Old-school steakhouse, no surprises, no regrets
Bakersfield · Bakersfield · Steakhouse / Supper Club
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 23, 2026
RagingWine reviewed KC Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
KC Steakhouse hands you a wine list that feels exactly like the room — reliable, unpretentious, and built for people who are here to eat a ribeye and have a good time. There's no ambiguity about what this place is going for, and honestly, we respect the honesty. The list won't challenge you, but it also won't embarrass you.
The list runs 30 to 60 bottles deep and leans hard into mainstream California — J. Lohr, Kendall-Jackson, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, and Copper Ridge holding down the house wine slot. There's no real regional diversity to speak of, no Old World representation, and zero attempt at anything adventurous. That said, the producers they've chosen are crowd-tested and food-friendly, which in a steakhouse context isn't nothing. If you're hunting for a Barolo or a skin-contact Chenin, you're in the wrong room — but if you want a solid Cab to go with your prime rib, they've got you covered.
The glass program runs six to ten options, priced between $9 and $15, which is refreshingly fair for a sit-down steakhouse. You're not getting a rotating flight of small-production gems here — it's the greatest hits — but at these prices, a second pour feels like a smart move rather than a splurge. Don't expect much rotation; this list has the feel of something that gets updated annually, if that.
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon — $12
At $12 a glass for a Cab that retails around $14 a bottle, KC is essentially charging you bar markup on a wine that punches well above its price point. It's a legitimate glass of Paso Robles Cabernet for the price of a fancy soda.
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay
Most people sleep on KJ Chard because it's everywhere, but at $11 — right at retail — it's a legitimate value pour with enough oak and fruit weight to hold its own against the butter-forward dishes on this menu. Don't be a snob about it.
Copper Ridge
The house wine is there for a reason, and that reason is not your enjoyment. Step up one rung on the list and you're already in significantly better territory for just a dollar or two more.
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon + Ribeye Steak
Paso Robles Cab and a ribeye is about as no-brainer as it gets — the wine's dark fruit and soft tannins match the char and fat of the steak without fighting it. At $12 a glass, you're getting a classic combo without the classic steakhouse markup.
The Bottom Line
KC Steakhouse isn't trying to be a wine destination, but its near-retail pricing on recognizable California bottles makes it one of the more honest wine programs in Bakersfield. Send a friend here for the steak, tell them to skip the house wine, and order a second glass of the J. Lohr without guilt.
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