The East of Belfast has a wee secret that it’s been hiding. Not for very long, but they’ve been trying to keep quiet about this place so we don’t try and claim it for the city centre! That secret is Baja Taqueria. I’m not one to get caught up in the Burrito wars. Where people shed blood and fists fly to defend the honour of Boojum. Where Mex fell and died (RIP) and where Chalcos are painted as the bolshy outsiders. I take what I want from where I want. I loved the pulled pork in Mex, I love the burritos in Chalcos and Boojum do a mean Burrito bowl. Baja Taqueria however has been quietly lurking in the background. Starting life about 2 years ago in St. Georges Market and their current shop in the east, they recently had to pull out of the market because the shop was doing so well. I’d heard whispers about this place for a while so on my birthday i decided to nip down for my Birthday lunch after getting some work done at the Black Wolf Tattoo in Dundonald.
Baja Taqueria is a kind of Mexican cantina establishment. It reminds me of eating breakfast burritos many years ago in a place in Los Angeles. Basic but clean and with character. As we went in we perused the walls for all the things they have to offer. The american lady behind the counter ushered us and and probed us to find out what we wanted. Once we had told her that we basically didn’t have a clue she was quick to recommend dishes for us. My wife had one of their Fried Burrito Bowls, basically a huge tortilla moulded into a bowl shape and then fried and all the Burrito ingredients inside. She opted chicken with guacamole. The salsa comes in 4 different degrees of hotness from mild to Atomic hot. I had 3 Tacos Chicken, BBQ Chicken and Beef. These came on freshly made corn tortillas with home made salsa and a segment of lime for each. I also got some nachos and salsa with a cheese sauce. The cheese sauce was amazing, like nothing I’ve ever had before. From what I can gather there are mainstays and then at different times there are extra dishes available.
My sister and her girlfriend had Chimi changas which are basically fried burritos these came back crisp and succulent just how they should be. To drink we ordered some of their mexican sodas “Jarritos” . I had Mexican cola and my wife had Quava Goyave after the lady recommended it, the sun was shining that day and as it streamed through the window we sat beside these drinks were the perfect way to help cool down. We paid about £7 each for our meals which is very competitive and as we left we got a loyalty card, a good excuse to come back and fill it up!
This is Mexican American food that’s fresh and surprisingly light on the stomach. The portions are large but you don’t leave with that stomachs-about-to-burst feeling that so many other places leave you with.
Viva Baja Taqueria.
