Bakersfield OTR making progress on East Blvd.

Bakersfield, a taco joint and bar that's replacing the former Longboards Tap & Taco on East Boulevard, is building out its new space quickly.

Gone are the gaudy yellow walls and wall-size mural of Buddha and a shark that marked the building at East Boulevard and Kenilworth Avenue. Instead, the building is now painted a dark gray. Crews have completely demolished the interior and are rebuilding extensively.

Bakersfield has other locations, in Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Columbus Ohio, and is planning a Nashville spot too. Here's their menu.

Over recent years, this location has been Sullivan's, Picasso's and Longboards. A lack of parking has been a challenge for previous incarnations. As a neighbor to this site, I hope Bakersfield figures out the winning formula.

Building permits show the project has cost more than $250,000 so far. Charlotte Restaurant Traffic, which reported the new restaurant first back in March, has some more details here.