Pancho’s Burritos

Wow! This was just what I needed. I was skeptical based on the location off the mall in the market, but the great Unilocal reviews persuaded me and boy was I glad! I went for the pork and cactus enchiladas — they were tacos and not baked enchiladas but we’re bursting with flavour. The corn tortillas were dipped in amazing green chilli sauce, filled generously with the pork, and topped off with lettuce, classic guacamole, and salsa. It was as authentic as you’ll get over here and was such delicious comfort food!
The three enchiladas were really generously filled for £5.99 and I went for the meal deal for £6.99 with chips and salsa and a drink which ended up being a lot of food for one. I’d highly recommend it! I went on a Saturday at lunchtime and it was pretty busy to try to find a seat but I did get one which was good.

I must confess that, whilst I knew there was a market area here, I didn’t know the full extent of the food offering available at the Arndale. Of course, I’d seen the chain offerings inside the actual centre proper but I’d never really been through the little indy stall area.
That said, being hungry and in the Arndale and having heard good things about Pancho’s Burritos I decided to check it out.
First off, I was amazed at the range of meaty fillings available. Having been to a well-​known chain burrito place previously where the offerings were somewhat limited, this posed a problem as I am notoriously indecisive.
In the end I went for an XL Chipotle Pulled Pork burrito, on a tomato tortilla, with all of the toppings* and some of the chipotle chilli salsa to round it off. The guy who served me was incredibly helpful and friendly, especially when it came to suggesting that I go for the XL — as I originally asked for just L — as the price difference was tiny, and also with regards to the more unusual inclusion of cactus leaves in the salad.
All I can say is OMG. Easily the best burrito I’ve had in a while. The meat was hot, the salad was cool and crisp, the heat from the chipotle was great without being overpowering and the filling wasn’t scarce either — there was a good amount of pulled pork in there alongside all the other goodness.
Their prices are also super reasonable; my burrito was £5.80 which for the size of it I’d say was a bargain. They do a meal deal as well which I think is £6.99, which includes nachos and a drink, but I didn’t go for that on this occasion.
It’s places like Pancho’s that make me wish I worked in the city centre, as I could quite happily visit these guys for lunch on a regular basis. Definitely worth checking out if you’re near the Arndale. There’s even two stalls to choose from!
(* Toppings are: rice, refried beans, griddled onions and peppers, cheese, guacamole, jalapenos, cactus leaves, shredded lettuce and sour cream.)

Situated within the arndale MARKET food court (NOT just the arndale food court where KFC is) which I find is an excellent foodie hub for some of my favourite eateries.
Pancho’s Burritos are so popular, that they have 2 outlets here! And it’s needed, they’re very busy at lunch times.
Offering differing sizes, types of burritos with a host of different arrangements of fillings it always hits the spot. They’re so friendly and the service is quick and efficient. I’m a pancho’s fan!

This place is a proper old school Mexican burrito spot, it just screams culture. It’s nestled away in the Arndale Food Market although I believe they’ve opened up a restaurant on Oxford Road, which I’m sure is a massive hit with the students!
I had the XL Chipotle Beef Burrito, and with it, pinto beans, rice, cheese, sour cream, guacamole — thats pretty damn adventurous for me when we’re talking Burritos!
All in all, Pancho’s is a really great Burrito stand/​stall and it feels very very authentic when you’re there. My friends and I were all stuffed full after and it went down perfectly with the traditional Mexican soda options they have!
There are some really great spots in the Arndale Food Market but Pancho’s is right up there!

Mexican food is something that I love so I was excited to be taken to Panchos Burritos in Andale market for today’s lunch.
I went for the large chicken burrito that was filled with white rice, beans, onions, salad and guacamole. It was packed full to the point of being more of a ball when it was rolled, obviously I was not complaining and took a seat to tuck in. As well as burritos we also had a portion of nachos to share that were served with salsa and guacamole. All of the food was great, my personal favorite part of the meal was the hot sauce that was sparingly put onto the burrito, it was smokey and peppery giving the meal just the right amount of kick. I would have liked a load more but with how carefully it was put on I was worried to ask for extra before tasting it first. A lesson learnt for next time!
I love this kind of place and getting amazing food from a local market. I would definitely eat here again… and again… and again. Probably for the best that I am on my way back to Birmingham today!

Ahhhh Pancho’s, you wonderful Mexican delight you! Pancho’s for me is by far one of the best food stalls in Manchester Arndale Market, if not one of the best Mexican vendors in the UK!
I know, big statement, but here’s why:
1. Their ingredients are fresh and prepared daily — this might seem obvious but you can genuinely taste it especially when devouring a XL burrito!
2. The owner, Enrique, is a delight and very proud of Pancho’s and the food he serves! Plus he’s got a winning smile!
3. The Guacamole — so god damn good! Ask for double helpings, in fact ask for triple! If you’re a guaca lover, like me, you will not be able to get enough!
4. The Beef! Not to be a creature of habit but I will hardly ever stray from a Burrito filled with their shredded beef and all the trimmings — every mouthful is a taste revelation and I just cannot get enough (when at home in Manchester).
I’d also definitely recommend giving their nachos a try and don’t miss out on their daily lunch deals!
I still await a burrito to rival its authenticity and my enjoyment of it but continue to scout I will!

Chipotle pork, guacamole, sour cream, Mexican rice, jalapenos, lettuce, onions, refried beans… Pancho’s get it spot on yet again. Washed down with a cool ginger beer. A great place to grab a bite to eat to gear yourself up ready for a big shop round the Arndale!

Called at Pancho’s Burritos in the Arndale food market for some lunch. Went for a meal deal which was a Burrito with everything on as well as nachos, salsa and a soft drink.
I chose to have my Burrito with Beef, chillies and salad as well as the usual rice and beans. Other meat options included lamb, pork, chicken and chilli con carne. I have to say it was delicious if a little messy to eat. I really couldn’t fault the food, but £6.99 for my lunch is a tad expensive so not for every day more for a treat. Will I go again? Definitely!

The tacos were fairly tasty if expensive for the serving size and they were actually spicy which was refreshing. The refried beans and rice however are disgustingly bland bordering on inedible, avoid them at all cost I had to throw mine away.

Finally got to try a burrito here after seeing so many reviews and bookmarking it ages ago.
They’re hard to miss in the Arndale’s Food Market as there are two units — whether this stays the case when PB’s restaurant opens off Oxford Road is anyone’s guess at the moment (
), but you can never have too many Mexican joints IMO.
They offer a pretty comprehensive selection here, given how small an area they have to work from. Tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, nachos and home-​cooked chillis.
Everything is freshly prepared in front of you and you get given the option whether or not to have hot additions such as chipotle. For burritos there are seven possible fillings, from chicken and pulled pork to vegetarian chilli or griddled vegetables, so there’s something for everyone.
Service with a warm smile every time, their chicken burrito certainly warms you up too. Delicious, fresh and packed with a myriad of fillings, they’re one of the best Mexican food providers in Manchester without a doubt.

The first time I went to Pancho’s I wasn’t so sure about it but I loved my burrito today — pork and lime which was an unusual and delicious flavour. It’s noticeable how different the filling is from the identikit Chipotle-​style burrito places elsewhere — I’m not sure if this is actually more authentic but it sure is a nice change. Will be back.
Just a note that the first time I didn’t like the burrito so much because the sauce in the pork I had was quite watery which made the whole burrito soggy — so take a quick look at the meat options to eliminate that one if that doesn’t sound good!

Been here a couple times and each time had the Pulled Pork Economy Meal deal — for £3.99. You get 8″ burrito with rice, salsa verde and refried beans.
Quite a good deal I think and a reasonable sized lunch.
The burrito tastes good. Nice flavour. You get about 3 different options for the meal deal but if you just go for a burrito (no deal), you get choice of several different fillings. I will need to try them soon I think!

I used to look forward to Panchos, and last year I recommend it to people several times. I’m not sure if I’m just a hater these days or what, but their food seems to be slipping in quality lately. It swings wildly between flavourless and eye-​wateringly salty, and I end up feeling cheated no matter how little I spent. Maybe the sauce reduces to much over the course of the day in those heat trays? It’s starting to feel more and more perfunctory. Burritos have cheese and meat and beans and rice, yes, but they are supposed to be more than the sum of their parts. I’ve found that a staff recommendation on the day is the best way to receive something that I end up feeling okay about. For my burrito quid, I prefer Lucha Libre, but it is halfway across town and more expensive.

One of the few places you can get a decent burrito in Manchester!
I book marked Panchos a long one ago and have only just made it there today. It was worth the wait. I couldn’t decide what I wanted but plumped for the express meal deal with a burrito, rice and beans for £3.99. A word of warning — this was an ok portion for me at linch time but it was really not lot of burrito overall and the amount of meat filling they put in was tiny. The small drizzle of sauce they put over the rice was also far too little and I couldn’t taste it at all.
I ordered the pulled pork and said yes to sour cream and hot sauce. I was disappointed by the tiny, tiny squirt of sour cream and I couldn’t tell it was in there at all when I ate it. The flavour was still great though and I really enjoyed my lunch. I’d definitely go again but maybe read the whole menu and try something bigger.

On my occasional lunchtime jaunt to the Arndale Food Market I always walk past Pancho’s, finding it oddly intimidating. As I was in the Arndale on Friday (well can you think of anything more thrilling to do on your day off) I ventured that we should push the boat out and go for a burrito.
I can see this swiftly becoming my Friday treat lunch of choice. My pork in lime burrito was delicious, maybe a shade more expensive than some of the market’s other offerings but truly it could have kept me full all weekend. Just the right amount of heat, with a delicious lime flavour coming through.
Staff were helpful and friendly and the whole operation was very slick. Pancho’s is sure to get my business above Barburrito.

I’m pretty confident in saying that Pancho’s do the best burritos in Manchester, by a long way too.
Really authentic tasting mexican food at a decent price too!
The one big gripe I have with a certain other burrito serving restaurant in town is the lack of beans in their dishes, to me, it’s unbelievable that you can get mexican (or tex-​mex or whatever else you want to call it) without some delicious pulses.
Fear not at Pancho’s, there’s plenty of options for fillings to your burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas any other mexican delicacy your heart desires.
The location (2 of them actually), in the Arndale food market makes it perfect for grabbing a quick bite whilst on your lunch in town, or if you’re sick of the shops. It always seems to be busy when I’m in the food market, and with good reason — there’s plenty of food choices and all seem much more interesting than the other food market with the usual fast food outlets at the opposite end of the Arndale.
Pancho’s also do pretty reasonable meal deals with the choice of a beer to go along with your stuffed wrap, I’d recommend the professional drinker’s move of getting your food at Pancho’s walking around the corner to the Microbar and getting a quality pint of ale (or one of dozens of bottles) in there — a heavenly mealtime in what would otherwise be a pretty crappy shopping centre.
The other plus side of doing this is that you’ll be far enough away from the fish market to not have the smells of it ruin your eating experience. What Pancho’s loses in ambience (inevitable in the middle of a bustling food market) it more than makes up for in quality.
As an extra sweetener I can get plenty of ingredients to get my cook on at home, it’s worth coming here to stock up on chipotle and ancho chillies.
I’ve just made myself both hungry and thirsty reminiscing about the burritos and boggart rum porter, damnit.

When it comes to the Burrito… I haven’t had better in town. Despite the burrito having a go at beating the burger as the Mancunian street food of 2013/​14, Pancho’s still owns the crown for me.
It’s big, it’s filling, it’s hot, it’s tasty and it’s a fiver !
‘nough said.

Definitely the finest Mexican food in Manchester, Enrique (owner) says they’re opening another branch on King Street soon so watch this space

Deciding to celebrate Independence Day 2013 with some good old Mexican grub, I hoped that the less glamorous Arndale setting might result in some filthily authentic Mexican.
I’d heard good things about Pancho’s previously and it’s been on the to-​eat list for a good while now, after having previously passed it up for Wing Dai Pai Dong next door.
After some uhhm and ahh-​ing I went for the lunch deal which included an 8 inch pork and cactus burrito with a side of rice and refried beans all for the bargainous price of £3.99. Served in a small tray it worked out at about 40% burrito and 60% starchy carb plus three token tortilla chips.
In hindsight, you get what you pay for and I made an error when choosing the meal deal. In the future I’ll just go straight for one of the humongous sized burritos, as I couldnt hide my look of disappointment when seeing the miniture portion (less than half an egg sized scoop!) of pork that the meal deal provided.
But in their defence the pork was super juicy and I’m now officially a cactus convert, as this added a surprisingly nice subtle crunch and peppery kick to the burrito.
Note to future burrito-​ordering self: ask for extra hot sauce.

I was loathe to submit to Barburrito, I was convinced I’d find some authenticity at Pancho’s and discover a burrito that kicks the said big chain in the cojones and tells it to stop being so overpriced and overvalued…
Oh how wrong I was.
I went for the safe option: a beef burrito, bought for a reasonable price.
Smelling like a dream and looking on the awesome side of mouthwatering I barged past the locals milling in the market to find an apt spot to feast on this tasty beast.
Alas the filling was full of fatty chunks of beef lacking the tenderness of a long slow cooking period, the filling of rice and beans was really bland and the accompanying salsa was watery and dull. Lacking a hearty chilli or any real flavour punch at all my burrito offering, well, how do you say… no tenia ningunas cojones.
I will give them another try. The senoritas that served me were cheery and speedy to deliver and deserve credit. Plus, I hate to dismiss any small hard working stall that stands tall against bigger name brands.
Until I try again, my two star review remains.