Overall, it was pretty good. Great Mexican food for a decent price. The only bad thing is if you're trying to watch your weight...beware the tortilla chips.    [10 Mar 2004 22:08:42]

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     ­unk   

OKAY FOOD, POOR SERVICE
I'm from Fort Wayne, where Bandido's is headquartered, and am quite familiar with this chain. Been here a bunch of times. Each time gets worse. Today is my son's 5th birthday. We already threw him a big bowling party yesterday. I give this information because when we went to Bandido's this afternoon, we weren't expecting anything big; that happened yesterday.

We walked in about 3:00pm, told the hostess quietly about his birthday. She snorted back we'd have to tell our server. Um, okay no problem. Sat down and was curtly "greeted" by our server, Tammy. No smile, no manners. My wife quietly told her about my son's b-day and she loudly started talking about her need for his birth certificate if he's to get his free b-day meal. Wow, thanks for the tact. We had every intention of paying anyway; we came for the sombrero and b-day song just to make his day...something memorable at least. His party was yesterday. After my wife's 1st water glass went empty, we got the rhetorical, "Do you need another water?" Um, yeah, since we haven't got the food yet and this salsa's hot? "Yes, thank you." Again, no manners, no job competency. Our food came quickly - good. But then Tammy disappeared. Disappeared, with all her rudeness. Second server came back, a little nicer but again, short and not much more manners. Again, my wife told her about my son's b-day. Again, nothing. But get this...

We're done with the meal now. Second server drops the check and while walking up to the table says, "I don't know if you need this, but I'm going to drop it anyway." Um, my son's birthday? Dessert? Something? A smile even? Nope. Then she tosses in, "Oh, Tammy left." Well, good because she wasn't giving service. But wait, you're not much better, so...

After years of mediocre food and time after time poor service, my family will never darken the Bandido's door again. I grew up on the hoopla with the birthday sombrero when I was young. It was my mom's favorite Mexican restaurant in Fort Wayne. But I have to wonder if, as parents, they struggled with the same poor service I have in my adult years. Can't imagine why these guys are still around. Their margaritas are about 3oz of liquid in what amounts to be a high ball glass (for a whopping $6) and their jingle is really bad.

Is this the case of the perpetual customer getting dragged into the establishment by some catchy bad tv or radio ad just to be disappointed? No, quite the contrary. We've given them chance, after chance, after chance, only to be disappointed time and time again. If you are an individual or family bent on feeling bad about your dining experience, please go here. If not, then take my advice and stay away from this place.

Good riddance Bandido's, your mediocre food, your overpriced and under-delivered margaritas, your bad advertising, but most certainly your POOR SERVICE.    [19 Feb 2006 21:32:10]

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     ­rg