What To Expect From Midtown’s New Baja Fresh

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Actually, maybe I should rename this “what I expect from Midtown’s Baja Fresh”.  When I passed through L.A. this past week, I took the liberty of enjoying a Baja Chicken Burrito from Baja Fresh, rekindling my excitement and raising my expectations for the branch of the chain we are getting on Lexington btw. 45+46th. I’ve heard that the Jersey locations are not that good, and quite frankly I will accept nothing less than a perfectly executed West Coast version of Baja Fresh, at the top of its game.

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Example: the photo you see above is a salsa bar.  More importantly, it’s a FREE salsa bar.  And it doesn’t just have pico de gallo, salsa verde and two other kinds of salsa.  It also has cilantro, limes, pepperoncinis, and sliced jalapenos. Take what you want… as much as you like!  They better not pull any “this is NYC, we can’t afford a free salsa bar” shenanigans.

Oh, and that goes for the free chips as well.

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That’s right.  Free chips with every order, poured into your bag (or in a little container on your tray.)  That’s another thing the West coast has over the East coast.  At a burrito place, you shouldn’t have to pay for chips.  And that goes for the Midtown location of Baja Fresh. No… freakin’… shenanigans!

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And that’s pretty much it.  And it’s important to keep in mind that my love of Baja Fresh only extends to the Baja Chicken Burrito.  Is it Mexican food?  No. Is it a gut busting, super flavorful, fat packing machine?  No.  But I’ll admit that sometimes I need a “clean” lunch (read: semi healthy), and I don’t do salads- so this is as good as it gets. Tortilla, cheese, grilled chicken, pico de gallo, and guacamole.  Simple.  Perfect.  I could eat one every day without killing myself (something I don’t think I could say about that Bay Area burrito from Los Charros.)

Baja Fresh, you’ve been warned.  Don’t F this up.

32 Comments

  • I think you have to knock off the avocado and cheese to get closer to healthy, but, you know, you gotta live a little, too.

  • Fixed the commenting on the bfast post… Sorry!

    Also, I’m well aware how fattening that burrito is… And yet, it’s still the “healthiest” lunch I’ll eat. :-)

  • Getting the burritos with carnitas (pork) at my local Baja Fresh is usually the best choice in meats. I’m not a typical pork type of guy – however, I find theirs moist and seasoned well compared to the chicken and steak options.

    Also, I said it in the last Baja thread, the quality of the place (and any place) all depends on the team….

    Looking forward to this.

  • If I am not mistaken, Maui Taco at 33rd and 5th gives you free chips, and they have a pretty big salsa bar as well.

  • @unhealthydude

    please don’t diss the avocado, they are actually one of the healthiest fruits you can eat.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avocado

  • The one in Syosset is awesome too (free chips and free salsa bar is there). Should I be ashamed that I like generic burritos? Perhaps.

    I too am scared to think what the free salsa bar would look like during or after the lunch rush though. Ech.

  • Tres tacos. One fish, one chicken, one steak.

  • I am a ex-Angeleno living in NYC and I have to say the Baja Fresh in New Hyde Park (Long Island) is NOT excellent. To quote another commenter, it’s firmly in the “meh” category. Not terrible, but definitely not excellent. The fish tacos taste nothing like the ones I had in L.A. and the burritos are bleh. The only thing that is consistent from West Coast to East Coast at Baja Fresh is the salsa bar. The salsa verde in particular transported me back west, but nothing else….

    I definitely don’t have high hopes for this Midtown location.

  • So when is this place supposed to open?

  • I liked the one I went to in… Lake Success (LI) I think. But I’m no judge of authentic and … yeah

  • I also want to know when it’s supposed to open – I work two blocks away so I’ll check on the way home.

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