San Diego Reader

• Restaurant

Bahia Mexican Restaurant

• 1985 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92104 | Directions
• 619-542-0540
• http://bahiamexicanrestaurant.com/

Sure, Bahia is wedged between a 7-Eleven and a beauty-supply store, but don’t write off this family-owned-since-1984 hole-in-the-wall as your average strip-mall Mexi-slop. The Ibarra family prides itself on their lard-free menu, which touts highlights such as the world’s greatest chile relleno burrito (seriously), chicken flautas, menudo (pure magic on hangovers), and a nopales breakfast burrito. Their extensive low-fat vegetarian menu includes a delightful veggie ’rito on a whole-wheat tortilla and the Bahia burrito, which finds a mild green chili pepper surrounded by melted white cheese, enchilada sauce, sour cream, rice, and beans. Tender meats and flavorsome seafood round out the menu. Avoid the nachos. Bahia’s mild green tomatillo salsa will change your life forever.

— Chad Deal