08/08/09

Worst Mexican foot ever!

by DLBM

We order what they call in the menu "Big Burrito", it turned out to be lasagna in a tortilla. No Mexican flavor or spices at all, totally Italian flavor with spaghetti sauce on top. They should be ashamed for the food they serve. In fact, we recommend them to change the name to Italian Cantina. Unacceptable!

• Pros: Very nice waiter
• Cons: Everything else

08/08/09

The Worst Mexican Food on the Planet

by theurbansherpa

Panchito's, the Mexican restaurant at 105 MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village in New York City, doesn't seem like the sort of place that would inspire superlatives: the entire block is given over to sloppy, unassuming restaurants of all ethnicities—Indian, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern—aimed presumably at the students of nearby NYU.

But it turns out that Panchito's is exemplary in more ways than one.

Panchito's is, first of all, the largest restaurant in all of Greenwich Village, on a scale so large that its cavernous dining rooms could fit a dozen or more Village-sized trattorias and bistros.

The menu immediately greets you with a second superlative: Panchito's, it turns out, is home of the "best margarita in New York." Fine print later goes on to clarify, the margarita is actually considered one of the top six best margaritas, though by whom is anyone's guess. (The menu itself is a contender for another superlative—Worst Graphic Design—though that's a contest that will be waged bitterly through all of Chinatown before the label can be definitively applied.)

You order one of these margaritas. It sets you back $10, and when it arrives at your table, it's lukewarm. A lukewarm margarita defies a law or two of physics.

A small bowl of stale unsalted corn chips eventually finds its way to the table. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover and you shouldn't judge a Mexican place by its chips. Still, there's no denying: these chips are bad. The comparison with cardboard is obvious but unavoidable. The chips are accompanied by a small plastic ramekin of vinegar and sugar that they call salsa.

You didn't actually realize it was possible to make bad salsa, till now.

The entree arrives. It is served without silverware, till someone notices and brings a miniature knife and fork, like for children or dolls. The plate of food is the saddest looking plate of Mexican food you've ever seen. The menu, which bragged about "three different kinds of beans!," didn't warn you that the beans would be overcooked into a crunchy powder, nor that they'd be lacquered in an inch of (is that Velveeta?) cheese. Two tacos remind you of the cafeteria at summer camp. One of them literally has a few slices of unseasoned, sauteed flavorless white mushrooms and a chunk of unmelted cheese. The rice (the best thing on the menu, by far, if you can find it under the cheese) has a single green pea in it—for flavor? for nourishment? an accident?

"Is everything alright?," the waitress asks, pointing at the mostly ignored pile of food. "You want more chips?"

"Yes!" But—somewhere else...

• Pros: Spacious dining room
• Cons: Bad food, bad drinks, bad service, overpriced

04/22/09

Just try your luck

by yin1104hr

I had a terrible dinner here 2 years ago, which made the four of us leaving just a dollar tip for the waitress. This time we went back just to see if things have been improved. And I was not disappointed. Service was good. Food was not as horrible as last time. The margarita and the burrito that I had were okay. It is not as disgusting as other people say, but don't expect too much.

04/21/09

DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!

by bklynqns

The sign out front says 1 of the 6 best margaritas in NYC, it should say 1 of the 6 smallest/most expensive margaritas in NYC. The drink was fair at best but by far the tiniest I have EVER had and was served with a straw and a spoon? What kind of place does that? They charge extra on top of the already absurd price if you want a flavor other than the basic lime. I asked for salt on the glass, no salt was on the glass. The served was rude and seemed as if he didn't want to be there. I inquired about ordering 1 taco and was told "sure that's no problem but I will have to charge you the price of the platter". I couldn't believe it.The chips were horrible and the salsa was the worst I have ever had. Needless to say I finished my tiny drink which didn't take long and paid the served who finally returned with my change (or should I say lack of since he took it upon himself to short me my coin portion of the change). I promptly deducted the amount he kept from the already small tip I left him. AVOID THIS PLACE!!!!!!!! The location and outdoor seating may be attractive but it is NOT the place to go for good food/drinks/service. PLEASE believe all the other negative comments as I am sure they are totallky acurate. AVOID AVOID AVOID.

• Pros: LOCATION
• Cons: TINY MARGARITAS, RUDE SERVICE, TERRIBLE SALSA

03/26/09

Crazy people...

by bkfresh

I can't believe this crazy talk... the food is quite good. There's nothing wrong with the bathrooms. The toilet isn't gold or something, but I've always found it to be clean enough to do my business and not feel gross or anything.

The best things about Panchito's are the drinks and atmosphere. There always seems to be decent people in there, no annoying characters. I always feel comfortable hangin out with friends havin a couple drinks and eatin some food. Panchito's is ideal for that.

• Pros: Strong drinks, atmosphere, prices
• Cons: um, nothing.

01/08/09

Absolutely love it!!!

by jnc4life

My husband and I have been going to Panchitos for 2 years now. Had I have read these reviews prior to going I wouldnt have. I would have missed out on a great place. We enjoy there food very much and the staff is wonderful. I worked as a waitress for many years and know how hard your job is. If youre not nasty to people they wont be nasty to you. Its not a family joint. I am a mom of four children and love going there because no kids are ever there. Margaritas,daquiris are yummy. We love the chicken quesdillas and the orders are huge.So if you like mexican and drinks,down to earth people and a cool atmosphere check this place out. You wont regret it! BTW Ive been in the bathrooms never saw anything bad.

• Pros: Staff,atmosphere,neighborhood.

12/05/08

WORST FOOD I'VE EVER HAD IN NYC. SERIOUSLY.

by jfellman5

The service was friendly and fast, but the food was god awful. My enchiladas suiza had no flavor whatsoever despite the 8 lbs of cheese on top. The tortilla was soggy, the chicken was tough and dry, and I honestly think it was leftover from a week ago and reheated. My boyfriend's chicken with almonds and raisins also seemed like leftovers, but more importantly, seemed to be crafted entirely out of splenda: disgustingly sweet, sickeningly saccharine.

The salsa was also loaded with sugar and lacked spice, and the chips were stale and bland. The guacamole tasted premade, flavorless, unfresh, and also a little too sweet.

Just so we are clear, this is not an exaggerated review, this is a warning to anyone bearing taste buds. My boyfriend said it best when he proclaimed: I feel like I just gave myself diabetes.

Awful.

• Pros: None.
• Cons: The food.

06/12/08

Great Lounge Area

by CriticShel

Fun, happy and a great place to lounge out and drink yummy red sangria. The food isn't memorable but the service and drinks are great. There are a few couches for you to spread out and feel like you're at home - it's cozy, and very relaxing. I'll be back again and again.

• Pros: Sangria, margaritas, atmosphere

03/04/08

A Mediocre and Unimpressive Meal

by xoxogossipgirl

I was anxious to see the "bathroom" with my own eyes when I went to Panchito's last month, since there are so many reviews saying the bathroom is an absolute disaster! After my visit to Panchito's, I must say, the worst thing about the restaurant isn't the bathroom! (although the bathroom is not on the "high end" side, I've seen worst, it didn't smell at least!)

Overall, I was just unimpressed with their food or drinks, including their "Best Margarita". I had ordered a Sizzling Steak Fajita while my boyfriend ordered a Big Burrito, both dishes were at best mediocre. My steak especially had No flavor whatsoever, it basically tasted like dry up beef.

With SO MANY restaurants in NYC, I just don't see why we should settle for Mediocre and Unimpressive meals. You can find plenty of cheap eats that actually activiate your taste buds... instead of doing the opposite.

• Pros: Friendly waitress
• Cons: Unimpressive food, dirty bathroom

01/14/08

PLEASE DO NOT USE BATHROOM

by bsosa77

This place must be close asap, please do not use bathroom in this restaurant if you dont want to get sick they are very dirty they stink the floor is very grease no soap, no air freshener how the still open??? can you imaging the kitchen?