Feliz Noviembre Rocky Point………it is our month of thanks and Thanksgiving! I am very thankful that I found our piece of heaven here in Rocky Point. I am grateful for the many friends I have met along the way……even those that squirt taco sauce all over me at the Taco Stand………POWERS! Thankfully, we have amazing restaurants and cantinas to hang out at and of course with them comes the amazing sounds of all the bands around time on a nightly basis. Our weather is something to be super thankful of with so many sunny nice days and cool, breezy evenings. Special shout out to Cathy and Scotty Pea who had me over for a wonderful birthday meal this past month… and to all of my fabulous friends who helped me celebrate a weekend full of fun! One of my favorite cantinas to hang out with for good music, bevies, bartenders (Hey, hey, hey Zeus!) and food is Sandy Beach’s own Banditos! So, I thought it would be cool to sit down with one of the operating partners, Waylon Dillon and let us get to know Banditos a little bit more. For those that do not know where Banditos is located……it is just off the main drag through Sandy Beach in front of the Sonoran Spa and Sonoran Sea in the large straw domed building.

Marco: Ahhh, Banditos… I have had plenty of fun nights there. Who are the owners and how did the name come about?

Waylon: The main owner is Roger Clyne and he has a couple operating partners including me. The Banditos name came from Roger’s first album with the Refreshments and the song was called Banditos.

Marco: Ah yes, I know the song well. What is your favorite part about Banditos?

Waylon: My favorite part is to create a fun atmosphere whether it is a family with kids or a group of adults coming to party the night away and make sure everyone is having a good time.

Marco: What are the busiest times of the year for the bar?

Waylon: Definitely during Spring Break, but our two busiest times of the year are Circus Mexicus and the January Jam when Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers come down for their live shows.

Marco: What are the most popular drinks and food orders at Banditos?

Waylon: For drinks, I would say Roger’s Mexican Moonshine Tequila which was rebranded as Cancion and used is in margaritas, cocktails, and shots. For food, our most popular item is the house made barbacoa, which is super flavorful which cooks for about 14 hours and just melts off the bone. It can be served in a variety of ways.

Marco: It seems like there are more and more choices for fun nights out in town. Why do you think Banditos stands out?

Waylon: People have a connection to Roger Clyne and the band which helps a lot and we strive to have the premier sound system in Rocky Point. The staff really caters to our customers which makes them feel right at home.

Marco: I always like the music at Banditos…who are the bands that normally play?

Waylon: Our house band is The Purple Onions, and they play every Friday and Saturday night. We also have a variety of bands that come from Rocky Point and the states that come to play. There are about 35 different bands that may play in a given year. Agua de Coco also plays every Thursday night during the busy times of the year.

Marco: I have seen Roger Clyne play here which seemed like a spontaneous set. Does this happen often?

Waylon: Roger is down in town about 8 times a year and often does do spontaneous sets to the delight of his fans. Many times, it’s only a few hours’ notice and we post it on Facebook and suddenly there are hundreds of people at the restaurant.

Marco: Many bars and restaurants keep adding on and making things bigger and better and newer. Any plans for Banditos?

Waylon: We have a lot of plans for Banditos. We are expanding our kitchen now and it should be done in a couple weeks and have plans to add an eye-catching outside bar.

Marco: What else would you like our Rocky Point Times readers to know about Banditos?

Waylon: I would also like to let people know that we host poker games on Tuesdays and Thursday at 12:30 in the afternoon and on Wednesday we have Borracho Bingo at 4pm and we have a Movie Night at 8 pm on Wednesday nights. We also have Trivia Night in the works for Tuesday nights!

Marco: Wow, even I learned so much about Banditos! Thank you so much for your time, Waylon, oh and I’ll see YOU ALL at Banditos!!!!

  • Remember to give thanks this month to all those around you and those you may not even know. If you are looking for some ideas, check out Tia Katy’s Corner in this paper. I love how she gives back to the children of Rocky Point with something that is priceless…….an education :).
  • “Happiness cannot be traveled to owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” – Denis Waitley
  • Gratitude turns what we have into enough. Unknown
  • “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
  • “You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some great words to live by in a month of gratitude and thankfulness. Happy Thanksgiving, Rocky Point!

ADIOS AMIGOS

GOD BLESS

Marco