Food, drink, and service were great! I got a mango margarita, chicken enchilada, and shrimp/octopus ceviche and it all was great! My only suggestion is to get any sauce on the side because it tends to lean spicy and if you are like me (a wimp with spice) it will be easier to consume in increments. read more

Restaurante El Panzon - Mango Margarita! - Mexican Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

So I visited with a friend for lunch. We ordered the lunch specials which were only $10. My burrito was mostly lettuce with some very unexciting rice and beans on the side. Maybe their non-lunch or regularly priced burritos are better? What really put me off was their approach to tipping. I am a very generous, some might say excessive tipper. As a former bartender it's just good karma for me to tip well. I was surprised that they added a tip to the check automatically. I might have missed it if I'd just glanced. But then when I paid the bill they again prompted me to add an additional tip with options from 18-25%. So a lot of people who eat there are likely getting tricked into tipping twice. That's not okay. I won't be back. read more

Restaurante El Panzon - Receipt with tip automatically added. - Mexican Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My friend and I stopped there after a wrestling event. The food was outstanding and the only negative was the service was slow. But the food was worth the wait!!!! read more

Since my original review, El Panzo has expanded its interior with more seating and a full service bar and I couldn't be happier. It has become my fave in the Madison area. Their cemitas are still stellar but don't sleep on their tacos. They are all well seasoned and extremely flavorful. I love their tacos arabe. Served on a flour tortilla, this precursor to El Pastor is outstanding. Friendly staff and great drinks round out the experience. read more

Restaurante El Panzon - Gordita with a few tacos - Mexican Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

I debated on 1 or 2 stars because of our experience. Food, service & atmosphere were good. However, when the bill came it seemed high and there was only a total on the bill, no breakdown of what was purchased. I asked for a receipt with the total bill and itemized charges and after waiting a while the bill came and there was a $10 service fee for our table, a party of 2!!!! We have never been billed like this before. A larger table of 6 or more sure but a party of 2 people charging a $10 service fee. Too many other Mexican restaurants to visit locally that don't nickel and dime. CHECK YOUR BILL!!!!! A surprising hidden sitting fee may await you souring the taste of any good food. read more

Considering they have a competitor right next door, I would probably choose this place over the other. Tacos were seasoned well. I got the campechano. Not a huge fan of their tortillas, but they did seem slightly bigger than other street tacos I've had. Their rice was mushy and lacked flavor. I did, however, enjoy their beans. read more

Right beside a competitor and another restaurant we frequent for tacos but the flavors and even the entrees offered are unique. Flavors are so strong and satisfying! Everything I've tried here has been consistently good. Staff are friendly and communicate effectively with each other. You can tell the team is on the same page. Their shrimp dishes are phenomenal and they do not skimp on quality or quantity! Very clean each time I visit, and with it being such a small space they're full and busy every time I go. read more

Restaurante El Panzon - Lengua y asada tacos - Mexican Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

We really like this neighborhood place. The staff is super nice, the service is lovely, and all the food we've tried has been good. My companion enjoyed the mole enchiladas and the carnitas; I've had the tacos and the pollo a la plancha; all were great. Portions are generous. They'll bring you some individual portions of homemade sauces, these are delicious and spicy, as is the salsa that comes with your chips. Family friendly and excellent. read more

Came here based on the reviews on Yelp and glad we did! This place is outstanding in food and service. We had: Shrimp quesadilla - 9/10 Tacos (can't remember, but they were the Pastor one and the Steak one) - 8/10 Beans and Rice: 11/10 - couldn't get them anywhere in the US any better than we had - truly outstanding Drinks - house marg was great, Paloma was made with strawberry mix, and we would pass on that 7/10 Chips and salsa: spicy, fresh and delicious 9/10 Service: 10/10 - perfect. Ambiance: 9/10 for a local spot, excellent. Nice decor for DDLM. I would come back here any time. And we will! read more

Finally made it back to enjoy the expansion that they made! The area is so nice! A large bar area, lights and music. I had the "tacos de lengua" (cow's tongue) and they were delicious!!! The drinks were great as well. Service was fantastic and quick! They also have karaoke starting at 10pm! read more

So good! I think we found our go-to Mexican restaurant on the west side of Madison. It's fairly small place, maybe 12-15 tables, but looked to be doing brisk take out business too. Chips (they come warm) and salsa are free, and the salsa has a nice kick, which I loved. Wife had the the platillo de carnitas (on the salty side but delicious) and I had the molcajete served sizzling with shrimp, beef, chicken, chorizo, nopales, cheese, charred onions, jalapeño, etc. huge margaritas and a full bar with a decent selection of tequila and mezcal. Service was good. We'll definitely be back. read more

See all

El Panzón is in a little strip mall off Midvale just N of the beltline. I've heard that if you want to know how "authentic" a Mexican restaurant is, see if there is a statue of the Virgen de Guadeloupe respectfully displayed. Check! Service was prompt. When I saw they had lengua, tripa, cabeza de puerco, and other kinds of meat usually shunned by gringos on the menu, I thought I could have been in a restaurant in Mexico City. I ordered three tacos, one each of the aforementioned meats. The taco de lengua was outstanding! Best I've ever had. The taco de cabeza was also very, very good. The tripa was disappointing, but perhaps only because when the server asked me if I wanted them crispy or "medium", I chose the latter. Too chewy. I had Sidral Mundet for a drink. It's a carbonated apple flavoured soda, one I have always favored since my first trip down to Mexico as a callow youth in 1963. If your Spanish, your voice, and your familiarity with the Mexican Top Ten music hits are good, you might want to have some fun there on their karaoke night each Thursday starting at 9 pm. Overall, I thought the menu items were kinda pricey--but then again, we're in Madison, Wisconsin in 2024, h not el D.F. in 1963! read more

Service was great the food tasted really good!! They re molded the place witch is always a plus. We got the menudo a burrito with langua and 3 tacos de pastor. The flavor was there and I'm definitely going back. read more

Pretty much the worst carne asada burrito I've ever had. I've eaten plenty in my 25 years in San Diego and this one was bottom of the barrel. The burrito was a decent size. Loaded with mediocre rice but very little carne. The carne that was in it was extremely fatty. Not like marbleized meat, but chunks of chewy fat. I couldn't finish it and hours later my stomach is not in a good spot. Skip this place. read more

Great service. Very hospitable and family feeling. Can guac be seriously good? YES!

Service was great. Small restaurant setting but they plan on expanding. Food was good. Definitely authentic. Not Americanized.

I don't often leave reviews. This is the exception. The place is nice. Clean, well lit and decorated. The service was good. I felt bad for the bartender. He was flying through the place trying to tend to the bar, taking table orders and delivering food almost all at the same time. The food is very good. Big portions and very tasty. But, to be honest I (we) will likely not come back. There were 5 of us and our check was over $200.00. The charge of $16.00 for a margarita was stinging. Bottled beer was much more affordable at $4.99. The meal prices were pretty steep. That being said, it did include tax and tip. Sadly, they have subscribed to the unfortunate situation of adding an automatic tip. It would seem that they are unaware, or perhaps are choosing to ignore, that lots of people are coming out against that practice. Although the experience overall was ok it's just not an affordable dining option for regular visits. read more

I'm new to town and a friend recommended El Panzon. Excellent food. Great customer service. I'll be going back again and again.

The food is really good albeit a little bit pricey. The tacos are tasty and filling. The chips and salsa are very flavorful as well. The only issue I have is on the transparency on tipping. They add a 15% tip on the bill which is not shown initially. So you end up tipping almost 40% in the end. Makes the customer feel horrible. They should really fix this or risk losing customers. read more

Service was excellent. Ambiance was nice - small and cozy. Fully stocked bar. Tasty food. Red sauce was actually quite spicy which was a pleasant surprise. Highly recommend! read more

We've been meaning to try this place for the longest time since one of my past clients is the owner. Finally decided to pick up some tacos today and they were amazing. Much better than el Jalapeno next door that we've been frequenting for years. Will definitely be our new taco spot. So good. read more

We stopped in this week - I was craving their tacos, which are always really really good. Two tacos is a meal at El Panzon. The staff is super. I was thrilled to see that they are expanding into the space next door. They really deserve to do well and be recognized for it. I just wish I could eat my way through the menu! Super! read more

I have meaning to write this review but been caught up with life. But any who.. the food is DELICIOUS. Their cemitas are to die for! We ordered menudo and tacos as well and everything was amazing. The owners are super attentive and nice !! It is a hidden gem, im glad we found this place. We are definitely going back!!! read more

See all

My wife and I lived in San Antonio Texas for 3 years. Since moving back to Madison, we've been craving the same tacos we were able to buy down south. Finally we came across El Panzon. El Panzon is our favorite Mexican place in Madison, and it's not even really close. read more

I was heading for El Jalapeño for lunch, but decided on impulse to stop here instead. Very good carnitas tacos, friendly staff. Not much by way of atmosphere, but clean. Coming back soon to try the cemitas. read more

Their cemitas are incredible! We got the cemita campechana and weren't disappointed. Will definitely be back.

Great little hole in the wall place. Has great service, and of course great food! Very authentic Mexican food at a decent price. Note: the portions are enormous, so it offsets the price. Would definitely come back here to get the carne asada again. read more

Spotless interior, super-friendly staff. We always get a huge pile of tacos and they're always delicious. Their guac is great too.

You have to stop here!!! Food is authentic, fresh, and delicious. Excellent, friendly service. I am not from the Madison area, but will stop whenever I am in the near vicinity. read more