Overview
Bandido's Mexican Cafe is a local chain with three locations in the Triangle area. The restaurant offers a variety of Mexican food, daily specials and the legendary El Gigante Burrito Challenge. Starting from the basement of a Chapel Hill building, the restaurant expanded its presence to Durham and Hillsborough.
Social Media
The Bandido's Mexican Cafe in Durham was chosen as one of WRAL's top five places for chips and salsa.
History
Tony and Maria Sustaita opened the first Bandido’s Mexican Cafe in the basement of a East Franklin Street building at its Chapel Hill location in the mid-1990s. Tony Sustaita learned the restaurant business by helping to run his family’s Mexican restaurant, which his mother had opened just outside of Atlanta. While visiting a friend in the Triangle with his wife Maria in 1994, the couple fell in love with the area and moved to Chapel Hill within 45 days of their visit. The first Bandido’s was opened six months later.
Awards
Besides being a local favorite for around 10 years, the restaurant has won many awards in the Triangle area.
- Best Mexican Food – News of Orange County Reader’s Choice Award 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011
- First Place Salsa – Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce Chili & Salsa Cook-off 2008, 2010
- Best Restaurant for Mexican Food – Rose Award Chapel Hill News 2008 Best Salsa – Bull City Chili Challenge 2005, 2008
- Best Mexican Restaurant – The Herald Sun Reader’s Choice Awards 2006
Store Details
Locations and Hours of Operation:
| Restaurant Location | Hours of Operation |
|
Bandido's at Chapel Hill 159 1/2 E. Franklin St. Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 967-5048 |
Mon-Thu 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
|
|
Bandido's at Hillsborough 122 S. Churton St. Hillsborough, NC (919) 732-8662 |
Lunch Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
|
Bandido's at Woodcroft 4711 Hope Valley Rd. Durham, NC (919) 403-6285 |
Lunch Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
Menu
The restaurant offers a large variety classic Mexican favorites, including soups, nachos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas and tacos. Some menu favorites include confetti chicken, shrimp enchiladas and chimichangas. The restaurant also provides daily specials, including their drink specials.
| Day of the Week | Drink Special |
| Monday | $1.99 House Margarita |
| Tuesday | $3 All Mexican Beer Bottles |
| Wednesday | $5.95 Bucket of Coronitas |
| Thursday |
$12.99 Margarita Pitchers $7.99 Half Pitcher |
| Friday & Saturday | $6.95 Jose Cuervo Margatinis |
| Sunday | $2 All Domestic Beer Bottles |
El Gigante
The legendary El Gigante involves eating a 4.5 pound burrito stuffed with more than 15 ingredients, including steak, chicken, black beans and guacamole. The burrito costs $16.95 but those who complete the challenge win a free "I conquered El Gigante" T-shirt and become a member of the El Gigante Conquerors.
The legendary El Gigante challenges customers to eat a 4.5 pound burrito by themselves. Those who conquers the burrito receive a free T-shirt honoring their success against the giant.
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