Didn't go to eat but to sit at the bar and drink. Both bartenders were friendly and on their a-game. Some kid tried to order "the strongest drink they had" and I was impressed with the professionalism that was displayed when he obviously asked for an ID. Our party asked for one of the bartenders to make us a shooter and we ended up ordering like 8. Tried a local beer that was suppose to resemble a Miller. I didn't like it but at that point my stomach was full and the beer stopped going down. Will come back when we're in town to try the food! read more

Ok, this isn't going to be excellent Mexican food, but it's going to be good. This is one of those businesses that I like to visit because of the people who run it. Service is always excellent, food is predictable, but the owner has endured some crappy times for food service and I appreciate that. That matters to me and steers my review stars. If you're looking for excellent Mexican food, go to Arizona..... or even better, Mexico. read more

I would give it 0 stars if it was not for the fact that we have to at least give it 1 star. I do not know what it is like now, but I will say that my mom did get food poisoning from it. Never again!!!!!!!! read more

Good food. Nice service. Perfect portions. Cool art. In beautiful downtown Staunton. A local favorite. Check 'em out.

We visited here while on a conference. Wow, is all I can say. The portions of the food are more than what you would normally expect. I ordered the chicken and steak fajitas. I didn't power through a lot of the food because it was a lot. The prices are great for the amount of food that you get. In my opinion, my chicken was a little overcooked but it didn't take away from the flavor. I would probably revisit if ever in the area again. read more

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We usually come here when in town for Shakespeare. We remember it fondly, but this latest experience isn't making our visit any better. Oh well, there are other restaurants to try. read more

Baja Bean - Straw in the water glass. Bland tomatoes & onions & cilantro for dipping chips. - Mexican Near Me - Staunton, Virginia

Closed 4 hours early. 10 PM on a Saturday?! The theatre had just gotten out and we thought we had a place for dinner, but nopeZ

Been here several times. Food is wonderful. Really fresh salsa, fried beans rock and the "spicey" is almost spicey. Not your typical "No. 1 Speedy Gonzalez" kind of place. There is obvious care and forethought going into the dishes. Beer selection is very nice. Check out the chalk board listing the on tap selections, I have been beer geek pleased every visit. A freak'n beer named Hopsickle, yeah I'm all in. Wait staff was very warm and friendly. BUT!! Man do I have a problem that turns me off. We were literally the first people in the door on a Saturday afternoon. After eating, both the wife and I visited the restroom before heading back out on Beverly to head down to the play house. The restrooms were absolutely nasty. C'mon man! That's just basic people. I'll be back but I'm checking the facilities first. read more

Baja Bean - Lamp at table - Mexican Near Me - Staunton, Virginia

The service was good, the food was not. I don't want to be mean during these tough times, but go elsewhere.

I can only speak for the restaurant side because the bar side is too smoky for me. Good people who serve a decent meal at a decent price. The staff is friendly and management is fair. As they say, things happen but good management does it's best to make things right. read more

Our whole family loves Baja. It's one of a kind! The owner and servers are wonderful. It's a Staunton favorite. The food is delicious, fresh and so affordable. We love it! read more

Baja Bean is one of my favorites. The food is consistently good, the service is quick, the owner is as nice as can be, the staff are helpful, the atmosphere is fun, and the setup is practical. Get the super chimichanga with chorizo... You will not be disappointed read more

I make a point to not write bad reviews but I mean it when I say that I have never been to a worse restaurant in my entire life. We were the only people in the restaurant at 5 pm on a Friday for a reason. We got to the table to discover not salsa, but chopped tomatoes marinating in water. My only regret in life is that we did not leave right then and there, but we stayed and ordered despite the red flags. I ordered the burrito which was a tortilla, white rice, and chicken that tasted what can only be described as cat food adjacent. No one at the table ordered anything edible, and we still had to pay half of the bill. Employment as a cook is not for everyone, nor is running a restaurant. I'd rather pay someone twenty bucks to sit in my house and starve. read more

This is our families go to restaurant. Fresh food and great service. This is a must stop on any stay in Staunton!

Ate this so fast I forgot to take pictures! This is a post-COVID review, so there were probably some abnormalities. Regardless, the fam and I enjoyed dining outside at Baja Bean. We had street tacos, corn bowl dipper, and Tijuana tacos. All was good! I would have like some non-alcoholic specialty drink options and maybe some more salt on the chips. However, these nitpicks are just minor preferences. Overall, this place is family friendly and delicious. I'd definitely come back another time! read more

Been here twice, once for fajitas and then for take out tacos, both times the food was over priced and flavorlessly dry.

I love the food here and the service was good, but the floor was filthy. It certainly makes me wonder...I just don't know if I will return.

The short review: For those coming to the mischief/magic festival this place is a hard no. Since you're going to wait an hour to eat everywhere, go to any other place. The long review (helpful for moms/parents out there and especially festival folks) Preface: huge festival + small town restaurant = crazy made from the sh*t of a bat. I gave the place plenty of leeway, my standards were low. I was in the blazing sun with the overly tired, but determined, kiddo hunting down festival cards while dad waited for a table. He sat before us and we joined shortly after. The waitress was super quick and brought water/chips when we arrived. We were a party of 3 and were seated at a small two top with added chair. I get it, it's busy. Alas! We were adjacent to the chowing down Hogwarts founders. Then, I noticed the table was tiny. Like hobbit tiny. I pictured 3 plates, 3 drinks, and realized it's too small, the basket of chips will be stacked on the plates. It got weird after that. I went to the ladies room and saw there was an open booth in the back corner and two more booths waiting to be cleared. After one booth was cleared, they sat a single person who was after us. So we have a table of 3 crammed on, honestly, the smallest table in the house, a single at a booth, and an open booth. Clearly, the staff isn't communicating to the host what's going on with the tables. One of my dining partners was ravenous, I was irritated that he didn't speak up and ask for a booth when they sat him at the hobbit table in front of the constant opening front door. I mean, damn, if you've waited 45 min, what's another 5 for the empty booth in the back? You know the struggle. The waitress brought the chips and "salsa" which is grossly mislabeled since it's actually bland pico. At that moment, I knew this place would be memorable, in the wrong way. You know that moment. Your spidey senses tingle and you know this is going to go downhill faster than Al Bundy with no brakes. Everyone is going to hate it.....but.....they'll hate you more if you try to right the ship with the manager. They'll label it as making a scene, when you're really saving everyone involved a trip to disappointment town. It is in this moment you have a choice. Stay or go. Avoid the conflict. They stay, you go. When your partner doesn't want you to mix in, don't. When your frustration is rising at this place, go get the remaining 4 festival cards that were missed. The kids don't want to make the collective 6 block trek for three randomly scattered cards, you don't want to hear the complaints, it's a win win. (Review of actual food) Your family will have the enchiladas with flour tortillas, not corn, and def not what the enchilada lover in your life expects (or likes). They'll also have the chicken and spinach quesadilla (a less likely to be screwed up choice) which is soggy because it's microwaved and not grilled. Unsalted chips and pico but no salt on the table. Don't worry, they'll find the one salt shaker four tables away being communally shared amongst various patrons. (Time spent in restaurant). You'll have plenty of time to trek from the far side of the festival and snake through (for those scattered missing cards while thinking HOW did we miss this place, then remembering the map is beautifully artistic but not necessarily accurate). You'll also have time to go to the Woodrow Wilson Museum (two blocks up the hill) to assess if the kids will complain about the hike up the hill. Short answer: it's worth it if the kids are older and they love quick, historical tours. You'll also have time to eat a slice of pizza on the go or indulge yourself with a real adult sandwich, or cocktail, at the cafes adjacent to this place (which you don't normally go to because of unadventurous eaters in the fam). You may luck out with slower than normal service and be able to browse the program for remaining events of the day in peace, without being impatiently stared upon. (Management) When you return in an hour, or more, you'll have gotten in another 5,000 steps, lost 5lbs of fluid, and have the manager roll their eyes and blow you off after you've calmly explained the table and food situations. They'll walk away after you've pushed hard for some sort of compensation for having to choose between staying at the table or risk knocking overlapping plates, chip basket, and slippery, condensation laden cups. But, you'll pay 25% less and secretly had a better meal so.....it won't ruffle you too much. Everyone will be re-energized for a 2nd wind. You, of course, and your family, who is so thrilled with your return they'll unload their complaints and tell you how lucky you are to have been spared the meal. You'll leave having knowledge which mitigates the festival challenges ahead of you, like a boss. HP moms, we salute you! read more

Mediocre Mexican-ish food. The decor and the service are nice enough. The burrito was kind of boring, and my tacos were edible without being very tasty. The beans are probably from a can. We were just passing through, probably won't stop here again. read more

Food and service was awesome! Great steak quesadilla!! Such a good deal (6 DOLLARS FOR A STEAK quesadilla!) and it was enough food for TWO MEALS. Everything also tasted amazing. I would be in here every week if I lived closer. :( Food came out quick, the taste was great and the quality. No complaints!! read more

Smells of smoke and the food was gross. Waitstaff seemed to have more important things to do than provide any service.

The server was great. The street tacos (steak) were good but they have some spice to them. My husband's burrito was flavorful. The salsa and chips were awful. read more

What kind of place is full at 6PM on the day after Christmas? Baja Bean Co, that's what! We were lucky to beat "the rush" on this day and glad for it. Baja Bean serves up Mexican cuisine in the broadest of ways. Actually it is probably best described as Hispano given how I actually ordered a Cuban enchillada. I would recommend this lime infused pork and bean serving if you go there. The staff are friendly and happy to help you with your order. For such a busy night (EVERY TABLE was taken!) I was shocked at how attentive they also were. So kudos to them. We decided to make a night of it and went to their bar. This is where they get minus one for their star. Though not their fault, I am no longer used to bars that serve up a side of emphysema. They do however have a good bottle selection and a rotate their four taps. I enjoyed the St. George Stout quite a bit. When I return to visit family that lives here I will be back. read more

Desolate place. And not very good service. The food is not very good but better than taco bell. i ordered their caliente plate and it just wasn't very good. that, plus the hum drum waiter and i was happy to get the hell out of that joint. on second thought -- i'd rather go to taco bell. cheaper. and better service. read more

I must be becoming a tex-mex snob. Overall the place wasn't bad, but it simply is not someplace I can see myself returning too. My first sign of trouble was the chips. Slightly stale with a less than exciting salsa to go with it. I went with their so called spicy combo, which barely caused a blip in my spice meter (jalapeño's really aren't that spicy people....). The combo was solid but not something I found to be too memorable. The worst thing was I got a side of the cheese stuffed peppers, that both the waitress and the manager raved about, saying how good they were and how long it took to make. And the consensus at my table was that they seemed to have been wasting their time (the other person who got them didn't even finish his and another guy could only deal with one bite). I mean really, if it is such a signature item why the heck did you serve them poorly, mine were half frozen on the inside. read more

It's a big place with a nice ambiance. The servers are nice and courteous. The food is bit bland and nothing extra ordinary. The portion is quite good ! read more

I'm a little confused on this place, I didn't like my food I ordered flautas that had some weird idea of chipotle and raspberry sauce on it needles to say the flavor combination on flautas are just not good I scraped it off and ate the flautas the way they should be eaten lol and they were good! I'll come back I'm not against this business they had great service and everybody in my party loved their food just an FYI about weird sauces. read more

Baja Bean - Halloween!!! - Mexican Near Me - Staunton, Virginia

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Maybe I would have liked it had I been able to hang out on the bar side, but unfortunately since I was with youngin's, I couldn't, and we ate on the restaurant side. Like others have said, the waitress was inattentive, I guess because we were college students? My fish tacos were alright, however I would recommend the fried fish instead of the grilled tuna. The tuna made the dish feel heavy. //edit, 5/2010// I've been to Baja about six times after my original review, and I've had much better service, and the food has been amazing. There's a dish there that I loved when I was student at Mary Baldwin, it was some enchilada that could be served "lincoln style" with eggs and bacon. amazing. read more

I was here yesterday when I was in town with a group to see a production at the Blackfriars Theatre (completely worth the trip). We didn't realize it didn't open until 12, but when it did, it immediately filled - but those working didn't seem thrilled. Since there were around eight of us, we took a table in situated in the middle. I got the pork pesto enchiladas and the Merlotrita (I was hesitant at first, but then ordered two more...). My boyfriend had the Surf Quesadilla (which was declines- he loved the honey flavor) and the spicy Bloody Mary. He'd give it four stars. I was going to give it four stars, but decided to knock it down because of the service, which only became good when we started to understand our waiter's short personality. Our food took a lot longer to get to us than another party (who was with us) sitting on the side. And, once I had my food, it was cold. Once it was hot again, though, it was fantastic. There was also a pretty impressive sticker shock when it came time to pay the check - watch the drinks! All in all, a good meal, but no wow factor. read more

We were driving through and found this spot with the help of fellow Yelpers (thanks y'all!). We were warmly greeted and took spots in one of the wood booths lining the colorful (if sparsely decorated) walls. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable of the sizable menu. This is a tex-mex lovers menu - big dishes, standard fare and creative dishes. Also a build-your-own-burrito option. Oh, and you can get anything you want topped with queso, egg, or sausage. I went with the chicken and spinach "Popeye" burrito, while the lady had the 'Black and White" quesadilla (cheese and black beans - fresh and tasty). Several draft beers options are available but we opted for tasty margaritas. The salsa and guacamole are fresh and very tasty. Overall a very nice lunch. read more

Excellent food. Vegan friendly with good size portions. Food was very tasty and the staff were very helpful and friendly. Hubby wanted to add ground beef to his enchiladas and loved them. The burrito del Salud was very good and huge! Great atmosphere with a cantina next door that has entertainment. Would love to visit again. read more

Maybe it was an off day for the kitchen because it's Sunday. The atmosphere was relaxed, looked clean and the music was more on the soothing side. The wait staff was attentive and very nice. However, that's pretty much where the good stops. "Fresh California-Mexican" food is not what we got. I ordered fish tacos; I'm not sure what the owner means by "fresh", but these were anything but. The fish tasted and looked like frozen fish sticks reheated and cut into bite size pieces. The rice tasted like Uncle Ben's microwave Mexican rice. Mexican rice is not hard to make. My husband got street tacos with shredded beef. I gave him one of my tacos and I tried one of his. After one bite, I didn't want anymore. It was bland, runny and felt nasty in my mouth. He ate one and didn't even want to eat the second. I don't blame him. I lived in Texas for many years so am aware of what real "fresh Mexican" food is. What we got on this Sunday afternoon was neither "fresh" nor "Mexican". I have heard that this place is mostly reserved as a bar and the food is what you'd ingest if you were partaking and simply needed something to fill your drunk gut. I can see how that would be the case. I think with a little effort in the kitchen, the food could be passable. But for now, I think I will pass on another visit. read more

A controversial place with the locals- some hate it- some love it- it's got character and it's a must see for yourself. I don't mind ever meeting a friend for a drink here. You can smoke too- so I have to love it. This is a near drunk experience. read more

My husband and I came here while on vacation and it was a cheap meal that filled the whole, but wasn't anything to write home about. I got the pork enchiladas and my husband got the fish tacos. Both didn't have a lot of flavor. The chips and salsa are also more like chips and pico. The server was nice and friendly. Definitely a good option if you are hungry and just need a quick fix. read more

Excellent food at reasonable prices. Definitely try the Chili Relleno. It takes them several days (yes, days!) to prepare them and it shows. Way better than the ones you get at your run of the mill Mexican restaurants. And the Quesadilla 5-0 (sausage, pineapple, and corn salsa) was delicious. Highly recommended for lunch in town. read more

Salsa was great. All food tasted great. The family all loved it. Add the fried jalapeños they awesome. We will go back again. Good, fresh, and affordable Mexican food. read more

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Not worth a second visit. Food was okay. Unfortunately, some restaurants are using the current situation as an excuse to deliver sub par service. read more

Hands down, one of my favorite restaurants on the planet. I LOVE this place! Service is good every single time. Food is good... every single time. I tried just about everything on the menu until I found the Popeye burrito (the spicy one, all the way) and I think I've eaten that every single time I've been since then. Everything on the menu is delicious and cheap, and the chips & salsa always taste super fresh. The decor is fun (and changes often). I don't think I've ever had a bad experience here! Anytime I'm in Staunton (or driving down I-81 for that matter), we always have to make a special trip to the Baja Bean. Yum! read more

I was only in Staunton to catch a train, and I needed a place to eat. Being dependent on Yelp, I found out that Baja Bean would appear to be a great hit or miss restaurant. Being open-minded, I'm always down to try new things. Honestly, it was a great hit for me. I liked this place a lot; the salsa was fresh, and the fish tacos I ordered had good flavor. The sauce was very spicy. I loved it. Prices were also very reasonable - I came on a Sunday for lunch, and it was 8 dollars for a full plate of two fish tacos, guacamole, salsa, chips, the whole nine yards. It was also very empty during that time, service was quick, and the waitress was friendly. I am not sure if I would ever be in Staunton again, but I will recommend for those in the area, dropping by, or randomly there and craving some burritos/tacos to definitely give this a shot. There do not appear to be a lot (if any) chains in Staunton, and frankly, it doesn't need it with places like this. read more

As a fan of the oddity that is Staunton's existence, I've made it a point to stop in this city on road trips. I struggle to describe its ineffable charm to those from the outside who cannot believe such a place can exist in the middle of Virginia. But Sunday in Staunton and you're asking for trouble. Very little is open. But Baja Bean opens at noon! I learned what a flaunta was. I won't tell you. And you shouldn't google it. You should drive to Staunton and find out for yourself. read more