San Pancho Taqueria — Restaurant in Sydney

Went here with a few friends and left a little underwhelmed. And before the owner replies with a ChatGPT response (the hyphens gives it away), let me say this is just my opinion based on one visit.

The Good:

Despite the crowd, we were seated quickly

Agua de Jamaica was refreshing and really enjoyable

Great atmosphere and overall vibe

Fair pricing, not cheap eats but not fine dining either

Tortillas were fresh and very well made

The Not So Good:

Birria I was genuinely excited for this dish. The meat was tender but lacked much flavour, it felt like it had not taken on any of the flavour from the broth. The consomé itself was fine but did not have the bold flavour or tang that I have experienced in Mexico and other places.

La Gringa Quesadilla This was fune but the aftertaste of the cheese was slightly off-putting. I was told it was manchego, which might explain the unusual flavour. Oaxaca would have been more traditional, but even mozzarella might have worked better to let the other ingredients shine. Also, the dish would have really benefited from a salsa on the side. And before the “you cleared the plate” comment comes from the owner, yes, we finished our plates. No, that doesn’t mean the food was great... just that we were hungry and didn’t want to waste it.

The Flan This was a miss for me. The caramel was far too bitter, and the flan itself was dense in a way that made it feel closer to a baked cheesecake than the soft and delicate texture I usually associate with a good Mexican flan.

The Service Staff were warm and genuinely tried to be helpful, but the place seemed a little understaffed and hence felt disorganised (again, they were quite busy). We stood at the counter for a while with nobody taking our order while staff rushed around drying glassware and delivering orders. The food took a while, which I understand given the crowd, but we also received the wrong dishes more than once.

Overall it was a nice space with a good vibe, just with average food (at least on that night). Glad to see more places championing Mexican cuisine, but for now, La Tamaleria remains my go-to...

Let’s begin, I should’ve put this review awhile ago If you’re looking for authentic, top-tier Mexican food, San Pancho in Marrickville is the place to be. Tucked away from the main road, this hidden gem delivers outstanding flavors, quality ingredients, and passionate service that set it apart from generic fast-food Mexican spots.

We tried: 🌮 Carne Asada Taco – Marinated to perfection with deep, topped with fresh guacamole and pico de gallo. 🌮 Birria Tacos – Tender, slow-cooked beef brisket with fresh onion and coriander, paired with a rich birria dipping juice. Absolutely packed with flavor! 🌮 Baja Fish Taco – Crispy beer-battered fish, slaw, and a chili dressing that ties it all together beautifully. A must-try! 🍰 Tres Leches Cake – The perfect way to end the meal! Soft, moist, and soaked in a delicate milky syrup with berries—pure bliss.🤤

Not only is the food cooked to perfection, but the passion of the owner/chef and his team is clear in every dish. The service is friendly, the space is clean, and the prices are more than reasonable for the quality you get. At $47.20 for what could’ve easily fed three to maybe four people, this place offers unbeatable value compared to overpriced fast food.

San Pancho is up there as one of the best Mexican spots in Sydney in my opinion (having traditional food moments). It might not be on the main road, but trust me—it’s worth going out of your way for. This place won’t stay a secret for long! Highly recommend checking it out before the lines start forming!

Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted all photos on my phone, but definitely next time I will...

What an incredible meal and experience.

For food, I ordered a mixture of corn tacos and all of them were delicious. My favourite was the Carne steak. It was the best taco I’ve ever eaten. The flavour, the texture just divine.

I also loved their home made sauces! I am a bit of a sauce addict and these were so delicious to add to the tacos. It’s self serving also which is extremely generous!

We also tried their house made drinks. The hibiscus flower tea was delicate and delicious. I also loved the tamarind one for something a bit sweeter. These will be a summer staple for sure!

For dessert I ordered the flan and the vanilla cake. Both were gluten free which was amazing to hear. I honestly couldn’t tell you which was better. Both were amazing. The flan is rich and sweet. Where the vanilla cake was delicate and creamy. I couldn’t stop saying “omg” as I was eating these.

The atmosphere is amazing too. The attention to detail in the fitout is evident. The colours and textures all feel so earthy, warm and welcoming. The branding is beautifully executed. I am a huge fan!

You can tell that the owners have poured their hearts into this place and it really shows in every tiny detail. I cannot wait to come back and try other things...