Driving from OC to SJ via 5...lunch? (Bakersfield, Los Banos: homes, restaurants)

[Wintermomma]

I am sure many have done this drive...where do you like to stop along nowheresville? With kids. Doesn't have to be fancy, but I'm looking for more than a fast food drive-thru for our last hours of a vacation trip.

NOT HARRIS RANCH

(and yes, I am generally a proponent of "take the 101 at all costs because it's worth it," but we are doing that on the way down and on the way home 5 works better for us)

Thank you.

[humboldtrat]

There's a Denny's at Lost Hills (Hwy 46) otherwise there is nothing but fast food places along I-5.

[skris4]

Bravo farms, Kettleman city is where we stopped last time. There's icecream too nearby!

[MediocreButArrogant]

There are a couple places at the junction with CA58 - an Indian restaurant and a Mexican/Salvadorian restaurant. The Pupuseria has much better reviews than the Indian place.

This question has been asked on Chowhound too, you may have seen that in search results.

What do you have against Harris Ranch? That seems to be the only place on your route that's a step above a coffee shop/diner.

[eureka1]

Yes, that would have been my suggestion. The kids love those little Tabasco bottles.

[Radical347]

Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant

There are a couple places at the junction with CA58 - an Indian restaurant and a Mexican/Salvadorian restaurant. The Pupuseria has much better reviews than the Indian place.

This question has been asked on Chowhound too, you may have seen that in search results.

What do you have against Harris Ranch? That seems to be the only place on your route that's a step above a coffee shop/diner.

The name of this town is Buttonwillow. We've tried the Pupuseria and it's very good, with burritos as big as your head. It's pretty well kept inside too.

That particular Indian place OTOH I'm too afraid to go in.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by Wintermomma

I am sure many have done this drive...where do you like to stop along nowheresville? With kids. Doesn't have to be fancy, but I'm looking for more than a fast food drive-thru for our last hours of a vacation trip.

NOT HARRIS RANCH

(and yes, I am generally a proponent of "take the 101 at all costs because it's worth it," but we are doing that on the way down and on the way home 5 works better for us)

Thank you.

I think Los Banos is a good stop before you approach the Bay area. Its a little out of the way but one can take highway 165 to Los Banos then highway 33 back to the 5.

Restaurants Los Banos, CA

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by Radical347

The name of this town is Buttonwillow. We've tried the Pupuseria and it's very good, with burritos as big as your head. It's pretty well kept inside too.

That particular Indian place OTOH I'm too afraid to go in.

I grew up in Kern County. The actual town of Buttonwillow is about four miles west on CA 58. Those roadside businesses just off I-5 might have Buttonwillow mailing addresses, but what you see there is not the town of Buttonwillow. It would be like calling the two gas stations a few miles south on I-5 the town of Bakersfield, when Bakersfield is actually about 12 miles east of that location.

[Podo944]

Pea Soup Andersons is a family friendly stop along the 5 in Santa Nella.
The split pea soup is yummy, but of course they have all kinds of grub. It's a good roadside place that's old fashioned and fun with baked goods and gift shop.

Pea Soup Andersens - Santa Nella

https://www.bing.com/mapspreview#