There's little likelihood of Mexican cuisine hitting the mainstream in Tokyo anytime soon, but there's a fair sprinkling of places around town that can scratch the itch when those cravings for tacos and burritos get too insistent.
Long before Frijoles was a glimmer in the eye of the gringos in Azabu-Juban, we've been heading down to Naka-Meguro to get our taco fix at Baja. With its old-fashioned wooden doors and glowing neon signs, this tiny hole-in-the-wall cantina exudes a down-home cheer to ease the homesick soul of expats far from Tex-Mex home.
There are several reasons why Baja enjoys cult-classic status among the youthful boarding, biking, clubbing crew who hang out there or drop by for take-out snacks. It's cozy, friendly and the drinks are cheap — just about everything is priced at ¥500, except for shots of straight hooch (rum, tequila, vodka or gin), which are a mere ¥300. It also stays open right through the night, till the first trains start running in the morning. And the food is more than adequate.