Fred's Barbeque Factory in Bakersfield, California

Fred's Barbeque Factory, located at 4208 Rosedale Highway #309 Bakersfield, CA 93308, is a fairly new business but many know that owner Fred used to have another booming restaurant called "The Barbeque Factory" that offered some of the same fare that is now served at Fred's Barbeque Factory. The original business was sold to new owners who unfortunately didn't have the same standards as the original owner of the Barbeque Factory and it was only in business a short while before it went out of business.

When I heard that Fred's Barbeque Factory was going to open, I was thrilled. My family was regulars at the original restaurant and we missed the good hearty fare. We have been to Fred's several times and have never been disappointed.

Fred's Barbeque Factory is located in a small shopping center on Rosedale Hwy. There is ample parking but when it's lunchtime, you may have a hard time finding a spot close to Fred's.

There are two doors to get in at the front. If you use the main door, right when you walk into the restaurant, the register is straight ahead with the menu on the wall behind it. The left hand side of the restaurant has two cases that hold drinks in bottles (soda) and a rack that has chips on it. On the left hand side of the register is a case that has desserts. To the right of the register is seating where you can sit at a counter. The rest of the restaurant's seating consists of tables with chairs. Three tables are taller then the others and are in each corner, the others are normal size. The other entrance/exit is by the dining area. Highchairs are available if you need them.

The prices are average to other restaurants in the area. Fred's has a Today's Special board that is close to the register and they have a few specials that you can get at a discounted price. Besides buying a bottled drink, they have a fountain drink area where you can buy a cup and get your own soda. If you're a beer drinker, they do serve beer.

Some of their menu items are: BBQ beef sandwich, sliced tri tip sandwich, chicken, hot link sandwich, ribs, salad, etc. If you get a combo meal, expect to pay between $10 to $15 dollars, depending no what you order. We usually get the BBQ beef sandwich, their BBQ sauce is almost to die for, it is that yummy. When you walk into the restaurant, you pass their grill which smells so yummy, it rushes you in the door to place your order.

Happy Hour is Monday through Saturday from 2 PM to 6 PM. A 16 ounce glass of Domestic beer costs $2 dollars and a pitcher is $7 dollars. Imported beer is $2.50 for a glass and $7.50 for a pitcher.

The walls in the seating area are brightly colored with murals. Some of the murals are humorous with a pig standing by a roast with a man on it. There are other farm type pictures including one of a barn.

Three TV's are in the dining area that generally has sports games playing on it. The bathrooms are at the very back building by an exit.

The customers at lunchtime are a mixture of families with kids to men who work nearby. When we were there, there was a couple of families with children, some women alone, groups of men who you could tell worked outdoors and even law enforcement. Their food appeals to a wide range of people.

When the restaurant is busy, a waitress may come and take your owner and then give you your ticket so when you get to the register, all you have to do is pay. They take your name and you can sit and wait for your food to be done (or stand if all the tables are full). When your food comes out, they bring it to you.

There is an area to get your own eating utensils and napkins. Make sure you stop and get them whether you are staying at the restaurant to get or have your order to go.

Overall, I recommend Fred's Barbeque Factory. They have simple, no frills good food.

Fred's is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 8 PM. They are closed on Sundays.

For more information, call (661) 325-8800.