Bandera

I used to drive by Bandera in Corona Del Mar every day on my way to work, always curious about the buzz and lively atmosphere. One day, I finally decided to stop in, and I’m so glad I did. Since that first visit, it’s become a regular spot for me. The food here is consistently excellent. I highly recommend starting with their appetizers, especially the Oreo dessert and banana pie, both of which are indulgent and delicious. One standout dish for me is their grilled artichoke, seasoned to perfection and incredibly flavorful. And don’t skip the cornbread, it’s rich, slightly sweet, and a must-try. My only constructive feedback is about the parking situation. After 6pm, especially during peak dinner hours, it can be a bit of a challenge to find a spot nearby. It’s worth planning ahead or considering a rideshare if you’re coming in the evening. Overall, Bandera offers a great dining experience, and I’ll definitely keep coming back.

Have gone to Bandera since the early 2000's, starting when the restaurant had a location in Scottsdale. Made reservations on a Wednesday. A 20 plus minute wait after the reservation before we were seated. Then the restaurant was out of signature rotisserie chicken and pork chop before 8 pm. Wait staff was excellent. My 4th choice of main course, as they were out of 3 other menu items, was way below my expectation. The beef ribs were more like burnt ends. Artichoke was delicious as usual. Still very disappointing with so many choices in the area. All atmosphere and make-up service for lack of quality.

I’d give this place an average of four stars. Many many years ago, I embarked on the macho salad. It was so good.!! so good that I thought about it for years and look forward to the day I went back. The other day, I finally went back and of course, ordered the macho salad. It was definitely not the same as I remember- portion was much smaller flavor was also lacking so that was disappointing. We also ordered the combo plate with the ribs and ribs were the best fries were great . Best part of the meal was the kale salad.

Had an incredible dinner at Bandera in Corona Del Mar! From start to finish, everything was spot-on. I ordered the Hawaiian Rib Eye and took our server Tony’s recommendation to pair it with the Potatoes Colcannon. The steak was cooked to perfection, and the potatoes were creamy, and rich with flavor. My husband had the chicken and rib combo and couldn’t stop raving about it. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, and both the chicken and ribs were packed with flavor. To top it all off, Tony also suggested the Pot de Crème for dessert, and it was the perfect ending smooth, rich, and not overly sweet. Beyond the delicious food, what really elevated the experience was the outstanding service. Tony was attentive, friendly, and clearly knew the menu well. Next time we come back, we’ll definitely be asking to sit in his section again!

Our Home Away from Home – Thank You, Ben and the Banderas Newport Beach Team We travel constantly and are longtime fans of Hillstone restaurants—we make a point to seek them out wherever we go. But nothing compares to the experience we have at Banderas in Newport Beach, and that is entirely because of Ben and his extraordinary team. From day one, Ben has made us feel like family. His attention to detail, thoughtful questions, and the way he remembers the little things about our lives make every visit feel personal and warm. No matter what’s going on in the restaurant, Ben remains calm, gracious, and present. He’s a true professional, but beyond that, he leads with a kind of care and heart that’s rare to find. While our home was under renovation for nearly a year, we found ourselves visiting Banderas often—not just for the consistently phenomenal food and flawless service, but because it became our anchor, our constant. A place that felt comforting and familiar, even when everything else felt upside down. Now that our renovation is complete and we’re back to cooking at home, we still find ourselves coming in all the time. Because being greeted and cared for by Ben and his team brings us a deep sense of home—a place to land, to unwind after a long week, and to feel truly welcomed. We’ve been to Hillstones across the country, but there’s simply nothing like Banderas Newport. Ben has created something incredibly special here, and we are endlessly grateful for the heart, consistency, and warmth that he and his team bring to every experience.

Dark Wood lends itself to the jazzy feel of the restaurant. Everything was excellent (macho salad, sweet potato and cheese enchilada with a fried egg on top, cornbread bites, and artichoke to start.). Martinis were $18 but they were good and food prices were in the mid $20s range. The artichokes are as good as ever which has always been very good at Bandera. The cornbread bites for $4 were reasonable and tasty. I would definitely be back.

The food was amazing! The ribs and chicken are both very tender and smoky, but the french dip was my favorite!! It melts in your mouth! I also enjoyed the chips and queso guacamole as the appetizer. I love the ambiance of the restaurant, a great spot to take your parents out for dinner in my opinion 😊

This is the second time I have visited this restaurant. The first time was in 2018. The restaurant maintains the quality of service, cleanliness, and food. My recommendation is the beef ribs and kale salad.

Food: -Grilled artichoke: so well done, delicious sauce -Emerald kale salad: the side order was huge! Was very good and well dressed. -beef back ribs: so tender and very yummy. The coleslaw was also very good. A good combination of creamy and vinegary versions -prime rib sandwich: just as good as R+D, pillowy soft bread and tender thin slices of meat. Love that they offer a side, R+D doesn't. Fries were great, just the way I like them. -no mocktails but the waitress offered a n/a spritzer with fresh grapefruit juice, sparkling water and mint which was great. Service: overall good, very attentive. No negative notes Vibe: busy on a Friday night. Well lit and great space. Overall very happy with our dinner and will come back!

I don't think I've ever give a 1 star. I've seen people write out I wish I could give negative and now I understand why. I arrived in my 2 year sons birthday to banderas in new port beach. We were there 30 minutes early and just stayed outside until they opened the restaurant. They opened the restaurant and we were the first people inside. They sat us all the way towards the back of the restaurant which I personally prefer because of my children. We ordered our food and my son loves to just roam around and see the area. I always supervise him just in case people don't see him or he goes into areas he isn't allowed. The manager BEN came up to me and said hello my name is BEN and stuck his hand to shack my hand. I shook his hand and said hello. The first thing he said after that was, can you please keep your child with you guys inside the booth, we don't want your child getting hurt. I totally respect that and said no problem and brought my son into the booth to sit with us. I looked behind me into the restaurant and saw that there was maybe 1 or 2 other tables at that moment with people in it. After 15-20 mins of sitting and eating out food, my son was watching some child entertainment on my phone so he can stay calm and not run around. A different manager came and say hello has anyone helped you with anything or asked if you'd like anything small for your children? Me and my wife both looked at each other and said no nothing and he said if I can help, please let me know and I said sure can you please bring me a small side of guacamole for my son , and you can charge me for it. He said of course and then leaned over to me and said, can you please lower your phone volume to the lowest level as to not disturb other people? I was in shock because I could BARELY and I mean barely hear the phone number. I said sure and took the phone and lowered it. My wife that was sitting literally across me said I can't even hear it, why the heck would he even say that??? I was in shock about that. After our food arrived and I asked for my steak to me medium well, it came out medium rare. I didn't complain because I don't usually complain about the temperature of steak because I enjoy the medium or medium rare type but because I have children I get it more well done for my children to eat. My son started getting antsy and started swinging his head and it hit the wood framing of the booth. He started crying and I know he was upset and hurt. I quickly picked him up and rubbed him and took care of him. I said to my son let's go to the bathroom to wash up. We went to the restroom and washed up. When I came back to my sit, my wife said you won't believe what that manager said. I said again? What did he say? He came to my wife and said can you please keep the outbursts to a minimal? My wife told him my son hit his head and got hurt, he said oh no can we get him ice or anything? She said no and he left. At this point I was so angry I was going to lose it. I told my wife get the check and let's get out of here. I have been eating at Houston restaurants longer than that manager BEN has been alive. I'm so disrespected by how he handled that. We sat in the corner kept to ourselves Kept the noise to a minimal Tried ordering quickly and leaving to not disturb anyone Paid and tipped generously For some loser manager to come and say that about my child. I eat at Hillstone in Santa Monica probably once a week if not more. There is a south Beverly grill down the street from my home that I go to as well. Very bad customer service and VERY bad acknowledgement of circumstances.

Been coming here for more than 10 years. Excellent service, awesome food. Cornbread make sure ask for a side of honey and butter. Duo dip is also excellent. I always order the chicken sandwich very tasty. All around top to bottom you can't go wrong! Love it ..

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.

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!

Our Home Away from Home - Thank You, Ben and the Banderas Newport Beach Team We travel constantly and are longtime fans of Hillstone restaurants--we make a point to seek them out wherever we go. But nothing compares to the experience we have at Banderas in Newport Beach, and that is entirely because of Ben and his extraordinary team. From day one, Ben has made us feel like family. His attention to detail, thoughtful questions, and the way he remembers the little things about our lives make every visit feel personal and warm. No matter what's going on in the restaurant, Ben remains calm, gracious, and present. He's a true professional, but beyond that, he leads with a kind of care and heart that's rare to find. Ben is an incredible manager, his team is a reflection of that and he is an asset to the restaurant. While our home was under renovation for nearly a year, we found ourselves visiting Banderas often--not just for the consistently phenomenal food and flawless service, but because it became our anchor, our constant when everyday felt chaotic, stressful and filled with change. A place that felt comforting and familiar, even when everything else felt upside down. Now that our renovation is complete and we're back to cooking at home, we still find ourselves coming in all the time. Because being greeted and cared for by Ben and his team brings us a deep sense of home--a place to land, to unwind after a long week, and to feel truly welcomed. We've been to Hillstones across the country, but there's simply nothing like Banderas Newport. Ben has created something incredibly special here, and we are endlessly grateful for the heart, consistency, and warmth that he and his team bring to every experience.

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.

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.

So many rules...guys no hats, used to be no cash, but if you have someone that can't come in & wants the steak it's a no go...nope, can't have that... thanks corporate! Food is great but corporate should move to a communist country with all their no soup for you rules. No one takes a phone on order? Website can only order ribs & other things we don't want like a filet or ribeye. I had to go across the street to the QW to get our filets. Corporate strikes again!

New food pictures for this review as I was out with business colleagues and it wasn't appropriate. Okay for starters we had the dip duo which is guacamole and a jalapeno queso. The queso actually reminded me of a pimento cheese dip that you would get from the south. Both were excellent and delicious. Next I went with the nice little house salad which was really nice with greens, pickled, carrots, walnuts and goat cheese very nice For my entree I went with the chicken and barbecue rib combo. Excellent. The ribs were tender and juicy. They don't give you a lot but that's okay. They do give you a half chicken which was Smokey and delicious. No one went for dessert. Two of my compatriots had the French dip sandwich which they thought was excellent and then our other compatriot had the kale and roasted salad and she enjoyed that. Service was prompt a little too prompt as I was still eating my salad when they brought the entree. But nevertheless, very nice place and they definitely have a lot of good smoked meats

Respect Did not like the two bar waitresses which talked about me but I heard it. Sad how much a customer who was ignored and then talked about in front of my face. So childish from a previous incident here at CDM Bandera. That's what we get if we complain as a paying customer I've never been treated so disrespectful in a supposedly used to be one of my favorites before.

It's been a couple of years since I've been. Use to be my go to in town. The bbq salmon dish was phenomenal. All of it. The veggie and cheese enchilada was recommended and good. Loved the side salad with it. Great vibe, people watching place, ambience is sexy and yet casual. Great service as always. Expect a wait on weekends. Not a bad thing with fireplace on and excellent bar.

With childlike enthusiasm I ordered the grilled artichokes. However, the adult reality guy punch was delivered once the dish arrived. I drew a blank. How does one tackle this artichoke?...I had forgotten. To help, my husband looks at me with bleep as the charred vegetable is foreign and menacing. Finely victorious, the artichoke was conquered. Should really come with a manual. Dip duo does it. It hits. Fresh chips served with guacamole and jalapeño cheese dip. The double-cut pork chops served with red cabbage and goat cheese had me pleasantly surprised. The colcannon potatoes delish. The Pettit filet cooked to excellence and even had a great crust.

I want to say this is my second time writing about Bandera Corona on how exceptional the service, food and restaurant is. Charisma took care of us this weekend and it was amazing that we didn't even have to tell her that it was our anniversary. Whenever you can feel special without having to tell your server it's a special occasion is a huge positive as a consumer. Can't want to be back!

Ben, the manager on duty, was absolutely horrific. On a complete power trip. I have dined at Bandera at least 50 times. It is a great establishment (as are Gulf Stream and Houstons). Call ahead and if Ben is not working, go. If he is, stay clear and go to The Quiet Woman instead. Better food and an amazing, welcoming staff.

Fantastic service with dark/moody ambiance. Appetizer: kale salad, always a hit at any Hillstone branch. Entrees were disappointing. We got the chicken and ribs plates along with coleslaw and side of fries. Fries was not hot and it had a strong oil flavor which we didn't like at all. 1 star! The bbq ribs were cooked fine but the sauce was way too sweet. If you dine at Gulfsteam (sister restaurant couple of blocks away) their ribs and the sauce is far superior and balanced. The chicken was more disappointing. Mine was not cooked enough for the chicken to separate easily from the bones and I had to wrestle with it. it was also red in some parts of the leg so I stopped eating it. Also, the chicken really lacked any flavor. Overall I was not happy with my dish at all. For dessert, banana pie... we thought the banana would be also incorporated with the pie filling, only to find out it was plain filling with banana slices on the side. Again it lacked flavor. Out of all our dining experiences at different Hillstone sister restaurants this Bandera visit was by far our least favorite.

Food is absolutely the worst! Tastes like licking a grill grate. Artichokes taste the same as the salmon. Overly salted. Super rude waitstaff. Managers are aggressive and poorly trained. Not like other Houstons restaurants. Truly embarrassing for them. Diabolical.

Oh my gosh! We had heard of Bandera for ages and never been. What a great experience we had! Our server Briana was the best!!!!! Great recommendations, attentive and so pleasant and friendly! What a great genuine smile! She was right on with everything she suggested! We had the grilled artichoke for our appetizer. My husband had the crispy chicken sandwich and I had the macho salad. Delicious! Then the dessert!!!!!!!! Banana cream pie was exquisite! One thing that made my experience extra special was that I ordered a cosmo martini which was perfect---- but when I was 1/2 way finished Briana brought over a new frosted martini glass and pored my martini into it! I've never had such great attention to detail and service! Outstanding! We will be back!

Food and service is second to none. Highly recommend to anyone in the greater OC area.

Absolutely LOVED this place!!!! This is my favorite dinner place that I have tried in CDM so far. I only have great things to say. Bandera is the perfect date night spot with the moody ambiance and lighting. Our server was great and very charismatic! The food and drinks also came out fairly quick after we ordered. Off to a good start. I got the Crush drink which was soooo yummy and fresh. The cornbread bites could have used some honey drizzle but they were the perfect little starter to share. The chicken and ribs plate and chicken sandwich was PHENOMENAL. Sooooo fresh and delicious and perfect. 0 complaints. The ribs were some of the best ribs I've ever had and the coleslaw was crunchy and perfect. Not to mention the portion sizes are HUGE. We are our leftovers for dinner the next day. Overall I would highly recommend Bandera as it did not at all disappoint. This is my new fav dinner spot in CDM by a long shot.

Came here on a Saturday with a reservation and the place was pretty busy but didn't have to wait too long for our table. The apt was dark with minimal lighting which gave it a cool date night vibe. For food, I for the bbq salmon. It was a rather large piece with a cucumber salad that was probably my favorite part so if it doesn't come with your meal I recommend that you order it as a side. The veggies are pickled and so tasty.

My bf and I LOVE Houston's and R&D kitchen so naturally we assumed we'd be fans of everything under the Hillstone umbrella, however we didn't have the best experience here. Our Hawaiian ribeye came out too rare (we ordered medium rare). We ate one small piece from the edge and cut it in half after to confirm and let our server know. Instead of making a new steak, they tossed the one we have back on the grill, so when it was returned to us it was the driest steak we have ever experienced. And for more context the Hawaiian ribeye is my favorite steak ever, usually so juicy and packed with flavors of the marinate so this was really disappointing. We also ordered the beef rib and chicken and it was just ok. The cornbread bites were good but not enough for me to come back. The parking lot is small, and for a similar menu and consistent quality of steak, I will stick to Houston's and R&D instead.

We've been coming here for years with no review. It's basically a carbon copy of it's sister spot, Houston's. Pretty much the same menu, same restaurant layout, same atmosphere. Service is usually on point and the food is solid. Parking is small, but doable. Smaller menu, which I always appreciate. Roasted artichokes are excellent. Hawaiian ribeye same. Good bar scene. Like Houston's, not a bigger group type of place (party of 4 or less).

love: every dish, the macho salad, the beef ribs are out of this world, cornbread bites, artichoke - all of it is incredible not my fave: parking and getting a reservation on short notice

Thought the appetizers were awesome but the entrees were just good, not great but also not bad. Chicken is a tad dry but the smoked salmon spread and corn bread were definitely the stars. Great dinner ambiance. Be prepared to wait, still had to wait 20 mins even when we showed up on time for our reservation

First visited a Bandera in Los Altos way back in 2001. It's one of the family of Hillstone company restaurants (including Gulfstream, R+D Kitchen, Houston's, Rutherford Grill, White House Tavern, etc.). This location in the Newport enclave of Corona Del Mar is a neighborhood favorite, walking distance to the bluffs overlooking the Pacific. As with other Hillstone restaurants, the vibe inside is uber comfortable and decadent, managing to be both intimately dim but with spotlights and candles that set wooden tabletops aglow. They have a nice patio with fireplace for waiting, and wait staff serve appetizers and drinks out there. Wood and copper elements with an Arts and Crafts style and interesting art (images of trees, barns, still life). Cocktails are solid, and a nice wine and beer selection. Also no corkage for first bottle if you want to bring in something special. Staff is professional and solicitous but not overeager. You're well taken care of but not pestered. The menu is classic and nothing too crazy: grilled artichokes, a great dip duo of pimento cheese and guacamole, some tremendous beef ribs, rotisserie chicken, often fresh fish. Our go-to's are the flawless chicken sandwich (perfectly soft and slightly sweet brioche with thin and crisp chicken, cool tomato, Swiss cheese, and a great slaw) and the macho salad (greens with pulled rotisserie chicken, avocado, dates, goat cheese, cornbread croutons). In summary, Bandera for us is like that old friend you're always happy to visit who never fails to lift your spirits. I do wish they'd leave me alone about wearing my hat inside though...

We came back to Bandera and had a wonderful experience. Great service, excellently made Old Fashions, perfectly cooked charred medium rare rib eye, grilled salmon and banana cream pie. Can't wait to return.

Amazing Right in the middle of CDM Great atmosphere, busy place. You need to make a reservation for the Bar ads well as the dinning area. it's always very crowded. Reservations are highly recommended. But you will love the experience. Food and the drinks are worth the wait We started with the cornbread bites which are really yummy, followed by dinner.. steak with blue cheese and tomatoes. Delicious. The margarita was also good, but I don't really care for the egg white foam they put in it. When ordering that drink, make sure that you say egg white or no egg white foam. Enjoy

Bandera is always a good time. Met up with a friend there after work. It was pretty busy for a weekday which is inconvenient but also a sign that you're in for a good meal. Despite the crowd, we were seated promptly at our reservation time. Bandera has a very nice vibe, low lighting. Loud enough that your conversations aren't intruded on but not so loud that you have to shout to hear each other. My go to starters are the dip duo and the cornbread. Don't approach these as if they are mutually exclusive. Get both. Trust me. For mains, I had the lamb sandwich. Glad to see it back on the menu. It's so flavorful and the meat is super tender. My buddy had the french dip which he said was insanely delicious. It's a small menu, but that's usually a sign that everything on it will be a hit. Definitely recommend for a casual evening out.

Been coming here for 20+ years and the food is always very good, despite their incessant tweaking and smaller portions. Though, a complaint I have concerns their formerly sublime and legendary banana cream pie. This dessert used to be the capper to a great meal. My fiancee and I ate at Bandera a couple months ago and ordered our staple BCP. Expecting excellence, we were saddened and disappointed. It truly tasted and looked as if it came off a Marie Callender's assembly line. The chocolate was way too thick and needed a chisel to break thru. The banana filling was unappealing and flavorless. Barely any of the yummy buttery Graham Cracker. Just... very disappointing. Why did they muck with this formerly amazing dessert? No clue. We'll return, but will now skip dessert.

-The management of the restaurant tonight was terrible. - Seating 45 minutes late (with a confirmed reservation) - After 75 minutes of eating and drinking, we were asked to leave so that another guest could wait for the table. - We wanted to order dessert but were never offered one. Not a memorable experience

Dined here last night. Servers were very attentive. Ambiance was nice, lighting was somewhat dark but rather nice. Almost every table was occupied Parking was Easy I had the Duckhorn Merlot, she had a Modelo. She had a Salad I had the SEATTLE-STYLE BARBECUE SALMON fillet'd in-house, grilled, and served with cucumber salad

What a disappointment today, ruined my appetite! For reference, I have spent about $5,000 dining here in the last two and half years eating the same things so i have been here many times and not making stuff up. Never have I had a worst experience than today at Bandera. I have frequented here after a nice sunset walk in my sandals for many years. I get my ribeye protein fix, and burn it off after. Today this new manager named Erwin Wang an immature and unprofessional acted likes it's his first day at a job, ruined my fine Sunday. Never seen this guy here before. I've been dining here for many years, first time being told I can't wear sandals while dining, no bar seating either. I have always worn sandals, walk the sunset nearby, get dinner here afterwards. Simple activity for this area! Erwin said "why don't you buy a shoe and come back ... women can wear casual, men can't wear sandals no exceptions!" Refusing service for wearing sandals for men and not women to make up a social norm is just unreasonable! The reservation staff and the managers here are just drama. After you get past the reservation and managers, the wait staff and kitchen are great. On top of this manager Erwin Wang totally ruined my dinner date. I lost my appetite talking to Erwin Wang so I decided that I can't eat there. I went elsewhere for some escargot and seafood and beer. Bandera stop irritating customers with your bureaucracy. Not going back until this guy is gone. Love the cooks, the waiters/waitresses, consistent ribeye, however great displeasure for the non-service from this immature and unprofessional Erwin Wang. I have always tip well after each past visit. As a long time customer things could have been handled much more professionally.

I'm writing this review with a lot of disappointment because my first experience here recently was absolutely amazing -- and unfortunately, my second visit was the complete opposite. The first time I tried the barbecue beef rib, it was incredible: perfectly tender, served piping hot, and full of rich, smoky flavor without being overwhelmed by char. There was absolutely no blackened tar taste. Even the cornbread was warm and fresh. It left such a strong impression that I couldn't wait to come back. This time, however, was very disheartening. The beef rib was lukewarm when it arrived, and all I could taste was burnt char, which completely ruined the flavor. I was with a friend who isn't comfortable sending food back, and since I was also very hungry, I hesitated to say anything at the moment -- but I deeply regretted it afterward. It's especially concerning for me because I had brain tumor removal surgery in 2023, and eating heavily charred meat is a serious health risk. Blackened meat is carcinogenic, and consuming it is something I absolutely cannot risk for my health. We shouldn't have to ask for our food to be served without a carcinogen -- it should be the standard. When I spoke with the manager, I was told that the meat is cooked over an open flame and that's just how it is. Honestly, I find that a very frustrating and poor excuse. It's not about the open flame -- it's about whether the cook knows how to properly adjust the fire and timing for different cuts of meat. A skilled cook should be able to deliver great flavor without serving burnt food. I've actually been coming to this restaurant on and off for over 30 years. I still remember when they used to serve the most perfect filet mignon -- beautifully cooked, without any heavy char. Sadly, times have changed. Now even the filet mignon often comes out blackened, and it's clear the cooks today aren't the same, nor is the attention to quality. Unfortunately, after this experience, I don't think I'll be returning for a third visit. It's disappointing because my first recent visit gave me hope -- but consistency matters, and so does the ability to handle feedback properly, especially when it involves real health concerns.

We had a last minute reservation here on a Thursday night. Our server was Skyler and SHE IS AMAZING. She gave us great recommendations, Exceptional service, and the type of experience that we don't see very often now a days. We will definitely be back

Never ever in my life had I been asked to not speak on my phone at a bar the rude hostess said we don't allow cell phone usage at the bar I said where is the sign saying such ? I conduct my business on my phone are you serious . The bartenders were great food was no more than a glorified dennys with an old age home crowd do not waste your money coming here

I enjoy coming here. It's comfortable and casual and I enjoy the food. Always a great place to have drinks with friends, etc. "I don't agree with the no cash policy now". I do agree with others let's keep our freedom!

They're not respect the line anyone he know the workers or the employees they let him go. He said they did reservation on the phone, but they are lie. They just arrived the same moment. We was there in the same time.

Was my second time here.. first time I wasn't too impressed for some reason (maybe cause of the small menu) but this time I came to realize they have a small menu but make everything just right! It may also have been because the first time I was with girlfriends for a girls night, and the place has more of a dark/date night feel so I enjoyed it more when i was with my husband. We started off with the artichoke, then had the Hawaiian Rib eye and chicken/rib combo dinner with the cornbread appetizer. Everything was delicious and our server Aileen was sweet and attentive. We love the ambience too!! The place was swanky but not pretentious. Cant wait to come back!

Like the other Hillstone restaurants, this one is amazing!! From the moment you walk in, the stage is set. The ambience is refined but chill. The smell from the wood smoke is intoxicating (their smoked salmon appetizer is out of this world and their wood smoked chicken is awesome). My husband, son and I got a nice booth to enjoy our dinner. Service overall was great. As for the food and drink... amazing!! I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. I LOVE their margarita (which is just like Gulfstream's)... the perfect tangy sweet combination made with fresh ingredients. Husband really enjoyed the Chimay and my son liked the little bottle of Coke. Salmon appetizer is a must... incredibly delicious! Entrees ordered were the beef ribs & smoked chicken, double cut pork chops and grilled salmon. Everything was perfectly prepared and tasted exquisite. They are only open for dinner during the week unfortunately. That is the only drawback.

Food is awesome, but there are some unusual and extreme rules. Don't even think about trying to order fries at the bar. I tried tonight to order a drink and fries at the bar and was told that ordering fries without a full meal at the bar wasn't allowed. I had to order a full meal. I was waiting for my to go order so ordering a full meal wasn't what I wanted to do. Just a drinks and some fries to snack on while I waited. I was told no by the bartender, and told to see the hostess. I told the hostess I was hoping to order a drink and some fries. She told me that wasn't allowed, and then went to get the manager who also told me it's not allowed to order fries without a meal at the bar. Luckily by this time my to go order was ready, so I left. The whole experience was bizarre and embarrassing. I love it there and the food is fantastic. They are obviously great at making sure all staff follow the rules to the letter, no matter how it makes a customer feel.

Make reservations or good luck getting in. This place is solid, you can't go wrong. The entire menu is delicious. Great food, drinks, and ambiance. My Favorites- Smoked salmon (appetizer is shareable) Crispy chicken sandwich French dip Salads are great too if you want to keep it light.

Great food. Love the service. Nice and clean restaurant to have dinner. Not elegant but nice one to have a good time. I really like the fresh corn bread.

We were running late on our reservation and when we called to let them know they were so nice to accommodate! They were so kind and attentive from calling ahead to the very end of our meal. Food was so delicious my only complaint is that the mash needs a little more flavor but nothing a little salt and pepper can't fix! Drinks were tasty and well made, perfect ratio. The place is super romantic and dim lit, super cute! I would say it's pretty noisy and had to raise our voices to have a convo but nothing too crazy.

Terrible service. I live in the neighborhood and walked over here. They said we can't order seafood or fries to go. Weird attitude too. Frankly the food isn't good enough for them to be so snobby. Supplement: I just read some other reviews and there is a common theme of young, arrogant and kinda dopey managers who are on weird $70k/year power trips. Maybe the ownership didn't give them the hint that the clientele in flip flops are well to do. If you want to be treated like a kid, come on down to Bandera and they will insult you for free.

Will never go back here for dine in or take out. A few years ago while dining in the server actually grabbed my husband's cocktail out of his hand before he had finished it. As a result he said he would never go back. We decided to order their Macho salad to-go and it was $25 and not worth. The salad was not what it used to be and waaay overpriced.

We'd always drive by here and finally had the chance to try it out. We love the other restaurants by the same owner but did not think this one was to par. We got the cornbread bites to start and I ordered their macho salad. The chicken was dry but the salad was a good combination of goat cheese with chopped dates. We also got their sausages which were dry as well. I do believe the sausages I buy from the store are much better. Was really wishing their food was better as we did bring relatives here for their bday. Not sure if I'll be back.

Been coming for years, couldn't be happier about their service and the amazing food! Love the vibe and the location

Worst bartenders ever. You're lucky if they even look at you let alone know serve a drink. Tried to order food but the bartender girl refused service cuz we weren't "dressed" right. I've lived in CDM / newps my whole life and a vapid this place only went cuz it was on the way home walking....never again! Don't waste your money or time even if you're a tourist.