RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTubeJust came back from Baja Fresh on Bethel and as I was leaving the employees thanked us for our business and told us they were notified this morning that their store would be closing tomorrow. They also said the location on Sawmill would be closed tomorrow or Friday as well.
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Dining
Baja Fresh to close Columbus locations?
[19 posts] [16 contributors]
Topic Rating:
(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:
Rate this topic:
-
albug_cbus
Login to Send PM
I heard the one on Lane Ave closed a couple weeks ago.
Posted 2 years ago # -
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
Login to Send PM
-
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
Login to Send PM
Hmm, I thought the ingredients were fairly fresh and tasty.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Miami Joe
German Village
Login to Send PM
This is bad news. I happened to enjoy the food at Baja Fresh (especially the baja-style tacos). While not really in the same league as what you get at one of the local taco trucks, I do believe that there is a place for good fast food, and Baja Fresh was just such a place.
Whether or not you personally like Baja Fresh, I don't think it's right to be happy that the restaurants are closing. We're talking about people's jobs and livelihoods here, not to mention significant investments of time and capital. And their food is certainly "real" food. The ingredients were always fresh, the service always friendly, and the food always tasty. I will miss this place.
Posted 2 years ago # -
askmrlee
Login to Send PM
I used to like them too and I remember when they first opened the Bethel Road store, the lines were out the door. However, I recently discovered that many foods at "Fresh Mex" places (not just Baja Fresh) are loaded with sodium, particularly burritos, so I don't go as often, or I only get tacos. In many items, you get over a day's recommended allowance of sodium (2000mg). Read it and weep.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM
I agree with Miami Joe that it is upsetting for anyone who lost a job over this, but I'm really not going to shed any tears over the actual food evaporating from the Columbus market. There are plenty of better local places to get a burrito.
Our city will culturally be better off without em.
Posted 2 years ago # -
bustowner
NW bustown
Login to Send PM
When Baja Fresh first came to tow, they were a notch above Chipotle, with very fresh ingredients, that salsa bar, and cool side items (e.g. roasted green onions). Since that time, Chipotle has become more than just a steam-table burrito joint by using better ingredients (Niman Ranch pork, yadda yadda), while Baja has declined. They dumbed down the menu, and every time I went to the one on Bethel, it seemed there were flies swarming the salsa, and the soda pop station.
Last time I was in Chicago, I ate at a lunch counter and was chatting up the manager. It turned out he used to be a regional manager for Baja, and his territory included Columbus. I mentioned how much I USED to like Baja, and he laughed, had heard that lotsa times. He said things went downhill when Wendy's took over, and they were forced to start using different suppliers.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
Login to Send PM
Miami Joe wrote >>
Whether or not you personally like Baja Fresh, I don't think it's right to be happy that the restaurants are closing. We're talking about people's jobs and livelihoods here, not to mention significant investments of time and capital.
I think we are all hoping that a higher caliber of food will be replaced, using fresher (local) ingrediants, more skilled preporation and better for the customer. Rather than lamenting the loss of something bad lets be happy about the opportunity. It's not like the customers are going to drive to Cleveland. There is no net revenue or job loss.
Sorry to be harsh, but I'm on a high from a really great taco truck run that makes Baja Fresh look like a fish taco that was left in the back of a station wagon on a sunny day.
Posted 2 years ago # -
dman081
Login to Send PM
Oh come on (to those who are not fans of baja fresh)! It might not be the best and it has declined since Wendy's bought them, but there's not one "fast casual" place where you can get food even approaching the authenticity of Baja. Not to say Baja's is authentic, but at least they have fish tacos and CORN tortillas. Chiptole, Qdoba, nope... they might be tasty, but mexican they are not. Not even close.
Posted 2 years ago # -
turnedNOTburned
Grandview/Columbus, Ohio
Login to Send PM
Who's next? Certainly not Bob Evans, didn't they recently post a profit gain YOY, citing lowered food and distribution costs?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Neil Jaye
Login to Send PM
turnedNOTburned wrote >>
Who's next? Certainly not Bob Evans, didn't they recently post a profit gain YOY, citing lowered food and distribution costs?Whatever place opens across the street from Hyde Park on The Cap. That place seems to be rotating restuarants, though not sure why. The location is GREAT.
Posted 2 years ago #
You must log in to post.
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus.