Pancheros lovers

exCYtable

Well-Known Member
Apr 15, 2010
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There's a chain in the Western US called Cafe Rio that blows both Pancheros and Chipotle out of the water.
 

Walden4Prez

Well-Known Member
Jul 8, 2014
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Panch quality really varies by location. The one in Grimes is ******* terrible. The one in Johnston, pure bliss.
 

sammywdm

New Member
Oct 17, 2024
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The one in West Des Moines is always good, stopped at the one in Waukee a few weeks ago and it was a bit of a disaster.
 

cycloner29

Well-Known Member
Dec 17, 2008
12,864
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Ames
Was at Chipotle in Ames the other night to pick up and online order. Saw on the online order shelf an order that had been there since 11 am. I was there at 6:30.
 
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cycloner29

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Dec 17, 2008
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Ames
How is the Ames one? Haven’t been there in a couple of years. Last time I was there I was in line and saw dirty the floor was behind the counter, employees were complaining to each other, and the food items looked sketchy. Hard pass and have not been back.
 

Die4Cy

Well-Known Member
Jan 2, 2010
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Dubuque west side Pancheros is always clean and fast.

I went to the original Pancheros in Iowa City one time and it was....not managed well. There was literally a trash pile by the exit door. Never again.
 

isufbcurt

Well-Known Member
Apr 21, 2006
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46
Newton
Love Panchero's but I think it's stupid to charge for queso on your burrito.

I have long wanted to start a competitor to them called "Queso Burrito" where queso is free.

I think I got spoiled because Mexican restaurants I used to eat at in Oklahoma gave you free queso and salsa with your free chips.
 
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somecyguy

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Jun 19, 2006
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1st Ave is straight trash still. Granted I couldn't tell you the last time I went there because of that fact. Haven't been to the Marion one as it is not convenient.
Who ever owns the 1st Ave one, they need to sell it. Most apathetic employees I've ever run into. I'd bet you could drop your pants and take a dump on the floor and they would barely look up.
 
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Mr Janny

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Mar 27, 2006
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Who ever owns the 1st Ave one, they need to sell it. Most apathetic employees I've ever run into. I'd bet you could drop your pants and take a dump on the floor and they would barely look up.
At Taco Bell, that's considered a compliment.
 
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nfrine

Well-Known Member
Mar 31, 2006
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Nearby
How is the Ames one? Haven’t been there in a couple of years. Last time I was there I was in line and saw dirty the floor was behind the counter, employees were complaining to each other, and the food items looked sketchy. Hard pass and have not been back.
Ames has been really bad most of the time. Dirty. Out of many ingrédients. Tried giving feedback on Panchero's website but they deadend you. Done with that location.
Johnston and Jordan Creek are the best.
 

NWICY

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Sep 2, 2012
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Best way to tell if it is going to be good Ponch or bad Ponch is by the employees working there. Hispanic = Good, White = Bad.
Willmar MN was up there for work right next to the laundry mat is a gas station converted into a Mexican grocery store and restaurant.
Every time I ate there I was the only non Hispanic there but damn that was GOOD.
 

baller21

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2009
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The El Gordo got me through many drunken nights.
My first visit to a Pancheros after the Welch Ave location closed did not go well. “What do you mean you don’t have the El Gordo? This is ********!”
 

Shawker

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Jun 19, 2014
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Des Moines
I live in Grimes and always drive to Johnston for Panchero's. I gave the Grimes one many chances because it's so close to my house but it was always something with that place. The Johnston location can get through a line of customers 20 deep and it takes longer for the Grimes location to serve 3 people. One time the Grimes location was out of rice. Rice. The few times I tried ordering online from the Grimes location my order was never ready when I got there and I would intentionally go a little bit after the pickup time. The Johnston one is never more than a 10 minute wait from the time you place your order even during peak times and it's always ready when I get there. The difference in quality between the two locations is just mind boggling.
 

Cychl82

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Sep 10, 2009
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Ames has been really bad most of the time. Dirty. Out of many ingrédients. Tried giving feedback on Panchero's website but they deadend you. Done with that location.
Johnston and Jordan Creek are the best.
Urbandale is top notch as well