I wrote a review on The Foundation a while back and called it my favorite vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver. But I have a new favorite, and that’s Bandidas. Maybe I’m fickle, or maybe I just became annoyed at having to yell over the usually too-loud music and tables full of too-drunk hipsters. Mostly I just love good food, friendly servers and a comfortable place to throw back a few tequila lemonades, which is why Bandidas is the new #1 on my Rad Restaurants list.
The Breakfast, veganized
Bandidas offers the best vegan breakfast in the city: tofu-butternut squash scramble with fried potatoes and yams, purple cabbage, beans, fresh salsa, and cornbread with animal faces. FMJ and I order this every time we stop at Bandidas for breakie, but we also add veggie sausage, guacamole, extra cornbread with vegan honey butter and two coffees with soy milk. This entire meal costs less than $20 before tip. Totally affordable without sacrificing deliciousness.
Bandidas is very community-focused, as this local restaurant was started by two young ladies with limited funds and experience who had lots of help from the community. They give back by making us yummy food and providing a nice place to enjoy it, but they also support a variety of community events and causes and hang the work of local artists on the walls. The waitresses are all super friendly and actually notice when you change your hair, even if your boyfriend doesn’t.
The ladies at Bandidas are all about sustainability, using compostable packaging, serving exclusively local beer and wine and buying from smaller, mostly local distributors. They also use bikes, baskets and cargo trailers to transport their goods, which I think is equally responsible and cute.
The only criticism I have for Bandidas is that the food is strictly Mexican, and since they’re so ridiculously good at making tasty vegan fare, I wish they would expand their menu to include things like pizza, stir fries and veggie burgers. But they’re staying true to their Mexi flava, which I respect and understand, I guess.
If you’re going to Bandidas for lunch or dinner, try Dave’s Enchiladas: two homemade corn tortillas stuffed with cheese (vegan, if you so choose) and organic chipotle tofu. Or get a Wolf & Goat burrito, which boats fresh guac, purple cabbage, fresh salsa, pinto beans, cheese, sour cream and rice. Yes, all that goodness somehow fits into one burrito. But it is pretty big, so be sure to wear your stretchy pants to avoid bursting a button on your favorite jeans.
Who can resist cornbread with a monkey face? Not me.
One of my favorite things about Bandidas is their Hibiscus Tequila Lemonade. Fresh hisbiscus flowers mingle with tequila and lemonade, and it goes down way too easily. Also, be warned: a double at Bandidas is actually a triple. I like the way these ladies think.
They also have stacks of National Geographic magazines from the 70s to 90s in the bathrooms (which can be very distracting when you’ve had a few hibiscus tequila lemonades), as well as lovely table centerpieces complete with pussy willows (which I love) and pretty flowers.
Bandidas is located on the south end of Commercial Drive just off of 12th Ave, so if you want to walk off the calories you’ve just consumed in a funky neighborhood full of culture, this is the place to do it.
Peruse the menu at http://bandidastaqueria.com/menu.html.
The menu had me at handmade tortillas, and then roasted yams, and then, well everything. Really enjoyed your excellent review, but then I always enjoy following you from point to point to point in your unique interesting narratives.