Baja Norte in downtown Bend defies pigeon-holing.

Fresh Mex? Mexican Evolution?

Owner Dennis Shaw describes the landmark Wall Street eatery as ”good food with a Mexican touch.”

When Shaw purchased the restaurant nearly five years ago, it already had a six-year history.

”The original owner started a really good product here,” Shaw said. ”I just want to keep that legacy going.”

He described the food as ”healthful.”

Shaw uses steak when the recipe calls for beef and whips up a zesty blend of vegetables – peppers, onions, zucchini and carrots – as a daily menu staple. Everything on the menu has a vegetarian counterpart and the chefs are sparing with the oil.

Baja Norte features a full breakfast lineup including quesadillas, burritos, fruit and egg dishes.

Breakfast specialties include the avocado omelette (half an avocado, pepperjack cheese, ham and onions, served with fruit and seasoned potatoes, $5.25) and the cactus omelette (cactus, sauteed tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro, with seasoned potatoes and fruit, $5.25).

Other breakfast favorites include the Mexican veggie quesadilla (white corn or flour tortilla, cheese, peppers and zucchini, sour cream, guacamole and salsa, $4.75) and the Baja ranch burrito (two scrambled eggs, jack cheese, sauteed ham, onions and jalapenos, $5.95).

At lunch and dinner, Baja Norte hits full stride.

The Killer Fish Tacos are a customer favorite, said Shaw. Two fresh flour or corn tortillas are stuffed with grilled ahi tuna, jack cheese, lettuce and tropical salsa. They go for $7.95.

The Tex Mex Tacos are stuffed with cheese, beans, sour cream, shredded lettuce and Baja salsa at $5.25. Add chicken or steak for $1 more.

The Taco Combo comes with one chicken and one steak taco with rice and beans or a salad for $5.95.

For a creative twist on a traditional Mexican favorite, try the artichoke quesadilla (artichoke hearts, jalapenos and jack cheese in two grilled flour tortillas garnished with sour cream, guacamole and Baja salsa, $5.95; add chicken for $1).

Baja Norte also offers carnitas (Mexican pork), several types of tostadas and giant burritos with meat or veggies.

The fajitas will fill you up. They’re made with three flour tortillas, grilled onions, sweet peppers, guacamole, Baja salsa, sour cream, rice and beans or salad. The veggie fajita is $5.95, chicken, pork or steak are $7.25, and the rock shrimp and ahi tuna are $7.95.

A thoughtful touch is the self-serve salsa and pickled vegetable bar.

The restaurant, conspicuously located on the corner of Wall Street and Franklin Avenue, has an airy feel to it with big Mexican style paintings by Morgan Walker gracing the walls. In summer, patrons enjoy the sunshine at outdoor tables on the Franklin Avenue sidewalk.

”I just want people to leave here knowing they’ve had a satisfying meal for a good price,” said Shaw.

Jim Witty can be reached at 541-617-7828 or jwitty@bendbulletin.com.