Bakersfield Tacos, Tequila, Whiskey, a small restaurant group launched by Cincinnati natives John and Joe Lanni, is on track to open in Ohio City in the first quarter of 2015. The brothers, along with co-founder Alex Blust, have signed a lease to take over the old Grind spot at the corner of W. 25th Street and Keene Court, just a block south of Lorain.

The Bakersfield concept launched in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in 2012. Locations soon followed in Indianapolis, Columbus, Charlotte and, soon, Nashville. Ohio City will make number six. The ownership group also founded and operates a chain of 19 Currito fast-casual burrito shops, including one in Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

“Ohio City just has a great feel,” Joe Lanni explains. “It’s similar to other neighborhoods where we have gone. I just read a newspaper article that ranked it as one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods. It’s that kind of energy that we look for in sites, and we think it’s a great fit for us.”

The name is a tribute to the Bakersfield Sound, a country music genre that originated in Bakersfield, California in the ‘50s and ‘60s. That music — as well as rock ‘n’ roll — is served up alongside Mexican street foods like tacos, tortas and tostadas. The menu is intentionally concise, says Lanni, because of the company’s dedication to quality.

“It’s not a big menu so we can really focus on doing things the right way,” Lanni says. That includes hand-pressing limes and lemons for margaritas, and even crafting the corn tortillas at each location. “It’s a little unusual and it’s definitely an extra step that a lot of places don’t take because tortillas are so widely available. But when you taste our product, you see why we take the extra time.”

Of course, that food will be washed down by plenty of cold beer, tangy margaritas and craft cocktails built from barrel-aged spirits, including whiskey and tequila. The atmosphere at all Bakersfield restaurants is lively, casual and high-spirited, Lanni reports.

“It’s just a fun, rowdy atmosphere,” he says. “But we’re good neighbors and become part of the neighborhood in every community.”

Lanni says that they will expand the footprint of the brick building by adding a kitchen to the rear of the building. Plans also call for reclaiming a portion of the alleyway for use as an outdoor bar and patio.

The development of this property signals a continued push south of Lorain Avenue.

This article appears in Sep 10-16, 2014.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

11 replies on “Popular Bakersfield Tacos to Plant its Flag in Ohio City”

  3. I think they’d be better planting their flag elsewhere. While I do love tacos, I think Ohio City is pretty set on Mexican at the moment.

    Playhouse Square could benefit greatly from some tacos though. Plant the flag there.

  4. It IS bizarre that a restauranteur would enter an established city neighborhood by describing his business as having a “rowdy atmosphere.” The stakeholders of Ohio City, urged by the residents, have made a concerted push to make sure the neighborhood remains pleasant and not “rowdy.”

    Mr. Lanni – welcome to Cleveland, we are very happy to have you but please respect the neighborhood.

  6. Bakersfield is an upscale establishment with an excellent vibe. It will be an improvement to your neighborhood. Cleveland strikes me as needing that. Attitude and all.

  7. Cleveland is light years ahead of Cincy in the food scene. Everything mentioned above is already being done by the likes of Momocho, Barrio. Etc. i doubt this will pass the neighborhood block club approval which will kill it.

  8. SUPPORT LOCAL !!!!!

    let’s see… for tacos Ohio City already has Orale. Barrio is 5 minutes away in Tremont and will soon have a Barrio downtown at 5th and Prospect.
    for excellent Mexican in Ohio City there is also Momocho.
    Lakewood also has another Barrio

  10. It’s funny that to people like Gloria Steelman in Cincinnati a place that sells $3 tacos is considered an upscale restaurant. I guess it is a step up from Skyline Chili. Gloria obviously has no idea of the high-level of food is being served in Ohio City area. If they want to come in and try out Cleveland go for it, but we already have similar options so most people will probably embrace the local stuff. Opening up in Columbus works because they have no culture of their own, but this Bakersfield probably would be better off in Strongsville or something.

  11. This restaurant is exactly what Ohio city needs. Bakersfield not only has the best selection of whiskey and tequila, but also offers authentic, street- food -styled Mexican tacos for anyone that can appreciate GOOD FOOD. all food is hand made, in house daily. Bakersfield offers upscale dining and services with a cool, rustic laid back atmosphere. The restaurant is THE place to be in Cincinnati and Columbus and will be a huge success in Cleveland. Anyone from the ages of 21-71 will absolutely fall in love with Bakersfield. Haters gonna hate

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