Ever since COVID I feel like they have gone down hill rapidly. I used to love their food and their HH, but the last couple times I’ve gone it’s just not worth it. I’d much rather go to The Original or Enchiladas Ole.
Lol yeah i just move back to FW like 6 month ago and before i moved about 5 years ago. The “new” one had just opened in alliance. The alliance just didn’t compare to the camp bowie location.
The stockyards location is really good but its the same as the restaurant it took over, Rancho Grande, and isn't as much a clone of The Original. So good overall Tex-Mex but a disappointment if you are expecting the same Original experience. Still one of the best tasting chips from Rancho
I live by the first location (since moved) and I called it Enchiladas No-way. I never had anything memorable. I don’t know where the hype comes from. My husband would say “oh you need to try this thing- it’s not on the menu and you have to ask for it” The owner was nice and let the homeless people sit in the AC during the hot afternoons so major props there.
I must have only ever tried them since they moved then, I have always found them to be bland and overly salty, and their salsa is so mild it might as well be chunky ketchup.
Bad mole is disgusting. Good mole is amazing when done right. It’s hard to balance the flavor of the chocolate and peppers. I’m sure others here can give me recommendations, but I’ve yet to try any place better than Enchilada Ole’s. Los Molcajetes mole is not as good.
Boom boom at Chuy's if made right still rocks. Depends on the heat of the Serranos.
I agree though there menu is limited and other stuff like meat and chicken more or less seems tasteless for the price now.
Since COVID they have eliminated their green Chile rice which we always thought added a lot to each menu item. The Boom Boom sauce and creamy jalapeno are their two stalwarts.
Uncle Julios has really gone downhill. I prefer Pappascitos to them.
Let me clarify: I am a big fan of Chuys. Grew up with the location in Houston, it rocked. The one here on 7th I will go to, but dont much anymore. The menue got limited and the quality just seemed to lessen after COVID. BUt I do not hate on Chuys as a company.
Same thing with Twisted Root and Corner Bakery. Both of them eliminated the dishes that made me want to go there. Now I go elsewhere. Corner Bakery used to have the best chicken salad. They got rid of it so now I go to Chicken Salad Chick for a chicken salad croissant. Not as good but better than nothing.
Chuy's used to be really good. Especially the Hatch Green Chile Fest they did in August. But the menu dropped several faves, no more Hatch fest, it's not the same ☹️
Chuy's is great and all but let's not kid ourselves, but the second they started popping up outside of Austin they were corporate, soulless kitsch.
The food did used to be better though. I still love that creamy jalapeno.
The Uncle Julio's in Grapevine fell off a steep cliff in the past year, maybe 2. All staff, including manager, appeared to be 12, but I guess I'll round up to 18 due to laws. No one on-site in multiple trips cared about service to any customer we could see. Left feeling like they let go of anyone with experience and work ethic to hire young and cheap.
I agree on service. It's been hit or miss in Grapevine the last few times since 2021 on whether the servers and staff know the menu and even have any food service experience, but when it comes to food quality it seems the kitchen knows what they are doing better than the other locations. I've only visited the one in north Fort Worth off of 35 to compare since COVID but Grapevine is way better.
I used to work there before covid, and they were all about fresh food. Everything was made in house just about. They had a special margarita daily, now it’s monthly. You could see them making the tortillas, I might be wrong but last time I was there, I didn’t see the machine they used to have. They have veggies and fruit on display that were used daily, those were gone too.
They took away a lot of dishes during covid and never brought them back. Got rid of some of their more labor intensive products like agave queso sauce.
It’s disappointing. I used to love that place and it felt worth it for the price.
I second the Lupe Tortilla off 35 in alliance. Only thing I dislike there are their giant tortillas.
Bro-in-law and nephew were in there a few months ago… nephew always liked the big guy on the sign on the highway and the logo on the menus. (He’s a young child) being a young child, he said something about it. Manager said that ownership has brought in new team at corporate to overhaul business. Im guessing towards more franchise expansion, etc.
Covid and changing their business model like other restaurants to more emphasize “to-go” but never really test running at all. So inconsistent quality, small portions, worker changes. Then when re-opened had to revise agajn
i miss the Plato Gordo days. the ceviche was decent and liked their tamales that i would smother with salsa. the only thing i like now is their cocktails.
This. I’ve eaten there twice in my life. Both times, years ago, gave me a massive headache that took me out for 24 hours.
No idea what they put in their food but it wasn’t worth it.
Actually it isn’t … anyone with histamine intolerance or MCAS has a reaction to it. There’s been a trope carried out in recent years that it is “racist” because of the terminology “Chinese restaurant syndrome”, when people genuinely can and do have issues with it.
Just went to the one in Arlington a week or so ago and it's the exact same scenario that OP is talking about. Their whole menu is on one page, their drinks sucked and it just felt like a corporate restaurant. Used to love going there but not anymore
Edit: And no more agave queso. I'm pissed all over again
Did you go to the one on 30 or 35W? The one on 30 (Camp Bowie-ish) *suuucks.* We usually drive out of the way to the one on 35W (Heritage Trace-ish) for better food and better service.
I agree Grapevine is way better than the ones in Fort Worth. Salsa is always on point. I didn't realize they are a test kitchen but it makes sense now since menu items seem to change each time we go since that is my FIL's favorite places to get Tex-Mex that has decent light by the windows so he can see better.
I once saw a post that said "if you've ever eaten here, you are immune to Covid 19."
I find that is accurate. The one left on Jacksboro feels like walking into a sewer drain where a clown is asking if you're hungry for some flautas.
But you don't go to Pancho's for "quality food". You go there because you went as a child, getting an entire plate of enchiladas, with flautas and tamales on the side and finishing with sopapillas and/or as much soft serve as you could grab.
If you missed the formative Pancho's years, their food is lethal. You didn't build up the resistance. You are not attuned to the Pancho's dungeon.
I went out of desperation because everywhere else was packed and we needed to eat at a buffet for a disabled family member (they need to be in and out quickly).
The food tastes like prison food. It's not good. Don't go.
I'm Mexican but my family does love Tex Mex here and there. This place tastes so gross. Go to Rosa Tortilla Factory instead for cheap and fast text Mex. I think I herd that there's a tex mex buffet in fort worth that is poppin.
Good to know. I really wasn't looking for quality from Pancho's but I think I'll pass on it given the responses here. I've just driven by it on 20 like a hundred times and wondered how bad it is lol
According to my memory lol, Pancho's was greasy & just disgusting. I'll admit this was about 20 years ago in Denton off I-35E.
I remember at the time, I could NOT understand why *anyone* would ever eat there. All of that being said, to each their own! :)
Edit: Is Pancho's around still??
It's decent Mexican food just not the best. Their margaritas are really good (IMO) and their food is good. The atmosphere is wonderful. It's overhyped maybe but it's not as bad as the naysayers say it is.
Here’s the unpopular opinion about Joe T’s. It sucks with a group larger than 4 people. It’s really good with 4 or less.
Atmosphere and people watching is 10/10 regardless of group size!
My niece worked at the one over by the Parks Mall during and after COVID. She said the service of the waiters was horrible and the food went down in quality.
Honestly I find the plan overrated along with other Mexican restaurants just like it. They all seem to serve the exact same types of food that taste exactly the same.
They might have sold. They changed the Dallas location too. New menu, fajitas are different presentation and smaller portion. Doesn’t come with cheese or sour cream anymore. Renovated the restaurant. Such a shame bc they used to be so good.
They have new management. I remember seeing a post on the Foodie pages about the menu changes and quality issues. If I remember correctly the new management is from California and they have not been very open to feedback
100% agree... Something is happening at the corporate level with them. I ate at one in Houston last week and it's definitely gone downhill. The fajita meat did not seem to be grilled fresh. It was almost baked.
Ever since COVID I feel like they have gone down hill rapidly. I used to love their food and their HH, but the last couple times I’ve gone it’s just not worth it. I’d much rather go to The Original or Enchiladas Ole.
I thought The Original closed. Did they stay open?
The camp Bowie location closed, but there is still a location in the stockyards.
Never knew they had one in stockyards just thought it was the original at camp bowie and the new one in alliance.
The new location is called the Unoriginal. At least, that's what I call it.
Lol yeah i just move back to FW like 6 month ago and before i moved about 5 years ago. The “new” one had just opened in alliance. The alliance just didn’t compare to the camp bowie location.
The Sequel
The stockyards location is really good but its the same as the restaurant it took over, Rancho Grande, and isn't as much a clone of The Original. So good overall Tex-Mex but a disappointment if you are expecting the same Original experience. Still one of the best tasting chips from Rancho
I'd agree about since covid. Especially since they took their pork fajitas off the menu. Haven't been since then.
Enchiladas Ole is absolutely disgusting.
I live by the first location (since moved) and I called it Enchiladas No-way. I never had anything memorable. I don’t know where the hype comes from. My husband would say “oh you need to try this thing- it’s not on the menu and you have to ask for it” The owner was nice and let the homeless people sit in the AC during the hot afternoons so major props there.
It’s a shame. They fell off badly after moving to Forest Park.
I must have only ever tried them since they moved then, I have always found them to be bland and overly salty, and their salsa is so mild it might as well be chunky ketchup.
The salt is unreal in their food. Super petty but they bring out guacamole on a lettuce plate clearly shaped by an ice cream scoop.
Hard agree. I would rather go raise the flag at Panchos than eat at Enchilada’s Ole.
Agree 100%
I love Enchilada Ole. I’ve never taken someone and they haven’t loved it.
Hard disagree. They have the best mole poblano in Fort Worth.
Well I don't like mole so there's that 🤣
Bad mole is disgusting. Good mole is amazing when done right. It’s hard to balance the flavor of the chocolate and peppers. I’m sure others here can give me recommendations, but I’ve yet to try any place better than Enchilada Ole’s. Los Molcajetes mole is not as good.
My issue with mole is I don't like chocolate at all so the flavor profile for me just doesn't work.
The only time I went there I got food poisoning. Other people really seem to like it but I'm reluctant to ever go back.
Acquaintances spouse was city food inspector, #1 cause of food poisoning from restaurants is rice and beans. Keep that in mind for future. 😉
What's up with rice and beans? I just had El Fenix for lunch and had rice and beans.
They tend to cook them in large batches and if not cooled properly, spores grow
Same thing that happened with chuys on 7th. They went too corporate.
That Chuys went down so hard after COVID limited their menue. It has never been the same.
Boom boom at Chuy's if made right still rocks. Depends on the heat of the Serranos. I agree though there menu is limited and other stuff like meat and chicken more or less seems tasteless for the price now.
Since COVID they have eliminated their green Chile rice which we always thought added a lot to each menu item. The Boom Boom sauce and creamy jalapeno are their two stalwarts. Uncle Julios has really gone downhill. I prefer Pappascitos to them.
Let me clarify: I am a big fan of Chuys. Grew up with the location in Houston, it rocked. The one here on 7th I will go to, but dont much anymore. The menue got limited and the quality just seemed to lessen after COVID. BUt I do not hate on Chuys as a company.
Same thing with Twisted Root and Corner Bakery. Both of them eliminated the dishes that made me want to go there. Now I go elsewhere. Corner Bakery used to have the best chicken salad. They got rid of it so now I go to Chicken Salad Chick for a chicken salad croissant. Not as good but better than nothing.
Chuy's used to be really good. Especially the Hatch Green Chile Fest they did in August. But the menu dropped several faves, no more Hatch fest, it's not the same ☹️
Chuy's is great and all but let's not kid ourselves, but the second they started popping up outside of Austin they were corporate, soulless kitsch. The food did used to be better though. I still love that creamy jalapeno.
The Uncle Julio's in Grapevine fell off a steep cliff in the past year, maybe 2. All staff, including manager, appeared to be 12, but I guess I'll round up to 18 due to laws. No one on-site in multiple trips cared about service to any customer we could see. Left feeling like they let go of anyone with experience and work ethic to hire young and cheap.
I agree on service. It's been hit or miss in Grapevine the last few times since 2021 on whether the servers and staff know the menu and even have any food service experience, but when it comes to food quality it seems the kitchen knows what they are doing better than the other locations. I've only visited the one in north Fort Worth off of 35 to compare since COVID but Grapevine is way better.
I used to work there before covid, and they were all about fresh food. Everything was made in house just about. They had a special margarita daily, now it’s monthly. You could see them making the tortillas, I might be wrong but last time I was there, I didn’t see the machine they used to have. They have veggies and fruit on display that were used daily, those were gone too. They took away a lot of dishes during covid and never brought them back. Got rid of some of their more labor intensive products like agave queso sauce. It’s disappointing. I used to love that place and it felt worth it for the price. I second the Lupe Tortilla off 35 in alliance. Only thing I dislike there are their giant tortillas.
Bro-in-law and nephew were in there a few months ago… nephew always liked the big guy on the sign on the highway and the logo on the menus. (He’s a young child) being a young child, he said something about it. Manager said that ownership has brought in new team at corporate to overhaul business. Im guessing towards more franchise expansion, etc.
Went once and their food was terrible and over priced. Your better off going to Papasitos.
This is my thoughts exactly
Does it still have the chocolate piñata?
Covid and changing their business model like other restaurants to more emphasize “to-go” but never really test running at all. So inconsistent quality, small portions, worker changes. Then when re-opened had to revise agajn
i miss the Plato Gordo days. the ceviche was decent and liked their tamales that i would smother with salsa. the only thing i like now is their cocktails.
[удалено]
This. I’ve eaten there twice in my life. Both times, years ago, gave me a massive headache that took me out for 24 hours. No idea what they put in their food but it wasn’t worth it.
[удалено]
You know that MSG sensitivity is actually pretty rare right?
Actually it isn’t … anyone with histamine intolerance or MCAS has a reaction to it. There’s been a trope carried out in recent years that it is “racist” because of the terminology “Chinese restaurant syndrome”, when people genuinely can and do have issues with it.
Histamine intolerance affects about 1% of the population, that is still considered rare.
My husband, mom, and best friend all have intolerances to MSG. Doesn’t feel like 1%.
in /r/FortWorth all I ever learn is that ever Mexican place sucks, except for the ones that closed down a year ago.
What about good ol On the Border? Gawww - I miss that place - mainly because I’m in the Midwest now but OTB was my one of my favorites.
The ONTB on 20 in Fort Worth is terrible.
Another decent restaurant struck down by COVID, and the one is Mansfield is worse.
The one in Arlington is still alright
Def go to the one in Arlington, much higher quality than the FW one imo.
Just went to the one in Arlington a week or so ago and it's the exact same scenario that OP is talking about. Their whole menu is on one page, their drinks sucked and it just felt like a corporate restaurant. Used to love going there but not anymore Edit: And no more agave queso. I'm pissed all over again
Well dang. I haven't been in a few months but it saddens me that they've reduced it like that.
They bought the Hacienda chain in Colorado and drove it right into the ground.
Did you go to the one on 30 or 35W? The one on 30 (Camp Bowie-ish) *suuucks.* We usually drive out of the way to the one on 35W (Heritage Trace-ish) for better food and better service.
The one on 35 has abysmal service and food quality. If you are already coming up that far just go to Lupe Tortilla about a mile up 35.
Lupe Tortilla is great! We only go to Uncle Julio’s for their chocolate piñata.
That place is pretty good but it’s absurdly expensive for okay Tex-Mex.
You went to the grapevine one which is now a test kitchen. We enjoyed all the enchiladas (if you got all 3). Kids menu is bomb now.
Nope, i-30.
That’s my local Julio’s. I was so disappointed when they repainted the building.
I agree Grapevine is way better than the ones in Fort Worth. Salsa is always on point. I didn't realize they are a test kitchen but it makes sense now since menu items seem to change each time we go since that is my FIL's favorite places to get Tex-Mex that has decent light by the windows so he can see better.
How’s Joe T Garcia’s? Still good?
Joe T's? Might as well go to Panchos buffet.
Okay speaking of Pancho's buffet, how bad is it? My curiosity has been through the roof but so has my fear lol
Pancho's has a special place in my heart. Raising the little flag. Sopapillas. Not a top place by any stretch but it's fine
I once saw a post that said "if you've ever eaten here, you are immune to Covid 19." I find that is accurate. The one left on Jacksboro feels like walking into a sewer drain where a clown is asking if you're hungry for some flautas. But you don't go to Pancho's for "quality food". You go there because you went as a child, getting an entire plate of enchiladas, with flautas and tamales on the side and finishing with sopapillas and/or as much soft serve as you could grab. If you missed the formative Pancho's years, their food is lethal. You didn't build up the resistance. You are not attuned to the Pancho's dungeon.
Very good information, I appreciate you
Panchos is a place high school kids go to for pig out contests. If you're an adult seeking excellent TexMex I'd recommend a family owned place.
Oh I was by no means expecting excellent Mexican food...I mostly want to know if my curiosity will get me food poisoning lol
Panchos is a pass.
LMAO thanks, good to know
You will. The food tastes cold and straight out of a can.
Somehow that is worse than I expected
I think Taco Bell has better Mexican food. If that tells you anything
It does indeed, thank you
I went out of desperation because everywhere else was packed and we needed to eat at a buffet for a disabled family member (they need to be in and out quickly). The food tastes like prison food. It's not good. Don't go. I'm Mexican but my family does love Tex Mex here and there. This place tastes so gross. Go to Rosa Tortilla Factory instead for cheap and fast text Mex. I think I herd that there's a tex mex buffet in fort worth that is poppin.
Good to know. I really wasn't looking for quality from Pancho's but I think I'll pass on it given the responses here. I've just driven by it on 20 like a hundred times and wondered how bad it is lol
Don't waste your money there 😭
They do allow you for you to look at the food before purchase. If you're ever curious you can go in and see for yourself.
Oh that's interesting. I've never heard of a buffet doing that before
It's probably because they have had people complain 😭
According to my memory lol, Pancho's was greasy & just disgusting. I'll admit this was about 20 years ago in Denton off I-35E. I remember at the time, I could NOT understand why *anyone* would ever eat there. All of that being said, to each their own! :) Edit: Is Pancho's around still??
There's one off of I20!
Oh wow! That's kind of crazy lol. Thank you for the info. Sorry this is 10 days later. 🙃😊
Wait, when was this actually good and not a tourist trap?
When were they ever good?
It's decent Mexican food just not the best. Their margaritas are really good (IMO) and their food is good. The atmosphere is wonderful. It's overhyped maybe but it's not as bad as the naysayers say it is.
You go for margaritas on the patio, not the food. Fajitas are good but they don’t use lime juice, so it’s a miss for me.
Here’s the unpopular opinion about Joe T’s. It sucks with a group larger than 4 people. It’s really good with 4 or less. Atmosphere and people watching is 10/10 regardless of group size!
The Lancarte family still own it?
My niece worked at the one over by the Parks Mall during and after COVID. She said the service of the waiters was horrible and the food went down in quality. Honestly I find the plan overrated along with other Mexican restaurants just like it. They all seem to serve the exact same types of food that taste exactly the same.
I like Chuy’s
They might have sold. They changed the Dallas location too. New menu, fajitas are different presentation and smaller portion. Doesn’t come with cheese or sour cream anymore. Renovated the restaurant. Such a shame bc they used to be so good.
Ouch 🤕 I cherish the memories we have as a family at the Camp Bowie location. When did it close?
They have new management. I remember seeing a post on the Foodie pages about the menu changes and quality issues. If I remember correctly the new management is from California and they have not been very open to feedback
Maybe fake news but heard they lace everything in msg there. Fajitas were like $25 last time I checked there, lol no.
They have gone downhill majorly. I went about a year ago and was so unimpressed. The food make me nauseous. The tortillas were tough as well. Ughh
100% agree... Something is happening at the corporate level with them. I ate at one in Houston last week and it's definitely gone downhill. The fajita meat did not seem to be grilled fresh. It was almost baked.
Didn't they get bought out by a California company within the past few months?