Banditos Tacos & Tequila
1118 S Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21230
Banditos Tacos & Tequila Menu
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Address :
1118 S Charles St
Baltimore, MD, 21230 - Phone (443) 835-1517
- Website https://www.banditosbk.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Coat Check : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Abigail R.
I am not sure what I think of this place; it's your classic Fed Hill spot. Given that it is close to Cross Street, I wasn't sure if I wanted to love it or hate it. Drink wise - this place is quite disappointing if you want anything but tequila. To be fair, tequila is in their name. They are making some menu changes - but some of their staples are still on the menu- we started with all the chips and all the dips. It's unusual that I enjoy all three of the dips. They have their own homemade chips - crispy and a little salty. I have no idea how I survived with the ones that come out of a bag; it is so easy to make your own. They make a decent guac with huge chunks of avocado. I like a little more lime and cilantro, but theirs is solid. The salsa is a basic red salsa - a little spicy and a little sweet, with a lot of flavor. The queso is probably the star - warm, cheesy and creamy. For real food, we all went with tacos. I thought about the pork and the avocado but was encouraged by the bartender to go with the fish or the steak. The rest of the group was getting steak so I went with Cali Fish. These were some good fish tacos. I'd go back - they are better and way cheaper than Barcocina. The fish tacos come with a fried white fish, topped with a pineapple and jicama slaw. The cabbage adds an additional crunch. They are also super generous with the avocado and cilantro - two of my favorite things. I'm sure I'll be back for some tacos and margaritas.
(3)Alli Z.
I'd have to say this is a great bar if you want to experience night life in Federal Hill. At 7:30 pm on a Friday it was packed with young locals looking to have some drinks or Mexican food! I got the fish tacos, which I had to send back because they came out deep fried. Not that I don't like a good fried food item, but I was feeling grilled that night so they gladly took it back and apologized that the fried aspect was not mentioned on the menu. The tacos were pretty decent. The chips were covered with salt, cinnamon and sugar. Definitely a first for me, but I thought they were decent. The margarita that I got was perfect, but my sister got the sangria and it just was lacking in flavor and appearance. Overall, a pretty good spot, but not somewhere I would take someone who is looking to be wowed by a city restaurant.
(3)Claire L.
We come here for drinks often so we thought we would try the food. I'll start by saying the service was excellent. The bartenders were our waiters and were very attentive and funny. The food, however, left much to be desired. I LOVE Mexican food and am not generally picky on the salsa. This "salsa" tasted like marinara sauce. The chips were good aside from the weird sugar/nutmeg sprinkling on them. (why would anyone want that??) After trying this, I decided to just get something cheap and eat later. Unfortunately, everything on the menu was ridiculously expensive for the amount of food you got with it. Even the sides were pricey. I got ground beef tacos, which were Okay, but like everything else they were pricey. Won't be coming here for food again.
(2)Nora B.
Loved this place. I had a Groupon for a massage down the street. My husband & I stopped in for a bite to eat & a drink; we were impressed! There was a happy hour for $3.00 beers & $2.50 tacos; which were superb...of the authentic caliber. Will be back to try the Lettuce Wrap Ceviche, Crab Cake Tacos, Fried Avocado Taco, & Paella. also, if you check in, you get a free shot of Brand (Espinosa) Tequila.
(4)Kaitlyn M.
Allison, the blonde bartender/server was the best server our group has had in a very long time!! Thank you for great customer service and running around with ease. You made the USA victory even more glorious!!!!!
(5)Devonshire B.
Poorly made sangria (warm, too) and overly strong margarita. Cold wet meat in the tacos. Store-bought flour tortillas. Weird sugary tortilla chips. Overkilll of queso fresco. Spend your money somewhere else.
(1)Amanda B.
Went there last night because I was craving the crispy pork tacos, and my mom was in from out of town (she loves Mexican food). So disappointed to see that the menu was revamped and they seemed to have dropped most of their Mexican food choices. And they got rid of the crispy pork! Chips are not complimentary (bummer), and the environment has changed quite a bit. The staff was still very friendly but by the end of the meal we were surrounded by drunk undergrads. And the music was so loud I could barely hear my mom or husband talk. Sad to see that an awesome Mexican restaurant/bar has dropped most of their Mexican food and turned into an noisy bar scene.
(2)Vicky D.
They have happy hour in the middle of the day on Saturdays which automatically makes them awesome. Didn't get to try any of their specialty tacos but they did have chicken, pork, and beef tacos that were $2 each as part of happy hour. Tried one of each and the pork and beef were really fantastic, perfectly seared and juicy. Each taco came with guacamole too, which you usually don't see for $2 tacos. We also tried their corn on the cob, which was I think $2 and you get 2 huge cobs which are AMAZING. Everything gets brought out to you on a cutting board which is cool but not very space-efficient. Got a LivingSocial voucher for here, will come again and try some of their specialty tacos.
(4)Ryan G.
I have a problem with a Mexican restaurant charging $3.50 during happy hour for Dos Equis....IN A CAN! The food was average. The one positive, I thought the chips and salsa were very good. Now I know why we were one of 4 people at the bar during happy hour on a Wednesday night. Will not be back.
(1)Audrey S.
Excellent service. Food is good and the drinks are very good. Bacon mac n cheese was the best
(4)Patrice W.
*this review coming from someone who read all the reviews and decided to still try it out * First off customer service at Banditos is amazing! Our waitress greeted us and offered menu and drinks as soon as my boyfriend and I arrived. We also had a lot of specific orders for our taco and they were nice enough to accommodate them even though she said they dont usually allow you to change the menu. I was even able to order a taco off the menu. They do have a new menu but on the old one they had a deep fried avocado taco. She asked the chef if he could make it for me and he did...even topped it with bacon! Amazing! As for the chips, they did have some sort of seasoned sprinkle but it was tasty. Wasn't too heavy on the cinnamon like mentioned in other reviews. The salsa did have a funny taste but after a few dips it wasn't bad. It's not marinara sauce like one review mentioned they just blended the salsa to have a marinara texture. Today is Tuesday so we got to enjoy the $2 taco deal. The shrimp and steak tacos are $3. Know that if you plan on eating this special it does not allow you to use the yelp $10 for $20. That's only for regular priced menu items. I loved the fish taco! Definitely get it deep fried instead of grilled because the batter is amazing. My next favorite was the pork belly taco. The pork belly was perfectly cooked with a little crisp. Taste like bacon. My least favorite was the blackened shrimp taco. The shrimp were tiny and the pieces of sausage on it were hard. My boyfriend ordered the ground beef taco which also taste good. Only two we didn't try were the chicken and the steak but they were all so good we will definitely be back! Best taco deal ever. As for drinks the margaritas were a hit! They were $5. We had two and both of us left buzzed (and were not lightweights). Overall experience was 5 stars! Like I said we'll definitely be back!
(5)Jillian H.
Came here on taco Tuesday.. It could have been the beer but I thought the tacos (esp shrimp) were delicious! The chips and gauc were ok- love gauc but don't like how thick and sweet the tortilla chips were. I prefer them very thin and salty. Be aware, this place turns into a trashy dance club/bar after dark, so I probably won't go back.
(3)Rachael T.
As a going out spot, I don't love Banditos. I generally avoid this area of Charles at night, though Banditos isn't necessarily bad (way better than neighboring Mad River!), but the crowd isn't really my thing. However, on my latest visit I did try the guacamole and the nachos (had never really eaten there before so can't speak to the rest of the menu). The guac was REALLY, REALLY good, though a bit of a small portion. Thankfully we found out it was only $5 (I'm guessing it was a happy hour deal though they didn't tell us that) rather than the $8 it would've been. Not sure it's worth $8, but definitely worth $5. Some of the best guac I've had in the area. The chips are also REALLY delicious. They're corn chips but have some kind of seasoning or something baked into them that make them so, so good. The nachos were also pretty good (same delicious chips). A good place for an afternoon snack, but for me nothing beyond that.
(3)Lauren S.
I came to get take out and it just so happened to be Taco Tuesday...I decided to take advantage. The blackened shrimp and pork belly tacos are really good. The margarita was tasty; it wasn't too sweet which was good. Great happy hour deals. Service was good, even when busy.
(4)Victoria A.
I used the 10. 4 20. deal from the Yelp app but it doesn't count towards happy hour prices. I ordered a margarita which the first one was fine a bit on the sweet side. I ordered the Ultimate Nachos. they were ok, not too much of a fan of onions could've asked for none and the salsa had an awkward taste but the nachos were really good themselves!! The bar started to liven up after awhile as happy hour started to kick in. I really enjoyed the the music too. I will return but just for straight shots, beer and tacos!!!
(3)Rachel L.
When you have the Mexican food crave, there aren't too many places in Federal Hill that will do the trick. Fortunately, Banditos TNT located at 1118 S. Charles St in Baltimore will hit the spot. It's quick, cheap, slightly greasy and definitely delicious. On Friday and Saturday nights, this place is popping with bar goers, but on a weeknight it makes a great dinner spot. On a Tuesday evening, a friend and I had the taco crave and decided to drop by Banditos.We started with the chips and dip sampler. Wonderful chips, guac, salsa and queso. This was a great Mexican starter. ($8) For our main course, we each ordered the chicken tacos - avocado, sour cream, pico, queso fresco, cilantro, salsa verde. Then it came with a side of duck fat fries for ($10). This meal was a steal; cheap, filling and wonderful. In the past I have tried the steak tacos and I've found them to be a little dry. The chicken is better for sure. In the past when I have been here I ordered the Mexican Street Corn. Unfortunately it is no longer on the menu. But I asked the waiter nicely and he was able to get it for me which made this wonderful meal even better. It's smokey grilled corn topped with some spices and sprinkled Mexican cheese. Looking for cheap, quick Mexican eats in a relaxed environment in Federal Hill? Banditos TNT is sure to hit the spot.
(5)Megan C.
Last night was my first time actually eating in Banditos. I've been there many times on Friday and Saturday nights for drinks with friends but I wanted to check out their food menu this go-around. My friend and I arrived on a Thursday night around 6:30pm to find the restaurant fairly empty, but the bar packed. We grabbed a table and our server was over right away with waters and menus which I appreciated. Their happy hour specials were great so we both ordered house margaritas for $4 which were DELICIOUS! The margarita was the highlight of the evening in my opinion. The name of the restaurant is Banditos Tacos & Tequila and since we had already ordered the tequila we put in our order for chips and salsa to start and braised chicken tacos for the meal. The salsa was HOT HOT HOT! My friend enjoys spicy food while I enjoy a mild flavor and her eyes watered immediately biting down on her chip and salsa. We should have asked about the heat prior to ordering but it definitely caught us off guard. When our meals came out mine was missing the fries that I had ordered but our server brought them out and didn't charge me for them. Also, the menu advertises waffles fries which was one of the main driving factors for my ordering them but I received regular cut fries. The tacos were ok but on the spicy side as well. Overall, our experience was good. Our server was super attentive and friendly which we really enjoyed. I will definitely be back to try something else on the menu!
(3)Kevin A.
Great service, friendly staff and the food is waaayyyy better than a Federal Hill bar should be. Totally underrated dinner and brunch menu, and always a fun crowd.
(5)Judy B.
Friendly staff. Good recommendations. Fresh and fantastic quesadilla marina. We'll definitely be coming back.
(5)Jeremy N.
SHEW! Where do I start? The Staff is hot, the drinks are delicious and inexpensive, The food tastes like an old mexican grandmother was flown in via helicopter and given a parade whilst riding a giraffe to work everymorning, to make what some would call a 5 star restaurants dish.Its located in the hottest part of baltimore, Bravo Gentleman. When I die, put me to rest at banditos. BMG for life.
(5)Angela C.
Highly disappointed in the much shortened menu. Husband and I went for dinner tonight expecting to order awesome food including truffle fries. Not on the menu anymore. We both ordered tacos. He ordered the meatball tacos because they were $5 for happy hour (usually $9). I chose the Korean brisket tacos ($11). While the tacos weren't bad, I don't think I'd get them again and he felt the same. Service was good but impersonal. I don't think I heard an entire song play through because the bartenders kept changing the station - not a good or bad thing, just unnecessary I think. Overall, seems like whatever changes are in the process aren't really for the positive. I miss the old menu :(
(2)Meredith J.
Went to use a 75$ restaurant.com certificate with a friend. We started out sharing a Margarita Verde and the CoCoa Mora margarita. Both were really good and the jalepano wasn't too spicy (so if you love jalapeño, I'd recommend asking for more in it). For lunch, we split Baja Fish tacos and a salad. Both were very good. I wish there was more fish in the taco but would still order it again. We finished our meal with a tequila tasting. We did the Explorative flight. The service was good, the bartender was kind and helpful (but we did go around 2 on a Saturday so it was dead in there.) I think the one pitfall with Banditos would be the Federal Hill'ians that frequent this place. Toward the end of our meal a loud group came in and were so obnoxious. I guess that's why I frequent this area during the day, and rarely. Keep the bros out and I'd probably come in more often.
(4)Samantha G.
I've had two visits to Banditos. The first was just for drinks. We used a card to hold our tab, but paid in full in cash by the end. My credit card was charged the full amount anyway. I tried calling Banditos multiple times to address the situation and no one would EVER answer the phone at any time of day. Finally, when in the neighborhood, we stopped in to explain the situation. The bartender was sweet, and attempted to rectify the situation with a few free drinks, but told us to just challenge the charge with Bank of America, and that she couldn't do anything... The next time, I came in with a group of 5 for dinner. Our waitress was sweet as can be, but it took a ridiculous amount of time to get our food, and the place was not very busy. We were sitting on the side of the restaurant with the kitchen, and it sounded like complete ruckus. We could hear lots of clashing and banging and dropping things, and the kitchen staff all looked completely miserable. About 35 minutes after we ordered, we received two of the most pathetic side salads I've ever seen in my life. Don't waste your time on these. It's a handful of iceberg lettuce (a very small handful) with a sprinkling of red onion on top. This just makes Banditos look cheap. At least throw a couple of tomatoes in there or something, or give me two handfuls of iceberg lettuce. After such a long waiting time, it felt like a slap in the face. We all got the tacos, and between the 5 of us, we tried all of the different varieties. The tacos come in sets of two instead of three, like many other places, and two is just not enough to fill you up, even with the generous side salad. I did like how they came served standing up in little silver holders. The verdicts were as follows: Steak tacos were just eh. We didn't like how they came in double corn tortillas instead of single flour tortillas like the others. Fried avocado tacos were a bit bland. Chicken was unremarkable. The fish (people at our table had both fried and grilled) was the winner. Way too much red onion on everything. The side of fries was pretty skimpy, and they are very greasy and floppy, but satisfying. All and all, we weren't too thrilled. We only ended up here because other Federal Hill go-tos like Pub Dog and Matsuri were too packed, and that's probably the reason we'd end up back here again.
(3)Anna F.
Went here for a Christmas party. The bartenders were nice and made the margaritas strong but a bit in the sour side.
(4)Rachel S.
I hate these nights. The nights where you give your first bad review all year, and then, the sheer writing process reminds you of another craptastic place... and you feel compelled to write another review. The experience was saved by my friends, but, I shall ne'er do it again. Ready? Well, fasten your seat-belts kids, here is the my shortest, but truest, list of demerits for a bar (in increasing order of importance): - Dismal, uninspired environment: no inspiration, no theme, no purpose...no heart - Draws a teeny-bopper crowd; feels like a college bar - Over-priced, over-watered drinks I dunno, it just makes me wanna take a long walk off a short cliff. Life is too short for this nonsense.
(1)Malorie G.
Stopped by here with coworkers for a weekday happy hour. The margaritas are great! Also tried the happy hour pork, chicken and beef tacos (pork was the best). Seems like a good crowd later in the night!
(4)Trevor B.
I was a big fan of its previous short-lived predecessors Taco Spot, Reserve and 1842 Gastropub. Was sad to see each of them go but was hopeful that Banditos would succeed; after a few visits so far, they definitely have a looong way to go. Visited on Friday night prior to Ravens preseason game and expected it to be busy and take a bit longer to get our food. What I didn't expect was to wait 40 minutes for an order of fish tacos, pork nachos and chicken quesadilla. All came out at the same time, and it was obvious the tacos had been sitting for a while as they were already cold. But whatever, I can get over these somewhat minor issues. What I can't get over (and the reason for the 2 stars) is: - A large bone found while biting into my sparse chicken quesadilla, and... - When I say sparse, I mean a little bit of chicken, a bone, some cheese, and that's it. So sparse, in fact, that one whole quarter of the quesadilla was empty! - Subpar handling of the situation: we got an apology and an offer for a free round of drinks, but that was the last thing we wanted 20 minutes from kickoff after waiting 40 minutes for our food! Note to management: in the event this happens in the future, do the right thing, comp the meal, and thank your lucky stars your customer didn't actually choke on the chicken bone! Hoping they can work out whatever issues they seem to be having quickly, although these are the types of things that really shouldn't be happening two months in...
(2)Daniel R.
cali tacos, and chorizo tacos were both delicious. got a side of truffle fries which were equally tasty.
(5)Sabryna M.
I'm from Texas, so I was SOOOO happy to finally find a place with good tacos! Their street steak tacos with truffle fries will be my last meal if ever I'm on death row. Seriously. Got the crab dip the first visit as well and that was delicious too. Went in for the second time last night and split the street tacos again (duh) and their country fried chicken club sandwich ...another AMAZING find. The chicken was perfectly cooked & seasoned and the cheese was gooey and melty. Not sure what kind of bread was used, but it was so good! The service from the bartender wasn't the best, but a very friendly staff overall. The music was kind of loud,& yes, bros aplenty, but it was a Friday night, so whatevs. Also, their prices are on point. I'm just upset I didn't try Banditos sooner! My husband and I decided we would name our second fur baby Bandito because we love it so much :D lol...but seriously.
(5)Dominique F.
I am judging/ rating this place based on service, prices, and general atmosphere since I didn't really eat anything there. Came with a friend and I got a beer, while he had a few tacos at HH pricing that started at 830pm. However, as far as I know there's another drinks HH that goes from 5-7pm everyday, so I'll prolly check that out one of these days as well. Oh, and trivia on Tuesday night was definitely fun! Would be back for that!!
(4)Colin F.
Can I rate a Zero? Got to be the slowest place in town. And by slow I mean that the average IQ of the combined staff is less than the O's score that night. Whether drunk or stupid, there's really no excuse. It's no wonder people prefer places with less ambiance for Banditos. With plenty of places in Fed Hill it doesn't surprise me that most opt for the bar with better service and more hospitality. Swing and a miss.
(1)Adam K.
Banditos has finally done the restaurant equivalent of putting a ring on it: laminated menus!!! Finally, some consistency and predictability. They also settled on the whole side guacamole thing: $1 extra if you want it. As mentioned in my original review, they are sure to follow in the footsteps of Gastro Pub 1542. Getting rid of Tuesday Trivia? Every time I've peeked in since that ended, the place is EMPTY. How could they be concerned about money? The prize of a gift certificate always meant bringing people back to support their establishment. Oh well... The tequila and mezcal selection is still THE BEST I've ever seen outside of Mexico, though the already limited beer offerings went even further downhill. A lot of the better brews started disappearing, and typically the on tap offerings are just okay. The food still on the menu is okay. The pork has gone downhill; on one particular visit, we couldn't decide what a certain piece was (gristle? fat? cartilage? Looks like nothing I've ever seen on a piece of meat before) - we decided not to eat the rest of it. There's a tasty burger with guac and jalapeños, but I wouldn't venture so far as to say I'd come to this place for the burger. It's still an okay place for a passable taco. However, around the corner are a number of better places for good food and good beer. Take that for what it's worth. Personally, I'd really only recommend it to tequila/mezcal fans.
(2)Jessica A.
The prices are good, making it a hit with the under 25 crowd that seems to enjoy this place. The atmosphere is kind of bro-y but improves on Thursday when they host a fun trivia night. If you just want beer or shots then by all means. However, every mixed drink I've had has been bad and has also made me feel ill - not hangover ill, but as in "I wish I could drink my face off tonight but can't get past this second margarita because my stomach is killing me." It's almost like you're front loading the hangover but never getting the buzz. The chips are really fantastic and unfortunately the best thing on the menu - the food is under-seasoned and strangely very stomachache inducing also. Most of my friends just avoid food with meat. Blue Agave 2 blocks away is a much better bar and restaurant.
(2)Megan B.
My favorite part was actually the music playlist. The margarita's weren't bad either :)
(3)Jen M.
Drinks Only Review. I stopped in for a quick margarita in the late afternoon while waiting for her to finish up at M Salon across the street. Aside from a well into a day of drinking couple down at the other end I was solo in the spot. The bartender was very nice and she made a flavorful, balanced gold margarita for me - not too sweet with just a hint of salt. I was impressed with the extensive tequila selection, and the assortment of flights for those who enjoy the beverage itself and just aren't trying to pound shots. The menu is basic tex-mex and to the point, and I appreciate they keep it streamlined. In my thought this is a good call. We'll fill you in.
(3)Tameka W.
I had a really fun time at Banditos. I happened to go during Tuesday Trivia Night which was great! I was there with my husband, so we weren't much a match against the larger teams, but it was definitely a very entertaining time. Trivia Night also seems to be catching on because all the seats ended up being taken and there were people milling about waiting for a seat. If you're coming for this event, it seems best to come early like we (unknowingly) did to get a spot. Service: I would have to say my service was pretty good. The Trivia Host was very friendly and accommodating of my hearing issues and the bartender was very helpful and likable. Drinks: The margaritas were yummy! I tried the Watermelon Basil and Strawberry Cucumber offerings which were refreshing and fun. The hub really enjoyed his Agave Wheat beer (on tap). Though I am not at all a beer person, I was surprised to see they only had 3 beers on tap in a neighborhood that seems to push higher quantities of tap selections. Still, it seems they have a fair bottled beer menu with some local selections. Food/Kitchen: The food/kitchen is what brings down the review, unfortunately. While I loved the nachos with the pumpkin seed crema (SUPER YUM!) and my husband demolished his Buffalo Mushroom tacos, the rest of the food we got was pretty forgettable or unavailable from 86'ing. They were all out of beans which forced me into getting egg tacos (.not.a.fan.). We also had to wait quite awhile for the hub's guacamole because they were all out of nachos. We were told we would have to cancel our guacamole order and we agreed, but it ended up being brought out after we had all of our other food and he was too full to eat it anyway. Overview: Keep in mind this is a new spot and there are always opening kinks to work out. Those kinks aside, I had a nice time at Banditos and see a lot of potential. There are some enjoyable margaritas, nice happy hour deals and fun special events. Additionally, the inside is very clean and comfortable and doesn't have that typical gross bar feeling to it. I will go back here and I will definitely update my review when I do. I wish the owners and operators of the establishment the best!! Give it a try! Nachosssssss....
(3)Tom H.
There's a war going on - in my stomach. I went to Banditos for Happy Hour after I couldn't find an open seat at Blue Agave which was packed out the door. In hindsight I would have been better off ordering Blue Agave and eating against the wall. Summary of Order: House Marg - I'm sorry, do we make these without tequila now? Chips, Gauc, Queso, Salsa - Let's just say it was comparable to Goldilocks and three bears but I never found the one that was just right. Pork Tacos - I almost yacked when I bit into a luke warm chunk of fat The food was served on tin foil and plastic plates which suggests that theyre running a low budget operation. I'm almost scared to see what corners theyre cutting in the kitchen. Long story short -- drinks were weak and sour, the food sucked, and I have to live with this poor decision all night.
(1)Teri P.
I had been avoiding this place, as it has a Mad River vibe to it, and at 35, I don't enjoy feeling like a fossil when I walk in a place. Hubs & I went on a Friday night to get some takeout & go home. It was pretty loud with some obnoxious customers, and not very attentive bartenders. However, we placed our order, and hubs had a can of Tecate & I had the white sangria (I'll stick with the canned beer next time). I ordered chips & salsa while we waited & it made us were really excited for the rest of the food! The chips are made fresh & the salsa was tasty. The food came out relatively quickly, and we headed home after paying the bill. Hubs & I both inhaled our food - we each got the grilled corn, I had the carne asada tacos (2 of them, not the meal), and hubs had the Baja fish tacos (2 of them). I was really really happy, and only wished I had gotten a third taco! I went back again last night & ate at the bar with a girlfriend. Definitely less d-bag than before, and they had a fantastic happy hour, and specials for the O's game. Grilled corn again (this time not cooked long enough, and I still think Ryleighs corn is better), chips & salsa, beef taquitos (really good), chicken & pork tacos, and the carne asada tacos again (yum). Girlfriend had never been before & was impressed with the foodage. While the atmosphere isn't what brought me back, the food has been really good both times & I'm excited to have another inexpensive, go-to place for takeout! We'll definitely be back for our tex-mex fix soon.
(4)Brian A.
I went to Banditos with a Groupon because I love Tacos and figured..."How hard is it to make a decent taco" According to Banditos it is quite difficult. The meat in the tacos (chicken and pork) was luke warm, incredibly dry and weak flavors. The worst part was the cheap store bought flour tortillas. I have never been to a taco spot that dos not make there own corn tortillas. Also the taco was covered in very cold queso fresco. The tortilla chips were covered with salt and sugar and were cold. The salsa was watery and flavorless. The sangria was warm and margarita tasted like store mix. Even if this was free I would suggest avoiding.
(1)Supriya M.
We went to Banditos on a Wednesday night to use an expiring living social deal. The interior is like a typical Baltimore bar/tavern and there were many empty tables that night. The music was loud - I think they're going for more of a bar feel than a restaurant. The menu was somewhat different from what it was online (more creative online) but my husband mentioned that the restaurant had some reviews stating that they were out of stuff often so we're guessing they're paring down their menu to avoid such situations. The on-site menu is typical tex-mex food with quesadillas, tacos and burritos. They have an extensive tequila list, so we were excited to try the Spicy Jalepeno Margarita. We have to say the drink was quite a disappointment - it came without a salt rim and the mix seemed like it was from a bottle - we expected more from a place that had 2 pages of tequila. For food, we ordered some chips and salsa - some of the best chips we've had - they were fresh and had a hint of sweetness. The salsa was mediocre and needed some of the accompanying sauces on the table. For our dinner, we ordered the crispy pork tacos (we asked for them without queso fresco) and the grilled steak burrito. Apparently, the waiter was new, so our tacos came with queso fresco but they were delicious - the pork was tender yet crispy. The steak burrito was heavy on the rice and sour cream and was mediocre but satisfactory. Overall, the tacos and chips upgraded this place to 3 stars but we remained unimpressed with the food, ambience and service. One positive note - it's fairly inexpensive. Good place for dependable tex-mex food.
(3)