El Panzon

Oh God!!! I got my first bad review!!! and to be quite honest I`m hissing steam like a boiler about to blow!!!

Yep I`'m the owner of EL PANZON... and I have to say I'm greatful to the author of the previous entry. You have given me the amunition to blow those id*ts out of the water. I won't say I'm the best. (I leave that to the regulars who keep coming back) , but I would say this... for those of you who come out to see us and sample our food you will not be disappointed. I won't promise you a fancy restaurant.(That we are not! It's a pub.) I can't garentee the best service in the world or that the dopey bar maid won't be rude with you! I won't promise a trendy crowd with plenty of eye candy to enjoy. But I can promise you is some great food.

For those of you who are not familiar with Mexican Flavours. Trust me when I say it's not a million miles from home. It does not have to be firey HOT!, you can have it as mild as you like....

For those of you who are expecting piping hot food after you have ordered a TACO or Burrito, order a chimichanga instead. Why because all the salsas we serve into our burritos are cold.... unless of course you want me to burn your tortillas.

For those of you who expect McDonalds type speed in delivery of your food, forget it. We prepare each and every Burrito to order... your order!

Last but not least.... a small note to our previous reviewer, you have not responded to our previous comments or called me, nor have you eaten my food...... hmmmmmm
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Grant (Panzon) Winters
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 14, 2008

Fast forward to March 2008. After reading all these lovely reviews, we struck out for El Panzon anticipating some real Mexican food. Arrive to 1000" screen playing the footie, indifferent wait staff (called to check if reservations were needed, told they were, made said reservation only to be met with a shrug by the manager when the hostess asked whether they had a record of our booking - note: you don't need one) and El Panzon serving 200 permutations of bespoke burritos. We upped and left unnoticed. Panzon appears to have succumbed (if they ever were a remotely real Mexican) to practicalities and the low expectations of the public by going Tex-Mex as have other Mexican restaurants. A real shame. In case it matters, they do fajitas as well. Snore. If you live nearby, maybe go for a quick bite, else don't waste your petrol/oyster/feet.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Thursday, March 13, 2008

My wife and I went to El Panzon for the second time last friday (Aug 17th). Yet again, it did not disappoint. I am from San Francisco (and have spent a lot of time in Mexico), and although I have never looked to a Mexican here in London to live up to those standards, this place did a damn fine job.

We got the large nachos both times (£7), and this is one of the few places in Britain that uses actual tortilla chips -- not Cool Original Doritos. They were slightly salty, very crisp and not greasy. The pile of chips was covered in cheese, fresh salsa, beans, guacamole (also fresh) and sour cream.

For our first visit, we each got a burrito (£5) and were quite pleased. This time, however, we got the taco platter for two (£17). You get a choice of 3 fillings -- 2 meat and one veg. We chose chicken, chorizo and refried beans. The chorizo was predictably oily, as it should be, but it lacked in outstanding flavour. The refried beans were not what I was used to, as they had a slightly smokey flavour, but I thought they were quite good. The chicken was most definitely the standout. It was slow-cooked in a mild chile sauce, and it just melted in the mouth. Yum.

These were served with 8 hot soft flour tortillas, and a dizzying array of sides -- 2 kinds of salsa, fresh jalapeños, shredded cheese, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream and some tortilla chips.

The service was very fast, very friendly and quite attentive, especially considering that it is a pub. It's a large space with some very comfy seating, and the dj's aren't too shabby either (and no, I don't work for them). We are very happy to be a 10 minute drive away, and rest assured that this will become a regular haunt for us.
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Sam B.
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Myself and girlfriend went to El Panzon yesterday after reading lots of reviews on the web. I loved it. She loved it. At last we've found a decent Mexican (Cal-Mexican?) restaurant in London, after having been underwhelmed by Beach Burrito in Berwick Street and a host of other places.

I concur on the previous reviewers post about the owner Grant being friendly. He spent 10 minutes talking through the menu, types of sauces, history of his establishment - a thoroughly nice bloke.

We will be going back very soon...
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Paul
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, April 08, 2007

The holy grail for all mexican food lovers in london !!!

Actually a restaurant within a pub called the dogstar.

Drove for 1 hour from north west london to brixton on a monday night just to sample the food . It was well worth it !!

The portions are huge and the price is very cheap .

GO NOW !
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Mr Mexican
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 06, 2007

I eat here all the time, and each time it gets better. It's often said there are no good Mexican restaurants in London, but El Panzon is the exception to the rule.

The portions are massive and every dish is made with quality, fresh ingredients and quite a variety of peppers depending on the dish. The new menu is very varied and gives you a wonderful choice for your money.

The environment is much better than their old place the Hob Goblin.

They also do weekend breakfasts (12-5)& a Sunday Latin roast & takeaway as well.

Grant the owner is such a great guy to talk to and makes you feel at home.
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Scott, Streatham
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 07, 2006

I am from Chicago where they claim to have the highest population of Mexicans in the US. Based on that I am use to very good Mexican food. I would put El Panzon close to that league. It is the first place that understands that fajitas are not served in a sauce, burritos should be as big as your head, and that a taco can have fish and be very tasty. Grant the owner is excellent at socializing and making you feel very welcome. The only issue I have is that they don't serve margarittas. The wait staff isn't brillant either, but you can't expect people not raised on Mexican to understand it.
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Timm
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, April 26, 2006

The food is perfect and nice place.
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Carlos
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 30, 2006

It's has been very difficult to find a decent Mexican restaurant in London, after trying Taqueria and being VERY disappointed, I tried Mestizo which is a bit pricey for the quality of the food.

I went to El Panzon and wasn't disappointed.

It's the kitchen of a very local friendly pub 10min from Brixton station.

The food is absolutely lovely and as authentic as it gets.

The portions are huge and very good quality.

I must say that the food bill came to £21 and we were absolutely stuffed!

The service wasn't that great as the girl didn't really know the dishes well but that's my only moan!

It was absolutely worth the 1 hour trip and can't way to go and try the Sunday Latin Roast.
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Paola
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 15, 2006

I've eaten here three times now, and each time it's been a really wonderful eating experience. It's long been said there are no good Mexican restaurants in London, but El Panzon proves that's no longer true. The portions are huge, and made with quality ingredients. Fresh salsa, fresh guacamole, and quite a variety of peppers depending on the dish. The menu is quite varied, although it's hard to go beyond the standards (nachos, tacos, burritos) because they're done so well.

The environment is nothing special: it's still foremost a pub, not a restaurant. Children are not admitted but I think families can probably sit outside if the weather is nice.

They also do weekend breakfasts (12-5)& a Sunday Latin roast. Local deliveries & takeaway as well.
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The Dunce - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 13, 2006