By Kristen Garza
Staff Writer

If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience any of the Basque food here in Bakersfield, I encourage you to do so. Bakersfield is reported to have one of the largest concentrations of Basque restaurants in the country. From Wool Growers and Chalet Basque to Benji’s, Basque restaurants offer a truly unique experience.
Basque food, also known as French cuisine, is presented much differently than other restaurants. The menu appears minimal, but once you have made your selection, the food immediately starts rolling in.
Entrée options range from seafood, steaks and chicken to delicacies such as duck, lamb and veal.
Each dinner comes with salad, cabbage soup, beans, bread, marinated tomatoes, french fries, green beans, and pickled tongue. The wait staff will continue to load your table with all of the refillable food as per your request.
I visited Benji’s and Chalet Basque. Chalet’s atmosphere is much more intimate whereas Benji’s seemed more frantic. After experiencing both restaurants, the general consensus among my friends and family is that Chalet’s food is better. For myself, I’d have to say they were too similar to choose.
Benji’s is definitely a popular destination. The wait time on a Saturday night can be over an hour, whereas at Chalet I have never waited more than ten minutes for a table. One would assume this is due to the community’s preference for Benji’s fare over Chalet’s, but I believe it is simply the Rosedale location of Benji’s restaurant that makes it a hot spot.
The service at both restaurants was above standard and we received all eight courses in a timely manner.
Whichever location you choose, prepare to pay for what you get. Benji’s is more expensive than Chalet Basque, with prices averaging $22 an entrée.
Do remember, however, that the entrée is actually more like an eight course meal.
In my experience at Benji’s, my son’s tri-tip and my filet mignon were both undercooked and had to be placed back on the grill. So, stressing to the server exactly how you want your food cooked is probably a good idea.
Both locations have an active bar. The bar at Benji’s appeared to be the preferred location to wait the hour until your table is ready. Conversely, Chalet’s bar plays popular music and is known to hire an occasional guest DJ.
According to Britannica.com, the Basque lineage can be traced as far back as the first century. The society originated in the Pyrenees Mountains between Southern France and Northern Spain and is reportedly still thriving in the very same foothills today. There is said to be an astounding 18 million people of Basque descent in the world.
Basque culture is alive and thriving, especially here in Bakersfield. Our obsession with the Basque culture extends further than just the cuisine.
For instance, Kern County has a Basque club whose sole mission is to preserve the Basque culture and traditions here in our county.
Local authors Steve Bass and George Ansolabehere also perpetuate the history of Basque culture in Bakersfield in their novel, “The History of Basques in Kern County,” which can be found at Basque restaurant Wool Growers and online.
If you’re feeling adventurous and want an entertaining night out, I highly suggest exploring the tastes of the Basque culture. I would recommend Chalet Basque at 200 Oak Street or Benji’s at 4001 Rosedale Highway. The food is filling, the ambiance is memorable and you’ll definitely want to visit again.