Panchos And Gringos—

A Taste Of Mexico Is Nearby In Bethel

Panchos and Gringos in Dolan Plaza in Bethel is gearing up to celebrate Mexican Independence Day on September 15; in October the restaurant will celebrate its first anniversary in that location. Owner John Matos, who has also operated the Panchos and Gringos on Federal Road in Brookfield for 20 years, said, “The restaurant is doing well, more and more people are getting to know us, and our number of repeat customers continues to grow.”

Located to the rear and on the lower level of a newly constructed building at 213 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel’s main street, Panchos and Gringos provides a welcoming atmosphere and authentic Mexican cuisine. Upon entering, guests can go to the dining room on the left, providing a family-friendly environment, or to the large bar and dining area to the right. The walls are a soft adobe color, accented by Mexican art and artifacts.

Panchos and Gringos serves lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11 am to 10 pm Sunday to Thursday, to 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. The bar area remains open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 1 am on Friday and Saturday. And Friday is Karaoke night in Bethel, beginning at 9 pm.

Strolling mariachis serenade dinner customers Thursday to Sunday, and the bar features a happy hour weekdays from 4 to 7 pm with free finger tacos, quesadillas, and nachos, as well as reduced prices on beer, margaritas, and other specific drinks. The bar also offers frozen drinks, slushies and a variety of premium tequilas, as well as wine and sangria, both white and red.

Among the favorite appetizers, said Mr Matos, are the guacamole molcajete, $7.95, which is made tableside, and the sampler platter, $10.95, which includes nachos, finger tacos, quesadillas, and spicy wings garnished with sour cream and guacamole. Other appetizer selections include stuffed jalapenos and chile con queso, each $6.75.

For the main course, Panchos and Gringos is known for its sizzling fajitas — which range from $12.95 to $14.95 and include chicken, beef, vegetables, or shrimp — and “anything with mole sauce.” Mr Matos explained that the authentic mole sauce is made from 35 different ingredients and is most popular with chicken, pork, and enchiladas.

Diners can find all of their favorite Mexican dishes — quesadillas, $9.95–$12.95; tacos, $10.95; chimichangas, $13.95–  $15.95; burritos, $13.95–$15.95; enchiladas, $14.95–$15.95; various combos, $11.95–$13.95 — as well as weekly specials. For those who prefer more American fare, the menu offers a range of three soups ($2.95 a cup, $3.95 for a bowls) and more than a half-dozen salads, $6.95 for baby spinach, tropical, or primavera to $9.95 for a taco salad. Wraps are also offered, $9.95–$11.95, as are hamburgers and cheeseburgers, $7.95 and $8.95, respectively.

Panchos and Gringos can accommodate large parties and offers takeout meals as well as off-premises catering.

Panchos and Gringos is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner at 213 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel; for more information, call 794-9300.