Los Baez - Salem, OR

Posted By Julie Mosier on October 25, 2010 3:20 PM

Went here last weekend based on the Roadview reviews, and was not impressed. The sauce on all items was exactly the same, and frankly I didn't see anything to elevate it from the standard medicore Mexician-American fare found all too often in the states. Had a tamale with black beans and rice while my parnter had the pork enchilada with refried beans. The only stand out were the fresh flour tortillas. We won't be back.

Overall Rating

Homemade Tortilla

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Posted By Doug MacDonald on July 31, 2009 5:28 PM

Visited Los Baez on 07/22/2009 for lunch. This was my first visit, based on seeing it posted here on Roadfood.com. My wife and I were not very impressed with the food at all.

The chips and salsa that were brought to us were not as good-tasting as we've had in other places and the salsa was bland even with the kick it had. I had the burrito with black beans and my wife had the chicken tostada lunch special and both were more bland than one would like. We both left with the feeling that coming back for a second try on this one is just not worth it.

The presentation of the food on the plate was very appealing and professional looking. The waitstaff could not have been more friendly and courteous during our entire visit.

Overall Rating

Cheese Enchiladas

Chicken Fajitas

Homemade Tortilla

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Posted By Marianne Schlies on December 15, 2006 11:18 AM

I am told foodies from Portland drive down for a fix of “Baez”. Whenever my sister visits from San Diego this is where she wants to go to eat. Los Baez food is consistently excellent and has never disappointed us.

Some restaurants are a draw for their food and others because of exceptional service but this restaurant will please you with their old-fashioned hospitality, which leaves you both content and nourished. The Baez family has a passion and it really shows in the food and their service. We have always received a warm greeting and been seated promptly.

Warm fresh tortilla chips and salsa arrive with glasses of ice water, usually before we have opened our menus. Taste the salsa gingerly to discover if it is spicy, tingly, has a kick or is incendiary and will require first aid. Let the heat catch up with you. If you like avocados be sure to ask the wait staff “is the guacamole is good today?” When the avocados are in season it is not to be missed.

Be sure to order a drink: margarita, Cuba libre, Angel’s Sunrise or an icy Corona. Cool off your tongue and jump start your taste buds. If it is lunch and you cannot imbibe alcohol, the iced tea is fresh brewed and always delicious.

The menu is extensive, offering Michoacan-style specialties plus chile colorado, pork carnitas, chicken mole and tamales along with more familiar Mexican fare like burritos, tacos, and chile rellenos. You can choose from a selection of seafood, beef, chicken, pork, guacamole or cheese to fill plump enchiladas and burritos. If you have a hard time making a decision, order the Wally burrito, named after a policeman with an appetite for life, which is filled to capacity with a little of everything.

Generous portions are guaranteed. If you order an enchilada it will come smothered in both red enchilada sauce and gravy (chicken). Take a warm tortilla, smear with the silken refried beans and then wrap up to use as a mop for all that lovely sauce. Did I mention that the tortillas alone are worth the trip?

For dessert try the flan but ask for a shot of Kaluha to pour over it. Custard gone to heaven!

You can buy uncooked tortillas to make sublime quesadillas at home and you don’t have to tell anyone you didn’t make the tortillas yourself -- they will never guess.

The first Los Baez restaurant opened in 1973. Dinner at this flagship restaurant will answer any of your questions about what all the hype is about. My family has been taking pleasure in their food and hospitality for over 25 years.

Overall Rating

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