Casa de Pancho

An Unexpectedly Great Experience (Low Cost / Friendly Host)

Food

Service

Atmosphere

I am not a Mexican and don't play one on TV but I could not image a more REAL Mexican dining experience.  Casa de Pancho is very simply a small 4 table, one room,  first floor restraunt run by a semi-retired Mexican cook who lives on the second floor.  Poncho told us that he had worked at several other places in town (and was a retired school teacher?) then opened his own place.  He told us most of his business comes from takeout orders from locals and we saw several of these go out while we were there.   Pancho jokingly complained that he could not take a day off as the regulars would knock on his door with shouted compaints of his laziness at wanting a day to himself until he open his kitchen to prepare their favorate lunch.
     We took our family of four there for dinner (2 pre-teen boys, Mom & Dad).     We found our way there only becuase the other restaurant we were headed for was closed for the day and my blackberry found the Lonely Planet review (and it was close).  The actual name of the place on the awning is "La Tradicion" but it was easier to see the big red truck with a big sign for Pozole parked out front.  Pancho welcomed us warmly and as there was no menu. He asked if there was anything in particualar that we wanted or if we would like a little of everything.   We took the later and was served first a bowl of the best pozole we had in a week of eating out in Puerto  Vallarta.  This was followed by a echilada, burrito and tostado plate.  There were three salsas and chips as well.  The food was GREAT!   

    All this with 2 cokes each was less than $10 US dollars per person!  

    So.. if you find yourself in Puerto  Vallarta and would like some good food for not a lot of pesos, go see Pancho and let him make your dinner!