Baja Fresh Mexican Grill

Let me preface this by saying the only time I’ve had food poisoning was after eating at a Baja fresh. That took a trip to the ER and four IV bags to resolve. Before, I preferred BF to Chipotle and sought out giant burritos smothered in the entire salsa bar on all suburban jaunts.
I had reason to be in the suburbs today and spotted BF from afar. Years have passed, wounds have healed, and most importantly, the food poisoning wand seems to be held firm in Chipotle’s iron fist. I stepped inside.
Praise the various gods– «enchilada style» is still an option, and the dark purple salsa still exists. The menu is more cluttered with healthy options but it’s easy enough to find the good stuff. I’m a happy Steph.
They need to put napkins on the tables — this a napkin-​intensive food experience. Other than that, and the possibility that I’ll be in the ER again later, way to go Baha!

Great food! and it is made fresh. Healthier than any other fast food place.

I used to love Baja Fresh! I don’t know what happened… I waited a while for the food to be ready and when it came out the fish tacos just tasted old and fishy. They were very rubbery. The shrimp taco was delicious, however. I always enjoy all of their salsas but overall just not impressed. I think their ship has sailed.

Fresh? Definitely. Baja? Maybe. Fast? Absolutely. The give you chips while you wait as everything is made to order but it took no time for our food to be ready.
We got chicken tacos. The freshness is a welcome change from normal «fast food» style restaurants I just wish their chick had a little more seasoning to it.
The fresh salsa bar was nice though. I’d go again if someone else wanted to go.

During a recent visit, food was good, service required a phone call to corporate. Purchased CBS coupon online, presented to manager who was also cashier, made me pay a different amount then what was on check total. While I was discussing with manager the situation, employee to the side felt it necessary to chime in about why use coupons and technology (heard this gentleman’s philosophies about a year ago why sitting at home relaxing by yourself was better than dealing with people at a job), not needed. I reluctantly paid the extra $ 1.38. Called the next day, spoke to general manager, and she defended the practices of the manager. After explaining that I felt this was at the very least illegal, she eventually agreed and offered to mail a voucher. After 3 weeks didn’t receive, called again. She remembered our conversation and would mail another voucher, didn’t receive after 2 weeks. Contacted corporate and explained situation. Very helpful and would mail vouchers. Received in 10 days. Will not return to this location.

Timonium Baja Fresh could be tidier, but otherwise it is a normal Baja Fresh with friendly and efficient employees. The parking lot can be difficult to get out of during the day due to Timonium/​Aylesbury rd traffic.

I’m embarrassed to say that my only prior experience at Baja Fresh is the one at Johns Hopkins Hospital food court, and while I thought that one was okay, this one is far better!
The menu had a wide variety of offerings and styles to choose from for your burrito or other choices. Everything is very fresh and the portions are generous enough. There is a bar of different salsas that weren’t really my thing but was objectively nice. The person who waited on me at the register was super friendly and helpful in advising me about some of the items. The restaurant was clean and inviting enough for a fast food type of establishment. Frankly, I was actually impressed and would certainly return.

I’ve always liked Baja Fresh, and this one is no exception, but I’m very curious about the recent closing. I just went in after they reopened, and nothing had changed. Same menu, same seating, same everything. The only small difference I noticed is they no longer have Coke Zero! I wonder if they failed a health inspection…

They were closed for a while… I’m guessing for renovations, but so glad they’ve reopened. Love the Diablo shrimp quesadilla. If you like seafood… you gotta try this!

Great service but the lady handling the register had an accent. Very suitable for the theme.

Slightly above average fast food. Ameri-​Mex style with variety of burritos, tacos, etc. Not as good as most Chipotles or Qdobas IMO.

This is my go to fast food place. Fresh tasty ingredients, quick service, good prices … love the fish tacos.

This isn’t a place I ever thought I would try; something about the name Baja that conjures up all sorts of cheesy resort packages and travelogues. That and I’ve been burned by so many of the Tex Mex chains like the awful Qdoba and Chipotle Grille. But I recently read some good things about them by some fairly critical eaters so I dared to try it.
So we tried it and I was impressed by the quality. First off I was pleasantly surprised they had such as simple and straight forward menu – none of these eye-​wearisome combo platters to have to choose from. We got the free corn chips and sampled the 4 available salsas which were good by chain restaurant standards. I ordered the chicken fajitas and was impressed by the portion which included a full, lean, grilled chicken breast, beans (your choice of pinto or black – I chose pinto), rice, grilled vegetables, pico de gallo, a generous scoop of guacamole, lime wedge, and sour cream and a generous steaming foil-​wrapped serving of tortillas of your choice (I chose corn and was impressed they were offered). I’ve paid as much as twice what they charge at other restaurants for less quality and quantity. It was a perfect meal.
She got their new shrimp bowl which has a very generous amount of shrimp on top; she said was tasty but the rice was cold at the bottom. Ah well, can’t win
em all!
Yes, we’ll be back, and I’m sure it will impress again

It is unfortunate that you have to come to the suburbs for a Baja fresh. Baja’s motto is everything is fresh, no cans, no microwaves. Exciting eh? Well, I must say I have not been to a BF in maybe ummm. 4 years, and I remember nice portions for their tacos. I am not saying huge but a fair amount of meat. I was so dissapointed when I saw these ridiculous tiny tacos, 3 for almost 8 $. Are we kidding? They contained a speck of steak some onions and cilantro. Really? Not even tomatoes… what on earth! I could have hot Chipotle for 4 times the amount of meat. Total rip off. I must say though that their salsa bar is pretty tasty, but for the price I will stick with Chipotle.

Okay, I’m pretty critical of fast food/​mexican chain restaurants. Grew up in San Diego, and even when I lived in Connecticut I was hitting the taco trucks along Long Wharf.
I’m giving four, as American-​Mexican chain. A fair number of menu items are Americanized. But thankfully, they have the courtesy to refer to them as such «Taco Baja» (traditional soft corn tortilla) versus «Taco Americano» (flour tortilla — better known as a mini burrito).
That said, their carnitas and carne asada are decent. Really wish they offered barbacoa beef. The rolled pollo tacos are good but need salt, and so wish they had beef as an option. Their chips are good. Their far less skimpy on the meat than Chipotle (big rice burrito with two small spoonfuls of meat). Seriously? Give me the real thing… with meat. And Baja Fresh usually does.
The chips are fresh, and often warm. *ymmm* They have a decent salsa bar as well.
When I was doing the Medifast diet (which I lost 35 lbs on), I found this to be the best «Lean & Green». I’d get a taco, sans cheese, sans tortilla (basically onions and cilantro). And a side salad (sans tortilla strips, cheese, etc — just salsa for dressing). It’d run about $ 5 and was very healthy.
Lastly, the staff has always been one of the most courteous, friendly and interactive of any chain eatery I’ve eaten at. And if not busy, will even accomodate some off menu variations (like sopapillas).
A few times, I’ve made it right before close and they never rushed me out. I appreciate that greatly. So five stars for staff.
—
Add the following menu items and I’ll give a 5 *****:
— barbacoa
— beef taquitos
— sopapillas (they can make these, and likely will if you ask)
— tostadas

Baja Fresh is sorely underrated, as far as I’m concerned. Delicious food, fresh ingredients, and prices that just make sense! Only downside… I have to drive at least 15 minutes to satisfy my Baja craving! (Open a location in Pikesville, pretty please??)
My go-​to dish is their steak quesadilla– a cheesy mexican fiesta packed with tender, juicy meat, served with pico de gallo, sour cream, and a dollop of guacamole. I always make a stop at their salsa bar, with three different sauces? salsas? (not sure what to call them), a mango salsa, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and fresh cilantro. Each entrée comes with a side of fresh chips, which are perfect with all the goodies at this salsa bar. And let me tell you… these chips are the real deal: thin crisps, freshly made and (usually) served while they’re hot.
I have never left Baja Fresh anything but satisfied, and I can’t be the only one! They deserve more praise in the Mexican-​chain world. a lot more than some other chains I know (cough cough. not naming any names!!)

I remember the time from when this was still a book store, nonetheless now it is a Baja Fresh and over time I think the quality of the food has gone downhill a bit. Or maybe I have just become a snob about food since I moved away.
I used to order the beef taquitos until they took them off the menu, I am a fan of their yellow rice and usually I find myself getting the baja fish tacos if I am there.
Tacos only contain a small portion of fish and its mostly lettuce. They have a cute little salsa bar where you can choose how spicy you like your salsa.
I have heard mixed things about their workers there, many people have said the workers in the back dont wear gloves when they make the food? I will have to do a double check on this the next time I am there ;/

Surprisingly good Amercian Mexican-​style food from a carry-​out chain. Grilled meats are really grilled for an authentic flavor; always tender, always well seasoned; I love their fajita with corn tortillas; salsas are fresh and spicy; veggies fresh and tasty; all good! Better than many sit-​down Mexican spots, really. They aren’t afraid to use hot peppers; they use real cojito cheese, and grind real smoky chipotles in their addictive black-​murky looking salsa.
This is total Tex-​Mex style food, and I have no complaints– I enjoy it quite a bit. If it was sit-​down, with real plates and atmosphere and margaritas and cerveza and such, it would earn five stars! As is– minus one star for cafeteria-​like atmosphere, and cheesy plastic to-​go containers.
Only other nitpick– if you do carry-​out, examine your order! They are NOTORIOUS for screwing up– black beans instead of pinto; salsa instead of guac; forgetting tortillas for fajitas, etc. Always apologized for it– but still, check your order before you leave– you won’t be sorry!

Nice location! They have ample indoor and outdoor seating.
The food is so good here! You wait a little but that’s because everything is freshly made and you can taste it. I had a shrimp burrito which was huge and the shrimp was perfectly cooked! Love their green tea with fresh lime.
This is definitely my favorite mexican chain restaurant!

Good food, large portions, always fresh salsa. Occasionally unprofessional kitchen staff, but that doesn’t impact the food.
Better than other cheap Mexican options, and fresher food than some of the more expensive chain Mexican places.