2008 Woodie Awards
Downtown Bakersfield
Nick Stockton
Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: Features
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The next stop in our cross-city surveys of the different areas in and around Bakersfield lands us in central downtown. Geographically it is one of the smallest areas to be covered. However, downtown is so packed with an incredible variety of attractions that it would be an overstatement to say that we had even scratched the surface of the experiences to be had here.
Zingo's Café
3201 Buck Owens Boulevard
A classic truck stop café right off Freeway 99, they do truck stop food with classic, greasy American zeal. What you don't want to do when you come here, is go outside these narrowly defined cuisine boundaries. Steer that 18-wheeler clear of the French dip sandwich, or anything else with a foreign-sounding name. Well, excluding the French fries.
Westchester Liquors and the Filling Station
2408 F St. and 1830 24th St.
Located in adjacent buildings, these are two completely different stores selling completely different kinds of drinks. Westchester Liquors is run by three of the nicest beer-selling guys you will ever meet. Spending a few weeks getting acquainted with their beer selection will skyrocket you to beer-snob greatness, annoying the hell out of your buddies content with the Silver Bullet. The Filling Station looks like a gas station, but it serves coffee. Coffee is fuel for the soul.
CLS Pets
3105 F St.
At CLS Pets, they put their ice cream freezer (yeah, ice cream in a pet store) right next to the rabbit bins. Our guess is that this is to soften you up for when you reach the section of the store titled "Really Big Snakes."
Lyle's College of Beauty
2935 F St.
Who says you need to complete your IGETC in order to transfer to real college?
Golden State Mall
3201 F St.
Hidden within all the replicate clothing stores is 08SK8 Skateboard Company. At the desk sits Jenny, who explains that the store used to be online, but, "These kids don't have credit cards," she gestures to two young skaters as they sheepishly point to the visors and t-shirts bearing the company logo. She has her own skate team, and has 5 sponsors for the local shredders. Also, there is the Casa de Tequila. After spending about 15 minutes in this store, one feels as though they have been transported to the world of a tequila underground, where Patron and Jose Cuervo are simply diversions to keep the uninitiated from discovering what true tequilerios savor and crave.
Zingo's Café
3201 Buck Owens Boulevard
A classic truck stop café right off Freeway 99, they do truck stop food with classic, greasy American zeal. What you don't want to do when you come here, is go outside these narrowly defined cuisine boundaries. Steer that 18-wheeler clear of the French dip sandwich, or anything else with a foreign-sounding name. Well, excluding the French fries.
Westchester Liquors and the Filling Station
2408 F St. and 1830 24th St.
Located in adjacent buildings, these are two completely different stores selling completely different kinds of drinks. Westchester Liquors is run by three of the nicest beer-selling guys you will ever meet. Spending a few weeks getting acquainted with their beer selection will skyrocket you to beer-snob greatness, annoying the hell out of your buddies content with the Silver Bullet. The Filling Station looks like a gas station, but it serves coffee. Coffee is fuel for the soul.
CLS Pets
3105 F St.
At CLS Pets, they put their ice cream freezer (yeah, ice cream in a pet store) right next to the rabbit bins. Our guess is that this is to soften you up for when you reach the section of the store titled "Really Big Snakes."
Lyle's College of Beauty
2935 F St.
Who says you need to complete your IGETC in order to transfer to real college?
Golden State Mall
3201 F St.
Hidden within all the replicate clothing stores is 08SK8 Skateboard Company. At the desk sits Jenny, who explains that the store used to be online, but, "These kids don't have credit cards," she gestures to two young skaters as they sheepishly point to the visors and t-shirts bearing the company logo. She has her own skate team, and has 5 sponsors for the local shredders. Also, there is the Casa de Tequila. After spending about 15 minutes in this store, one feels as though they have been transported to the world of a tequila underground, where Patron and Jose Cuervo are simply diversions to keep the uninitiated from discovering what true tequilerios savor and crave.
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