Bandera

Every year we hold our conference at the Hotel InterContinental in conjunction with the NRA Show in Chicago. Since we are there for over a week we have lots of time to dine out. We always make it a point to visit Bandera's. Initially we went there because it's so close to the hotel but now we go because of the good food and casual atmosphere. We always have an enjoyable time and we highly recommend Bandera's.

I worked at Bandera for a little over two years and just wanted to clarify the previous reviewers unsettling experience with the extremely detailed description that the hostess took. Bandera refuses to use the pager/ beeper system feeling that it makes the dining experience much less personal. Thus, as a host, we have about a minute to take a quick description of the guest as we write down the name, time they came in, party size, and amount of time quoted. When you are on a twenty minute wait, it is extremely easy to find your guests. When you are on an hour and a half wait and have taken over 50 names, it becomes much more difficult - thus, the crazy descriptions. So- if you want to guarantee that the hostess will find you an hour and a half after you have put your name in - be a little more creative with your dress! You would be shocked on how many men / women wear jeans, black sweater and black shoes.

I'm not even a vegetarian, but I like a good Veggie burger every now and then. Well when I tried their Veggie burger, I was hooked. It's delicious!! Nothing like those frozen veggie patties most places have. Sooooo good.

being on Michigan Ave. you'd think it's too posh to enjoy but not really. it's pretty cozy, dark, and private. one thing though that threw me was the hostess... when we walked in she wrote down visual descriptions of us all the way down to the piercings in some sort of short hand. the only reason i saw it was because the waitress accidentally set the card down on our table when she was talking to us. i understood most of what was written about me, some of it made me go hmm but that was just weird and made me uncomfortable to know that detailed descriptions were being written down about us. anyway, the waitress was very nice and the food was very very good. as per usual with Bandera. and pricing isn't too high but it certainly could be lower... but that's just my opinion and i really doesn't cross my mind when eating there.

so delicious. one of the best restaurants in chicago. live jazz for dinner, great atmosphere, excellent staff & food....nothing to complain about!

Bandera is terrific food, favorable lighting, solid value and attentive service, all overlooking Michigan Ave. To get a seat by the window, go on a weeknight. You must try the cornbread & the veggie burger. In any other city, they call this restaurant "Houstons" - go there.