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Bimbo's Cantina (Capitol Hill)
1013 E Pike St
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 322-9950
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Bimbo's has fat, tasty burritos and pretty good everything else. Sometimes crowded, which means a wait, and sometimes the service is infuriatingly slow, but the Mexi-kitsch decor and the bar are fun.
Categories: Bar, Restaurant
Restaurant Details
Bar Details
The Stranger's Reviews of Bimbo's Cantina
Average Rating:
Reviews/Comments (28)
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28
Can't even melt the cheese
The burritos could be a little better if they at least could melt the cheese - I've tried to like the place, but every burrito comes out of the kitchen lukewarm to cold, with lumps of cold, unmelted cheese inside. Shameful. Go to Atlanta and try Raging Burrito, you could learn a lot from them.
26
A disgusting place to even think of eating. Filthy Rude as hell
I have never witness such rudeness towards paying customers in any Seattle restaurant before.
If you dare ask what is taking so long you get the eye roll treatment and asked what are you complaining about by a waitress who has no problem that others are grossed out with all her scratching. I thought she was coming off drugs and I lost my appetite.
Hire decent people without such an attitude. Clean your floors. Clean your bathrooms. I hate to think what is in the kitchen.
the only reason I gave a 1 star is because you cant post unless you do. I would give this place a negative 10.
25
Don't go there unless you take you passport with you
We heard about Bimbo's the first day we arrived to Seattle, everybody told us about its good quality food and reasonable prices so obviously we had to try it. My partner and I tried to have lunch there last week, and I said tried because unfortunately we had to leave before we even had the chance to look at the menu.
After we were sat, one of the waiters came to our table and ask us for our Id's. We never thought that we had to show our Id's to have lunch but then again, we just arrived to a different country and the laws are different everywhere so I showed him my Spanish ID card and then, the waiter told me he could only accept our passports. I thought it was ridiculous because we were only trying to have lunch, we were not even going to order alcohol, but obviously we left without saying anything else.
The following day I asked several people whether it was mandatory for foreigners to have your passport with you at all times, and we were told it was not necessary, and this is understandable since our passports have our visas on them and if we lose them, we are practically screw. We also have had lunch and dinner at numerous places after that day and have never been ask for any kind of Id.
It was a very disappointing experience, specially because it was our second day in Seattle and it left somehow a bitter taste in our mouth.
I do not know if this is Bimbo's policy but I know I am not allowed to have lunch in there because I do not carry a passport with me at all times and it is, quite frankly, stupid, since we were not trying to cross any border. Just for the record I am 31 years old and my partner is 36, we were not two teenagers trying to buy some alcohol at at liquor store.
After we were sat, one of the waiters came to our table and ask us for our Id's. We never thought that we had to show our Id's to have lunch but then again, we just arrived to a different country and the laws are different everywhere so I showed him my Spanish ID card and then, the waiter told me he could only accept our passports. I thought it was ridiculous because we were only trying to have lunch, we were not even going to order alcohol, but obviously we left without saying anything else.
The following day I asked several people whether it was mandatory for foreigners to have your passport with you at all times, and we were told it was not necessary, and this is understandable since our passports have our visas on them and if we lose them, we are practically screw. We also have had lunch and dinner at numerous places after that day and have never been ask for any kind of Id.
It was a very disappointing experience, specially because it was our second day in Seattle and it left somehow a bitter taste in our mouth.
I do not know if this is Bimbo's policy but I know I am not allowed to have lunch in there because I do not carry a passport with me at all times and it is, quite frankly, stupid, since we were not trying to cross any border. Just for the record I am 31 years old and my partner is 36, we were not two teenagers trying to buy some alcohol at at liquor store.
24
good
I love eating here, burritos are great and so are the tacos. The tacos are not as good as the real mexican ones sold out of the parking lot of home depot on aurora, but good. I can only speak on behalf oh the tacos, burrito supreme, and quesadilla which we get on a regular basis.
They've screwed up my order a couple times and didn't recognize it until after walking home, but I guess thats bound to happen after eating there at least 50-75 times over the past 6 years, when they were in their past location w/ chas.
They've screwed up my order a couple times and didn't recognize it until after walking home, but I guess thats bound to happen after eating there at least 50-75 times over the past 6 years, when they were in their past location w/ chas.
23
I think I missed something…
I'm not quite sure where these other (negative) reviews are coming from. Perhaps a new wave of waitstaff has come through since the other reviewers went to Bimbos/Cha Cha?
The handful+ times I've went, the food service was quick, even on a packed Saturday night. We went on a weeknight once, ordering our food downstairs and even then the service was friendly and efficient, even though the food was coming from upstairs.
Sure the bartenders may have a sneer on their faces, lest we forget this is a "hipster" hang out. Not the best Sangria, yet not the worst.
The handful+ times I've went, the food service was quick, even on a packed Saturday night. We went on a weeknight once, ordering our food downstairs and even then the service was friendly and efficient, even though the food was coming from upstairs.
Sure the bartenders may have a sneer on their faces, lest we forget this is a "hipster" hang out. Not the best Sangria, yet not the worst.
22
Loud & Hearty
The food is pretty cheap (under $7 for a huge veggie burrito thats packed with goodness and they have tasty extras you can add like cilantro) and so is the beer if you can put up with PBR (the good stuff is over $4). The music is entertaining and pretty loud which might annoy some people. I'm not sure where the other reviewers are coming from but service has been more than satisfactory even on late nites. If you're expecting servers to fawn over you then maybe you should go to the Herbfarm or something.
20
Joyless Burrito
There's something about Bimbo's burritos that sucks the life out of me every time. But you don't come to Bimbo's for the food. You come for the people and the beautiful decor. Just don't eat anything and you'll be fine.
19
Bad Burritos
The burritos are completely flavorless and dry. Why this place continues to be highly rated by The Stranger, I will never know.
18
nachos
i like bimbo's a lot. their nachos are great. sometimes the music is too loud, but also sometimes they play great stuff. they played the gremlins 2 soundtrack once. back to the food. the burritos are good, but not as good as the nachos. cozy place with good staff.
17
Bitching...
Bimbo's deserves a sliding scale: 5 stars for kitsch, 1 for service (but who cares, honestly?), 3 for a limited menu designed to hit that famished, cheap, and possibly hungover spot.
I wish they had a sliding scale for spiciness, though; the burritos aren't spicy, the hot sauce is too spicy (well, I suppose it could technically be perfect if you have more gross motor control than I do when dealing with those little bottles), and there is no in-between.
The new location is cute, and feels loads larger than the old one. Still hard to not be bitter about condos.
16
Disgusting!
Only if you want food cooked for you by (literally) unwashed smack junkie rock scene types wearing filthy clothes. The attitude is as bad as the smell -
15
attitude
"gee, i'm getting tired of being vibed here for not looking like everyone else -- i think i'll go next door to the cha cha -- shit, it's even worse over here!!!"
i'm clearly not hip enough to feel comfortable here, so i just hit up taco bell.
14
yumm!
great location, cute inside, delcious chicken nachos at a decent price! one of my favorite place on the hill.
13
if i wanted a bunch of dry rice, i'd go to a wedding
The food at this place is so mediocre that I have been embarassed every time I suggest to a friend that we eat there. Why do I keep forgetting that the burritos are dry and flavorless, the menu lacks depth, and the beer has been skunked TWICE out of my four times visiting. Why? I guess the convenience of the location and the funky, pleasant atmosphere lure me in, like a Mariner to the rocky bottom of a Mermaid's lagoon. Sailors, do not be fooled by the funny hats on the wall! There is better Mexican food on a truck parked up Aurora. BEWARE!!!
12
Just as good as ever
My latest foray into Bimbo's was not at its old digs, but rather the new. In case you are wondering, the food is jsut as good as it has ever been...at least the burritos. Service was a bit slower than I would have liked, but this may have been a function of the staff getting used to their new location. While I am normally a huge fan of the garlic mashed potatoes, this time around they were not near as delicious as in times past.
11
romantic burritos
DO you believe a burrito joint can be romantic? Well, it can. Cozy little tables with candles and a soft lit interior can make Bimbo's Burritos a romantic adventure. If you have business cards, old concert tickets, or any flat interesting scrap, plan on leaving one under the glass top table for future burrito eaters to enjoy. To top off the experience, have a delicious margarita, brought to you by a hip, anarchist, yet sweet staff member. Oh, and the burritos are HUGE!!!
10
Bimbos is bitchen
The service has always been shit at this place, but are we going for good service or just cheap Mexican food that isn't Azteca?
Honestly, you get decent Mexican food in a cool setting, and that is what this place is about. Now that it is the Cantina, hopefully they will step up the service as well.
9
Poor Service, Poor Food
Bimbos is sort of like a vapid shaloow blonde woman. All style and absolutely no substance.
If your idea of a great restaurant is being treated like crap then by all means go to Bimbos. In spite of it's amazingly fun decor, this place is a disaster. The food while huge enough to feed a a small family, is bland, and without any flavor. I ordered the chicken burrito and received a large mass of bland dry chicken with slightly undercooked potatoes. The salsas were watered down and very unappealing. But it was the service that was the most disappointing. Anytime someone gives tells you "please, always get your food to go. Never ever dine there" that should tell you that this establishement needs to train their staff in the art of customer service. So unless you enjoy humiliation along with your food, avoid this place like the plague.
8
no-meato only
That's my favorite, and no need to worry about what might be it the meat. Fully satisfying, delicious, and the new location is quite an improvement if you ask me (though a little less kitchy, which is unfortunate... could do without the creepy Mexican wrestlers staring at me...).
7
Fond memories of Slayer
The first time I went to Bimbo's, many many years ago, I remember being surprised (and somewhat impressed) that a restaurant would ever play Slayer as background music. I have to say, I can't remember the food at all. Velvet paintings, right?
6
Kitschy
The food has always been pretty tasty to me, and the decor is amusing (if somewhat grimy and tacky). Not a place to go for amazing service, but if you want a tasty burrito in a divey atmosphere, you are on the right track
5
Nachos to go!
The chicken nachos were great. I got them to go so I didn't witness any hipster 'tude while I was there. I got my food quickly and plenty of it. I do wish they have better salsa. Otherwise I was pretty pleased.
4
Yeah, But How Are Their Nachos
Why in the hell would I want sunflower seeds in my burrito?
This place ain't too great but I've had some pretty decent Nachos here. Shredded beef and jack cheese.
3
sunflower seeds!!
Don't be snobby, Californians. You're not coming to Bimbo's for Mission-style... you're coming for the sunflower seeds in the burritos, the quick service, the casual but bizarre ambience! Sit by the bathroom and you get the perfect mix of noise and weird decor. (Look up.)
2
Gameboy
The food is ok. But the service sucks!!! People don't want to listen to bad music cranked up so that you can't hear the person sitting next to you. I can go to Taco Time and get better service.
1
I've Never Understood This
Any San Franciscan would get up and walk away in disgust at what they serve here, and the crowd of hipsters makes me want to die. It's not terrible; but it's Taco Del Mar with a hundred coats of disgusting paint on it.
Bimbo's Cantina
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