Baja Fresh Mexican Grill

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
9 Bras Basah Road
#01-03 Rendezvous Hotel

4 Marina Boulevard
#01-31A The Sail

40 Woodlands Street 41
Level 2 Singapore American High School Cafeteria

http://bajafresh.com.sg/


Tasty, Hearty, Mid-Range Mexican Food

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 5
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 6
Value for Money: 7
Spent about SGD $25 per person.


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First established in 1990 in California, on the west coast of the United States Of America, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, also known as Baja Fresh for short, is a fast casual / fast food restaurant, specialising in Tex-Mex / fusion Texan and Mexican food. Baja Fresh Mexican Grill is known for their use of fresh ingredients, and their self-serve salsa bar with a variety of freshly made salsa. While the American outlets have seen declining success in recent years, the Baja Fresh Mexican Grill in Singapore, which opened in May 2012, is still doing rather well.

Ambience at Baja Fresh Mexican Grill is simple, casual, and functional. There is minimal decor to speak off, but the bright colours of green, yellow, and white lend a cheery feel. Furniture is functional and bare, similar to other fast food franchises. I do feel that cleanliness level overall isn't that great, the places shows signs of age, and the lights are slightly dim. Seats are also somewhat limited.

Service at Baja Fresh Mexican Grill is largely self-service, with ordering and payment done over the counter, similar to other fast food outlets. However, as there is usually a short 5 - 10 minute wait for your orders, staff will serve it to your table. The menu is clear and legible, though the amount of customisable options is wide, and can therefore slow down the queue. While staff do make suggestions on what to order, they can be somewhat brusque.

Food at Baja Fresh Mexican Grill is classic Tex-Mex, known for its use of shredded cheese, beef / pork, and beans. Generally, I find the food to be tasty and well seasoned, balanced in the meals, though the meat is sometimes lacking in moisture. Portions are large, and very filling. Prices are comparable to a high-end bistro / restaurant, depite its casual ambience. Budget about SGD $25 per person for a meal here.


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They sell beer here, such as this Beer Hoegaarden (SGD $11.95), in bottles or in buckets.

Beer Hoegaarden

For the Burrito Set Meal (SGD $16.95), I chose to have the Burrito Mexicano With Steak. Features a huge burrito, almost like a small pillow, with a warm, soft, flour tortilla, stuffed with Mexican rice, pinto beans, hot tomato salsa, crunchy onions, cilantro, and chunks of beef steak. Very filling, the combination of freshness, crunchy texture, fluffy rice, and savoury meat is delightful. Only drawback is, I felt the steak was too dry and chewy in texture for my liking.

Burrito Set Meal

Burrito Mexicano With Steak

For the Taco Set Meal (SGD $18.95), I chose to have the Taco Original Baja With Pork Carnitas. Features a trio of warm, soft, grilled corn tortillas, filled with hot tomato salsa, crunchy onions, cilantro, and shreds of pork carnitas. Served with Mexican rice and black beans on the side, this dish was very filling, best eaten together, as the combination of savoury meat and fluffy rice is yummy. The pork is nicely tender and savoury, though it can be dry if eaten on its own.

Taco Set Meal

Taco Original Baja With Pork Carnitas

Each meal is served with Black Beans / Pinto Beans, and Mexican Rice. Love the soft, fluffy texture of the rice, and the nice orange hue is playful, and aromatic. The soft beans are savoury in taste, lending a depth of flavour.

Black Beans

Mexican Rice

Each meal is also served with a side of crunchy Tortilla Chips, though these are plain, with just a sprinkling of salt. Pair them with any of the freshly made tomato salsa in the salsa bar!

Tortilla Chips

They offer 4 different varieties of tomato salsa in the salsa bar, all made fresh daily, and regularly topped up throughout the day. The classic Pico De Gallo / Salsa Fresca features the traditional ingredients of chopped tomato, onions, cilantro, and lime juice. The aptly named Salsa Negra Baja features heavily roasted tomatoes and onions, which gives it a deep, savoury taste. The spicy Salsa 6 Chilies features a secret blend of 6 types of chili along with tomatoes and onions, but I personally didn't think it was overly spicy, in fact, it was rather mild, with only a slight burn. The Salsa De Molcajete features roasted tomatoes, onions, and chili, though this is more mid-range in taste, and heat.

Pico De Gallo / Salsa Fresca

Salsa Negra Baja

Salsa 6 Chilies

Salsa De Molcajete

The Nachos (SGD $12.95) features a large basket of crisp tortilla chips, topped with tomato salsa, pinto beans, guacamole, sour cream, melted cheese, and chunks of chicken breast. Love the combination of flavours and textures, the fresh and sweet tomato salsa, the crunch of the salty tortilla chips, the savoury chicken, the smooth gucamole, and the tangy sour cream. Good enough to be a meal on its own!

Nachos 01

Nachos 02

Loved the Churros (SGD $4.50) here, a trio of long, warm, churros sticks, coated in cinnamon sugar. Slightly crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, completely satisfiying. Highly recommended!

Churros 01

Churros 02

The Fajitas With Mahi Mahi (SGD $14.95) features 2 warm, soft, flour tortillas, along with Mexican rice, black beans, sour cream, and fresh hand-made guacamole, all served on the side. The mahi mahi / common dolphinfish is an ocean surface dwelling fish with firm, white / pink flesh, very similar in texture to tuna fish. While I commend them on using this imported fish, it is naturally frozen, not fresh. The fish is grilled, along with a medley of vegetables such as bell peppers / capsicum, and onions. Overall edible enough, though the fish isn't the best.

Fajitas With Mahi Mahi 01

Fajitas With Mahi Mahi 02

Fajitas With Mahi Mahi 03

Fajitas With Mahi Mahi 04

The Quesadillas With Shrimp (SGD $15.95) are, in terms of portion size, the smallest of any dish offered here, but is still just as filling. The quesadillas feature warm grilled flour tortillas, stuffed with monterey jack cheese, and deshelled shrimp / prawns. Good for small eaters, but I personally don't feel it's worth the money.

Quesadillas With Shrimp 01

Quesadillas With Shrimp 02

Quesadillas With Shrimp 03

Reserve a table now @ Baja Fresh Mexican Grill - Rendezvous Hotel

Reserve a table now @ Baja Fresh Mexican Grill - The Sail

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