Panca Peruvian Restaurant — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

It’s tough to write this post because I feel like our waiter meant the best. However, after a failed attempt to remediate with management staff, I have to share my experience. Our food took roughly 2 hours to come out. “Roughly” meaning two out of six of us got our entrees 90 minutes after we ordered, the next three of got their food after two hours, and the sixth person didn’t get her food at all. Literally after 2.5 hours they told her that her chicken was still frozen and she wasn’t getting an entree, and offered her some complimentary fries. We asked for waters about 4 times, it wasn’t until the end of the meal that we were offered water bottles. We asked if they were complimentary, and the waiter said no, took them back, then returned with a pitcher and cups so we could fill our own cups. 18% gratuity was automatically required. I tried to talk to management, “Paula” and she refused to speak to me. So I had to tell our waiter, who was very nice, that the overall experience was bad, especially considering it cost $50 per head. He was kind and acknowledged the bad experience may have been due to short staff, but management refused to offer any sort of attempt to either compensate, or give us a reason to come back. Honestly the food was good, but there’s nothing worse than 2/6 people getting entrees an hour before our dates, while the entire table is hungry and looking around confused as to why we can’t even get waters for the table? Disappointing especially because the manager didn’t...

About a year ago, we tried a Peruvian chicken joint in Louisville KY during one of our daughters' frequent out-of-town volleyball tournaments. Back home in Nashville, we had enjoyed peruvian chicken at Taco Mamacita but this was the first time we found a place devoted to the dish. We were amazed at how tasty and succulent the chicken was. When we cruised by Panca by accident a few months later, we couldn't wait to try it.

As a rule of thumb, I never judge a restaurant after the first visit - regression to the mean of course so the food will generally never be as good as it might be (nor as bad in some circumstances) that first time around. Today was our third visit with Marlon... what we know now is that he serves consistently delicious fare.

The first time we visited him, all of us (me, my wife, and our two daughters) declared "this is the best chicken we've ever eaten." Today, having sampled the dish a few times in between (and placing a large order for a potluck where it was promptly dispatched), we feel even stronger that this is the case. After trying the trout dish (pictured) for the first time today, we were tempted to say the same about his fish. We won't... but after the next two times we have it, I would surprised if we don't.

If you want to find good food in large quantities at the right price, you owe it to yourselves to visit Marlon at Panca at least once, and preferably thrice....

Edited to share recent experience of 10/19…

I am the dummy for trying them over and over and continuing to give them another shot. Today we went to eat there and my card was charged 3 times… they claim they don’t know what happened, surprising! They told me to contact the bank so I can get my money back so they clearly can pocket the money and not have to worry about it. These people are just horrible every time. I’m going to just have to open up my own spot smh.

We truly enjoy the food but the service has been bad every time and seems like we aren’t the only ones experiencing this. Every time we have eaten here we have had one of the female waiters and they always come with an attitude. Today we ordered and picked up instead and the lady at the register still had an attitude when my husband went in and asked for sauce. Maybe as the owner you need to replace these waiters with ones that would like to be there and not ones that huff and puff every time you ask for a simple thing. This issue is sadly going to bring down your restaurant. I strongly believe there aren’t even Peruvians working here besides maybe the cook. Most Peruvians would be a lot nicer to people than this because our food is one of those things we are most proud of. Seeing how this is one of a few Peruvian restaurants in Nashville you could really have potential to be better just not with your...