Pancho Mexican Restaurant Towers — Restaurant in Roanoke

So much to like about this place, but I cannot get by the horrid chili relleno they served me. It was shocking, and I tried to explain that it tasted very badly, And I’m easy to please, I love everything. I’ve had chili relleno all my life, my mother-in-law used to make them. I’ve had them in Mexico, in California, here in Virginia and many other states and they’ve always been the same. A simple Poblano pepper, breaded, full of cheese, deep-fried serve it up with sauce. Very simple very delicious. I don’t know what this thing was. And I mentioned this to the server, who was very unfriendly about it. I said the Birria tacos were very good. and they were, my wife’s dinner, chicken taco and enchiladas were very good, And then he looks right at me and he says, “what happened? How on earth would I know what happened? If I had to guess I would say the pepper was not fresh, but regardless, this fellow looked at me as though I were crazy. He never smiled once even as I was complementing the other food and every time he brought something I would say thank you very much, never smiled one time. Part of the problem is none of these people here speak very good English, And that’s OK, but could you at least be friendly and cordial and helpful? I speak some Spanish, We might be able to get through this, but these people weren’t even trying. I wanted to love this place, but I don’t think I’m going...

First time at a Poncho's for me, and I was impressed! The quality of the food is more than just good. Plus -- the proportions of the items in a meal were wonderful: not the usual 15 full plates you seem to collect at most Mexican restaurants. When I was finished, I was definitely full, but not so stuffed that I felt I needed to walk home! Their salsa is spicey-hot and excellent; the guacamole was fresh devoured by two sharing in about a minute

I have to mention the outstanding service. I happened to be on crutches when I visited, and by the time I got from my car to the curb, a smiling young man was holding the door open for me to easily hobble inside. Our server was also attentive, on the ball, and genuinely made my group feel welcome and comfortable.

Pricing was also reasonable: it was easy to select a lunch meal and non-alcoholic beverage and be on your way for under $14. A tip might up that a bit, but I felt that 20% was more than okay for the service I received.

• I think there was music playing through a speaker system. Regardless, the atmosphere lent itself to talking across the table as opposed to screaming. We chose booths, and they may be inherently quieter than sitting at a table in the middle of a room. (My take on the auditory level, overall, tells me that anyone could come in and not have to remove their...

For the past 100 days, I have been learning Spanish (twice or more daily) on a language app. To celebrate the milestone, I treated myself to an early dinner so I could practice the vocabulary I worked so hard to remember. Upon entering the Pancho Mexican Restaurant at Towers (Roanoke, VA), I was greeted with a bright smile from a waiter named Adolfo. In Spanish, I slowly let him know I was learning Spanish and while I can hear and read the language comfortably, I speak it a little. He commended me for my advancements and compliment my pronunciation of the words. He offered to speak with me in Spanish and I really appreciated that. I was also able to use what I knew to ask where the bathroom was and to let him know I don't eat meat, cheese or fried beans and I wanted more rice and a water without lemon. All in Spanish. I am so super proud of myself and am very thankful for Adolfo's kindness and patience with me.

In the end, la comida es muy delicioso. When I was leaving, Adolfo spoke with me, giving me tips on how to absorb the language and easing my anxiety by letting me know that most Spanish people will feel respected, not offended, by my wanting to learn their language.

A place you must visit both for the food and the excellent...