Pancho's Restaurant

I enjoyed Pancho’s in Manhatten Beach for the first time today. Even though the place was packed the service didn't miss a beat. Hopefully the managers appreciate their awesome staff. Everyone who greeted and served us was great. The food was good and the portions were satisfying. Given the trendy nature of the area I was surprised at how reasonable the prices are. If you are in the area, you should definitely check out Pancho’s.

Pancho's is the best! It has been a staple in the South Bay for many years. The people that work there, the food, and the people are incredible. If you were looking for authentic Mexican food and you want a great experience, go to Panchos. I can't say enough about this restaurant. It's not even on the menu anymore but my wife can still go in and order the poblano seafood pepper dish with shrimp and they make it for her. How cool is that??? Pancho's is the best of the best, it's one place where you know you will not be let down. Also,it's great to celebrate birthdays.

Location is easy to get to. Parking is bananas. Luckily there is valet parking, which has a wait. This restaurant has 2 floors. We sat on the 1st floor? Which was the bottom. Nicely decorated. The vibes were vibing but was very uncomfortable on trying to hear our table of 5, as it was super loud. Which I understand, people come out for a good time, party and drink. The food was delicious. I had the Enchiladas de Carnitas. I even tried my friends Enchiladas Rancheras, which were tasty. Our table salsa and chips were super spicy, so unfortunately I did not get to enjoy the chips and salsa. We had 2 birthdays at our table, which they shared some of their birthday treats, it was the Deep Fried Ice Cream, it tasted like a churro in ice cream. I was bummed I wasn’t asked if we wanted dessert, as I saw after, they had a 3 leches dessert & flan. Our waiter was very nice and thankfully split our check. The valet guys were also nice and helpful. While leaving, the bar area was packed!!! Life of the party with karaoke!! Would’ve been fun to stay but was quite a long drive to head home.

I recently dined at with a large group, and I must say, it was a fantastic experience! The staff did an excellent job accommodating our party, ensuring that everyone was comfortable and well taken care of throughout the evening. One of the standout moments was with a fun birthday song for someone in our group, which added a fun highlight to our dinner. Now, let's talk about the food! I highly recommend the jumbo bacon-wrapped shrimp dinner. It was simply amazing—perfectly cooked and packed with flavor.

I came in on a Friday evening and ordered the Spicy Margarita and Shrimp Diabla Puffy Tacos—and honestly, I haven’t stopped thinking about them since. The margarita was perfectly balanced: just enough heat, not overly sweet, with a tajin rim that added the right kind of kick. The tacos? Absolutely incredible. The shrimp was full of flavor, and the contrast of the crunchy puffy shell with the rice and beans made every bite satisfying. One of the most delicious meals I’ve had in a while. The atmosphere was just as perfect natural light, lush plants everywhere… it felt like I was dining in a garden. Peaceful, cozy, and beautiful. To top it all off, I ended the night with a walk on Manhattan Beach just a few blocks away. It was the perfect Friday. Can’t wait to come back—especially for those tacos.

I really loved the atmosphere of this restaurant—it’s a dream for any plant lover! The space is full of greenery, giving it a relaxed, tropical vibe that fits perfectly with its beachside location. Service was friendly and generally good, though not especially attentive—but given the laid-back, casual setting, it didn’t take away from the overall experience. Our food arrived promptly, well-seasoned, and nicely presented. I did order an appetizer that never made it to the table, but since the entrées came out quickly (and were generously portioned), it honestly would have been too much food anyway. We were a group of six, and everyone received their meals at the same time—hot and fresh. No one had any complaints, though one dish came with toppings that weren’t requested. Still, it wasn’t a big deal, and the flavors made up for it. Overall, this is a lovely spot for a casual, feel-good meal in a beautiful setting. I’d definitely come back!

Pancho's is a favorite spot for really good Mexican dishes. The Margaritas sadly are hit or miss. Today they were a miss (and at $16.95 a glass, they should always be excellent) but the food was delicious.