I called Bandera today inquiring about their grilled artichokes and was informed by Darian that they were out of season. He suggested the crab cakes which drew me in. The crab cakes were the best I've ever had & done to perfection.Tons of lump crab meat served crispy, lightly battered, in a little bit of butter. Top quality crab meat. Also another magical dish is the Macho Salad, absolutely incredible. You can cut the chicken with a fork & the dressing is tangy and slightly sweet. The ambience is laid back, dimly lit with an eclectic clientele.Last but not least if you're sitting at the bar and you have the opportunity to have Stephanie as your bartender you are fortunate Indeed, she makes the best martini I've had in quite some time. read more

Bandera - American Near Me - Corona Del Mar, California

We went to dinner for our 30th eight year anniversary. We were insulted with a Hostess who had a major attitude. I called the restaurant with my concern. Spoke with the manager Walter June 24.. never called me back Today I called spoke with the General Manager Darian Sims, he offered absolutely nothing. Not even an apology I wonder why this Restaurant has a 3.8 satisfaction score at yelp. This is a gentle reminder to you, the consumer before you go there to spend your money. One thing , you will experience for sure attitude of the staff. I hardly ever read reviews, but they did not even deserve one star. I wish I could do zero but that option doesn't exist. read more

If I could give 10 stars I would!! We had lunch at Bandera in Corona del Mar today, and it was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. I ordered the Emerald Kale & Roasted Chicken Salad, and it was absolutely divine--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The service was exceptional from start to finish. The staff was warm, attentive, polished, and professional. Every server was well-groomed, courteous, and spoke with genuine confidence, making the entire experience feel welcoming and elevated. The ambiance was just as memorable as the food. Soft jazz played throughout the restaurant, creating an intimate, relaxed atmosphere that made us want to slow down and enjoy every moment. It was such a thoughtful touch and added so much to the overall experience. I'm already looking forward to making a reservation to experience their dinner menu. If lunch was this outstanding, I can't wait to see what dinner has to offer. Highly recommend! read more

See all

This used to be an old spot frequently visited when I lived closer and I forgot how good this place was. For started high quality food and drinks for excellent prices. The bbq ribs are fall apart off the bone and a must have. The creamed corn coleslaw and fries are so good. The rotisserie chicken is delicious unfortunately it's hit and miss as this is our 2nd time the chicken was undercooked. We never had any issues in the past and I guess it can happen. I would still go back especially for the artichoke when in season and for the ribs but will have to pass on the chicken. read more

See all

Beautiful location. When we arrived we were seated in a small area until our reservation time. They took our drink order while we waited. Once at our table we ordered some appetizers. We got the corn bread bites, dip duo, and smoked salmon. My fav was the dip duo. For entrees we ordered the cheeseburger and bbq salmon. Both of us were impressed and enjoyed them thoroughly. We shared some creamed corn as well which was also delish. Our waiter was very helpful and took all our questions seriously and gave honest recommendations. We will definitely be back! read more

See all

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

See all

I came to dinner to this beautiful restaurant with my husband. Hostess was very rude and wouldn't see us in the bar area. We end up eating our dinner and pay the bill and left. I called the general manager , Mr Darian Sims and did let him know the situation. He didn't care, and and wasn't really interested in listening. Food is great. Service is terrible. You have been worn fairly before you go there . read more

I will never go back to this place. We made a dinner reservation and were promptly at the time of our reservation. Apparently they screwed up our reservation and forced us to wait over an hour for their mistake and didn't offer us anything to try to make up the mistake. We had 2 elderly people in our group, one who is handicapped and they forced them to wait for about an hour to be seated when this was entirely due to the restaraunt admitting to making the error with our reservation time. To add insult to injury, they sat 2 other groups who came in after us ahead of our party. We should have left, but don't worry we will not be back. Avoid this place unless you want to be treated with bad customer service, mid level food and long wait times. read more

I love Bandera, and they closed the one in Sacramento. When I saw the one by the beach in SoCal we just had to go! The food was great, but they changed my favorite salad a tad and I really miss their skillet corn bread. Now they serve you little cornbread bites that don't taste the same. Boo on that change. Not sure I'll go back since it's not close and there are so many other places to try. read more

Always great service having dinner at the bar. Good drinks. Good menu with mains they always do just right. Appetizers that never disappoint. Cocktails that are spot on. read more

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

See all

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

I am giving Darian the GM a 0 Star Review and while the wait staff and cooks still deserve a 4 star, I am extremely disappointed in my experience for a restaurant I have been coming to for 20 years. I have a family of 5 which includes a 6yr old and 8yr old, in addition to an 11 yr old. Adrian decided to deny my family having dinner all together because we were more than 4 people. While I understand Hillstone has rules, his ability to reason with this fact that this meant 4 Adults is mind blowing. I worked in the restaurant industry for 15+ years locally and this experience is just a clear lack of understanding what Service Industry Means. This is super unfortunate that I am not able to take my family here and even more unfortunate that this left a really bad taste in my mouth about this place. Hopefully they can do more training with their over paid GM's so people can have a better experience. read more

Excellent experience! The portions for both the food and drinks were generous. The restaurant was spotless and had a classic, upscale atmosphere that reminded me of Houston's. Everything we ordered was delicious, and the food arrived surprisingly fast. ChatGPT recommended this restaurant, and I'm so glad I trusted the suggestion. We'll definitely be back! read more

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

This place sucks!!! Have a no hat policy for men, as I sit next to two girls allowed to have hats on. I don't even give a shit, but I hate places that create policies where they can, and I can't. Total discrimination. If some activist wants to make some money, Sue the hell out of them for discrimination!!! read more

Oof - the magic is slipping and the corporate underpayment is showing. A favorite in years past, it had been a minute since my last visit - and a lot has changed. A "remodel" shrank the space, eliminating my favorite bank of booths - the "special" was crab cakes we had as an appetizer that turned out to be a whopping $45... Gone from the menu was my go-to actual rib eye (the sugar-drenched tropically-flavored variant remains for that "teriyaki burger at Islands" experience). The service was disorganized and robotic (3 servers patchworked our experience and at one point the host jumped in to help serve the food). Still a solid place for a meal and well-rehearsed smile from the molders trying to be human - but the magic is gone for me. I do wish them well and thank them for some great times. Cheers. 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

See all

Your stand out employee yesterday was the hostess working on Saturday, 5/23 at 12 noon. She was so friendly and fun as we arrived and departed your establishment. She was a pleasure to speak with and a breath of fresh air. It is rare for someone to be so enthusiastic and truly energized to engage with customers and make them feel welcome in such a kind and generous manner. She gets 10 stars in this 5 star rating option. The ambiance, food and service is always excellent at Bandera and our visit yesterday was no exception. The cornbread bites, house salad and banana cream pie were exceptional. The filet mignon and martini were also excellent, as always. Our servers were professional, friendly and efficient. Very much appreciated. We will be back soon read more

Bandera - Banana Cream Pie was exceptional - American Near Me - Corona Del Mar, California

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

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

See all

There is a key reason for the one star, but first the food and atmosphere were 5 star. Service was good but a bit too many check ins by the server (I feel it was because of managements direction) which gets me to my 1 star rating. We were eating dessert and coffee, and who I guess was the manger, came to the table and said that we need to wrap it up because they need the table for reservations (we had reservations). At that point we were there just about two hours, I don't think that's too long for spending $400. I've travelled all over the world, been in countless restaurants, and have never been asked that we need to wrap it up because they need the table. The fact that it happened in the area I live is unacceptable. Bandera, you have to do better. read more

I love this place - amongst all the hill stone properties in Orange County - this is still our favorite. My new favorite dish is their chicken green curry dish they brought back. Im so glad I listened to our servers praises of the dish - it was mild in spice for my taste and felt warm and cozy. I hope it stays! We also enjoyed their shrimp cocktail and as always their bbq grilled salmon (we always sub the cucumber salad for the fab kale one). As always they have amazing servers, managers and bartenders. lovely moody lighting with a pleasant noise level. A favorite date night spot for us. 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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

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

See all

My favorite restaurant in Newport Beach! Our server Jacob was very professional and attentive. He made our experience very special. My go to place whenever I have guests visiting from out of town. Thank you Bandera and Jacob for another great experience! read more

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

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, campari tomoatoes, and basil. The artichoke side is always yummy! With a glass of red Mi Sueno wine. read more

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

Bandera is always such a solid choice. The Caesar salad here is so good crisp, perfectly dressed, and super fresh every time. And the martinis? Absolutely perfect. Cold, smooth, and exactly how they should be. It's one of those reliable spots where the food and drinks never disappoint. Great atmosphere, great service, and always a good experience. 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

See all

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

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

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

Thw service, the food, the atmoshphere all come together making Bandera an excellent place to eat and enjoy!

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