Pancho’s Mexican Food is our latest find. Located in a mall on Johnson Street, Pancho’s serves up delicious Mexican food in San Luis Obispo.
From homecooked meals on surf trips to taco trucks, Wade’s had a good sampling of Mexican food. Along with Japanese, Mexican is one of his favourite foods. But don’t hold him to it. Growing up in Canada, I’ve had much less Mexican cuisine. Las Margaritas on 4th and Burrard is still there after all these years. Long before this restaurant opened in the 1990s, Vancouver had Pepitas. Opened in 1975, this is mostly where I had Mexican food. Sadly, it closed in recent years.
We first ordered from Pancho’s when I was next door at UPS getting stuff printed.
Last week, we went in for a sit-down.
My thing these days is getting cilantro rice. That day, I also tried a fish taco. Wade had a wet burrito with ground beef. Delicious and friendly people.
Mexican Food from Around
California
Speedy Taco is a food truck Wade and his son have been going to for years and years. It’s in a parking lot at 1548 Reasor Road, not far from Ace Hardware in McKinleyville, Northern California. After trying a few things, I always come back to their veggie burrito. Great pineapple water!
On our camping trip in Northern California last year, aside from dropping by Speedy Taco, we also went to Raliberto (1039 4th Street) in Eureka. Another restaurant we used to go to, Luzmila’s in Arcata, has closed. So many businesses, and longtime ones, have shuttered in the past few years.
While in San Marcos for a family reunion, we tried what was then called Las Brisas Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar. It’s now called Frida’s Tequila Bar. With the Frida art and the great bar, I’m not surprised by the name.
Hawai’i
Mariachi’s in Kapa’a is where we celebrated Wade’s first birthday on Kaua’i. On this small island, there are a number of options including Da Crack in Koloa, Tiki Taco’s (Waimea and Kapa’a), Monico’s Taqueria, and Al Pastor food truck, both in Kapa’a.
On O’ahu, there are also several Mexican places we liked. Los Chaparros (2140 S Beretania Street) had great fish tacos. Also Mexico Restaurant at 1247 N School Street. Both of these have their own parking lot and are outside of busy Waikiki. There was another one on the windward side of the island. The name isn’t coming to me. We ate there several times when we stayed with our friends in Kaneohe. It was a low-key restaurant that served really great food.
The Frida mural at what was then Las Brisas (left) and their great bar (right).
Other Mexican in Five Cities and San Luis
A Mexican restaurant that’s got good food and good prices and opened late? Tonita’s in San Luis. It’s packed with college kids late Friday nights. At 1024 Nipomo Street, it’s just across from Goshi’s and the Creamery Marketplace. Other favourites include Taco de Mexico (374 Santa Rosa Street) also in San Luis, Morenos Taqueria (704 Dolliver Street) in Pismo Beach, Old Juan’s Cantina (649 Pier Avenue) in Oceano (great Chile Rellano that’s not spicy), and Burrito Loco up on Halycon by JJ’s Deli (best rice) and further afield, Temple de Mexico (2680 North Main Street) in Morro Bay. This place has huge (!) servings. We always share. It’s also got a covered outdoor area.
Probably the place we eat at the most? It’s got to be Taco de Acapulco in Grover (1051 S 13th Street). Everyone’s really friendly and we get to customize our order. This is great for getting exactly what I want, which is simple – more cilantro. Wade’s dad often grabs us breakfast burritos and they’re good. Taco de Acapulco is definitely a local favourite. More often than not, the restaurant is packed.