Panchito’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
“Eat whatever, share a pitcher of the frozen margarita and you are on your way to a great night my friends.”
“Great vibe in here – I love to have sangria or a margarita and relax on the couches.”
“The guacamole tasted really good too and there was no extra fee for it which was so un-New York and I loved it!”
Panchito’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Probably the only empty place at night on the ever increasingly popular MacDougal Street with the least attentive service possible. Our waiter didn't even mention the $12 minimum per person but it was written all over the menu. Their margarita is only $10.95 so it doesn't even cover the minimum.
I really enjoyed this restaurant! The server was very nice and the manager stayed close and made sure our table was well taken care of. Granted we were one of the only two tables there being that it was Christmas Eve.We had so much fun that we didn't realize when they closed. I think everyone at my table loved their entrees and both the red and white sangria were delicious!
I ordered a grilled chicken dish with apples, almonds, raisins, lemon sauce, and a Dijon mustard with rice and beans. The presentation was great, and I loved the combination of ingredients chosen. The server warned me that it was pretty sweet, and he wasn't lying. I tend to like sweets, but this dish was too much for my taste buds. A friend of mine asked for some green-colored hot sauce for her meal; so I tried some on my plate and I thought I died for 5 seconds. She is a bit of a hot sauce connoisseur, so I should have just stayed in my lane and looked for a basic tabasco sauce. I would love to go back, however, and try some of their other items on the menu. Nice environment, nice staff, and perfect location on MacDougal Street.
Panchito's Mexican should basically be retitled Place You Go When You Can't Get a Table at Minetta's. This said, I think the reviews are unduly harsh. It's mediocre yuppie "Mexican" food but doesn't really promise anything more. Yes, the taco shells taste like they came directly from Costco, but you get a good portion for a decent prize and food to hold you over before you do a cultural activity in the area.
One annoying thing: water refills are a real chore apparently, and you have to request them constantly. Nobody is checking. The bathrooms are also kind of gross.
This place is very meh. At first glance, it looks all right for a casual dinner on the infamous MacDougal street. I used to pass this place a lot when I went to NYU and now I am glad I never wasted my poor college allowance there.
To start off, the service was very slow. I don't think we were greeted by a server for at least 10 minutes. Fortunately, the service got a bit better as our meal went along but overall not very attentive. We got a pitcher of margarita at a hefty $49.95. I thought it was a bit expensive but I will say it definitely did its job. I was feeling it on my first drink. We also got the Guacamole to start off. That was actually delicious and the portions were huge. I think it might have been the most guacamole I've seen served at a restaurant, all at a reasonable price of $8.95.
I then got the combination platter of two tacos with shredded beef, also at $8.95. It came with rice and three kinds of beans, a little side of lettuce and tomatoes, guacamole and sour cream. Considering all that food was less than $9, I thought it was adequate and it was filling. The tacos came in hard shell which they should clarify on their menu. The second taco was quite soggy by the time I got to it.
Overall, service was below average, the atmosphere had that dive restaurant, college pregame kind of feel. Food was filling but nothing extraordinary. I will give it two stars because I've definitely had worse. What a pity that this kind of restaurant is on such a popular street with such a huge space, being completely underutilized for what that space can be. If I were a college student on a budget and is in need to be fed, I would recommend for cheap eats. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
This place is huge and I think stays alive b/c of NYU college students and their thirst for frozen margaritas. it's got a bustling comfy atmosphere and decor, and the service was very friendly (although it was just one poor waitress when we were there and she was on the run the whole time).
Food wise it was average, and drinks, meh. The on the rocks margarita I got was not good (weird mix), and the salsa that they served with the chips didn't taste great. We got guacamole (ok), shrimp fajitas (decent), and veggie chimichanga (decent).
I was in the area for a comedy show and drinks later. But the boy was hungry and I'm a sucker for great margaritas so this is where we landed. I wouldn't say it was the cleanest place on the block – the bathrooms actually disgusted me. We started with margaritas and guac! Yummy yummy! The guac was flavorful with lime and salts. The margaritas were frozen and pretty strong! We got to sit outside which I loved loved loved and the waitress was pretty on point. My boyfriend ate a burrito – he said it was awesome!!
This place was so underwhelming… it was late night and everything else in the area was closed, so we gave it a shot as we were starving. I got the fajita wrap, the veggies in it were nicely seasoned. That's about all I can say. The salsa and chips were gross, the bathroom was filthy, the waiter was a little brusque and the place just has a scuzzy vibe. Wouldn't go back if I can help it.
I've been to this place once before but only for drinks. Their drinks are good although nothing out of this world. This time around a big group of us showed up around 4 and we were taken care of! Our server was so patient and on top of things even w our group being 20+ people. The chorizo quesadilla and jalapeño rellenos was delicioussssssss. Soo good. I think the prices are normal for the area.