Don Pancho’s Tex-Mex Cafe

Look, this place isn’t gourmet, but it’s not as bad as some reviewers are making it out to be. The lunch buffet is decent, and it’s cheap. The décor is in need of a makeover, so there isn’t much in the way of atmosphere, but it’s a decent value for the money.

My mother always loved Mexican food and found this restaurant long before I ever thought I would be living in Alliance, but here I am and thankfully Don Pancho’s is still here as well. The restaurant has reliably good food, Tex-​Mex style, and remains true itself long after the original owner left the place to his children. My favorites on the menu include the black bean soup with all the fresh vegetables and other additions you can put in it (brought with the soup), the shrimp or the seafood nachos, the enchilada dinner, fajitas, chicken chimi – or just try the buffet on Sundays! They also have excellent breakfast at reasonable cost and you can choose between American-​style and Tex-​Mex style.

For the first time my wife wants me to leave a Unilocal review. It isn’t a good thing. She ordered the seafood nachos. They came with a hair, not just an eye lash, but a long eight inch strand of hair draped across the plate and embedded in several nachos. The waiter replaced the plate but seemed very nonchalant. A few moments later my son found a hair in his rice. I’m not sure what happened here. This was not good. The manager said nothing, and no change on the bill. On the plus side they have a really cool giant chair. Carnitas was tasty.

HORRIBLE FOOD! Taco Bell has better Mexican food than this place. I am not the only one, everyone at my table of 6 agreed! Never again!

First time eating there. Unfortunately, it will be the last. It really wasn’t that bad but it wasn’t that good either. Food seemed old and not fresh. I know this restaurant has been around a long time and I had great expectations, but sadly, I was disappointed.

Great food, cozy and quiet atmosphere. My family’s favorite restaurant in all of Alliance. This is Tex-​Mex food … not mexican … not American. It’s not the best ever — but in my experience it is a good meal every time. The servers (in many cases) have been there for years and recognize their regulars when you go in.
I have the crab salad every time I go and it is awesome! The chili con queso is the best I’ve had and better than most mexican restaurants. FREE chips and salsa can’t be beat either and I have been known to buy a bag of chips to take home with me as well.
This restaurant is an «Alliance culture» thing. If you remember the OLD Pancho’s on the corner of Union & Main everything is different now with its new location. The décor is amusing with Americanized versions of Mexican décor. The first time my husband went, he hated it. After 3 visits, it’s now his favorite too. If you grew up in the area, there’s just something about Poncho’s that will take you back to your childhood. I love it and will be a patron as long as my family still lives in town.

People tell me this place used to be great. Well it isn’t now.
Confused menu and even more confused staff.
GF ordered a dos equis and the waitress asked her how do you spell that. GF said «X X» The waitress replied we don’t serve liquor. The best part is there is a 2′ x 3′ dos equis sign on the wall going into the kitchen.
Food is bland and runny.

Pancho’s is one of the best mainstays in Alliance. This place has been integral to this town. I have memories dining here since I was little, especially their former location down on N. Union Ave that included the motel. Say what you want about this place, but Tex-​Mex isn’t any more authentic than here. While I tend to agree that in some respects the place isn’t as good as when Francisco DeLeon (Pancho) was still alive, it’s still a great restaurant in my book. The refried beans, rice and chips/​salsa alone are worth it and better than anywhere else. Everything is gloriously smothered in longhorn cheese. The nachos are excellent– the way nachos should be served– individually topped with the option of adding jalapenos; not a heap of chips lazily covered in crap on a plate like they do at most places. Love the burritos, enchiladas, chimi changas, chili con queso & con carne (get it with the chorizo), arroz con pollo (try it con camerones– w/​shrimp), etc. I could go on and on. Prices are reasonable, menu easily navigable (In fact I haven’t needed a menu in years), and service generally good. The dining room may not be the most spic-​and-​span– (this is, after all, a Mexican restaurant), but the food more than makes up for it. My folks started dining here way back when they first opened & we’re still frequenting. You definitely get your money’s worth at this place and won’t leave hungry.

This is my favorite place to eat in Alliance. I have to admit that the food does not seem as good on some days. Things aren’t the same since Pancho died.
The salsa and tortilla chips are the best I’ve had. I would be satisfied eating these and nothing else.
The décor is amusing. Margaritas are not the best in town.
Vegetarians can find plenty of dinner choices.
Service is either really great or really bad.

We go for the salsa, better than most in the area, and the chili con queso, we love. Some dishes are «dry» as in no sauce. Margaritas — not the best. Gold is VERY strong without much taste. Décor is somewhat tired, and I don’t like the tables with the divider in the center which are shared with another couple. Come on, splurge for separate tables.

Don’s got a long history in this area, with various locations doing a brisk business over the years and then finally closing. The last remaining location is the one in Alliance. My recollection is that Alliance is where it all started. The location that currently houses Don Pancho’s is not the one I remember. Anyway, it isn’t as good as it once was, or my taste in Mexican has gotten more discriminating.
The wife summed it up, this is decent American Mexican food. She’s right. The food wasn’t bad, but it was pretty bland. I think they keep it that way to appeal to the local palette.
My chicken enchiladas were ok, The chicken was ground, lacking any discernible spice. The beans were actually the best on the plate. The rice was ok. The chips were slightly seasoned, a plus; but were quite cold, a negative. The salsa, again, was bland, but tasty.
The real reason the place only pulled 2 stars is the less than clean appearance of the place. The restroom smelled so strongly of chlorine that I wondered what must have been cleaned up or what was being covered up. The table seemed a bit sticky and the entry was tattered and worn. Overall, the place had a old, musty smell that detracted from the experience.
I reckon this place will do good business appealing to the tastes of those looking for a mild Mexican experience.
The prices were decent, less than $ 10 a plate for plenty of food.