Best Mexican restaurant near RPI. I highly recommend it. I got a chicken enchilada and a beef burrito and they were both delicious. The meal I got came with rice and re-fried beans. The prices are a little on the expensive side, but the food was so good I didn't mind. The workers are extremely friendly and it feels like a family run restaurant (I don't know if it actually is or not). Oh and I should mention for you people over 21 that Pancho's has a HUGE bar. Whether you want cervesa or a margarita with your meal you won't be disappointed. The salsa is soooo good!!! It is homemade, and comes in a carafe before your meal. The tortilla chips that come with it are also delicious and seem homemade. Whether you're an RPI student or just happen to be in the area, if you're looking for Mexican food for dinner, Pancho's is the place to go.

Having lived in Mexico on the west coast south of Puerto Vallarta I can say that Pancho's is authentic Mexican cuisine and the waitresses are Hispanic and speak Spanish which makes me feel like I'm back in Mexico. That being said the food is the same as I was used to having in Mexico such as fajitas de pollo in fajitas mixta's which in English is mixed fajitas such as beef chicken or shrimp. The service here is very attentive the ambience is charming and Mexican food is very good. I had the flan yesterday for dessert and wow Best I ever had including down in Mexico. So forget about taco Bell and go to panchos 4 in authentic Mexican comida (that's lunch or meal)

The food is amazing

Great food, Tex-Mex at it’s best, with a nice bar selection. Great service and the prices are also very reasonable. A great place for a low key date night with the wife. Best Kurt

There isn't a single dish that doesn't amaze me! Everything is very well taken care of, and they are very attentive. Thank you!!!

Delicious food! Guacamole and salsa are excellent- one of the best we’ve ever had!

What a great place!!! We stopped by after a hiking adventure with the dog. So glad they had outdoor seating so we wouldn't have to leave her behind. The waitress was so friendly and had a lot of laughs with our crazy crew! She even catered to the pup and brought her a water bowl 💕 The food was outstanding and we had some dessert too!!! Gracias, Pancho's!!!

Pancho's is hands-down the best Mexican-themed restaurant in the entire Tri-City area, if not all of New York. The friendly, personable staff remember you & your orders, which come out within minutes of being placed. The prices are the best around, with barely anything exceeding $20 even for the specials. Literally within seconds of being seated, a big bowl heaping with warm, fresh nachos and salsa is on your table as well as ice water. Don't let any of the lying hater/spammers who've given Pancho's a poor review dissuade you... they're the best, fastest and friendliest place to the soul, taste buds and wallet around.

Love this place. Great food, great service, great prices!! 🌮🌮🌮

This is one of my favorite local spots... The food is wonderful and they even have some regular "americanized dishes" for your younger picky eaters. Which means family dinners are great!!! I love the atmosphere and decor. The staff is super friendly! Even the little bar area is great if you just want a Corona while you watch the game. This restaurant has become a staple in my family outings. I will go again and again.

Was quick, paid attention to my food allergy and tasted fresh!

Great, cheap, and fast food.

Esther was so lovely and the food was delicious and didn't feel heavy and yucky. Definitely will be coming back!

We haven't been here in a long time and do glad we went tonight! The food was outstanding and the service was excellent! A TON of food for a small price! If you haven't been there on a while, you definitely should make the trip... just sayin...

I grew up in France and Montreal and Nyc and have experienced incredible Mexican restaurants in addition to all types of cuisines... making me rather spoiled . This cute little Mexican eatery has a warm vibe , nice food , a great white wine sangria and strawberry daqueri . It’s just about 15 minutes from the Albany train station and we love to stop there on our way to Vermont . The owner is very sweet . The place is clean . I recommend the chicken with rice on a delicious cream sauce . Their Guacamole is a bit spicy so I just add lime . I believe in this positive review as although this is not in the west Village of Manhattan where standards are extremely high , I am picky and have some dietary restrictions and really can’t stand dirty places .. this place really holds up pretty great ! . I would recommend it !

My favorite Mexican restraunt in our area. Plenty of parking, friendly staff, & international soccer I the tv (in Spanish). Drinks sound AMAZING (but I wad driving). The desert menu also is great (try dessert first so you have enough appetite to enjoy)

Fantastic food and friendly service. Drinks were reasonably priced and delicious as well!!! Definitely going again!!!

Always delicious food and great customer service. Highly recommend!

i absolutely love this restaurant, it’s authentic and so good. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxing. The staff is excellent and all around great people. The man that works the front desk is exceptional with customer service and making sure the food is always fresh and delicious. Amazing spot, affordable and huge portions. 10/10

staff is always friendly and the food is always good, it’s my favorite spot to stop when im in town. the prices are reasonable with good serving size portions of food. i’ve introduced a few folks to this place over the years and they always love it.

Food was delicious! Love the outside dining. I ordered a chimichanga and absolutely loved it. Had to order one to bring home to my fiance.

My 12 oz steak came sizzling and delicious. My wife loved her burrito and I can’t say enough about the tasty steak.

Alexander Gensler

quality dinner experience with hot sauce offered with your meal in a small pot. Best dessert flan I have ever eaten!!

Olivia Harris

This is our go-to place for Mexican food, we are here at least once a month. The cheese dip is a fan favorite, along with the steak quesadilla and Tex-Mex quesadilla. Ester always takes good care of us, and service is always fast. We love Ponchos!

Derek Quinn

The food is great The staff are super friendly but they need to get rid of HGTV on the big screen. It is very annoying. Have some nice pics of Mexico instead. Nobody wants fake reality TV while having lunch.

Guy Ramsey

As authentic Mexican food as you will find in the states. Friendly and attentive service from people that seem invested. Maybe they actually help in the food process. Cute Mexican decor that is as clear as possible. The place smells clean. There is a bar that serves cocktails with a tequila twist.

Robert Claffy

Great food. My to go order is always ready quickly and taste great when I get home. Eating there it's even better. You can't go wrong either way.

David Boyer

Poncho's is a hidden gem. Family run by a group of really great and nice people. They must have a time machine because the food comes out faster than humanly possible. Its reliably good. It's not hipster-white-kid "Mexican Street Food" its Tex-mex. Sizzling hot fajitas, Mexican rice and beans. Full bar. Dope Flan!

Theresa Manno-Taub

Everything was really nice. My only negative comment would be that it was freezing in there. I think they might have just opened. I'm not sure. I recommend you try this restaurant, in Troy New York.

jeanne sheffer

Easy parking and wheelchair accessible. I enjoy the sizzling fajitas served here. Building my own with fresh hot ingredients. The wait staff is always very quick and friendly. I enjoy the atmosphere at this restaurant.

+8

Joshua Keal

Kids and family love this restaurant. The food comes out super fast and it's always delicious. The staff are very respectful and kind. They are so gentle with kids as well. Nothing but good things to say about this establishment. Every time I go, I order something new. I haven't had a bad dish yet.

Alexis Holmes

My friend and I went here for a quick lunch on a Sunday. This place has amazing food and the wait staff was so nice. Just a great

Timothy Johnson

From the outside it looks eh, but go inside!! It’s a great Atmosphere with the best (complimentary) chips and salsa I’ve tried since moving here from the West Coast! Food & Service was phenomenal as well 🙌🙌🙌

Andrew Sage-Logan

I come here very often to the point where the waitress Maria sees me and my fiance and smiles and greets us. The waitstaff are super friendly and attentive. The lights are nice and dimmed, and the whole atmosphere is very warm and inviting. The food is absolutely wonderful and flavorful. I love everything I've tried here. Absolutely worth a try as their prices are more than reasonable.

Vicky Chu

Went with some friends, unknowingly RIGHT BEFORE closing (sorry). They served us anyway and were very nice. We ended up being the last people in and ordered an item past closing (again, not realizing their store hours had ended) and they still served us despite it all 🥲 And the food was great!

Good serviceable mexican restaurant with dishes you will find in most restairants. Good food, clean restaurant.

Stopped in there today.... haven't been to a ponchos since I was like 9 years old so like 40 years ago....definitely not the same as when I was a kid but food was fresh and yummy so yes I would recommended 😎

I really like their food. It's always fast! Years later and still never disappointed here!

Great food and wonderful service! A good neighborhood restaurant.

Lived in texas for years, spent the last 3 traveling all over the state. I have had my share of tex-mex and this place is a solid four stars. Service was great but the food hit all the good memories of eating out. Doesn't beat out some of the best home made Mexican food or a few personal favorites, but I would go back in a heart beat. Don't let the 4 stars fool you if I hadn't been exposed to some of the best it would be 5.

Excellent food, quiet place. Waitress bit inattentive for the small # of customers present. Mojito #1 excellent, mojito #2 weak. Had taquitos dinner. Crunchy and delicious.

We have been here a few times as good Mexican is hard to find since garcias went out. Panchos is very nice, waitress is always pleasant and food has always been very tasty. I would tell anyone to try it out.

Ordered a chicken quesadilla and steak tacos that came with refríed beans and rice. Chicken quesadilla a little on dull side. Tacos shell fell apart and sauce was whew spicy but rice and beans were yumm. Decor is nice inside.

Delicious meal, the salsa for the chips needs a little work.

I wouldn't say authentic, at least the taco shells are not authentic but it is authentic enough for the area its in. Regardless, the food was excellent and the staff was friendly and very quick. The atmosphere was nice and the place was clean.

Love stopping here for lunch. Their burritos are fantastic. And the chips and salsa they bring out before the meal beats every other "Mexican" restaurants version of salsa I've had. Never had much besides a beer at the bar but it does appear fully stocked.

Really solid lunch specials. Not the most authentic Mexican food but it’s pretty delicious and the price is right.

I had a great meal at Pancho's. I had tamales, refried beans, white rice, bowl of black beans, tortillas. I had water for a drink. The whole meal was very satisfying and the black bean soup was very good. Before the meal, I was served tortilla chips with nice spicy sauce on the side. Very nice. I would back to Pancho's for another meal in a heartbeat. Thank you.

If you love the most average stereotypical Mexican American food you've come to the right place. Soccer on the TV, salsa served in a cup that you have to pour into a dish, and sombreros littered all over the walls. Here you'll find the typical fajitas and burritos with beans and bland rice to match. I got the cheese dip appetizer with my chips and salsa just knowing it came out of a can. For an entree I ordered the fajita quesadillas which wasn't cut into pieces. I had to eat it like a monster soft taco. The steak inside was mediocre at best. The only reason it gets 4 stars is for the ambience and the hot homemade salsa I requested. Also, I don't have a cruel gone in me.

Nice place, stopped on way to mount Snow. Great Mexican food

+3

Tonys Best Bets

The restaurant is located within a strip shopping center near the Walmart, it was very pleasant, with plenty of outdoor seating. it was a very friendly restaurant. The staff and their service was so quick we thought they had the wrong table when they brought out the food. Everything was cooked as we ordered it. there was plenty there and the prices were quite reasonable. Big heaping plate of nacho chips and salsa within seconds of sitting down and drinks came out just as fast. I would definitely go back again.

+2

Will Cunningham

This place was good, the staff was nice and the food was what you would expect. It was a little pricey in my opinion, and the location was a little hard to find but all in all it was good. We may be back again.

+2

Good Mexican food. Place was pretty empty and the service was rather poor. Meals were missing certain items. Overall decent experience but there's better places to get Mexican food

The service and the atmosphere are nice, but the food was bland and tasteless. The margarita tasted only like Jose Cuervo margarita mixer and no tequila. It was nice to sit there for a while to catch up with my friend and mentor, but the food and drink were significantly lacking.

Atmosphere gets five stars b/c it is exactly what you would expect in a strip mall restaurant. Service was attentive and friendly. Salsa is from a jar. All the ground beef was bland and dry. Tamale was just strange tasting. Chile Relleno was very good.

I’ve eaten here maybe 5x so I think I can accurately describe the food. Overall, this place isn’t bad. I have never had a bad experience with anything I have ordered. The thing is, there are so many other better Mexican spots in the capital region area that blows this place out the water, so I just go there. 3/5

Why all the food was delicious and service was very prompt I felt very rushed. We literally arrived at 7:30 p.m. placed my order at 7:40 and my food was out by 743 which is phenomenal speedy service but I would like to sit and relax. It's not fast food.

Nice outdoor seating if you don't mind a view of the Walmart parking lot. The food is tasty, but not very authentic and a little over priced. Service was friendly, although they did mix up our checks.

Went for lunch with colleagues. Decent place, food is good but not great. I don't get the impression its authentic cuisine but it's not bad. Would go again. Decor is okay. Plenty of options and has lunch options .

So came here with the family and the food was okay. My dad didn't get what he ordered and my chicken quesadilla was a little dry. But this place is good and I would come here again.

Stopped for lunch here with my mother. The staff was super friendly, but the food itself was rather disappointing. I ordered the carnitas, which came chopped up in tiny pieces with some sort of overwhelming spice on it. Typically, platters like this come with some sour cream and sometimes guacamole, but this had nothing. We had to order sides of both which, of course, cost extra. The guacamole price I expected; $4.50 for a small dish, but the tiny tablespoon of sour cream was $2.50. I've ordered carnitas at nearly every Mexican restaurant in the area and the meat has always been big, thick chunks, slightly red in color, and so tender it can break it up with a fork. These were tiny little bullets, mostly pieces of fat. It really left much to be desired.

Ramon De Leon

Authentic is not microwave heated tortillas or too salty guacamole that can almost be poured. I will say my Carne Asada steak dinner looked better than the menu photo but it stopped there. Steak lacked flavor and there were no salsas other than the lackluster mild stuff given with the chips (chips were very good). 3 tortillas didn't cut it and had to order another 3 for $1(was not informed of the charge but I asked for more so Ok). For non-discriminating tastes this place rocks but authentic seekers will need to keep seeking. It is a $$$ place.

Came here on cinco de mayo and expected it to be busy which it was but not to bad. Was suprised that the food came out not wery hit. It tasted good but was more warm than hot. We also happened to get a waitress that wasnt very friendly. You would think on the best day to make great tips that she would have a reason to be happy.

Mozzarella cheese on tacos? No cheese sauce on chimichangas? The worst salsa I’ve ever had. It was like sweet tomato sauce. Green beans in Mexican rice? And $8 delivery charge AND a minimum of $5 tip? I don’t think so.

Chips were stale, ordered tacos and they put nothing on them but cheese and lettuce, I mean where was the tomatoes sour cream and salsa😤, also the strawberry iced tea was disgusting. Save your money and go get Mexican food some where else.

We dined at Pancho's and were really disappointed. There was too much salt in the fajitas dish. The shrimp were overcooked and rubbery. The worst part is that our waitress took our order and never checked on us again to see if we needed anything. She spent almost the entire time on her cell phone. We only saw her at the beginning of our order and to bring the check. It's a really cute restaurant which was the best part of our experience.

The food isn't bad, but it's far from authentic and way pricier than what it is worth. If their quality improved or prices lowered, it would be a very convenient location.

Chips were stale and salsa has no chunks like spicy tomato sauce. They got both of our orders wrong kitchen staff making food without masks on. Clifton Park location much better server very abrupt and didnt apologize when told orders were wrong. We ate it and said we weren't expecting a credit but a little empathy would have been nice

The server was friendly and the food came out fast. Otherwise, the food was bland, dry and expensive. I ordered birria tacos, the meat was dry and bland, the sauce tasted like cinnamon over anything else, rice and beans were flavorless and lukewarm. The salsa tasted like a canned tomato puree. I understand drink prices not being listed, but one margarita was $10 and the other was $19. I was shocked that the bill came to $73 for two people. There's much better options in the Capital District, if you want authentic Mexican, and not "typical white people" Mexican.

Pat Eger

Yes, we were very very disappointed. We ordered a taco salad which is supposed to have sour cream included and there was a drizzle of sour cream so we asked if we could have sour cream and they charged for two small paper smaller than 1/8 of a cupcake $4.50for a tiny little paper container of sour cream. definitely will not be back. $9.50 for a drink and it was filled with ice

This place is awful - just awful. Beef Burritos with tasteless ground beef. watery salsa - soggy stringy chicken burritos. Why cant we get a decent Mexican Restaurant in Rensselaer County. Because we don't places like this exist.

SALSA WAS COMPLETELY COVERED IN MOLD. This is such a health hazard it’s ridiculous

My quesadilla had hardly any meat on it. My boyfriend asked for no tomatoes but lettuce and sour cream and ended up with none of the toppings. I would not order take out from here ever again.

This restaurant has gone downhill since I was here 6 years ago. The chimichangas are very small and I'm not sure that there was any tequila in my peach marguerita (which also did not taste anything like peach, just marguerita mix). The Ponchos in Clifton Park is MUCH better.

Food was terrible... Got the carne asada and the steak tasted like feet. The steak was also undercooked, the tortillas on the other hand were way overcooked and had an awful texture. The queso was soupy with not a whole lot of flavor and the chips didn't have an ounce of salt on them. The carne asada also did not come with hot sauce rice or beans. I would have been better off at the Taco Bell across the street.

Ordered takeout from this place and they gave me taquitos with chicken that was 100% spoiled. Plus I ordered chips and salsa and it kinda sucked. Cold and unsalted with eh salsa. Over priced and bad food.

Ordered to-go. At pick up, the food was ice cold. Half of the order was wrong. The hostess at the front was hardly pleasant as she treated me like a burden rather than a customer. I wouldn't recommend and doubt I will gove the place a second chance.

I ordered a chicken quesadilla online. It was hands down the worst quesadilla I have ever had in my life. It consist of a tortilla w minimal shredded chicken and minimal cheese. The quesadilla was not even filled up all the way all the chicken was towards the tip of the quesadilla..there was nothing else on it. I wasted my time and money. I just hope the owners of this place can take my review as use it as feedback . I want them to go to any other restaurant and order a chicken quesadilla and see what they do to it. Then order one from there own store and compare. The quesadilla I ordered was horrible.

Terrible food, chicken I'd from a can, the beef is ground beef, not steak. Asked for a beer, it was not cold, the lime was dried. I failed to look at the reviews. Foolish of me. Traveling from one stste

The flan caramel sauce tasted like pure alcohol. We told our waitress of the unpleasant flavor and she assured us no alcohol went into the sauce. I tasted the sauce three times and all I got was strong bourbon. The waitress refused to take the plate when my brother said he did not want it. We were charged for the dessert anyways. The customer service is absolutely TERRIBLE at this Pancho's. The past four times I have dined at this establishment the service was very lacking. The food is great. I hope the owners improve on their staff and train them to meet the expectations of the restaurant to allow a great experience for guests.

Sodas were completely flat. Pieces of RAW chicken in my fajita nachos with about two slices of tomatoes and green pepper and a mountain of barely cooked white onion. Gobs of black pepper on everything (from the salsa they serve with chips to both of our meals…covered). When we told our waitress she offered to get us more soda, of the same fountain… Save yourself from any sort of food poisoning…don’t eat here.

I ordered the casadilla supreme and was served two folded tortillas with barely any meat and cheese. The meat and cheese only filled the very center of the folded tortilla. The edges, about two inches all the way around, of the tortilla were completely bare. I pointed my concerns out to the waitress and she acted like I was crazy. I ordered a combination dish instead. It was a little better. The beef was watery and lacked flavor. It’s like ordering off the dollar menu at a fast food place.

Be careful here. My Chimichanga had a big piece of plastic wrapper in it. Was very nasty looking and also reminded me that these are prepackaged frozen entrees in plastic wrappers. I told the server, they offered me another dinner, I said no and that I have no appetite. They still charged for the meal I didn't eat. Terrible customer service and the visual memory of that plastic wrap in my food led me to decide to Avoid this place.

Service is CONSISTENTLY terrible. The waiter gave us attitude when he delivered the wrong entree because he didn't hear what was ordered according to what he uttered. My nachos came without cheese. We ordered a quesadilla, didn't get it. When we got our food, after two tables who sat AFTER US GOT THEIR DESSERT BEFORE WE GOT FED, our orders were wrong. Was a terrible experience even for a Cinco de mayo event.

I ordered the 3 entree special with beans and rice. The quesadilla that came with it had the smallest amount of cheese that was centered on the folded tortilla. There was probably 2 - 2.5 inches of plain tortilla before biting into the cheese. I ordered an enchilada and fried burrito with it, both were hardly edible. The beef was so watered down. I'm not one of those people who writes reviews, in fact I never have until now. I highly suggest finding somewhere else to eat.

Service was very sweet, we felt bad for her and didn't want to complain but we both sent back our GREEN margaritas. As soon as they were dropped them off we felt very concerned it was going to be all lime juice, and it was in-fact the Jose Cuervo green margarita mix. It was very awful, we felt asneau after 3 sips and decided to send them back. Unfortunately we won't be back unless they email us with a change in their drinks, which is unlikely because the same reviews about the mix go back for several years.

The food sucked. But the people were really kind. We got take out the same thing we get at the other panchos in Clifton park and the one in Clifton park is 100% better and the quality is better. I know that there’s different owners for the franchise and it shows. We got really small portions and my boyfriend’s dish was hard like it’s been sitting out.

CRYSTAL LEE REEDY

I order beef tacos and was served chicken tacos 🤨 I simply requested nacho cheese but was served melted American cheese. They do not understand English well, you will need to speak fluent Spanish to order food 🥑 correctly here. Staff was friendly but lacking good communication skills

Jack Furlong

My meal at Panchos was pretty rough. Let me start off by saying that the people there are very nice and the service was fast, for what that is worth. I started off with a strawberry margarita that tasted watered down, the table was sticky and uneven, and the food was sub par. I got the chicken chimichangas, this came with guacamole which was like a green goo almost, it had no distinctive features of being fresh, there was also some soggy plain yellow rice, and refried beans that also just looked like it was out of a can. If you are looking to go somewhere for authentic mexican there are many others spots in Troy and in the surrounding areas I would recommend. I would recommend Panchos as a “starter restaurant” for younger children because the lack of flavor makes it more palatable for younger kids if Mexican isn’t their favorite, and you want to go out to get Mexican and not cook. But to be honest, you can make better Mexican at your home.

Xmaiden 2005

This used to be my favorite spot for good Mexican food. If you go don't order steak you will get burnt or huge amounts of fat (like half the steak). If you complain they will act like nothing is wrong and offer you nothing.