Wondering what's so pleasantly different about that chile verde? Wide-eyed over that steaming platter of garlicky Basque fried chicken? Sizing up an angle of attack on that briny, rich clam linguine? 

For each of those culinary experiences, thank the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1889, the now-defunct rail line decided it wanted nothing to do with Bakersfield, so it essentially created its own town, Sumner, later to incorporate as Kern City. That’s where the railroad — and, eventually, east Bakersfield's restaurant row — laid down its tracks.

Contact The Californian's Robert Price at 661-395-7399, rprice@bakersfield.com or on Twitter: @stubblebuzz. "Where We Live," a look at a unique Bakersfield-area neighborhood, enclave or community, appears monthly.

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