Bandit Tacos & Coffee
640 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI
Crema's Take
“This Madison spot blends coffee and tacos into a casual neighborhood hangout with genuinely pleasant outdoor seating that shines on sunny days. While the coffee leans traditional and the service is snappy, reviews suggest the real draw is the relaxed, personable vibe rather than exceptional food—the tacos lean creative and inventive rather than classic, so come with an open mind and reasonable expectations about portion sizes.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
Came here for some lunch on a Sunday and there was plenty of tables, and no wait for an order. Took around 10-15 minutes for my food and drink to come which is great and the patio is great on a sunny day! Parking is a little tight so it can be good to park elsewhere and walk in. The entrance is on the right side of the building and it’s further down than you’d think. If you think you’ve walked past it, you probably haven’t.
I got the bandito taco and we'll as the short rib one, both were very dry. My friend didn't want to finish their fried potato taco. Flavor was nothing special or exceptional. Everything was just OK. Much better off going to an authentic Mexican restaurant, or even a hole in the wall. The staff were vert friendly though. If anything the drinks were the best part about the place, I was happy with my piña colada. Looked like a good beer selection too.
Good food but not a good value. 3 Tacos and a coffee for $30 after tip and tax. On first glance that sounds like a decent deal but 3 tacos were tiny all three added up to the size of my hand. The “nitro” cold brew is not nitrogenated, it’s just black cold brew poured over ice! The coffee itself was actually very good and the ingredients for the tacos seemed quality. I did enjoy my meal but it’s just not a good deal. Small portions turned me off a bit but otherwise it’s decent spot.
Cute coffe shop and taco place that’s often forgotten. Might be much more personable in summer. Drafty and arid atmosphere in winter. Seating is not comfortable either. It is self service. Food is, at least the tocos we all had were really good. Fresh solid ingredients. Would go to try more food. As a taco lover I had to try it! Enjoy.
Update: Bandit’s tacos is awesome. Their tacos are tacos for hipsters - so if you’re looking for a classic taco, this ain’t the place for you. That said, I think their tacos are great! The only complaint we had was the short rib taco. We thought it’d be the best, but it was actually super bland. Definitely would not recommend the short rib taco. Our favorite was the mushroom taco. It was PACKED with flavor. Like a crazy amount of flavor. My brain cannot comprehend. You should try this place.
Crema Reviews
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