Barrington's Jamaican Kitchen — Restaurant in Bakersfield

I was in town to see the almond blossoms and came across this place on Yelp. I was surprised and excited to find a genuine Caribbean restaurant out here (granted I know very little about Bakersfield).

First the food. We ordered the jerk chicken plate. You get jerk chicken, rice and peas, cabbage, and fried plantains for $10. The chicken was moist and you can really taste the seasoning. The best part for me was the tangy sauce he poured on top of the chicken. I wish I had asked for extra. It was sooo good!

They have a few tables outside with umbrellas you can sit and dine at but mostly everyone did drive through while we were there.

Barrington is the Chef and namesake of this hole in the wall gem. He was incredibly friendly. I couldn’t decide on the brown stew chicken or the jerk chicken so he gave me a sample. We also had been on the road and out and about for nearly five hours and needed to use the restroom really badly. He was kind enough to let us use his private restroom which really saved the day for us. He said he’s been cooking traditional food like this since he was a young boy. His passion really showed with every interaction he encountered.

Too bad it’s a three hour drive from me. If I’m ever back in town I’ll definitely come again to try curry or the oxtail. Ugh, my mouth is watering...

During a trip to Death Valley, we passed through Bakersfield around dinner time. My daughter, who loves discovering “hole-in-the-wall” restaurants, found this spot on both Yelp and Google. When we arrived, parked, and walked toward the food stand, the owner happened to be walking back as well. He greeted us warmly and asked what we’d like to order.

We decided to try the most popular dishes: curry chicken and jerk chicken. Since it was dark, we couldn’t sit at the outdoor tables, so we took our food to the nearby Costco parking lot and ate in the car.

Wow—this food was pure comfort, especially the curry chicken. The meat was juicy, and the sides perfectly complemented the meal, making it an even more enjoyable experience. Two servings were plenty for the four of us to share.

The owner, who seems to run this place with care and dedication, shared that he’s never been to Death Valley or Las Vegas and has only visited Reno four times. I’m already looking forward to stopping by this gem again the next time I pass through...

This location has been on my list of places to go since I stumbled across it in some searches. I am always looking for something different than the mainstream for options to eat. I am pleased to report that I was not disappointed with this small Jamaican restaurant! Customer service was great. The girl helping me was very pleasant and helpful. They were out of rice, which is why it's not a five star review. They did give me extra cabbage to compensate the lack of rice. The jerk chicken plate is where it's at! Perfectly seasoned and cooked to a savory decadence! It doesn't end there with their very unique cabbage side dish. It carried a slight spice and tasted delicious. My child fell in love with the cooked plantain. It was sweet and savory, swimming in a Carmel type sauce. You should take the time to order from here. I look forward to hearing your take on this small and simple yet flavorful and...