
Horse in the Alley
1421 17th Pl, Bakersfield, CA 93301
About Horse in the Alley - steak house in Bakersfield, California
Customer Review Summary
Horse in the Alley offers an inviting and relaxing atmosphere with exceptional service and delicious food. The steak and chicken dishes received high praise for their flavor and cooking perfection. The Malva pudding dessert is a standout, described as a must-try, with many reviewers expressing a desire to return just for it. Reservations are essential due to limited hours and popularity. The staff, including the owners and waitstaff, are noted for their friendliness and attentiveness, enhancing the overall dining experience. The restaurant is suitable for various occasions, including date nights and special events, and is highly recommended by patrons. Both the cocktails and wine options have been described as superb, complementing the meal perfectly. Overall, reviews consistently rate Horse in the Alley a 10 out of 10, affirming its status as a top dining destination in Bakersfield.
Key Features
Service options
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Hard liquor
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Dessert
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Historic
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
Customer Reviews
Rating Distribution
carmen orozco
First time having dinner at this place.. the atmosphere was inviting and relaxing, drinks were strong, the service was amazing, the food was a 10/10. Best steak ever! The owner came out to great the customers. Husband and wife team cook all the delicious food! 100% recommend!
Belle Rod
This was a reservation for six on a Friday afternoon at 17:30. It is very important that you make a reservation for dinner. Hours are limited, and the restaurant is well worth it. Samantha was our waitress for the entire dining experience. I absolutely enjoy when the person handling your table loves what they do. You could tell how much Samantha enjoyed her position. Samantha made our dining experience top-notch. We had a chance to speak with Chef Jason. He came to check on our table, making sure we were satisfied with our selections and to answer any questions we may have on the menu. Oh, Beth, you will hear more about her later on in this review. We ordered all four appetizers on the menu, which were stuffed mushrooms, shrimp cocktails, escargot, and the bruschetta. We were given two extra plates, stuffed mushrooms, mushrooms, and shrimp cocktails. This was given to us on the house by Chef Jason. We ordered the lemon drops, and every one that ordered ordered a second one. That is how tasteful they were. I ordered a bottle of the talosa Pinot Noir 1997, always a crowd pleaser. Moving on to the main course, we ordered the ribeye, chicken alfredo, and four dishes of the block fillet. The block fillet was topped with a gorgonzola cheese slice and then finished off with a balsamic drizzle. My guest stated that each filet was cooked perfectly to a medium consistency. Flavorful and melt in your mouth. The ribeye had a mushroom shallot cream sauce on top of it, with a hint of time. My ribeye was ordered medium, and it also was flavored extremely well, never once overpowered my palate. Cooked to a medium perfection. One of my guests ordered the chicken out Florence, which she stated was the best dish she has ever had. Chicken was nice and juicy full of flavor, and the pasta was perfectly al dente. She stated the sauce was rich in flavor but not heavy in her stomach. Moving on to dessert, we ordered two of each. The first was a South African pudding called malva, which does not contain chocolate. It contains apricots, and the way Beth has perfected this recipe leaves me speechless! I at first didn't want to taste it because I thought it was all fudge. After my guess were ranting and raving about how delicious it was, I had to try it. And I am so glad I did. A big round of applause to Beth for baking this dessert and making my life better for tasting it!! The cheesecake was good with the blackberries on top, and the turtle trifle was just as delicious. The dessert of the Malva is something I would literally stop by just to pick that up. It is a must try if you come here. If you come and have dinner here and do not order the malva pudding, you may end up with an empty little hole in your heart for never tasting it. I 100% did not have one bad bite of anything at this restaurant. I am so happy that I chose to have dinner here. The entire experience was top-notch. If you are in the area, make sure to make reservations and dine here. Don't forget that Malva pudding. This is a 10 out of 10, and I will return!
Sparky
What a great experience!!! Definitely in the alley and Google maps didn't drive us through it even though you can. You can also park in the alley for 1hr but our meal experience nearly lasted 2 hours due to drinks, appetizers, entree, dessert, and good conversation. The steak was like butter and the chicken was moist. We had the escargot and bruschetta appetizer. For dessert we had Malva!!! Ooh my goodness that was absolutely delicious and unexpected. Our waiter, Matthew, recommended it and I'm so glad we tried it. Something we've never had and will definitely order again. The chef was so kind to come out and speak with a few of the tables at the end of the night which made our evening.
Damon Fleming
Well the 5 star reviews are well deserved. I called for a reservation and it took a day for them to call me back and confirm so plan accordingly. It's actually easy to find, it's in the alley just north of 17th St. There's parking in the alley on the left side. The door just has a red horse above it. It used to be a speakeasy and you can definitely feel that vibe that when you first walk in. Walk through the bar to the restaurant and there's a room with maybe 20 tables. Dimly lit and the booths are intimate. We started with the stuffed mushrooms. And let me tell you, don't pass on these. The sauce that they put on it could come in a glass and I'd drink it. Fantastic. They also bring out bread with a butter garlic dip and that's really good. The bread is crusty but has good flavor and is very fresh. I had the Poularde which was chicken and lobster meat with a sauce. It was pretty good. I'd give it a 7 out 10. She had the Alfredo Ala Florence with steak. The steak was cooked perfectly and makes me want to go back just to order one. But that alfredo sauce on the pasta was amazing. It tasted homemade and the cheese tasted like they flew to Italy to get it . This dish was full of flavor and I highly recommend it. 10 out of 10. The servers were all very attentive and friendly. They really made you feel like you were at home and any requests would be honored. This is a great spot for date night and we will definitely be back.
Casie Cortez
I had my 15 year / wedding rehearsal here and it was just an amazing experience . We were able to use the banquet room in the back . The Chef was personable and came out to check on us . The waitress was amazing as well . She explained everything really well & we found out they are married . They both worked well with each other and us . We brought a lot of kids which I don’t think is normal for the restaurant but they accommodated us just the same . The food was literally to die for . Not a single dish that didn’t taste fresh and just down right delicious. I’ll definitely be back . Thank you for making my rehearsal dinner unforgettable.
Joe Martin
Food was on point, and the cocktails and wine were superb! 5 stars across the board. The entire staff was awesome. Perfect for date nights , groups, and small events up to 45 people!! The filet with peppercorn whiskey sauce was 100%, I would have to say the best old-fashions in town for sure!!
Matthew Bosley
My spouse and I recently celebrated our anniversary at Horse in the Alley, and it was absolutely fantastic! From the moment we stepped inside, we were enveloped in a warm, intimate atmosphere that made our special night even more memorable. This isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience. Let's start with the food – it was simply divine. Our steaks were cooked to absolute perfection, melting in our mouths like butter. And the vegetables? Forget the usual side dishes; these were culinary masterpieces in their own right. We actually found ourselves playfully fighting over the last carrot! Every single element on the plate was bursting with flavor and cooked with obvious care. Beyond the incredible food, the service was impeccable. Our server was attentive, friendly, and truly made us feel like valued guests. They anticipated our needs without being intrusive, adding to the relaxed and romantic ambiance. And the drinks? Let's just say they were expertly crafted and generously poured – the perfect complement to our celebratory meal. Horse in the Alley is a gem. It's the ideal spot for a special occasion, a romantic dinner, or any time you want to treat yourself to an unforgettable dining experience. If you're looking for exquisite food, top-notch service, and an intimate, romantic setting, look no further. I cannot recommend Horse in the Alley highly enough! We'll definitely be back. Make sure you reserve a table or booth before going!
Aaron
Best Place to be in Bakersfield! Food, bar, and service are the best in town! Good options for everyone, but the steak with peppercorn sauce is my go-to. This is our annual motorcycle ride stop and we are never disappointed. The owners, Jason and Beth are super nice people and go out of their way to provide a great atmosphere. Old school steakhouse feel, like going to The Golden Steer, if you've been there. All of us look forward to visiting the Horse in the Alley. Not just for the food and drinks, but also for the time we get to spend with Jason and Beth. We tell everyone we meet: If you're in Bakersfield, this is the place to be!
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