Worth the Wait
Bandera’s small menu is top notch. Utterly amazing items include the smoked salmon appetizer, the ribs, and the fillet. Try to get something with the mashed potatoes or the spinach. If a little jalapeño flavor suits you, then the skillet cornbread appetizer, at a mere three dollars, is a must.

Portions are generous. Entree prices start in the mid teens and run to the low twenties. The fare is simple, with garnishes mostly absent, but what is there is prepared to near perfection. With good service and competitive prices to boot, it’s no surprise that you have to arrive comfortably before 6:00 on weekdays or get stuck with a 45-minute wait for a table. The bar stools fill even earlier.

Like it’s sister chain, Houston’s, Bandera’s dedicates lots of prominent square footage to its bar. The margaritas, made by hand with fresh juices and no bottled mixer, are amongst the best in town.

I’ve seen the service shine, and I have yet to see it bomb. Once, minutes after I’d shooed away our waitress for more time to consider the menu, I stopped another waitress and told her we’d like to order. I only expected her to pass the message on to the waitress who was assigned to us. Instead, she took the order herself! I think I’ve waited six or seven minutes for a drink refill, but that’s about it for annoyances.    [12 Jul 2002 15:13:03]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Smoked Salmon, Ribs, Filet

     ­tennen