Panos Restaurant — Restaurant in Waukesha

Every Tuesday, like clockwork, I make my pilgrimage to the holy land of Waukesha taco culture—Panos Tacos. Why? Because for $1.75 a taco, I can experience something close to a spiritual awakening without having to sit through a sermon or a timeshare pitch.

Let’s talk al pastor—because Panos does it right. The pork is juicy, the seasoning is bold, and that little hint of pineapple? Chef’s kiss. If you’ve never had meat that makes you question all your past food decisions, you haven’t lived. It’s sweet, spicy, crispy, and tender all at once—like if a mariachi band and a cuddle had a baby and wrapped it in a tortilla.

And don’t even get me started on the tortillas. Hechos a mano? I’m not saying they were, but they taste like some abuelita with magical hands made them while whispering family secrets to the masa.

Also, the salsa? Picante perfection. Enough heat to make your forehead glisten but not so much that you see Jesus. Unless you want to. In which case, order a few extra and get ready for a vision.

Let’s not forget the vibes—Panos is small, no-frills, and full of people who know what’s up. The staff is friendly, the food is fast, and the regulars are probably thinking the same thing I am: ”¿Por qué comí en Taco Bell when this place exists?”

Bottom line? Panos is my weekly ritual, my Tuesday therapy, my carne-covered comfort. I’ve tried to stay away. I’ve failed. Every time.

Cinco estrellas. Viva el taco. Viva el...

Panos has been around for years, they've moved locations and I guess they have a little food place in the grocery now cause there is one there and there wasn't before.

1st off I just want to say the produce in the grocery looks great. Kroger has had the wiltiest cilantro I've ever seen for months now but at Panos the cilantro is crisp and well defined. Just saying.

As far as the food goes, I had juevos rancheros. That's eggs with fancy salsa if you're not aware. Portion was large. I couldn't finish all my food. The flavor was fantastic. I like things hot and this was nice and spicy. Like not on my tongue if that makes sense, but I broke a sweat. I didn't really need any s&p.

As far as atmosphere goes, there's only so much you can do when a place is in a another place but they did a good job of partitioning so it's almost completely separated minus the entry. It's nice and clean, maybe 5 tables and a long table in the middle. You order at the counter and they bring ot to the table or whatever. I ate in so I guess if you do takeaway, they put your stuff in a bag and send you...

My visit was to try their Taco Tuesday street tacos. I had two pastor, one chicken, and one carnitas. The meat was tasty but maybe a little overcooked. Or I got the last of the meat in each. The meat was a little crunchy as my wife described it. It will not stop me from coming back though. For $1.75 each they were a good deal.

The store has all the Mexican based food you could ever want. The meat...