El Bandido

Prices are high. The food was okay, but nothing compared to Hacienda in Goshen!

I had driven by this place numerous times. My lady I stopped in and couldn’t find the door at first. Once in the restaurant we loved the interior with amazing artwork on every inch of the place it is really pretty inside. The food was good but 3 stars for me because Mexican is my favorite so I’m really picky. I enjoyed my meal and if you haven’t been there yet I recommend you try it. Hey there’s a free tequila shot at the end. One thing I do want to mention is their signature drinks I wish that I would’ve had a dd so I could’ve tried them as they looked amazing.

I have no idea why this place is popular. The portions are small and expensive. I went twice and was less than impressed. $ 25 for fajitas? I sure expected more than watered down chicken and tomato sauce.
People like this place though. Both times I’ve been here it was packed and loud. Must just not have good luck.

Warm chips and chunky fresh salsa, great Patron margaritas, good lunch combinations (had taco and chimichanga) and experienced very attentive service. Was an excellent break after shopping at Woodbury Commons Outlets (about 18 minutes away).

Ridiculously expensive, don’t order fajitas because they will come out with maybe 3 oz of meat and 2 shrimp if you want the combo and it will cost you $ 30 not to mention it comes with a red sauce and corn??? I have lived in Atlanta, Miami, Dallas and never have I seen a Mexican restaurant serve red sauce and corn in fajitas. A side dish of rice and refried beans is $ 8.00 and a crown royal and soda is $ 10. This is not a 5 star restaurant and the food is definitely not worth $ 60. Save your money and go to the Colonial Diner.

I don’t know why everyone leaves such a good review and a low rating. I think it’s one of the better restaurants in Middletown. i like that it’s not a chain to. I’d rather eat here than Chipotle. Foods good service is good. They sernade you for petes sake! Everyone seems to want to be there I love it. cool place, 5 stars.

Def a Real gem in the area! My girlfriend introduced me to it two years ago! I love the food every time we go! Def do yourself a favor and check out El Bandido!

Since moving to NY in May 2015, this has become my fav Mexican restaurant in Orange County. (Middletown’s in OC, right?) Salsa is lovely with thin sauce and chunks of fresh onions, etc., and the right amount of heat (for me), just enough to tease & delight. The free cheesy flour tortilla is nice, too. Appetizers, such as the vegetarian nachos ($ 8.95), can be a meal. My fav entrée is the vegetarian for $ 15.95. Yes, that is pricey, but free dessert of ice cream & fried bananas is included. Plus, if you order a drink, you also get a free shot of tequila or vanilla liqueur.
Staff is very friendly and helpful with the menus, both drink and food. When my 9yo daughter expressed interest in eating flautas, which were not on the kid menu, the waiter offered to serve her a smaller portion at a smaller price. Nice!
The roving mariachi singer belts out a wicked La Bamba. Often I feel awkward when someone serenades my table but I enjoy El Bandido’s singer very much. Of course, the free shot of tequila helps.
Décor is fun. Like many Mex restaurants, the walls are painted with brightly-​colored scenes, but I see something new every time, including a glass rifle and 2 pistols that appear to have originally been bottles of liquor. What?

If your in the Hudson Valley bandidos is a great choice for mexican cuisine. The enchiladas and Sangria pitchers are amazing. The prices are descent but then again whats descent for one person is expensive for the next… overall if you enjoy good authentic mexican food try bandidos.

Went with my buddy for lunch. Seated immediately. Salsa had nice heat and was tasty and the chips were delicious. Moved on to the shrimp festa. 4 jumbo shrimp, all cooked differently, all cooked perfectly. Huge plate of food. It was very good. My buddy had the steak plate. He took half of it home. Prices were very reasonable. Both meals with soft drinks, under $ 60. Service was excellent. Would recommend for lunch or dinner.

People who say the food is good, clearly haven’t eaten elsewhere. I wouldn’t mind paying what they charge if the food was worth the price. It is not. I asked the waiter for some hot sauce and he brought out… Tabasco! He said that was all they had. They should be absolutely embarrassed to only have Tabasco. The waiter also go very angry when we asked for separate checks and made us wait 15 minutes for the check. The place was empty. Will never go back again.

Good restaurant. Great service. I was by myself and did not want a big mesl. They gave me half portion of a chicken dish with mushrooms etc. Good stuff — Margaritas with Petron were loaded with Petron. Will definitely recommend.

The food is not the best that I have had. Its okay but the prices are ridiculous for Middletown, NY. The drinks are better than the food. We had a pitcher of red sangria and it was good. The staff is not very tentative to their customers.

Other reviews are accurate. The food was just okay but holy Lord, the prices! Beyond that the bartender rolled his eyes when we asked for separate checks. At the actual table our server left after bringing the food. We had to ask the bartender (who already hates us) to get someone to help.
I am beginning my busy travel season and intend to review every place I eat. Not off to a good start: p

Other reviews cover most of what I have to say. Very high priced for what you get. The wait staff was quick to remove your used plates etc., but our waitress was not prompt in coming around to request if we needed additional drinks etc.
The menu featured many selections, but it was difficult to read because of pricing and descriptions being covered by art work on the pages. Maybe this was a ploy by the management so you couldn’t see the prices. The low ambient light levels are low which makes it more difficult to read the menu. $ 18 for a serving of three enchildadas de suizas with a small amount of rice and beans. Only bottled beer is available for beer drinkers at $ 6 per bottle.
There’s adequate parking.

Year after year, this place still holds up as my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Hudson Valley. I’ve been to some fantastic Mexican places (including some in Arizona), and El Bandido definitely stands up to some of the best I’ve had.
Everything is delicious but 9 times out of 10 I will get the Chicken Mole Poblano. Their. Mole. Is. Freaking. Amazing. A little smoky, a hint of sweet. Delish.
The pitcher of red sangria is good for 2 to 4 people but I’ll usually build my own margarita thanks to their extensive list of tequila. One should do you for the night.
The complimentary little cheese quesadilla and fried banana dessert are a nice touch, though very rarely do I make it to the shot of tequila on the house. Also, their salsa is perfect. chunky and spicy. I haven’t been to any of their other restaurants/​locations but I assume they are just as amazing. Love it!

Great se rice ms great food. Eduardo is the best server in the joint. He remembers our order every time we visit this location.

Perhaps my favorite mexican restaurant in upstate ny. The quesadillas they give you for free to start your meal, are so good and soft that they remind me of the ones I got in Mexicali and Juarez (except they don’t have huitlacoche!). Amazing enchildadas de suizas and their drinks are simply fabulous. This isn’t necessarily authentic mexican as much as tex-​mex but it really is one of those guilty comfort foods that leave you wanting more. P. S. Usually lots of free shots offered by wait staff after you’re done. Quite unforgettable!

Salsa is amazing!!! Sangria is awesome!!!
Love the free mini quesadilla when you are first seated. The free fried banana dessert is yummy. The free tequila shot at the end of meal is not good. Cheap tasting.
Food is pretty good. Little pricey though. Bathroom has a distinct horrific smell.

Highly recommended! Very authentic atmosphere! The service is helpful and quick, very nice staff! The drinks are not cheap but TOTALLY worth it – they’re strong and taste great! I love the margaritas (mango!), sangria and some of their newer mixed cocktails, like the pink beach. They have such a huge menu, and the guac with chips/​salsa are AMAZING! Never tried an item I didn’t enjoy. Love the experience from start (mmm…quesadilla) to finish (shot and dessert)!!!