A tortilla makes a handy mouse pad, an acceptable patch for stiff denim jeans, and, if you draw a face on it, an ideal companion on fishing trips. Explore these and other uses for the famed flatbread with today's Groupon: for $7, you get $15 worth of healthy Mexican fare and drinks at Bandidas Taqueria in Kensington-Cedar Cottage. This Groupon is valid toward dine-in or takeout.

Bandidas Taqueria brings fresh, handmade Mexican fare to Vancouver, with a menu of authentic cuisine that earned the restaurant Golden Plate honours in 2010 from online readers of the Georgia Straight as one of Vancouver’s best Mexican restaurants and the best new East Side restaurant in the city. Vancouver’s vegetarians and vegans in particular will find much to celebrate on Bandidas Taqueria’s menu, because all dishes are meat-free and many can be modified to vegan with a simple hardware hack. Kick things off with a large order of chips and salsa ($6), the spicy tortilla soup ($7.50) containing roasted tomatoes in a rich vegetable stock, or a breakfast burrito ($7) enveloping scrambled free-range eggs and Bandidas’ freshly made salsa. Bandidas’ tacos and burritos, available with rice & beans ($2 extra) or a side salad ($3), use handmade corn tortillas and whole-wheat tortillas, respectively, to house fresh ingredients such as the pinto beans and jack cheese of the Laura May ($9 for five tacos, $6 for burrito) or the spicy breaded walnuts and pinto beans of the Camillo ($10.50 for five tacos, $8 for burrito). Brigades of brunchers can opt for Bandidas Taqueria’s daily brunch, featuring items such as huevas rancheras ($10.50) with free-range eggs atop handmade corn tortillas, and the Hicks Benny ($11), with free-range eggs, fresh guacamole, and your choice of salsa atop cornbread muffin tops. All Benedicts, or Bennys, can also be made vegan, with butternut squash and organic tofu replacing eggs. Wash down your brunch with beer or wine, all from breweries and vineyards in British Columbia.

Bandidas Taqueria matches its healthy meals with an eco-friendly outlook, using compostable packaging, recycled furniture and equipment, and car-free transit in its dealings. Tether your Mexican mud turtle to the hitching post and step inside Bandidas Taqueria’s dining area, decorated with artwork from local creative minds, for healthy Mexican meals.

Reviews

On Urbanspoon, 81% like Bandidas Taqueria. Yelpers give it four stars, and Dine Here users give it 3.5:

• I definitely recommend trying as many of the various taco flavours as possible. – canadianveggie, Urbanspoon
• I had a delicious late brunch here. One of my favorite places to go for a good healthy meal. The value is outstanding, it's nice to see fresh, healthy and colourful ingredients for a good price. – mable, Dine Here
• The tacos tasted wonderful, with just the right combination of toppings - the pineapple being a great addition to the dish! – krissy, Dine Here