Chino Bandido: A Hidden Gem
Although I do not often find time to
leave my college campus to return to my house in North Phoenix, I managed to
squeeze a trip back this past weekend. While there, I made sure to visit my
favorite local dive called Chino Bandido. To a passer-by, the name of this
small restaurant may seem like a joke, but to those who make the brave decision
to travel into the beaten down building, the name perfectly reflects the unique
combination of Mexican and Chinese cuisine that Chino Bandido offers. The
restaurant was founded in 1990 by husband and wife duo, Frank and Eve Collins.
As an Arizona native, Mark grew up around Mexican culture, while Eve, as a
Chinese-American, wanted to bring her Asian roots into her work. Rather than
compromising either of their influences, the couple chose to simply combine
their styles to create something new. Originally, the hole-in-the-wall
restaurant only covered 1,000 square feet; however, the unique cuisine quickly
attracted a vast clientele, causing Frank and Eve to expand the restaurant to
its now 5,000 square foot setting.
Quality of
Food: Possibly the only
thing better than the idea of mixing Mexican and Chinese food is the product
itself. On my latest visit, I ordered my usual—a combination platter with a
hengrenade quesadilla, a jade red chicken burrito, jerk fried rice, and spicy
black beans. This delectable spread utilizes both the Mexican and Chinese
options while showing how they can work cohesively. Most people would never
think to put jade red chicken, similar to orange chicken from Panda Express, in
a burrito; however, once one has experienced this perfection, they will never
question it again. Furthermore, the addition of Mexican spices found in jerk
chicken heightens the flavor of standard Chinese fried rice. Although, I rarely
branch out to try new things at Chino Bandido, the large menu certainly allows
for numerous combinations of meat, rice, and beans. First, the restaurant
offers fourteen different meats and vegetables, ranging from egg foo young to
carnitas to spice jerk chicken. Each of these fourteen options can be prepared
simply as place meat or vegetable, or they can be cooked into a burrito or
quesadilla. Furthermore, each combination platter comes with a choice of black or
refried beans and one of five types of rice. Due to the vast number of choices,
a customer could conceivably have ninety-six thousand four hundred and twenty
different combinations before having to repeat order. Having said
this though, most people find their favorite dish after the first couple
attempts and stick with it for the rest of their visits. For those who may not be able to handle the
massive amount of food that comes with the standard combination platter, the
restaurant also offers rice bowls topped with one of the fourteen meats as well
as a la carte quesadillas and burritos. All meals can be topped with Chino’s
secret hot sauce or soy sauce, both prepared fresh daily. And no Chino Bandido
meal could be complete without one of their signature snickerdoodles or
“volcanoes” (a double chocolate cookie covered in powdered sugar). Of course
one could easily assume that a meal containing this much amazing and unique
food comes with a large price tag; however, the combination plate, the most
expensive item on the menu, only reaches a taxed price of $8.50. 
Atmosphere: Based simply on appearance, Chino Bandido
may not seem like nicest or most updated of locations to eat. The run down
building has a water stained ceiling, chipped, linoleum tiles, and bathroom
much in need of remodeling; however, the lack of physical beauty quickly gets
overlooked as positive energy from enthusiastic customers fills the space. On a
normal day at Chino Bandido, one can find an extremely diverse group of people
who all share a love for this restaurant’s unique approach to food. On my last
visit I sat near a group of soccer moms who brought their sons out for a late
lunch after a Saturday morning victory, as well as an elderly couple who appeared
to be grabbing a quick bite before Saturday mass. Soon after my food arrived, a
group of teachers from my old high school came
and sat down on the side of the venue. Although the people at each table varied
great from one another, the simple and laid feel of this dive makes everyone
feel equally welcome. The actual design and decoration of the restaurant
tastefully plays on the gimmick of combining Mexican and Chinese culture. The
walls are covered in murals that show a panda traveling through what appears to
be Mexican farms and society. Perhaps the most notable decoration is the life
size statue of a panda with a mustache and a sombrero. The character portrayed
in this piece of art, Pancho, quickly became somewhat of a mascot for Chino
Bandido. First-timers often have their children pose for a photo with Pancho.
In fact, this became such a common occurrence, that Frank and Eve began asking
for copies of the photos to hang on one wall of the restaurant now labeled as
“Chino’s Kids.” The chairs and tables resemble something one might bring to
picnic at the park; however, the inexpensive décor allows the consumer to focus
more chatting with friends, watching the big game on one of the multiple
televisions, and, most importantly, eating.
National Acclaim: Due
to its well-received cuisine and unique atmosphere, Chino Bandido received
national attention from Guy Fieri, host of Diner, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The
popular show on the food network filmed an entire episode that showcased both
the amazing food of Chino Bandido and the eclectic group of people that the
unique restaurant brings together. Since the episode featured the local joint
aired in 2010, business has grown exponentially.
Rating: Overall, this family run, hole-in-the-wall, one-of-a-kind
restaurant far exceeded my initial expectations. Its welcoming staff, top-notch
food, and laid-back atmosphere make Chino the ideal location for a relaxing
lunch or dinner on any day of the week. I strongly suggest that all who have
yet to cross paths with the restaurant make an attempt to pay a visit, for they
are guaranteed to have an unrepeatable and unforgettable experience.
Work Cited
"Chino
Bandido." Chino Bandido. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.
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