Posted by
Monday, December 08, 2008
Monday, December 08, 2008
Filed Under: Baja Fresh, Downtown Glendale, Food, Mexican Cuisine, Restaurant Reviews
I'm going to risk what little street cred I have by writing about a chain restaurant. What's more, it's a fast food chain restaurant. The horror, the horror! But I'm willing to face alienation and ridicule because I have to tell you about the best salsa I have ever had. Ever. And I have to tell you that it's at Baja Fresh. Seriously.Look, I don't know anything about Baja Fresh's corporate history or if its company uniforms are made in sweatshops in Borneo or what, but last summer they introduced, for a limited time, Molcajete Salsa, which is hands down the most delicious, flavorful salsa that has ever touched my tongue. Ever.
According to a press release I found online, it's "made of smoky char-grilled tomatoes, fresh and spicy charred jalapenos, and cilantro all crushed together into a bold and spicy chunky textured bite." That's exactly what it is, and, hot damn, does it deliver.
I'm sure it's good on different foods there, but I'm a simple guy. I love it with tortilla chips, and that's it.
When the summer was over last year, they pulled the Molcajete Salsa and replaced it with the inferior Mango Salsa. I was devastated. I asked a manager about bringing the Molcajete back, and I e-mailed corporate headquarters, both to no avail.
Well, my favorite salsa returned this past summer, much to my surprise and delight. We're well into December now, and guess what? The Molcajete Salsa is still there! I honestly hope it's become a permanent member of the salsa bar.
If you ever see me at Baja Fresh looking dejected, you'll know that the company has decided to inexplicably punish my loyalty. But for now I weep—tears of joy and tears of spiciness.
Baja Fresh
Glendale Marketplace
114 S. Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91205
818.549.9835
www.bajafresh.com
Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Average Entree:
$5-$10
Well, Prince, I'm a salsa & hot sauce fanatic, so I had to try it. I went for walk to check out the Farmer's Market, do a little shopping at the new HomeGoods store, and try out the salsa at Baja Fresh. I wasn't too hungry, so I just got a taco and some chips & guac; the main purpose of the stop was for the salsa.
I'm going to have to agree, it's is fantastic, possibly the best salsa ever. It's hard to say for certain, though, because this is the third time I've tried this type of salsa. Believe it or not, Pollo Campero (possibly the best fried chicken, ever!) in the Galeria's food court has, basically, the same exact salsa. Other place, which is the first place I've tried it, and where I will sometimes buy large portions of it, is at a restaurant in La Puente, on Amar, about 200 feet west of Sunset Blvd (no, it's not the same Sunset Blvd as in Hollywood.) The restaurant is called La Poblana. Theirs taste nearly identical, but it is a little hotter and there are large chunks of jalapenos and vegies in it. There, you can buy 3 different sizes to take home with you. The largest is about 16oz, if I remember correctly.
Now that I know that Baja Fresh also has this delicious type of salsa, I'll be stopping in more often. Another great, great salsa, yet completely different, is the one served (with the free chips) at Chuy's, on the corner of Maryland & Wilson.
Hi, Mario, I'm so glad you liked the Molcajete Salsa at Baja Fresh! Honestly, I always kind of hesitate telling people about it because they're usually all like, "At BAJA FRESH?! Are you CRAZY?!" So it's good to know I'm not alone.
And I appreciate the tips about Pollo Campero and La Poblana. If they ever pull the Molcajete from Baja Fresh again, it's good to know that all I have to do is go to the Galleria.
In fact, I'm going to go try the salsa at Pollo Campero soon because I'm now curious. I'll let you know what I think.
Thanks for stopping by, and thanks again for the suggestions.
Well it's 2010 and the Molcajete Salsa has yet to be put back on the salsa bar here in MD. Oh how I miss its spicy flavor.... :(
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