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Category: American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Magnificent Mile, Near North SideCome enjoy our live jazz ensemble with your meal. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Grand (Red)
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wowza.
i love this place. ive eaten here twice and ordered the same thing - center cut filet with mashed potatoes and spinach with a nice glass of red. its delicious, but definitely pricey. i especially enjoy the view of michigan ave from the dining room.
so all around: great location/view, fun piano music, superb service, certainly romantic, excellent food/drinks and neither time did we wait very long. we ordered drinks at the bar and they had a table ready for us before we had a few sips! they did seat two mom's with their children right across from us, but they were a riot. definitely an entertaining portion of the evening (but im a pediatric nurse - i love kids). others may not find that as entertaining.
We always come once a year to enjoy the live jazz (excellent jazz ensemble always!), look outside at the Michigan Hoilday Lights, and eat decent food.
Excellent mojitos - they used smooth and delicious Appleton rum (it was mostly rum in my glass!) and fresh mint leaves. Yum!
Jalepeno cornbread was soft and warm, always a winner.
Tried the rotisserie chicken for the first time b/c although this is what they're known for, I always opt for a different entree. The chicken was good, not amazing, but tender and moist. It was sitting on a sauce and was next to Spanish rice - the whole dish tasted like a soulful chicken tortilla soup. It wasn't what I ordered/imagined but it was still enjoyable. I wish it had a more traditional rotisserie flavor but b/c of the sauce, it didn't.
Their best dish, which we never fail to order, is the prime rib sandwich. The slices of prime rib is always sooo tender that it melts in your mouth. Served with great au jus and fresh horseradish, it's a great way to end your day.
We come back because of the atmosphere and reliably decent food. The restaurant is buzzing with a cool but lively vibe and is filled comfortably with a mix of yuppies, out of towners, etc. Service here is always welcoming -they know what service with a smile means. We'll be back next year when the lights come on again!
The Location: was easy to find on Michigan Avenue at Ohio. At 20:00 hrs, I found it easy to find a parking spot for which I paid $0.80, on the curb. Yes, you've read right, not even a Washington. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the same building that houses Adriana Furs.
The Atmosphere: A large dim room, lit by candle fires reflecting a large mirror, the atmosphere is soothed by a live jazz. From the open kitchen in the dining room, your nose can sample the fragrance of steaks grilling. The view onto Michigan is a conversation piece.
Unfortunately, the ambiance stops short from being a romantic restaurant or bringing someone you would want to woe. The loudness of the music and the sixteen plus digital video cameras spread throughout the dining room will quickly kill the mood for intimacy. I am not kidding, what's up with Fort Knox?
The Pricing: Although reasonable for a night in downtown Chicago (consider the real estate), it is overpriced for what you get.
There are 5 appetizers from $7 (Queso Dip) to $15 (Tuna Poke with shrimp and avocado), with an average at $11.20. The daily soup is at $7 and side dishes are between $4 (cornbread and foccacia) and $6 (side salad). Their cornbread is excellent with a hint of jalapeno and cheddar cheese. The texture is between Boston Market's cornbread (on the dense side) and Red Lobster's cheddar biscuits (on the fluffy side. As an appetizer, it comes in a small skillet but, you can just order a slice.
Then there are 8 Entree salads and sandwiches priced from $13 (for a veggie burger) to $18 (for a prime rib dip sandwich). The average price is $15.63. For vegetarians or those who can't eat meats other than Kosher or Halal, the price point is definitely a punishment when you tally up vegetarian apps at more than $10.
The 13 dinner entrees are between $15 (vegetable platter) and $30 (steak filet). An average dinner is at $23.08 including the two unpriced market fish dinners. Tonight they were Halibut and Swordfish. Dinner prices are high when you consider that they do not come with bread, sides or soups and, they don't serve you water. For a piece of bread and a cup of soup, you'll need to add $7. For what you get, an Outback or a Gibson's would be a better choice.
Finally, the two desserts are at $8 including an Oreo cookie ice cream sandwich pilled high and, a banana cream pie with caramel and chocolate. I had neither one because they were too much. And wine by the glass is $8.
So the check can reasonably reach $40-$50 per person, plus 12% sales tax and a 20% tip, or a total experience at $60 per person.
The people: are nice and welcoming. Melissa and Elbereth, the hostesses, and Inga, the blonde manager, were professional and pleasant. If it were just to see their faces, the visit would be enchanting.
That is until you meet the other manager, I forgot her name, showing a definite degree of unhappiness and Jamilla, the bartender who got annoyed at my asking questions about the drinks. Her only suggestion was the margarita because it's pretty good. For pretty good margarita, I go to Applebee's or to Friday's. At $15, I want damn fabulous!
The food: Although the menu offers a substantial diversity with vegetarian, pork, chicken, beef and fish selections, I was disappointed.
Hispanic cuisines around the world are noted with an abundance of flavors and textures. They inherited recipes from every culture. In Spain, you'd find Roman, French, Arab, Phoenician and Greek influences. In the Philippines, you have Indian, Vietnamese and Chinese imports. In Mexico, ancient Mayan cultures left a wealth of culinary heritage in relations to chocolate, seafood, corn and all the potato substitute you are hungry for.
So in a restaurant named Banderas, I suppose after Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, you would expect a confluence of spices, herbs and seafood, women brightly dressed dancing the Argentinean tango or the Brazilian salsa and, a rhythmic music that heats up your blood thinned with a tropical rum or, some exotic agave tequila blend. I wanted some agua fesca with hibiscus, some horchata with pineapple or some hot chocolate chili drink. I was salivating for a marmite or a paella. I thought I was getting all the passions of the world on my plate.
But absolutamente nada, nothing. It's like finding out you were adopted as your wife serves you the divorce paper, your car is impounded, your children are not yours, your house is flooded, some guy you hate is sleeping with your sister and your mom, you get robbed, you get fired from your job and the IRS shows up for a tax audit, all in five minutes right as you wake up in the morning. It takes time to absorb that there is something fundamentally wrong. Now you get it.
My Caesar salad was OK although enhanced with cornbread croutons. And the dinner was nothing to brag about: a swordfish, some Spanish rice and a cucumber salad. No garnish, no bread, no Spanish fever.
Great service, great food, but they've been squeezing me for years on the Macho salad, my favorite Bandara entree. It's now up to $16 and I just can't resist it. If you're not on a diet, try the freshly baked jalapeno corn bread, it's really not that hot. Yum, we like to bring the leftover cornbread home and dump some homemade chili on it before finishing it off. Double yum!
Ask for a seat by the window if you want to gaze out onto Michigan Ave. If the wait is too long, you can always get a bite while sipping some wine at the bar. For lunch, get here by 11:30 am unless you have a reservation.
I have been here a few times, and it never disappoints! Their French Dip is outstanding, and their Tex-Mex items are good as well.
The ambiance and decor is just what you would expect, and the service is attentive. Pricing is a bit on the high side, but I believe it is worth the money. Quality and quantity are high.
With the name, I was hoping for more of a Mexican type flair, but was pleasantly surprised with the regular type offerings.
I am going to make a very bold statement: the best veggie burger I have ever had. In fact, I had never eaten a veggie burger before I came here a couple years ago because I am a meat eater. And the idea of opting for veggie instead of beef or turkey was just plain ludicrous to me.
However many people had told me, "You HAVE to order the veggie burger!" So I did and it pretty much changed my life. I now order them everywhere I go and even make them at home at least once a week...so thank you Bandera.
Let me also gush a little about their peanut coleslaw concoction. I was never a huge fan of coleslaw because it's usually a little bit of cabbage in a bowl of mayo. Once again, Bandera proved me wrong. Their's is light, made with more of a vinaigrette with chunks of peanuts that, trust me here, tastes amazing.
I also recently tried their in house made oreo ice cream sandwich and it was phenomenal. Two big sandwiches in a pool of chocolate with a generous portion of whip cream on top.
Oh lordy, this place fills me up. Definitely do not go here if you are looking for a "light lunch", I often fall into a food coma afterwards, but it is SO worth it. Great place for a nicer lunch, after work dinner, or date...especially in the colder months because this place has a very warm and cozy feel to it.
When hungry and stuck in the tourist trap that is Magnificent Mile / Michigan Avenue, Bandera is a nice escape. It's not cheap, but it's not prohibitively expensive either. The dim lighting, ambient atmosphere, and nightly jazz also makes it a place to spend a romantic evening.
As far as upscale tex-mex goes, I would expect more flavor from the food. All the same, it's good stuff and the servings are generous. During my visits, I've been privy to the salmon, crab cakes, and spinach and chicken enchiladas. All are very good choices.
When dining here, you ABSOLUTELY MUST order the cornbread. It's the best I've ever had. My boyfriend hates cornbread but fell in love with Bandera's. It's that great. I also recommend the mojitos. I'm pretty picky about my mojitos and Bandera did not disappoint.
If you're lucky enough to get a table near the window, you're in for a treat. It overlooks Mag Mile, so it's nice and scenic and you feel like royalty during your meal. In my experience, it's best to make a reservation and state your preference for window seating.
Overall, this is one of Chicago's best Mag Mile dining options.
Great place, perfect for first dates. I have had several bad first dates here - but always Bandera is worthy of another.
Seriously the ambiance, food quality, it's great. My bff and I always consider this "our place"
It was the last day on our trip, and we had eaten at all of our "bookmarked" restaurants on Yelp. We were too hungry and tired to go searching and walking to another place beyond a city block. We walked down Michigan Ave, about a block from our hotel, and it hit us like a big red sign. This place is the same owners of Houston's, with essentially the same menu. I had never been to Houston's, so I figured why not try Bandera in Chicago.
It's a very dark, cozy, and rather loud atmosphere. By glancing around, you can tell it's a very business-like and touristy crowd. We were seated along the window facing Michigan Ave, right by the live piano and jazz band. By now, we were starving and we just wanted to order right away. Unfortunately, it took a long time for the waitress to come to our table.
We started off with the queso dip for our appetizer. It's not your typical melted cheese, but more chunky and hardened. Not bad, we ate it all up. For entrees, my wife ordered the salmon and I had the beef ribs with shoestring fries. Salmon was nicely cooked, moist and flaky, with a flavorful glaze on top. My beef ribs could have been more tender, and too much of a charred and burnt crisp on the outside. The shoestring fries were also a bit too oily.
Yes, it's obvious that everything here is pretty overpriced for more or less average American food. We did enjoy the atmosphere, and people-watching through the glass windows was actually more entertaining than I had originally thought. We saw a cab break down in the middle of the street, and heard quite a few fire trucks and ambulances zoom by. Those sirens can get pretty darn loud.
Reasonable prices, fantastic food, and a great location on the Mag mile!
I really didn't know what to expect as any place on Mag mile is usually over priced and not very good. However, it is not the case at Bandera's. They are on the 2nd floor and in a great spot. The atmosphere is very intimate and comfortable. Definitely a place where I would meet a friend for drinks.
Even though I was there at 3 in the afternoon, I haven't had lunch yet and decided to order a sandwich. For some reason, the veggie burger jumped out at me and was also highly recommended by the waitress. WOW, it was probably one of the best veggies burger's I've ever had. It was served with a peanut slaw on the side and the burger was glazed with a miso sauce. I normally don't get veggie burgers and can't say I'm a veggie burger connoisseur, but if all veggie burgers were made this way, I would be ordering it a lot more!!!
This place has my vote for the place to go for a bite on the Mag mile. The prices are also very reasonable as my burger was only $13 and worth every penny.
I know it's already been mentioned several times, but let me just re-iterate that the the macho salad here is absolutely fan-freackin-tastic. The chicken tortilla soup (when it's there on special) is also worth your attention.
With it's dimly let interior, and cozy yet swanky decor, you will easily be fooled into thinking it's about 6 hours later than it is. Very dangerous if you're planning for a one-hour lunch on a Wednesday and then several glasses of wine later you realize it's 2pm and you need to go back to work...
Lamb shank.... meh. Cornbread skillet... BOMB! Buttery, cornbread goodness.
I lost my umbrella there though. Let me know if you see it. It's black with a silver handle.
This place has been raved about, so my Mom made us reservations for a quick celebratory dinner on Friday.
We had reservations for 5, but adding a 6th person to our table put us at another hour wait. Unfortunately, my brother's gf got sick, so we got a table for 4 pretty quickly right by the window.
The bartender was very friendly and served us with a smile. The hostesses were very nice and welcoming.
Our server was really nice when she got to the table. I started asking questions about the enchiladas and saying how I didn't care for chicken, and she got a little short with me. Guess they are really well known for their chicken and everything has chicken in it, except the burger and veggie burger. *shrug*
I didn't want beef and I wanted an freakin' enchilada, so I ended up with the chicken enchilada and mac n' cheese.
Chicken enchilada was good and flavorful, but the mac n' cheese was not. I was really disappointed in it. It left me feeling blah.
Overall, I didn't think this place lived up to the hype.
I did like the view and the live jazz, tho.
Great Location, great service, great atmosphere and most of all, GREAT FOOD!
I had the macho salad, the prime rib and the chicken dish (forgot the name) - prime rib was cooked to perfection and the chicken was the tenderist I've ever had. The food came out in less than 10 minutes after we ordered (which we thought was really weird) but the food was sooo good our suspicious minds were happy in the end.
Bandera made our trip to Chicago 10 times better!
Thank you :D
I have been here a number of times and this place NEVER disappoints!!
Five of us went on a Friday night and off course made a reservation - which you absolutely need. We had a booth across from where the jazz band was playing and they were really great. The place has a great ambiance and has a nice mixed crowd of locals and tourists of various ages (usually I don't see kids there in the evenings).
For an appetizer we got the corn bread and focaccia - which is an ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE! The stuff is wonderful. Two of us got the Macho salad and the other three got the roasted chicken which came with Spanish rice. We skipped dessert since we were all stuffed!
The food and service was great and my four friends who had never been there before all really liked the restaurant.
TIP: During the holidays its nice to sit by the window and see all the lights on Michigan ave. These tables are in high demand so make sure and request them at the time of your reservation.
My friend took me here for my birthday and I had an excellent experience! We had two waitresses (one was probably in training) and anytime we needed anything, the other servers were happy to help with our requests if our waitress was busy. What great team work!
This restaurant does not take reservations. Luckily we arrived at 11:30am when they open. The restaurant was pretty full by 12 noon so make sure to go before that time, otherwise you'll have to wait.
We ordered the grilled artichokes for appetizer. SOOOOOOOOOO DELICIOUS! I had the bbq ribs with fries and my friend had a tuna salad. The ribs were falling off the bone! And the fries were so flavorful. I dont know what makes this dish different from any other bbq ribs and fries I've previously had but it was really yummie. My friend really enjoyed her tuna salad as well.
After our plates were cleared off, our waitress brought out a huge cake with a candle!!! My friend had arrived early to drop the cake off for them to store! What a great surprise!!! This restaurant offered great food and great service. I had an awesome time here!
You can not go wrong if you choose Bandera. It is an excellent choice for classic American dining in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The live jazz lends itself to the classy and contemporary embiance. The menu is somewhat limited but it is straight to the point, but there is no shortage of quality selections. It can get very busy, but the bar is a great spot to hang out while you wait for your table. Get a window seat if you can and try to decide what you like best, the location or the food. You have to go visit, I give this place 2 big thumbs up!
Went here for a work lunch and it was pretty easy to get seated so kudos for that on tourist laden Michigan Ave.
I had the macho salad. It was pretty good with great flavor but a little over-dressed. Our waitress was really nice and attentive (the coke I sucked down too fast was never left empty).
What else can I say? It wasn't the time of my life or anything but great for a quick, nice midweek lunch. Oh...and be warned that salad was $16 bucks so not so cheap.
Came here with a colleague that swore up and down this was THE place to be. Given the discrepancy in our ages, style, and just, well - general taste - I was nervous.
OK, I'll hand it to him. The view was great, the atmosphere was "fun" (it was packed), and we quickly made friends at the bar that invited us to dinner. Hey! Why not! Coworker had the cheeseburger that he tried to talk up to me, but by this point, I was intrigued by the identity crisis of the macho salad. Kudos to the name, I always love me a little wit. I wouldn't say I felt like chopping down a tree or starting a fight after this salad, but it was filling, yet light at the same time. None of the entrees really grabbed my attention, and I need to be a little more East Coast for a burger. Personal preference. :) That said, I'd stop back into this place for a round of drinks + apps next time I'm in town.
Just as most others said, you have to get the macho salad. You won't be disappointed!
Something has changed at Bandera but maybe it's the economy. I remember a time that if you tried to eat there over the noon lunch hour, getting a table without waiting was unheard of. My friend and I walked right in today at 12:30pm and were seated immediately - no complaints here! Just an observation.
Banderas is a must for me every time I visit Chicago. I order the same two appetizers every time I go...the grilled artichokes and the skillet cornbread. Both are fantastic. I love the old steakhouse modernized feel of the place....but I admit I've only sat at the bar because the bartenders are spot on with service and the views of the dining area, music, street and kitchen are perfect.
I always order a cosmo because the martini glasses are chilled...so your drink comes out with those little ice chips in it...perfection. And my favorite part of all....if you let your martini sit just a moment too long...before you can blink the bartender has poured the remains into a fresh frosty glass...who could ask for anything more?
Mmmmm...cornbread...possibly the best cornbread I've ever had. Rotisserie chicken is moist and delicious too. The view is great--be sure to ask for a window seat. There will be nothing more romantic or enjoyable than looking out onto Michigan Avenue while listening to live jazz and having a nice glass of wine...with, of course, the yummy cornbread. Service was great, we were able to eat dinner and get to the theater on time, although I wish we didn't have to leave because the jazz band had just started playing. Prices are what you would expect for Michigan Avenue. It's not as touristy as I would have thought. All in all, a great experience.
Great place to take clients for lunch. Terrific burgers and thin fries. Macho salad is also very good. I love sitting by the window overlooking Michigan avenue.
Went for the dessert ...banana cream pie and homemade oreo ice cream sandwiches. At $8 a piece, I question their value, but you are on the Mag Mile.
I was not such a fan, but my partner LOVED the banana cream pie dessert. The crust was good, but I thought the rest was average.
I enjoyed the oreo ice cream sandwich. If you are a chocolate lover, this is the way to go. Two huge "cookies", or ice cream with a thick cookie coating, all drowning in a delish chocolate sauce. mmmm..
PS. On a side note, the soda costs $3. That is a crime.
Bandera is a great restaurant in a better location!
I get the same thing everytime and I cant get…
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While visiting Chicago we heard that Bandera was a great place.
I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of my meal here. We had the queso and the corn bread as an appetizer and both were amazing. The queso is served cold and had the perfect amount of kick to it. The corn bread was also great, had jalapenos in it. For a meal, I got the roasted pork chops and they were soo good! I wasn't a fan of the mashed potatoes because they were loaded with green onions and I'm not an onion fan. My boyfriend got the ribs and the meat was falling off the bone, so moist and the sauce was great!
Our waitress was very nice, attentive. We had plenty of wine and she brought us over a few samples for us to try out.
Bandera is owned by Hillstone Group. They also own Houston's in Boston which I've been to but wasn't as much of a fan of Houston's as I am of Bandera.
What to say . . what to say . . .about a place that was ok at best but whose rave reviews on Yelp prompted me to give it a try the other day?
Bandera is one of the few chains that gets consistently good reviews regarding their food. Maybe it is different at night- but on a recent luncheon experience, it was just ok.
The dark clubby atmosphere is probably more suited to dinner than lunch although I did like the way the place was laid out and the abundance of booths.
We were seated by the front window overlooking the hustle and bustle of Michigan Ave. While this table was prime at lunch- it's close proximity to the grand piano would probably make dinner conversation a bit challenging but the view is worth it, in my opinion.
Part of our experience challenge was a server who acted like he really didn't want to be there and that he was doing us a favor by even waiting on us. I also didn't like that he stood behind us to take our order- a simple two steps to stand in front of me while I asked my questions would have gone a long way. A different server may have upped this review by a whole star!
We went with the appetizer special of the day (duo dips which were guacamole and con queso served with chips). It was okay but more like "bar food" so we left most of it. Again- thought the server might ask why we weren't eating it?
Our salads were quite tasty although my friend's Macho salad was the clear winner to my ahi tuna salad. The Macho salad was basically a chopped salad with some of their great chicken tossed in and served with a vinaigrette dressing. As for me- while the presentation of the ahi tuna lined up at the edge of the plate was lovely and the tuna fresh and tasty- the greens were a bit bitter and tasteless even with all the dressing they coat it with.
If you drive- parking is a bit of a challenge around here- it's Michigan Ave, after all! There is a pay lot behind it on St. Clair but know before you go it is a bit pricey (about $18 for 2 hours). And one other thing worth noting- the bathrooms at this place are as clean as I have ever seen- the word sanitized comes to mind (good to know on those days you may be wandering the Mag Mile and need a little break!)
I'm going to have to give it another go at dinner one night just for the rave reviews that so many people give Bandera. I must have missed the magic of this place!
Went back there after a year...the service was great, no question about it..had a French Dip sandwich with fries.... it was OK, but NOT worth freeking $18 dollars.... and to their famous banana cream pie? This time, for some reason-maybe they changed the recipe... it was truly disgusting... mealy, mushy and just not good....
..nice place but WAY overpriced...
The atmosphere was cool...kind of like a New York style steakhouse. They had a live jazz trio… Read more »
-Bandera's gets five stars because of their Macho Salad (sans dates). Have it, period, end of discussion.
-Great place to take people visiting Chicago because it's on Michigan.
-Make a reservation if you don't want to wait 45 to an hour for regular seating, an hour for sitting by the window, at peak dinner hours (7ish-8ish)
-Service is always good. Hostesses range from nice to really nice.
I've had Stacey as my waitress twice now (since I insist on sitting by the windowed seats for the view of Mich Ave.) and she is wonderful.
Aside from the fabulous Macho Salad:
-The queso dip is tasty and not the goopy cheese dip I was expecting, the mac and cheese is really good, I am obsessed with the Oreo dessert, and the banana cream pie is good.
-The lamb sandwich tastes like roast beef and someone at the table next to me said the SAME thing when we asked how she liked it. I, however, don't like the gamey lamb taste so I welcomed the roast beef-ish situation.
-Their fries are thin and yummy; always salted to my liking.
-The ribs are tender, fall-off-the-bone goodness. I detest BBQ/A1 style sauce and I still was able to appreciate. A little too much sauce, though, but that's just me. Maybe someone who likes BBQ would disagree.
-Oh and I almost forgot. The jumbo artichoke appetizer is YUM!
-It could definitely be more affordable.
Oh and the place reminds me of Houston's on Biscayne in North Miami. Turns out, they're part of the chain. It's no wonder.
In every city I've lived: New Orleans, Miami, Boca Raton, New York there is a Houston's Restaurant, a favorite of my whole family. I moved to Chicago, not two years ago yet, and expected to find one downtown for sure. To my complete surprise there is none.
I called the management office of the one there used to exist (I don't know why it closed), and they suggested I tried Bandera, another of their chain restaurants. I hesitated, but went. It's HOUSTON'S! The same exact ambiance, decor, service, and even food. The best veggie burger ever, the greatest caesar salad, and like always, excellent service. I am happy! I only wish it weren't located in the middle of Mag Mile because tourists are going to flock in. For lunch or dinner I love this place.
Last night, I met Tom. Tom Collins, that is. Mama B's been a fan for years, but I never tried one until last night at Bandera. I was there with a friend who insisted that Bandera had some of the best TC's in the city, so I had to try, right? Well, I'm glad I did.
The bartender was super-attentive. Always right there to suggest another round before the last sip of lemon-ginny goodness left your glass.
While I was only here for drinks, this place looked like the perfect place to take out-of-towners. Its second-floor location gives a great view of the Magnificent Mile. Be sure to request a table by the wall of windows to take in the view.
In town for business on a rainy day. Ordered a burger and mac & cheese to go so I can enjoy it in the quiet of my hotel.
Burger was good, nothing special.
Mac & Cheese was very good and it was made with tube pasta filled with cheese.
3 stars only because I didn't get a chance to enjoy the full experience with live music.
Excelente!
A Monday night, wandering out of the Movie theatres on Michigan, someone in our group suggested Bandera for drinks. We all agree. I had never noticed the restaurant to be honest. But the location is actually pretty great. Right on Michigan Avenue... So we walk over... walk in. Theres no wait, which is always nice. Swanky place. Tasteful decor. Music being played in the background. Definitely a nice laid back place...
Now on to the food- We originally came in just for drinks, but then ended up ordering food.. Among the entrees on our table, was the Tuna salad, the Prime Rib, and the Steak and Enchilada platter. Every plate got two thumbs up. I wasnt very hungry so I shared with a friend and ordered the #1 Tuna Poke with Shrimp & Avocado. Sooo good! Loved it!! I wanted to eat it all myself. Ha. Next time...
We went through two bottles of Mi Sueno Cabergnet. So tasty... Definitely a very comfie and pleasant dinner... Bandera is a must try!
Spectacular!!
Here for a vacation/buisness trip and this was a great find.
The Macho salad is a MUST have. In fact it is so good I had to go back a second time for another helping of it. Brought a co-worker with me this time around for the must have and she said " this is the best salad I have ever had"
"French Dip is a yummy choice" said one of our other dining companions.
The atmosphere is extremely laid back. The service is friendly and quick ( a great deal for lunch in between meetings or tourist attractions)
Kudos to the bartender for great desert service late night and the waitress Samantha.
Bon Appetito....
Where do I begin?
Food:
Dumbledore himself (the most powerful wizard of all time) must be working in the kitchen because the veggie burger that comes with peanut coleslaw is nothing short of PURE MAGIC!
Atmosphere:
Although I don't always wear my dress robes when dining here, the hostess doesn't judge and never refuses a request to sit by the windows with the awesome view of Michigan Ave!
Service:
Our server was Faith..and let me just say how she was the opposite of 'he who must not be named'. I actually wanted to sing her name from the highest mountain top.
All in all:
Better than the time Victor Krum chose me, out of all the eligible wizardessess at Hogwarts, to go to the ball with him!
Bandera is great. Just back from lunch there with my cousins from Hawaii, and they loved it too. The second-floor view over Michigan Avenue is an excellent Chicago experience, and the food is really tasty. (I've had the Macho Salad the last couple times--chicken, dates, avocado, lettuce, tomato, great dressing.) Go there at night to hear mellow jazz and watch Michigan Avenue light up. And, hey, all you 97 people who have viewed my profile--only 12 useful, 5 funny, and 4 cool? Yike!
This is my 3rd time eating here, last time I ate here was in 2004 and I remember they had live music and my husband and I were sat right by it-We couldn't talk to each other the whole time b/c of the music, so after that incident we haven't come back-
Now that I live so close to Bandera I decided to try it out for lunch-They had a special today, Halibut with rice and cucumber salad, which I ordered-
When my entree was brought out I could smell fish right away, but I decided to take a bite-My first bite was not good, so I asked for some lemon, 2 more bites and it was bad-I kept smelling this bad smell from the fish, as well it was dry in some spots and mushy in others, clearly not fresh fish-
I informed the waitress I couldn't eat it and to take a whiff for it was not a good piece of fish, she was very apologetic about it and brought out a manager to our table who asked if I wanted anything else, so that was very nice-
I decided to try the key lime pie but it wasn't that good, Joe's Stone Crab & Catch 35 have a good Key Lime pie-
The person I went with had the Macho salad and she seemed to enjoy her salad, it was very big so she had leftovers she took with her and no complaints about her meal-
So maybe they had an off day with their fish but I think it will be awhile before I eat here again-
I think this is a chain owned by Hillstone (houston's, etc)... which is why i was surprised that the prime rib was so bland and no so good. I am also not a fan of the mashed potatoes that were served - they had a lot of onions in them. My fiance had the macho salad, which was actually better than my prime rib. This is the only time in my life i have claimed that a salad trumps prime rib. The live piano player was a nice touch.
Fast seating, friendly server. I think there are better offerings in the area though.
I've driven by Bandera numerous times and never knew what to expect -- then I went about 4 times in the course of 2 weeks because I'm addicted. I love the location, above Michigan Avenue, and the decor - it's dark and I guess one would say "romantic" on the inside. I'd recommend sitting in a booth or a table near the windows. The live jazz music also is a plus.
As for the cocktails - tasty, but pretty weak. Food - delicious. I've tried the "hacked" chicken salad, which I love, their queso dip (amazing and spicy), the pork chops which were also delicious. I've heard the bbq salmon is just okay.
You absolutely cannot leave Bandera without having their oreo cookie ice cream sandwich dessert thing. Seriously one of the best desserts I've ever had. Every time I eat it I consider ordering a second.
My family ate here after my college graduation (without me =( ) while I moved out of my apartment in Hyde Park. Since I was so busy trying to rush my stuff out of my place, I missed the nice dinner with them, but they did order me an entree to go. I asked my sister to order me a rack of ribs. I didn't get to the hotel until 4 am to eat that entree, but even 8 hours after my meal was ordered, it was AMAZINGLY good. On top of that, they had some GREAT coleslaw, and I don't even like coleslaw.
I went again tonight and it was wonderful. The food was great once again. My vegetarian friend who joined me said his veggie burger was delicious, and the atmosphere and ambiance is excellent. There was a live jazz band too, which really made this place a wonderful choice for friends and family. I highly recommend it. The view of Michigan ave. is a plus as well.
Entrees range in the ($) 20s.
At first, walking in, as the maitre'd yelled out to me barely having crossed the threashold "HELLO!" I figured....oh, ok, it's going to be a jumpy yuppie touristy overly friendly overly-priced spot. But that was the last of the cuteness-factor, thankfully. Gosh, not at all what I expected.
Dinner with boyfriend: we once tried on a Thursday evening w/out reservations and were told 40minute wait....not too bad, but we were hungry so we moved on.
2nd time: on a Wednesday it was perfectly attended (not too packed, not overwhelmed by one group (business/local/girly/touristy) and we sat at the bar for a martini before sitting for dinner. My mate was pleased that they had his vodka, bartneders were between friendly and professional - not too personable either, but fine; this always makes me feel im in a tourist-spot, though. I like the dim lights, the size of the bar and the various nooks around the bar. I like very much the artwork around the room. I wanted to peruse. I am very impressed with the live jazz ensemble - with their talent and ability to play at a perfect volumn! Seriously - I don't think i've ever been to a live music/restaurant where the music comes second (you can talk whilst they play) and you don't have to shout over it. Really difficult to accomplish it seems, but an entirely elegant balance is held here. Very cool. And somehow the place keeps a stranglehold on it becoming too overrun by one crowd...i suppose it's the location, but plenty of other MI-ave stops don't accomplish this. Astounding. What gives this place a 4th star is the food. ONE WORD: artichoke. They HAVE them. AND the fresh tuna salad was lovely....a bit too cabbagy, however. But the tuna was REALLY tender and not too cold! Great flavor. My date's bb-q lamb was an odd mix....but in the end we both thought of the place as California Cuisine where the flavors override the traditional pairings. We like trying new things...but it didn't really achieve greatness, plus my guy KNOWs bbq, and it was a bit overlysweet and not a full rich or savory flavor. It was OK. The lamb itself was perfectly done. We sent back his ceasar salad due to its overbathing in sauce. They brought another quickly and apologized appropriately and stated that's the way the chef prefers serving it - which i fully respect. The flavors and crutons were aMAzing. Real anchovy too! Lovely. But the artichoke - grilled and with a side of yummy and deep aioli - was wONderful....especially since no one serves artichoke. You get 3 1/2s for $10! Date loved that too....said he really enjoyed that a lot. I'm 1/2 Sicilian and artichokes (carchofi) come from my villiage, so I grew up with ma nonna's carchofi....i know a good artichoke. I have to get mother's approval on her next trip, though, for a final answer.
Our waitress was nice, friendly and cool - she actually LISTENed to us instead of just quickly breezing by, WATCHED our menues/table and knew just when to come by and spend a little time, and never interrupted our deep conversation. SO NICE to experience.
Went back the next night for just the artichoke and had OK bar staff. I think when a single person sits at a bar the 'tender should say a bit more. Turn it on a bit....just for welcoming comfort-sake. I didn't feel entirely welcomed sitting at the bar alone....and i always feel comfortable at a bar alone.
And after all that, prices aren't too bad at all. There WAS a steak special for $36. Hummmm - don't think i'd pay that here.
OH, and their receipts are uncool....they have written a tip-suggestion w/percentages....could be very helpful BUT it's based on final amount, not pre-tax. I in fact don't frequently look at pre-tax amount so I just double the first number if i liked my dinner, but having an actual and inaccurate amount printed on the receipt is just uncool and left me with a yukky 'nickel and dime' feeling....
Oh yea, and i left my sunglasses there the 1st night. When I called that night the waitress just DIDN't want to bother. It was so very easy, a simple inquiry and gave my table number and everything. She wasn't overtly horribly rude, just not CONDUCIVE. Humpf. A lot of tourists must go there it seems....poor tippers and lots of losers - of things.
Jumpy and impersonability keeps me from giving it the 5th star. I will go back many times.
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: Restaurants
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