Drawn In By the Aromas
Bonnie Friday, October 21, 2011 at 01:00PM
“Smokin’ Good Bar-B-Que”
We first heard of “Bandits Grill & Bar” a few years ago when we were on our way to a CA Coast vacation in Avila Beach. I-Dine our Dividend Miles Dining Program had suggested it. As we were getting closer to the exit, our noses knew we were there before our eyes did. The line out the door was clue # 2. We had another 4 hours of driving time to go but we were going to eat here no matter how long it took! This was one of the best decisions of our lives.
The place is casual western and over the top fun. Everyone on the staff is friendly and knowledgeable about all the menu choices. Peanuts abound everywhere and so do the shells.
Lunch
All the soups are homemade. To me that adds a mark of distinction to a restaurant. The burgers and steaks are 100% USDA Choice or better. You can choose from the tri-tip, veggie, or other burgers on the menu. The tri-tip melts in your mouth, but the Veggie Burger is full of health for those who chose not to do the beef. It comes on a grilled roll with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and grilled red onions with a garlic/ mayo sauce and lest we forget the Gouda cheese topping. All these flavors meld to perfection when the combination first hits your mouth. There are more healthy salad choices then most of us are aware of with tri-tip, chicken or seafood, for example.
Dinner ;)
This is what most everyone comes for.
Dinner has more enthusiasm from the patrons and staff. Locals love coming here on a game night. If you want quiet and peaceful, come during the day for lunch.
The herb crusted salmon with the mango salsa is one of my favorites. But most folks like the beef ribs, beans & yams. The yams have a wonderful flavor, as does the rest of the meal. I would never wear a white shirt here…I tend to spill & be sloppy. I carry Tide to go in my purse; it works very well.
The ½ chicken dinner is another favorite of many. 
Their coleslaw is not just coleslaw, but SOUTHERN COLESLAW!
While we are waiting to be seated, we watch all these delicious combinations of yummy food go by.
Their TO GO orders have great names: "Picnic For Two", The Outlaw", The Rustler"... my facorite as it feeds 8-10 amd has a good combination with 2#s of tri-tip, 2 whole chickens,2 racks of ribs, 2 qts of beans or coleslaw & of course rolls. Or "The Posse" for which we don't know enough people to feed.
Bandits has been repeatedly voted the best bar-b-que in Ventura County, as well as by the Los Angeles Magazine and the Daily News. We are addicted and each time we drive to the coast we plan our time to stop here. Once for lunch on a beautiful spring day, I suggested that we get something to go and have a picnic. That was fun and delicious but we missed the atmosphere.
There are also 2 other locations: Thousand Oaks and Park City UT; I hope they start moving in an easterly direction soon. {We live in Arizona}
1980 Ventura Blvd.
Camarillo, CA
(805) 445-4742.
Reader Comments (2)
Wow, the dishes look so yummy and I can really imagine how they smell. How much did you spend? Is the price okay?
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