OPENING: Bandidos Restaurant Debuts Tuesday

OPENING: Bandidos Restaurant Debuts TuesdayBandidos handkerchief napkin (photo: Roy McKenzie)
Roy
Published on August 30, 2014

Bandidos, the newest Mexican fine-dining restaurant and bar in the Castro Upper Market area is opening its big wooden doors wide this coming Tuesday, September 2nd. A posting for restaurant staff last month detailed that Bandidos will "offer patrons exquisite food presented with fine dining manners, but in a casual environment." As SFist reported, Bandidos owners Dana Gleim and Jesse Woodward brought back their talented Top Chef contestant friend Jaime Lauren to create the menu. Jamie Lauren created the menu at the restaurant duo's other Castro biz HiTops. If the food at HiTops is any indication of the quality and taste that will be featured at Bandidos, the restaurant should do well.

Bandidos seating (photo: Roy McKenzie)
Bandidos north wall group seating (photo: Roy McKenzie)

We spoke with the Bandidos restaurant manager Asia, who also let us snap a few photos of the interior. She mentioned that in addition to a great menu, the craft cocktails were made with the food menu in mind. A fine-dining Mexican restaurant might offer a few margaritas, some basic tequila drinks, and cervezas and call it a day, but Asia says the cocktail makers focused on pairings the drinks with the flavors of the menu and wanted to create something that diners would want to have again, "Sometimes you have a specialty cocktail and it's good but it tastes too sweet or it's just too much and you want to order a Jack and Coke after. We've made drinks that we think people will want to actually have another of." Asia also handed us an updated menu (below). The design of the interior (check out some of the exclusive photos UrbanDaddy scored of the interior) is industrial meets wood. Custom tables, seating, and a beautiful bar really show off the level of detail designer Craig Walters (HiTops, Fable, Blackbird) put into the layout. Even the napkins show the restaurant's unique personality opting for handkerchiefs with a paisley design surrounding the Bandidos logo. Asia jokingly mentioned that people might grab them and we'll see them wrapped on the heads of SF Fitness goers. The restaurant's front door is impressive with two large wooden doors flanked by beautiful wooden planters filled with succulents.
Bandidos entry (photo: Roy McKenzie)
Bandidos entry (photo: Roy McKenzie)
Checkout the newest restaurant on the block opening this Tuesday! Bandidos (2200 Market Street) will be open Monday - Thursday from 5PM - 11PM, Friday from 5PM - 12AM, Saturday from 11AM - 12AM, and Sunday from 11AM - 11PM.
Bandidos Lunch/Dinner Menu
Bandidos Lunch/Dinner Menu

Bandidos Drink Menu
Bandidos Drink Menu