Banditos Bar & Kitchen Fairfax — Restaurant in Fairfax

Went here before taking my kiddos to Disney on ice across the street at the eagle bank arena. The reviews looked okay so we thought it would be great for the kids since there was a kid menu and ample amount of seating so that being loud wouldn’t be an issue if we sat far from others. There weren’t a lot of people there so we were sat in a section pretty much to ourselves which was nice. Our server was fantastic; she was timely and really nice. The margarita I had was the orange crush and it was alright, I also had the street corn which was delicious although it came to the table on the colder side temperature wise. The kids wanted the chicken tacos and beef tacos off the kids menu which we ordered and received. They were so dry and flavorless; the beef tacos beef was super dry and had no flavor at all and had soft lettuce at the bottom I’m assuming for crunch but they were wilted and gross. The chicken tacos meat looked bad as soon as it reached the table, almost like it was pulled off of drumsticks to make and then poorly chopped and cooked in a very questionable red sauce that tasted terrible. I ordered the Seoul man, pork belly, and the bang bang shrimp tacos since they sounded great. These were hands down the worst tacos I’ve ever had in my life, the flavors didn’t compliment each other or make since. The pork belly taco was okay but if you told me it was chicken it would have been more convincing because it did taste like chicken. The Seoul man taco was inedible mostly because the chicken served inside was hard and flavorless even though a sauce was lightly drizzled on top of them, very light like two dots and it couldn’t help the super dry and salt less chicken it was on. The bang bang shrimp taco is what made me ask for the check and run to my car; it had so much sauce you couldn’t taste anything else and the sauce was super salty, the shrimp were rubbery and had a cornmeal coat that tasted burnt and flavorless. The shrimp themselves looked transparent to the eye when you bit into them and tasted really strange. The kids did switch to the chicken tenders that are offered on the kids menu and those were better than the taco options, but still needed salt or something because they tasted like nothing. All in all, I didn’t care for this locations food at all but I’ve been to other locations of banditos and had...

Stepping into Banditos was a delightful experience from the start. The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and lively, and the aroma of sizzling meat and fresh ingredients instantly had my stomach grumbling. I opted for the tacos, and let me tell you, they did not disappoint! The al pastor were bursting with flavor. The meat was perfectly cooked, and the combination of toppings created an explosion of taste in every bite.

My only regret? Devouring them so quickly that I neglected to snap a picture for proof! 😂. Thankfully, the amazing service provided a delightful distraction. Here's where Andrew and Matthew truly shine. They weren't just your average bartenders; they were like dining companions with a genuine interest in making my experience unforgettable. Andrew, with his infectious enthusiasm, helped me navigate the menu, offering insightful recommendations that perfectly aligned with my taste buds. Matthew, on the other hand, possessed an uncanny ability to anticipate my needs – refilling my water glass before it ran dry and bringing extra napkins just as the first taco met its demise.

Their attentiveness went beyond mere mechanics, though. They struck up friendly conversation without being intrusive, inquiring about my day and sharing lighthearted anecdotes about the restaurant's most popular dishes. Their genuine warmth and positive energy truly elevated the entire dining experience. They're a testament to the kind of exceptional service that keeps customers coming back for more.

Speaking of coming back, their margaritas are legendary! They struck the perfect balance between sweet, tart, and potent. I highly recommend trying one (or maybe two!) – they're the perfect complement to any dish on the menu.

Overall, Banditos is a hidden gem. From the mouthwatering food to the fantastic service, especially the incredible duo of Andrew and Matthew, it's a place I'll definitely be returning to soon. If you're looking for a delicious and enjoyable dining experience,...

Update-06/25. So return here to see what's the same or has been improved, and I have to tell you that the food has definitely improved over my very first visit here. The drinks were also very good and very well mixed. I will be coming up a little bit more often, now that they have good happy hour prices, better food, and good drink. I said mention that my waitress (Nati G) was absolutely great and attributed to my good review. Update above.... Went here for the first time since it changed from the old Bryon's grill, to Bandidos Mexican restaurant. The first thing that has to be mentioned was the bartender, and staff are very friendly and they should get very high marks. Ordered a couple margaritas and they were mixed very well, and got the nachos with meat, which was extra, and it was okay. So here's what I see as a problem. There are quite a number of Mexican restaurants in the general vicinity and I don't feel like I needed to pay $14 per drink when I can go to a number of Mexican restaurants within 5 min drive, and for $5 get a margarita in a glass that holds at least twice maybe three times the amount of juice that their glasses had. My other problem with the nachos. They were good don't get me wrong, however I never heard of naches being served without cheese sprinkled over the top. They use pico de gallo, queso, and crema as their main topping, and as mentioned above the meat was $3 extra. All in all I'm just saying that it's a good restaurant but I think they're a little bit high given the fact that there are too many Mexican restaurants in Fairfax that you can get food that's just as good and at a much lesser price. Considering it's across the street from GMU, it's a good place if you wish to drink so you don't have to drive back to campus. Not getting a DUI maybe worth the extra dollars...