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Chino Bandido

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A quirky Phoenix favorite since 1990, Chino Bandido masterfully blends Mexican and Chinese flavors for a truly unique dining experience.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

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Inside

Chino Bandido

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A quirky Phoenix favorite since 1990, Chino Bandido masterfully blends Mexican and Chinese flavors for a truly unique dining experience.

"This place is a MUST VISIT SPOT. It's just your run of the mill Jamaican, Chinese, and Mexican fusion restaurant that has black beans so good Id legit fight for them."

TIP

Try a Combo Bowl

Customize your meal by choosing 14 meat options and pairing them with rice, beans, and sides.

Off-Peak Hours Recommended

Visit during non-peak times to avoid crowds and ensure a smoother dining experience.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

Mexican-Chinese Fusion

Price

$

Phone

(602) 375-3639

Address

310 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85023, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Unique Mexican-Chinese Fusion

Unique Mexican-Chinese Fusion

Experience a daring blend of Mexican and Chinese flavors, creating dishes like teriyaki chicken in a burrito.

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Signature Jade Red Chicken

Signature Jade Red Chicken

A must-try dish, this sweet and spicy fried chicken is a fan favorite, often served with rice and beans.

Phoenix's Best Cheap Eats [Updated 2025]Google Review+1
The Famous Snickerdoodle Cookie

The Famous Snickerdoodle Cookie

Don't miss this complimentary sweet treat! A soft and delicious cookie that's a perfect end to any meal.

Google Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

This is a weekly go to in our house #chinobandido #chilirellenos #azfoodie
@pixels.she.is
24 likes • 728 views

Try a Combo Bowl

Customize your meal by choosing 14 meat options and pairing them with rice, beans, and sides.

Off-Peak Hours Recommended

Visit during non-peak times to avoid crowds and ensure a smoother dining experience.

Consider Dark Meat

If you prefer, opt for dark meat over chicken breasts for a richer flavor and texture.

Ask for Samples

Staff are happy to offer suggestions and let you try samples to help you decide.

Tips

from all over the internet

Try a Combo Bowl

Customize your meal by choosing 14 meat options and pairing them with rice, beans, and sides.

Off-Peak Hours Recommended

Visit during non-peak times to avoid crowds and ensure a smoother dining experience.

Consider Dark Meat

If you prefer, opt for dark meat over chicken breasts for a richer flavor and texture.

Ask for Samples

Staff are happy to offer suggestions and let you try samples to help you decide.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Chino Bandido offers a unique and flavorful fusion of Mexican and Chinese cuisines, with many diners praising the inventive dishes like Jade Red Chicken and the sweet Snickerdoodle cookie. While some reviewers note a decline in quality or quantity since relocating, the friendly service and affordable prices continue to draw in fans looking for an exciting culinary adventure.

"Im genuinely really impressed with this place. The food was great. The tastes and flavors just work. I got the Pollo Diablo and the Jade Red Chicken. My husband got the Pollo Diablo and Jen Red Pork. Absolutely would recommend that people stop here when they are in the area."

Shaelie McGrath

"First time visiting Phoenix Steeple and I gave the combo bowl a try. I chose carnitas in a quesadilla (loved that this was even an option!) and paired it with the jade red chicken, jerk rice, black beans, and their special snickerdoodle cookie.

The jade red chicken was the standout crispy, deep-fried, and similar in flavor to orange chicken, but not spicy. The snickerdoodle cookie was soft and delicious (thankfully not hard, hard cookies are a dealbreaker for me!).

That said, the jerk rice and black beans didn't vibe well together, a bit too sweet and mismatched for my taste. The carnitas were under-seasoned, but the crispiness of the quesadilla helped save it.

Service was great, I was greeted right away, offered suggestions, and even able to try some samples. You order at the counter and then grab a seat to wait for your food.

There's a dog-friendly patio, which I always appreciate, but unfortunately, it's in direct sunlight with no shade so not ideal for my pup on a warm day.

My friend ordered the veggie quesadilla, which surprised me in the best way. It tasted like a fresh veggie salad wrapped in a tortilla. She also had the chile relleno with refried beans and chicken fried rice, which I ended up liking more than my own combo.

Overall, it's an interesting Mexican-Chinese fusion spot, and I'd definitely come back to try different menu items."

Megan Bennett

"The service here is always great. If you've never been here, they are always willing to help and guide you with ordering. ...We used to eat in at the old location, every now and then. The food seemed much better, as was the quantity, years ago. There was always plenty for leftovers. ...At this new location, it's either hit or miss. The chile relleno was good, but it lacked flavor on the coating. The Jade Red Pork and Chicken is still good, as was the rice and beans. Try it for yourself. We love the menu variations."

Tina Miranda-Mitchell (Wifey4Lifey2001)

What People Like

Unique Mexican-Chinese fusion
Flavorful Jade Red Chicken
Delicious Snickerdoodle cookies

What People Dislike

Inconsistent food quality/quantity
Taste not to everyone's preference

Frequently Asked Questions

Chino Bandido uniquely blends Mexican and Chinese cuisines, offering dishes like teriyaki chicken in a burrito or carnitas with chicken fried rice.

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Popular dishes include Jade Red Chicken, Pollo Diablo, and their fusion quesadillas. The complimentary Snickerdoodle cookie is also a must-try.

Google Review+1

Yes, you can choose from 14 meat options and combine them with rice, beans, and other sides to create your own unique bowl or burrito.

Best Cheap Eats in Phoenix

No, Chino Bandido is a casual counter-service joint, so feel free to dress comfortably.

Yes, there is a dog-friendly patio, though it may be in direct sunlight and lack shade.

Google Review

Yes, the menu includes vegetarian options like the Veggie Salad and Veggie Quesadilla.

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Chino Bandido seems like a culinary curiosity: a local Chinese-Mexican restaurant that blends the two cuisines in a seemingly elaborate design-your-own meal menu format. In reality, blending two of Arizona's favorite cuisines turns out to be a great idea, and ordering is much easier than it seems like at first. There are 14 meat items that you can mix and match with rice, beans and other sides, resulting in a custom meal that combines the flavors of Mexico and China.

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When you are in the mood for a burrito or quesadilla but you want something a little different, head to Chino for some Mexican Asian fusion. The restaurant was started by a husband and wife team to embrace their respective roots. You can try a Jade Red Chicken Burrito or get a delicious Chile Relleno over Pork Fried Rice.

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Chino Bandido in Phoenix is a delightful blend of Mexican and Chinese cuisine, creating a tantalizing fusion that will make your taste buds dance!. With inexpensive yet flavor-packed options like the "Jade Red Chicken" or the "Pollo Diablo," this quirky joint is a must-visit for anyone looking for a cheap and exciting culinary adventure.

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Mexican Chinese fast food… Does that sound convincing enough?. This hidden place to eat in Phoenix has been in the hood since 1990 and their Chipotle approach to serving Chinese food made them one of the favorite places among foodies. If you are visiting Chino Bandido with friends, we recommend trying the Jade Chicken.

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One of the most unique cheap restaurants in Phoenix, Chino Bandido is where Chinese food meets Mexican food. You start by choosing one of 14 options, ranging from carnitas to sweet and spicy Jade Red Chicken. (There’s also a veggie option.) Then, you decide whether you want to eat it in a rice bowl or a burrito.

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Chino Bandido, founded by husband and wife Frank and Eve Collins in 1990, blends traditional flavors from Mexican and Asian cuisines based on Eve’s Chinese heritage and their local roots as Frank and Eve are native Arizonans, with added Jamaican flair.

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