An Abrupt End for Baja Sol’s Mini Mexican Chain

The doors are locked and the lights are out at Baja Sol restaurants across the metro, but no comment has yet to be issued by the company that operates the small chain of quick service Mexican eateries. The company, based in Inver Grove Heights, has done nothing to explain the closures, and the website and social media feeds also give no indication of the seven stores no longer being open for business.

The restaurant was known for quickly made tacos, enchiladas, burritos and the like with a big draw being the warm tortilla chips and a condiment bar every customer was given access to plundering. The restaurants were somewhat similar to Chipotle without the massive following, but the addition of salsa bar choices.

The original Baja Sol restaurant was located at 2546 Hennepin Avenue in Uptown. That spot closed as the company experienced starts and fits in attempting to grow and maintain during the recession with the company running the restaurants being purchased in 2006. Plans once included operating up to 20 locations, but that growth was never achieved. Chief Executive Tim Jurek took control of the company in 2013 and has not returned requests for comment, according to the Star Tribune.

Baja Sol / Facebook

Trouble for Baja Sol began earlier this month with the September 2nd shuttering of the City Center location after being served an eviction notice dated August 7 with the restaurant owing more than $26,000 in rent.

Now, all seven stores in Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, Edina, Roseville, St. Louis Park, and St. Paul have stopped operation.

• Baja Sol Restaurants Close Without Notice [STRIB]
• Baja Sol [WEB]
• In Defense of Chipotle [E]
• 10 Killer Tacos in Minneapolis [ETC]