A recent visit to Bakersfield reinforced why this is one of the best Tex-Mex joints in Charlotte, but a couple of drawbacks knocked it back from my original five-star rating. First off, this place is LOUD. And while the vibrant, lively atmosphere makes it one of the hippest restaurants in the Queen City, it's also extremely hard to carry on a conversation. Whether you're at the bar or a table, the cacophony is near-deafening, so be prepared to do a fair amount of screaming over your dinner.
Second, the margaritas we had during this last visit were less compelling than I remember, with more tart than tequila. But the meal -- from the chips & queso we started with, to the Pollo Rojo and Bistec tacos I enjoyed for my entree -- was outstanding. I'd still rate Bakersfield as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Charlotte, but you may want to learn lip-reading if you plan to visit on a busy Saturday night.