National Mexican chain opens doors in Las Vegas

Bajio considered fast, casual restaurant with high-caliber cuisine

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Bajio Mexican Grill, a national chain, opened its first restaurant in Nevada in early February.

The local franchise owner, Jason Smith, said he has chosen what he feels to be an ideal location at 4235 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 250, because of the rapid growth in the southwest valley.

Bajio is what is considered a fast, casual restaurant, Smith said. It is comparable to a fast food restaurant because it does not employ waiters or waitresses, nor does it offer table service. However, it is akin to a casual restaurant because it offers a higher class of food and ambience, Smith explained.

Patrons can choose a meal from the menu artistically painted on the wall behind the counter, and then watch as their food is being prepared.

"It's really kind of a mix," Smith said. "It's nice enough for an intimate dinner, but it's also good for a quick lunch."

The decor appears to set it apart from fast food chains. The space is drenched in somewhat lively earth tones, with wooden tables and chairs, as well as large bronze lantern-like lights. Also, four 4-foot-by-6-foot cartoonish paintings depict a sombrero-wearing man cooking over an open flame in the wilderness.

The chain is affiliated with Subway -- "heavily vested," as Smith said -- so it may not be too shocking to see one move next-door.

The eatery is Smith's first, but he has always wanted to be a restaurateur, he said. Before he bought the Bajio's franchise rights for Clark County, excluding Mesquite, Smith was most recently in the candy business, selling and distributing white chocolate-covered popcorn.

"The food is Mexican food with a lighter, healthier twist. And we use some sweeter flavors," he said.

One of the more popular menu items, the chicken green chili salad, has the somewhat sweet hints, and seems to be popular not only for its taste, but for the value, much like all the other dishes. The salad, priced at $6.49, comes with a fresh tortilla, and would take many people two sittings to finish.

A couple of the other rather popular menu items include the sweet pork stuffed quesadillas ($6.99), and the shrimp tacos sauteed in honey butter ($8.49). The majority of the meals also are served with a choice of rice and beans on the side.

Matt Stone, a frequent patron at Bajio's, said he is pleased with every aspect of the restaurant.

"I was greeted very warmly and attentively by Jason, the owner -- something that is lacking in most customer service businesses these days," Stone said.

He said he also enjoys the restaurant's decor, something he described as "inviting and cool." And for the most important aspect of any eatery, the food, Stone said the food speaks for itself.

"Food quality is something that can't be masked," he said. "It's either top quality or just another ho-hum type of dining experience. I am in commercial real estate leasing and sales and have sent my clients, coworkers and friends to check out Bajio and all have agreed it is authentic, fresh and top notch."

Smith's next location will be in Southern Highlands, and after that he plans to open one in the Henderson and Centennial areas. He plans on opening six locations in the next three to four years.

Bajio, located next to Home Depot, is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The chain was started by a couple of friends in Utah about three years ago. Currently there are 24 Bajio locations in seven states, according to the company's Web site.