Don Poncho Cocina Mexicana — Restaurant in Winter Garden

We have been to basically every Mexican restaurant in this whole area of Orlando, food truck and sit-down place, and this has the best food we’ve tried anywhere! If you are a fan of good Mexican food, THIS is the place you need to go! We got their birria tacos which were some of the best we’ve ever had anywhere, chorizo queso which was perfect and even came with freshly-made tortilla chips (a lot of places don’t even bother to make them themselves, they just buy them), and the tampiqueña plate, which was awesome as well! That plate came with a red enchilada that was so much better than we were expecting, the Mexican rice was super flavorful and the steak was seasoned super nicely. Everything just tasted super fresh, authentic, and they didn’t take any shortcuts with pre-made stuff. We had great service and the atmosphere was very nice with happy, upbeat music playing - it was just a great experience overall. I highly recommend checking out Don Poncho Cocina Mexicana - we will be back many more times!

EDIT: You have GOT to come here for breakfast one time too!! Super reasonably-priced and INCREDIBLY good!! Literally the best Mexican breakfast you’ll find anywhere - without question. The Torta Don Poncho and the Brunch Tamales are to die for - the dark red salsa that comes with the tamales are insanely good! I am craving breakfast here so much as I am typing this and we will come back for breakfast many...

RAVE: Don Poncho Cocina Mexicana; A Hidden Gem in Winter Garden

Escaping the downtown Winter Garden frenzy, we stumbled upon Don Poncho Cocina Mexicana, a charming spot tucked away in a strip mall near a 7-Eleven. While the unassuming exterior might not immediately grab your attention, the warmth of the welcome and the vibrant flavors inside certainly do.

The service was impeccable; we were greeted with smiles and seated promptly. The house margaritas were a refreshing start, and the complimentary chips and salsa arrived swiftly, setting the stage for a delightful meal.

We indulged in a selection of appetizers, including the queso with chorizo, a creamy and savory delight, and the chicharrónes, perfectly crispy and seasoned. For the main course, my wife savored expertly customized enchiladas, while I opted for the chili rellenos, filled with tender carne asada – a symphony of flavors. Our friends enjoyed the carnitas and flautas, both equally impressive.

Don Poncho Cocina Mexicana offers an authentic Mexican experience, reminiscent of a family gathering. The food is fresh, flavorful, and prepared with care. It's a welcome alternative to the often-overcrowded downtown scene, surpassing the likes of Servandos and Azteca D'Oro in both quality and ambiance.

Highly Recommended: Don't let the strip mall location fool you. Don Poncho Cocina Mexicana is a true gem, offering a taste of Mexico in...

Decent restaurant, no complaints. Went here because they had the highest rating on Google maps in this area: a 4.8. I don't see what all the fuss was about. The restaurant is in a tiny strip mall and has very little character. We split the chicken and steak fajitas (portion for one) and still had some to take home with us. Chips and salsa were free, but it was odd that the waitress asked us if we wanted it. Usually they just bring it to your table and set it down irregardless of your preferences. Like "yes", it's a Mexican restaurant. Of course we want chips and salsa. Definitely a smaller portion of chips; the two of us finished it very quickly and we were never offered additional chips or salsa. But apparently there's a small fresh, self-serve bar to get some jalapenos, onions, extra salsa, etc.. The queso was $9 for a serving, so we passed on that. I know inflation has hit us hard, but there's no way it should cost that much. I mean, overall not a bad experience honestly, but I'm just not sure where the 4.8 comes in. It's not like it was the best Mexican experience...