Pancho Lopez

This place is really good!!! My husband and I have been here a couple times and both agreed its a lot like Sol y Luna. Delicious, very authentic and a nice little neighborhood spot. We love their chips, tacos (very large crispy tacos), and enchiladas. We highly recommend it.

I love Mexican food so I was excited to see a new place in my neighborhood so I tried it and I was very dissapointed. So I thought to myself maybe I didnt order the right thing. So I went back again and ordered the beef burrito and the taco and I still did not like it. The salsa had to much lime or lemon. The beef was way over cooked and the cheese had no flavor.

BY FAR my favorite local Mexican Restaurant in two decades, food wise. BUT it seems to be closed for now — most likely due to the fabulously low prices and not enough people knowing about it because of the lack of signage?
I crave their homemade sauces — would like to call up the owner and ask him/​her for recipes. Honestly — chile rellenos not dipped in egg … baked … and as fresh as you can get. The red sauce has a hint of cinnamon in it. The green tomatillo sauce is so light you want to lick your plate. The chicken has a slightly barbecued flavor. Great service, extremely casual atmosphere. JUST ABSOLUTELY GREAT.
Please open up again you guys — we miss you!

Me thinks it is gone! What a shame! An actual good Mexican place, in our area, with no wait and a great attitude, and oh ya, great food!
The place is closed, the phone disconnected.
(sigh)

This place has pretty good Mexican food — food tastes authentic. Staff is very friendly, but sometimes gets a little overwhelmed if it’s busy. They’ve messed up my order a couple of times (ok, maybe a few), but it is always followed by a heart felt apology, so I know they are trying.
The pickled zucchini, carrots and garlic mix is so delish! So is their pico-​de-​gallo! Their tortilla soup is very unique, but oh so good! And you can’t go wrong with their Cheese Tamales and Chile Rellenos.
Not good for large crowds as this place is tiny and can probably fit no more than 25 people within the entire restaurant. If you’re a party if 4 or less chances are you will probably end up rubbing elbows with the party next to you. Nevertheless, this place is a good quick Mexican place to eat in Woodland Hills.

Let’s start with the fact that I heard raving reviews (and saw the same reflected on Unilocal). Showed up to find the place packed during a weekday lunch, and only one server/​waiter/​worker-​bee who didn’t say hi. We motioned that we’d go outside, so we went and waited. And waited.
Menus came, we ordered, had chips and salsa delivered to the table (too many onions, too watery, pepper in the salsa, and not enough flavor); and asked to move inside. We did not get the first table available inside, but got one of the next ones. It’s a small place, fyi.
The burrito I had was fine, not that much chicken, nothing amazing at any accord. For the price I paid, I could go almost anywhere else in the valley and get some good faster mexican food. I’ll do that next time.

So, I’ve heard the food is great, & looks drooling deliciously great on pictures posted as well, but unfortunately the 2 times I’ve called multiple times, during business hours to order for lunch on different dates, for myself & co-​workers for pick-​up, no one ever answers the phone =(
& May I add, that the menu & site are not accessible through Unilocal =/​…Are the hours & phone number maybe listed incorrectly??? Help Unilocal!I want me some Pancho Lopez!!!
My one star rating applies to Eek! Methinksnot able to ever access Pancho by phone for lunch!

Overpriced, over-​sauced, very mediocre food.
Not sure why this place is getting such good reviews? Hmmm? We went for dinner on a late weeknight and were the ONLY people there. Although the staff were nice, they were more concerned about socializing and cracking up in the kitchen, than waiting on our table and preparing our food. After the long wait, they brought us our dinners which were not great. Everything was drenched in sauce almost like soup. It seems like they could use a chef to guide the restaurant in a better direction. Training would make a bi difference with the staff. The salsa tasted like it was out of a jar or can. There seems to be a lack if freshness.
What a shame. I was really hoping for a good Mexican closer to my house.
Will be going back to Sol Y Luna…
And will not be coming back here.

I wanted to like you Pancho. I really did. And now you’re coming between me and the bf because he likes you… and I feel like the bad guy here.
Sure, your service was good: quick, kind and pleasant. The chips were standard. Your salsas could use some help but hey, I’m no expert on salsa. What I do know though is I don’t like my food dripping in oil. Even more… I don’t like my food bathing in it. Is that why you dim the lights so much? Is that why you don’t having working ventilation so the place fills with smoke and I can’t see past my nose? Well jokes on you bc I lit up my plate with my phone and WHOA — save some $$ Pancho and use less oil! I actually put a whole paper napkin into my chicken fajitas and soaked the oil out along with pouring it off the plate. Aside from that the food was OK… well the rice and beans I ate were.
Sorry Pancho. I’ve had better. But this won’t be the end — like I said the bf likes you (he liked his steak, chile relleno, enchilada combo and he is a picky eater so that means something…) so I’m sure I’ll be back to try something else… hopefully things will be better then.

Thank you Unilocal for helping my wife and I decide where to eat dinner last night and kick off the weekend. Pancho’s 4.5 stars out of 40+ reviews did not disappoint and I’m here to support the positive ratings.
I can’t believe this place is so close and that I’ve parked in that same strip mall many times before (usually to visit the Chinese restaurant Red Dragon on Ventura). From the outside, it is very unassuming. If you look close enough to their banner above the door or the logos on their windows… you’ll see the bad ass dual revolver pistols, stache, and sombrero.
Inside it’s small but accommodating. It got pretty full on a Friday night but I never saw anyone having to wait for a table. There were also a few two-​seater tables setup outside on the sidewalk (maybe we could bring our dog next time). Service was pretty attentive, no complaints there.
I like how the menu was split between Jalisco style dishes and Mazatlan ones. There were a lot of things I wanted to try like the shrimp ceviche & homemade guacamole appetizers. I decided on not being a huge fatty and just got the carnitas pancho entrée. I highly recommend getting the chipotle sauce with it! The pork just falls apart like it should and the sauce was amazing.
My wife’s salad had a very refreshing lime/​cilantro dressing (maybe some basil in it too) which helped me balance the spiciness of the carnitas. Another thing we noticed was that her burrito wasn’t greasy (which is good, but I know greasy can be good too sometimes).
Also, the complimentary flan for dessert was a great surprise. It wasn’t too sweet and it was a satisfying end to a great meal. The delicious smells of the open kitchen tempted me to order more food as we left (even though I was so full)! I’ll definitely be coming back.

Really delicious recipes here. All the basics, plus a few unusual items.

I think some of the reviewers might be setting up some high expectations for readers with their reviews, but, to be fair, the food was good.
The parking lot is super small, as is the restaurant itself. There might be 10 tables only. The service was very friendly and prompt, and the ambience is very casual.
The salsa is nice, with a decent amount of heat. I very much enjoyed the pickled veggies brought out with the chips and salsa. My friend ordered the carne asada salad, which he enjoyed quite a bit. I had some of the tortilla soup, which tasted more like an enchilada soup, but it was nice. I also had a shrimp and steak dish (can’t remember the name) that had a spicy sauce. It was quite good. I liked the heat and the way the shrimp was cooked.
Inexpensive and good. I’ll go back! Try it out!

Pancho Lopez is good. Will I go back? Yes. Deserving of multiple 5 star reviews… I think not, especially since many of the reviewers have noted some of the less wonderful points.
Less Wonderful:
Chips; yup, just read the other reviews
Overly aggressive service; the waitresses came by 3 times to see if we were finished (not because there was anyone waiting for a table) and one time even grabbed the plates until we told them we weren’t finished
Bathroom; they have one and were kind enough to let us use it, but we had to walk through the kitchen to get there.
Sides; the rice and beans that come with most plates are no different than any other Mexican restaurant. Standard, not special.
No wine/​beer/​liquor license: No beer, no margaritas, no happy Sarah.
Wonderful:
Pickled veggies; I’m not even a pickle fan and I couldn’t stop munching on these.
Entrees; At the table we had pork, a chicken enchilada, a cheese enchilada, and shrimp. All were very good with nice flavors
Heat level; the chipotle salsa, pickles, etc. were all just spicy enough to make me want a Horchata, but not hot enough to make me sweat
Price; a great value.

I spotted this place on the way to Calabasas and after reading the Unilocal reviews I thought I would check it out. Don’t let the small strip mall location deceive you, the food is pretty good. Plus, the logo is a mustache with pistols that’s wearing a sombrero. How can you go wrong? It was a nice alternative to Sol Y Luna, plus not as crowded. Though it does not have S&L’s tasty margaritas.
Anyway, my friend and I ate there last week. She ordered the tostada, while I had the Carnitas Adobada. Both were very good. The pork was seasoned just write and came with warm flour tortillas. The beans were okay. The chips were just okay, but the smoky salsa was really good and made up for it.
When the bill came we were pleasantly surprising. Dinner for two at a full service restaurant was only $ 25 (with tip). You’ll spend almost that much at Poquito Mas.

I went back and ate lunch there the next day (Friday). Their crunchy taco’s are the bomb! Packed full of meat.

Been here 3 or 4 times since it’s opened up — and it’s been consistently good. The grande burrito is HUGE, and I’m a super fan of the chili verde… yum.
I saw someone pulling their car into the Casa de Carlos parking lot tonight as I was walking into Pancho Lopez… I actually felt sorry for what they were about to experience. Watch out, Casa de Grossness. There’s a new sheriff in town!
—-
UPDATE: They do NOT deliver, as I just found out when I called. Sad!

I was waiting for my wife to return some tchotches at Kohl’s on a Sunday morning, and surfing my Droid’s Unilocal for some breakfast recommendations. I came across Jamie V.‘s review, and shook my head. There was no way this place could be as good as he claimed.
Wrong. It was better. Hands down the best Mexican food I’ve had since Antonio’s on Melrose, and that was maybe 25 years ago.
If you’re into the theatrics of a sizzling platter of disappointing Fajitas, this isn’t the place. The Chicken Fajitas was authentic — the plate piled high with succulent vegetables, the chicken was simmering in an exquisitely pungent mélange of spices.
As good as that plate was, the carnitas was even better. Swimming in a chipotle stew that was tangy and spicy. Hovering above them like an alien mothership in a Spielberg movie was a purplish whole chili, daring me to try it. The carnitas were succulent, perfectly cooked, and accompanied by corn tortillas that I could have sworn were homemade.
Jamie V. was right on. I went with his suggestions, even starting out with the guacamole that was as refreshing as a dip in a cool swimming pool on a hot summer’s day. The chef claimed that it’s only made if he can get his hands on prime avocados. The avocados must have been prime this Sunday morning. It was an experience.
What was really cool was that the chef came out and seemed overjoyed that we were delighted by his creations. It’s a major plus when concern is shown for the dining experience. We said our hosannas and claimed ‘we are not worthy’ of such magnificence. We were rewarded by the best flan I’ve ever had. I had to refrain from bringing the plate up to my face and lapping at the last vestiges of this incredible dessert.
Don’t miss out on this place. It is a true standout from the mediocre Mexican cuisine that we’ve come to experience in the West Valley.

A small quaint restaurant that just opened, as soon as the waitress brought our chips and salsa, she also brought out pickled vegetables. After one bite they tasted familiar, I asked the waiter (who was part owner) do they have any more restaurants, he told me his dad owns Money Poncho in Camarillo. I use to eat at that location and there Calabasas (now closed) all the time. There pickled vegetables are amazing and is worth the trip.
They have great food.
Tacos was made with ground meat, excellent homemade shell, a great taco.
We also had steak taquitios, chili rellanoo and chicken enclinadasa, all were cooked perfectly with great flavor.
The homemade guacamole was fresh .
All the prices are reasonable.
Great service, he kept telling me that his home is my home. He made me feel very welcome.
I will be back real soon

A solid 3 star experience but nothing extraordinary or worth an immediate return trip.
Props:
Family Run Business
Good value on combo meals
Large portions
Another Mexican option near the office
Friendly service
Detriments:
Ridiculous wait for food during lunch hour (25 minutes)
Somewhat bland flavor
Kitchen staff arguments
The biggest negative was how long it took for our food to arrive after ordering. Mind you, this is not a large or insanely busy restaurant. Experience was further hampered by the chef arguing with one of the waiters in front of customers, never appropriate.
The other reviewers mentioned that this is an authentic Mexican restaurant, but I am not sure exactly what that means (ie authentic to a region, style of preparation, etc.) and how that authenticity is realized in each dish. What is authentic about rolled tacos and shredded beef burritos?
Anyhow, I hope this place is successful and they can work out some kinks to ensure customers can dine in a timely fashion on their lunch break.

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon. Attempted to eat lunch at the following restaurants resulting in an epic fail due to over crowding:
Melody’s Mexican Kitchen–
Standing room only.
Las Fuentes–
Standing room only.
Salsa and Beer–
People actually waiting outside in the rain for a table.
We decided to skip Bronco Burrito cause I wanted something different. I saw Pancho Lopez from across the street last week when I took my girl to Red Ginger. Why not give them a chance? Today seemed like as good as any time to try. We need a new Mexican restaurant!
The restaurant in nice inside. Everything is new. The menu is well rounded. Seafood, Carne Asada, Carnitas, Chili Verde, Fajitas, Tacos, Burritos, Chili Rellenos, they got all that.
Chips came warm, Pico De Gallo, another darker salsa, and pickled vegetable were brought out right away. All good.
Homemade Guacamole-​$ 6.95
From their menu– We take fresh local avocados and chop with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, our seasoning and tortilla chips. Good Guac. Lot’s of it.
I got a cup of Albondigas Soup, the Queen of Reseda got a cup of their tortilla soup. Both $ 1.95 and were really good. The tortilla soup is made from real dried chiles. A little spicy, but good!
I ordered the Filet of Sole Veracruzana-​$ 12.95
From their menu– Beautiful Filet of Sole cooked in Salsa Veracruz made with garlic, peppers, olives, tomato Ranchera sauce and white wine. The fish dish was great. Loved it. Nice presentation too.
Q of R ordered the Carnitas Poncho-​$ 10.95
From their menu– A generous portion of roasted, pulled pork cooked here in our kitchen. Came with your choice of tortillas. Excellent Carnitas. Not dry, done correctly.
We shared a hard shell ground beef taco. $ 2.95 It’s the only place I can find in town that served ground beef as a filling for tacos and burritos. We also shared a flan for dessert.
This is a family owned restaurant. Noe was our waiter and is one of the owners. He was great. He told us his fathers restaurant was Money Poncho in Camarillo. They do a great job here. You can tell they have restaurant experience and know what they are doing. Very impressed, and looking forward to coming back soon.
P. S. Don’t tell anyone.