2009.01.02
Baja Bistro, Fresh Mex Grille, in old Dickey's Barbeque location on West Main
The paint is up, the kitchen is close to finished, and the tables and chairs are nearly in place. Sometime in January, Baja Bistro is expected to open in the shopping center that formerly housed Dickey's Barbeque Pit. With the closest Chipotle restaurants in Charlottesville and Richmond, Baja Bistro's venture into Salem promises to bring a new brand of Mexican fare to the area.
The franchise's closest of ten locations up and down the East Coast is at the Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Virginia. The local franchise company, G & J of Virginia, LLC, is sponsoring the Salem location. Salem residents Greg Caldwell and Faisal Khan own the Salem location.
"There is no freezer or microwave on the premises," said the franchise's director of operations, Bob Ferguson. Baja Bistro's fresh mex grille philosophy combines daily delivered veggies and meats and a "gourmet made to order" serving line where the customer decides what they want on their burrito, salad, taco, quesadilla or nacho dish and how they want it cooked.
The price range for the Salem location is pretty reasonable, with entrees from $4.99 for a cheese quesadilla to $6.49 for menu items like the nearly 8-inch-long Ranchero burrito or ultimate Baja quesadillas. Fresh tortilla chips and salsa are served with each entrée, too. Kids meals run from $2.99 to $3.49. "If people think we're going to be similar to taco bell, they're wrong," Ferguson said.
Dickey's Barbeque shut its doors in April 2008 after being open for less than six months. A sign on the door indicated that the store was changing ownership, but the arrival of Baja Bistro indicates its permanent closure.
Click here to see what retail writer Jenny Boone has to say about Baja Bistro.
Photo: Operations manager Bob Ferguson outside of the new Salem location of Baja Bistro, Fresh Mex Grille.
