It’s Time for One of the Greatest Buffet Restaurants to Return to East Texas

Photo byKenny EliasononUnsplash

In the hearts of East Texans, there was once a beloved Mexican buffet. Though it has been absent for years, the memories remain. Only four Pancho's Mexican Buffet restaurants remain in Mesquite, Fort Worth, Humble, and Arlington.

Pancho's Mexican Buffet, a popular restaurant chain, has a rich history that dates back to the 1950s. The first Pancho's location opened in El Paso, Texas, in 1958. It was founded by two brothers, Bill and Pete Hamilton, who were passionate about serving authentic Mexican food in a casual dining setting.

It was founded in El Paso in 1958, Pancho's Mexican Buffet rapidly expanded across Texas. Affordable at $4 per person, it experienced growth in the 1970s and 1980s. However, profitability declined in the 1990s, leading to its disappearance by 2000.