Location: Shafter
Shafter Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Shafter
Shafter is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is located 18 miles (29 km) west-northwest of Bakersfield. The population was 16,988 at the 2010 census, up from 12,736 at the 2000 census.
1. El Michoacano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Ron P - Bakersfield, California
Whether you like Chile rellenos, fish tacos, enchiladas or chili verde burritos, you will find something delicious on the menu. Whether you are passing through, live in Bakersfield, Wasco, Taft, or even Buttonwillow, it's worth the drive to come here. The owner, Gino, or his son are always in the dining room taking orders or delivering food. Gino's wife can usually be found in the kitchen rattling pans and whipping up the delicious fare which makes its way to your table. No fast food here. Everything is cooked to order so try not to be in a hurry. It's not fast food, but really good, authentic Mexican food, the way it's made in the state of Michoacano.
2. Willow Ranch Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 138 reviews
Serving delicious homemade food is our specialty. Using only the freshest ingredients, we prepare meals that are flavorful and packed with a lot of love like our famous burgers, BBQ, sandwiches, and breakfast dishes. Whether you want to take the family out for dinner or catch up with a friend over a couple of beers, you can expect to enjoy some good ol’ American cooking when you visit Willow Ranch.
Reviewed By MeAndTheLittleWoman - San Jose, California
I had their 1/2 rack of baby back ribs which were a little tough but the BBQ sauce which I thought was the best I ever had more than made up for it.I'm sorry our ribs weren't to your liking this time -- that doesn't sound like our usual. It sounds like our famous BBQ was just your style, though! I hope you'll give us another chance to fully impress you soon! Best wishes, Mandy B., Manager
3. Idle Spur Cafe
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Scigris - Las Vegas, Nevada
What can I say? The best food! What started out as a steak dinner turned out to be several courses. What an amazing dinner!!
It was so much like what my mom made. We aren't Basque, but the only difference was we were also served pickled tongue. Never even heard of it, good, but nothing close to the delight of all of the other food.
When the steak came we were totally shocked at the size but it was the tastiest I've had in years and I've eaten 60$ steaks that don't compare.
I think we spent a $90 in all and took home half the steak.
Make sure you get a reservation. Only open for dinner on Friday nights.
4. Rosie's Cakes and Cookies
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By John H - Bakersfield, California
I introduced my wife to Rosie's Cakes and Cookies in 2002! I have been unable to pry her away from Rosie's for any reason!!! All of our "special occasion" cakes are from Rosie's! Even if we're going out of town for a party, the cake comes with us from Rosie's!!!
5. Denny's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By hedleyk - herts,uk
This denny's had beer on offer and the food was really nice. Our server was very attentive and made a point of telling us when her break was coming up.You never get hurried along in Denny's so this was a bit of a surprise.
6. Red Wagon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By marcmcman - Los Angeles
Be sure to arrive before 1215, otherwise he prepared for stacking chairs chairs chairs and the intense smile of formula 409.chairscherish chairs and the intense smell of formula 409. The be a opening chairs but sharing with strangers is not good. Formula 409 Bynes my nostrils
7. Blue Sushi & Teriyaki
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By 1000MilesBehind - Fort Bragg, North Carolina
We stumbled across this little place while travelling from Irvine to San Francisco. What a treat! I ordered a beef bowl dish and it was absolutely delicious. The portions are HUGE; I couldn't finish it, but I definitely enjoyed what I ate. Glad to have found this small corner restaurant in Wasco.
8. Pappy's Coffee Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
We are s family owner diner specializing in American Diner food. Portions are generous, served in a warm friendly environment with menu items made from scratch.
Reviewed By John K - Camarillo
Used to go to Pappy's a while back then moved out of town. Now that I've moved back I'm trying my old friends again. Pappy's is a Rosedale fixture. If you don't get there before 9 on the weekends there's a huge crowd waiting on the front are (iron gates). It goes fast but I have no patience. The food is "down home country like momma made it , stick to your ribs" goodness. Portions are large and biscuits and gravy are worth the trip by themselves. I've been in the oil business for 40 years and the decor makes me feel right at home. Some yuppy types might say the decor is old and dirty and in need of a makeover. I say go somewhere else like Dennys leave Pappy's alone. Food is great, portions are good, price is reasonable and your coffee or ise tea never runs dry. What more can a cowboy ask for? Come on in and pull up a chair!
9. Tony's Firehouse Pizza
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Ron P - Bakersfield, California
Having just returned from the Central Coast, I decided to order the fish & chips here while the taste of the great order I enjoyed on the coast still lingered on my taste buds. I can undoubtedly say that these were just as good as the ones served at Brad's in Pismo Beach. Both restaurants use cod fillets and the tartar sauce, though delicious in both places, really isn't necessary. The 'chips' at both places are also comparable. This is a big PLUS for Tony's as you seldom find this dish prepared and tasting sa well at an inland restaurant as it is done on the coast.
10. Hoyett's Sandwich Shop
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By help32250 - Corona, California
This is the second time in a month that a friend has literally blown me away with a total surprise. To look at Hoyett's outside you would think it was a machine shop, and not a very good looking one at that. But enter and you see something that looks like a cross between Happy Days and American Graffiti ... with food that is absolutely incredible and unlike anything you have ever tasted.
Wasco is inconveniently located between the 99 and I/5 freeways, approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. You just don't pull off the freeway to get gas and get there. You have to make a point to go there. But if you have roses at your home the odds are 2 out of 5 (literally 40%) that they were born there. Wasco is essentially one of the rose capitals of the United States.
So the people that frequent Hoyett's are locals. And the food is the same food that has been served there for half a century.
A very close friend took my wife and me there. I ordered the "Sam's" hamburger. But since I wanted it done medium rare our server suggested I have it with an Angus patty instead of the standard one. The "Sam's" is essentially a custom burger with pastrami, and one might wonder whether there is more pastrami than burger. It is juicy, very juicy. You may want to try to eat it with a knife and fork. But I dove into it hands first and wow was it juicy good.
My wife and her friend had a "regular" burger. If it was a regular burger I don't know in what way. It was just as huge and good as mine.
You can't order wine or a beer ... unless it is Root Beer ... at Hoyett's. At our server's suggestion I had the Root Beer. It reminded me of the root beer I had when I was a kid (a half century ago). In fact Hoyett's has been in business for that long and used to have cars served by girls on roller skates. How long has it been since you've seen that?
We also had a side order of fried zucchini and onion rings. Greasy good. Hot. Delicious. Tasted home made. In fact you can watch it all being cooked as everything is open for viewing. In my thinking they WANT you to see how they make it, they are so proud of it.
There is limited seating, maybe 4 or 5 tables that sit 4 each max and another 4 or 5 that can sit directly in front of the fry area. Arrive there before typical meal times (like 11:30 for lunch as we did). Other locals arrive, many right out of the farm field, eat and go. This is a local favorite. If as a tourist (like me) you can sneak into it you will be amazed with the incredible difference between how it looks on the outside vs the old time charm on the inside.
It may be worth your time to travel 15 miles off the 99 or 50 miles off the I/5 to try it. It is a delicious step back in time and taste.
On a personal note I am not surprised that I will be the first one to review Hoyett's. If I were a "local" I don't think I would want the world to know about it as it might limit my ability to enjoy it. But as a world traveler I think I owe it to both Hoyett's and Wasco to let everyone know what a gem they have. Sorry Wasco. I'm going back.
