Bandera

Living 45 minutes away from down town doesn't get us into the city often. But when we do it's Little Italy, Greek Town or Bandera Grill. A favorite for years, you can always bet on a fantastic meal, great servers, and some great live background music. As soon as you walk up to the bar and order your first drink all stress disappears!

On a recent visit to Chicago, I choose this restaurant to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday because they are affiliated with his favorite place, Houston's. But this is far from the quality of food as Houston's. The only thing worth eating was the cornbread, which I will say was amazing but the other $100 we spent was nowhere near worth it. The food was bland and just not appetizing for this type of restaurant.

I was in town taking my son back to college at the end of August and on my last night in town my best friend (a local) took me to Bandera for dinner. Being a long time vegetarian I always appreciate when a "non-vegetarian" restaurant excels in providing something special for a non-meat eater. Bandera's veggie burger is truely one of the best things, PERIOD, that I have ever eaten. Awesome peanut slaw, great cocktails, perfect service stellar ambiance (how can such busy restaurant seem so intimate???) all add up to a perfect place eat. I will be back...soon!

My girlfriend and I recently went to this fine establishment and enjoyed every bit of it. The food, the atmosphere, the live jazz, everything was excellent!! I had the fish and mash potatoes and she had the veggie burger. The best we ever had - you must go!!

Bandera's is an oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Magnificent Mile. I first went there when I first turned 21 and was interning in Chicago to buy a bottle of wine. Expecting to pay an exorbitant amount for my first bottle of legal hooch, I walked upstairs and found a stylish establishment without being over the top. I bought a bottle of Clicquot for $60, which I now know to be a good price. In total, I've been there 5-10 times, and the food has never been less than perfect. The ambience consists of a small menu, intimate dining, excellent service and attention to detail. Some nights they have have a jazz quartet in the middle of the room. Considering that it is a restaurant in the middle of Chicago, the prices are good. I believe the most expensive entree they have is around $30 (filet mignon), however everything is a la carte, so be prepared to buy your fries on the side. The dress is dressy casual, so don't show up with sweatpants. Or do, and have a great meal comfortably. Cheers!

One of the best restaraunts ever. Great atmosphere, fantastic food, quick and precise service, and get this! The urinals have TV's on them! It's just the perfect example of American dining.

Just a quick follow up regarding the hostess description issue. Just to clarify, the hostess did not accidentally leave the card on the table. One is placed on every table, with the description in plain view (no one's trying to be sneaky here) so that the servers know if or if not the table has been greeted. Once the table has in fact had an initial greeting from a server, the card is either written on and or taken off the table by their server. Point being, there is no discriminatory system going on here.