Bandera

 

I’ll have Good Food with a Side Order of Incompetence

Last Saturday evening we were at a friends house having a few cocktails when we decided we should go out for some dinner.  It was late so we figured we might have good luck at Bandera’s.  Since we were in CDM, Frank walked over to put our name in around 8:15pm.  They told him 45 minutes.  He walked back over and we figured they would be a bit late, so we wandered over an hour later at 9:15pm.  The hostess told us it was going to be an additional 15-20 minutes, and that we were free to go in a get a drink.  Well that sounds great, however the bar is packed like 30 deep, so standing there, would mean that soon you would be wearing your drink.  Thank goodness they have the waiting room. We settled down in there with a bottle of wine and waited.  20 minutes passed, and I approached the hostess.  She said well it will probably be another 15-20 minutes.  Cordially I inquired, was she sure, or is she making it up.  I got a blank stare, the other, more seasoned hostess came over and asked if she could help. I explained we were told 45 minutes, and after 1 hour, we were told an additional 20 and now I am being told another 20.  How many tables are in front of us? How many tables just sat down to eat? How many have their checks?  Can I get a straight answer?  I walked away, and almost immediately we were seated.  

Our waitress came over and told us that she heard we had to wait, and was sorry.  We explained we don’t mind waiting, if we were told originally how long it will be.  We vented that we wish you took reservations.  She explained that they don’t because the servers couldn’t gage how long tables were there and it was a mess…  that was my first clue as to the caliber of people who work there. 

As I said before we were hungry, so we ordered 3 appetizers for the table.  Once they arrived, she informed us that the manager was going to pick up one appetizer on them, because we had to wait so long.  Point 1 for Bandera’s.  We did not expect, or want this, but we welcomed it with open arms.  I like when a restaurant tries to make you happy.  

The wine menu consists of mainly California wines, which are not my favorite, so I go to my other trusty favorite, Vodka, Tonic TWO Limes.  The drinks took a few minutes to arrive, and when they finally did, mine only had 1 lime.  I figured the bartender messed up, so no big deal.  When  we were ordering our second round, I made it a point to mention “this time can I have TWO limes”  The waitress, shocked was apologetic that the first drink only had one.  Again No Big Deal.  Well when the cocktail waitress brought my drink it arrived with only 1 lime.  Minus 1 point for Bandera.  

I excused myself for the restroom, and came back to see our friends in a discussion with the manager.  Telling him of our tales of the night, how we waited forever, and that our drinks had the wrong garnishes, the whole myriad of issues.  The manger listened and sympathized, and said he would do his best to make things right.  When he walked away, we saw him approached the cocktail waitress and tell her with 2 emphatic fingers 2 limes.

On to the food….  the apps we ordered were the dip, corn bread and some salad.  All three were delightful.  And our entree’s were delicious.  One thing I must say, is you will get great tasting food from Bandera’s if you can stand the wait, and the incompetence of the workers.  

Next time we plan to go, I will block out 90 plus minutes for waiting and an only an hour for dinner, I will bring extra limes in my pocket and a snack for us while we wait.