Don Pancho - Tampa, FL
When I announced the (re)launch of Tacothority, a few places were mentioned as a “must-try” in the Tampa area by friends, and one of those restaurants was Don Pancho. A recommendation made by the infamous Rudy who’s never steered me wrong and is a Tampa/Ybor encyclopedia, so we moved Don Pancho up a bit on our priority list.
Located in Tampa off Armenia, you’ll find a nice little restaurant with a good amount of parking (something to appreciate in Tampa!). Don Pancho has plenty of seating inside as well as a nice outdoor patio for those 3 brisk nights a year. Just as you’d hope, the decor is a mix of cool artwork, large murals, and a mostly visible kitchen. We enjoyed seeing their team interact with each other while making the food, it seemed like a great atmosphere.
It should also be noted that they have $1 Taco Wednesdays, something that we had to share, because these tacos at regular price are a solid deal, but they are an absolute STEAL at $1. (Be sure to follow them on Instagram @don_p4nch0) for various daily specials!)
Giant michelada - Another customer let me take a picture of this monstrosity, picture doesn't do it justice!
The fresh-made guacamole was quite good!
The tacos….and everything else we observed at Don Pancho would definitely be considered authentic. Ranging from what we believe to be fresh-made tortillas to freshly prepared salsa and guac, they are the real deal. If you’ve ever looked for a Mexican restaurant that has all the things, this might be it. Tacos, Tortas, micheladas, and some great looking entrees… (looking at you HUGE molcajete) Don Pancho is worth a visit.
Crunching the Numbers:
The Tacothority Scorecard
Our taco rating system runs from 0 to 10, where 5 is perfectly average, and 10 is pure taco nirvana. A 0 is the dreaded "Sad Taco"—so bad you’d prefer last week's leftovers. A 5 is a neutral, forgettable taco, while anything above that ranges from decent (6-7) to almost perfect (8-9). A 10 is the ultimate taco experience—flawless in every way.
Don Pancho - Steak, Pastor, Chicken Tinga
The Three Amigos
The tortillas at Don Pancho were something special. Just the right amount of crisp, with a wonderful texture and chew. The tacos themselves looked great and we felt they hit the mark when thinking about what you’d want to see in an authentic taco.
Steak - 8.1
The steak was cooked well and seasoned right. They had just the right amount of onion and cilantro to add something without taking away from the steak itself. Not too greasy, just what you’d like in a steak taco.
Chicken - 7.7
Compared to most places we’ve tried, I was surprised to find that Don Pancho has both grilled and tinga chicken varieties. We opted for the tinga since that’s what we typically find at other spots. A little on the greasy side, but the flavor was smoky and sweet, with a nice char to it for a mix of textures and an enjoyable chew overall. The cotija cheese was also a welcome complement!
Pastor 7.5
The pastor had a good balance of flavor, ranging from smoky and sweet. The pineapple didn’t stand out, and the pork was a bit of a mix consistency wise, ranging from chunks to shredded bits. Nothing bad here, pretty standard, and a taco I wouldn’t hesitate to have again.
Don Pancho - Campechano
The Wildcard
Going beyond the usual lineup, The Wildcard is the taco that stands out—whether it’s the restaurant’s go-to recommendation or just one that caught my eye. It’s the bonus option that brings something different to the plate.
Campechano - 8.1
The Wildcard at Don Pancho came out by itself on a single “taco-sized” plate, which I loved. For those that are new to campechano, it’s a mixture of chorizo and carne asada. While the chorizo wasn’t as “red” as I normally see, it also wasn’t as greasy as other chorizos that I’ve had before. As you may imagine, it was basically the steak taco with an extra component, adding a bit of smokiness to the overall flavor. To me they were equally as good, and the chorizo was a nice addition but didn’t greatly improve upon the steak by itself.
Don Chapo - Tacos Dorados
Notable Mention
Tacos Dorados
As this was Day #3 of a weekend full of taco tastings, my wife was somehow taco’d out, so she opted for something new. Enter the world of Tacos Dorados. These were tortillas rolled then fried and stuffed with shredded chicken breast topped with lettuce, cheese and sour cream (which she ordered without). They looked great and we enjoyed them overall. The chicken was a bit dry, but dipping them in hot sauce more than made up for it. The overall mix of tastes and textures was appreciated, ranging from the crispy, crunchy tortillas to the soft cool bits of cotija cheese. I mean they’re basically still taco adjacent…one might say same same but different.
Don Pancho - Chips and Salsa
(Another) Notable Mention
The Chips and Salsa (And Guac)
The chips and salsa were brought over as soon as we sat down…something we truly love in quick service or sit-down restaurants. The chips were pretty solid, nice and crisp, with a pretty nice texture. They could’ve used a bit more salt, but there was definitely some salt present compared to others. Over time they became a bit too “firm”, but dipping in the salsa helped, and it was a good, smoky salsa with a slight kick. We also ordered guacamole (pictured at the top), which was very fresh and had great texture. I found myself dipping in guac more than salsa, but they both had great flavor.
Don Pancho - Three Amigos
Don Pancho - Campechano
The Bottom Line
Our experience at Don Pancho was solid. While the “standard” tacos were a la carte, we’d note that some of the tacos would come in orders of 3, and it’s a nice mix, but we may have tried something different if they were all a la carte. At $2.50 a taco, we feel like it’s a great value. At $1 a taco on Wednesdays, it’s a downright STEAL. The environment was great, and we really enjoyed the overall atmosphere. It really had the “local” vibe that you hope to find in a spot that you could always recommend to those visiting. Rudy was definitely onto something and this was a great recommendation.
Don Pancho - Scorecard
