Bandito Burrito Co — Restaurant in Huntsville

Pretty sure I've been here a couple times when I was younger, but this visit on Thursday was my first since starting reviewing, so I'll drop one now.

Bandito is a Huntsville institution, held up by many as the finest option for a cheap meal, certainly a winner for Tex-Mex or Mexican-ish fast casual. The small parking lot is almost always full to bursting. It's very, very popular.

For my part...I don't know that I really get it. It's fine. The aforementioned parking lot is super difficult to navigate and isn't in the best condition, so be careful. The restaurant itself is definitely a dive, which may or may not charm you -- I for one like dives, so I enjoyed the funky atmosphere. Seating is pretty limited and it fills up fast. You order at the counter and food is brought out to you. The menu has lots of burrito options, as well as other items like tacos, tamales, enchiladas, etc. Burritos can come a la carte or with rice or beans. Chips and salsa or cheese dip are separate and additional cost.

I had an alright time at my most recent visit. The service was definitely a highlight - middle aged gentleman running the cash register, super warm and polite and took time out of his day to ask how I was doing, etc. I ordered the "no carne" burrito to go, which comes with rice, beans, lettuce, cheese, and salsa. I added on the small size portion of chips and cheese. When I got my food home, there were three small cups of salsa in my bag. Not sure if that was for the burrito or for the chips, but I was glad to have them.

For me, the food is just okay - a hefty meal for a fair price, but not a crazy delicious smorgasbord. I found the burrito to be a little bland, honestly, and the lettuce was a detractor overall. The chips were kinda greasy and the cheese dip was basically tasteless, though it did have a nice consistency. The highlight was the salsa, which had a nice kick and good flavor.

It's worth a visit to see if it's more to your...

If l could leave zero stars would. I have been coming to Bandito for about 3 years. The food is great! I have recommended to everyone I know to go there. I will actively tell everyone I know to never go here again. Today (12/21/22) entered at lunch time (1:20 PM-ish) to meet my family for lunch. After standing in the building for about 3 minutes, a booth became open. I took a seat, and after about 4 minutes my family arrived. Upon greeting my family, an employee asked me "Have you ordered yet?" I responded "Not yet." And I was informed that cannot hold a table, and as someone else in line had already ordered and received their food I needed to vacate the table for them. I responded, "Are you serious?" And she responded, "Yes, you need to get up." Here is the kicker, the customers who had ordered their food were a party of two, and there was currently a table for two available. My family and I without protest promptly left. The fact that I had been at the table for such a short amount of time, that there were open tables and open outdoor seating, and that Bandito would turn away a family of four adults who were about to order food is outrageous. Especially as the building itself is constantly in disrepair, with an interior leak often dripping into a bucket in the dining area. Even despite the disrepair I have promoted this business, and they treated me and my family this rudely and poorly. I will never eat here again. And do not recommend...

Bandito Burrito is by far the best Mexican Restaurant in Huntsville, AL. Do not let the outside of the building fool you this restaurant has been serving Huntsville for over 30 years.

Their beans are the best in Huntsville, all the other restaurants should take notes since most just have watered down beans. Fresh ingredients and the staff is always working hard to get orders out fast. I would recommend any burrito or the #1.

If you want a real treat try a crunchy taco with pork, or shredded beef or any burrito with pork/shredded beef.

Things I would like to add: There is no white cheese dip but the yellow is good. They have a chunky mild salsa if you do not like hot salsa. They have quite a few IPA beers and other beers.

Other mentions:

A. I would avoid coming here if in a hurry at lunch time as parking can be difficult to find at lunch. (People usually park on road if there is no spots. B. Air conditioning can be a iffy so if that is a problem get your meal to go. C. You can eat outside and they will call your order out through a side window out in the patio area. D. They have flyers of music/art/other events in the Huntsville Area. E. They have a limited amount of tables and it is first come first serve. F. They have a...