Baja Fresh Mexican Grill

I love Baja Fresh in general. This is a location specific review.
I order a side of rice and beans, no cheese. It’s 1.84 after tax when I order it at the Baja Fresh near my normal workplace.
The cashier spoke briefly with her manager about how to order it up (I don’t speak Spanish very well so I don’t know what they said) and rang me up.
I was in a hurry and paying by card so I didn’t notice until later that they charged me more than 5 $… the receipt had it rang up as some weird bean and cheese plate, I’m not sure what she did.
Normally I would assume it was a mistake and give them the benefit of the doubt, say nothing. However in this case there were two people looking over the register and discussing how to do it. I got the rice and bean plate that is normally a side dish and listed as such with its proper price in big letters on the giant menu so there was no confusion there I’m sure… That’s straight up criminal, I can’t think of any other way to put it and I’m really trying.

When I need a quick & filling bite to eat this is the place to go… Their fish tacos, burritos and salads are all yummy! Been coming here since I moved to LA years ago and it hasnt’ changed a bit. I like this location because there is a free parking structure in a really busy intersection and the service is pretty quick.

Clean, kind and efficient service, good guac. I like going there and getting toasty fresh chips and picking my flavors at the salsa bar

I don’t ask for much, damn near everything I eat is plain as hell. Just got back from this location and they screwed up my order again. How hard is it to simply leave off the sauces and anything else that might be a little spicy? All I ordered was a burrito with chicken, pinto beans, rice and cheese. After waiting 20 minutes, it was screwed up. I wouldn’t get so mad if it was a dollar burrito from del taco or taco bell, but it cost me ten bucks. I friggin’ knew I should have gone to Musso & Frank.

The slowest place on earth after I placed my order it took him 15 minutes to even start cooking it why the manager sat on the phone talking to his friend

I was a big fan of Baja Fresh when they had locations in Texas. Great shrimp tacos for a totally reasonable price. Unfortunately, all the locations closed within a few years, so I was pretty pumped to get the chance to eat there again while vacationing in LA. The prices were much more inflated than I remembered, though I concede this may be what California Baja Fresh’s have always charged. Tacos at the Texas locations were around $ 2, while these were up to $ 3.50 depending on what meat you got.
The menu is a bit scatter-​brained. If you don’t want sides, it’s difficult to find exactly what you want. I ended up ordering two grilled shrimp tacos with slaw and cilantro. While the meal is on the expensive side for fast food, you do get free warm chips and access to the salsa bar. I highly recommend the black salsa if you want something mild but still flavorful. Overall, I’m happy to report that the tacos are still as tasty as ever. (Please come back to Texas!)

Worst fucking service. They are calling out numbers at random. To hell who order what first and when. To go orders turn into for here and vice versa. Nightmare!

I have not been to any Baja Fresh in years. Their ingredients are fresh and their chips continue to be amazing — light and don’t taste great. The steak classic taco is ok. it only comes with cilantro & chopped onion.
Grilled tacos much bigger than classic Baja style. Grilled chicken grilled flour tortilla was yummy and filling, all I needed to order
The pickled veggies (seemingly ubiqutious at Mexican food places) are spicier than I expected, as this is Americanized Mexican food.
Grilled shrimp and fish are now offered. You have a few salad options, primo & classic.
The only thing that is a mixed presence is the list of calories but hey, someone has to keep you accountable, right?

I come here when I have a queso fundido craving… no other place will do. The salsa bars and burritos at Eduardo’s (salsa negra /​baja salsa and mango) and Poquito Mas (salsa negra) are way better, but this is the only place that has the delicious gooey, salty Velveeta-​like cheese product with a kick.
Chips are OK — not too thick, but nothing special.

The service here is excellent. I feel like at home. Food is awesome. Mango salsa is the best. 1 employee in particular goes above and beyond. Hes name né is Almos. Hes the best!!!

This place has one of best services among fast food restaurants. Workers are friendly and helpful, and greets you courteously. Sometimes they even bring the food to me and take the tray away. The grilled shrimp is always amazing and is the goto thing for my lunch.

They went above and beyond today
Place was packed and they kept things moving and the place clean and great food as expected

The food is pretty good. We needed something quick on this «day after Thanksgiving» so we popped in for three lunches to go.
It took awhile to make, but the food tasted pretty good. What made the food taste bad is the fact that they forgot the milk in the kids’ meal and they forgot the dressing for my wife’s salad. Seriously, is there not a control in place to catch these things? Especially when it’s SUPER SLOW?
Very frustrating and it’s not like we’re going to go back in West LA traffic to collect what’s missing. Actually, we will not be going back at all.

Mediocre mexican food.

2014 Unilocal 365 CHALLENGE — ²⁷⁷⁄₃₆₅
Decent Baja Fresh. Nothing really stood out to me but I’m sure everything is pretty fine here. I’ve only been here with my bf since he loves this fast food chain but I haven’t ordered anything.
PROS:
— Free parking structure right next to it!
— Quieter location of Sawtelle, not the main busy stretch
— Lots of seating
— Fluent in Spanish
— Cheap, quick and easy
CONS:
— The seating is ALL bar-​height tables. Not sure why but it makes the place look very cramped and it’s just unnecessary IMO
— Not very well ventilated. Felt warm in there
Overall, mediocre place. Not giving it 4 stars cause I wasn’t super impressed or anything, but other than the weird bar-​height only tables, I have no complaints.

Baja Fresh is fast Mexican food that is not autentico but is fresh and moderately priced. I would give this location a solid 3.5 stars. They are in a center with lots of parking. There is ample seating inside (36) and out. The staff is friendly and attentive. The store is clean. The food is prepared quickly. What more could you ask for?
It’s not innovative or special cuisine. But, the Baja Ensalada salad that I had hit the spot. Romaine lettuce is topped with two sliced tomatoes, about 5 oz. of moist chicken breast, tortilla strips and salsa verde. I asked for no cheese and it was delivered as requested. Everything was fresh and tasted good.
If you go out of your way to go to Baja Fresh, you are not a foodie. If you, like I, are working in the area and need a quick healthy lunch, this is a good choice.

I haven’t eaten at a Baja Fresh for years. No particular reason just not a usual choice. I was very happy with my return to their store here in West LA.
I ordered 3 tacos (chicken, carnitas, and streak) ala carte (the have other combo options with rice and beans). The tacos were prepared quickly with just a short wait. While waiting they give you chips with whatever salsa you select from their salsa bar.
The tacos tasted very good albeit slightly cool. Although each order is freshly made the do prep the meats by having them cooked ahead of time. Not a deal breaker.
This is a pleasant alternative to the usual fast food place. A good variety of choices, freshly made, and quick service. I won’t wait several years to come back again!

I couldn’t complain when I walked in yesterday. The facility was clean and the employees were nice. Although I wasn’t quite sure what to order. I went for the baja chicken burrito and it was, ok. It lacked flavor, amongst other ingredients.
I must however give this place four stars for their kick *** salsa bar! Wow! I love salsa and chips and this place was like a heaven for me.
Perhaps next time I’ll go for nachos and salsa lol
How do you Baja? :)

I love the variety of salsas they have at the salsa bar. They are all delicious. They have a brown one which I was really scared to try. Now that is my favorite salsa. I use to get the green one, but I gave the brown one a try and fell in love with it.
The burritos are big so you can save half for later. If you get the enchilada style it is even better because they cover the burrito with salsa (green or red) and put lettuce on the side. They use to put tomato on the side as well, but they stopped.
There is pico de gallo in the salsa bar so it doesn’t really matter unless you forget to grab some. It also comes with chips on the side with melted cheese on top. So good. It has a bit of sour cream as well. Basically, a side of some bomb nachos.
It is a busy place so it’s always better to place your order over the phone at least 20 minutes ahead. You can just pay and pick up your order instead of waiting in line. If you can’t they try to get your order done as fast as possible. Although, they do have a funny sign that says they don’t do there food in the microwave so don’t expect your order right away.
There is street parking, but they have meters. The meters take credit cards, but they have a parking structure as well. The parking is free inside, but you will probably have a hard time looking for a spot. Well, it actually depends on the time I believe since I went once and there was plenty of parking.
The employees take your order as quick as possible and they are friendly. The line goes pretty fast, but it is always the wait after that takes awhile. Even if the line is short or long you will need to be patient. Believe me, it’s worth the wait.

Baja Fresh is synonymous with desperation. Both in the cube warriors that work overhead and have only minutes to spare before a meeting, as well as the Hollywood Blvd tourists that see this as the only fast food joint within view.
The kitchen is relatively quick to deliver their pricey, yet mediocre, menu offerings and you’re free to take advantage of the salsa bar. For your sake, I would assume that the sweaty, stinky hoards of people around you are all upstanding citizens and haven’t tainted the salsa supply.
If you really, really have to eat here, I would suggest going with either the fish tacos or the burritos. Those are the most popular with the office crowd and it’s because those come the closest to tasting like good food. You’re going to want to completely avoid their atrocious veggie bowl and don’t even think about looking up calorie counts on their website.