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    Pancho's Tacos

    3.5 (251 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Pancho's Tacos Takeout or Delivery

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    PANCHO'S TACOS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Reviews With Photos

    Fish Taco
    Chie J.

    I've eaten at Pancho's over 100 times. Open since 1974, this place is the classic LA Mexican joint to me. I missed it so much while living in San Francisco. it was one of the first places I came back to when I moved back. Let's be real: not everything here is perfect. The bathrooms are old (but clean), the décor is a bit dingy (but charmingly authentic), and the food isn't organic or healthy--but it's homemade with love, and that makes all the difference. People are kind here. As for the food: the Chile Relleno, chicken enchiladas, and fried fish tacos are AMAZING. I don't recommend the shrimp items, and they screw up sometimes seldom but if I even out all the experiences, I love this place.

    Rice, bean, and cheese burrito. Good beans and great size!
    Amber F.

    After a cold, long day working I (3 months pregnant) was craving a good bean and cheese burrito! So I turned to my trustee Ol Yelper community and yall a damn lie! Lol. I was reluctant to try bc only 3 and some change stars...the food is great! The establishment it self could use some TLC, but who doesn't love a little hole in the wall kinda taco shack???? I will return and get my food to-go again! Just give them a shot I was pleasantly surprised!

    No. 4 combo with chicken tacos

    Best hard shell chicken tacos on the west side! Get the combo plate. Also highly recommend the red salsa with jalapeño in it. I used to live around the corner, and now I drive five miles to get these tacos.

    Salsa Bar
    Justin H.

    Damn good tacos! Tasty beef, perfect lettuce ratio, shredded cheese. The salsa was great too. Then even have the Harley is and carrots blended into a salsa if you're into that. I am so it was an extra bonus stopping in here to try the tacos on Taco Tuesday. Ordered the combo 4 (2 tacos and side of beans, rice, chips)

    Machaca Burrito
    Ted F.

    3.5 is the right rating, but I agree closer to 4 than 3. I went with the Machaca Burrito, but I gringo'ed it up and added sour cream, avo, pico. Everything was solid. Bottom line: I'd never seek out Pancho, but if I had to pop in and be a fat boi here, I wouldn't be upset about it. And they have free wifi!

    Exterior
    Elizabeth L.

    I almost forgot about this wonderful little spot. I have not been in some 30 years. It has been there forever it seems. But we moved a bit and just sort of forgot about it. I am so glad we found it again. My grandson picked out this little place. He loves Mexican food and thought he might like to try it. Parking is free in their lot and they even have a painting on the cement wall thanking and blessing customers for coming. It is one of those places that you order at the counter. But they bring your food to you. You can eat inside or out. We stayed inside and were very happy. The person that took our order was ever so nice. My grandson is 15 now, but has issues with speech, so we practice. The person taking our order was so patient as he tried to explain exactly what he wanted. He was clear he wanted guacamole and the staff member, maybe the manger or owner, heard that clearly and gave him a lot. We paid and took out seats. In less than 5 minutes our order was served to us and it was all great. We shared rice and beans with cheese, guacamole, nachos, and a taco. It was all old school traditional Spanish food and just as good as some much more expensive places we have been to. Their guacamole is thick and rich. It is perfect. It was all perfect. They have salsa and chopped onions and things like that out so you can carefully help yourself. The place is older and you can tell by the somewhat faded menu bar above the counter, but it was spotless. The tables are cleaned after someone leaves and there are plenty of napkins. The bathrooms are spotless and there is hand sanitizer if you feel the need. They also have take away, and I am sure there is a third party company that delivers. If you want great Mexican food at a fair price by a family owned place, this is for you. You will love it.

    #5 Two Cheese Enchiladas
    Lynda T.

    Adding photos from lunch. Generous portions; great as always. A west side favorite.

    bean and cheese burrito

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    Great Food and wonderful service food is delicious food with and authentic taste. I have loved this restaurant since it on Pico and Lincoln.

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    8 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

    Amazing tacos and great service. Had pastor tacos and lengua tacos. 10/10! Price to quality ratio is very good too! This place is a gem.

    Business owner information

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    Vanessa P.

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    11 months ago

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    Vanessa P.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    They have the best breakfast burrito in Santa Monica and great service. Highly recommend!

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    9 months ago

    We just ordered 3 Loco Burritos with carne asada. They were extremely salty. Not good would not order again.

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    10 months ago

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    Vanessa P.

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    10 months ago

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    Vanessa P.

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    2 years ago

    The typical hole in the wall with incredible breakfast tacos and the sweetest staff. The good customer service always makes the difference.

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    11 months ago

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    Vanessa P.

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    11 months ago

    I love love this place!! Easy parking, quick service, kind staff, 50 cent games/toys, and of course yummy food.

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    Vanessa P.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    My experience included old tasting food and stale chips with no salt. It's affordable, low price but I did get the runs from it.

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

    This is my local so I try to support them. But $25 for a rolled tacos plate and a Mexican Coke is making it hard.

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Page 1 of 7

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    Sol Agave - Asada y Papas Taco Tuesday

    Sol Agave

    4.5(853 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    If I could give 10 stars, I absolutely would! From the moment I walked in, the restaurant felt so…read morepeaceful and welcoming. The entire staff was incredibly kind, and the manager, Luis, was very attentive, and made sure everyone felt comfortable and taken care of. The food is beyond amazing -- everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and clearly prepared with care. Since my first visit I have come back multiple times, and have received outstanding service each time. I came on Valentine's Day and it was beautifully decorated. It was also EXTREMELY BUSY, and again, Luis stepped up and became the backbone for his staff. From hosting, serving, bartending, and working hard to make everything flow smoothly. I have such a wonderful experience each time I come, not only with the food but also with the manager and staff. The restaurant is very clean, which makes the atmosphere even more enjoyable. No matter the time or how busy it is, my food comes out in a reasonable amount of time, and nothing ever feels rushed or forgotten. What really stood out to me was how much the manager seems to genuinely care about both the staff and the overall environment. He was constantly moving around, checking in on everyone, making sure guests are happy and that his team is doing okay as well. It's really warming to see that level of dedication and leadership. Overall, this is one of my new favorite places to come due to my positive and memorable experiences. Great food, amazing service, and such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. I would definitely highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal and excellent customer service. Recommended Dishes: (Appetizers) SHRIMP TAQUITOS -my favorite, PULPO A LAS BRASAS (Soups And Salad) GRILLED SALMON SALAD (Dinner) FAJITAS DE LA CASA, MAR Y TIERRA, DEL MAR SEA BASS

    Rating: I wish I…read morecould give this place zero stars. We came here for Valentine's Day expecting a nice, romantic evening at the bar, but it was hands-down the worst dining experience of my life. From the second we walked in, the place was absolute chaos. It was incredibly busy, which I expected for the holiday, but they were clearly short-staffed. And people were standing by the host stand just waiting for someone--anyone--to acknowledge them. We waited 45 minutes past our reservation time. The most infuriating part? The management. While the poor servers were running around sweating and trying their best, the manager was completely useless. Actually, "useless" is an understatement--he was visibly drunk. Instead of jumping on the floor to help his drowning staff or talk to frustrated customers, he was sitting right there at the bar drinking with a lady for two hours. It was a slap in the face to every guest in that building. He offered no help at all on one of the busiest nights of the year. When I finally tried to approach him to ask about our entrees (which took over an hour to arrive), he barely looked up from his date and brushed me off with a slurred "we're working on it." If you want to pay good prices to watch a manager get hammered while you starve, this is the spot for you. Otherwise, stay far away. They clearly don't care about their customers or their staff.

    Photos
    Sol Agave
    Sol Agave - Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken Fajitas

    Sol Agave - Shrimp Taquitos

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    Shrimp Taquitos

    Benny's Tacos & Rotisserie Chicken - 1 Rotisserie Chicken Taco $3.95
 1 Fried Fish Taco $4.55
 1 Carnitas Taco $3.95

    Benny's Tacos & Rotisserie Chicken

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    I was craving a burrito, had never been to this place, and had it delivered…read more The burrito was SOOOO good AND it was massive. Every ingredient in there was perfect. I was worried I was going to get something small for the price but you get a huge portion for what you pay for. This is the kind of burrito where youre saving some for lunch for the next day. I also got a churro (which is something I never get) and it was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will absolutely be ordering from here again

    Stopped in around 10:45 on a whim. I was driving through Santa Monica, got hungry, saw the sign and…read moreswung around the block. They'd been open maybe an hour and there was one other person there picking up an order. First time here. The guy at the counter was very friendly, asked if I knew what I wanted, and I told him no and asked what's popular. He recommended three tacos so I went with that. He never asked about tortillas so they came out on corn. I'm not the biggest fan of corn tortillas, but after I sat down, I looked at the soda cup, and saw "handmade corn AND flour tortillas." Would've gone flour if I'd known that was even an option. My bad for not asking, but also a great opportunity to let a new customer know it's an option. Food came out fast. Three tacos, chips, a couple sides of salsa. All the meat was cold. Not fridge cold, but noticeably below room temperature. I'm sitting five feet from the kitchen in a place that opened 30 minutes ago. How is that even possible? The non-beef tacos were seasoned well, both of them, that part was fine. The beef was where it fell apart. Every single bite had pieces I literally couldn't chew through, and I kept pulling chunks out of my mouth. After my second bite I just stopped going back for more. For over $4 a taco, that quality is atrocious. Very fast if you need something quick to eat. First and last time for me.

    Photos
    Benny's Tacos & Rotisserie Chicken - Front counter and menu

    Front counter and menu

    Benny's Tacos & Rotisserie Chicken - Carnita and Al Pastor tacos

    Carnita and Al Pastor tacos

    Benny's Tacos & Rotisserie Chicken - Front counter & ordering kiosk

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    Front counter & ordering kiosk

    Prima Cantina & Tacos

    Prima Cantina & Tacos

    3.8(248 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    This place is just a traditional type of Californian taco shoppe. They have a great bar menu and…read moreplenty of choices for food to go with. We arrived early before they opened for lunch so we waited at a table outside. Since they opened a few minutes late, we were not sure about the employee situation so once inside, we chose to sit at the bar since we were the only ones at the restaurant. The bartender pleasantly greeted us and asked for our drink order. I went traditional with a skinny margarita and my husband had a screwdriver which pairs very well with Mexican food. The kitchen was just getting started so we waited a few minutes to order. The menu had so many great choices, we were excited to order our food. I went with the Shrimp Ceviche which was so fresh and delicious. I loved that there was so much shrimp and not a lot of onions and peppers filling the bowl. The fried crunch tortilla was also great for scooping the ceviche. My husband is more of a burrito naturalist so his chicken stuffed burrito was great. It had all the fresh ingredients neatly wrapped tight for easy eating. The service was very good and the restaurant did get quite crowded shortly after opening. I also enjoyed their homemade hot sauce that was just spicy enough when mixed into the complimentary mild salsa that came with the complimentary chips. I would definitely return to check out the other menu items.

    Shared Chicken Fajitas ($25) and Salmon Burrito ($22)…read more Food here is very good, but expensive. Consistent problem in this restaurant is that they are stingy on the protein. The Chicken Fajitas had hardly any chicken and the Salmon Burrito was low on Salmon. The free chips were not to my liking--they had that "old cooking oil" after taste. This restaurant is exactly why I prefer to eat at home. It's not the value that I want to see dining out--and I know the rent on this street is as high as Beverly Hills. Free parking in the large lot in back of the restaurant or 2 hours free on the side street. Paid meters in front on Montana till 6 pm. Service was "okay." When I asked for another cup of salsa--the waiter told me that it would be an extra charge per the restaurant rules. This is not a restaurant I would be running back to, but if you are in the area and craving Mexican food and you are okay with $25 PP for your dinner--it's fine provided you acknowledge the things I noted above.

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    Prima Cantina & Tacos - Inside

    Inside

    Prima Cantina & Tacos
    Prima Cantina & Tacos - Tequila bar

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    Tequila bar

    El Cholo - The said this is the best steak they have you won't be able to chew it

    El Cholo

    3.5(1.4k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    It has been a couple of years and wanted to write an updated review. We came here for Happy Hour! I…read moreenjoy their margaritas! I also love their chopped vegetable salad. It is crunchy and has a nice citrus dressing. My husband ordered a combo plate: chili relleno and enchilada which comes with rice and beans. He has ordered this before and both times the enchilada sauce was just okay, thus the 4 stars. Service at the bar was 5 star by Salvadore (?). He was very attentive, kind and professional. Happy Hour has great prices for drinks and a limited food menu. On this occasion we ordered from the regular menu, just because I was craving their chopped salad and my husband really likes their chili relleno .

    I'll start by saying the food was delicious lots of cheese on my enchilada and plenty guacamole…read morewhich was tasty along side some warm chips. I'm old enough to remember the Western location when the servers wore original dress and took care to look presentable. At the Santa Monica location last night there were two employees at the desk. The female dressed in black wore pants and a shirt which showed her bellybutton, she barely looked up to check us in for out reservation. The young man next to her wasn't much better in dress. His white shirt was wrinkled pants a little dirty. His hair was sloppy and unbrushed. He honestly looked as though he rolled out after a long night of partying. He did though speak and walked us to our tables. Our server, a woman, didn't give her name and was nonchalant, no engagement at all, no eye contact, smh The food as stated was fabulous but not returning due to employees lack of polished demeanor. One more point the valet was perfect. He made eye contact, smiled which goes far.

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    El Cholo - Back patio

    Back patio

    El Cholo - Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken Fajitas

    El Cholo - L.A. lemonade

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    L.A. lemonade

    Pancho's Tacos - mexican - Updated May 2026

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