I was really looking forward to visiting this restaurant, as I love Mexican food.
We ordered a mixed starter platter and were particularly excited about the chilli poppers. However, the poppers are not traditionally crumbed but rather wrapped in a tortilla and deep fried. The vegetarian starters weren't bad.
The main meal however, seriously disappointed me. Having had good Mexican food in Cape Town, I found the main meals bland, floury and inauthentic. All the meat needed spice and flavor, and the tortillas were thick and doughy and hard to eat.
Although the meal was affordable, I found that the food was still not good value.
Venues
Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant
★
★
★
★
★
Write a Review
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0214474854
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127 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town
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panchosadmin@gmail.com
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Monday to Saturday 5.30pm till late
Is this your venue?
Claim it now!- Cost
- R50 to R60 avg main meal
- Ambience
- Groups, Kids, Local cuisine, Quick meals
- Food
- Mexican
- Payment
- Amex, Mastercard, Visa
- Corkage
- R20
Owners description
Panchos is a Mexican restaurant in Lower Main Road in Observatory. Helpings are large, the place is always full and the ambience is fun. This is a relaxed restaurant, with tables and decorations to reflect the Mexican theme. There is a small courtyard section and a large smoking section – booking ahead of time will give you some choice. The frozen margaritas – in lemon, strawberry or a mix – are very popular.Note: Alcohol will not be served after 12h00.
User reviews
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Guy C
We recently celebrated a friend's birthday at Pancho's in Obs, and were treated to some exceptionally tasty Mexican food. We shared a plate of chilli poppers for starters, and I had a beef and bean burrito for my mains. Others had the Flautas or the Fajitas, and everybody enjoyed their meal! The pièce de résistance was washing it all down with their delicious, strawberry-lime frozen margarita. It is worth noting that the portions are HUGE! All five of us took home left-overs, even after ordering smaller ("Mexican") portions. Personally, I didn't mind - it made for a yummy lunch the next day - but I suspect my stomach did! Nevertheless, I loved Pancho's, and will go back!
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Gerna Swart
I had my birthday there last night and i would just like to thank all of you again for the awesome time we had there. I was a bit unorganized but they helped me and my party out immediately and made my night super special. I can recommend it to anyone and everyone. Thanks again :) Gerna Swart
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Lynn September
Even though the food was great. The Manager Richard Van Zyl was extremely rude to the group of us that were there for a farewell party. We got the bill before asking for it and were unaware that the booking was only for a certain petiod. The Manager Richard was extremely rude and unfriendl and did not offer us a altetnative to aid us in enjoying the remainder of our evening. Will not go back or recommend to anyone else. Pointless having a good product but bad Management, its a reflection of the place itself.
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Geff London
We have supported this restaurant over the past few decades but last night they placed us in a cold, dark area where we could not even see what we were eating! They have only two 40W candlelight globes above 5 tables. Not only does one sit back-to-back with the person at the next-door table but they seem to use this area for storage, with a trestle stand pushing up against my daughter.
It is just as noisy and cramped as the tables inside the "proper" restaurant, except it is also cold and almost pitch dark! They seem to be trying to save electricity by not using all the light fittings. Be careful you are not placed in this version of an enclosed back yard, where it is so dark that one cannot read the menu, even with extra candles.
They have good food but if the atmosphere and venue are horrible - as this space is - it ruins the meal!
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Nicole Walker
One of the best restaurants in Cape Town. A definite must, if you haven't been there yet! Service is fantastic and the food is the best Mexican food I've had in a long time! Not to mention the great buzz and relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant.
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Q Jakoet
Really great restuarant with great tasting food which I must say has great value which I would highly recommend for couples night out or friends getting together...and that is what I amdoing this evening #GreatPanchos #GreatFood #GreatPrice #GreatPlace #GreatVibe
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Dawid Schalk van Vuuren
Nice place. Good atmosphere.
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Lila Azorin
This is the 2nd time I have gone to Pancho's with a big group (after swearing the 1st time I would never go back), to be completely disgusted by the way they treated the birthday girl. They have very strict rules with big pax, god help you if everyone does not arrive on time (and Cape Townians are known for being fashionably late). I strongly advise anyone who is booking for over 12 people to pay a deposit beforehand of ±R50 per head, to avoid being treating like complete deliquents. They do not warn you of punctuality, neither advise one to lay down a deposit - so beware and do so yourself.
I will NEVER set foot in that place again, not even for a best friends birthday - it will only end it tears, once again (I wish i could put a minus star.)
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Sam
Love this place. We have been going here for years and have to say it is always my first choice. Go as you are. Must have the chili poppers and the frozen margarita. The only problem is that you need to book in advance these days as they are always so busy.
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Michal Boucher
Panchos is amazing! Friendly on the pocket, good service and fabulous food!
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Eshmie Maharaj
Being a previous patron of Panchos, it saddens me to say that though their food is quite delicious, their manager leaves much to be desired. The callous handling of clientele is shameful, her utter disregard for proper mannerisms or professionalism is quite disheartening. I hope the establishment makes better choices in regard to managerial staff in the future.
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Wayne
Two weeks back was my first time venturing out in Obs. What a great restaurant. The food was amazing and Im going back tonight with more mates. The service was quick and the frozen margaritas were very tasty. At the end we got a complimentary round of tequila shots for 7 of us. Thanks for a great night out.
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Richard & Jadi
I am sorry if we have caused you any inconvenience. It never was our intention to treat you badly. May I just have the opportunity, to explain to you my side of the story.My manager Jadi did explain to you that we were fully booked. You were informed that you only had 30 minutes to order & eat your meal. The choice was yours. Jadi acted in good faith / knowing that you are a regular customer / assuming you know how busy we are / how we operate. Jadi tried to please you. I know I am doing the wrong thing, by trying to defend myself. The customer is always right.My common sense just tells me that at no establishment am I going to have a pleasant experience in 30 minutes.The choice was yours. You opted to stay.I was basically attacked by yourself. I had no idea why you were attacking me.Perhaps if you had informed me in a calm / pleasant way, the way you were informed that the table would only be available for 30 minutes we could have sorted out this matter in a amicable way.You are obviously very upset / posting this review. I trust that you sharing this review with the general public, is going to make you feel better.However how does this resolve the issue? I would have preferred for you to speak to me first, to resolve this matter. I respect your choice. Jadi would like to apologise to you, for her bad management decision. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you feel the need to resolve this issue.Kind regards.Richard & Jadi
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Deidre Prince
Ive been eating at Panchos for more than 20 years. We generally enjoy the food but tonights service was absolutely poor. It appears that filling the tables is more important than ensuring that diners enjoy the experience and 10 minutes after being served our meals, we were asked to pay and have our meals packed up because other diners were waiting.
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Lu Heideman
Panchos is still the best Mexican in town. Nobody makes tortillas like theirs. Such a happening place after all this time, long may it last.
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James
Derek, Jose Quervo is cheap tequila. If you wanted proper tequila you should have ordered Patron or Don Julio. We love going to Panchos!
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Laura
What a disappointment to go to a Mexican restaurant and not be able to get authentic Mexican food! No corn tortillas! No Mexican chilies! No smell of raw onion, coriander and lime! If you love authentic Mexican, do not come here. If you dont know any better, then its a fun place; just dont say that youve had Mexican food. The real stuff is unbelievable.
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janice meyer
my fiance and i joined a few friends for dinner on sat evening at Panchos. it was great! very relaxed, excellent food and great value for money! the service was great and on the whole a great evening out!
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Derek Bluck
What a pity, this is one of my favourite mexican restuarants and the they went and served us cheap tequila after we requested Jose Querdo gold. either the barman is cheating the owners or the owners are cheating their clientele!!!
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Mario De Freitas
I have been to Panchos with my friends quite a few times in the past few months, and each time have left happy. Their food is really good and the prices are very reasonable, not to mention their awesome frozen margheritas ;) The place is certainly not pretentious with a nice decor and vibey buzz indicative of the student life surrounding it, which is part of its charm. Highly recommended.
Menu
Set menu - Panchos 2018 - Updated March 2018Facilities
- Accepts credit cards
- Booking required
- Dinner
- Food
- Functions
- Licensed
- Parking
- Serves food
- Smoking
- Takeaways
- Vegetarian
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