A nice problem to have, and one that is not uncommon in Bakersfield, is the fact that there are just so many good places to choose from if you want to enjoy a good meal out. When it comes to dining out Bakersfield offers plenty of top-notch destinations and is probably one of the city’s best kept secrets. Let’s face it, when you think of Bakersfield there are a lot of things that come to mind. One of those is NOT fine dining. Some of these restaurants, especially those located east of the 99 freeway, can quite literally be described as a hole-in-the-wall. But don’t let appearances fool you. Some of these restaurants have been around for decades and there is a reason for that, which has nothing to do with the way they look.
I recently enjoyed breakfast at that rare coffee shop that looks like a hole-in-the-wall, but it is actually located WEST of the 99 freeway. Pappy’s coffee shop, located at 10595 Rosedale Highway, just west of Verdugo Lane, sits in a strictly blue-collar shopping center and it looks like that proverbial hole-in-the-wall. Pappy’s first opened its doors in 1999, the brainstorm of a guy that had spent years working in the Kern County oil fields.
If you didn’t know that before you went inside, one glance at the interior décor of Pappy’s is all the explaining you would need. Nestled between the enormous bison head mounted on the wall at the front entrance and the jackalope head mounted above the red, white, and blue barber pole found by the kitchen, you can find any number of black and white still shots centered around the Kern County oil fields. Also mounted on the walls are banners and logos of numerous oilfield service companies, many of which no longer exist. If you are vegan stay away. Along with the bison and jackalope you will find the heads of wild boar, zebra, and a second Buffalo hanging on the walls. I am guessing the owner was something of a big game hunter also.
Pappy’s is something of an anachronism. The coffee shop is only open from 5:15 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. They serve breakfast all day long, as limited as their day is. They also have a lunch menu which I have never sampled. If their breakfast is any indication, then I’d bet they serve an excellent lunch that I should try out sometime. Heck, I live less than a mile away.
I honestly go there for the breakfast and the service. Every time I step into Pappy’s the place is packed, and the service is always friendly and efficient. The clientele is mixed. You can find everything from families enjoying a large breakfast together to couples, to workers, their sleeves rolled up, grabbing a quick bite before they head off to work, probably in the oil fields. The restaurant is loud with the murmur of human voices, but not so loud that you have to shout to be heard by your dining partner. Sure, it looks like it was decorated by a colorblind blacksmith with ADD, but it somehow feels comfortable. Kind of like going to your Grandparents house. It says, “Yeah we are a bit messy but we’re family.” With its’ warm, familial atmosphere the diner says sit down and stay awhile.
My preferred breakfast is the Hawaiian Freedom French Toast. This is made with four wedges of sweet Hawaiian bread dipped in an egg batter and fried on the griddle. It is served with butter and a dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon. Syrup on the side. It’s probably the best French toast I’ve ever eaten. I always promise myself I’ll try something different this time but then I order the Hawaiian Freedom French Toast, again! If I’m really hungry I will have the Freedom French Toast Meal. This includes two eggs, two strips of bacon or one sausage. As an alternative you can have your French toast stuffed with cream cheese and topped with fruit. And Pappy’s is known for their large portions. All of their omelets are made with five eggs. You won’t leave feeling hungry.
On this particular day I sat at the counter. It was somewhat cluttered but in a way that your own kitchen countertop might be cluttered. I glanced at the menu, more from habit than anything else since I already knew what I was going to order. That is when I discovered I was going to be trying something different that morning, whether I wanted to or not. When I asked for my usual Hawaiian Freedom French Toast, I was informed they currently weren’t serving it because they couldn’t get the Hawaiian bread. Probably sitting in a cargo container off the coast of San Pedro. So, a quick scan of a rather large menu, and I ordered the Bakersfield Benedict. This is a chicken fried steak, perched atop an English muffin and topped with two eggs and sausage gravy with a side of hash browns. You can never go wrong with sausage gravy. As always, the portions were generous, and the food was wonderfully delicious.
The staff at Pappy’s is always friendly and courteous. You can tell they genuinely enjoy working there and they honestly strive to put out an excellent product. The coffee shop itself has a warm vibe and offers a welcome atmosphere. Bakersfield provides a lot of really fine dining choices. Everyone has their favorites and Pappy’s is one that I return to frequently. I will be back, perhaps next time for lunch. Pappy’s is definitely swinging for the fences. I hope you are doing the same at your job.
