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2007-01-25  Dining With Albert | |  |
01/25/2007 - For dinner, my wife and I decided to take a trip south of the border, Danbury style, to Pancho's Tacos, in their new location at 141 White Street, just a few doors down from their original spot. The new, larger space was necessitated by their growing and
well-deserved reputation. The modest decor includes Mexican decorations, two large TV screens, and a jukebox containing pulsating Mexican favorites. Upon being seated, we were immediately served a complimentary cup size portion of red salsa, along with tortilla chips. It was zesty and freshly made with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
There were many drinks choices, including milk shakes, sodas, juices, Mexican and Ecuadorian beers, wines, and margaritas. Pancho's Tacos claims to have the largest tequila selection in the area. My wife ordered her usual "house chardonnay" ($3.85). I had a wonderful Mexican pineapple soda ($1.75), which was very refreshing albeit sweet.
The huge menu offers appetizers, salads, tacos, Mexican sandwiches, sopas, burritos, fajitas, chimichangas, quesadillas, house specialties, and even breakfast choices. Wow! We decided to share a guacamole appetizer ($4.75), which was laden with deliciously fresh avocado, tomatoes, chilies and onions, and just spicy enough for our "gringo" taste buds. My wife ordered the Camarones al Mojo De Ajo ($13.99), which are shrimp sautéed in garlic and Mexican spices. The eight, tender, moist, nice-size shrimp were enveloped in garlic, served on a bed of Mexican flavored rice, with a salad of lettuce, tomatoes and green peppers. I ordered the more pedestrian barbequed beef burrito ($8.99). It was mammoth and filled with thin slices of barbequed beef, with beans, onions, sour cream, rice, and guacamole on the side. Excellent! Had I known that guacamole came with my entree, I would have tried a different appetizer. The people at the next table ordered the grilled shrimp quesadilla entrée ($10.99) as an appetizer and just loved it! You can have your food prepared mild, medium or hot, depending on how spicy you like it, or you can request the red or green bottled salsa. Be careful because these salsas are FIERY hot, as I found out!
For dessert, we shared the homemade flan ($3.50), which was dense and flavored with a wonderful caramel sauce. The staff seemed genuinely pleased to help, although Spanish would be of great help when asking questions. While I had been warned that service can sometimes be slow, all of our courses came out promptly, even though there were only two waitresses serving the ever burgeoning crowd of diners. Since the courthouse is across the street and WCSU is one block away, the clientele can range from Mexican workers to well-dressed attorneys, court employees and college students. Our total bill, with tax and tip, came to $45.98. This could easily be reduced to under $10 per person for lunch if you order tacos ($1.50 each) and a soda.
Pancho's Tacos is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch prices are about one dollar less than dinner. Take out orders are welcome. Portions are large, so be sure to bring your appetite! Pancho's Tacos, 141 White Street, Danbury. 203-790-0900
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