OK it looks like they renamed it to their parent company Baja Cantina (fka known as Funky Baja's). Recent reviews indicate the place has regained favor. Will leave the original logo until we revisit, which probably won't happen, but one never knows.
Latest visit: Apr 2016
First visit: Oct 2011
How about another update? Going back to Funky Baja's is like reuniting with an old friend that you had a falling out with. This used to be a regular stop for Mrs. RJG and I. We enjoyed the atmosphere, the drinks, and especially the "$3 Freaking Tacos". They even added craft beers, and for us, it was about the closest place to a "hangout" as it will ever get for us. We often brought friends here too. Then one day... one day... the $3 tacos were dinky! And the bartenders / waitstaff were rude, or nonchalant at best. Visit after visit. What the Helga (as my nieces would say)? To me, that's the worst thing you can do: Chintz on the portion. Better to raise the price if that was necessary. In any case, we ultimately stated "Fine, we're done here", and didn't return for nearly 2 years. But we did recently, and all seemed back to normal again. I don't know if we'll ever be regulars again, but it's back in the rotation.
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To us, there are three kinds of taco shops: 1) Fast food ground beef crunchy style; 2) Street tacos / taquerias; and 3) The high end, high quality ingredient taco. 3) is really an extension of 2). Honestly, I love all 3 types. So in that third category, we have a very fast growing cottage industry - especially here in DFW. Fuzzy's has become the standard bearer, while others such as Torchy's and Yucatan Taco Stand established themselves as a higher end alternative. I'd say Funky Baja's has the higher quality taco of a Torchy's (though slightly less priced), with more of a Fuzzy's atmosphere, mixed with a traditional bar. In our initial review, we spoke about the Fishman taco (beer battered), the El Santo (chipotle chicken) and the Blue Demon (spicy pork adobada). Both the fish and especially the chicken were outstanding, whereas the pork was a bit fatty and tough (sigh). It wasn't perfect, but most restaurants have specialties I fall for. Over the years, we tried just about every taco, with Pirata Morgan (steak, bacon, queso fresco) adding to our list of favorites. While the tacos don't really need the extra flavor, I do wish they provided their own really hot habanero sauce like Fuzzy's and Yucatan have (they do, however, provide El Yucateco, if so desired). We also moved to other aspects of the menu, and lately the cheeseburger is satisfying us. And if you get their delicious chips and salsa, you have a full meal right there. They also have a full bar, with excellent frozen margaritas, and a healthy selection of craft beers.
It's interesting to note that Funky Baja's took over the old Novrozsky's place, that we wrote about many years ago. And the reason it's interesting, for me at least, is that I felt one of the reasons Novrozsky's closed was it didn't understand the space it was in. Some of that is also timing, as Novrozsky's arrived perhaps a but too early. Keller has grown up since then, as has all of Northeast Tarrant county. Texas has always struggled with its Baptist/temperance/prohibition past, but as time has passed, more and more laws are going down in favor of those who enjoy a nice, legal alcoholic beverage in a public setting. Just for reference, DFW had exactly one microbrewery entering this decade (Fort Worth's excellent Rahr and Sons). Now it seems we get a new brewery once a month! In 2008, Old Town Keller was a rather boring strip with one dilapidated, but cool, BBQ restaurant (now closed) and little else. Now it's filled with restaurants and taverns. These newer places are not the stinky dive taverns my uncle loved to frequent - an unwelcome place filled with ne're-do-wells eyeing everyone with distrust and a cigarette dangling from their mouth. Far from it - in fact, these newer places are filled with women and children. In any case, Funky Baja's is a dark place, that does feel like a sports bar, but is also very welcoming, and definitely for the whole family.
Funky Baja's is a branch of the ever growing Baja chain of restaurants sprouting all over NE Tarrant, most notably under the monikers Baja Grill or Baja Cantina.
10/11/11 (new entry); 4/17/14; 4/23/16
7 comments:
Thanks for the tip in the new taco shop. We'll give it a try since it's very close. What is this you say about adding "a couple of taverns to the Old Town area?" I know of know of Keller Tavern just south of Golden Triangle on the west side of Main. Where is the other?
Good question Adam. I had just read an article a couple of weeks ago about it. And I actually saw the Keller Tavern going up - but the other name escapes me. It may not be a pure tavern though, but something like that. You know - I think it may have been Bottlecap Alley actually? They have one in Grapevinbe. We haven't been yet, but it's on my list. But I think they're coming to Keller too.
Yes I just drove by bottle cap alley in keller. Said opening soon! Must be it.
Have you had the burgers or the Cuban at Funky Baja. If you can restrain from ordering the tacos, do yourself a favor and try the burgers. The Latin Lover has chorizo mixed in the ground beef! And the Averno is spicy enough for my wife to like it without adding extra peppers or sauce. And IMHO this is the best Cuban in the area.
I haven't had the Cuban there yet, but I love that type of sandwich. I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks for the comment!
I hate to sound like a bar hound but speaking of "taverns" in that area, Bottle Cap Alley has been open for quite some time. It is definitely more of a family place than a tavern but does sell beer. Also Bronson Rock has a great "tavern" feel about it. It has grown around the outdoor stage area. Kids are there as well but it is a totally different vibe. I personally didn't care for the Drunken Donkey. It is a little too loud and I didn't care for the Reuben at all. But I am really mixing comments here. Sorry! Leann
Haha - no worries Leann. We love our beer (and wine) here too! We did write about Bottlecap Alley when they first opened. Actually there's a bit of RJG (the blog) history with that place. Whenever we get to revisiting it, we'll cover the story then :-) And yes, been to Bronson Rock once. Just haven't since when they opened and never did cover it here. Bit of a biker bar thing going at nights which isn't our thing. But it's good for lunch. Just haven't done it. Need to! Bummer about Drunken Donkey. Try something with the Champagne dressing! :-)
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