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The wait is over! The readers have spoken, and we are happy to announce your local favorites with The Bakersfield Californian’s 2011 Best of Kern County poll. What makes something a favorite? We may not be able to pinpoint that intangible element, but it’s clear that longtime local institutions Wool Growers, Today Cleaners and Log Cabin Florist have the answer. With their standout service and products, they’ve yet again topped the poll, which has been charting the best the county has had to offer for 18 years. And in an ever-changing world, it’s nice to know there are some things that never change, like Mexicali’s dominance of the best margarita, salsa and Mexican restaurant categories. It may have opened its doors late last year, but Juicy Burger made a strong first impression on local diners who named it best burger and best place to have lunch. On the
Antiques . .............................................6 Art gallery . ..........................................6 Auto service ........................................6 Bank/financial institution...................6 Bike shop .............................................6 Bookstore ............................................7 Bridal/formal wear..............................7 Camera shop........................................7 Carpet/flooring ...................................7 Cell phone/pager ................................8 Children’s apparel . .............................8 Chiropractor.........................................8 Customer service ...............................8 Department store ...............................8 Dentist/dental group...........................9 Doctor/medical group.........................9 Dry cleaner.........................................10 Electronics . .......................................10 Fitness/health club...........................10 Florist .................................................10 Funeral home ....................................10 Furniture store................................... 12 Hair salon . ......................................... 12 Home appliance store . .................... 12 Hotel ................................................... 12 Jewelry store ..................................... 13 Men’s apparel . .................................. 13 Motorcycle/off-road shop ............... 13 Mortgage company........................... 14 Music store......................................... 14 New car dealership .......................... 14 New home builder............................. 14 Nursery/garden store........................ 14 Office supplies .................................. 14 Optometrist . ..................................... 15 Pediatrician ....................................... 15 Physical therapist . ........................... 16
other end of the spectrum, Emporium Western Store and Dewar’s, which have both been serving our community for more than 100 years, are among the recurring local favorites. This year, we added several more categories to the poll like best place for a first date and best place to people watch, so turn the page and see who won. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a newcomer looking for some new hotspots to try, this list is sure to get you thinking about where to shop, eat, visit or play.
Pool/spa.............................................. 16 Plastic surgeon ................................. 16 Real estate agent . ............................ 16 Real estate company ....................... 16 Shoe store ......................................... 17 Shopping center................................ 17 Sporting goods ................................. 18 Tile store ............................................ 18 Tire store............................................ 20 Travel agency ................................... 20 Used car dealership.......................... 20 Veterinarian . ..................................... 21 Western store ................................... 21 Women’s apparel ..............................22 Bar ......................................................22 Breakfast ...........................................23 Bakery ................................................23 Barbecue . ..........................................23 Basque ...............................................23 Business lunch .................................23 Burger................................................. 24 Catering ............................................ 24 Chinese ..............................................25 Coffee . ...............................................25 Deli . ....................................................25 Delivery ............................................. 26 Desserts ............................................ 26 Happy hour ........................................25 Health food store...............................25 Italian ................................................ 26 Lunch . ............................................... 26 Margarita .......................................... 26 Mexican restaurant.......................... 26 Microbrew selection ....................... 28 New restaurant ................................ 28 Overall restaurant . .......................... 28 Pizza................................................... 28
Best of Kern County 2011 by Bakersfield Life
Restaurant for kids/family ............. 30 Romantic restaurant ....................... 30 Salsa.................................................... 31 Seafood .............................................. 31 Senior special . .................................. 31 Steak .................................................. 31 Sunday brunch .................................. 31 Sushi/Japanese .................................32 Wine selection ..................................32 Community theater . ........................33 Family attraction ..............................35 Annual event .....................................33 Place to dance ................................. 34 Place to listen to live music............ 34 Local magazine..................................35 Weekend getaway ............................35 Day care facility ............................... 36 Golf course ....................................... 36 Hospital . ............................................37 Local website ....................................37 Park . ...................................................37 Place to have a birthday ................. 38 Private school .................................. 38 Retirement home/community ....... 38 Place to worship ............................. 40 Place to take out-of-town guests............................................ 40 Place for a first date......................... 40 Place to people watch..................... 40 Kept secret........................................ 40 Worthy cause.................................... 42 Drive-through.................................... 43 Local blog.......................................... 43 Newspaper columnist...................... 43 Newspaper journalist....................... 43 Pet supplies....................................... 43