Banditos Bar & Kitchen

Came here with a group of seven people after a conference – great service and tasty food. We weren’t crazy about the Bloody Mary recipe, but they replaced it with something else right away. Chicken & waffles, breakfast burrito, breakfast quesadilla were all great, omelette was a bit less impressive. Breakfast nachos were epic. Thanks Nicolette for a great meal!

Just don’t waste you time. didn’t like it. food wasn’t that good or flavorful and the margaritas were blah

Came in on a Saturday night, both bartenders on staff totally ignored me and my wife waited for 15 mins and now I’m leaving the DJ is pretty nice but this place is definitely a No Go !!! Bye

Delicious, affordable sandwiches. I would definitely go back and recommend it to friends. I tried the Marina Quesidilla and the pastrami.

Excellent breakfast nachos. The breakfast burrito was filled with potatoes and had a side of them as well. A bit too much. Chicken and waffles were tasty, but the chicken was over cooked.
Great atmosphere and service.

One of my go-​to spots for Taco Tuesday and happy hour when I’m in the neighborhood for evening meetings. The service is consistently good (only had one so-​so experience in all the times I’ve been) and the bartenders are nice.
I really wish restaurants would understand that not everyone likes flour tortillas. I don’t know about you but when I go to the store corn tortillas are always cheaper than flour; $ 1.29 for 30 or $ 2.50 for 10? You do the math. I can’t imagine US Foods and Sysco are slinging flour tortillas for less than corn, so the decision must be based on what they think customers want. There are several wonderful tortillerias in the city that would happily deliver fresh, housemade product. Honestly, I could write the exact same thing on every single restaurant in Federal Hill that serves tacos, but I digress.
$ 2 tacos on Tuesdays, $ 5 apps during happy hour, and good drinks are the reasons you want to be here.

I recently went to banditos on a Monday night. They were a little busy for Monday because it was opening day however the bartender poured me the wrong drink and insisted that it is what I ordered. After getting the right drink I turn around to get the drink knock right out of my hand. I turn back to the bartender to get the same drink and he tells me I have to pay for another. I’m not expecting great service when I come to a place like this but I did expect him to be cordial.

Banditos is probably my second favorite bar to go at night in Fed (right behind Ropewalk). Even though there is only one level, it still feels pretty spacious. There’s three bars inside so its relatively easy to get a drink. People don’t usually dance here but the music is good mix.
I recently tried the tempura avocado tacos and I’ll admit that I didn’t have high expectations since it’s usually not a good idea to get anything fancier than standard «bar food» at a bar. But these tacos were surprisingly really good! I’d definitely order them again. Also if you check in on Unilocal you get a free shot of tequila, but it’s the rail tequila so try it at your own risk.

Foods pretty good. Want to try eating in next time or trying them out for happy hour.

This is your typical federal hill bar on weekend nights. I seem to have the most fun here during the week or Saturday afternoons. Specials here are usually good. I’m a huge fan of the tacos and their burrito. If it’s not shoulder to shoulder inside, I would recommend grabbing a drink there. Service at tables isn’t always great. Try and sit at the bar or at the very least order from there and have them bring food to you.

So once again I’m back in bandits during happy hour. The onion rings and mexi fries were amazing and huge portions for $ 5. The margaritas were made perfectly and not too much sour or alcohol which I love. Our waitress was super friendly, attentive and great to chat with. I will continue going back to banditos for more.

So, I went back to Banditos and I really enjoyed the onion rings and Mexi Fries. When it’s happy hour the apps that don’t have seafood are $ 5, great deal. One of the bartenders is very attentive and super friendly. The margaritas are tasty and have just the right of sour mix and alcohol.
I’m glad I didn’t let one visit taint my view of Banditos. I’ll come back again.

You have to try the Quesadilla Marina under the snack menu. Jack cheese, melted queso, tempura shrimp, cilantro slaw, cold crab salad and stirs ha mayo.
I had great second visit to this establishment. I ordered a few items on the happy hour menu which were outstanding! Niki and Drew were very helpful in recommending both my food and drink selections. Great food, drinks and atmosphere … If that is what you are looking for this is the place for you!
And the free Wifi is the Best!!!

Nicholas Cage: «Glass or Plastic?! Glass or Plastic?!» (The Rock, 1995)
Ok so not quite that dramatic, but there are only two** reasons to visit
1) it’s the weekend. «let’s get laid»
or
2) it’s happy hr and warm out.
If 1) then you’re in luck. Lines are consistent on weekends with plenty of eye candy and this is –THE– bar to visit on Thursdays (until midnight. then Magerks).
If 2) then hustle; there are only three patio tables outdoors and they’re definitely worth it. Banditos is right on the corner of Charles and Cross so it’s easily the spot for avid people-​watchers.
Don’t miss the patio seating. Banditos caters to college seniors still waiting for their growth spurt. My 6’10″ roommate refuses to hang inside due to the low ceilings. The main bar’s too narrow, the floors get sticky quick,
and the side bar tips its hat to the Jetsons.
More on 2).
Get a $ 5 margarita. It’s the best part of HH even if low on booze and high on mix. After 4 – 5 you’re feeling good esp if Mr Blue Sky attended. Now you’re ready to order the HH tacos.
Best-​worst: pork belly, chicken, beef. The thin pork straws are decently fatty, sticky if lightly tough. Its also not drowned in crème fraîche though tortillas are bland compared to Agave’s. The chicken is heavy tomato sauce, too sweet. The beef is burnt and dry and was double the size of the others last time.
**Heard a rumor that Ryan from Bookmakers might plan drinks for here. If so then more stars to come.

I came here before the Penn State/​Maryland game on a Saturday afternoon. My 3 friends and I scored a table out front on the patio. The staff was attentive the doorman was great and we all had a really good time.
The highlights:
— Our draft beers were the size of Chinese soup takeout containers, 32 oz. We had our choice of either Shocktop or Bud Light and it was only 5 bucks!
— The onion rings and nachos were great, especially as a snack while drinking. Highly recommend.
— I’m not sure if this happens every game day, but they had a golf cart shuttling people from the bars on Charles street to the stadium– that was clutch!
The lowlight:
— I received an email from my credit card company a few days after my visit that asking if I had tipped $ 8 on a $ 22 meal (over 30%). Even while drinking I’m not THAT generous, I followed up with a dispute. Make sure to check your bank statements or better yet, leave a cash tip.

Great Mexican food.
They always have interesting new dishes for their specials! I love their guacamole, it’s delicious. It looks like they’ve been revamping the space and it’s a lot nicer of an atmosphere now. Everyone here is very friendly and knowledgeable. It definitely turns into strictly a bar late night, but the food here is definitely worth coming out early for!
I think they even have some outdoor seating and a To Go window!

I used the 10. 4 20. deal from the Unilocal app but it doesn’t count towards happy hour prices. I ordered a margarita which the first one was fine a bit on the sweet side. I ordered the Ultimate Nachos. they were ok, not too much of a fan of onions could’ve asked for none and the salsa had an awkward taste but the nachos were really good themselves!
The bar started to liven up after awhile as happy hour started to kick in. I really enjoyed the the music too. I will return but just for straight shots, beer and tacos!!!

As a going out spot, I don’t love Banditos. I generally avoid this area of Charles at night, though Banditos isn’t necessarily bad (way better than neighboring Mad River!), but the crowd isn’t really my thing.
However, on my latest visit I did try the guacamole and the nachos (had never really eaten there before so can’t speak to the rest of the menu). The guac was REALLY, REALLY good, though a bit of a small portion. Thankfully we found out it was only $ 5 (I’m guessing it was a happy hour deal though they didn’t tell us that) rather than the $ 8 it would’ve been. Not sure it’s worth $ 8, but definitely worth $ 5. Some of the best guac I’ve had in the area. The chips are also REALLY delicious. They’re corn chips but have some kind of seasoning or something baked into them that make them so, so good.
The nachos were also pretty good (same delicious chips).
A good place for an afternoon snack, but for me nothing beyond that.

Last night was my first time actually eating in Banditos. I’ve been there many times on Friday and Saturday nights for drinks with friends but I wanted to check out their food menu this go-​around.
My friend and I arrived on a Thursday night around 6:30pm to find the restaurant fairly empty, but the bar packed. We grabbed a table and our server was over right away with waters and menus which I appreciated. Their happy hour specials were great so we both ordered house margaritas for $ 4 which were DELICIOUS! The margarita was the highlight of the evening in my opinion.
The name of the restaurant is Banditos Tacos & Tequila and since we had already ordered the tequila we put in our order for chips and salsa to start and braised chicken tacos for the meal.
The salsa was HOT HOT HOT! My friend enjoys spicy food while I enjoy a mild flavor and her eyes watered immediately biting down on her chip and salsa. We should have asked about the heat prior to ordering but it definitely caught us off guard.
When our meals came out mine was missing the fries that I had ordered but our server brought them out and didn’t charge me for them. Also, the menu advertises waffles fries which was one of the main driving factors for my ordering them but I received regular cut fries.
The tacos were ok but on the spicy side as well.
Overall, our experience was good. Our server was super attentive and friendly which we really enjoyed. I will definitely be back to try something else on the menu!

When you have the Mexican food crave, there aren’t too many places in Federal Hill that will do the trick. Fortunately, Banditos TNT located at 1118 S. Charles St in Baltimore will hit the spot. It’s quick, cheap, slightly greasy and definitely delicious. On Friday and Saturday nights, this place is popping with bar goers, but on a weeknight it makes a great dinner spot.
On a Tuesday evening, a friend and I had the taco crave and decided to drop by Banditos. We started with the chips and dip sampler. Wonderful chips, guac, salsa and queso. This was a great Mexican starter. ($ 8)
For our main course, we each ordered the chicken tacos — avocado, sour cream, pico, queso fresco, cilantro, salsa verde. Then it came with a side of duck fat fries for ($ 10). This meal was a steal; cheap, filling and wonderful. In the past I have tried the steak tacos and I’ve found them to be a little dry. The chicken is better for sure.
In the past when I have been here I ordered the Mexican Street Corn. Unfortunately it is no longer on the menu. But I asked the waiter nicely and he was able to get it for me which made this wonderful meal even better. It’s smokey grilled corn topped with some spices and sprinkled Mexican cheese.
Looking for cheap, quick Mexican eats in a relaxed environment in Federal Hill? Banditos TNT is sure to hit the spot.
Almost two years ago, I wrote my first review for Banditos! Since then, I’ve been back numerous times and not much has changed, I still love it there. During Snowstorm Jonas, Banditos advertised that they would be open all weekend, my friends and I used that as a perfect reason to check out their brunch items.
One of my friends has recently become obsessed with Chicken and Waffles, so when she saw this on the menu, she knew that she had to try it. The waffles were insanely fluffy and crispy, as if they were cooked in a deep frier, they were delicious. The waffle was topped with a fried chicken breast, bacon lardons, and then drizzled with chipotle agave sauce. This was delicious, if you’re a chicken and waffle fan, order this!
I decided to order the Skirt Steak & Eggs thanks to our waiter, Travis’ recommendation. The skirt steak is smothered in the ranchero sauce, topped with two eggs, and served with a side of papas bravas. The steak was a little overcooked, I prefer a medium-​rare. This was definitely more on the medium-​well side. But the sauce was super flavorful and the potatoes were delicious and crispy.
If you’re looking for someplace fun to try for brunch, check out Banditos in Federal Hill.