Baja Bar and Grill

This restaurant is closed! It has the same name but completely new owners, the food is now Portuguese not Colombian, and on average is $ 15 per meal. I did not eat there and the staff was nice enough but these reviews are all misleading, as the restaurant has the same name but technically no longer exists.

Not impressed. Staff is friendly. Ordered tacos had mostly fatty parts of the meat. Was disappointed.

Stopped here based on Unilocal review. Great food and super nice staff. The food is a mixture of Mexican and Columbian. The food is great, well seasoned, and a good quantity. They have a good beer selection. Server was so nice and professional We had enough to take home for a great lunch the next day. Not much on atmosphere, but who eats atmosphere? Definitely will come back since there were so many items on the menu I would like to try

My wife and I were just looking for some kind of decent dinner tonight, but thanks to Unilocal we found this delightful spot. I would say it fits easily in that top tier of great Mexican places I’ve been to in NYC, Southern Cal, and Mexico itself. The food was quite good at every level: homemade chips that were tasty but not greasy; homemade salsa, delicious and absolutely authentic; excellent enchiladas; and probably the best sopas I have ever had. Also, they make their own horchata. I haven’t had horchata that good since I was in Mexico, including all the places I’ve tried in NYC.
As other reviewers mentioned, the owner is clearly committed to making sure the experience is positive. I think that kind of commitment makes a big difference in any business, and here it translates directly to the quality of the food — especially in those details that are often overlooked, like the salsa and the horchata. There’s also a full bar and Colombian coffee, along with some solid offerings for kids.
I wish I could offer some constructive criticism, but honestly I wouldn’t change a thing. The prices are very reasonable considering the quality of the food. It’s not a fancy Michelin-​star kind of place, but that’s not the intent. It’s just really good food, outstanding service, and a good clean environment. We will be back for more!

My wife and I ate dinner here, and what a great place. The food is authentic. Steak and tostones were were very tasty. Wife had a few drinks and they were nice and strong. The owner, Huberto, came by a few times to make sure everything was fine– great guy with good attentive service. If you are looking for something that is not the usual restaurant and you want to feel like you have taken a trip to another country just to get some dinner, this is the place to go. You won’t regret it. Great place.
Sylvester knows best!

Both Colombian and Mexican food are delicious. The empanadas are pretty good. La salsa has a good flavor. I’ll come back. Ah! And the price is fair.

AMAZING. I’ve been here twice and both times the food has exceeded my expectation. The staff is friendly and the restaurant is clean. Try them!

Great authentic Mexican food, with very generous portions for what you pay. I got the enchiladas and my husband got the fajitas, they both were delicious and neither of us could finish all our meals. I’m looking forward to eating leftovers for the next few days. I was very happy with this place!

Unassuming mini-​mall location hides an authentic, delicious Mexican restaurant. Good food. Giant portions. Great service. Some of the best carnitas we’ve had on the east coast. Grilled chicken was a little dry but rice and beans were delicious. Enchiladas with eggs on top were a mountain of food. Family-​owned — don’t miss their bakery (also with giant portions) just down a few doors in the same mall. Worth the short detour off the 495.

My wife and I came in here the other night. Avg Food but better than expected. No owner greeting as in other reviews but rude people at the bar whom forget Spanish is understood by more than Spanish speaking nationals. The staff should correct this behavior at the bar. We have no reason to come back here and I am sure many more people like us will feel the same.

I would have gladly given this place 5 stars except for one small problem. Before I point out the 800 Lb negative, let me discuss the major positives. The service was excellent, waitresses were smiling and very attentive. I had my two children with me and was happy to see there was a kids menu, they even had virgin strawberry margaritas for them. As soon as we sat down, the waitress came over with a large bowl of nachos and the most delicious salsa I’ve ever had. I ordered the Bandeja Typica which was absolutely delicious, the beans and pork were bursting with flavor and the skirt steak was tender and juicy. The white rice, fried plantain and avocado were all cooked and steamed to perfection. My kids enjoyed their meals of chicken nuggets and French fries… So what went wrong??? I know this area very well, and was a little annoyed with the local regulars who sat at the bar drinking their corona and pineapple soda while giving me a dirty look like I shouldn’t be there. I went out of my way to smile at these people and for some reason they put up this wall of tension. So unfortunately this place will only go as far as the locals allow it, if the owner was smart he’d try and create a more inviting atmosphere that might attract higher paying customers, rather than relying on the landscapers, dishwashers and brick layers currently supporting this place.

My girlfriend took me here for Father’s Day, and we were both disappointed. The place was completely empty at dinner time, except a few young men watching soccer at the bar. The tortilla chips and pico were pretty good, but that was about it. I ordered the sirloin while my girlfriend got the skirt steak, both with shrimp. The waitress never asked us how we wanted our steaks cooked. The shrimp were tasty, but both pieces of beef were overcooked and resembled shoe leather. I watched the young man who prepared our steaks shake hands with departing bar patrons while still wearing his food service gloves, and then continue to handle food with those same gloves. The rice and beans were both bland and tasteless, and the fried plantains desperately needed salt. Pretty much everything needed more seasoning. I’m just not feeling this place at all.

We were one of the first people to go to this restaurant back when it opened, and I can sincerely tell you that they were good then and have only gotten better. The owner is a gentleman and the staff is just simply sweet! Drinks are good and food is just YUM! This area of Farmingville needed good restaurants; this is one of a couple I definitely recommend. Family friendly, great prices – you simply can’t beat it!

I came in here on Cinco de Mayo and it was empty. Oh well, I really did not care. We came in for the drinks and food. The ladies that served us were super sweet and nice. We order the Pernil Tacos, Tortas with Mexican sausage, and the Mexican platter. Holy cow! this food was amazing. They also have 2 types of salsa, so if you like spicy, just ask for the spicy salsa.
The food was amazing! The Mexican sausage was fantastic and must have. It was just packed with flavor. This is a place I will keep coming back to. Very authentic and tasted great.
Thank you Baja I am now loyal to you and your food.

We went here a couple of nights ago on a Friday night. We’re new to the neighborhood and were looking for something other than the abundance of Italian and Chinese places in a small mile radius. We had passed by this place numerous times and thought about going in before. We finally decided to give it a shot.
We weren’t disappointed. We ordered platters (he ordered Carne Asada and I ordered Short Ribs). We had rice and beans with our meals and those were just as delicious, because I judge a good meal not just on one thing, but on the whole. We also ordered Modelo on tap, flan for dessert and chips came with our meals. Everything felt so genuine and authentic and it was a nice change from so many cookie cutter places. Every bit of food was fresh off the grill or hot when it came to our table.
Our total bill was under 38 dollars. (compared to our diner meal the next night that was almost 50 dollars)
After we finished our meal, the owner had stopped by and talked to us. He asked about us and what we thought of the food. He asked where we heard about the place. He mentioned that the menu will be changing in a few weeks to add some Central American and Portugese food. (Think the addition of paella). It seems like he takes a lot of pride in his restaurant and it is always wonderful to see.
The owner also had one of the cooks prepare a pork taco for us. We were so full, but we had to try it. It was delicious, one of the best tacos I’d ever had. We definitely plan to order tacos the next time we come in.
I highly recommend this place not just for the food but for the friendly staff and passionate owner. I can’t wait to try many things there!

Last minute decision — and so glad we made it. Baja Bar and Grill was a nice surprise. Authentic Mexican cuisine. This is not the norm but — you won’t be disappointed. Sangria is awesome and skirt steak was moist and cooked to perfection. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive and had a great conversion with the owner who also owns the bakery in the same mall. Great choice!

Excellent little spot!
Stumbled upon this place after having bad take out from Tofu (just next door). Have only tried the Tostadas so far, but boy did they deliver. Very affordable and delicious. Will be coming back regularly.

I came in hoping that the location in a strip mall alongside a Latino grocery store and a panadería would mean this place made legit tacos. Holy cow, this food hit the spot.
I walked in and it smelled AWESOME, like fresh tortillas and slow-​cooked pork and pure happiness. I ordered three carnitas tacos to go and they were excellent. The tortillas were soft (double), and tasted like they were made this morning. The carnitas were crispy and delicious; not the best I’ve had, but certainly worth buying again. They don’t skimp on the meat, either. The tacos were uncluttered; only diced onions, cilantro, and lime wedges (as nature intended). I asked for sauce and was glad I did. I only tried the green (they also had red), but it was exactly the same as the thin cilantro/​spicy/​avacado sauce you get at roadside taco stands in Baja. Perfect. I almost cried; this was the first really tasty Mexican food I’ve had east of Chicago.
The cost ($ 7.50 for 3) was a bit more than you’d pay in Baja or California, but the tacos are large and filling. Whereas three or four taco truck tacos is the right amount on the west coast, two are more than enough at this place. Best of all, the menu indicates that there is a lot more to try — and no TexMex; authentic dishes. I’ll post photos of the takeout menu but there was quite a bit more on the sit-​down menu.
Of note, there is also a full bar in this place. I didn’t try any alcohol, but it looked like they had a better tequila selection than any wine & liquor store I’ve visited on Long Island.
I will be back!!!

Unilocal, you have yet to fail me.
I really hope all these Unilocal reviews bring a gringo invasion to this little place because the food is AMAZING!
Sometimes Long Island peeps aren’t too adventurous when it comes to food. (I’m sorry guys but, you’re not.) I was out in Farmingville visiting my cousin and asked her if she wanted to go for Mexican. And of course, it started a conversation like «Mexican? What do you mean? Like, tacos?» Oh heaven help me!
So, seriously, gringos do not fear! Nothing in here will hurt you. The menu is in English AND Spanish. And the waitress was even nice enough to put up with all my silly cousins questions.
As for the food itself I had Camarones a La Diabla, a spicy and flavorful shrimp dish.
And it was absolutely excellent. Don’t worry, such recipes have been cooked on the Food Network, they will not hurt you as long as you like hot food.
Branch out a little! Come to know Mexican gastronomy is more than just tacos and burritos.
They also take cash and credit.

Came in here expecting Baja, the chain restaurant, this was nothing like that sad disappointment of a Mexican knock off. Walked in to a place that simply screams good home cooking food.
My girl friend and I ordered arrachera con camarones, a skirt steak with shrimp, along with sopa azteca, a amazing soup with cheese, avacado and fried tortilla’s.
The food here is amazing, why has no one on Unilocal reviewed this yet? Let’s get on this Unilocal,let people know about them!