and found as much variety of food there as I found in Manhatten. The only problem is that it's spread out a bit more.