Panchos Tacos

If you are looking for the absolute gold standard of authentic Mexican street food in Atlantic City, Pancho’s Mexican Taqueria is a mandatory stop. Located on Arctic Avenue—conveniently right next to the legendary White House Subs—Pancho’s is the definition of a “hole-in-the-wall” masterpiece. This is a no-frills, high-flavor sanctuary where the pretense is zero and the authenticity is 100%.

Founded in June 2005 by Fabiola Sanchez, Pancho’s began as a labor of love dedicated to serving the local Latino community. It has since exploded into a cult favorite for foodies across the East Coast. Now under the second-generation leadership of Fabiola’s son, Joshua Cruz, the taqueria remains committed to the same “simple, fresh, and honest” philosophy that put it on the map.

Features & Highlights

The defining feature of Pancho’s is the Handmade Tortillas. Unlike most spots that pull from a bag, you can actually watch the staff tear off pieces of fresh masa and press them onto the grill right in front of you. These thick, warm, corn clouds are the perfect vessel for their robust meat selection.

The Tacos Al Pastor are widely considered some of the best in the state, but adventurous eaters should not sleep on the Lengua (tongue) or the Chivo (goat). If you want something even heartier, their Huaraches (long, thick masa bases) and Sopes offer a massive amount of food for a very fair price. While it is primarily a taqueria, they do have a small bar area where you can grab a super-cold Mexican lager like Modelo, Pacifico, or Victoria to wash down the spicy house-made salsas. Be warned: it is a small, popular spot, so be prepared to wait for a stool or join the locals in grabbing a massive order for takeout.