La Panchita Restaurant

We recently moved to the area and still exploring restaurants in the area. What a find, my husband and I loved the food and will definitely go back again.

Was in NY on business, and after a VERY long day of meetings, a group of us decided to go out and get an ice-​cold cerveza. The local said he knew JUST the spot, and we headed off to La Panchita.
Walking in, it’s a wee bit over-​the-​top on décor… but hey, an east coast Mexican restaurant… what are you going to do? ;-)
We were seated VERY quickly, and immediately drink orders were taken and chips/​salsa delivered. The latter was made in house… very fresh, but very tame. We got our drinks, and indeed they were ice cold… and after the day of meetings, refreshing and needed.
As I perused the menu, I noted mole… and while usually this is done quite badly in American attempts at Mexican, I was feeling lucky… so ordered it with sin rice. The rest of the orders around the table were all over the map… pablano, enchiladas, tacos, burritos… the works.
Our food arrived, along with another round of cervezas… and we dug in. The one weird thing about the mole is it did NOT come with tortillas. Strange, but when in Rome (or Smithtown?)…that didn’t matter too much, because it was VERY good. The beans were also cooked perfectly (which, granted, is a bit easier than making a good mole… but still, kudos).
Virtually all of the plates appeared to be licked clean. I figure that’s as good of a sign as any that this place is firing on all cylinders. Definitely recommended.

I come here all the time but only eat the chicken or steak quesadillas and nachos. And of course the margarits, they are delicous. I did order a skirt steak one time and I have to say. it was not that good. Chewy, not marinated. However in the quesadillas, the steak is delish. I sit at the bar and have a Margarita while I wait for my food to go. It has been very empty lately but has been around for a very long time. Try it, the combinations are good too!

My husband and I have been enjoying La Panchita for years! Service is the best! Great soups (love my Corn Tortilla Soup with avocado!!). Husband swears by the Combo Fajita and Garlic Soup. I love the El Pollo a Whiskey, a wonderful chicken breast in an amazing sauce with pears on the side, yummo! And the Sangria is the BEST!!! Definitely get a pitcher of that stuff! One night we talked several patrons into getting their own pitchers and we had an impromptu party! What a blast! Seriously, this is a fun place with yummy, consistent food. Very welcoming and not to be missed!

We enjoyed the food, and the service was very good, however the «live music» will prevent us from going back. For entertainment, Mexican karaōke was performed by a female singer. The karaōke machine was much too loud, and of poor sound quality.

The best Cadillac Margarita’s in the whole world. The staff is friendly and gracious, food is excellent. A must visit!

Ouch. 6:30 on a Sunday evening, place was empty except for a couple with their hands all over each other at the bar. Placed our order, noted the carpeting on the walls (what?) but proceeded to order. As I sat and read reviews, I really began to get nervous, but we decided to give it a shot. We waited, and waited, and waited and finally walked out. 35 minutes was way too long for us to be waiting for our meal in a completely empty dining room. After throwing a few bucks on the table for the sodas, we notified the waitress we couldn’t wait any longer, she just started to laugh and headed for the kitchen.
Interesting experience indeed!

Looking at the reviews. WOW you guys really do not know Mexican with all the Fakecican you must eat.
I will start by saying I am married a Mexican, who was born and raised there and makes me some delicious meals. So obviously when we go somewhere that says they are a Mexican establishment. well. don’t fake it
We saw this place once before driving on Main St, so one day we were hungry and decided to give it a try.
The first sign of a problem was when my wife started to ask questions to the waiters (in Spanish) about the mole. In Mexico there are different types of mole so she wanted to know which type it was. 3 waiters could not answer what type so she decided to go with the carnitas and I with the enchiladas.
Whenever we go to Mexican restaurant we usually have to ask for the kitchen salsa because the one that is normally served is Amercanized and pretty weak. So we asked for the kitchen salsa and the waiter said, «We are going to make the salsa just for you»
They brought our dishes out and my enchiladas looked like they were dropped in water. I can eat anything and I have always had this concern that if I complain and have them take back the food, they will eject bodily fluids into the replacement. So I kept my mouth shut and just started to eat.
Now my wife, who is a bona fide Mexican, got her carnitas. Right of the bat she was mad. carnatas are usually slow braised and shredded and are also tender. What she got was chopped up pork from Shoperite, that was chewy like gum. To me it was not actually bad tasting but it was not what she ordered.
Then we go the «salsa that was made in the kitchen» Not only was this salsa NOT hot but it was probably the tostito salsa you buy from the stores!
Unlike me, who is a food complaining coward, my wife called over the waiter and told him that the dish was NOT carnitas but chopped up pork and the salsa came from a can, so why was he lying to us. He did not have an answer. My answer was you are tricking all these white folks into thinking the food you serve is Mexican.
We found out later my Mother-​in-​law came here some time back and asked for Paella
and they gave here rice and beans with seafood. She also had to call the waiter to tell them that the dish they gave is not what the menu states it should be. If we had know this beforehand we would have never come.
Long story short. If you palette is contaminated from all the crappy Mexican eateries out there. You may think the food is ok, If you know what authentic Mexican is, if you eat here, they used a bunch of store bought crap and will try to do a 3 card monte and convince you that the plate you ordered is authentic.

The funny thing about the prior reviews is that they are all correct, the good and the bad. The good: best margaritas ever, good combination plates, great skirt steak, friendly staff, quaint atmosphere. The bad: décor is old and I guess could be described as musty, the paella is not good and does indeed have frozen mixed vegetables in it. This is not a fancy place, but for a good enchilada and a pitcher of margaritas, you can’t go wrong. Just don’t order the paella.

Empty on Tuesday night. No specials available. Peaceful place to have a quiet dinner. They are attentive in this restaurant. The salsa is very spicy, the grilled wrap is good and enough for two people. The two tscos plate is a little less then what we expected but we’re good.

My experience here a few months ago was highly disappointing. First of all, I can’t understand why a Mexican restaurant would choose to place white tablecloths down? With all the pepper and tomato-​based food mess that happens while eating it just made me nervous to eat.
Chips and salsa came complimentary, though the salsa was about 75% onions, which left us after just a few bites unable to taste anything but that. I ordered a chicken chimichanga, and nothing had been done to the meat. It had been thrown on to a grill completely unseasoned, was cooked to the point that it was dry and almost burnt, and tossed into a fried shell. It was unappetizing and disappointing. I’m fairly sure the only person in our party that wasn’t disappointed with her food was the one that ordered a cheese quesadilla — and even then the portion size was tiny.
While we were craving some of the comforts of home, I don’t think we’ll be going back. And if you decide to go, be sure to bring a toothbrush and some toothpaste for the onion breath if you want to be within 4 feet of anyone for the rest of your day.

My friends love this place so I did give it a try a few times but its just not good… first off it smells like wet dog but you could probably attribute it to the 1975 carpet complete with chalk outlines and pet stains. The food was bad aside form the chips fresh from the fryers… paella was dry and completed but the frozen mixed veg on top from stop and shop… only quasi saving grace was the array of tequilas and drinks… but you couldn’t get me drunk enough to go here EVER again…

The best ! I eat there typically once or twice a month. I have been going there for years and have never had a bad meal. The waiters are professionals that have been there for years. The margaritas are the best in the county. I read the review from the guy below that didn’t like the shrimp. I never had the shrimp there but I would never order seafood unless I’m in a seafood restaurant.
La Panchita is 6 stars !!!

La Panchita is by far my favorite restaurant. The food is incredible from the combination plates of enchiladas and beef tacos to the fried ice cream at the end of the meal. My family and I have celebrated many of our birthdays here with a Spanish happy BDay song and lots of spoons for the ice cream. Amazing!!!

My friends and I went to La Panchita because Maria’s (another local Spanish place) was closed and we were in the mood for Spanish/​Mexican. It was the first time we ever went there and upon leaving we said how we definitely wanted to go back soon.
The décor was cute and typical of a Spanish restaurant. It was homey and inviting. The service was great, the food was awesome and the sangria was probably one of the best I’ve ever had. The restaurant overall was clean and so were the bathrooms.
They served chips with spicy guac and salsa that were both fresh and addicting. Great place for a girls night or a birthday celebration. I give it a thumbs up!

Mexican
Small little place in the heart of Smithtown village. La Panchita never seems to be too busy. The place is on the small side, and immediately reminds you of Mexico when you walk in: traditional colors and decorations abound.
I usually hit the bar area which is immediately past the front door. The bar is on the small side but I can usually score a seat. Freshly made margaritas get the night gong and the chips with salsa give you something to nosh on while looking over the menu.
The menu is basic: combination platters for the gringos and some more adventurous entrees for those who know the difference between a flauta and a chimichanga…
The food is solid; nothing to crow about. You won’t get a mind blowing meal here but it is good enough to get you past your Mexican fix for the evening.
Bartenders and waiters are all nice and helpful.
Worth a hit if you want something better than Taco Bell.
Parking on the street.

I wasn’t a huge fan and i love mexican food. The salsa wasnt good that came with the chips. I went during the week in the afternoon and it was dead, and the food still came out in 5 minutes. I know mexican food is easy and fast to make, but 5 minutes gave me the inclination that it pre-​prepared. The food was another indication that it was. So i would say skip it, unless you want to try their reported famous sangria

Sangrias are delicious. So are the complimentary chips and dip. The sweet plantain side is the best I’ve ever had. But that’s it… Service is friendly yet very slow even on a slow night. I ordered the Las Carnitas which is a sautéed pork with onions and cilantro served with rice, beans, tortillas. The pork was dry and tough, but the pick de gallo and guacamole it came with was good. My husband ordered the Steak Panchita and the beef smelled and tasted like it was getting bad. Plus, it had no flavor. The rice and beans it came with was good though. Judging by our meal at that point we skipped dessert and went to Starbucks for a a better bet.

Imaging holding in a Unilocal review, much like you would a loud smelly fart, so that you wouldn’t be embarrassed by the after effects. This is what I’ve done for my La Panchita review for years. I’ve been going here for years, always leaving the restaurant thinking it was a 5-​star joint. Only problem is, each and every time I leave there, I’m drunk. How well can one judge food when completely trashed?
Screw it. The only reason why I get so drunk before I can even take my first bite is because the sangria is the best sangria on the planet, and the service is so phenomenal that you can’t help but get drunk taking it all in. And despite the fact that I’m drunk when I’m eating the meal, it still tastes amazing! Further proof — my leftovers are still amazing, and a perfect hangover cure as well…
Aside from amazing sangria and food (the Paella Valenciana is my recommendation), La Panchita does everything else well. Pricing? Very affordable, entrees are between $ 12 and $ 25. Atmosphere? Extremely dynamic — you can literally do anything here; have a romantic meal, go out with the family, bring a crew and get trashed, bring clients for work, whatever! Service? Extremely friendly, well paced, affable, comforting and you’re never rushed despite heavy volume on weekends.
Be aware that the $ 5 guacamole seems like a great deal, but it is not very big. Order one for every two folks at your table.
La Panchita is the best Spanish/​Mexican Restaurant on Long Island and definitely worth the trip to Smithtown.

I cannot eat here. It was all frozen food and not fresh. What a waste of 50 dollars that night. Paella was awful. Food was just bad. Drinks are good I cannot complain about that. Service was horrible. You had to ask for everything you needed, even the drink you ordered 10 minutes ago.
I would never return. This is hard for me to say such bad things but it was not worth my money. Gordon Ramsey needs to come and fix this place.