Woolworth Diner

Woolworth Diner is a restaurant in Bakersfield, CA, operating within the historic Woolworth's Building. The establishment serves as a luncheonette that focuses on nostalgic favorites and familiar flavors, aiming to provide a communal gathering spot that reflects the building's role in local history. It holds a rating of 4.60 based on customer reviews.

The menu features diner classics crafted with fresh ingredients, including Certified Angus Beef for the meat dishes. Specific offerings include the Woolworth Burger on a Martin's potato roll with Woolies Sauce and caramelized onions, a Double Cheese Burger, and a Woolworth's Patty Melt on marble rye with American and Swiss cheese. For those avoiding meat, there is a housemade Veggie Burger containing lentils, mushrooms, and flax seed. Other staples include a Grilled Cheese on sourdough, a BLT with crisp bacon and cold lettuce, a Reuben with grilled pastrami and housemade coleslaw, and a Housemade Chili served with cornbread and honey butter. The menu also lists a Soup of the Day, a Caesar Salad with housemade croutons, and a hot dog. Add-ons such as turkey, bacon, avocado, or egg are available for many items, and any dish can be made into a combo for an additional fee.

Chef Richard Yoshimura leads the culinary team, bringing a vision centered on quality, simplicity, and nostalgia. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Yoshimura is the son of a Japanese immigrant mother and a Japanese-American father. He studied history at UCLA before pursuing culinary school, a path he took despite his parents' reservations. His approach to the menu emphasizes honoring Bakersfield's history by contributing to the legacy of the Woolworth's Building through food that evokes memory.

The restaurant is located at 1400 19th St, Suite A, in downtown Bakersfield. It sits about a block from Chester Avenue and the Stars Theater. The Kern County Hall of Records Library is approximately two-tenths of a mile away, while Truxtun Avenue and the GET Bus Station are also within a short distance. The Kern County Court is located about two-tenths of a mile from the site.

Woolworth Diner combines a historic setting with a menu of simple, high-quality diner favorites in the heart of Bakersfield.