Bandoleros Tacos & Tequila Bar - Fort Lauderdale — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

Avoid at All Costs!

If I could give zero stars, I would. Our experience at this restaurant was a disaster from start to finish.

We arrived as a party of four, and right away, things felt off—our server brought only one glass of water for the table. Strange, but we shrugged it off. Then, he set down four drink menus but only two food menus. Okay, I guess we’re sharing? No big deal. He walked away without saying a word.

When he finally returned, we ordered margaritas in honor of National Margarita Day. Sounds simple, right? Well, what we got were warm, watered-down margaritas that tasted like disappointment. Worse, the server dropped them off and vanished—never even asked if we were ready to order food.

Eventually, we ordered chips and salsa for the table and our individual meals. Then, we waited. And waited. And waited. Thirty minutes passed with no food, no chips and salsa, and no sign of our server. No drink refills, no check-ins—nothing. It was as if he disappeared into another dimension.

Finally, two of our four meals arrived. The burritos? Ice-cold. The chicken? Still frozen inside. The rice? Undercooked and crunchy. And guess what? We had no silverware, our friends were basically picking at it with their fingers. When we asked for utensils, the server walked away again—never to be seen.

After 10 more minutes, we had to flag down the host to ask what was going on. The manager came over, apologized, and blamed the delay on them being “very busy.” Looking around, there were maybe ten other customers. Not exactly a packed house.

Then, the third meal finally arrived. Still no silverware. Then the chips and salsa showed up but the chips were all broken and greasy. My meal? Never arrived. At that point, I told them to forget it because everything else was cold and inedible anyway.

Management comped the meal, which was the bare minimum they could do. We still left a tip, because we know service jobs are tough—but honestly, RUN FAR, FAR AWAY from this place. Hands down, one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had since moving...

I came here while on an early birthday vacation for my daughter. We were waiting to go to the museum up the street, so we stopped in for lunch. I’m so glad we did. It was almost completely empty inside, but it looked amazing. From the outside, it might look like a hole in the wall, but once you step in, it’s a whole different world. There’s so much room inside with amazing lighting, decor, and a great layout. Everything was spotless, including their beautifully designed bathroom. The artwork was a nice touch too.

We were immediately greeted by our server Andrea. She was absolutely amazing—sweet, personable, knowledgeable, and patient as we, out-of-towners, looked through their delicious menu.

My daughter ordered the portobello mushroom quesadilla, which she said was the best quesadilla she’s ever had—super cheesy and flavorful. I ordered the carnitas tacos. I thought 3 were coming, but quickly noticed it was two on the menu. No worries, though, because they were completely stuffed with super delicious slow-roasted pork, red onions, cilantro, and cotija cheese. These were some of the best carnitas tacos I’ve ever had, and I don’t say that lightly. If I had to make one small complaint, which another reviewer also mentioned, they were extremely wet. I understand they wanted them to be juicy, but it did cause the tortilla to rip and leak a bit. Maybe they could drain them a little before serving or double wrap them. But still, they were so fire!

Both meals came with rice and beans, which was also delicious. In my opinion, they just needed some or a little more lime and cilantro added to them.

I would highly recommend coming here. When I visit again, I will be 100% coming back.

Some things I want to try on my next visit are:

• Carnitas quesadilla & Chicken quesadilla • Carnitas burrito, Chicken burrito • California burrito with carnitas & Short rib burrito • Carnitas bowl, Buffalo chicken bowl & Short rib bowl • And finally the chicken tacos and barrio short rib tacos

This might take several...

"From the moment you step into Bandoleros Taqueria, you're greeted with an ambiance that effortlessly blends traditional charm with a sleek, modern flair, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The menu is a vibrant celebration of Mexican cuisine, with tacos that are nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. Each taco is a delicious work of art, with perfectly seasoned fillings, fresh, and toppings that add a burst of flavor and texture with every bite.

But Bandoleros Taqueria is more than just tacos. It's a journey into the heart of Mexican culture, courtesy of their impressive selection of tequila and mezcal. The knowledgeable staff are more than happy to guide you through their extensive selection, each recommendation seeming to perfectly complement your meal and enhance the overall experience.

What truly sets Bandoleros Taqueria apart, however, is the palpable passion that permeates every aspect of the establishment. From the meticulous attention to detail in the presentation of the dishes to the warm, welcoming service, it's clear that this is a place that loves what they do. And it's this love, this dedication to the craft of Mexican cuisine, that makes every visit to Bandoleros Taqueria a memorable one.

In summary, Bandoleros Taqueria is not just a restaurant; it's an experience. It's a place where tacos, tequila, and mezcal are celebrated not just as food and drink, but as an art form. Five stars aren't enough to capture the essence of this incredible establishment. Whether you're a longtime aficionado of Mexican cuisine or simply looking for a place to enjoy a good meal, Bandoleros Taqueria is a destination that truly has it all - Tacos, Tequila,...