After reading the poor reviews on Bandera, I feel I must opine. This place is a classic Hillstone restaurant (Houston's, R&D, Honor Bar). The waitstaff are impeccable and trained to please the customer. The chefs are some of the best in their industry. The food is consistently phenomenal and they are continually tinkering with the menu to get it perfect. The meats are top shelf. The vibe here is low key and elegant. They only serve small parties so large family dining is not a possibility. That is all by design. Bottom line: CDM is fortunate to have this restaurant and if you're looking for a place for big parties and cheap food, may I suggest Olive Garden. Bandera knows how to please and for that reason, they are 5 stars all the way. read more

Gf took me here for bday dinner, started with roasted artichoke and corn bread bites, and had the French dip and Hawaiian ribeye. I don't really understand the whole artichoke thing but it was good I think, cornbread was also solid. French dip was bomb especially with that horseradish, and the ribeye was great. The fries were also amazing. Got the key lime pie for dessert which was good but probably should have skipped because I was stuffed. Nice place and our server was very nice and helpful. read more

Phenomenal spot roasted chicken - probably the very best chicken I have ever had. This would include chicken at the Crillon in Paris that used to be the very best. Bandera's is California Hillstone a"la Texas barbecue! Love the corn bread bites in the chicken drippings! The cucumber salad was very refreshing to contrast the savory of the chicken! read more

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Bandera was our final Hillstone in the area we had yet to try, and we are sad we didn't stop in sooner! The inside is most similar to Houston's. We tried the artichoke, which they have not had in quite some time. It was excellent and the remoulade was perfect for dipping. We also ordered way too much food (always good for leftover), and enjoyed the macho salad, crispy chicken sandwich, and the dip duo. You absolutely need to try the pimento cheese dip, I'm dreaming about it still! read more

Bandera - Artichoke - American Near Me - Corona Del Mar, California

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I went here years ago and always got the Rutherford Ribeye, charred, smoky and cherries. I heard they sou vide it. Lovely with a side of blu cheese, calamari tomoatoes, and basil. The artichoke side is always yummy! WIth a glass of red Mi Sueno wine. read more

Upon walking into the establishment you feel that it is an upscale vibe for sure. We ordered a drink and that priced at $18.00 each which was to be expected given the area. The waitress was nice and the food was brought quickly. I did have a few concerns. I was unaware to order white meat was an additional 10.00 upcharge as that should be an option. Also the sides should be included in the combo and not an additional $9-10 more.Once we asked for additional bbq sauce because the rib needed more,this was a 30-40 wait and we had to keep asking. When they did bring it out it was only enough for one of us so we had to wait again! So I had to give it 4 stars as a result of those concerns. read more

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Huge fan of this place! I've wanted to come for a little while and finally made it happen. First of all, the staff is insanely good. I've never been waited on by such an attentive and friendly group of people. Their rotisserie chicken and bbq ribs were very solid and the sides (especially the corn and potatoes) were top notch. Generous pour on the drinks too. It's a little bit of a price tag if you're getting sides and a drink, but definitely worth it for a date night or nice dinner with the family. Highly recommend. read more

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If you're looking for the best dinner and service of your life, look no further. This is hands down my favorite hillstone and favorite restaurant. Get the corn bread and a "crush" cocktail. read more

Two of us had drinks and appetizer at a 2-top in the bar area before our dinner reservation with a group friends. The service was excellent along with the drinks and appetizer. After the rest of our group arrived, we moved to a table for dinner. The service was good, but it felt more like a rushed service. It was obviously they wanted to turn the table quickly. The check was dropped off just as we finished eating the entrees and no mention of desert options. I'm not really a desert person so o didn't really care, but a couple others said they would have ordered something more. 3/4 of our group had the roasted chicken which was fantastic. Others had the steak, which they said was good but they felt the outer searing was done too long and the meat felt a bit too tough when cutting through it. Overall, a good experience for our entire group. But a couple of service tweaks could make it even better. read more

The food: the chicken and beef ribs were nicely cooked, cucumber salad was fresh. The "standout cocktails": my raspberry lemon drop was very good. My husband ordered a Jack Daniel's and 7up. We were later told they don't carry Jack Daniel's!!! What kind of bar/restaurant does not have Jack Daniel's?! The ambiance: it was VERY noisy when we were first seated but as the evening went on, the noise level came down to a normal level. We had a great dinner; but as the meal was finalizing, I totally felt like we should hurry up and leave; servers cleared things off our table, which clearly gave us the signal that we should leave the table for someone else. Maybe it's me, but if I spend $200 on dinner for 3, I should be able to give my dinner a few minutes to settle before leaving the restaurant. And as our server put down the bill, she asked if we wanted dessert.....no dessert menu?? I guess I don't want dessert. Next visit to CDM, we will try another place. read more

On take-out check what you receive - I order the chicken and they did not put in the extras or the salad. I guess the idea is to have a comfortable price (for them) and short you on food. Be careful! Don Segretti read more

Amazing dinner tonight! Our server Brenda was so warm and welcoming with a great personality that made our night. Food was 5 stars from the grilled artichoke, shrimp cocktail, macho salad and filet mignon. All the food had so much flavor. Love how they refresh the martinis in a new cold martini glass. Thank you Bandera for a wonderful evening that was much needed. read more

Plenty of parking. Reservations accepted but not required. Good for groups. Ok for kids. Menu has something for everyone. Our server was Tony, he went over the menu with us. He made some great suggestions. Mud try spot if in the area. I has the chicken and ribs, while my wife had the French dip. Both great. read more

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Where Do I Start? I'll start with Sara or Sarah, the Hostess with the Mostess...Friendly Greeting, Good Sense of Humor, Great Reservation Handler! Then our server...Kenzie...Short for McKenzie, but not short on COOLNESS or Genuine Smiles! Great Recommendations too!!! We've been coming here for over 5 years, which is not a long time, in the larger scheme of things, but long enough to make it a frequent destination! Amazing, Unique Food! Perfect Atmosphere! Spotlessly Clean, with ample restrooms! The Perfect Vibe in CDM! No Happy Hour, but Every Hour is Happy Hour! read more

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We came in here just for drinks! It's Saturday night 7pm and the place is packed! We asked the hostess if we can just have cocktails. She directed us to two tops back by the open kitchen. They have a limited tables for just cocktails/wine and 3 food menu items. It was perfect! My husband ordered a Manhattan $18 which sadly, was just okay. I had the Schramsberg sparkling wine $16 which was perfect! Great ambiance, had the dark woodsy look that many Hillstone restaurants have. read more

One of my favorite restaurants. Any restaurant that belongs to Hillstone restaurant group has always been consistent, good food, and the best service. I'm always amazed with the service that Hillstone restaurant group delivered. They trained their servers well. All the servers are always smiling and deliver such an exceptional service. I can't remember the last time at other restaurants the server would replace my warm glass of wine with a new cold glass without me asking, and I have been to many fine dining restaurants including many Michelin restaurants over the years. This is an outstanding attention to detail and exceptional table service. The restaurant is cozy and warm. The menu is simple but everything is fantastic.The portion is definitely smaller than it used to.There are so many restaurants to try but I always like to come back to Bandera, Gulfstream, R & D, Hillstone etc.. The server, Ms. Kalani was attentive , engaging and friendly. She made my dining experience much more enjoyable. Can't wait to go back when I'm in the area again. read more

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I had the best dinner at Bandera! I had been to other Hillstone restaurants before and was very happy with my experience at this CDM location and love that it's 2 blocks from the beach. The service was great, servers were super attentive. I love how they change out martini glasses so your drink is always chilled. I ordered the filet and it was cooked perfectly. Perfect spot for a date night or quick dinner. I would definitely recommend. read more

Bandera - Dirty Titos Martini - American Near Me - Corona Del Mar, California

We had such a good experience at Bandera. In the past it has been a little bit hit and miss. Our waitress was great and we were seated in a nice private little alcove booth. One complaint I have had in the past is the lighting. We have sometimes sat at tables that have had a really bright spotlight angled really obnoxiously. Not this visit. Sometimes, we have experienced snobby hostesses. Not this time! It was a great experience all around and we will be back. read more

Passed by here for over 30 years and finally decided to give it a go. Why did I wait so long!? Great food and service was even better! A must try to have a cocktail, appetizer or dinner if you're in the neck of the woods! read more

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Great team dinner at Bandera! Ordered the chicken and rib combo, excellent choices as well as a bottle of Duckhorn, our server Grace was fantastic, booth was comfortable and lighting was dim but welcoming read more

Bandera - Rib and chicken with fries - American Near Me - Corona Del Mar, California

Wtf... why would they remove the absolute most popular item on the menu??? Please bring back the jalapeño cornbread skillet. The cornbread bites look lame and based on the feedback they are an inferior replacement. Bangers, hope you're listening to all of the people WHO WANT THE CORNBREAD SKILLET BACK!!! read more

I recently dined at Bandera, and unfortunately, the experience missed the mark. From the moment we sat down, it felt like there was a constant rotation of staff coming to the table--so much so that it was nearly impossible to have a private conversation. Every few minutes, someone new was checking in, clearing something, or asking a question. While attentiveness is usually appreciated, this felt excessive and intrusive. It also gave the impression that there's an unspoken timer the second you're seated, as if the goal is to move guests in and out as quickly as possible rather than let them enjoy the experience. Dining out should feel relaxed and social, not rushed and monitored. Additionally, the decision to make the restaurant smaller seems to have backfired. The tighter space only amplifies the constant activity and lack of privacy, making the overall atmosphere feel crowded and less comfortable. What makes this especially disappointing is that I've been visiting this restaurant for over 22 years. It used to be a go-to spot, which makes this shift in experience even more noticeable. Sadly, based on this visit, I don't think I'll be returning. read more

The rotisserie chicken and bbq beef rib combo is an excellent choice for a tender juicy chicken with a wonderful smoky flavor and tender fall off the bone beef ribs with a tangy and lightly sweet bbq sauce. Service is always consistent across the Hillstone family of restaurants which means excellent attention from start to conclusion. I recommend the Oreo ice cream sandwich for a light sweet finish. read more

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Service was good but management always lacks hospitality here. Cold and even sometimes rude. They always have an attitude of they are busy enough and don't mind losing some clientele. read more

The drinks were top tier and definitely the highlight. The appetizer (we ordered the dip duo) was great as well. Unfortunately, the food was mediocre and barely warm when it was served. I had to send my meal back twice because it was cold. The service, however, was wonderful and very attentive. Overall, nothing particularly special. I probably wouldn't return unless it was just for drinks. Food was FLAVORLESS! read more

I used to love this place. They used to sell you an entire chicken for like 28 bucks now you get half a chicken for $26. It was Wednesday and it was packed to the rafters so I guess they're doing well read more

Food: -Grilled artichoke: so well done, delicious sauce -Emerald kale salad: the side order was huge! Was very good and well dressed. -beef back ribs: so tender and very yummy. The coleslaw was also very good. A good combination of creamy and vinegary versions -prime rib sandwich: just as good as R+D, pillowy soft bread and tender thin slices of meat. Love that they offer a side, R+D doesn't. Fries were great, just the way I like them. -no mocktails but the waitress offered a n/a spritzer with fresh grapefruit juice, sparkling water and mint which was great. Service: overall good, very attentive. No negative notes Vibe: busy on a Friday night. Well lit and great space. Overall very happy with our dinner and will come back! read more

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Amazing service,excellent food and always a great time! One of my favorite go to restaurants. They limit the parties to 4 or less which I love as it makes for a much more enjoyable experience. read more

We've had great food and service at Bandera over the years, but there seems to have been a few of changes to the restaurant and dining experience. The servers came to the table more often than normal which took away from the intimacy of the meal. Perhaps the most devastating is getting rid of the signature banana cream pie. We always look forward to it and rave about it to our friends. read more

With childlike enthusiasm I ordered the grilled artichokes. However, the adult reality guy punch was delivered once the dish arrived. I drew a blank. How does one tackle this artichoke?...I had forgotten. To help, my husband looks at me with bleep as the charred vegetable is foreign and menacing. Finely victorious, the artichoke was conquered. Should really come with a manual. Dip duo does it. It hits. Fresh chips served with guacamole and jalapeño cheese dip. The double-cut pork chops served with red cabbage and goat cheese had me pleasantly surprised. The colcannon potatoes delish. The Pettit filet cooked to excellence and even had a great crust. read more

Bandera - Macho salad - American Near Me - Corona Del Mar, California

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It's been a couple of years since I've been. Use to be my go to in town. The bbq salmon dish was phenomenal. All of it. The veggie and cheese enchilada was recommended and good. Loved the side salad with it. Great vibe, people watching place, ambience is sexy and yet casual. Great service as always. Expect a wait on weekends. Not a bad thing with fireplace on and excellent bar. read more

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Bandera is consistently great. The food is always solid and the service is reliably good. The macho salad is excellent, the dip duo is always a hit, and both the salmon and the ribs are consistently well prepared. It's an easy place to bring friends or family and one of the better dining options in Newport Beach. We come back often. read more

Fantastic service with dark/moody ambiance. Appetizer: kale salad, always a hit at any Hillstone branch. Entrees were disappointing. We got the chicken and ribs plates along with coleslaw and side of fries. Fries was not hot and it had a strong oil flavor which we didn't like at all. 1 star! The bbq ribs were cooked fine but the sauce was way too sweet. If you dine at Gulfsteam (sister restaurant couple of blocks away) their ribs and the sauce is far superior and balanced. The chicken was more disappointing. Mine was not cooked enough for the chicken to separate easily from the bones and I had to wrestle with it. it was also red in some parts of the leg so I stopped eating it. Also, the chicken really lacked any flavor. Overall I was not happy with my dish at all. For dessert, banana pie... we thought the banana would be also incorporated with the pie filling, only to find out it was plain filling with banana slices on the side. Again it lacked flavor. Out of all our dining experiences at different Hillstone sister restaurants this Bandera visit was by far our least favorite. read more

Bandera - Chicken and ribs - ribs are too sweet and chicken no flavor whatsoever and undercooked - American Near Me - Corona Del Mar, California

It's a hillstone so it's consistent. Menu isn't as big as other hillstones but if you want something hearty , it's def the place read more

Bandera - Cucumber salad side - American Near Me - Corona Del Mar, California

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If you have a party larger than 4, this is not the place to go. They have booths only, that seat 4 people - no more.

Absolutely LOVED this place!!!! This is my favorite dinner place that I have tried in CDM so far. I only have great things to say. Bandera is the perfect date night spot with the moody ambiance and lighting. Our server was great and very charismatic! The food and drinks also came out fairly quick after we ordered. Off to a good start. I got the Crush drink which was soooo yummy and fresh. The cornbread bites could have used some honey drizzle but they were the perfect little starter to share. The chicken and ribs plate and chicken sandwich was PHENOMENAL. Sooooo fresh and delicious and perfect. 0 complaints. The ribs were some of the best ribs I've ever had and the coleslaw was crunchy and perfect. Not to mention the portion sizes are HUGE. We are our leftovers for dinner the next day. Overall I would highly recommend Bandera as it did not at all disappoint. This is my new fav dinner spot in CDM by a long shot. read more

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My bf and I LOVE Houston's and R&D kitchen so naturally we assumed we'd be fans of everything under the Hillstone umbrella, however we didn't have the best experience here. Our Hawaiian ribeye came out too rare (we ordered medium rare). We ate one small piece from the edge and cut it in half after to confirm and let our server know. Instead of making a new steak, they tossed the one we have back on the grill, so when it was returned to us it was the driest steak we have ever experienced. And for more context the Hawaiian ribeye is my favorite steak ever, usually so juicy and packed with flavors of the marinate so this was really disappointing. We also ordered the beef rib and chicken and it was just ok. The cornbread bites were good but not enough for me to come back. The parking lot is small, and for a similar menu and consistent quality of steak, I will stick to Houston's and R&D instead. read more

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Service was terrible. Went again to try. Bartenders are rude. Servers are decent. These lady bartenders here are very rude.

We've been coming here for years with no review. It's basically a carbon copy of it's sister spot, Houston's. Pretty much the same menu, same restaurant layout, same atmosphere. Service is usually on point and the food is solid. Parking is small, but doable. Smaller menu, which I always appreciate. Roasted artichokes are excellent. Hawaiian ribeye same. Good bar scene. Like Houston's, not a bigger group type of place (party of 4 or less). read more

This review is a response to the one written by Andrea O. on March 20th. The "constant rotation of staff" visiting the table she refers to is a bit of an overstatement. It's hardly "constant," and could just as easily be seen as a sign of how responsive waiters are to diners. I prefer to have the table cleared when I am done eating, and don't like having to flag down a staff member every time I need something. The staff are friendly and attentive, and I have never felt rushed. While I agree that the original table layout was superior to the new one, and would love to see it switched back, the ambiance at Bandera is still excellent and the food is consistently top notch. This remains one of my top choices to dine in Newport Beach. read more