Banditos Bar & Kitchen Columbia — Restaurant in Columbia

Went for lunch, arrived around 2:45 or so. Wanted a table but there wasn’t a host, which is to be expected at that time of day, and not any of the servers came to the host stand, so we went to the bar.

Bartender came over (young dark hair male with a man bun, not sure if he has teeth as he frowned the entire time, literally the whole time we were there), handed us menus, asked if we had been there before, we said no and he said okay, do you want something to drink? Ordered a coke and a water.

For food we got the birria eggrolls as an app. They were by far the best part of the meal. Crispy and the two dipping sauces were delicious. The birria was not spread out evenly though. It was two rolls cut in half, and the cut end of each quarter had meat, subsequent bites were all cabbage. Still good, or maybe we were starving, I don’t know. But I would get them again. When we finished them a lady brought our food, fist placing the plates in front of two women about three seats down. When she dropped our food I asked her for another Coke since the bartender was on the other side of the bar and we couldn’t get his attention.

I ordered a Cuban. It came out without mustard and the pickles I think were chopped up. The bread was fresh but it was not toasted well, had a burnt appearance and slightly burnt taste. Very, very dry. Ate about 1/4 of it. The fries were not crispy and had no color, they weren’t fried long enough at all. I would never get this again if I ever went back.

My husband got two tacos (fried fish and al pastor). He loved the fish taco. Took one bite of the al pastor and said it was not good. He said the tortillas were perfectly grilled the way he likes them. For sides he got Brussels sprouts and the street corn. Brussels sprouts were so dry and not cooked long enough, when I had a bite it was like eating an almost raw sprout with very little flavor. He liked the corn well enough, said it was much better than the Brussels sprouts. Bartender never checked on us.

I am including a pic of my fries and Cuban, you can see the fries aren’t cooked long and the bread has a burnt appearance. I also waited and waited for a refill of my coke that never came.

We got our check when the night shift bartender came on. Dark hair and glasses, he was polite, it’s a shame he wasn’t there when we got there. We took nothing home even though anyone who works in the restaurant business could have clearly seen we did not come anywhere near finishing. I worked as a bartender in Columbia for years, and when someone doesn’t finish their food AND doesn’t want to take it home you really should ask if anything was wrong with the food. I was not looking for a comp, just think had anyone asked I would be honest and tell them it was not good.

No more chain Mexican food, should have learned my lesson...

A Satisfactory Experience at Banditos Tacos & Tequila in Columbia, MD

During my recent visit to Banditos Tacos & Tequila in Columbia, MD, I had a satisfactory experience overall. While there were a few minor disappointments with the food, the management and staff were attentive and responsive, making efforts to address our concerns.

We started with the nachos, which unfortunately didn't meet our expectations. However, upon expressing our dissatisfaction, the manager, Tray, personally came to our table to address the issue. His prompt response and willingness to listen to our feedback demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction. We appreciate the management's dedication to resolving any concerns raised by patrons.

The servers at Banditos Tacos & Tequila were knowledgeable and helpful when it came to selecting drinks. They provided recommendations that enhanced our overall experience. It's always a plus when the staff goes the extra mile to ensure guests have a memorable time.

Moving on to the shrimp tacos, they were just okay. The addition of mango to the dish seemed to throw off the flavor, which was unexpected since it hadn't been prepared that way before. While this was a minor disappointment, the fact that the manager personally addressed our concerns about the food shows that they value their customers' feedback and are willing to take corrective action.

Our server, Karis, was attentive and ensured that our orders were correct. Their attentiveness and effort to make sure we had a pleasant dining experience were appreciated. Additionally, the busser, Patrick, added a bright and joyful touch to our visit, making us feel welcomed and cared for.

In conclusion, my experience at Banditos Tacos & Tequila in Columbia, MD, was satisfactory. While the nachos and shrimp tacos fell short of expectations, the management, represented by Tray, proactively addressed our concerns and provided specific drink recommendations that enhanced our visit. The attentive service from Karis and the friendly interaction with Patrick further contributed to a positive dining experience. I appreciate the efforts made by the staff and management and would be willing to give Banditos Tacos & Tequila another try...

I am not prone to exaggeration, but the service --at least at the bar-- is the worst I've ever experienced in a restaurant. The staff is sullen, inattentive and exhibit absolutely no attempt to be friendly or even remotely personable. (I was seated at the bar, so, to be fair, I can't weigh in on the table waitstaff.)

"Do you know what you want?" were the first words out of the bartender's mouth. That was the extent of our exchange over the course of a very long hour-plus at Bandito's. There was never an inquiry asking if we needed anything else-- like salsa for our seven-dollar tortilla chips (didn't those used to be free with dinner?), no "Would you like another drink?"

Our bartender, Daniel, walked past us at least two dozen times without even glancing at us. But he certainly spent a considerable amount of time texting on his phone and kibitzing with co-workers at the far end of the bar. We waited over 30 minutes just to get our check which we only managed to do by flagging down another bartender who was clearly unhappy and inattentive herself. We really should have just walked out.

I have never written a negative review about a dining experience prior to this. I tip 20% on even sub-average service, 30% when it's good, and the sky's the limit when waitstaff makes dining out a fun, pleasant experience. We tipped zero here. Only the second time I've ever done this.

The food on this night was average at best. It had been better on previous visits. But truly, service here is never good, but on this occasion, it was the worst I've ever encountered. Management, you really need to overhaul your team. I've never understood a restaurant that didn't hire personable, friendly and enthusiastic waiters and waitresses.

Readers, if you'd like an average meal while being completely ignored or treated disrespectfully, Bandito's in Columbia...