Olas Banditos - San Jose del Monte

I enjoy Mexican cuisine and this restaurant in La Union is a great place to find it. Some may find it to be expensive, but the food is decent. The atmosphere is relaxed and the restaurant is simple yet clean. I appreciate that you are expected to clean up after yourself. The food is prepared quickly.

I was excited to visit this restaurant after seeing its high ratings on TripAdvisor and mouthwatering photos on Instagram. We arrived for lunch and found the restaurant empty, indicating that they had just opened. The staff seemed unprepared and unwelcoming, with no greetings upon our arrival. The restaurant operates on a self-service basis, which is clearly communicated upon entry. The beach-themed setup with skateboards on display, van stickers, and staff wearing skater caps added to the vibrant atmosphere. However, the dining experience was marred by a noticeable presence of mosquitoes and flies. While the food was tasty, the portions were small and lacking in meat. The quesadilla, churros, and accompanying dip with the tacos were highlights of the meal.

I visited this restaurant for the first time on a weekend and it was busy with beach goers. This time, I went on a weekday for a late lunch. They didn't have Carne Asada available, so I ended up getting four Carnitas Burritos and four flautas to go for myself and my family. The service was a bit slow, considering I was the only customer initially. However, the hot sauce was amazing and the Carnitas Burritos were delicious. The chicken flautas reminded me of dining at a taqueria in San Diego, CA. Overall, it was great value for money and the closest thing to California-Mexican food in the area. As a California native, I was impressed and would make the journey from the south end of San Fernando City again to dine here.

Olas Banditos has fantastic food and they have been very accommodating for large groups on short notice. The food is fantastic and the drinks are better. Highly recommend this as a stop; even if you are just passing through La Union to head Ilocos Norte. Tip: still take the road to the right that goes around the town and then take a left when you get to the gas station with the Hulk. It's faster because you miss the traffic.

Ordered the Ilocos Norte burrito and Nachos! Super good and plenty of seating. Good cocktails as well! Perfect for big groups.