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    Pancho's Mexican Restaurant

    3.9 (477 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Bars
    Closed Closed

    Pancho's Mexican Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    PANCHO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Juke Box
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Pancho's Mexican Restaurant

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    Reviews With Photos

    Mom's bday lunch
    Lauren C.

    Great selection of food from American to Mexican. Tastes great! Chips and salsa are brought to the table. They are on it when it comes to refills. It is more of a bar atmosphere than a family restaurant. Half of the place is a bar and there are booths on the other side. The music is good, but WAY too loud. You can't even have a conversation or hear yourself think. I guess the bartender likes it loud (as we were told by our waitress). Fun atmosphere, but not family friendly.

    Cheese Enchilada rice & beans
    Lisa P.

    Panchos is what I would consider as a dive restaurant. Very laid back, a lot of regulars, it can be busy and also dead. I haven't figured out that pattern yet. They have two sides to the restaurant with separate entrances. One for dining side and one for bar. Be forewarned sometimes conversation can be hard to hear on the bar side if it's busy. Music can sometimes get too loud on that side too. Lot of tvs though to watch whatever sports you're into. The inside is very dated and dark. Except for the bright LED light right above your table. Food is mediocre, I've tried burritos, nachos, enchiladas, Mexican pizza, mini tostadas, tacos, guacamole, and taquitos. Prices are decent. My favorite items have to be the taquitos and tacos. Plenty of meat, and cheese. Filling to say the least. I've grown to like their salsa, some days it's hotter than others. Chips can be good some days and too hard/stale on others. Guacamole is very bland, like it's almost smashed avocados only. I do love their strawberry blended margarita. Get a double, you'll thank me. We mostly go there for the company with friends and servers. We love Salvador! He's the best! Very very hard worker and all around great guy. He'll treat you like family. The last two times we missed him and almost decided to leave but stayed anyways. Oh and if it's your birthday, you'll definitely want to let them know. It's quite the experience lol.

    Cute Mexican flags they put on food plates!
    Areli S.

    This is the second time I come here. First time was on Saturday 4/20/24 in the evening and I sat at the bar. Wonderful experience. The food/drinks are amazing and conveniently priced. Salvador gets the MVP award! He went above and beyond to ensure my friend and I were catered to. He brought me spicier salsa without me asking (which I love) and helped pack my leftovers. His service was excellent. He was very attentive, funny and made sure we left happy. The only person I'll complain about is the older white lady who waitresses day shift, Kelly Ca. I told her I don't eat meat and she kept insisting on giving me sauce with "the least amount of meat". I had to explain to her 5 times that I wanted the sauce that had NO MEAT. On top of that she brought us a large side of sour cream which my gf and I thought it was weird. We didn't touch it. Asked her if she could remove it from our bill bc we didn't order it and she got defensive saying "I wrote down everything she said. She did order it." With a very entitled/rude attitude like I'm right you're wrong. I said, "not a big deal it's only $2.50 you're removing and she didn't even touch it." She acted like I cursed her out. I feel bad leaving this review but bad employees unfortunately ruin it for the good ones. Hope this changes as I'm willing to give them another try in the future. Thanks Salvador for saving the day... literally! 5 stars for you buddy.

    26. Special - Choose Any 2 Items Combo Plate 1/2 Chile Colorado and 1/2 Pork Chile Verde.
    Dave H.

    Food was incredible and the service was even better. The chips and salsa were great the Chips were warm and the Salsa had a little kick.

    Beer taco/beef enchilada combo platter with rice and beans.
    Ryan N.

    I came here with my folks yesterday 5/31/25 for lunch. They ate here last weekend and told me the food was good so I agreed to have lunch with them. We were promptly greeted and seated in a booth. While receiving complimentary chips and salsa we placed our order. My mom ordered the menudo, my step dad got beef taco and chili relleno plate and margarita while I got the beef enchilada and beef taco plate and rootbeer. The waitstaff which was a older hispanic gentleman made sure our drinks were filled and our bowl of chips filled. The food was delicious the rice was cooked properly, the refried beans were hot and both my items were good. Everyone enjoyed their meal. I would definitely return and recommend Kudos to this restaurant for the awesome experience.

    Menu
    Joe F.

    First thing I will say is the staff here was on their game, super helpful and attentive. They were nice enough to recommend a few dishes for my toddlers and we now know my 2 year old love chili verde. We got seated right away. While were there it was constant stream of people picking up to go orders as well. Seemed like a good amount of locals in the restaurant. And one of the things you don't find as much in locations as they dropped off two bowls of tortilla chips, and two salsas for a family of four at no charge. The chips were over cooked which is kind of a theme for the tortillas in our visit. However, I really did enjoy their salsa. I thought the beef tacos were solid. The meat was delicious but I will say the shell was way over cooked. The chili Verde I had was excellent. To me the beans were OK but I really like the rice. My wife wasn't a fan of really anything she had the beans and rice, chicken taco, which her shell was also overcooked. My girls worked on their meal they loved it. They had some pork tacos and a cheese quesadilla. And they really loved the beans. Overall, I'm gonna give it a four for the service and some of the food. They were definitely some things over cooked but overall some strong meals and good flavor. I've seen some of the reviews to talk about a bar it does seem like there's a second entrance to the location. So you've got sort of a dining area and then a bar area on the other side of the wall. Decor is a little dated, but hey, you're here for a good meal.

    Combo (I chose Shredded Beef Taco and Cheese Enchilada
    Elle C.

    Again, thanks to Yelp, another great discovery!! Based on the exterior alone, I'll be honest, this is not a destination that captures my interest; however, SO glad we drove out here! The parking lot is set-up oddly; although arrows indicate 2-way, one can only enter from E. Collins Ave. to properly access the diagonal parking spaces in the row closest to the restaurant. Upon entering from the door on the left side, the small restaurant was not what I'd expected, as I'd seen pictures of a long bar top. We were greeted immediately; after asking if there was a bar, we were guided through the back into... the bar, where it was a different world in terms of atmosphere and liveliness! Even mid-afternoon, we didn't succeed at landing seats at the bar top; sitting at one of the high-top tables turned out fun -- especially thanks to the hard-&-fast-working, positive, super personable-&-efficient support guys, who definitely added to our great experience!! Our server was nice, too. Good pours on the drinks! Generous & tasty portions on the entrees (I heeded the advice of some Yelpers, ordering the #26, my choice of 2 items!)! Fun, casual-&-comfortable atmosphere! We'll be back!

    Chili Relleno and shredded beef taco. Great Fish Tacos here too!

    First of all, I'd like to start with the good. The servers and the other staff are wonderful very nice people and they work very hard. I feel sad writing this because at first we really did enjoy the restaurant, but it had been a while since we had been able to have good Mexican food because of Covid Now there's more opportunities to go other places . We haven't been back because something I just couldn't get past. And I'm hoping the owners read this and will consider possibly looking for a different vendor. There is something odd about the beans, and the olives also taste the same. I'm not sure if they are the same brand or company but they have an old tin can taste to them. It's as if the product's been sitting on the shelf for a long time and possibly expired. It's just a very odd aluminum can taste (for lack of better description)to them. Beans are an important component to Mexican food. I really wish that they would try either making them fresh themselves or find a different brand or vendor. I would really like to be a regular customer, but this was just something I couldn't get past. It would ruin the other parts of the meal for us like Taco Salad/tostada for example

    Tonight we just discovered the 'Special' Combo Plate #26 - your choice of any 2 items. Here's my Chile Verde w/cheese enchilada. YUM!!

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    4 months ago

    Soup is great here but no longer offering soft drinks to go so I'll be eating elsewhere.

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    1 year ago

    Best menudo in town. We come just to eat their menudo. Service and prices are great too!

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    1 year ago

    Worst food ever omg ! First and last time lol I think they were trying to make Mexican food? Better off going to Taco Bell !

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - Pancho's Mexican Restaurant

    Are the soups beef or pork?

    Do your beans have lard in them? Do you have any good options for vegans?

    I dont think they do have lard in them, and vegan options here are pretty slim.

    When did Panchos close? We have been there several times over the last few weeks and they are not open. For a while they had a handwritten sign saying they were closed for the afternoon but now that's gone.

    a friend and I had lunch at Pancho's a couple days after Christmas. if there was a closing, they appear to be back open.

    View All 6 Questions

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    Avila's El Ranchito - Chilaquiles in green sauce

    Avila's El Ranchito

    3.8(865 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Came here for lunch with my coworkers. Probably the best work-related meal I've had ever. I ordered…read morethe shrimp enchiladas and it was so good. The beans did not taste watered down, and the enchiladas themselves were flavorful. I always worry about shrimp overpowering the sides of a dish but it tasted great. The rice was also really filling. We had a reservation and they seated us at a pretty big table, which I liked. The servers were very timely, kind, and knowledgeable about each dish on the menu and the rotating specials. The inside of the restaurant was HUGE. I'm pretty sure it was built inside of a church. I really liked the stained glass and elevated seating areas nearby, it reminded me of the Old Spaghetti Factory layout in Fullerton. Overall, I had a very positive experience. I had to get a Diet Coke and of course, it was crisp to my expectations. A little heads-up, unlike the Costa Mesa location, they do not have horchata. Nevertheless, I'd come here again to try their burritos, tostadas, and salads!

    The best Mexican Food in OC . The service is consistently…read moregreat . And the beer and the cocktails The Carne Assada , shrimp fajita .. everything e always great and the food is very fast . You must try . The atmosphere is wonderful. My husband and I enjoy the food and Alfredo the Bar tender and all the Jose's are so professional and friendly.

    Photos
    Avila's El Ranchito
    Avila's El Ranchito - Out of the Avila's locations; Orange does the Grande Taco Salad best!!

    Out of the Avila's locations; Orange does the Grande Taco Salad best!!

    Avila's El Ranchito - The bar

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    The bar

    El Matatan The Finest Fusion Of Latin Cuisine

    El Matatan The Finest Fusion Of Latin Cuisine

    4.8(592 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$
    Free parking
    Wheelchair accessible

    At El Matatan, they build upon a foundation of Mexican cuisine to create a fusion of various Latin…read morecuisines. Ceviche Mixto: This ceviche is a mix of premium seafood, such as yellowtail, octopus, and shrimp. It is "cooked" in lime juice along with cucumbers, onions, cilantro, and onions. This dish is tangy and refreshing. Instead of tostadas, they provide crispy plantain chips for scooping up the ceviche. Guacamole: This appetizer has a nice and smooth guacamole topped with mint and cilantro leaves. The giant tostadas are thin and extra crispy. Surf & Turf Tacos: The blue corn tortillas have a costra de queso, which is a crispy and gooey cheese crust. The slices and super colossal shrimp are flavorful and tender. The broccolini and pickled onions provide great crunch and flavor. The plate also includes a scoop of rice and caramelized plantains.

    Had brunch here with my husband and we both enjoyed it!…read more Restaurant is nicely decorated with a huge bar, comfy seating, and clean restrooms. The music was good, but the door to the street was open and the cars zooming by pretty much drowned it out. We had reservations that weren't needed, we showed up 30 minutes early and the place only had one other occupied table. Service was slow at the beginning, seems like the hostess was also the waitress, and bartender, and possibly helps in the kitchen. Husband had a michelada and it was very good, super lime forward. Tasty and refreshing! My iced tea was really good, very lemony. We wanted to try the corn cake pancakes but didn't want the whole meal, so we asked for one, were told it comes with two. It was $12 for two, instead of $17, which comes with bacon and eggs. The pancakes were yummy, but slightly undercooked and almost raw in the middle. Loved the sweet corn flavor, and the crispy, salty edges. They had plantain chunks on top, but they didn't do anything for me, they were bland. I would love to order the pancakes again, and I hope they are fully cooked next time. He had the Avocado Toast and said it was one of the best he has ever had, it's served with chorizo and queso fresco. He said the chorizo was great and he loved the sourdough bread. He ate both pieces, and he rarely eats an entire plate of food! My chilaquiles verdes with skirt steak was great! I asked for the steak to be medium rare, it was around medium, but still tasty. The portion was way larger than I was expecting, I finished about half and took the rest home. Their entire menu sounds great and I hope we come back to try more of their food.

    Photos
    El Matatan The Finest Fusion Of Latin Cuisine
    El Matatan The Finest Fusion Of Latin Cuisine - Flor de calabaza ( flower blossom )Quedadilla

    Flor de calabaza ( flower blossom )Quedadilla

    El Matatan The Finest Fusion Of Latin Cuisine - Elote Pancakes

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    Elote Pancakes

    El Molino de Oro - Al Pastor Tacos

    El Molino de Oro

    4.0(435 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    El Molino de Oro is one of those places we keep coming back to because it never lets us down. This…read morevisit, I ordered the 2-taco combination with carne asada, which comes with beans and rice. The asada was flavorful and well-seasoned, and the beans and rice were classic. My boyfriend went with the carnitas burrito, and it was packed with tender, juicy carnitas and generous portions all around. We also grabbed a flaky pastry in the attached bakery (I didn't catch the name), but it was perfectly buttery and light. Service is always friendly and efficient, even when they're busy, and the vibe feels very local and welcoming. If you're looking for solid Mexican food with consistency you can count on, this is a must.

    El Molino de Oro's carnitas burrito is a solid, no-frills winner that hits the spot for authentic…read moreOrange County Mexican food. The carnitas themselves are the star--tender, juicy pork that's been slow-cooked to perfection with that signature crispy edge on some pieces, delivering rich, savory flavor without being overly greasy. It's seasoned just right, with a nice balance of porky goodness and subtle spices that let the meat shine. Wrapped in a large, fresh flour tortilla (they make their own in-house, which always helps), it's stuffed generously with the classics: fluffy Mexican rice, creamy refried or whole beans (depending on your preference, but both work great), chopped onions, cilantro, and a solid dose of salsa. I went with their green salsa for a bright, tangy kick that cuts through the richness perfectly, plus a dollop of sour cream and cheese for that creamy melt. No skimping on portions here--it's hearty and filling, easily a meal that satisfies for hours. At around $10 (give or take, based on current pricing), it's a great value in the area. The burrito holds together well without falling apart mid-bite, and the overall balance of textures--tender meat, soft rice/beans, crisp onions--makes every mouthful enjoyable. If you're in the mood for classic carnitas done right in a casual, bakery-taqueria spot with great salsas and a friendly vibe, this one's definitely worth grabbing. I'd rate it 4.5 out of 5--only docking half a point because it's not reinventing the wheel, but it's executing the traditional style exceptionally well. Highly recommend if you're near 728 N Tustin St in Orange! Pair it with an horchata, yum

    Photos
    El Molino de Oro - Dining room

    Dining room

    El Molino de Oro - Cakes  pastry

    Cakes pastry

    El Molino de Oro - Storefront

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    Storefront

    Moreno's - GRANDE COMBINATIONS (#11T - TACO & TAQUITO)

    Moreno's

    3.2(1.1k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    After spending the morning at the cemetery honoring my aunt's 20-year memorial, our family decided…read moreto gather for a meal at Moreno's Restaurant in Orange -- and it was the perfect place for us to come together. We had a large group of about 30 people, which is never easy for any restaurant to handle, but they accommodated us so well. They seated us at one long table so we could all sit together, talk, and share memories. It meant a lot to keep everyone connected instead of being split up. The food was excellent. I ordered the carne asada plate, and the meat was cooked to perfection -- tender, flavorful, and seasoned just right. You can tell they know how to prepare their dishes with care. For dessert, I had the arroz con leche, and it was amazing. It was the perfect balance of sweetness and comfort, especially after an emotional day. The ambiance truly stood out. The hacienda-style patio with trees created such a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere. The Spanish-style architecture inside, along with the fountain, made the whole experience feel warm and inviting. It has that classic, authentic charm that makes you want to stay and enjoy the moment. Most importantly, the staff was incredible. They were extremely patient, attentive, and very organized -- which is impressive considering we were a party of 30. Everything came out smoothly, and they made sure we were taken care of without making us feel rushed. If you're in Orange and looking for a place with great food, beautiful ambiance, and outstanding service, go to Moreno's. It was exactly what our family needed that day -- good food, a peaceful setting, and time together.

    What happened? It had been about a year since our last visit, and unfortunately things have changed…read more-- not for the better. Our table of eight ordered eight different meals plus an appetizer, and not one person enjoyed their food. The best way to describe everything was mediocre. The fajitas were dry and lacked flavor, and the burritos were just as disappointing. In fact, everyone at the table described their meals the same way: dry and tasteless. The one bright spot of the evening was the staff. They were friendly, attentive, and provided great service throughout our visit.

    Photos
    Moreno's
    Moreno's - Taco Tuesday

    Taco Tuesday

    Moreno's - $15 margarita/Pitchers $42 1/5/25

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    $15 margarita/Pitchers $42 1/5/25

    Pancho's Mexican Restaurant - mexican - Updated June 2026

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