Sep 28 2009
Bandera Restaurant……American Food in Sacramento
Bandera Restaurant Sacramento
My friend is here in Sac working for a few weeks close to the Fair Oaks Boulevard and Howe Avenue area, so we decided to use that as a starting place and try out area restaurants depending on the mood of the day. Our first venture out in that area with a completely random finger point at the map led us to Bandera Restaurant at 2232 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95825. Since neither of us had ever been there before we went completely without prejudice. According to the dictionary bandera is a Spanish word meaning flag, so we were having visions of salsa and enchiladas but much to our surprise Bandera Restaurant isn’t Spanish or Mexican at all but operates under the mantra of American “comfort” food. Since it is not a one-of-a-kind but one of the Hillstone group of restaurants maybe we should have known this, but not really being food critics just hungry, “who knew?”
We were a little early and thought we might have time and inclination for dessert so we decided to share. We ordered the French Dip Sandwich and were pleasantly surprised that they did the split for us with separate au jus and colcannon mashed potatoes without a plate charge. The sandwich was very tasty and the portion of thin sliced prime rib was very generous, excellent for sharing. The mashed potatoes had maybe a few too many green things, but still very good.
We were just two friend looking for some good food and conversation which we found at Bandera’s, but we did note that the atmosphere seemed like it might be a good place for a romantic evening, with low lights and a well stocked bar. I have since discovered that we will have to go back because we didn’t try their specialty, the skillet cornbread, which by some standards is “to die for”, and I also noticed a grilled artichoke appetizer that deserves a second chance. So in the words of the Governator, “I’ll be back!”
Sara your review sounds great except for the thing I would also like to know. Was the meat rare in the sandwich? Some places serve it chilled and rare, some serve it warm and rare and some serve it warm and cooked to death. Thanks:-)
The meat was warm but not rare. Maybe I would like it more rare if not on a sandwich but it was quite tasty with au jus.
I’ve been to Bandaras in Los Angeles and I really like it. Nice place but not over the top. The short ribs are amazing.