I'm from Ohio so I've eaten at the Bakersfield in Cincinnati and Columbus. Let me tell you, I was PUMPED when I saw a Bakersfield was opening in Pittsburgh!
My boyfriend and I went when they first opened last summer... but it was a weekend night and the wait was around 45 minutes. No thank you!
Fast forward to February... I decided to meet a girlfriend at Bakersfield after work for Happy Hour, thinking that it would be less crowded after work on a week day. I walked in and awkwardly stood next to the hostess table for about 5 minutes before a hostess came over and greeted me. At first I thought it was closed for a private party and I was crashing... it was mostly young adults in business work clothes. However, apparently this place is just a hot spot for the after work crowd.
One thing I immediately noticed was how loud this place is! Very echoey and you kind of have to yell across the table at the person you're with.
The service from the waiter was great, despite it being super busy. I got queso, a margarita and two tacos. Everything was exactly how I had remembered it from the Cincy and Columbus locations-- delicious. The queso was different-- a little spicy but nonetheless delicious. I don't think I've ever met a Taco I didn't like. Bakersfield definitely gives my favorite PGH Taco Place in the South Side a run for its money!
Overall: service 8/10, ambiance 6/10, food 10/10.