Banditos Tacos & Tequila Columbia

We visited after the Howard County AFSP Out of the Darkness walk (about 11:30a on a Saturday). We were greeted right away & promptly seated (there wasn't many people in the restaurant at the time). They did not have a highchair for our toddler, only booster seats in which the buckle was broken, so we had to keep her from falling out the entire time.

After being seated, we waited for at least 15 minutes before we were even asked about drinks. Our waitress had just come into work as we were waiting. Since we were waiting for so long, we were ready to order everything. To start, we ordered a large queso & large guac, but the waitress said she had to check to see if they even had guac -- they did, but it wouldn't be ready for at least 10 minutes. When the guac finally came out (more than 10 minutes), it was a laughable single serving. For $12, we were expecting a something the size of a molcajete. But we didn''t receive our queso, so we reminded the waitress that we had ordered a large queso and she informed us that they were out of queso.

I'm sorry, but this is allegedly a Mexican restaurant. So to not have queso & supremely overcharge for guac is unacceptable. The rest of the food everyone got was ok, but not great. Maybe they have better service & food availability during the busy/normal hours of operation, but that shouldn't make a difference.

We didn't have the best experience during our visit.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 1

Great networking atmosphere. Drinks are good and bartenders are friendly and make good drinks. Will be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The decorations are vibrant and colorful and the food is extremely good. Their prices aren’t bad either!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

it was a good experience

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Great tacos. Good drink selection with sports on several big screens.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had an amazing experience at Benditos in Columbia! We went on a weekend for lunch as a group of four and were pleasantly surprised by how smooth everything went. Even though it was busy, we only waited about five minutes to be seated.

The food was absolutely delicious — every single family member enjoyed their meal. The birrias were outstanding, rich in flavor and perfectly cooked. The cheeseburger nachos from the starter menu are an absolute must-try; they were creative, hearty, and so tasty that we almost ordered a second round. To end our meal, we had the tres leches cake, which was moist, light, and perfectly sweet — truly one of the best we’ve had.

Our waitress was amazing — attentive, friendly, and always available whenever we needed something. She made sure our experience was seamless from start to finish. Overall, Benditos is a fantastic spot for a family meal, and we can’t wait to come back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We have gone to this place several times the past month and the food is amazing every time. We get the triple appetizer queso, guacamole, Pico... amazing deal! We've tried different tacos everytime and they don't disappoint. Service I'd say depends on the person, we are not very needy, so have appreciated our service throughout. Enjoy the art and overall ambiance, happy this is nearby.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Street Corn on the Cob, Queso Dip

This place completely ruined my birthday and wasted my entire day. On a previous visit, I left my phone in the restroom and found two employees locked inside for almost 30 minutes, clearly trying to steal it while doing something very inappropriate.
Yesterday, during my birthday celebration, someone sent my boyfriend a drink with a disgusting handwritten note on a napkin, which was humiliating. but I chose not to make a scene in front of my friends.This morning, I went to the management office and politely asked if they could provide the security footage to help identify who sent the note. They promised to call me back. We waited the entire day, but no one ever called. When we followed up by phone, The person I spoke to was extremely rude, hung up on me, and showed zero professionalism. They ruined my birthday, wasted my whole day, and left me deeply disappointed. Avoid this place at all costs.

We really enjoyed our food and the atmosphere here. Had great music.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I ordered take out for my family of 6. Everyone was disappointed with the packaging of the food, soggy tacos, dried up fried Baja fish tacos with 2 dinky slivers of fish.basically wasted 98$ no one ate the food because it didn’t even look appetizing.

Five stars across the board for these two incredible bartenders!
My friends and I stopped by after The Black Keys concert last night, and despite the place being absolutely packed, Jordan and Luke handled the rush like seasoned pros. What impressed me most wasn't just their speed and efficiency.Though they were lightning fast it was how they made it look effortless while still providing personalized service.
Their expertise really shines through in the details. Luke's recommendation for the Muerto was spot-on and perfectly sweet,and Jordan crafted one of the best Old Fashioned’s I've had in awhile (and trust me, I'm picky about my whiskey cocktails most places butcher them). These aren't just bartenders slinging drinks; they are genuine people.
But here's what sets them apart. The chemistry between Jordan and Luke creates an incredible atmosphere. Their natural banter and friendship translates into this infectious energy that makes the whole bar feel welcoming. They're not just colleagues—they're a dynamic duo who clearly love what they do and genuinely enjoy working together. That kind of positive energy is rare and absolutely magnetic.
Even during the post-concert chaos, they took time to chat and make genuine connections with customers. They turned what could have been a stressful, crowded experience into something fun and memorable.
My only regret? The kitchen had already closed, so I missed out on trying those tacos everyone raves about. Guess that means I'll definitely be back—and I'm hoping Jordan and Luke are behind the bar again because they made the entire experience exceptional.
Bottom line is !!! These two don't just serve drinks, they create experiences. They're the kind of employees who turn first-time visitors into regulars. Absolute gems—promote them, give them raises, do whatever it takes to keep this dream team together!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Came in recently for drinks with my husband and would not return. Drinks were ok however the bartender, Fern was making derogatory remarks about black people saying things like “n-words don’t tip”. I hope this doesn’t reflect the views of the company, but regardless I will be taking my business elsewhere.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

Great service in a casual restaurant. The tacos and sandwiches were given good reviews by everyone in our group, but the sides didn't stand out. The music was on point - as a side note. 😁

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Sound system was crap and it was way to loud! The food was subpar! Overall it was just a bad experience 🙃

Always a good experience. Check it out.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5