Construction ongoing: LongHorn Steakhouse is coming 2025

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ( KGET ) — It was a job posting for a LongHorn Steakhouse restaurant manager that sounded the alarm the chain with more than 560 locations was replacing the Romano’s Grill on Rosedale Highway.

Now, it’s confirmed. LongHorn Steakhouse will be opening in the spring of 2025, but not everyone is stoked for more steak.

“I think we have a lot of steakhouses in Bakersfield and I think we needed another Italian restaurant in Bakersfield,” Christy Hastin told 17 News.

Hastin has lived in Bakersfield for 36 years. She remembers when the Macaroni Grill closed its doors in July 2023.

“When covid hit I think it went downhill a little bit,” Hastin said.

Hastin wants more Italian in Bakersfield, but she’ll settle for ribeye.

“Honestly, I feel like the people of Kern County are gonna love it. I mean there are always good food places out here; hidden gems. Hopefully, it’s a good one cause prior before, it used to be just very dead and now I’m excited to see what awaits,” Esmerelda Garibay told 17 News.

Garibay is a Bakersfield native. She was out shopping for shoes when she heard LongHorn Steakhouse was under construction.

Location is paramount in making a restaurant successful, but the traffic on Rosedale Highway wasn’t enough to keep Romano’s open. Garibay hopes that doesn’t happen to the new spot she lives close to.

“Hopefully, we get traffic with that new steakhouse and I wish them luck in their new business,” Garibay said.

The same traffic is flowing the other way passing Mr. Tempo Cantina that replaced Famous Dave’s barbecue in front of Lowe’s Home Improvement.

The Mexican restaurant with a twist has more than 10 locations in Southern California, but the location in Bakersfield is currently serving as a hot spot for homeless people.

17 News learned the lease for Mr. Tempo was signed between May and June 2023.

A realtor with the project said Mr. Tempo and Cantina were going to open in two months. That was back in August 2023, but since September 2024 there is still no update.

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