Still Rockin’ Jerry’s Pizza

Craig Owens from the band D.R.U.G.S. sings to a packed crowd at Jerry’s Pizza. (Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com

For more than 20 years, Jerry’s Pizza has acted as a beacon of entertainment for both music and food lovers alike. Located in the heart of downtown Bakersfield, at 1817 Chester Ave., Jerry’s Pizza is a safe haven for many different musicians. In addition, Jerry’s Pizza provides people with an established venue for the live music scene. Ever since its grand opening in 1992, the pub has welcomed anyone with a sufficient appetite and a taste for music.

“We kinda heard the buzz at school that there was this new pizza place downtown,” said 38-year-old music enthusiast, Jeanette Benavente. “A lot of places that you go to where you have performers come in, the food tends to be mediocre, but the food at Jerry’s Pizza is actually really good.”

Although Benavente usually orders pizza when she attends Jerry’s, the pub also offers other tastes such as calzones, sandwiches, and burgers. For the 21-and-over crowd, alcoholic beverages may be purchased. Offering a variety of different foods and beverages allows Jerry’s Pizza to appeal to everyone’s taste buds. Besides offering plenty to drink and eat, the pub is a place where many different kinds of people come to hang out with friends. On any given night, people can expect to see Jerry’s Pizza roaring with laughter and buzzing with energy.

“Jerry’s Pizza is a place where I went to listen to great music with good friends,” said 28-year-old music connoisseur, Danielle Dillon. “It brings back a lot of very happy memories for me and reminds me of when I was younger.”

Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p. m. Monday through Saturday, Jerry’s Pizza welcomes people of all ages. In addition, the pub also welcomes a wide variety of different types of music lovers. From “punks” to “metal heads,” Jerry’s Pizza plays host to a broad spectrum of individuals. Whether catering to the older generation or a younger one, the doors to Jerry’s are always open.

“I think it’s important for the newer generations to be able to experience what us older generations got to enjoy,” Dillon said.

Music lies at the very core of what Jerry’s Pizza represents. Two upcoming shows to keep and eye out for are on Sunday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 24. The first show will feature the post-hardcore band Senses Fail, while the second show will feature pop-punk/rock band Bayside. More details about these concerts, as well as future events, can be found at the pub’s Facebook page. Concerts at Jerry’s Pizza allow music lovers to gather at one common place and share their passion for the art. It is for this reason that people can also expect to hear plenty of music blasting out from the pub’s sweltering basement.

“Jerry’s Pizza has had a pretty good impact and influence on my musical taste,” Dillon said. “It’s always fun seeing the opening acts that aren’t quite known and finding that you really actually like them.”

A typical picture of the crowd Jerry’s Pizza draws. (Photo courtesy http://www.flickr.com)

Bites of True Bakersfield

I must admit that I have not tried every restaurant in Bakersfield, and as a man who is not too picky about local restaurants and has a since of adventure when it comes to food, I feel that I have tried my fair share. However, I do believe that I have taken a bite out of what is the best down home eateries that Bakersfield has to offer. Here are my bites of true Bakersfield.

The Crystal Palace Famous Sign http://www.Roadsidepeek.com

• Buck Owens Crystal Palace. Home of the great singer songwriter the Crystal Palace  is a  museum, night club, and  restaurant  all rolled into one. Carrying fond memories of the late superstar that bares the buildings name, it serves some of the best Southern style cuisine this side of the Rio Grande. A personal favorite of mine is Buck’s chicken fried steak. The Crystal Palace shares the same  belief that my grandfather always said at the dinner table, “if you leave here hungry it’s your own damn fault.”  Believe me, if you came to the Crystal Palace hungry for great food, good music, or for the history of a country music legend  that put Bakersfield on the map you won’t leave there disappointed.

Lengthwise Brewing Company Logo http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb4htuROIT1r9v02ro1_1280.jpg

• Lengthwise Brewing Company.  Opening their first establishment in 1998 and now opening their third restaurant here in Bakersfield. The Bakersfield brew-masters come in a solid second for being an outstanding icon of the city. As if brewing 6 different delicious beers like Lengthwiser Golden Ale, Triple Hop Red Ale,  and Centennial Ale weren’t enough, the brewery also makes seasonal brews as well like Oktoberfest,  Kern County Porter, and coming soon Kern County Crude Scottish Ale. For any of the brew it yourself fans out there these beverages would satisfy their local itch for iconic Bakersfield but Lengthwise also serves a wide variety of  delicious food as well, like their Golden Ale chicken strips, goat cheese stinky fries, and their always popular deep fried Twinkies. I hope Lengthwise’s fame keeps growing all over California because we need more breweries like them.

Famous Dave’s Logo http://www.famousdaves.com/

• Famous Dave’s.  Now I know what you’re thinking, there are so many other local restaurants out there that could  have done a better job picking the number three spot. However, from my personal experience, I say that Famous Dave’s has worked its way into my heart (hopefully my insurance covers it). What made Famous Dave’s earn it’s place in the Bakersfield top three, was their dedication to the idea of setting down to a southern family dinner. I have sat down to eat at Dave’s with people from all across America, even the pickiest eater had no problem with the delectable vittles Dave’s had to offer. From pulled pork on toast, to sweet corn bread, to a variety of different sauces ranging from big and rich to devils spit. All the while you can’t shake the feeling like you are having your dinner at a family reunion. Its hard not to love the home decor and the paper towel racks stocked to the brim for the undoubtedly messy and fun experience that you will ever get served on a trashcan lid.

Stage Art from the Late Fishlips Restaurant http://s3.evcdn.com/images/edpborder500/I0-001/001/176/510-2.jpeg_/fishlips-10.jpeg

•  Fishlips Bar and Grill. An honorable mention goes to one of our fallen heroes in the gastric and nightlife community here in Bakersfield.Fishlips Bar and Grill was a restaurant that was full of life and great food. A place where you could have a cocktail or a meal named after a famous musician (the Eric Clapton burger was a personal favorite of mine). Local bands would come in and perform cover songs from the greats like Jimmy Hendrix or The Doors and its patrons could lose themselves for an few hours  in the sensational music, food, and every type of martini known to man. Sadly Fish lips could not withstand the tragedy of the last 10 years but I hope that all of you reading this have as fond of memories of that great tavern as I do.

That’s it folks, the show is over. If you feel that I am off my mark or that I have missed a deep fried treasure hidden within the valley of Bakersfield and you would like to show me the way.Feel free to reply with a suggestion and if your addition bumps off a raining champion, then it would be a pleasure to literally eat my words.

High-class boozing in Bakersfield

It’s often said that there’s nothing interesting to do in Bakersfield – that isn’t true. Although Bakersfield can’t compete with a city like Los Angeles in terms of nightlife it does have some of the best beer in the nation.

Lengthwise Brewery with three locations one on Calloway drive, another at the Marketplace and one on Schirra court.

It’s classic Lengthwise Golden Ale is its most popular beer from what I’ve observed but their Triple Hop Red Ale is my choice for their best drink in the pub. Both locations also feature restaurants serving bar and grill staples like wings, burgers and sandwiches alongside more adventurous food, for a bar, like calamari rings and Twinkie ice cream. The stinky fries a blend of crisp yet fluffy fries drowned in garlic and Gorgonzola cheese.

Lengthwise is also a spot for all ages. While their main draw are their craft beers they also serves fresh roasted coffee and soft drinks.

Lengthwise isn’t the only craft brewery in Kern County, if you’re willing to drive through the mountain roads for about an hour the beer connoisseur can visit the Kern River Brewing Company in Kernville to try their selection of fresh brews.

Their menu includes Citra a beer filled with the aroma and flavor of pineapple and grapefruit mixed with malt and hopps. Citra is also the winner of a gold medal for Imperial India pale ales in the Great American Beer Festival in 2012 and perfect score of 100 on Beer Advocate, based on 712 ratings.

It’s not just Citra, the Kernville brew-pub is ranked as world-class establishments on Beeradvocate.com, the world’s most popular website for beer ranking according to web-traffic tracker Alexa.com. Customers form as far away as Denmark have left high rating for majority of beers offered by

Alongside Citra, they also serve brews like their crisp Isabella Blonde or Class V Stout which is a blend of oatmeal and milk with the flavors of a stout with a 8.5% ABV for those looking to try something new and strong.

But bring a designated drive for the trip. Any self-proclaimed beer aficionado will want to sample a lot of their selection and a late night of drinking followed by a drive on winding-rugged mountain roads isn’t a recipe for success.

For those not willing to make the drive to Kernville, bottles of Kern River Brew Company’s potent potions are available locally at Imbibe Spirit and Wine, GM Liquor and Westchester Liquor.

Photo from Bear-Flavored.com