BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – A little piece of history has come alive in downtown Bakersfield.

A 98-year-old architectural artifact from a bygone era has a new but familiar tenant. It’s Moo Creamery, one of Bakersfield’s favorite restaurants in a new, but historic location.

A hundred years ago it was the New China Cafe, right in the middle of Bakersfield’s old Chinatown. Now, after months of renovation, it’s the new Moo.

Moo Creamery has moved from its original location to the corner of 18th and Q streets, about three miles east, where it’s the new kid on the block, surrounded by Eastchester’s unique blend of old-old and restored old.

Early reviews aren’t just good, they’re off the charts great.

Lisa Carvajal loved her cobb salad.

“It was absolutely wonderful,” she said. “We would always go down to Truxtun Avenue but here with the new location, food is great, they added a couple of new items on their menu we saw but stuck with the cobb salad.”

Brandon Antongiovanni loved his P-B and B Burger.

“Peanut butter and bacon jam burger, my favorite go-to, with sweet potato fries, with marshmallow and spicy ketchup,” he said.

Even if his lunch companion, and grandmother, Leigh Ann Atchison-Norman, was slightly disgusted.

“There’s something wrong with that boy,” she said, laughing. “It may be good, but peanut butter on a hamburger?”

“It’s the way to go,” her grandson said.

New China Cafe originally opened in 1928, part of the second of two waves of Chinese immigrants to make their mark – culturally and economically – on Bakersfield during the first quarter of the previous century. Since the original restaurant closed after World War II, the flemish-brick-fronted building, adorned with Chinese flourishes, has been through several incarnations, most recently Inclusion Films.

Developer Tomas del Toro-Diaz partnered with Moo Creamery owner Jessica Pounds to buy the building a couple of years ago, and renovations are 99% complete. Close enough to welcome the breakfast and lunch crowd.

95% of Moo’s menu is made in house, including the signature ice cream and some amazing baked goods. Except for three higher-priced items, most everything is in the $15 to $17 range.

The new Moo has a full bar and an outdoor patio for al fresco dining. Elevation Architecture completed the building’s considerable transformation.

A couple of years ago, a city-sponsored Retailers and Restaurants Survey asked Bakersfield residents about their favorite local businesses and their degree of satisfaction with local options.

Moo Creamery was among the top vote getters. One of the few complaints was that it was tough to find, tucked away on a commercial side street off Truxtun Avenue.

“Better location here,” Antongiovanni said. “It’s easier to get to.”

Consider that problem fixed.

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