Pancho's Cantina - Barnum Island

I've come to this place for decades and they always have good drinks, good atmosphere and decent food. Came here twice in the summer for outdoor dining and last week decided to go back (assuming since indoor dining at limited capacities has resumed in Nassau, that we could just sit inside). When we showed up, it turns out they still aren't doing indoor dining, and when asked when that may resume, they said maybe in the spring. So although the law allows them to have indoor dining at limited capacity, they dont want to? We sat outside with my mother who felt cold, even though they brought over heat lamps. I guess the plan all winter for them is take-out only? Not sure how theyr'e going to survive with this policy, but i wont be coming and eating outside in January

Permanently closed. It was the best on the Island. Still sad about it. Still trying to find a replacement.

Been in and out of this place a few times throughout the years and have never walked out saying wow that was delicious or even good food. For a Mexican place the best thing on the menu is a cheeseburger. I live extremely close so I always end up coming back here with a friend or so only because it 's convenient. Otherwise I probably never would have been back. Coming from living near Mexico for 5 years it doesn 't get any more unMexican then this place. Extremely pricey and the dishes are all very bland and poorly put together. Tonight I decided to mix it up and give their Mexican menu items another chance. I got a chimichanga instead of my usual cheeseburger. The sauce was disgusting and the cheese on top was barely melted. The chimi itself tasted like it wasn 't fried long enough on the whole bottom half. It was soft and mushy while the top looked crunchy it definitely wasn 't. The nacho bar plate is almost identical to what I would make when I was in high school in the microwave in 5 minutes. I started getting a tequila on the rocks instead of the Margaritas because every time I 've been there it 's been a glass overflowing with margarita mix and maybe 1/4 of a shot of tequila Hopefully after this time I 'll finally stay away. Will continue going to Margaritas in Oceanside as that 's the closest to real Mexican food you 'll find near Island Park.

Fantastic visit to celebrate my brothers birthday. So glad to see this place still going strong more than 25 years later no hurricanes could stop this place.. We were greeted with piping hot fresh chips with a chunky flavorful salsa as always. Bowl #2 arrived soon after and stood no chance every time I tell myself don 't fill up on chips and every time I eat too many because they are just so friggin good. Birthday brother ordered an Avion Cadillac margarita which tasted well balanced and fresh. Mom ordered a Moscow mule served in a generous copper mug, and Dad had a frozen margarita with Grand Mariner that had a bit of a bitter twang but overall was enjoyable. I partook in an addictive and irresistible frozen PEACH margarita. Yes, this was as addictive as it sounds, perfectly balanced with sweet peach purée and tart lime. Do yourself a favor and order a FROZEN PEACH MARGARITA on your next visit to Pancho 's and in the meantime I 'm going to invent my own until my next visit.. Dinner: Mom and dad shared tacos al carbon which was teeming with avocado and enough for two to share. Brother and I shared two items: first was marinated bbq skirt steak fajitas cooked medium rare and served on a sizzling plate with lots of pepper and onions, a side of typical fajita accoutrement (beans, salsa, lettuce tomato and cheese), and both flour and corn tortillas for wrapping the portion was generous and everything had major flavor. Second shared entree was a new one I 'd never had before: enchiladas in mole with pork carnitas inside holy Mole!!! This may be my new favorite at Pancho 's slow roasted pork shred inside a tortilla, smothered in jack cheese and a savory mole sauce, served with a choice of two sides (we chose fried plantains and waffle fries and both were spectacular). I 'm still thinking of this and will likely be back for another plate next week. Well done Pancho 's! Thanks for another amazing meal!

I was so full after this meal... To start I love the atmosphere and the hot sauce wall. Love their chips and salsa and their array of guacamole. Their nacho bar was on point. Got all the goodies underneath the mountain of cheese. The topping to Chip ratio was overwhelming! Had the bbq sampler which was good really like the chicken quesadilla. For main course I had 3 tacos in lettuce wraps. The pepper jack was not worth it. The bbq chicken was ok. My favorite was the pork with mango salsa. We also got their dessert minis because it was my friends birthday. They were great almost like mini trifles. The Chocolate, oreo, and flan were good. My favorite was the Snickers followed by s'mores. See why people love it here. Worth the long hike to Island Park! Don't forget to check out my profile!