Dining Divas
La Colonia Restaurant Friendly staff, delicious homestyle Mexican food make this restaurant a must visit
Heel ratings (out of five)
Atmosphere Food
34
Bakersfield Life
Price
Service
October 2012
Photos by Greg Nichols
W
hen we heard the Divas were going to La Colonia, we were thrilled because we had heard such wonderful things about the food. We realized this would be a bit of a departure from the norm, but not every great Bakersfield restaurant is located in the hub of downtown or in newer commercial developments. Many, like La Colonia, are tucked away in quiet residential neighborhoods. And many are family owned establishments with long histories of serving good food at fair prices in an unpretentious and homey environment.
Dining Divas (from left:) Lisa Verdugo, Katie Price, Amanda Meszaros, Molly Clark and Tammara Newby in front of La Colonia
Dora Cornejo and her husband opened La Colonia 37 years ago. In 1976, the family moved across the street from their original location to Potomac Avenue near Washington Street. Today, Dora still oversees the everyday operations — even acting as cook on Mondays, so that she can give her full-time cook a day off. Her two daughters, Monica and Michelle, also work at La Colonia. This establishment has a relaxing family feel and for good reason. Many who work here are actually family (aunt Hortencia Cameron still waitresses at the age of 85!) or they have worked here so long that they’ve virtually become family. Take waitress Norma Trevino, who’s been with the restaurant since it opened nearly 30 years ago.