Pancho's Mexican Buffet

Pancho's Mexican Buffet is a chain of Tex-Mex restaurants (5 as of 2015) in the United States. The bulk of the restaurants are in Texas; a few restaurants are or were previously located in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi. Pancho's main offering is an all you care to eat buffet, though unlike many other such buffets additional food is brought by waitstaff rather than self-served, except for in the chain's "Super Buffet" locations. Pancho's also offers takeout service.
As of February 2012, Panchos corporate has silently shut down operations. All corporate owned restaurants are closed, phone lines disconnected and website removed. The reasons behind it are unknown. Non corporate owned locations remain open. As of September 2014, 14 franchise locations operate in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Restaurant History

The first Pancho's restaurant opened in El Paso, Texas in 1958. The restaurant was founded by Jesse Arrambide, Jr (who also owns Los Bandidos De Carlos & Mickey's restaurant)., who learned how to make Mexican dishes from his mother. His experience in cooking in large quantities while serving on an American naval troopship during World War II would contribute towards his concept of how to operate a buffet-style restaurant. After several years of operating his restaurant as a success, Arrambide turned his energy towards creating a Pancho's restaurant chain. The company eventually relocated its corporate office from El Paso to Fort Worth, Texas in 1966. In 2007, Pancho's moved east again, this time to Dallas, Texas Since 1979, the corporation has changed hands between several owners and partners.