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Bandera
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Steakhouses American (New), Steakhouses [Edit]
3201 E Coast HwyCorona Del Mar, CA 92625
(949) 673-3524
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri 5 pm - 11 pm
Sat 4 pm - 11 pm
Sun 4 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
327 reviews for Bandera
Review Highlights
"The macho salad is also one of my favorite salads ever."
(in 73 reviews)
"and 1 star for the amazing banana cream pie."
(in 44 reviews)
"And, can't go wrong with a no corkage fee."
(in 24 reviews)
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327 reviews in English
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Review from Edward H.
Irvine, CA
1/12/2012
Went to this place last week for my anniversary. Was excellent! My wife and I have gone here a few times , it is always consistent and good.
A tip, get a reservation because if not the wait could be very long on weekends.
The service has always been very good, our server last week was Nick, he couldn't have made anything nicer. Hats off to him! I had Filet Mignon that was coked to perfection and wife had Prime Rib which she said was also perfect.
We enjoyed the cornbread and a martini before dinner and both were perfect.
They also have a no-corkage fee, which we always take advantage of.
I see why the wait is long on weekends, it's work the wait.
We will definitely go again. -
Review from Millie K.
Newport Beach, CA
1/23/2012
The best part of the Hillstone Group is the no corkage fee policy. Love it... especially since you always have to wait at least 45 mins for dinner. The service, staff and food are always consistent. I always get the Macho salad. It's a meal. It has cornbread croutons - nice touch. We started with the Ahi Poke - that was delicious and highly recommend as a starter. My BF ordered the market fish and that was awesome.
Bread: Love the french bread. so buttery. Cornbread also very good.
Dessert: pass, not worth it. I was not impressed with the homemade oreo cookie ice cream sandwhich. -
Review from Gretchen B.
North Canton, OH
1/19/2012
Plan on a wait for a table. I think it was an hour+ when we arrived on a Tuesday night. We grabbed a couple of chairs at the end of the bar and ended up eating there. It was a good call, otherwise we would have been there all night. Couldn't believe that a place would be so busy on a Tuesday night. We had actually tried to go to GulfStream, owned by the same group, first, but they were packed as well. People watching at the bar was fascinating.
I had the Bandera-Style Roasted Chicken with Spanish rice and my friend had the
Rotisserie Chicken and Barbecue Rib Combo served with coleslaw and cornbread. Chicken was beautifully done and moist. Good stuff and lots of it. Actually too much for one person to eat. Goodie bags to go. -
Review from Dianne D.
Riverside, CA
1/19/2012
This place gets crowded fast so get here early unless you have a reservation because you're still going to get seated late. I'm not kidding. I showed up early and was still seated about 5-10 minutes late. Excuse me, what is this?
Luckily the food and drinks kept my tongue still so let's be thankful for that. Bandera's margarita... my boyfriend hates me for suggesting this place. He's mad that every other place we've gone to afterwards doesn't have a margarita that can hold a candle to Bandera. I'm so happy that the margarita tastes amazing because I was really upset that they don't have a drink menu. Forget about the menu and order the margarita!
The dip duo is nothing amazing. Just some plain old chips, guac, and cheese that tastes like it came from the grocery store. If you do decide to get it, don't worry about the amount of chips they give you (you'll get more) but the amount of dip you get is such a cop out. Never going to order that again.
Mashed potatoes were disappointing. I love mashed potatoes and I thought this was going to have some flavor. It's great there's salt and pepper on the table but I don't want to have to season my own food because it's bland.
Rib and chicken combo is BIG. I'm thinking next time I'll just get ribs because I'm not keen on the chicken. There's nothing wrong with it, I'm just a rib girl. My boyfriend loves the chicken though.
Coleslaw tastes really good and reminds me of a Caesar salad. I made the mistake of switching it for another side but I got to steal some off my boyfriend's plate.
Cornbread is pretty good too. You get a good chunk on your plate. The crust is nice and crunchy with I think some honey drizzled.
The service is alright. Nothing outstanding but also nothing to complain about.
If anyone likes drinking water, bring your own bottle because you're only going to get little shot glasses of them here. -
Review from Marion P.
Orange, CA
1/8/2012
Delicious!
My husband and I came on a Saturday evening (around 4:30pm). Because I wasn't starving, I decided to order a few sides rather than a full meal. Our waitress was completely understanding (this created a bit of a price difference) and made no sign of an issue. I got the mac n cheese and the cole slaw. We also ordered a corn bread starter. First off, the corn bread was unlike any I have had. It was almost like a small pie (or a huge hunk of corn bread). Very moist and flavorful. Of course, the mac n cheese and the cole slaw were just as delicious. I only ate about half of each item, yet I was completely stuffed. Also the coffee is quite yummy.
Atmosphere wise, the place is pretty cool. Low lighting, nice bar area, elevated booths etc. Very good for a date. And the wait staff is great! -
Review from John B.
Long Beach, CA
1/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Iron Skillet Cornbread as an appetizer, need I say more?
For appetizers, I need not say more, it was fab. Crusty and buttery sweet on top.
We went with Ken for New Year's Eve before a show at the Irvine Barclay - Puppet UP!
For Main course, they both had the Prime Rib and while that sounded good, I knew that I could have a bite of Prime Rib if I really wanted it, so I went for the Roasted Chicken and Barbecue Rib Combo. They were very good about making a substitute for the Cole Slaw, thankfully!....the chicken was different, you could really taste the wine that it had as a marinade, it put me off just a little. The Ribs were THE BEST. Everyone had a taste and we all agreed that next time it is just the Ribs for our orders.
The Prime Rib dinners were excellent as far as the meat, but the side of mashed potatoes had some greens folded into them. We could not tell if they were shallots or broccolini, problem was that the were raw, so the crunch of the green in the mashed potatoes was weird. Ken calls some of the different Salad Greens by the name of weird greens, but I definitely would say that the greens in the potatoes were weird greens. Maybe if the menu had explained that the greens would be present in the mashed potatoes it would then not have been a surprise, or if the greens had been cooked properly. In this case it was an unpleasant surprise to an otherwise delightful meal.
We started early (because of the show) and it did not take long for the place to fill up and get loud. Service was friendly and fast with good attention to detail (you know how we like our glasses refilled). By the time we left, there was a large crowd waiting and again it was early so that was unexpected to me. We will definitely go back for more, more barbecue Ribs! -
Review from Jen B.
1/6/2012
Girls' night out led us to Bandera last night! My girlfriends have all been there many times before, but this was my first try.
Macho salad was DELCIOUS!
Smoked salmon appetizer was great as well. A large piece of a fillet of salmon that was perfectly smoked. I could have eaten that entire thing myself! If I were to nitpick I would say they should use a more artisinal, rustic bread to accompany the salmon to make this even better.
Banana cream pie.........yuck. The bananas were unripe, the custard was lacking flavor and sugar, and the crust would have been better if it was a traditional pie crust rather than crumbled. I would skip that dessert and order extra sides or appetizers if I were you! :) -
Review from Miyun C.
A girlfriend therapy session was called to order, so in a we'll-grow-old-together-and you'll-probably-have-to-wipe-my-butt friend fashion we converged.
Allow me to introduce you to Vic, who I amicably refer to as Blondie. She's a blondie with a twist as she has an insufferable wit and a venomous tongue.
Endearing Mz, charming Vic and I were quoted 30-40 minute wait, but we waited for over an hour on a seemingly uneventful Tuesday evening.
It was curmudgeon and cougar town. If you are going to date an individual 20+ years your senior - OWN IT! Embrace it. Don't be insecure about it and frown when society gawks. Actually, lay a big juicy one on your elderly friend. That will evoke a GASP! Lol!
Vic chooses the cheeseburger, composed of fresh ground beef, carefully layered with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mustard. It is served with a peanut cole slaw. Not served on a traditional round bun, but rather a hoagie style roll. The burger is delicious.
Mz and I opt for a healthier option as Vic is often negligent and saucy when it comes to fitness and the requisite sacrifices.
We order the Macho Salad which consists of lettuce, cabbage, shredded rotisserie chicken - dark and white meat, avocado, roma tomato halves, dates, corn, chopped almonds, goat cheese, cornbread croutons tossed in a vinaigrette.
The salad is crunchy, crispy, sweet, salty and simply marvelous.
Although the wait was lengthy, the food and service was excellent. Grab a seat near the fireplace in the patio and enjoy some good conversation while you wait. A glass of Tempranillo doesn't hurt.
Namaste!Listed in: The Elite, Did you say BURGER?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/8/2011
Dinner was magical. We enjoyed a bottle of Darioush Cab - full bodied, berries and cherry.… Read more »
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Review from Jared G.
Irvine, CA
1/2/2012
So, I'll start off by saying it may just have been the night... My birthday, New Year's Eve, is always a very busy time to go out to eat. We arrived at the restaurant without a reservation at 7:00 PM. The wait was 55-60 minutes, no big deal, I've waited in longer lines on my birthday. The no corkage fee is great if you have a long wait and just happen to have brought your own bottle of wine.
The rest was a bit downhill.
While waiting, I tried to order my wife a virgin Daiquiri . No blender... Okay, to the next part. Virgin Margarita! They had that just as long as I was okay with on the rocks. I agreed. What I received was a barely wet glass of ice with a frothy head that was $5.25. YIKES!! On to the froth. How does one obtain a froth. Well there are several ways, but we discovered a little bit to late. You guessed it, raw eggs. My wife was a little more than a bit disgusted and it really wasn't a plain as it could have been, especially since I ordered at the bar without a menu....
After being seated, we were greeted by our friendly waiter. The service was superb here, but if you know me, food is king.
We ordered the dip duo which consisted of tortilla chips and two big scoops of different dip (Guacamole and some spicy cheese). This was at least good.
Dinner wasn't as good. My wife ordered the macho salad which is on the pricey side. I ordered the leg of lamb. We were going to share the seasonal vegetables which were maple glazed carrots and a side of Mac and Cheese.
The food came out in less than 10 minutes. Not a good sign for me. The salad was average, something I make at home pretty regularly, so the price isn't justified. The lamb came out in very thin slices and was beyond dry. The spicy sauce was good but there was no saving the lamb. The carrots, which could have been great, came out with three different consistencies. Some pieces were perfect, some were crunchy, and others were barely cooked at all. Very disappointing. The macaroni was delicious! But.... It barely covered the tiny plate it came on. They didn't even try plating it decently. It was slopped to one side and covered about half the plate.
I received one of the two deserts for my birthday for free which is nice. We got the banana dessert. It was good, but I would have liked the bananas a little sweeter. My wife thought the bananas were perfect so I guess that ones a wash.
Overall, for the price, I won't be coming back.
Bandera may be better on a less busy day, but no second chances for me on this one. -
Review from Donna D.
What a disappointment. We stopped in Sunday night and I ordered the prime rib....it was tough and chewy......what happened to my five star wonderestaurant!!!! Wha Happened!
I sent it back. I am sad. I was hoping that they would wow me since the last time we went, I had to send the fish back because it was chock full of bones!
I am depressed. I will have to get the ribs next time, they used to be amazing here. I have to find a way to redeem my 5 star faith in the restaurant. Please tell me it isn't going downhil....I love this place so and will be sad if it is. :( Does this mean I have to remove it from my "Five Star Restaurant" list? *sigh*
As I am typing this, Chris has a sad face on saying, "Did you mention that it is my favorite restaurant?" Yes dear, it was mine too but I have to type an honest review.... what happened to it? I'm confused!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/29/2009
I need to take a moment to revise my review on this restaurant. Not on the favor of the food cause… Read more »
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Review from David A.
Belmont, CA
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Stopped by here for dinner on the way up to the bay area tonight. I forgot how good the corn bread was. It's tricky because we ordered that before we even ordered our entrees since we were still deciding. The bread came out before we got our orders in and it was almost a mistake. I wolfed down a portion of that bread and had to resist from eating another portion so I can save room for the dinner I hadn't even chosen at the time. An unexpected twist was the spinach side dish. I have never tasted a spinach dish that good at a restaurant in my life. Please try the spinach dish and live the same taste bud experience that I lived tonight.
Also ordered was the chicken and beef rib combo plate, which was fantastic and the ribs didn't even require an intervention from my hands or even a knife as it was falling off the bone.
Truly a wonderful experience with absolutely wonderful food.
P.S. the banana cream pudding pie dessert was amazing, and I am a person who hates pie too. -
Review from Lindsey B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/23/2012
Love this place, love the ambiance. Always great service (if you can get a table or a reservation). Try the margarita, the cornbread and the roasted chicken oh and most importantly the banana cream pie! :)
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Review from Bryan W.
12/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
So happy to have a glass of wine at the original Bandera in Newport Beach after years of frequenting their Chicago outpost on Michigan Ave.
Grilled meats, cozy setting, and live jazz are a winning trifecta. -
Review from Carolyn S.
Costa Mesa, CA
12/18/2011
Ordered the "cluck & moo" (not on the menu) which consists of the bbq ribs, chicken thigh & leg, slice of cornbread and one side. As tasty at it is, I thought 25 bucks was a bit excessive for this entree. The chicken was moist and flavorful, though. Cornbread is not particularly sweet, and has a somewhat salty, buttery taste. I also had a margarita which was more on the sweet side than sour, so I didn't love it. The service is fantastic, though. I felt like they really want to please the customer at this restaurant.
In the past I have also enjoyed the salmon entree and the macho salad. Both delicious!
I've been here several times and look forward to coming again & trying other items. -
Review from Jessica g.
Burbank, CA
1/15/2012
This place is beautiful and definitely offers an air of sophistication. We had made reservations for 5 but when we arrived on time they were not ready for us and told us to wait around the bar. The only problem is with the set-up the bar is not easy to just hang out at as it is a high traffic area for patrons and waiters. That really is not a big deal, but the point was, we just stood around until our table was ready. Our table truly was ready within about 10 minutes and the wait was no big deal.
Our food was absolutely wonderful and our waiter was so very attentive and polite. He recognized the occasion we were celebrating and treated our guest with respect and reverence.
Around 10pm on this Saturday night we were 'shushed' by an Asian woman who works there. Her words were, "Can you keep it down, there are babies sleeping over in that booth." We were a bit shocked for a couple of reasons: 1) Honestly, we did not think we were that loud, but fair enough if we were 2) There were two babies sleeping in their own booth.
I then called the manager on my phone to ask about their 'sleeping baby policy'. She said there was no 'sleeping baby policy' but in general if guests were too loud they might be asked to be more quiet. Fair enough. I accept that. I asked her then if she would kindly have the employees simply state to be quiet than to be quiet for the sake of sleeping babies that get their own booth. She agreed. I appreciated that.
Eventually the babies did wake up and do their own screaming. Well, of course you can't ask babies to be quiet but the irony is that the restaurant will ask people to stop being loud yet allow babies in their restaurant into a booth at 10pm on a Saturday night and hope the patrons modify their behavior to respect these children and their brilliant guardians who decided they so desperately needed to go to Bandera on a Saturday night at 10pm.
My point is, for all the fun that place could have been, it really was just a, "Meh" experience. Go and enjoy if you'd like, you won't be disappointed with the food. However, if you are an adult (I assume you are) and have choices, I think you could do much better for an enjoyable night. -
Review from Kelly C.
Irvine, CA
10/28/2011
Bandera
3.5 star overall
Bandera offers BYOW (Bring your own wine) Who doesn't love this!
I've been to all the other Bandera Chain, Houstons, Gulf Streams, Rutherford Grill and they are all very delicious!
Bandera is popular for their rotisserie chicken and cornbread. Very Delicious.
The ambiance of every Bandera Chain restaurant is the same. All nice and dark with wood framing.
Service is always good.
Reservations are definately recommended. Every Bandera Chain gets packed! -
Review from Kirk S.
Newport Beach, CA
11/6/2011
I went to Bandera late this afternoon for a margarita, a burger, and a piece of their deconstructed banana cream pie. Imagine my surprise when the vacant-eyed blonde hostess (after already showing me to a table) said to me, "We ask that gentlemen remove their hats when dining." What? Of course I thought I didn't hear her correctly. After all, Bandera is on PCH next to the local Rite Aid not on Stone Canyon Road off Sunset. In other words, it's not the Hotel Bel Air. It's a burger joint with some lipstick on it. There are roasting chickens flapping around in the window on rotating spits.
The hostess repeated her words again in Stepford-esq clarity, "We ask that gentlemen remove their hats when dining." Evidently, my clean, well styled baseball cap with my favorite sports team insignia (on a rainy day no less) is much more socially unacceptable than the completely exposed leathery decollete of the two cougars sitting in the adjacent booth. I didn't want to stare, but I think they were wearing negligees tucked into their jeans -- which I guess by Hillstone standards out classes sports baseball caps.
What did I do? I went down the street to Tommy Bahama's and lucked into their new "Riviera Burger." Sorry Bandera, even though I love your deconstructed banana cream pie, my baseball cap and I will not be back. And I will be telling my friends and neighbors too. -
Review from Debbie E.
10/29/2011
Giving it 4 stars overall even though some areas deserve less.
Ambiance and service were great. Sunday night it was crowded but we were able to get in without a reservation.
The food overall was tasty (more on each item below), but the disappointing aspect where I would mark it down a few stars is the lack of vegetarian options. Especially since this is So Cal! Our server was great and was honest that there was chicken stock in both the Spanish rice and the soup of the day and anchovies in the Caesar salad dressing. For someone who does not eat any animal and is allergic to seafood, options were very limited with the inclusion of animals in some of the recipes.
We started off with appetizers:
Grilled artichoke - 3 stars. Not exciting.
Dip Duo - 5 stars. Homemade guacamole and a spicy cheese dip. Served with tortilla chips and our server brought us more as she saw we were getting low.
Main Course:
Butternut and White Cheddar Enchilada - 4 stars. They substituted spinach in place of the squash and didn't tell me. But it was still tasty.
Caesar Salad - 3 stars. With side of ranch dressing. Nothing to rave about.
Dessert:
Banana Creme Pie - 5 stars. Huge portion, quality whipped creme.
We had a bottle of wine (we didn't partake in free corkage since we both met up from out of town).
Restrooms were very modern and clean.
There were a ton of singles or couples sitting at the bar having a drink and dinner and watching the games. Older (40+) crowd but it seemed like it was a very comfortable atmosphere for dining alone. -
Review from Arya H.
Woodland Hills, CA
11/23/2011
I came here recently for the first time on a date. We got here late one Saturday evening for some dinner. The hostess made us feel like we made a huge mistake by not having reservations and that we were going to have to wait 15-20 minutes. The wait was about 5 minutes in reality.
The ambience of the place is pretty cool. It's a little older, more sophisticated version of the OC restaurant/bar crowds that frequent Javiers, 333, etc. Not as many fake boobs and fake blonde hair. I read below that you can bring your own wine here, so thats pretty cool.
The food was pretty great. Although I didnt order the famed chicken (I'm a pescatarian), the fish was amazing! My date ordered the cheeseburger which she loved. The mashed potatoes were pretty good too, but I was so full i could barely finish it.
The service was good, although it was a bit odd. The waitress was very attentive and punctual. But, it seemed as if she was being too sarcastic and in your face. This led to just akwardness. I think its more the management that decided to go this route, rather than the waitress herself.
Overall this is a great place for a dinner with friends, a date, anything really. If I lived in OC or happened to be in the area I might check it out again. -
Review from Robert M.
Updated - 10/11/2011
I'm always really impressed by the service here. The menu might not be for everyone, but even if you're picky you'll probably find something you'll enjoy.
My tip is to get here EARLY, as the wait is unbearable during normal dining hours. They open I believe at 4pm on weekends.
Don't ever forget that they have free corkage/ no corkage fee - bring a bottle and save on the overpriced drinks!Listed in: No Corkage Restaurants
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/13/2009
This restaurant offers free corkage - so bring a bottle from home! Read more »
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Review from Rich M.
Laguna Niguel, CA
1/8/2012
Ate here for the first time last week. Had high expectations from eating at other Hillstone restaurants, and was not disappointed. Try the cornbread. Not a huge variety on the menu, but everything we ate was wonderful. Great and friendly service. I might have a new favorite.
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Review from Rusty E.
Huntington Beach, CA
11/20/2011
My wife and I went to Bandera's a few years ago I remember the food being good,. Despite smelling the BBQ along PCH it has been years since we've been back. That is until last night for a friends birthday dinner.
The place was packed with an 85 minute wait, not surprising for 7pm on a Saturday evening, we hung around the crowded bar in the narrow walk path eventually landing a couple bar seats. The wait did not seem very long being with good friends having great conversation, the conversation often extended to friendly neighboring bar mates. The gals ordered a garlic, jalapeno corn bread (or something like that) to curb our hunger, really good (I did not eat too much of the corn bread for carbohydrate reasons.)
We finally sat down to ordered our food, I had a steak and enchilada plate with a vegetable mix with a very memorable name the I have forgotten. The meal was very good, very happy with it!
From all accounts, the others at the table enjoyed there meals as well.
Last but very important: the staff was absolutely fantastic real pro's! The food, the service and atmosphere are all there. I know why there was an 85 minute wait.
We will be back! -
Review from Letty M.
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in for an impromptu dinner on Sunday and was pleasantly surprised. The wait was a little long but from what other Yelpers mention it's always packed and a reservation will save you the wait.
We had the grilled artichokes to start and I rather liked the grilled approach rather then the standard steamed preparation. My dining companion had a margarita which was nice and fresh and I opted for a glass of wine. For future visits I will definitely take advantage of the no corkage fee.
For dinner I had the Prime Rib Dip and it was so-- yummy. My companion had the Caesar Salad and they were generous with the chicken.
For dessert we split the Banana Cream Pie and it was perfect. Nice chunks of banana, fresh whip cream, and drizzled with caramel.
All in all a great spontaneous stop along PCH. -
Review from Isabel T.
Irvine, CA
11/1/2011
Bandera is consistently fantastic. It's packed 7 nights a week so do yourself a favor and try to make a reservation or plan on waiting a long time. I love that there is no corkage fee so you can take your own wine and save tons of money and the staff is always friendly and upbeat. This place is not for old people or kids. It's loud and has a good buzz surrounding the bar.
You have to start with the cornbread skillet or you're just plain crazy. The dip duo is also a good second starter. I absolutely love the macho salad (they use their rotisserie chicken, cornbread croutons, dates, tomatoes and on and on). My second favorite or maybe it's a tie is the prime rib french dip. Holy smokes. It's out of this world. I also like the enchiladas and some of the other sandwiches and ahi but I always go back to my two favorites.
Also, like some of the other Hillstone restaurants this place isn't for large groups. Don't bother going with more than 6 people. -
Review from Amy D.
Irvine, CA
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
I want to be part of the Hillstone Family! For a few years I have been a raving fan of R&D, Rutherford Grill (in Napa), Houstons, and Banderas.
My favorite starts are the Cornbread Skillet and the Dip Duo. The Dip Duo comes with a red pepper dip and a guacomole that is out of this world. In the guacamole, there is this bit of sweet spice that I can taste but don't know what it is for sure. I'm thinking nutmeg-if anyone can tell me, let me know. I asked the waitress and she said it was a kitchen secret (good for her).
It's also hard for me to get something else other than the French Dip sandwich-aaaaamazing! Prime Rib-also a clear winner.
I also love the idea of No Corkage when bringing your own wine-YAY! (And that does for all Hillstone Restaurants.) -
Review from Adriana P.
CORONA DL MAR, CA
12/30/2011
All I have to say is...Macho Salad. I regularly crave this succulent salad made with chunks of delicious roasted chicken, cornbread croutons, goat cheese and 10 healthy ingredients. All the food is wonderful. The staff is super attentive, the bartenders wow me every time.
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Review from Brian W.
Miami, FL
1/25/2012
Service was great, food was delicious, wine by the bottle was decent. We were pleased with the experience.
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Review from Christina K.
Irvine, CA
9/2/2011
Go for three reasons:
1. Iron Skillet Cornbread.
2. Macho Salad.
3. Banana Cream Pie.
They may have to roll you out in a wheelbarrel, but it's totally worth it, and the trip to the gym you'll need to make everyday for a week afterwards.
I don't even want to elaborate. You should just trust me and go for three reasons.
1. Iron Skillet Cornbread.
2. Macho Salad.
3. Banana Cream Pie.
In that order.
Best.Meal.Ever. -
Review from Scott M.
Los Angeles, CA
9/23/2011
This is one of those times I wish Yelp had half stars, Bandera is better than "A-OK" and I am a fan, but in limited circumstances. It is a good restaurant, but I can't quite say it is very good. The food is consistent, well prepared and has good flavor, just nothing eye popping.
The wait staff is well trained, attentive and friendly, but not really full time professionals you get the idea they are college students passing through so somethings do fall through the cracks.
All in all, Bandera is generally a pleasant experience, but not where I would take a client to impress them. It is just a nice local place to eat. -
Review from William G.
Englewood, NJ
1/23/2012
Had dinner here while out in California. Nice setting. Food was pretty good. Pretty loud, but a good crowd for a Thursday night. Had roasted chicken which was tasty. Also had cornbread appetizer with two cabernets. Meal was good overall. Probably would return on next trip.
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Review from Cat H.
9/22/2011
Perfect spot for date night!
The venue is lovely, reminiscent of Houston's, or really any of this restaurant group's properties. There is a long wait, even during the week. We waited roughly 45 minutes, but we were also drinking and people watching during this time. The people watching is great, btw. It's like Bandera is the older person's meat market, but classier than three thirty three. The room was buzzing with the 45-65 crowd circling in on their prey. The old man in the cravat last night was the best, though. Keep living the dream!
Food- We started with the duo of cold dips. I don't like guacamole so I pretty much stuck to the queso. It's good, but I'd prefer it heated. I'm not sure I understood why they served it cold. For my entree, I had the rotisserie, which is YUMMY! I also had the cornbread, which I nearly devoured whole. It's very good, but not as good as the jalapeno cornbread I'd had in Santa Monica. He had the lamb, which I realized I am less a fan of when it's not skewered with feta cheese and sauces. Drink wise, their wine list is a little limited for my taste, but I had a yummy pinot noir and from what I could tell, they were pouring his vodka drinks heavy. Win!
Overall, it was a lovely place to dine with good food and good people watching opportunities. I'm honestly not a fan of sitting around and waiting, so I probably won't make it back as often as I frequent their other properties, who do offer reservations. -
Review from Bobbie W.
9/9/2011
IRON SKILLET CORNBREAD!!! A must-order!! I could just eat this alllllll dayyyyy longggg!!!
I ordered the "Flying Tuna platter" which was pretty good but I remember there being too much sauce in the salad so I recommend getting it on the side.
My friend ordered the prime rib which was cooked very well and very tasty!
Hillstone Restaurant Group seriously knows what's up when it comes to restaurants. I've fallen in love with every Hillstone restaurant I've tried.
Must go back and get the cornbread ASAP! -
Review from Sam K.
Fountain Valley, CA
8/17/2011 1 photo
Finally I get to try Bandera after much hype about this place. From the start it was all going sour.
First of all they think they're all that with a limitation of only 4 reservations per hour on weekdays. I really don't care if you only have 4 an hour....question is can I get a RSVP or not. Why don't you tell the history of how the rule came about too while you're at it.
2nd I get bitched at by the waitress for having a cell phone out. Bandera rule. I kind of understand the rule especially if the dude next to you is practically yelling on his phone, which I was not even talking on it.
3rd They print a seasonal menu. Great idea! I go to order the artichoke and they say its out of season. booo to that
4th My over cooked expensive "kobe-style" steak. Check out my pic. They say it comes one way and only one way, overly well done? Don't call it Kobe anything if you're gonna burn the S*@t to charcoal looking meat....haven't you watched Hells Kitchen? We even showed a picture of the last time my friend came and ordeedr it. So delicious looking and juicy. She quoted "that was a different cut of meat." So today's cut we burnt it to hell...sorry.
People frequent restaurants for a no-hassle, no-nonsense experience and just want a good meal. Don't lay excuses for everything. I own a restaurant and I have a no questions asked return policy...just fix it.
I'm scared to try R&D and Gulf Stream. -
Review from Dori B.
Laguna Beach, CA
1/15/2012
We were greeted at the door and they confirmed our reservation at 6:30 but they never seat till 15 minutes after the reserved time...? Wierd. Fifteen minutes later, three of the five us were there and we asked if we could be seated, they told us we could but if our other guest arrive they are not allowed to order entrees...? Not a very hospitable policy that makes guest happy and want to return. This was a thursday night and there were other tables available. I was put off by the policies and and feel there are so many other excellent options that I do not need to return. The food is fine to good but i can find someplace else to go.
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Review from Elizabeth m.
Newport Beach, CA
Updated - 9/10/2011
I've been to the one in scottsdale, chicago, wla, and here....always always has the ability to take me to heaven for two hours! Very romantic, classy appeal, and reasonably price. It's a perfect 3rd or 4th date sort of place...
What to order: Cornbread, Smoked salmon appetizer, ribs, and banana cream pie! This will be my last meal if I'm sentenced to die!..lol1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/29/2009
Always great service!
Personal favorites:
* Grilled Artichoke
* BBQ Ribs
* Cornbread
* Banana Cream… Read more »
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Review from Steven L.
Austin, TX
9/20/2011
Almost certainly the best cornbread I've ever had. The only difficulty with it was to stop eating it. I had the combo of ribs and rotisserie chicken for dinner, and both the ribs and chicken were excellent. The sides - coleslaw and cucumber salad - were tasty and complemented the proteins very well.
The service was excellent: polite, attentive, prompt. It was noisy, but not so noisy that my friend and I couldn't hear each other easily without raising our voices. -
Review from Patricia B.
Newport Beach, CA
12/7/2011
We love Bandera's - best Prime Rib, yummy artichokes, great coctails and the service is always excellent. Super friendly, warm and cozy place for a family dinner with the kids or just a night out on the town. True Cdm gem.
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Review from Shelby N.
Huntington Beach, CA
9/10/2011
Mmm good!
Mom and I came here for diner we shared~
Hamburger no bun
artichoke
Macho salad
It was all so good! -
Review from Chris D.
Came for here my birthday dinner on Sunday since it's my favorite restaurant! Even though I've been eating here for about 14 years I never realized you could make reservations..... I always assumed it was walk-in only. WTF! We made reservations and walked right in. I also brought a bottle of wine since there is zero corkage fee at all Hillstone restaurants (Bandera, Houstons, Gulfstream, Cafe R&D).
Started with the corned bread as always.... Ambrosial as always. This is a must if it's your first time here.
For my entree I tried something oddly named on the menu.... "The Flying Tuna Platter". This was truly an exquisite meal. The plate arrived with 8 perfectly seared cubes of ahi arranged in a V formation which is where I assume the "flying" part comes from. Looks like flock of ahi chunks. The ahi had such a delicious seasoning rub on it with just enough salt to please the taste buds.... The flying tuna blows the seared ahi at Gulfstream out of the water. It's served with a refreshing salad of napa cabbage, green lettuce, mango, avocado, jicama, sesame seeds, and miso dressing. I loved this meal and would definitely order it again.
Good thing my meal was served cool because I had to wait forever for Donna's meal to arrive. Her first meal was so horrid she had to send it back. Very disappointing but in 14 years this is the first bad meal we've seen. She ordered the fish of the day which was a sea bass. Her first bite literally had 6 bones in it.... her second bite had the same. A few bones are acceptable but this was beyond ridiculous. She sent it back and ordered the filet mignon instead which as always was cooked to perfection. I was a bit disappointed in the way Bandera handled it. The manager didn't even come over... just the assistant manager who gave a brief apology. No offer to comp a meal or at least comp our appetizer, maybe throw in a dessert. If your kitchen fucks up that bad at prepping fish give me some dessert on the house! My wife could of choked to death on her meal.
Anyways.... 14 year perfect track record, my meal was perfect as was my wife's replacement meal so I'll keep it 5 stars.
For dessert (had a birthday candle in it but it's not gratis) I had the oreo ice cream sandwiches. I thought I had these before but I guess not. They were wonderful and I highly recommend. It's two hockey puck sized ice cream sandwiches covered in thick hot fudge. Great ending to the meal.Listed in: Ultimate Restaurants!
4 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/13/2010
Donna and I were in the neighborhood and were not that hungry, but I just couldn't pass up stopping… Read more »
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Review from Rashad M.
Costa Mesa, CA
8/30/2011
These guys set the standard to what a restaurant should be!
Impeccable Service, Impecable Quality, Impeccable Food. Pretty much sums it up. Oh and no corkage fee! We were there last Saturday and we had an amazing experience as usual, but this review is for the many many times we've been there and every thing was always great. The corn bread, the macho salad and the grilled artichoke are all must haves.
