El Buen Pastor Mexican Cuisine — Restaurant in Bakersfield

My wife and I were excited to try this spot as we pass by regularly on our commute. We specifically came in a bit earlier on Saturday just to avoid the crowd and we must’ve timed it just right as there were only a few people dining. Very nice restaurant. Seating was very comfortable with outdoor seating options as well. Very nice bar, the decor was especially nice. We were warmly greeted as we walked in and promptly seated. I had to try the arroz con leche cocktail (great flavor, just what you would expect without being too sweet) and also put in an order for their “21+ over guacamole”. To start they brought us a basket of tortilla chips drizzled with a mole sauce topped with cojita cheese 🔥 Super good, very tasty. The salsa on the other hand was way too spicy. The server was nice enough to offer an alternative salsa, but again, also way too spicy. 🤦🏻‍♂️ For some reason despite how slow business was, we were halfway through our drinks and had completely finished the chips before our guacamole was prepared. You have to try this blend of guacamole though! They make it fresh at your table with added pineapple, jicama, jalapeno, lime, watermelon and a shot of tequila. My wife and I both loved it! A very refreshing bite with added sweetness, super good. I ordered the combination pastor plate. I really enjoyed the shrimp poblano enchilada, very good. The black beans were also very good. Unfortunately the chile relleno was way too spicy and the pastor was disappointing. Lacking both flavor and seasoning with the same texture of sliced ham. For dessert we shared the dessert platter. Great choice! I loved the tres leches cake and coffee flan, and we both enjoyed the crepes and flautas. Perfect portion and sharing size. This place is definitely worth trying and I would definitely return for drinks, dessert, and appetizers. Each plate was really beautifully presented, and I loved the added aesthetic with the flower. I really wish they would take the spice down a notch though, some of us prioritize taste and flavor over spice, both of which can’t be enjoyed when the food is just too spicy. Staff was very friendly but as slow as business was, service was equally slow which could definitely...

It's been a while since I've posted, but this one needed to be shared. I'm not sure if I came on am off day, and for that, I usually give places 2 fair shots. But let me tell you about today's visit. I came in around noon. Was greatly graciously by the host who sat me quickly and promptly. There were only 2 other tables at the time occupied. Afterward, I was greeted by my waitress, who was kind and cordial, yet she lacked knowledge on the fresh drink menu. Maybe she's new... overlooked.. didn't count that in until the end. I came in alone, mind you. I ordered the chilaquiles divorciados with over easy eggs.

I noticed what looked like the manager walking around greeting customers (now there were three by this time and me makes 4) I didn't get a visit lol. No worries. Food came out at a decent time, and it was cold. The darker sauce on the picture was way too sweet. The lighter side was good, however the food was cold. There was no salt or pepper or sauce or anything at the table, and if you asked why didn't I let them know, well, I would have had someone actually come to check up on me.

I waited, but the food got colder, and I was on time crunch. So I ate it. It was a tad bit spicy and the waitress didn't at least one time came to ask how I was doing. My cup remained empty and I was using the ice to cool my tongue and quench my thirst.

Finally, I finished up and waited 8 minutes before I just got up and asked for the bill. A man named Alex I believe gave me my bill and asked how it was to which I gave him a not good answer and he said nothing. I said "ahh, (shook my head) it was okay." If I were a manager or anything, I would have followed up with that. Nope, he said nothing and handed me my bill. I gave him 20 bucks, left a tip on the table, and was gone.

Food was okay at best. I'll try again to give a fair shot. Waitress needed alot of work. You are going to have to ask for all the condiments you want up front. Slurp that empty cup loud enough so you can get some attention lol. I'm being sarcastic. Any how. That was my visit. 2 stars. I'll go back one more time. Hope this...

Taco stand food served on a plate! Visited Sunday 8/04/24 around 12 noon, upon arrival we checked with the hostess there where couple of others ahead of us, the restaurant was serving a Sunday brunch price $29.95 special on the date. Place nice and clean with a modern décor and lighting, nice tables and comfortable seats. Mariachis where entertaining we were informed about the different options of foods available for us to eat and where promptly taken to our table, we ordered from a waitress a Michelada $13 and a spicy margarita $12 from the bar and got up to get our food the buffet is set half inside and half in the patio area, inside you there was: Menudo, Pozole Verde (pork), tamales both pork and chicken, black beans, steamed rice, folded tortillas with cheese (enchiladas), chicken mole, bbq pork ribs, cochinita pibil (NOT) just pork cushion with red chile sauce, desserts (choc chip cookies, oat meal cookies, yellow cake, red velvet cookies (no serving utensil hands only) chocolate fountain and marshmallows, cut fruit and café de olla (Mexican coffee with cinnamon) outside breakfast items eggs omelets, pancakes, crepes, a girl making tortillas, quesadillas and street tacos (chicken asada, al pastor, carnitas) Plenty of options for sure my problem is they have fine dining on their name, and for $39.95 I was expecting more, everything is street food and comfort food (pozole, menudo) every food is cheap meat, food is bland, mediocre at most, taco stand food served on a plate inside a nice building passed as fine dining… Service very relax and non available, our drinks had not been delivered to our table we had to ask for again, definitely slow service, plenty of employees wearing a two way radios and earphones (seen that on movies) walking around not organized, floating without direction. We finished and waited for about 20 minutes before we saw our waitress and requested the bill, waited for about 10 minutes and she never came back so we got up and walked to the front desk to pay, our waitress was there and had forgot about us. So yeah not worth my...