NILES, Ohio (WKBN) — A new restaurant in Niles is bringing something a little different to the Valley. It’s seafood — but with a Baja twist.
Baja 664 just opened Monday in Niles, bringing Mexican-style seafood inspired by the flavors of Baja California to the Valley.
It’s located at 1201 Youngstown Warren Road.
“People love my burritos. It’s like a 24-inch burrito,” said owner Armando Martinez.
For the people behind the restaurant, the goal isn’t just to open up another place to eat. It’s a chance to share the style of food and culture they grew up around.
“I try to bring something different to the community,” Martinez said.
The menu combines fresh seafood with some bold Mexican flavors, offering dishes that may be a little different from what customers typically expect when they hear Mexican food.
“My favorite dish is aguachile. That’s raw shrimp cooked with lime. When you see the shrimp, you’ll think it’s still raw, but we put some lime, and it’s getting cooked,” said Jose Guzman, head chef of Baja 664.
For Guzman, preparing the food is also about staying connected to the traditions behind it.
“For some people, they don’t like it. For me? It’s my favorite plates, and for like a lot of Mexican people or Latin people, they love it,” Guzman said.
Martinez says it’s not just about bringing business to the Valley.
“I’ve know this community like 20 years ago. My first job, like a long time ago, was here in this community. So, I wanted to come back and open my own restaurant here,” Martinez said.
He says it’s a second chance at redemption.
“I closed one restaurant. I tried my best. I opened and closed one restaurant like 11 years ago. In that time, I made a bad decision with getting one restaurant. So, I worked hard for three years. Then, I decided to close the doors,” Martinez said.
Martinez and Guzman say opening a restaurant has been a leap of faith, but they’re excited to introduce something new to the community. They hope people leave with more than just a full stomach, but a taste of the culture and traditions that inspired Baja 664 in the first place.
“Always, God will give you a second chance. For me, it’s my second chance to do something good for this community,” Martinez said.