Baja Betty's--Most fabulous Mex in Hillcrest

Toni chowing down at Baja Betty's

Baja Betty's--1421 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103.  (619) 269-8510, http://www.bajabetty.com/.

Of all the restaurants that we've tried since coming to San Diego, we have come back to Baja Betty's the most, because we love the fun and fabulous atmosphere [I think the waiters are cute--Toni] and the food is delicious as well.  So last Tuesday, which is a big day for Mexican food in San Diego with every Mexican joint in town running 'taco Tuesday' specials, we went to Baja Betty's to review it.

Arriving at seven-ish, we had to wait for about ten minutes for our table.  Everytime that we have been to Baja Betty's there has been a wait, but it has never been longer than twenty minutes and usually closer to ten.  

The first thing that strikes you when you walk into Baja Betty's is the multitude of balloons in the shapes of male and female genitalia, tied to tables and floating around near the ceiling.  They have some patio seating where smoking is allowed and is where to sit if you want to be seen by whomever happens to be walking around Hillcrest--a Rogue's Gallery, but in a good way.  The interior seating is ample with basically three dining rooms and a bar decorated like a tiki hut.  The decor is loud and colorful and the volume is also generally quite loud.  People just seem to be happy in Baja Betty's and so laughter and loud conversation is typical, all backed up by awesome eighties music and some club music.

We were seated and our waiter, Brad from Scottsdale, Arizona [Adorable!--Toni] watered both of us without being asked, something that fewer servers seem to do in a lot of restaurants thses days.  He brought us chips, which were fresh, crispy, and not greasy; and Baja Betty's always fresh and a little spicy salsa.  He was very friendly; he called me, 'Babe,' and Toni was 'Angel.'  Once he got know us, he offered us a hot salsa that we had never tried in our previous visits there--very, very spicy, but good--smooth with a pleasant, garlic aftertaste. 

We looked over the drink menu.  Baja Betty's specializes in tequila.  The menu lists 101 tequila choices.  A Margarita Casa is $7.00.  [Their drinks are delicious and always pretty strong--T.]  Other drinks are the Skinny Betty, Surfer on Acid shot, the Me So Horni (A 36 ounce margarita monstrosity for $16.50) and the Teabag Sr.  Baja Betty's also boasts tequila tastings on the first Saturday of every month from 3pm to 5pm.  Toni ordered a Kick Ass margarita [It was awesome!]  and I had a Casa margarita, also very good.

Chi Chi Chicken Chipoltle

We were in a chicken mood.  Toni got Senorita Sally's Soft Taco dinner, two soft chicken tacos with onions and cilantro and Spanish rice for $11.99 [It comes with beans, but she doesn't like the beans--E.].  I got the Chi Chi Chicken Chipotle, char broiled chicken served with three kinds of bell peppers, onions, and a creamy chioptle sauce over rice and beans for $12.95.  One thing that always impresses both of us about Baja Betty's is the cleanliness of the resaturant and the freshness of the food. 

Our food came. The only complaint that I had from the day, was I got black beans instead of the refried beans that I ordered. [You didn't tell the waiter and give him an opportunity to fix it!--T] [Because he was being so nice, I didn't want to bother him with a trifle, my food was great, really--E.]  [I didn't know about it until right now.  You didn't tell me because you knew I would have told him.  He was so great and would have brought you more--T]  Despite that, my food was great and Toni, who often takes half of her food home for the next day, cleaned her plate.

The phallic dessert

After we ate, Brad decided it was Toni's birthday and brought us a celebratory dessert--a deep-fried bannana, with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and some whipped cream.  In this case, presentation was everything.  The scoops of ice-cream were positioned like balls for the bannana shaft, and the whip cream--well, you get the picture. [It came to the table and I squealed 'OOH a penis!' --T.] Since I am allergic to bannanas, but Toni doesn't eat a lot of ice cream--it made the perfect dessert.

So how much did three drinks and two entrees (the dessert doesn't count.) run us?  Just around $45.00.  Not at all bad for good food in a really fun environement where the service is always good, the food fresh and tasty, and the people very friendly.  We liked it all.

I'm being informed by my partner in writing that they have a sister restaurant--Urban Mo's Bar and Grill [With a drag show that is supposed to be to die for--T.]--also in Hillcrest, but we have yet to go there.  Oh and they own Gossip Grill, I'm told.  They probably own more of which I am unaware.

Oh, Baja Betty's also has a great Sunday Brunch--I recommend it.

On our rating scale both of us give Baja Betty's and enthusiastic GREAT for the overall good times and good food.