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| - Attended a birthday dinner last night for a friend at Bandera. Bandera is categorized on Yelp as a "steakhouse." However, other than filet mignon, there is no steak on the menu. In fact, there are more fish entrees than anything else.
Admittedly, what they do, they do well. Unfortunately, what they do is very limited. Namely, a very small wine list and limited number of entree selections. Further, some of the menu items that were most in demand have been discontinued.
Ordered was: deviled eggs, the prime rib dinner with mashed potatoes, the rotisserie chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, the jalapeno cornbread and a white cake soaked in cream, topped with caramel sauce and fresh fruit . We didn't order wine because none of us saw a wine we recognized or liked. We ended up drinking beer (Fat Tire) and iced tea.
The meal was solid, but unspectacular. The five deviled eggs were good and remarkable only for the fact they appear on few other menus. The prime rib dinner ($31) was a smallish cut (approx 16 oz) for the money. The mashed potatoes (and the garlic mashed potatoes) were made from real potatoes and had chives incorporated. The rotisserie chicken dinners ordered were "off the menu" but the kitchen readily accommodated us. Where they were unable to accommodate us was with a former menu item, baby back ribs.
Bandera was famous for their baby back ribs. Enjoyed on previous occasions and commented favorably upon by other reviewers here, these should be a staple, like the hamburger at "21." For a while, they were available "off the menu." Alas, no more.
The highlight of the meal was the jalapeno cornbread. It comes in a small cast iron skillet. The crust is sweet and the interior is soft and crumbly. Combined with butter, it's by far the best item we sampled on the menu. To eat at Bandera and not order the the jalapeno cornbread is almost a wasted trip.
The white cake soaked in cream with caramel sauce and fresh fruit was excellent. Our "Birthday Boy" had to settle for a single candle in his dessert. The staff does not make a special to do over birthdays and anniversaries -- thank God.
The service was well above average. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly. Our meals arrived at the table hot and our glasses, especially the iced teas, did not remain empty for long.
I'd like to give Bandera 3.5 stars. They would otherwise be four stars except for the small size of their prime rib and the small size of their menu. Bandera is a "safe" choice in Old Town Scottsdale.
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