Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
4.5
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
About
Combination, Steakhouse, theater and a museum housing memorabilia spanning Buck Owens' 40 year career in country music.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
564 reviews
Excellent
302
Very good
173
Average
55
Poor
19
Terrible
15
pieboyinspain
Spain395 contributions
Jun 2022
If you love Country music and a bit of cheesy nostalgia, you will LOVE THIS PLACE... if you dont, you will still have a great time.
The food here is really good.. The beers are great, the cocktails were really good. It was also well priced.
My only issue is that we booked a dinner reservation for 8.00. We arrived on time and placed our order. The food took a while to be served. The food was good, but by the time it was served, they had started to close the place down. We felt really rushed and one of my sons actually did not get close to finishing his food.
I think that they either should not accept reservations after 7.30 or be really prompt with the food.
If it were not for the rushing, this would have got 4 or 5 stars.
The food here is really good.. The beers are great, the cocktails were really good. It was also well priced.
My only issue is that we booked a dinner reservation for 8.00. We arrived on time and placed our order. The food took a while to be served. The food was good, but by the time it was served, they had started to close the place down. We felt really rushed and one of my sons actually did not get close to finishing his food.
I think that they either should not accept reservations after 7.30 or be really prompt with the food.
If it were not for the rushing, this would have got 4 or 5 stars.
Written June 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
35745JohnK
Bakersfield, CA190 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Since they finally started the Sunday brunch again after covid I thought we could try it for Father's day. What a mistake! The crowd on Father's day was to be expected. What has declined since the before covid days is the quantity and quality of the food. Quantity because they now have servers dishing out the bacon one strip at a time. Bacon was ok, could have been a little crispier. Sausage looked like it was steamed, not brown at all, Gravy had no visible chumks of meat in it. Biscuits small and bland. Chicken fried steak was cut into strips and not crispy as before. Brisket was pretty good and I didn't try the baby back ribs. Omlet bar was too busy for my taste, maybe put a couple cooks on it to increase volume. Salad was dismal with virtually no toppings. Melons were tasty but the rhind was still on them. Desert table looked tasty but not for me. You might say my review is a little negative. In the context of the price it becomes clearer. This brunch was $50 per person. Buck has to rolling in his grave. Worth maybe $25 per. $35 if the quality went back to pre covid and the servers weren't rationing food. No serving station on the second floor means us old folks had to traverse the stairs with our plates. I can't recommend in good conscience. I will try it again and report back, like I normally do. Can't condemn a place on one visit. Happy dining!
Written June 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FrequentFlier588681
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
Went for our 28th Anniversary with my parents from out of town. First, the tables were not leveled, so when we received our waters one fell all over the table. Our waitress came back with towels for us to clean the table. When we asked her to please take care of it, she was not happy. Appetizer did not arrive before the main meals so we proceeded to cancel it. We sent back plates because the sides were cold. As we are eating our mains, waitress came with the bill. We told her we probably wanted dessert, but she said that clearly we were not happy and she was leaving the bill. Never saw her again. We asked for the manager, and he just said that their service and food were great. No words.
It was sad because the ambiance and music were nice! We have never been treated with such bad service before.
It was sad because the ambiance and music were nice! We have never been treated with such bad service before.
Written December 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cold1za
Bear Valley Springs, CA226 contributions
Mar 2022 • Business
I had a business dinner here recently and we got in around 5:30 on a Thursday and were seated quickly and drinks were brought to us quickly. Everyone had salads and then main courses. I had the rib eye and it was one of the best I've had in a long time. Chicken was ordered by another guest and said it was cooked perfectly. It is not cheap to eat here, but it's great for special occasions and business dinners.
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christi F
Las Vegas, NV495 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
We stopped here right after they opened just to take a look around. There is a lot of history around the concert hall to look at. We’d love to go back and hear some live music!
Written February 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean E
Bakersfield, CA396 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
I like this place, unique and fun. Great american food, great beers on tap, live music and a custom pontiac on the wall behind the bar. Not to menti on all the country music memorabilia in display cases everywhere.
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melsdad2002
Tehachapi, CA207 contributions
Mar 2012 • Family
This is a top of the line establishment. The museum is a wonderful look at Bakersfields past. The restaurant is as good a place to dine as you will ever find. Do yourself a favor and visit this wonderful place for a wonderful time.
Written April 13, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cliveasmith
Norfolk England5,911 contributions
We went to the Buck Owens Crystal palace for a meal this April and were very pleased with the food, sevice and the entertainment. We were on a touring holiday from the UK and had stopped for one night in Bakersfield. I had found this place on the internet and thought it might be interesting. We were not dissapointed. The room is in a circle with two tiers of tables facing a stage and dance floor. There is also a balcony with further tables. Around the walls on both floors are lighted cabinets with all of Buck Owen's photo's, gutair's and clothing from his show's etc on display. There is a bar at the back of the room with a huge ex Elvis car hung on the wall. At 8pm a group performed on stage singing C&W music. None of the three of us are particulary fans of this type of music but were entertained and enjoyed it. Many people started dancing and some line danced, which was fun to watch.The waitress was very good and made sure we had seen all the things on the walls, making sure we missed nothing. The food was very good too, and not over priced. Well worth a visit if your in the area.
Written May 1, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ronaldw545
Bakersfield, United States49 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Well I usually enjoy most places I go to and I have been here many times in the past and the food was good service was good, however it only takes one bad time to change that opinion.This was a message I had sent CP and took several months to get an answer. The response was sorry come back again.
I wanted to send a comment about of recent dinning experience at the Crystal Palace. This is the first time I have eaten there in over a year. Let me give you a brief bit of history. Last year same time I called and attempted to make a reservation. the phone rang multiple times. When answered they announced "Crystal Palace hold please". After waiting over 10 plus minutes I tried again with same response. The Third time before the person hardly had time to announce Crystal Palace, I cut in and said I have called twice now and have been put on hold multiple time with no follow up would like to make a reservation. I was then told we are busy you will have to wait. I advised her I will take my party to another establishment where I was told , "You could do what ever I want".
I came back a year later to make reservations again. This time the phone was answered prompt and the reservation was taken. 5:45 table for three for a Birthday Party.
I arrived at 5:40, upon entering I thought I was in line for an event as there was three other parties ahead of me standing in line rank and file. the female at the desk appeared to be over whelmed with the simple task of being able to seat people. Several times there where multiple girls at the desk standing around whispering to each other which would make someone coming in feel uncomfortable. Another young female came out of the office several times to help with seating guests. As the patron ahead of me was told to stand in an area to wait for someone to come here and take here to her table, a man walked through the door and up to the desk, without hesitation the hostess starts talking to him and has a hostess seat him and his guest at the bar ignoring my party and I. She then buries her head back in the desk where I'm guessing is a computer or something that has taken her attention away. She then looks up and says Oh have you been helped yet? I advised no I'm still waiting and I had a reservation, she looks frizzled and then starts talking with some of the other hostesses whom have now all congregated at the front. It was an uncomfortable feeling having all these people just standing there "sizing" us up. One finally said and "so how are you doing tonight", to which I replied better if I had a table. The main hostess said it will be a few minutes as I'm setting up your table because the is server is running slow. I thought to myself wow this is nice lets just trash talk a fellow co worker. If there is a service issue you sure do not tell the customer,because now that has lowered my expectations even more. I was finally seated, nothing said about enjoy your meal somebody will be right there to assist, or anything I can get you. After about 4 minutes a young female came up and asked what I would like to order from the bar. I advised at the present we would like to start with water and then consider additional beverages. She walked off I observed her doing other things talking etc, then about 3-5 minutes later brought us our water. When she came back we decided based on the time it is taking for people to get things done we need to order. Our salads were good kinda small but the dressing was very nice, not any sooner did we finish the salad the main entree came, as soon as it was placed at the table the waitress advised she would be bringing us out some dinner rolls which came then then later arrived the butter. I thought this would have came with salad? Two of my guest ordered Chicken fried steak. Looking at it when it arrived and because of the speed in which it arrived makes me think it was in a warming bin and pre-made. It was not hot, the batter was clumpy and the meat was tough. the green beans were excellent, mashed on one plate was small portion with very little gravy, the french fries were of the frozen quality and tasted as such. My other guest had the Salmon which looked good and I did get a taste of it and it was indeed very good. I ate one bite of my Chicken fry and the rest was to be bagged to take home. It took quite a while to get the hostess to come back to the table again, when she did arrive the ONLY comment she said was can I offer you dessert or a take home box. Not even a simple how was your meal or anything. She brought back the box dropped off the bill and said show starts at 7 pm. After the check was dropped at the table another 10 minutes goes by before she bothers to come back and cash us out. If this was a full house with a major entertainment name I could justify some of the slow service poor quality food etc. This was a Wednesday night. What is really sad is there is an obvious lack of management going on here. Not just in the front of the house but in the kitchen.Even walking out we were never told thanks for coming, come again, did you enjoy your meal.Probably because they knew it was crap. Mr Owens cared very much about people and Bakersfield. This is an outrage and makes people coming here to visit and memorialize Buck think this is a two bit hack town and hash slinging restaurant. WE got off cheap that night because of the poor service we did not order a lot of extras and the waitress failed to ever come back when I told her we would probably order drinks with dinner but still 100.00 dinner and probably could have went across the street to Zingos and got a better chicken fried steak. I'm a Bakersfield born native and it disturbs me when I have to tell people about the bad places in town. This is coming up at the top of the list,I tried last year and could not even get someone to answer a phone then after letting off steam and giving it a try again the worst service and food I have had in a long time. I remember many times when I would bring guests to the Crystal Palace and the food was hot service was fantastic, granted most of this was when Mr Owens was still alive but that is no excuse. You need to fix this.
I wanted to send a comment about of recent dinning experience at the Crystal Palace. This is the first time I have eaten there in over a year. Let me give you a brief bit of history. Last year same time I called and attempted to make a reservation. the phone rang multiple times. When answered they announced "Crystal Palace hold please". After waiting over 10 plus minutes I tried again with same response. The Third time before the person hardly had time to announce Crystal Palace, I cut in and said I have called twice now and have been put on hold multiple time with no follow up would like to make a reservation. I was then told we are busy you will have to wait. I advised her I will take my party to another establishment where I was told , "You could do what ever I want".
I came back a year later to make reservations again. This time the phone was answered prompt and the reservation was taken. 5:45 table for three for a Birthday Party.
I arrived at 5:40, upon entering I thought I was in line for an event as there was three other parties ahead of me standing in line rank and file. the female at the desk appeared to be over whelmed with the simple task of being able to seat people. Several times there where multiple girls at the desk standing around whispering to each other which would make someone coming in feel uncomfortable. Another young female came out of the office several times to help with seating guests. As the patron ahead of me was told to stand in an area to wait for someone to come here and take here to her table, a man walked through the door and up to the desk, without hesitation the hostess starts talking to him and has a hostess seat him and his guest at the bar ignoring my party and I. She then buries her head back in the desk where I'm guessing is a computer or something that has taken her attention away. She then looks up and says Oh have you been helped yet? I advised no I'm still waiting and I had a reservation, she looks frizzled and then starts talking with some of the other hostesses whom have now all congregated at the front. It was an uncomfortable feeling having all these people just standing there "sizing" us up. One finally said and "so how are you doing tonight", to which I replied better if I had a table. The main hostess said it will be a few minutes as I'm setting up your table because the is server is running slow. I thought to myself wow this is nice lets just trash talk a fellow co worker. If there is a service issue you sure do not tell the customer,because now that has lowered my expectations even more. I was finally seated, nothing said about enjoy your meal somebody will be right there to assist, or anything I can get you. After about 4 minutes a young female came up and asked what I would like to order from the bar. I advised at the present we would like to start with water and then consider additional beverages. She walked off I observed her doing other things talking etc, then about 3-5 minutes later brought us our water. When she came back we decided based on the time it is taking for people to get things done we need to order. Our salads were good kinda small but the dressing was very nice, not any sooner did we finish the salad the main entree came, as soon as it was placed at the table the waitress advised she would be bringing us out some dinner rolls which came then then later arrived the butter. I thought this would have came with salad? Two of my guest ordered Chicken fried steak. Looking at it when it arrived and because of the speed in which it arrived makes me think it was in a warming bin and pre-made. It was not hot, the batter was clumpy and the meat was tough. the green beans were excellent, mashed on one plate was small portion with very little gravy, the french fries were of the frozen quality and tasted as such. My other guest had the Salmon which looked good and I did get a taste of it and it was indeed very good. I ate one bite of my Chicken fry and the rest was to be bagged to take home. It took quite a while to get the hostess to come back to the table again, when she did arrive the ONLY comment she said was can I offer you dessert or a take home box. Not even a simple how was your meal or anything. She brought back the box dropped off the bill and said show starts at 7 pm. After the check was dropped at the table another 10 minutes goes by before she bothers to come back and cash us out. If this was a full house with a major entertainment name I could justify some of the slow service poor quality food etc. This was a Wednesday night. What is really sad is there is an obvious lack of management going on here. Not just in the front of the house but in the kitchen.Even walking out we were never told thanks for coming, come again, did you enjoy your meal.Probably because they knew it was crap. Mr Owens cared very much about people and Bakersfield. This is an outrage and makes people coming here to visit and memorialize Buck think this is a two bit hack town and hash slinging restaurant. WE got off cheap that night because of the poor service we did not order a lot of extras and the waitress failed to ever come back when I told her we would probably order drinks with dinner but still 100.00 dinner and probably could have went across the street to Zingos and got a better chicken fried steak. I'm a Bakersfield born native and it disturbs me when I have to tell people about the bad places in town. This is coming up at the top of the list,I tried last year and could not even get someone to answer a phone then after letting off steam and giving it a try again the worst service and food I have had in a long time. I remember many times when I would bring guests to the Crystal Palace and the food was hot service was fantastic, granted most of this was when Mr Owens was still alive but that is no excuse. You need to fix this.
Written March 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JanV100
Bakersfield, CA24 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
Food is terrible...too many tables on dance floor to be able to dance, not to mention the RUDE line dancers that take up all the dance floor which makes it impossible for couple dancing. There is a upper level with tables that are completely unused which could have a dance floor appropriate for line dancers so partners could actually have the lower dance floor ad really enjoy their date night out. There is a cover charge even though you will spend a great deal for the meal which is mediocre. This place is a big disappointment! It has great potential but obviously poor management. What a shame!!!!!
Written August 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patklinker
Orange County, CA2 contributions
What is thi place.? The web page is down. Can we just go for dinner ? Or do they just do dinner shows? Lot of people say to go there but why ? Poorly displayed inf pages. Help .. we will b in Bakersfield for 2 nites & for races at Buttonwillow and are looking for things to do in the evenings
looking for things
mikesesq
Delano, CA102 contributions
I am not a big Country Music fan, but I personally enjoyed this place. It is somewhat of a museum for local Country performers such as Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. My steak was very good, and the dinner show on the night ai was there was “a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.” The bottom line is that I very much enjoyed myself.
Route97
New Westminster, Canada
How long does it take to tour the museum? Is there a gift shop and if so, how long are they open ‘til?
332Gail
Bucks County34 contributions
The museum is really just glass cases with memorabilia enclosed. The glass cases surround the interior of the combination restaurant/music venue. If you really want to look at everything it takes about an hour. It’s really cool stuff from Bucks career. And the food at the restaurant is really good!
vacationingagain
Rancho Cucamonga, CA16 contributions
Do they serve special menu and are they open Thanksgiving?
BrendaKWoods
Bakersfield, CA4 contributions
My strong hunch is that they are not open on Thanksgiving Day. However, I would call them directly to be sure, and to ask about a special holiday menu. Good luck!
Maria W
London, UK5 contributions
Hi,is there a hotel in the near
MichelleSmall
Oregon City, Oregon, United States41 contributions
There are several, and I recommend Double Tree, because of the GREAT choc. chip cookies, and nice hotel. ;-)
KimberlyJoy64
Boise, ID4 contributions
We are passing thru on our way to la and San Diego, we would like to have dinner here but we will have our 14 year old son and. 3 and 5 year old grandchildren Ok for well behaved kids??.
VickiG95340
Merced, CA467 contributions
Yes, it's a great opportunity to share some fun things about the country singers and history. Be sure to show them Elvis' car. They will never forget that. It's above the bar on the ceiling/wall.
Richard B
Eugene, OR752 contributions
Would like to visit New Year's Eve! Any suggestions as to good times, when to make reservations, Etc.
WmGuin m
Bakersfield, CA30 contributions
Double Tree Inn on Rosedale Hwy, South of Crystal Palace not even a 1/4 mile and make a right under the 99 under pass I would call ASAP for both.
Crystal Palace 661-328-7560
Double Tree 661-323-7111
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Claim your listingBuck Owens' Crystal Palace - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
- Buck Owens' Crystal Palace is open:
- Thu - Thu 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Fri - Sat 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Hotels near Buck Owens' Crystal Palace:
- (0.07 mi) Duniya Hotel
- (0.17 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bakersfield Central, an IHG Hotel
- (0.13 mi) La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Bakersfield South
- (0.40 mi) Comfort Suites Bakersfield
- (0.24 mi) Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Bakersfield Central
- Restaurants near Buck Owens' Crystal Palace:
- (0.00 mi) Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
- (0.07 mi) Junction Diner & Lounge
- (0.09 mi) Starbucks
- (0.12 mi) Denny's
- (0.13 mi) Arby's