Chuy's Baja Grill — Restaurant in Bakersfield

Giving a 1 star rating only because 0 stars isn't an option. Showed up today (Father's Day) with my husband and 3 kids (3 year old, 1 year old twins) to a restaurant that looked way too dirty for how empty it was. Waited by door for a few minutes, no one appeared to greet us so we weren't sure if we were to pick a seat or wait to be seated, despite getting several ugly glances from girls working counter area who said nothing to us. Finally picked a table near one of the side doors to get some air (entire restaurant was uncomfortably hot) just to find that there were customers in outside patio area sitting right by the door who were smoking, making the whole place reek of cigarette smoke. Waited another while to see if maybe someone would come to table to take order. Nobody ever did, even though there was a worker wiping down tables right next to us who also never addressed us. Left the restaurant, proceeded to call to speak to manager to inform them of terrible guest service, had to call 3 times to get an answer. As if going out on a holiday with 3 young children isn't already hard enough, but thank you, Chuy's workers for screwing up Father's Day for my husband. First time going there and I can assure you we will...

My girlfriend went here recently for a business lunch with a new boss. Dining is of course outside but that somehow meant it was okay for other patrons to smoke near by. When it was brought to the waitress's attention, they had the gall to claim amongst themselves that the complaining party was "too sensitive." My guess is she is a smoker too. The customer had another five minutes to finish her cigarette before someone came to apologize that they were being asked not to smoke. Obviously they wouldn't have come unless someone complained so they made it seemed like an inconvenience. Even after being asked to stop, the lady, only a few minutes later, decided to light another one up and stand two feet away to perhaps comply with some distancing request that actually made no difference. We are all in this pandemic together, eating outside in the hot CA sun, but I suppose if people cant be bothered to wear masks on other's behalf, then they can't hold off smoking for an hour either. Either way, we won't be eating here and will share...

This place is a total 180 of the last time I was here. I visited Chuy’s a few times back in ‘19 and ‘20 when I moved here and didn’t like it. My fiancé asked me to go a few weeks ago and we had an excellent experience. Top notch staff, not a bunch of girls with cleavage flirting with married dudes. Just respectful men and women ensuring a great customer experience. I thought “this must be a fluke” and went home. Well today we came back to test out the theory. To my surprise we got greeted walking in the door “welcome to Chuy’s guys!” Drew took care of us before we even sat down at the bar. He took time to talk to us and kept making sure we were taken care of as well as Dante. This team is the real deal. There are families here enjoying their Sunday afternoon with great music and a family atmosphere. I believe the management has changed and they saw a need to change the vibe. I’m very happy they did. We will be regulars as long as this continues. Excellent job you...