Banditas, Band-Awsome

Tucked away on Commercial at about 12th lies a nugget of a jewel that specializes in vegetarian Mexican food.

The decor is what it is: nothing fancy, all the tables and chairs barely go together yet marry with a inexpensive charm. The big black and white check tile floor combined with the large windows gives one the feeling they just stepped into the kitchen belonging to their best friend's parents. Comfortable, unassuming, and nothing to prove. Toss in a couple of bikes in the rafters and you have the makings of one hip joint.

Most dishes are reasonably priced ( I think the most expensive was about 14 or so), with vegan options for all except the egg dishes. The variety and spectrum of the dishes is such that one doesn't really notice their is no meat on the menu.

I ordered the Tortilla Soup for $7, $7.50 if you want some corn tortillas on the side ($8 as I had vegan cheese instead of feta). While this is an easy dish to make, it is just as easy to fuck it up: Banditas, you are on.

I was pleasantly greeted with a hearty sized bowl filled with a vibrant red soup. This stuff was so thick and hearty it could have almost been called a stew. You cuold tell from first slurp that fresh tomatos were lovingly smashed to make this dish: a nice change from the traditional chicken stock varieties. Full of flavor with the perfect amount of cilantro, this dish didn't even need hot sauce (And that means something coming from me!).
The home made corn tortillas were so soft and lovely I actually thought they were flour for a moment. Moist yet strong those puppies were well made and went down the hatch with a smile.

While this is not the kind of place for those that want to be catered to (after your first glass of water you help yourself from jugs to the side), this is a great place to spend some time and eat some good food for a fair price without someone trying to hurry you out the moment you finish eating. Most other patrons in the joint were seemed to be engrossed in their food and conversation.

All in all I give Banditas two bike gears up.