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Best Rumor Ever: Baja Fresh is Coming to Midtown
Step aside Chipotle and Qdoba, rumor has it a far superior option is coming to town. A manager from a recently opened Midtown Lunch’ing spot told me the other day that three of his friends have a franchise license from Baja Fresh and plan on bringing a location of the chain to 8th Ave in the 50s. That’s Midtown people! No word on timetable or exact location…
Why I like Baja Fresh 10 times more than Chipotle and Qdoba, after the jump…
Is Baja Fresh an “authentic” Mexican burrito? I don’t necessarily know what authentic means, but the answer is probably no. It’s a freakin’ fast food chain, and still has more in common with places like Qdoba and Chipotle than it does with a real Mexican burrito place… say on the West Coast (or even Anna’s Taqueria in Boston). But if I had to pick one large national burrito chain, it would be Baja Fresh. And I base that on one menu item, and one menu item alone: The Baja Chicken Burrito.
Unlike Chipotle and Qdoba, the Baja Chicken Burrito keeps it simple. No cilantro and lime rice. No overdoing it on the seasonings. Grilled chicken. Pico de gallo. Guacamole. Done. Simple. Perfect. A handful of *free* tortilla chips (places that charge should be ashamed) and of course the salsa bar; which has a real version of salsa verde made from tomatillos. I still don’t know what that sauce is Chipotle tries to pass off as salsa verde. And even more than that, it’s the burrito you can eat every day- and when I lived in L.A. I practically did. It was my go-to lunch. Sure, when I wanted a real burrito I had my dirty spots. But it’s tough to eat one of those every day (even for me), and for the day to day burrito, it was the Baja Chicken Burrito all the way. I’m sure there are some who will disagree, and I know there are Chipotle lovers out there who I will never convince. But that’s ok. The one thing we can agree on… more burritos is always a good thing. And a Baja Fresh in Midtown will be a welcome addition to the Midtown Lunch’ing scene.
Related:
The Midtown Lunch Ultimate Burrito Theory (and how it relates to Chipotle sucking)
Basic Math Blows Holes in Chipotle’s Absurd “Calorie Range”
Posted: October 15th, 2008 under Baja Fresh, Fast Food Chains, Mexican.
Comments: 33
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Comments
Comment from Mamacita
Time: October 15, 2008, 9:24 am
It won’t be good, sorry Zach. But the only thing that made Baja fresh OK in the west is the fact that they had mexicans cooking in the back. Unless they offer me a job, I don’t think they’ll know how to make a decent salsa verde or guac. It’s a harsh opinion, but I’ve been disappointed too much by NYC mex.
Comment from Peter
Time: October 15, 2008, 9:24 am
This would be phenomenal.
Comment from DDR
Time: October 15, 2008, 9:34 am
USA! USA! I might have to get a new job just to be within lunching range of the new Baja spot.
Comment from max
Time: October 15, 2008, 9:36 am
What we don’t have Mexicans in nyc? Who do you think cooks in the rest of the restaurants?
Comment from DubbininBklyn
Time: October 15, 2008, 9:43 am
La Paloma is a stones throw from 8th ave in the mid 40’s and makes fantastic Mexican. NYC is not Ohio, we don’t need ethnic chains here.
Comment from dyno3k
Time: October 15, 2008, 9:52 am
Hey Mamacita… Have you ever been to the Baja Fresh out in Nassau County? I think that’s the closest one to Midtown. Salsa Verde, and their other salsa’s are damn good there. The spot has been open for ~4 years now and while the place isn’t as clean as it was 4 years ago out in L.I. the food is still consistent and damn good.
Max… usually what I’ve seen happen in kitchens in NY is that Mexican’s whip up some of the best ethnic foods that aren’t Mexican as line cooks. But, at Mexican restaurants… atleast for cheap takeout’s, always seem to be run for Asians. Strange!
Comment from Dan
Time: October 15, 2008, 9:52 am
Sorry Zach - you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment. It’s only the fond memories and nostalgia that you taste.
Comment from wayne
Time: October 15, 2008, 10:03 am
pretty soon all the mexican & chinese takeout places will have gringo ex-financiers in the kitchen
Comment from dyno3k
Time: October 15, 2008, 10:16 am
I’m already perfecting my short order skills, griddle and burger flipping qualities, and testing out various was of saying “Thank you, come again.” in hopes of getting a jump on the ex-financiers in the new job market once my company goes under.
Comment from Bossman
Time: October 15, 2008, 10:16 am
Wait…. they’re hiring?
Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: October 15, 2008, 10:24 am
Your all missing the point.
DDR is alive!
Comment from Wined & Dined
Time: October 15, 2008, 10:24 am
3 Words — Chick-Fil-A (or maybe it’s 1 double-hyphenated word) I’ll be happy the day I hear one of these is opening in midtown.
Comment from meyekull
Time: October 15, 2008, 10:31 am
Max,
I think its the Dominicans cooking in the rest of NYC kitchens.
Comment from Conrad Logic
Time: October 15, 2008, 10:33 am
B-Fresh for life, this is one of the better chains out there. Zach, I fully concur with your assessment.
Comment from alaina
Time: October 15, 2008, 10:34 am
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
I would be happiest if the west coast chain opening was Rubio’s Fish Tacos, but i’ll certainly take Baja Fresh.
Thanks for the scoop Zach!
Comment from Yvo
Time: October 15, 2008, 10:37 am
Baja Fresh is the best burrito/taco/mexican chain I’ve ever eaten (ok, so I’ve only eaten Chipotle and hated it. oh wait, Green Cactus in Nassau too). It’s not bad but I can’t say authentic? just yummy.
Comment from Yvo
Time: October 15, 2008, 10:38 am
PS Wined & Dined - I’ve heard stirrings of rumors from corporate HQ that they do want to bring a Chik-Fil-A to NYC. The NYU location was a test run or something. It’s doing well. And in the meantime, find an NYU student to bring you some out =P
Comment from Wined & Dined
Time: October 15, 2008, 11:08 am
Thanks Yvo. Before I turned 21 I had to get a fake id to get alcohol. Now that I’m over 21, I have to get a fake id to get Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and chicken bisquits…the irony.
Comment from Susan
Time: October 15, 2008, 11:23 am
Sorry Zach, I don’t share your enthusiasm. (I’ve been to the one in Lake Success and I was not impressed.) In general, I would prefer to not support the chainization of New York City. If you walk around midtown it’s starting to look like one giant mall.
Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: October 15, 2008, 11:28 am
Chainization?…jesus wept…America…stop inventing bloody words!
Comment from nina
Time: October 15, 2008, 11:45 am
La Paloma..used to be my FAVORITE place..until my co-worker and i saw rats running rampant. ::shudder:: everythings ok until you see it..it grosses me out to think about it; no lunch for me for a few hrs..ugh
but i love baja fresh. bring it!
Comment from Mamacita
Time: October 15, 2008, 12:09 pm
Rudy, don’t misunderestimate Susan
Comment from talida
Time: October 15, 2008, 1:05 pm
Taco Cabana anyone?
Comment from Bossman
Time: October 15, 2008, 1:30 pm
@Mamacita - I’m underwhelmed at your response to Rudy.
Comment from MM
Time: October 15, 2008, 1:45 pm
All I gotta say is … Wahoo Fish Tacos
Comment from Deb
Time: October 15, 2008, 3:18 pm
WOOOO HOOOOO!!!! Am soooo excited!!!!!!!
Comment from Tystarr
Time: October 15, 2008, 11:42 pm
I’m sorry but I LOVE Chipotle. I must try this Baja Fresh place though.
Comment from Jake
Time: October 16, 2008, 7:17 am
I’m happy to know that I’m not the only one who could eat a burrito for lunch every day.
Comment from Josef
Time: October 19, 2008, 8:47 pm
Baja is my favorite, those fish tacos are amazing. My old building in Foster City, CA had one and I ate there 3 days a week. Baja is owned by Wendy’s Quboda is Jack in the Box and Chipolte is McDonalds. Baja is by far the best. Given how awesome Jack inthe Box tacos are wish Quboda was better.
Comment from Adam
Time: October 22, 2008, 10:56 am
Baja Fresh used to be good…before they sold the business to Wendy’s, who promptly cut costs by cutting the quality of every ingredient used in their food. Yes, Chipotle is owned by McD’s but the ingredient quality is still superior to Baja Fresh.
Comment from Peter
Time: October 26, 2008, 8:43 am
Wendy’s sold Baja 2 years ago
Comment from Linda
Time: November 2, 2008, 4:13 pm
I agree with alaina! I would much rather see Rubio’s first… Baja Fresh USED to be good (like every other place that first opens) but then the prices went up and quality and size went down. I could go for their mexican burrito or baja chicken salad now though!
Comment from Jul
Time: November 11, 2008, 12:15 pm
OMG. Baja Fresh is amazing. I use to go every week when I lived in Washington DC. I hope this rumor is true!
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