Hodel's Country Dining

The last time we were here was about 5 years ago. Passing through, we decided to stop again. Unfortunately the food was not as good as last time. The fried chicken was juicy and crispy last time. The desserts were great, especially the peach cobbler. This time, fried chicken was greasy and lacked flavor. The desserts never got replenished. The weirdest part, was the cashier asking if we left our waitress a tip. Really, the waitress that was non- existent. The waitress that was off in the corner chatting with other staff members instead of working. Ha-Ha.. no did not leave her a tip. Would have given her advice on how to earn her tips instead. Sadly location is not as it used to be.

Been here many times over the years, always a great experience, the best to me is coming here for breakfast but like maybe 30 minutes before they start lunch so you can get both and its awesome. Service has always been super good. Prices arent terrible either but make sure to come very hungry to get your worth. They have a cool giftshop area and all that as well, sometimes there can be a wait though if church gets out and everyone goes. I really like that they fly a big American flag at the street also, nice seeing some patriotism in this day and age.

I know many people who do not prefer buffets for many reasons, however; Hodel’s in Bakersfield, California has many great qualities that will be preferred by them. The food does not sit on the tray for long periods of time. It is fresh. As a matter of fact, you can order some food of whatever they have available behind the counter! This place has a country style atmosphere. Lots of parking space and a very easy off and back on the 99 freeway and Olive Avenue. Friendly staff and lots of clean restrooms. Fresh salads. Tasty desserts and many options on food. Price is very reasonable for the amount of food and its taste. I honestly recommend this place when looking for a buffet for the whole family or even for yourself. You will be satisfied just like I did…

Bakersfields Greatest Buffet !! Shockingly could exceed many buffets in Las Vegas. Great meal rotation throughout the day. Quality food with Home Cook taste.

Hodels is one of my favorite buffet places to go as a family the food is so delicious and yummy. The variety of dishes they offer is impressive, from fresh seafood to juicy steaks. The salad bar is always well-stocked with crisp vegetables and a wide selection of dressings. The dessert section is a paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth, with an array of cakes, pastries, and ice cream flavors to choose from. The cozy and welcoming atmosphere makes every visit to Hodels a memorable dining experience.

Good food good service. Their bathroom entrance is too small. Unless it's some sort of health code thing the outter door doesn't need to be there. There is no All Gender bathroom. Their hours are too short for everyone to enjoy the restaurant. They are closed on holidays.

Hodel's Country Dining is a Bakersfield gem! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with friendly service and delicious country-style food. Highlights include their fried chicken, chili verde, and cinnamon rolls. Great value for the price, with generous portions. A must-visit for locals and visitors alike!

I highly recommend Hodel's to everyone!!!! Loved every minute I was there! Can't wait to go back! Everything I ate was wonderful...had lunch there, can't wait to try breakfast and dinner!!!! I have told so many people and even though I live 45 miles away, it is well worth the time and effort to have the means and the privilege to eat there. Nice people and great cooks and baker's...I may have type 2 diabetes, but I wasn't going to pass up the desserts....can't wait to do it again!!! I have had some wonderful home cooked meals over the years and eating at Hodels made me feel like I was having another wonderful home cooked meal at a friend or family's home. I thank you for the wonderful effort in making such quality food items you offer! I will be a regular...my sincere thoughts!!!! Joey

Food choices are great. Servers are all great. Ambiance is nice and friendly. I like going there and will keep returning.

Hodel's is a family favorite for brunch. I don't usually go out of my way for AYCE restaurants, but I'd make an exception if it's Hodel's. This morning, I filled my plate with chilaquiles, sausage, bacon, and eggs. It was hearty and savory; however, the chips in the chilaquiles were pretty much stuck together and got soggy pretty quickly. Of course, that's something that's pretty inevitable when it's served buffet style. One of my favorite things about coming here for breakfast or brunch is the waffle bar! The waffles are heart shaped and you can top them with fruit, nuts, syrup, whipped cream, etc. I took a picture of the one that my dad made for himself. They're just too cute. I suppose the only thing that I wish was a little different is the seating. There's a lot of booths, but not so many tables for larger families. While there are a lot of rooms, not all of them were opened up [(yet?) but maybe they're the rooms that are reserved for parties?]. We ended up having to push two small tables together to seat a family of four. Likewise, I noticed that one other family had to spread themselves among booths. Regardless, my family and I enjoyed ourselves today. It wasn't our first time here, and it won't be our last either.

I really enjoyed this place! It felt like a home town buffet but even cozier. The food is good enough- not a huge selection but comforting food. I really enjoyed the cobbler and bread pudding. Yum.

Food and service are good. The buffet food is hardly ever marked as to what the item actually is. Am I eating pork, beef, chicken, fish? What kind of salad is this? Pasta, Cucumber, Artichoke, seafood? Does it contain something I'm allergic to?

I had no idea this buffet existed until yesterday. My favorite dish was the chicken pot pie. We went here for dinner because the name reminded me of my grandpa. He used to go to lunch with his coworkers every week and eat fried chicken at a Hodel's Buffet located in Northridge, CA. I went with him once in the early 1980s. I think it was destroyed by the Northridge earthquake of 1994. I never knew there was another one! I was visiting Bakersfield for the day and just had to eat here when I found it on Yelp. We walked in and there was a toy train going around on a track up above everyone. Me and my kid smiled and KNEW this was Grandpa's type of place, especially with an air museum next door. I speculated that my grandpa could have eaten at this location but it's quite possible that he only visited the one where he lived in the San Fernando Valley. Either way, this was a special experience and very unexpected. Beyond the enchantment I was feeling, service was very pleasant, and the food was pretty good! Lots of meat, potatoes, and gravy. I don't see many restaurants like this anymore.

Good breakfast buffet for large groups! We had a party of 10 with five kids so they were able to accommodate. We loved the omelet station and waffles. Since we came on a Saturday there wasn't a carving station but we were plenty stuffed.

Okay, we stumbled upon here on a sunday after a long park walk... we had no idea how freaking good this place is! From the outside it looks not as appealing but the inside is a buffet lovers dream lol good mix of various types of food, savory and sweets, and plenty of room for the whole family. We definitely loved it, breakfast was old School diner food, with a large salad bar, and large dessert section. Breakfast was delicious for us and service was the sweetest. Just good food, not frills or thrills just good food.

I always stop here when I'm in town friendly staff great food best salad bar in Bakersfield

Best time to go is during brunch on Sundays. They have the best selections. Food is great. Always a favorite.

We recently had reserved a a party room to celebrate my youngest son's HS graduation here and it was just okay. I haven't visited Hodel's in years and I have been wanting to come back for awhile now. Staff and service was fantastic. Everyone was very friendly and we had no complaints with service. I think if you want a nice place to hold a small gathering then this is a good option because they have several party rooms available. When we reserved our dinner time, it was moved a few times and that was okay because we were still confirming guests at the time. The food options were not as great as I had remembered it from before. I feel like the food was just regular. The highlight of my meal was definitely the cornbread with that honey butter or some type of sweet creamy butter. I do want to come back during breakfast one day because I know they have a good breakfast variety. If you dine in just to dine in and not reserve for a party just know that the parking gets crazy and it gets packed on the weekends. I have changed my mind on numerous occasions because the parking lot was super packed.

What a surprise! I had doubts, as this was a restaurant we chose at random on Google maps while in Bakersfield and the area is kind of sketchy. What we found was a family run restaurant since 1965, with family recipes and attention to detail, all in the format of a buffet. We happened to be there on taco Tuesday, so the back station was all about tacos, which were yummy. They always have fried and baked chicken (properly cooked, no bloodiness), 3 kinds of soups, and a huge salad bar, plus desserts (the bread pudding was amazing). The theme changes daily. Our server was fantastic and when she found out it was our first time there, she took the time to acquaint us with the layout. The place is HUGE and they even have room for special occasions. I was told that on Fridays they grill outside, providing the buffet with ribs and other barbeque items. We'll definitely go back any time we're back in Bakersfield.

Tonight we decided nothing sounded better than a visit to Hodels and we were right. We just love their fried chicken and delicious cinnamon rolls and the salad bar is just as delicious as it has ever been. Also really good were the beef tips and buttered noodles. Be sure to leave time for some dessert and a visit to their wonderful gift shop. Happy eating.

Fun buffet. So many quality options. Reasonable price. Helpful and polite staff. Comfortable space. Cute little store.

Great fried chicken and broccoli salad. Lots of good food, salads, soups and deserts. Homemade and homey atmosphere.

Here for our monthly breakfast meeting. Hodel's always have everything organized for our big group. The stations are all neatly presented and the tables are setup for service. All warm items are ready on the line and the crew always refill items before they get low. A Bakersfield classic, Hodel's is just one of those establishments that locals know delivers the quality and service consistently. And for any locals who move from town, it's one that will surely bring you back on a visit to your hometown. If it's not the country vibe that will lure you, it's definitely those famous cinnamon rolls.

Went to hodels and couldn't believe the price was almost 18.00 I wasnt pleased with the BBQ . I asked for ribs and they gave me 1 rib I asked for the brisket and I received a large spoon full.if I'm paying 18.00 all you can eat ..I should be able to ask for how many ribs I want .. it will be a long time for me to be going back there ..

The price for this place was amazing. Great food options, wasn't overly crowded. The layout of the buffet was good, things were grouped appropriately.

I was in Bakersfield for business and wasn't sure where to go for dinner. I am so thankful that I found Hodel's Country Dining. A warm, country dining room feel and friendly and helpful staff. I love a good buffet, and this one ranks right at the top of my list. A fresh salad bar that was carefully attended and refreshed often. Warm dinner rolls and hot soups and sides that were fresh and well attended to by the staff. I had to sample a few main dishes but the fried chicken is comfort food at it's very, very best. I mean, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and chicken gravy...I could eat it every day. A special thank you to my server Vic who was so friendly and attentive. And also to Marjorie who assisted me with finding a lost receipt I needed for business purposes. She didn't have to do it, but she was gracious and fast. This will be a regular on my Bakersfield visits!

Hodel's seems to be a Bakersfield staple. It was one of those restaurants that remained open (at least with the take out) during the pandemic and I think it survived pretty well. The full parking lot is an attestation to that. We came as a big group without any reservations and the wait time was not bad at all. They have a wide array of food selection for a weekend lunch and I would always have their salad and fried chicken on top of my list. I found the tri-tip on that day a bit chewy so I came back and tried the brisket. Unfortunately, I found it a little bit too oily. Maybe we came in a bit late and their meat has been sitting out for awhile. But anyway, it doesn't stop me from coming back and bringing my friends and family to this Bakersfield gem.

Flavor is good could be hotter as most of the selections were warm. Service was good The o let station rocked at breakfast

I have been coming to Hodel's for Sunday brunch literally since I was born. So many great memories have been made here and it is truly a Bakersfield staple that I will continue to bring my children to one day! Trina is our favorite server and we request her when we can. She is always so attentive and sweet and does whatever she can to make your experience perfect. The food is always phenomenal and they do a great job at replenishing items so nothing is ever empty for long or at all. The waffle bar and the freshly cut ham and prime rib are our two favorites, but you literally can't go wrong with whatever you get. It is a must have in Bakersfield!

Morning Buffet are better than afternoon buffet . They make pancakes on request an they are fluffy an you can choose your syrup regular or sugar free or even strawberry an whip cream. Good variety of meats, eggs & potatoes. If your in mood for fruit in the morning , their fruit is fresh an perfect temperature. Customer is awesome. If your in mood for Breakfast buffet this is the place to go.

Must begin with the service. The service is great, very attentive. Breakfast is $13.85, all you oh can eat. Not of fan of buffets. However, the buffets here are so delicious and fresh. You will not be disappointed. The atmosphere is amazing. I definitely recommend. I will be back soon.

We were there on a Sunday at around noon. There were quite a few people in the waiting area but we were quickly seated. It had been quite a while since we were at Hodel's but the place hasn't changed much if any. The food was fresh and tasty. The staff kept everything greasy and full. The sliced ham and beef were tender and juicy. The chicken and meatballs were great. The sides were excellent but in my opinion a little short on veggies. The desserts were awesome also. What a deal for the price !!!

I give this place a solid 4. It has good food just 20 bucks per adult and less for kids. We went for thanksgiving. Around lunch time and if was perfect almost no wait. The drink service was a little slow but that's to be expected in a Holliday. The ambiance is a little loud but it's buffet style big rooms and lots of kids. The only reason I'm reluctant to give a five star is due to the pies are awful tasted like plastic was melted with them the cup cakes were ok the cinnamon rolls were super dry. But I would say the food itself was good turkey was juicy ham was yummy mashed potatoes were buttery and good turkey gravy to. Solid place for a thanksgiving dinner

Horrible! Bleck!!!! ‍ It is a buffet, but the little service offered is unfriendly. The food was awful! Even the desserts were unbearable. All we ate was the salad bar and even then the dressings were weird.

So I have lived in Bakersfield for about 28yrs. a couple months ago was the first time that I wouldn't stopped at Holder's for breakfast I left it all the fruit omelette. It was nice again. I'm going to keep going

Hodel's has been around forever. In my opinion they do the Country style buffet dining well. The food is always fresh, tasty & plentiful. It has options for the omnivore and vegetarian. You have choices of a salad bar, vegetables, plenty of protein, entrees and a dessert bar. The servers are prompt with your drinks & flatware. This is an affordable family friendly restaurant. Good food large groups as well. They also have a catering service.

Amazing service, very homey & casual vibes. Food was amazing and tasted homemade, like something my grandmother would make. BOMB.COM & super affordable.

Coming from out of town to visit family, we went here for lunch, and it was so good! I'm not typically a fan of buffets, but the food here was so fresh and tasty I couldn't believe it. We went on a Sunday, so of course the place was packed but well worth it for the brunch. Especially the Chili Rellano Casserole; or my wife's personal favorite were the waffles. Anyways, we live two hours away (so that's a good thing for my waistline), but we are inclined to make this place a monthly tradition (or at the very least whenever we are passing through).

My kids took me to Hodels for my birthday and had a wonderful brunch. The food was great and fresh. It was a great birthday celebration !!!The service was good and professional!!!

Hodel's Country Dining was a letdown for me. Despite its reputation, I found the breakfast buffet lacking in variety and freshness. The service was pleasant enough and the atmosphere was nice, but the food didn't meet my expectations. Perhaps dinner is a better option here, but I won't be returning for breakfast anytime soon.

Food is delicious staff is very friendly and kind. Great place to enjoy a brunch with friends and family .

If you enjoy friendly customers service and a comfortably cozy spot Then Hodel's is the place to go. They offer a variety of different foods with a full salad and fruit bar. The price is reasonable for all you can eat plus desserts. Yesterday was our first time eating inside the restaurant. Some of our church family recommended that we eat there from Word of Life Ministries. My husband is a vet so dining out on Veterans Day was nice.

Have come here since I was a kid. Many great memories with family and friends. Great food and plenty to select from to eat. It's up for sale but I hope whoever buys it keeps it going.

Will never go to Golden Corral after eating here. The Sunday brunch was awesome. So many choices and scrumptious food. Not to mention 10 minutes in they were putting out lunch items. It was $17 per adult but totally worth it.

Honestly expected more from Hodel's considering it's so well-known. Breakfast buffet lacked variety and was pretty small. The service was good but the food was subpar compared to other breakfast restaurants. Idk, I had never been there so I had high expectations. I heard their lunch and dinner are better though so maybe that's the case. I probably would not go back for breakfast.

Excellent midwest farmhouse style cooking. Unmissable fried chicken, roast beef, spare ribs. Heavenly biscuits (with honey butter), pecan rolls, peach crumble, long salad bar. The Sunday brunch was $17.99 as of 6/24, and I came at 1:30 after the rush. The food was still fully stocked and fresh. The seating is comfortable farmhouse with seating for every preference.

Family had gathering they left food uncovered. The side doors opened their kitchen lobby doors closed I had to wait on someone come to ask them for covers for the food. I don't like extra flies and magots

Waitress was awesome over worked but still provided excellent service, the idiot at the meat section really needs to work on his manners. Friday Bar BQ night is a waste of money. I can go on but I won't. The only thing I'm going to add is, it's sad but this is not the Hoddels I'm was used to

Hodel's Country Dining is a long standing local favorite here in Bakersfield . Locals finest comfort food. You will want to try the fried chicken, brisket, tritip, cinnamon rolls and more.

Love the food!!! The beef, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and the broccoli salad are highly y favorites and are recommended!!! Fresh, well seasoned and yummy.

We didn't like Hodel's, we were here for an event, the whole look of the place is super outdated. The food was alright, the mash potatoes were super runny, nothing was outstanding. One of the waiters/worker was extremely rude and making inappropriate comments. Would not recommend it for events.

I was there attending a Christmas work party. While I understand vegans may sometimes have a hard time finding food, having no alternative milk choice is not okay. They did have fruit choices.

This place is a Bakersfield staple. Been coming here since I was a kid. Good solid breakfast but I really love the fried chicken. Definitely a must try restaurant. Big enough for the whole family and more. The restaurant is very clean and food is always hot and fresh. 10/10

Every item delicious. Salads fresh and a large variety. Cinnamon Buns the best I've tasted.

Food is excellent!! Ten stars to the chef! I enjoyed every dish I ate and I ate a lot! I do regret not leaving room for desserts Next time I'm in Bakersfield I'll be eating at Hodels and might eat dessert first!

Hodel's meat selection is great! Their salad bar is nice with a decent selection. The hot carbs section was a little messy and in disarray . The were some empty or extremely low items. The mashed potatoes, lasagna, french fries, grilled asparagus and hot wings for most of my visit. Why would the cheap filler be low or empty ? Hodel's buffet is decent when the items are full and not commingled(Potatoes with gravy or lasagna with mashed potatoes because someone used the same utensils.). Our table had the best employee who removed empty plates and filled ice tea. She was awesome!

This place has a very welcoming presence and you can tell that it is not a chain restaurant. The service you receive is very friendly and the food is amazing and you can tell it is made fresh. The ambiance is very family friendly and you can tell that it is a place where both locals and people visiting family or just passing through can feel welcome. And last but certainly not least, the price point is amazing! And I also got a pro tip from a local that if you hit the sweet spot in between breakfast and lunch, you can enjoy the best of both worlds! You get all the amazing breakfast options and also the transitions into lunch! But you didn't hear that from me