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Poncho's is an authentic Mexican restaurant on Denman near Robson Street. Ponchos features live music every week from Wednesday to Sunday
Ok, we cannot take Pancho's for more than what it is. It is an inexpensive eating option downtown.
When we arrived it was moderately busy, and my friend and I quickly stole a desired, but unreserved table. Glad we did, because five minutes later, the line up was out the door and we had hungry masses watching us eating our food for the remainder of the time. Close the door people - are you in or out?!
Took a bit of time get our beer and the did not have draught, but the simple and salty nachos were brought out quickly. The simple salsa had a kick to it, which was a welcome change from the bland stuff that is usually served to please the "it's too spicey" crowd who would be better off traveling with packets of Taco Bell salsa.
Entrees were brought out quickly. TexMex style fajitas and burritos, but lived up to expectations. The meat used was ok, but not wonderful, and more shells had to be asked for.
Service was with a smile, and the friendliness made up for any shortcomings. The staff genuinely appeared to enjoy serving their customers - even the ones patiently waiting for seats.
Good value. I will probably return with my wife who enjoys TexMex food.
We've been going to Poncho's pretty much since it opened, when it was still in it's older, smaller location. The food is still authentic and excellent (Kaeta makes trips back home to Mexico at least once a year) and they've added some new items. Try the pulled pork tortillas - excellent! An old favourite - Carne Mexicana with it's steak in a tomato-y sauce, mole poblano chicken enchilada, refritos and rice, is still a treat. And Poncho's special coffee and margarita's are as yummy as always.
Yes, the service can be slow - but at Poncho's, why are you in a rush? Staff is often young relatives brought up from Mexico, and changes fairly often, so if you need help, wave and ask for it!
With the singer that is now a regular and the cheerful, cosy atmosphere, the ambience should really make you slow down and enjoy the evening, if you let it. For me, it's like coming home!
Service isn't top priority here... it's got the "mañana" kind of feel to it.
That being said, I found the margaritas and the food delicious. And every time I've been here, there's been a live musician playing a guitar, belting out some spanish tune.
Definitely quenched my craving for Mexican, and I will be back.
I've eaten at Poncho's before and it was quite good. Unfortunately things have changed.
Our entrees came out before our appetizers, so we asked for our appetizers first, which took an additonal 20 minutes. When our entrees eventually came out, 20 minutes after our appetizers had been cleared, they were THE SAME plates we had originally been served! They were cold and scuzzy looking after sitting under a heat lamp for over half an hour, so we sent them back. 10 or 15 minutes later, they came out again, still only lukewarm, but at that point we decided that sending them back again would ensure that we would spend at least another hour there.
The service was terrible, we weren't quality checked even once, and nobody apologized for the numerous errors. It seemed that we were not the only people experiencing this as well. I love mexican food, but I will not ever set foot in there again. I would have given the service a zero if I could have. The ambience was ok, what I would expect from a mexican place, but didn't even come close to making up for the inattentive, inept service.
I can't agree with the reviews below.
I went to Poncho's on Friday night and we got the last available table (which is always a good sign).
Service was average, nothing especially good, but not bat either.
The food was quite good, I am not sure if it was very authentic (I generally dont have a good knowledge of Mexican food), but to me it tasted quite good and my partner was happy too.
The margaritas were excellent, I can't remember to ever have had a better one! no kidding!
The bill came to $55 for two people which included 1 liter of margarita, an appetizer and two entrees. Not bad at all!
Recommended!
I've said before that i'm a massive Mexican fan, and Ponchos is my staple. Not least the fact that we live half a block from the place, but the music, the great authentic food and the friendly staff make it a great casual night out.
Unfornately their Margheritas are rubbish, but the flaming coffee that Mamma wheels out 3-4 times a night is well worth it for first timers.
The food is solid and i keep going back. Tick.
We weren't looking for anything fancy. We were standing on Denman and looked at Poncho's, then across the street to Rooster's Quarters, then looked back at Poncho's, and opted for Poncho's knowing that we weren't looking for gourmet - just an affordable, casual meal.
Immediately we were given the window seat. Menus came soon after and we ordered a liter of sangria and the dinner platter for 2.
Throughout our dinner we would be served by 3-4 different waitresses.
Chips with salsa arrived within a few minutes, as did 2 glasses of ice water. Our sangria arrived almost at the same time as our first course - the quesadillas. The quesadillas were cut into small wedges, filled with tiny bits of sausage and a lot of creamy cheese. On top was a dollop of guacamole.
The sangria was refreshing - not too much ice, not too much fruit. The fruit (apples and orange peel) were cut into 1cm cubes.
Dishes were cleared away when our platter arrived. It had marinated beef (with some sort of tomato/celery stew on top), 10 garlic prawns, a tiny bowl of rice, a tiny bowl of beans & cheese, and 2 chili rellenos. The chili rellenos were mild, covered in tomato sauce and covered entirely in melted cheese. It was too much cheese to what's already a cheesy dish. The prawns were good - the tails were removed so it made for easy eating. The rice/beans were bland, as they should be, but the beef was flavourful. Not the best quality of beef, but thinly sliced pot roast style beef..
The singer/guitarist was a nice break from the horrible Mexican pop songs.
It took a long time for anybody to clear away out plates, but our dessert was soon served - a cinnamon pancake with a dollop of Neapolitan ice cream drizzled in honey.
Prices were good, staff was pleasant, and the food was just decent comfort food. This is not outstanding. This is not necessarily something I'd go out of my way for, nor recommend for an "amazing" Mexican restaurant.
I wanted to give the food a five start rating, but I'm just not sure what incredible tastes like. I've been going to Mexico and eating in their restaurants almost every year for the past 16 years (not the all-inclusives) and I really like what I have found at Poncho's. I've been eating at Poncho's for a good twelve years now and have enjoyed it everytime.
I have tried most of the dishes and all tasted really good. I almost always savour my first few bites before I lose control and chow down, unless it is too hot of course. Some of my favorites are, Pollo con caso e creama, Steak & Garlic prawns, Carne Mexicana and sometimes the Pollo or Carne Verdes for a nice tangy change. I also like that they bring you a basket of chips with Kaeta's fresh salsa to start, like they do at most places in Mexico. Although I like the salads that come with some dishes, I often order something else to get their refried beans. Yum.
I don't drink alcohol, but I have found the Horchata a very delicious drink and reccomend it highly. The deserts are good too, although I rarely have room left for some.
I have introduced Poncho's many times to family and friends and they have also found it an enjoyable experience.
My wife and I have found it better to go before 7pm to beat the rush as it gets busy most nights. We've been lucky enough to get in during special Mexican celebrations like Mexican Independence day where Poncho's puts on a show of traditional dancers and music or a great Mariachi band.
The owners and staff have always been friendly and promt as they are able to in their Mexican way. Something new I learned, is Mexicans think it rude to bring you the check before you ask for it. So if you are in a rush, ask earlier.
I wish they could be open for breakfasts on the weekends. I know it would be great. Enjoy.
I was shocked to see such negative reviews about one of our favourite little places on Denman.
Perhaps these people were expecting a 5 star restaurant? I know the concierge at the Sutton place tells guests to go there and get the flaming coffee.
My Wife and I go dine out at least once a week and we prefer Poncho's to restaurants that cost twice as much because
1.The Food is good.
2.The Margaritas are great and can be ordered by the litre
3.The restaurant has a very authentic kitschy Mexican feel.
4.It's inexpensive and the Owner comes out and takes care of every guest.
If you want 5 star treatment, and can pay for it, then go to a 5 star restaurant but if you're with another couple and want to go somewhere fun downtown go to Poncho's!
We had a booking for my husband's birthday but when we got there nobody seemed to know anything about it. The man who "greeted" us was extremely rude and even became agressive when we refused the table (way too small for our party) he wanted to give us. Not wanting to make a fuss we agreed to come back 15 minutes later. The food was boring, the magaritas tasteless and I still can't get over how rude the waiter was. We had been to Ponchos many times in the past. Obsviously it has changed hands but not for the better.
Just run it like Poncho's. While the food was fine, it was amazing how a nearly empty restaurant could leave you hanging with a dry mouth and an empty drinking glass. And all the while, the owners were staring right at us like deer in headlights. I gave this place a couple of chances for previous sins, but tonight took the cake. Folks, this is quite possibly the worst service in Vancouver. The WORST. With only two tables booked, we sat for nearly 10 minutes before a server even came out to ask us if we wanted water.
Having just returned from living in Mex (4 yrs) my husband and I are quite the experts on real Mexican food. We have been to Ponchos a number of times, and while the food is good, its not very authentic. It has some of the basics (guacamole, flautas, ) but serves it up with a cheese coated, tex mex rice type style. We are still looking all over Van for a real Mexican taco place. The margaritas are great here, I must admit that!
I went to Ponchos on my B-day and also taken my Mexican friends who were visiting Van to this restaurant. The portion is very generious and the Shrimp Tortila is really good, even my mexican friends thought it was one of the best mexican food they've tasted while in Vancouver. (yes, nothing beats their authentic tacos from street venders..MMMM). The service is a bit on the slow side but wasn't too bad, we asked for refills of our torilas and were able to get them within 5 minutes (Maybe because we were sitting near the front counter/kitchen?). If you visit Ponchos around 7-10pm, they turn down the light and the owner's wife will give a live performance singing with guitar, which is quite nice!
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