Pantera Mexican Grill & Cantina — Restaurant in Lakewood

Good food, but poor handling of a serious spill left us disappointed.

We were really looking forward to trying this restaurant, and while the food itself was enjoyable, the service did not meet expectations. Our server was pleasant, and I want to acknowledge that she was kind. However, after a significant incident occurred, I felt the situation was not handled with the level of care it required.

I ordered the Chocolate De Abuelita, which is served in a small kettle. When attempting to pour it, the liquid would not come out. After several attempts, the lid came off completely, and the scalding hot drink spilled all over me, the table, and the floor. Not only was this painful, but it also created a hazardous mess.

My partner had to flag someone down as no staff were present in the dining area at the time. When assistance finally arrived, we were given a small stack of napkins, but the spill on the floor was never cleaned up, and there was no further follow-up or support. What was most disappointing is that nothing was comped—not even the drink. Having worked in the service industry myself, I know how important it is to respond with empathy and take proactive steps in situations like this, regardless of where the fault lies.

Although the food was good (minus one plate being sent back due to them not listening to what was not supposed to be on the plate,) the lack of attentiveness and concern after such an incident overshadowed the meal. For that reason, I cannot fully recommend this restaurant...

We walked up at 9:40, the doors were closed and locked. I had to yell into the kitchen, to which they said they were opening “now.” Says 9am for breakfast on Google. Salsa was good, our waitress was nice. However, that’s about it. I got the chile rellenos, you could totally tell the chilies were canned, they were wrapped in flour tortillas and fried, the green chile was gross and not flavorful at all. Very disappointing. The egg sandwich also had no flavor, and doesn’t normally come with any protein (add $4 for two tiny pieces of bacon).

We asked if my son (who is 2) could get just one pancake. She said sure. Turns out, she charged us $10 (the regular pancakes cost $10). I asked her how many come in an order regularly, to which she said 3…and then why we paid $10 for 1? She explained it was because it was a “substitution.” She adjusted it (and again was super kind) but just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. My father got the green sunrise - and while it tasted alright - $14 for 2 eggs, 3 small asparagus and a side of potatoes is WILD. my husband got the breakfast burrito, which looked like it could be made in a school cafeteria. Super plain. Although, he did say the steak inside was good and tender.

Overall - $100 for 4 people and it was about a $25 value, with little to no flavor. Will not be going again. We were the only people in the restaurant the...

I had the pleasure of dining at Pantera and was thoroughly impressed by both the food and the atmosphere. From the moment I walked in, the vibrant décor and welcoming staff made me feel right at home.

The menu offers a fantastic variety of traditional Mexican dishes. I started with the chips and fresh guacamole—creamy, zesty, and perfectly seasoned. For the main course, I tried the carne asada tacos and the chicken poblano pasta with. Every bite was packed with authentic flavor, and

lol the ingredients tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared.

What really stood out to me was the attention to detail—not just in the food, but in the service as well. Our server was friendly, attentive, and offered great recommendations. The non alcoholic margaritas were also a hit: refreshing, and available in fun flavors like mango and tamarind.

Whether you’re looking for a casual night out or a spot to celebrate with friends and family, Pantera is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be coming back to explore more of the...