What Will I Find During My First Trip to Baja Fresh?

The last time I was craving a taco I stopped by the closest fast food Tex-Mex chain near my house in Toluca Lake. It was the first time I entered a restaurant.  

Usually, I get this kind of craving on the way home from work and I opt to quickly sneak in to the drive-through area of either Taco Bell or Del Taco for a quick burrito, quesadilla or taco.

Although the name says it all, I had no idea the food at Baja Fresh actually would be so fresh. As the signs adorning the walls state, the retail chain uses "no freezers, no microwaves, no can openers, no lard and no MSG," in preparing its food.

At first glance, the menu resembles other Mexican fast food selections — burritos, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and nachos. The difference is that the menu allows diners to customize their meal. First, they can choose a protein (chicken, shrimp, steak or fish) then choose how they want it prepared (taco, burrito, etc.).

Baja Fresh also offers a salsa bar featuring six signature salsas that are made fresh daily. Warm chips are fresh and light and the guacamole and cebollitas — roasted and seasoned grilled onions — are also very tasty.

The first Baja Fresh opened in 1990 in Newbury Park when the Magglo family took out a third mortgage to start the now famous chain. They quickly opened more branches and in 2002, Wendy's paid $245 million to buy the chain. Four years later, RD Restaurant Group financed a buyout and currently owns the chain.

The next time I'm craving a taco I know where to go. Baja Fresh might fall under the fast food category, but it's still a great place to get a healthy tasty Tex Mex meal.