Pancho's Mexican Buffet

It's been years since we've been and my wife's mom used to love coming here for the sopapillas and honey. The food is three stars for taste and quality, what you get is plenty. The fourth star is for the little old lady that brought us whatever we asked for with a great big smile. We made sure we gave her a great tip, she deserved it. They have a dessert bar with churros and chocolate cake and cookies....the churros were good. On our last visit I do remember sending a white flag up our flagpole signifying our surrender, hey! I'm easily entertained.

Food was delicious, customer service needs work. We spent two hours here catching up with family that came into town. After the first hour no one filled up our drinks anymore or came by and cleared the table. When I first got there I went straight to the restroom. Womens -one stall was closed, all the others had no toilet paper, and the paper towel dispenser was broken and had the roll caught in it. Mens-my husband said two urinals and a stall were closed and no tp or pt as well. I told the ladies who were talking right outside of it and they were still talking by the time we got thru the buffet line. Went again after we were done (I'm pregnant-have to pee a lot) and it still wasn't maintained.
I've been looking forward to this trip to Houston for months now because all the ones in San Antonio closed down. But I was slightly disappointed. However, I did leave with a very satisfied belly-the food was on point!

I know what you are thinking...
Pancho's? Seriously?
Yes.

My parents used to take me to Pancho's throughout my childhood. It was one of our frequented family dinners for a treat.
I started talking about childhood memories with a friend and decided on a whim to visit.

I went straight to my favorites: the chile relleno with queso sauce on top, rice, and beans.
The chile relleno was just as I remembered. Spongy, cut through easily with a knife, and cheesy on the inside. The queso sauce on top soaked through like the enhancement that milk soaking through Oreos gives, making one close their eyes and chew.

I was taken back to the 80s. Taken back in time was also easy with the unchanged decor. It's not a bad thing, in fact sometimes divey could be a comfort.
The buffet options have not changed in 30+ years.
I stuck with my 3 favorites, so I can't really say anything else about the other items.
Oh...I didn't forget to finish the experience off with raising the flag for some sopapillas! Which were exactly as I remembered them.
Soft pastry pillows drizzled with honey.

Cheers to raising the flag!

On the menu it said under all you can eat Specialties Fajitas for $15.99. Ordered and got 3 tortillas and a small fajita plate. Nailed that and wanted more and was told it was not all you can eat. Look at the website pic attached and tell me this is not misleading...

For this price I would of went to a better place with fajitas for sure.

Food was fresh but the flavor was a little off. Wish we had one of these in Louisiana again.

I have grown up for over 40 years eating food from Pancho's Mexican Buffet. As I moved around the country away from Texas, I came to miss the fried chiles relleños from this place.

It's similar to diner or fast food in quality. Nothing too fancy, but consistent and delicious like your Tia's homemade cooking. It's comfort food for me. And the price can't be beat. There are generally humble folks eating here in small groups, so warm and polite to each other. It makes me feel at home. And the waitresses will always try to keep feeding you more. I love this place.

Definitely a place to visit for nostalgia if you visited Pancho's as a child. Not a great restaurant, but a great experience!

My teenager said the popcorn chicken and churros were delicious. My other son liked the desserts and tacos. Sopapillas aren't what they used to be!

Good, fun, easy, bland Tex-mex food! Try the tamales and tacos!!

Great all you can eat Mexican food.
Great variety.
Famous for raise the flag service.
Friendly staff.

This place was pretty good . The staff was super friendly and made sure my family and I felt welcome . Food was worth it for the money. Love the the idea you raise the flag at the table to signal for more food .

Horrible customer service! Walk in the door no acknowledgment. Was looking for the restroom first. Then a manger ask for here or to go? I said to go, after use the restroom. When I came out again no acknowledgement, not even from the manager. So then I asked a waitress. She told me to the manager would take my order. Well the manager told me to go to the back window. A drive thru. Well I did. No answer from on the menu board. Drove to the window, no one came. So I called. They answered and said I'm sending someone. I waited about a minute more, then left. You would think if the manager to me to go to the drive through she would have had someone waiting to take my order. All this after driving 8 miles out of the direction I wanted to travel. What a disappointment.