Sneaking into Pancho's
Written: May 26 '00 (Updated May 26 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive, plentiful ,some good dishes
Cons: on the bland side, horrid taco meat
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| foxfroggy's Full Review: Pancho's Mexican Buffet |
Put on dark shades, possibly a false nose and mustache-(not recommended for female epinionators), park down the block a bit and sneak into Pancho's before your gourmet friends spot you. Try to look casual and get into that line of tray carriers, inhale the faint smell of grease and tortillas. Shamelessly order the buffet( why waste time with lesser "plates"-we all know why we're here), and load up with tamales, chile rellenos con queso,flautas, refried beans(no,no,no- not the rice- it tastes like spackle!), chicken and sour cream enchiladas. Order a taco made with refried beans and all the trimmings except the meat-meat from an unidentified and unsavory animal. Better order tea or soda-might have to show ID fora beer and risk exposure.
Amble over to the salad bar for a mound of guacamole, sour cream, and fresh pico de gallo. Pray they have the chipotle sauce-heaven in a bowl! Oops, forgot the calabaza (squashes and other goodies)-but we'll deal with that at the table.Pick the table over in the dim corner-safer that way. Run up the red flag as you unload and request the calabazas. take a deep breath, and load a fresh chip with chipotle sauce and indulge in the guilty pleasure that is Pancho's.
Gourmet Mexican?-uh, no way, in fact not very authentic Mexican in many cases. Tex-Mex?-yup,classic, low-end cuisine. Pleasant, peasant-style food in large quantities at low prices defines Pancho's. Kids abound so the noise level is generally pretty high, as is the risk of the occasional flying taco shrapnel. You may also have to watch a child concoct a sundae of vanilla soft-serve, chocolate syrup and a gummy worm garnish (I swear that kid is there EVERY TIME I go there!).
Pancho's food is very mildly spiced so the timorous can eat without fear. Those of us who like it hot will need to add sauces and jalapeno slices. Much of the food is frankly mediocre, but when fresh, the chile rellenos are first rate. The aforementioned chiplotle sauce is dark red, smoky, silky and as good as any I have ever tried. If your Panch's doesn't have it,throw a fit. Guacomole is usually reliable,and the pico de gallo will even render that bleak rice edible. Taco "meat" should be avoided by all but the professional masochist.
Pancho's offers domestic and imported beers as well as the usual soft drinks. Cold beer goes well with Mexican food, even this timid version, but you'll probably want more than one.Beer prices are also moderate. Three or five item children's plates are available at modest cost, and with advance sign-up, birthday kiddies eat free.
Desserts are displayed on a separate "bar" and include dry commercial cookies, brownies (highly variable),flan, churros,jellos, and soft-serve chocolate or vanilla ice milk. Various toppings are also available. Flan can be very good or very chemical tasting, according to the luck of the day. Churros-wavy fried lengths of cream puff type dough rolled in cinnamon sugar- are not bad if fresh, not very edible if cold. The best dessert is of course the sopapillas served at your table fresh and warm, yearning for a drizzle of honey sauce. Fresh sopapillas are also available on demand-cold ones borne away without complaint. These are a best bet for the sweet tooth.
Service is always good-tea glasses refilled and "seconds" brought cheerfully by usually smiling staff. Vegetarians who eat eggs and cheese can also find plenty to eat.American food lovers can find fried chicken and mac'n'cheese on the buffet, or order from the limited menu.
Oh my, see how I go on about Pancho's. You'd think I actually ate here. What-you saw me at the table in the corner? Nope, that was Groucho- didn't you see the nose and mustache? And besides-what were YOU doing in Pancho's???
Go to Pancho's with the right expectations- plentiful cheap food of Sneaking edible but not exciting caliber, and you won't be disappointed. Pancho's is kid friendly and wallet friendly for young families. Starving students can eat enough for a couple of days for about $5-$6. I'd tell you more, but I'm getting hungry-need to find my disguise.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
foxfroggy
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Member: Pat Fox
Location: Houston Texas
Reviews written: 232
Trusted by: 89 members
About Me:
Cat-loving bookish Texan. Equal time for sushi, barbecue, classical music and classical hard rock.
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