ACP - Arroz con Pollo
Grilled chicken with a hint of orange on top of a bed of Mexican rice and smothered with a blanket of melting cheese. Served with flour tortillas and one side.
¡Buenos días, Chapel Hill!
Best Cantina on Franklin Street
Established in 1995 on E. Franklin - piled-high plates, queso by the boatload, and the burritos that carried you through college. Chapel Hill's Mexican cafe with the bandit stamp of approval.
★ Chapel Hill's Own ★
The Bandido's Story
A Cantina With Character.
Tucked into 159 ½ East Franklin, Bandido's has been slinging bold, honest Mexican food to Chapel Hill for as long as anyone can remember. This is where students, locals, and everyone in between come for a burrito the size of a small forearm, spinach queso poured with reckless generosity, and Arroz con Pollo that somehow tastes like it belongs on a family table.
- see you at the corner ✨
Est. Franklin St
Beat it, wear it
think you can handle it?
The 5-Pound Burrito Challenge
You've got one hour. We've got a five-pound burrito stuffed with rice, beans, chicken, steak, grilled onions and peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, and cheese. Finish the whole thing in 60 minutes and you go down in Bandido's history.
Beat the burrito and you walk away with a free Bandido's t-shirt — plus your victory goes straight to our social media for all of Chapel Hill to see.
- got an hour? ✨
the greatest hits
The Usual Suspects
Six lineup regulars. Every one of 'em wanted for delivering serious flavor.
Queso Dip & Chips
Spinach queso dip & chips for additional charge.
Chimichanga
Medium sized "fried burritos" stuffed with your choice of shredded beef, chipotle chicken or carnitas pork and topped with creamy queso, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and guacamole. Served with two sides.
Stuffed Quesadilla
Choose from: ground beef, shredded beef, chipotle chicken, refried beans, black beans, spinach or fresh grilled vegetables.
Burrito Supreme
Stuffed with refried beans and your choice of ground beef, shredded beef, chipotle chicken, or sautéed spinach. Smothered with salsa roja and topped with lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole and shredded cheese.
Loaded Nachos
Crispy tortilla chips topped with cheese, jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole and your choice of one additional topping. Choose from refried beans, black beans, ground beef, shredded beef, chipotle chicken, sautéed spinach or extra cheese. Additional toppings for an extra charge each.
the full spread
The Whole Menu
Scan the code on your table, then tap a menu below to open it up.
the people have spoken
Straight From The Crowd
No spin, no scripts — just what Chapel Hill is saying after that first bite.
Bandidos makes the best burritos in the world and has professional wrapping skills!
⭐ Google Review
If I could put more than five stars I for sure would!
⭐ Google Review
Came here with a large group of people and the service was great! The food was really good and flavorful with a large portion size.
⭐ Google Review
The chips are seasoned to perfection and the freshly made salsa always hits the spot. A Chapel Hill staple I keep coming back to.
⭐ Google Review
4.3 ★ on Google · Chapel Hill's pick since 1995 ✎
before you ask...
Good Questions
What meals do you serve?
Bandido's Mexican Cafe in Chapel Hill serves authentic Mexican cuisine perfect for lunch, dinner, and casual dining occasions. Our menu features crowd favorites like the Arroz con Pollo, grilled chicken with a hint of orange served over Mexican rice and melted cheese. Guests also love our crispy Chimichangas stuffed with shredded beef, chipotle chicken, or ground beef, topped with creamy queso and guacamole. Our Tacos come with your choice of carne asada, grilled fish, shrimp, steak, or chicken fajita. The Burrito Supreme, smothered in salsa roja with fresh toppings, and our customizable Stuffed Quesadillas round out a menu full of bold, satisfying Mexican flavors.
Do you offer delivery or takeout?
Yes, we offer both delivery and pickup. Order online or call us to place your order.
Where are you located?
Bandido's Mexican Cafe is located at 159 1/2 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
What areas do you serve?
Bandido's Mexican Cafe proudly serves Chapel Hill and surrounding areas including Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough, Pittsboro, Morrisville, Cary, Apex, Research Triangle Park, Mebane, and the University of North Carolina campus community.
come say hola
Find the Hideout
Visit Us
Bandido's Mexican Cafe
159 1/2 East Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
159 1/2 East Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Delivery available via online ordering
Kitchen Hours
- Mon
- Closed
- Tue
- 11:30am - 2:30pm · 5:00pm - 9:00pm
- Wed
- 11:30am - 2:30pm · 5:00pm - 9:00pm
- Thu
- 11:30am - 2:30pm · 5:00pm - 9:00pm
- Fri
- 11:30am - 2:30pm · 5:00pm - 9:00pm
- Sat
- 5:00pm - 9:00pm
- Sun
- Closed
lunch & dinner, that's the deal ✎