El Puesto Cocina & Lounge — Restaurant in Bakersfield

The only reason I went was to grab a coffee to go . I arrived stood at the front counter 2 girls are standing there just chatting after 5 min I actually said hello! I only need coffee to go. Two girls left to go check if there’s coffee then the manager came up front , mind you I’ve been there 20 minutes waiting for if there’s coffee or not . So the manager says yes we’re making it . Then the girl comes agin says it’s coming up now . I asked what size she said it’s a small size . I asked for 3 then to go. I sat for over 40 min . I see them come and go , same girl comes up to me and asks how many in your party . Are you freaking kidding me! I told her it’s me the same person waiting for coffee , don’t you remember! Then she says o there’s no coffee. Wtf they said they were making a pot , she even mentioned it was a small cup and I told her 3 to go ! Obviously the place is nicely decorated but the service is so horribly organized! I’ve been there 3 times to eat , including both locations . They are sporadic , they don’t attempt to greet you kindly or even ask your needs even when standing in front of them as you come in. It seems like an establishment that is professionally decorated with unacknowledged management ! Your paying to see the decor not the service! Previous time I went and 3 time was around 10 am I was outside I waiting for them to open . Multiple people walked in of course the person inside opened the door for workers but only after 45 min waiting after I tried coming in did someone rudely say you can’t come in we open at 11 I said you’ve seen me waiting here forever you couldn’t mention that earlier . As I said unprofessional. The management of this establishment is horrible. Honestly I did have coffee and pancakes the first time there and it was delicious but other than that . Don’t bother ! Find...

For reference We went yesterday for a birthday. We went for the buffet. Some of us have been there before without problems. There was 8 people in our party. Now the food is fresh delicious and presents well. The location is gorgeous. The music is a little loud. Our unhappiness yesterday was the lack of attentiveness and the added 18% tip when the service was not worth a $41 tip!. We like to tip however not when our service is not to basic standards. Our party was the very first customers to arrive..the restaurant quickly got busy. We understand that part. However our drinks were not filled in a timely manner. We had to flag a server down. Just to ask for sodas our 3 coffees didn't get filled until we were about to leave. The server never smiled and we felt like the staff didn't want to be there. We served ourselves for the buffet so its not like they had to take our order and go make it and serve it. Its JUST Drinks!!! When we went to pay I told the person at register that the $41 added tip for our table was Wild! Because our service sucked. She just gave me the Gen Z stare and then answered the phone. She didn't ask how to help or what happened. Nor did she ask if I wanted to speak to anyone. I looked at my family and said lets go. We spent hundreds of dollars just to serve our food and beg for drinks. With the many restaurants to choose from and spend our $ we wont be back. And As I see from other recent reviews not alone. Please read your reviews and see how you...

Wow—this place was a surprising gem! I visited El Puesto Cocina and Lounge on White Lane with a party of four, and from the moment we arrived, we were impressed. Although it wasn’t busy when we got there, the staff seated us within 15 minutes. The environment was welcoming and vibrant, with a live band playing and an overall great vibe.

The staff were on point—friendly, attentive, and professional throughout the entire evening. They made sure we had everything we needed and checked in on us without being overbearing, which really added to the experience.

As for the food: I ordered the Mar y Tierra plate, and it was absolutely delicious—both the steak and shrimp were cooked to perfection. I would rate my dish a 5 out of 5. My mom ordered the basic enchiladas, which were okay but a bit dry inside, likely due to the way the sauce was added. My sister had a chile, bean, and cheese burrito plate, and my dad tried the bass plate with a cactus salad. Both were decent but not standout dishes—I’d rate those around 3 out of 5.

The handmade tortillas were a great touch, and I thoroughly enjoyed the handcrafted margaritas. I tried the mango & chamoy margarita and the Jamaica margarita—both were flavorful, refreshing, and perfectly balanced.

In short, El Puesto impressed us with its ambiance, service, drinks, and standout dishes. I’d definitely return, especially if I’m passing through the area again. It's a spot worth visiting for the...