Our Story
THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT
“Bumble Bee Bob” has been a part of the Santa Fe community for more than 60 years. He has been a rancher, a farmer, a land developer and a restaurant visionary/owner — a true entrepreneur at heart. He has served on several charitable boards in the community. Bumble Bee has shared his love of jazz by bringing world-class musicians to New Mexico for more than 30 years. While living in Santa Fe, Bumble Bee was actively involved with the trio (The Outpost, The Lensic Performing Arts Center and The Santa Fe Jazz Foundation) producing the annual “New Mexico Jazz Festival.”
Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill was created after the Bees traveled throughout Mexico and experienced the people, the culture and the food, Bumble Bee and his wife, BJ, decided to bring the concept of “Fresh” Baja-style” food to Santa Fe. This original idea of FUN, FAST-CASUAL food was designed to use fresh ingredients usually only found in gourmet, fine-dining restaurants. It was important to them to bring this to their guests at an affordable price. Guests will find items to meet every taste and dietary need from several corners of Mexico, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. All items are made fresh to order, in this way, guests at our restaurant can design their meal with the ingredients they prefer. The goal at Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill is to provide you with exceptional food and great service as well as a meaningful dining experience.THE BEES NEWEST ADVENTURE!
Now that Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill has been established as being one of the BEST loved restaurants in Santa Fe for more than 17 years, it was time for the Bee’s (Bumble Bee Bob and BJ) to leave their Santa Fe hive and move to Mexico — going back to where their “owning a restaurant” dream and adventure began! FYI — Bumble Bee LOVED living in Merida, Mexico and loved Mexican food! Every few months, the Bees would come back to their Santa Fe hive with fresh concepts and new culinary ideas!
BUMBLE BEE BOB’S LEGACY.
In July 2021, sadly Bumble Bee Bob passed away at his home in Mexico. His jolly spirit is evident at his restaurant with piñata bees and other decorations adorning the ceiling and the joyful atmosphere that he and BJ created lives on.
If you happen to catch BJ at the restaurant during one of her visits back home, make sure to say HI to BJ, she’ll welcome your gesture with open arms. You’ll also see Larry, BJ’s son, and Caroline attending to the day to day management of the restaurant — make sure to say HI to them as well!Our Commitment
We are continually working on doing our part in looking out our customers’ health needs, the environment and for future generations.
- We serve Natural and Organic meats.• Our Natural Chicken comes from Sanderson Farms® and is raised cage free.
- Our Organic Ground Beef comes from New Mexico Beef™
- Bumble Bee’s is utilizing eco-friendly, biodegradable containers and packaging
- No trans fats and our frying oils are recycled for bio-diesel fuel and
- Paper towels have been removed from the bathrooms utilizing air blowers
