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    Chino Bandido

    4.0 (2.5k reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Chino Bandido Photos

    Business Info

    CHINO BANDIDO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Chino Bandido

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    Combo bowl with double jerk fried rice, hand grenade chicken, and jade red chicken. Snickerdoodle on the side.
    Reese T.

    I have been coming to Chino's my whole life and it holds a near and dear place in my (and Guy Fieri's) heart. It is a unique fusion between Mexican, Chinese, and Jamaican cuisines that works much better than most would assume. A few years ago, they moved locations to a new building with much more space and a more modern feel. The staff is always friendly and service is usually very fast. When the food is fresh and on, it is phenomenal and some of my favorite in the valley. Their jerk fried rice is a staple and even better with some spicy teriyaki or jade red sauce. Their fresh snickerdoodles are slightly doughy and unbeatable. On some weekends, they have chocolate volcano cookies that give the classic snickerdoodles a run for their money. The only reason I didn't give a 5 star is that on the rare occasion the jade red/hand grenade chicken can be a little dry and hard. If you try Chino's and don't love it, I'd urge you to give it another shot!

    Hengrenade Chicken and jade red pork with  Jerk Fried Rice.
    Seth R.

    Great place to get some good food that has some kick to it. The service is always amazing, and the they are pretty quick with the orders. The inside is big and spacious with plenty of seating. A must try for some Mexican-Chinese influenced food.

    Omari D.

    The Jade Red Chicken & Jen Pork are still a hit for me, so while in the area, I had to make a stop. Chinese-Mexican Fusion made to order. I did the 2 meat & 2 base Chino Combo. Had the chicken fried rice and the jerk fried rice. After placing my order, I spaced that I typically do a burrito for my pork, but also realized I was good and not super hungry. I do wish they had Coke instead of Pepsi, as Pepsi Zero just isn't as popular or hit like Coke Zero... & I needed to have a kick to my drink. Welcomed by the staff and the service has always been good, as they do a great job keeping the tables clean for guests. I spent ~ $20... got my food and did a double take at the portions I got. Food was good, but overloaded with rice and not enough of the chicken & pork. Maybe that's why I didn't get the burrito, i wanted to see "how much" I was really getting :-). Would like to see the portions be more to match the amount I spent, but can't ignore that it was still good. And yeah, I tore up my snickerdoodle cookie!!

    Chino Combo
    Jonathan L.

    Something about this place speaks to me...maybe it's the cool panda with the sombrero and revolver off the hip holding chopsticks, maybe it's the variety of flavors here, maybe it's the humbleness of the food not being pretentious. Maybe it's Guy Fieri staring at me while I eat my food. I came in and have heard of it but I really did not know what to expect. They allow you to mix around their flavors but overall I got the bigger Chino combo which allows me to select two meats and two bases. I chose the Jade Red (orange chicken) and the Emerald chicken (Hainanese chicken) for my two meats and for my bases I had the jerk fried rice and beans. It came out in like 5 min which was very impressive but the ambiance of this place made me feel welcome. There's a large panda in the corner too. First glance it comes out in this tin plate that I think they could have packed it a bit more - the people I came with said they used to pack it a bit more too. However, it looks really good. The emerald chicken was Hainanese chicken so really cool offering for like a faster restaurant but it was definitely dry. Good onion and ginger flavor though so very impressive. The jade red reminded me of an inferior orange chicken from Panda Express. If it was fresh I think it'd be better but it wasn't as crunchy. Good flavor on the sauce though. Rice was great just wish there was more and the beans were very tasty as well perfectly seasoned. Despite the shortcomings, I thought everything tasted good. It wasn't trying to be anything it wasn't and it's not pretentious. It tasted like Chinese takeout but better to me.

    Inside
    Derell A.

    When I come to phx from California this place is one of my go to stops. Fast easy and friendly staff. I know most like the jade chicken which is good but I'm somehow drawn to the emerald chicken. It's just my style and I always end up ordering two because I always come here hungry. To top it off they give you a snickerdoodle cookie which is excellent but I never get to eat it there because I'm always so full. Great snack tho when I get back to wherever im staying. Highly recommend and although I should try other items I'll stick to my go to emerald chicken !

    Emerald Chicken and Jade Red Chicken and Cuban Black Beans with white rice. LOVE
    Jorey C.

    Coming back on here for another review because everyone needs to come and experience the wonders of Chino Bandido. The new location is bigger than the original, with a lot of tables to pick from. It's order and sit down and the food comes out so fast. The order is a white rice combo of emerald chicken and jade red chicken with black beans and then an order of black beans to take home. I can't have the fried rice sad because it looks amazing BUT I'm so happy I can have their fried jade red chicken !! It's a fan fave and for good reason - perfect chew and crunchy and savory and satisfying. The emerald chicken is refreshing. They load up the combos and I have enough for another meal. The black beans are heaven on earth, I tell everyone and anyone to get them. I never tire of the beans. The combos come with a cookie that I can't eat but that's a bonus. Everyone has been nice when I've ordered!

    Jerk chicken, jade red chicken, black beans and rice
    Beatrice B.

    I travel across the valley for this gem. I love the Mexican Asian fusion. The portions are huge. The staff is always very knowledgeable of menu items and give great recommendations based on your spice preference. My favorites are the hand grenade, chicken and jerk chicken along with the jerk fried rice. The black beans are so yummy. The snickerdoodle cookie is my little treat at the end of the meal that I look forward to every time. The food has been consistent ever since I have been going to this restaurant for 15+ years.

    Jade Chicken Quesadilla with Gringo Chicken and black beans with Chicken Fried Rice.
    Ann L.

    I love this place. The staff were so friendly and they have taken the confusion of ordering away from the customer. There are so many combos you can do. But if you love Chinese food and Mexican food, this is the place to be. I did the combo plate on this visit with jade chicken in a quesadilla and gringo chicken. My two sides were chicken fried rice and black beans. The quesadilla option was a winner for me. I do like their burrito style too, but I'll save that for next time. Jade chicken had a little heat but for me, it was perfect. The gringo chicken would be good in a wrap or quesadilla. Just like it says, cooked in basic spices. My companion got the bbq pork in a quesadilla and teriyaki chicken on the side with refried beans and chicken fried rice. Another great meal. He would probably swap out for pork fried rice or white rice on another visit. The location is very large and a great ambiance inside. It was nice being spread out. We came after the lunch rush so quieter until dinner. Don't forget to have the best part of all, a free Snickerdoodle.

    Chile Relleno, quesadilla veggie, Refried Beans, Chicken Fried Rice
    Megan B.

    First time visiting Phoenix Steeple and I gave the combo bowl a try. I chose carnitas in a quesadilla (loved that this was even an option!) and paired it with the jade red chicken, jerk rice, black beans, and their special snickerdoodle cookie. The jade red chicken was the standout crispy, deep-fried, and similar in flavor to orange chicken, but not spicy. The snickerdoodle cookie was soft and delicious (thankfully not hard, hard cookies are a dealbreaker for me!). That said, the jerk rice and black beans didn't vibe well together, a bit too sweet and mismatched for my taste. The carnitas were under-seasoned, but the crispiness of the quesadilla helped save it. Service was great, I was greeted right away, offered suggestions, and even able to try some samples. You order at the counter and then grab a seat to wait for your food. There's a dog-friendly patio, which I always appreciate, but unfortunately, it's in direct sunlight with no shade so not ideal for my pup on a warm day. My friend ordered the veggie quesadilla, which surprised me in the best way. It tasted like a fresh veggie salad wrapped in a tortilla. She also had the chile relleno with refried beans and chicken fried rice, which I ended up liking more than my own combo. Overall, it's an interesting Mexican-Chinese fusion spot, and I'd definitely come back to try different menu items.

    2 entree meal (jerk chicken, jade red chicken) Jerk Fried Rice and black beans
    Kenneth R.

    FINALLY!!! It's sadly been several years since my last visit to Chino Bandito. Thankful, that all changed this week when I found myself on that side of town for a 5k. The new location on Bell is quite nice and feels much larger than the previous location on Greenway. It's also nice and bright with an ample amount of seating. During today's visit, I tried a few different things: Jerk chicken, Jade Red chicken and Diablo chicken. Everything was just as I remembered... Delicious! All the food had great flavor and wasn't overly spicy. I recommend getting the jerk fried rice and black beans with your meal (you won't be disappointed). It's always nice to finish the meal with a cookie and today was no exception. Volcano cookies for the win! If you have been thinking about giving Chino Bandido a try, I would strongly advise you to do so.

    Jade Red Chicken, Machaca
    Francis C.

    I've going here since they only had one location. This new location is pristine, very clean and spacious with a lot of sunlight. The food is delicious, one of the MUST TRY places in the valley. I love the jade red chicken and pollo diablo. They also give you a snickerdoodle with every meal. The staff are all very kind and helpful, and the food comes out pretty fast. I will never stop going here.

    Emerald Chicken & Pollo Diablo with Jerk Fried Rice and Cuban Black Beans
    Rebekah D.

    I've been to Chino before when it was at their old location, first time at this new location. Service is always very friendly, even if you're indecisive. The new location is bright and "refreshed" in comparison to the old location. It also looked pretty clean. Now the food: I literally always get jerk fried rice and black beans as my 2 sides. They have other options, like refried beans, plain steamed rice, chicken fried rice, but I prefer my same sides always. You can also choose to have your protein done in a quesadilla or burrito. Also, it comes with a cookie! If you get the combo you can get 2 sides. My fattie self always gets the combo. For the actual proteins I change it up, today I got the pollo Diablo & emerald chicken. The emerald chicken is mild in flavor, it appears to be a "healthier" option as it's not deep fried, seasoned with ginger and green onions. Pollo Diablo is fried, and it's a peppery onion kind of sauce. Super flavorful. It might be spicy for some palates, but not mine. Mini mini had the jade chicken bowl. It's deep fried chicken that's sweet with a hint of spice, with some steamed rice. She said she's glad she got it and loved it. For my honey I got him the carnitas and machaca with jerk fried rice and black beans. The carnitas are delicious, it's exactly how you want your carnitas to taste, not overly seasoned and a mild but delicious flavor, and they have tomatoes in it too, so skip it if you hate tomatoes. However, the tomato flavor is not overpowering. The machaca was in a quesadilla. Always a good choice because who doesn't like shredded beef in a quesadilla. Ask for hot sauce. It's basically little cups of mild salsa, with just a little kick. Yum. Today's cookie option was snickerdoodle or volcano. We got both kinds. Free cookie with your meal order is always a plus. You don't even have to ask for a cookie they just ask you what kind. The volcano cookie is chocolatey and soft and chewy. The snickerdoodle is chewy and cinnamon-y. Yassss. Will we be back? Obvi. This places has been a staple for me since I was young. It's also been on Diner's Drive-ins and Dives, so if you want to visit places from the show, come here and stuff your belly.

    Sophie K.

    To be honest, didn't really expect too much from this place but it was better than I expected and for the price, what you'd get is a lot and they were giving out free chocolate chip cookies on that Saturday we went! However, food isn't something you'd get from restaurant, but it's fast and when you want something easy and affordable yet still not so fast food like, I think this is the place!

    Black beans, jerk fried rice, jade red chicken and jade red chicken quesadilla.  Bomb!

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    27 days ago

    Horrible and bland, boiled chicken. We don't recommend at all. Had high hopes, Will not return.

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    Came back almost 7 years later and loved it. Ironically I had the same things as before and it was so delicious. I need to visit more often.

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    Page 1 of 62

    Ask the Community - Chino Bandido

    Do they make their own snickerdoodle cookies or just truck them in from somewhere else? Edit: Thx…

    They make the cookies on-site - and other varieties on the weekend (the gals in our family love the Volcano cookies)

    Does the new location have a drive-thru?

    No, the new location does not have a drive through.

    Are they still closed?

    New location! Go check them out on Bell.

    Tried to find it, GPS the address but no luck. I saw their truck parked in a closed gate.. Do they have a different address?

    310 W Bell Rd, just east of Winco.

    Are they open on Mondays?

    They are closed Monday's

    Is the new location open yet?

    yes

    Is it halal?

    No - it's a Chinese-Mex-Jamaican fusion

    Delivery

    Never had official delivery service.

    View All 11 Questions

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    Presidio Cocina Mexicana

    Presidio Cocina Mexicana

    4.6
    (1.3k reviews)
    11.8 mi
    $$

    Food is fantastic. Ordered chilaquiles with birria as my protein and the meat is tender and…read moreflavorful. My girlfriend ordered aqua chilies they had a nice kick and good portion. We also ordered two cocktails: mezcalita and st.hibiscus both perfect ratios. You can taste the alcohol and not overpowering with artificial mixers, like most restaurants, cocktails. Worth it. Service very good. With great classic Mexican music not the overplayed playlist you hear at every other spot. I might be proposing to my girlfriend here because we loved it so much.

    I sniffed this place out as a possible eatery at which to grab a Mexican breakfast, which is not a…read moretypical choice for me. But I wanted something hearty after donating blood the day before at Phoenix Fan Fusion. I felt like I didn't eat enough to replenish all of the corpuscles I shed, so a hearty late breakfast was in order. I was pleasantly thrilled with my choice of Presidio Cocina Mexicana, as the late breakfast I ordered did not disappoint! I ordered the Chilaquiles, which are essentially breakfast nachos, and you have a choice of protein to add. I chose the birria beef which was perfectly slow-cooked and complemented the corn tortilla chips, cheese, and eggs superbly. I opted for both the red chile and green chile sauce which coated the chips along with a generous layer of tangy cotija cheese. I asked for the eggs scrambled and they cooked them just how I like them... fairly dry and in a thin griddled layer. Add to this mound of well-seasoned goodness a decent dolloping of Tapatio hot sauce (and salt and pepper on the eggs) and I had endless perfect bites of spicy, meaty brekkie goodness that brought delighted yummy sounds from my grateful gullet! This was quality food and the couple at the bar next to me raved about the Menudo, so it has all the hallmarks of authentic Mexican fare. It restored me from borderline anemic to my usual strutting rugged caballero self. "¡Arriba, arriba! ¡Ándale, ándale!"

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    Presidio Cocina Mexicana
    Enchiladas Tamale
    Enchiladas Tamale
    Presidio Cocina Mexicana

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    Casa Corazon Restaurant

    Casa Corazon Restaurant

    4.4
    (942 reviews)
    11.4 mi
    $$

    If you are looking for upmarket Mexican food, with a great drink on the side, my favorite go to…read morespot in downtown Phx is casa corazon... they have a good menu and fo everything well, from grey Baja tacos, in true Baja style to chili rellenos, fajitas and oh my god the salsa bar!! To die for. Chips are gratuit. Service is prompt and knowledgeable. The entrance is via the kitchen as this was once a home, now converted into a great eatery. So you come in the side door to the dining room . Wait staff all greet you and guide you to the dining room, festooned with roses and talavera tiles. It's not kitschy, just gorgeous. The menu is ample and you can't go wrong with anything. The initial refrito dip, tho yummy, has pork. But they have the best, the absolute best black beans!! Try them just for a change. You'll be converted. The dining area is small but cozy and beautifully done. So enjoy!!

    I'm so glad we finally went to try Casa Corazon. We met with a friend visiting from out of town…read moreduring lunch, and everyone absolutely loved it. The restaurant is inside of an old brick home with wood interior and warm colors. The service was good-- friendly and food came out at a good pace, we were checked on regularly. We ordered an appetizer and then entrees from the lunch menu. The aguachile appetizer is SO good. It's bright, fresh, and has a lot of flavor in the green sauce. It reminds me of a ceviche type dish due to its raw butterflied shrimp that is marinated in the house made chile serrano & cilantro citrus sauce. It was awesome. We were also given free chips & house made bean dip. I ordered the mixed two item plate with a chile rellano and taco corazon (grilled taco dipped in a red chile sauce, stuffed with shredded beef & melted cheese. Topped with grilled onions). The black beans and rice is also tasty. I tried a bite of the other dishes, and I also really liked the brightly colored spinach & cheese enchiladas with pink sauce ( signature beet sauce). I look forward to trying other items from the menu, I was eyeing the steak Mexicano or red snapper. Those dishes sound good for dinner.

    Photos
    Dining Room
    Dining Room
    Salsa bar
    Salsa bar
    Aqua de Jamaica

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    Taco Chelo

    Taco Chelo

    4.7
    (181 reviews)
    17.1 mi
    $

    Came here for our Friday lunch date a couple of weeks ago (but forgot to write a review)…read more We had a couple of their tacos (I had the Al Pastor as it was only available on a Wednesday ‍ and the wife had the Costra taco and it was all pretty good. Great flavors. We shared their Flamingo (crispy rolled flour tacos stuffed with cheese blend and roasted anaheim pepper, topped with lettuce, sour cream, avocado salsa, pico de gallo and cotija cheese) - VERY GOOD! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! We both had the Modelo Especial with lunch as well, as you gotta do it right! Service was quick as it wasn't that busy when we arrived and were seated - but it got busy not long after.. You can see its a popular place and right in the heart of Tempe so no surprises! It's not a noisy place but far, and quite open, so its pretty average for noise. We will be back - as there are some great foodie places around in Tempe, and Taco Chelo is definitely one of them!

    So my husband said these are the best tacos he has had and his favorite of any we have had in…read morePhoenix. I felt different. First of all, eating anywhere in Tempe, starts with a frustrating time.... Trying to find parking and having to pay to park. I don't understand why restaurants don't have parking for customers. Idk maybe I don't know where to look. Second, it's hot AF in here. I feel sorry for the guys cooking. It's 105 today and the restaurant is so small, it's probably impossible to keep cool during the summer. Finally, the food. It all tastes very fresh! NO SEED OILS is amazing. I feel like I have won something when I find a restaurant that uses olive oil and beef tallow to cook in. Best corn tortillas I have had for sure. We basically tried one of each taco. (Although some of the tacos we ordered were wrong, so we just kept adding) not a big deal, because they were delicious and we loved them. I felt like the carne was chewy but my husband loves chewier meat. The taco with the marlin was my favorite. And the one that came out kind of like a cheese crisp. It's loud in here and again the space is very small. They do not serve wine at all. But yummy margaritas! The bartender is working solo and working hard! She busted her butt and did an amazing job. And smiled the entire time. She was awesome

    Photos
    Really cool vibe inside
    Really cool vibe inside
    Costra Taco - get it!!!
    Costra Taco - get it!!!
    Piña Colada Agua Fresca - very tasty

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    Piña Colada Agua Fresca - very tasty
    Mariscos Playa Hermosa

    Mariscos Playa Hermosa

    4.4
    (1.3k reviews)
    12.8 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Full bar

    This place is so good! Friends kept telling me to go, and now I get why everyone talks about it…read more If you're planning to visit, try to come before the dinner rush because it fills up fast. Also bring a group. The portions are huge and the food is clearly meant to be shared. Trust me on this one, bring friends. I've tried a bunch of dishes here, and there are a few I always go back to. For the table, Camarones Locos is an easy choice. The flame grilled shrimp comes out hot and full of flavor, perfect for passing around. La Patrona ceviche tower is massive and worth the order. When it hits the table, you immediately feel good about the decision. El Pulpazo is technically an entrée, but we always order it as a shareable. The octopus is grilled perfectly and it comes with rice and beans, so everyone gets a little of everything. For entrées, my number one pick is the Lobster and Crab Enchiladas with green sauce. I think about this dish at least once a week. The enchiladas are packed with lobster and crab, and the green sauce ties the whole thing together. Honestly, I could talk about this place all day. If you like Mexican food and seafood, you need to try it. Great food, big portions, and a menu that makes it hard to stop ordering.

    It was my first time visiting this restaurant with a party of 10, and unfortunately, the experience…read morewas not great. The service was okay, but the staff lacked friendliness and didn't seem very welcoming. As for the food, some dishes were good while others were disappointing. Overall, the flavor was lacking for me, and many of the dishes just didn't stand out. Another issue we ran into was the parking situation. The parking lot is very small, and we had to park outside of it, which was inconvenient for a large group. Overall, my experience was not the best, and I wouldn't be coming back.

    Photos
    Mariscos Playa Hermosa
    Mariscos Playa Hermosa
    Our Molcajete Frio is a cold seafood platter with so many of your favorites! Oyster. Crab legs. Ceviche. Shrimp. Delicious!

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    Our Molcajete Frio is a cold seafood platter with so many of your favorites! Oyster. Crab legs. Ceviche. Shrimp. Delicious!
    Alma Southwest Steakhouse

    Alma Southwest Steakhouse

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    11.5 mi
    $$

    This review is for the totality of the experience…read more I made an advance reservation at Alma Scottsdale for a mid-sized group of 7 to celebrate a special occasion. Our party arrived right on time for our reservation, but we were not seated until 15 min later because our table was not ready. It took about an additional 15 min to get tap water for the table (there was not enough provided anyways), and to place our orders too another ~20 min. The food did not arrive until 30 min later. For context, we eventually learned that the restaurant was short staffed and the bartender was also operating as our waiter. When the food finally arrived, there was a mix-up on what was delivered. We had checked with the staff who delivered one of the dishes: we ordered the "wild mushroom" side, but what we received did not look quite like it. We asked clarifying questions x2, but were assured, "no, it is the wild mushroom." Turned out, it was the mushroom empanada that was delivered to our table, which we originally did not order. The management did rectify the situation upon the conclusion of the event when we were paying the bill, but to us, it felt a bit accusatory as if we intentionally wanted to cause a huge fuss about the final total, which was absolutely not the case. The food in general was delicious. If this was a more standard dining experience, it would have been 4-5 stars just for the food. The service was very subpar, and really colored the entire experience negatively, therefore the two star review. I understand that staffing shortages happen -- fine. My family has worked in food service as wait staff for 25+ YEARS, so I am empathetic. But for management to ring up our bill and then come confront us in an inflammatory manner, making us feel like we were wrong, on an occasion to celebrate something special, was extremely disappointing.

    Our bartender Angel was AMAZING! I said I wanted spicy and he absolutely delivered. Between the…read moredrinks and food, he made our taste buds and tummy's happy. Plus, great customer service. Thank you Angel!

    Photos
    Tequila Bar
    Tequila Bar
    Chicken Empanadas
    Chicken Empanadas
    Soft shell crab tostada

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    Soft shell crab tostada

    Chino Bandido - mexican - Updated June 2026

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