Orange County Register

Baja Fresh, Pat & Oscar’s new Value Menus

July 9th, 2009, 6:16 am · 11 Comments · posted by Staff Writer, the Orange County Register

Two big Southern California fast-casual chains are finally joining the ‘value menu’ game.

Pat & Oscar’s rolled out this week a $5 value menu dubbed “Five Big Choices, Five Little Bucks.” The menu features a variety of individual pizzas for $5.

Five choices include: Buffalo Chicken, Hawaiian, BBQ Chicken, Meat Lovers and the Pat & Oscar’s signature San Diego Pizza.

For $2 more, customers can get the individual pizza combo with a 20-ounce drink and a choice of side (salad, soup or potato wedges).

The San Diego-based chain said the value pizzas are a permanent addition to the chain’s menu. More discounted eats are expected to launch through out the year, the chain said. (Related story: Consumers continue to value hunt)

So stay tuned.

Next up, Baja Fresh. The Cypress-based fresh-Mex chain is testing a Value Menu in six restaurants in the U.S., including a few in Orange County.  (see locations below)

The menu features five meals for $4.99 each: a two-taco chicken chili verde plate; two chicken burritos;  a chicken torta and a chicken Caesar salad.

Baja Fresh President Chuck Rink, left, and Executive Chef Jonathan Rogan say new value menu is testing in three O.C. units.

All the items are “custom” made chicken-based dishes made specifically for this pilot value program, said Jonathan G. Rogan, Baja Fresh’s director of food & beverage.

Baja Fresh President Chuck Rink said the chain will decide whether or not  to roll out the menu chainwide after an eight-week test period.

Orange County Baja Fresh restaurants testing a $4.99 value menu are in Corona del Mar (3050 E. Coast Hwy.), North Irvine (13248 Jamboree Road) and Cypress (5373 Katella Ave. near Costco ).  The other three “test” locations are two eateries in Philadelphia and one in Cerritos (11439 South Street.)

Tell us: Do you think it’s too late for these chains to join the value game? Or are you excited to try these new food deals?  (By the way, the San Diego pizza is the Maven’s favorite pizza at Pat & Oscar’s.)

(By Miki Fujiwara & Nancy Luna/Staff writers; Baja Fresh photo by Miki Fujiwara)

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Posted in: Fast food news • Food Prices • Marketing Buzz • Mexican Food • Pizza • Value Deals • Baja Fresh • Pat & Oscar's • Pizza • value menu
 

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 11 Comments

• mvmommy says:

  July 9, 2009 at 8:42 am

  I don’t know if it’s too late or not, but I’m suprised that Pat & Oscars is STILL in business. Ate there twice and both times it was awful. But, that’s just my opinion and taste buds.
  And I would rather eat at Taco Bell then Baja Fresh - same reason as above

  Post Reply
  • Hmm says:

    July 9, 2009 at 11:27 am

    I like both Pat & Oscar and Baja Fresh and I don’t see how you can compare Baja Fresh and Taco Bell… it is like you are comparing Carls Jr. Steak from their Steak Burger and Black Angus’ Steak.

    Post Reply
    • mvmommy says:

      July 10, 2009 at 4:19 pm

      Well, Black Angus has closed a lot of their resturants…….

      Post Reply
      • mvmommy says:

        July 10, 2009 at 4:21 pm

        Whoops! Before the spellng police get me - * restaurants *

        Post Reply
• Mr Honey says:

  July 9, 2009 at 9:59 am

  I love the idea that baja fresh is joining the game. Better late than never. I usually eat at Rubios, but if this program expands to Costa Mesa…I’m going to give it a try.

  Thanks for the great information

  Post Reply
• LeeLee says:

  July 9, 2009 at 10:37 am

  It’s never too late to begin a value menu. Wish Baja would half their salt, as well.

  Post Reply
• Reality says:

  July 9, 2009 at 11:37 am

  Pat & Oscars is horrible!

  Post Reply
• yadthink says:

  July 9, 2009 at 4:30 pm

  I agree with LeeLee — it’s never too late to join the value menu wars. However, I’d like to see a with-soda option (with perhaps less food) for $5 or less. Otherwise, a $4.99 special and a soda ends up costing about $7 for lunch.

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• Eric says:

  July 9, 2009 at 4:55 pm

  I have no idea what keeps Pat & Oscars in business?….the best thing on their menu is breadsticks…………and how can you survive on breadsticks?

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• psychomomma says:

  July 10, 2009 at 12:42 pm

  Doesn’t Baja Fresh offer a refill special if you reuse your Lrg. plastic cup? Anyway, how can you go wrong with a value deal that is made with fresh ingredients? Way better food than your typical fast food chain. I prefer to pay that little bit extra for quality. Plus 1 burrito at Baja can feed 2 people easy.

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  • hungrycollegegrl says:

    July 22, 2009 at 6:19 pm

    Can feed 2 people easy? ohh guess imma fatty who eats it in one sitting, oops

    Post Reply