Bandera
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: Full Bar
23 Reviews for Bandera
One of Bandera's Favorite Reviews
I am a big fan of Bandera's food, atmosphere and location. I have been dining here for years and always enjoy myself. The employees seem to take great pride in this place, and so should we. Try the steaks, ribs, and the chicken (their pride and joy).
It is somehow affiliated with Houston's (though I haven't figured out how exactly). The happy hour crowd here can be fun on occasion.
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I really like Bandera. I really LOVE their cornbread. Best dang cornbread I've ever had. I dream about it in fact. Food is always great, service is usually great as well. Great place to take guests if you're not sure what they like.
My only complaint...Bandera is a fairly casual restaurant, yet last time I was there my father was asked to remove his cap. No biggie, he willingly obliged, but then I noticed the staff didn't seem to have a problem with the cute little thing wearing hers at the next table. Come on, be consistent guys.
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Lots of reviews, so I'll keep it simple.
If you like cornbread, you have to try theirs! But schedule time for the gym the next day...trust me on this one!
Enjoy!
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Hey, not every place has to be The French Laundry. Everyone needs restaurants in their little black book that are just always a solid experience.
Bandera reminds me of Houstons (same owners?) and has a gorgeous layout and open kitchen that give the place a great energy. Their specials are well rounded for the fish lovers, just in case someone doesn't want a big slab of moo, and their appetizers are good enough to have just as the meal. Desserts are straight-forward and well executed.
Round that out with a decent wine list (a lot of the wines are by the glass, which is HUGE) and a full bar that knows how to do your drink and you have a bar that gets a "solid" rating.
It's location makes it easy to walk to quite a few other restaurants or bars and of course downtown Scottsdale and "The Waterfront" are one of the best places to hang out in America for the evening.
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I really like this place... Michael and I mostly go the takeout route using the 'Flying Chicken' as they like to call it. I think they were one of the first restaurants to offer curbside pickup for takeout. I have also been here to dine, but not in awhile...
For the most part we pick up a quick to go dinner that is somewhat healthy if you leave out the awesome mashed potatoes or cornbread... really you should not leave these out;). The rotisserie chicken is awesome... perfectly seasoned and moist and delicious and reasonably priced. The young man who was handling the takeout side of things for Bandera's was so nice and attentive... so give them a call... tell them what you would like... pull up in your car and they will bring it out to you... and you are on your way. PERFECT!
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Let your nose lead the way....
This is one of the few restaurants that can draw you in by olfactory senses alone, thanks to a giant outside rotisserie that seems to excite your senses and it only gets better.
The food is simply wonderful, I recommend trying the Southwest Corn bread appetizer to start off the evening and all of the entrees are extraordinarily well done. I have dined at Bandera numerous times with everyone from in-laws to business associates trying numerous dishes including fish, chicken, lamb, and steaks. The lamb will melt in your mouth, the chicken is wonderful, and the steaks enchilada style are sizzling in more ways than one!
It's been a wonderful experience each time as far as the food and the atmosphere. The lighting is wonderful, it casts a very warm flattering glow over the ugliest of my friends and it is definitely a place to take a date or celebrate with friends. Well over 95% of the time the service is spot on, they are responsive, friendly, accurate, etc. but there have been a few small preventable mistakes (the nights in question were very busy so it is somewhat understandable).
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UPDATE: You know what, I'm changing my stars to 5 for this guy, I just like it that much, really good food, really friendly folks. Yes, you're 5 star Bandera.
****
Great atmosphere, great eating, great service. I got the fillet and it was excellent, lots of butter used to make sure of that.
Oddly, my friend also ordered the fillet and 15 minutes later mine came out, and a minute after that my friend got the manager instead of the fillet. The manager explained that they ran out of fillets (they had also been out of chicken but we knew that pre-ordering). They apologize, took a wine off the check, and blasted a prime rib out after about 3 minutes wait (sorry person who had that snagged from the heat lamps). Nice service save.
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Every time I come to Phoenix to visit my friend over the past 4 years, I always want to eat here. It's excellent. A chain? Not sure....
The cornbread and artichoke is excellent (the best artichoke my husband ever tried... keep in mind he's only eaten it with me). The Cesar salad is excellent. I think they use the cornbread as croutons. Yummy!
The ribs are my favorite here. I haven't tried anything else because the above appetizers and ribs are too much food for me.
I would have given this place 5 stars BUT they CHANGED the peanut coleslaw recipe!!! NOOO....... I don't like cole slaw, but their peanut one was incredible. I would order extra sides of it, because it was so delicious. I haven't been here for ~1 year, and the cole slaw turned into a salad kind of thing with peanuts sprinkled on top. awful.... it was not very good. What a disappointment. Don't know anyone who makes coleslaw like that. It was incredible. I wish it would come back....
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So I first went to this place on a business trip with my colleagues. It is a great place. A somewhat classier restaurant though I got in, in warm ups and a t-shirt (after paintballing). At night it's dimly lit and during the day they open up the windows. They have only 2 beers on tap, but both are excellent choices. Stella and Kilt Lifter my favorite beer in the universe brewed right in Tempe! Check my other reviews for more info on that beer. Anyway, they have specials every night so when I took my family the other night I ordered the apricot glazed meatloaf it was phenoninal but I tried everyones plate. So I can personally speak to...the meat loaf, sword fish, Ahi Tuna, chicken enchilada's, and the prime rib sandwhich. All of those were fantastic except the enchiladas I found those to be "ok", but not phenominal like the rest of the menu. For appetizers they have a duo dip (guac & cream cheese kind of dip) its very good, I also have had their deviled eggs & corn bread. Also extremely good. Everytime I have been to this place there service has been great, it is a perfect setting for a first date. I believe its a dinner only joint that opens @ 4pm. They take reservations. Enjoy!
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This place is just GREAT. Have been coming here for a many years it is very well managed, the food - all of it is in some way special even the cheeseburgers are oblong very tasty and served on matching poppy seed rolls. The roti chicken is incredible everyone at the table ate mine. The garlic mashed potatoes- excellent, the wilted spinach - the best I have had. Hey it's not cheap but the beers are only $5 - oh and the complimentary french bread is prepared on the grill with the grill marks in it. Hey and the atmosphere is warm and fuzzy even if you are with 2 kids - ( oh and they loved it too)
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Last year, the group I was with and I tried everything on the menu. Or so it seemed. Or so I remember. I don't know; I was drunk. I do remember, however, that their prime rib was awesome! I'll try to update this review when I get back this year if I go again.
Warning: It's dark here. You may have to squint to see your food, or your date for that matter. The wait staff is friendly, although not very educated on wine pairings. Good thing I had my date to assist me. The chicken is super yummy, although quite large for one person. The sides are good, too. We had plenty left over and took it to go. I can attest that the food is just as good warmed up the day after.
This is a good date spot, although I wish it weren't in Old Town in the tourist trap. It takes away from the appeal of going. But, don't let the location prevent you from trying it once. It's worth it.
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With Ra Next door, I think this is restaurant alley. Bandera came as a recommendation and the prices were not too bad. 25 for some pretty good prime rib isn't too bad especially when you can expense it. The wait time was about 10 minutes, but I can really see how this place can be super crowded on weekends.
I didn't try the chicken, but the other 3 folks who ordered it enjoyed it.
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I had the best rotisserie chicken ever in this restaurant. Don't really know their secret but even with white meat, it's so tender and full of flavor! You'll feel relaxed there, the waiters are so genuine and friendly that it seems like they really care about you. I am always skeptical about having rotisserie chicken for dinner because I could live with Boston Market's anyway, but this one is so much better than any others I've tried. The restaurant is roomy and dark but it's quiet enough to carry a good conversation with friends (in my case it's my boss.) I greatly recommend this restaurant if you are in Scottsdale and want to eat chicken.
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The last time I was at Bandera OJ Simpson was being chased down an LA freeway, so it was time to revisit this downtown Scottsdale favorite. A friend took me for my birthday, and I was surprisingly let down. The place really is too stiff for a rotisserie (as a fellow poster noted), and I think the prices are exceedingly high for mid-level food. Portions were small, and the staff was a little too formal for my taste. I don't plan to return.
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I don't feel like I use the word "succulent" often enough in day-to-day conversation. I use it to describe Bandera.
First off, I didn't even know it was a chain. And I say to that, whatever, it's a damn fine chain from what I can tell, so keep it up Bandera!
Last time I was here I had the salmon special and it was delicious, while my girlfriend nibbled on a salad that she was so-so about. The appetizers are good and the service was pleasant, and I will have to wait to try a dessert till next time. Which hopefully is soon.
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Tonight I had an excellent meal at Bandera.The jalapeo queso dip appetizer was quite tasty. My rotisserie chicken sandwich was the best chicken sandwich I've ever eaten. The chicken was tender, the cheese was melted yet still flavorful and the bun complemented the flavors as opposed to just being filler.
It was my first time visiting the restaurant and I was unaware that it was part of a chain. I think that speaks volumes about the establishment right there. I'm rating Bandera four stars instead of five because the prices were rather high for the size of the portions. That being said, the portions were what I would call "a good size" compared to say, Claim Jumper which has portions that are too large. Further, I think that Bandera could use a larger selection of beers and mixed drinks.
Bandera was packed, something that surprised me for a Thursday night, and while I was able to get a table for two almost immediately, the background din made it difficult to hold a conversation or even clearly hear the server. I enjoyed the darker candle and track-lighting lit atmosphere, but it might be a turn off for some.
I'm definitely going back to Bandera, but next time I'll be prepared and not wear a ball cap, as they aren't allowed in the dining room. ;-)
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This is one of the best, most consistent restaurants in Scottsdale. I am a foodie who loves small independent-owned restaurants but there are always exceptions. This place is one of them. Don't follow the recomendations of the rest of the herd posting here though. The chicken is probably the last thing I would order on this menu. Not that it's bad. It's actually quite good. It's just that it doesn't compare to the rest of the items on the menu. Bandera has the best Filet Mignon I have ever had. They put a worcestire & chive filet butter on top that is out of this world. There beef ribs are also the best that I have ever had. They are meaty and tender and the barbecue sauce is out of this world. Other recomendations include the barbecue salmon (or any fish that they are offering), the sliced leg of lamb, the burger (delish!)and of course the cornbread. The service is always good as well. Bandera is one of my favorite restaurants in Scottsdale and it I would recommend it to anyone.
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Once upon a time, I dated a much, much older man. And we always came to Bandera for dinner and would have deep conversations about life. Well, maybe our conversations weren't thaaat meaningful, but he liked me for my mind- I swear.
Anyhoo, the difference in between then and now is that Bandera is still going strong and is a great contender in the battle of Old Town dining. Prices may have gone up a tad and portions were downsized, but the food is still tasty, the patrons are still trendy and the drinks still flow like the hoover dam.
If you're an older man looking for a spot to bring your much younger date, try this place out. It impressed me many moons ago, and it would probably do the same for your younger lady. Other than that, this is a fun spot to have dinner and drinks at before hitting the bar scene.
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Ordinarily, I hate chain restaurants. But, this one wins me over. Is it the fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice for their greyhounds? The cornbread served in a mini-skillet? The fabulous cheese dip appetizer? That damn fine chicken? I dunno. Just know I like it!!!
Jalapeno cornbread....yummmmmy. Known for rotiserrie chicken and it is quite good and so is the rest of the menu. I could get full on the cornbread and be fat and happy and ready to go. There usually tends to be a wait on the weekends and last time we learned that no hats were allowed in the dining room. A little stiff for a rotiserrie restaurant but it is still delish.
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Fast service, great atmpsphere, and corn bread that I am STILL dreaming about. Seriously now....this is the best corn bread on the planet. Next time I might just order a plate of it for dinner.
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UPDATE: 2/9/06
Hmm..... the portions seems a little smaller, the prices seemed a little higher, and the chicken was not as juicy as I remembered. Maybe it was an off night? I hope so.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The most underrate meal in Phoenix! I love Bandera. It can get crowded during peak hours, but never outrageous. I have eaten here many many times and I have never had a bad time. The rotisserie chicken is the best I have had anywhere. The smoked salmon appetizer is excellent. The margaritas are fantastic. Dark, stylish, comfortable booths, efficient and friendly service, and totally reasonable prices. Yes, it is part of the Houston's chain. But you know what? They got the formula right here.
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