Sadly, we went to this restaurant 23 years ago on our honeymoon and it was amazing. This time it was very overpriced and the food was mediocre. We were also 1 of 2 tables with people in restaurant. I'm not sure if it's due to COVID or construction but we will not return on our next visit to Cozumel.
Scottmorehead1967
Nice atmosphere, fans cooling everyone off, waiter was pleasant but the value isn't there. I had the Tamales and my wife had fish tacos and it was $60.00. The food was average and the portion size good.
BeachTravel1219
We are two couples who were in Cozumel for the day on a Cruise Ship. Based on the very positive reviews of this restaurant on TA and other sites, we previously had decided to eat off the Ship on this day and made a 12;30 PM reservation at the downtown location. We took a taxi into town and arrived at 12:15 PM and were promptly seated. (The restaurant opened at 11:30). Two of us ordered a "Cadillac Margarita" and 2 ordered a beer and soda. We also ordered our food at the same time. All ordered Tacos. Nothing fancy. At 1:00pm, we still did not have our drinks....45 minutes after ordering. A party of 20 came in behind us at 12:45 and all of them had their drinks and appetizers. A party of 6 came in behind us around that same time and all had their drinks and entrees. Our waiter said they were busy with the large groups when we asked about the delay. OK, but they came in 30 minutes after us. Finally, we got the drinks and the Margaritas were anything but "Cadillac". They were so sour, we added packs of sugar to them and that didn't help. Flagged the waiter down, and he said we should have ordered the Cadillac. We did. So he took them back. Said our food would be out in the next 5-10 minutes. At 1:30 PM, we still didn't have our food and the Margaritas came back exactly as they were the first time. The table of 20 had eaten their food, as did the table of 6 and were on dessert. Finally, at 2:30 -- we flagged the waiter down again, paid for our drinks ($28 for 2 tasteless Margaritas, a beer and a Pepsi) and cancelled our lunch order. The waiter apologized again for the delay saying they were busy. We pointed out that not only had table sof 20 and 6 arrived after us and were already done eating, but that many other tables arrived after us and were promptly served. He shrugged his shoulders and apologized. We suspect he never turned the order in and didn't realize it, but that still doesn't excuse the horrendous service. When you see that your table of 4 that arrived at 12:15 PM were STILL waiting for food at 2:30, you should realize something is wrong. Not just keep promising it will be out in 5-10 minutes. We took a cab back to the Ship and at our lunch there. A wasted afternoon in Cozumel.
Leatherstocking88
The name suggests a fast food joint, but this is actually a very lovely fine restaurant. The staff is great; the margaritas are huge; and the food is excellent. I particularly recommend the enchiladas mole.
withORwithNOkids
We enjoyed the shrimp brochette but otherwise, this food seemed very overpriced and average. Cocktails were confusing… almost like they were trying too hard to be what Americans might like. Nice atmosphere but our bill was three times what other delicious local options offered us.
AgentBadgerQ
FANTASTIC!!! Really nice spot on the end of the port with great food and friendly service. Very generous portion of guacamole and the Mexican sampler was tasty and fresh. Perfect break from ship food. Open air restaurant with lots of tables outside. Honestly the best part of that port!
buyout96
Each visit to Cozumel brings me to Pancho’s backyard. This time 10 of us enjoyed the great food and service. Previously on a Cruise I enjoyed lunch with family there. It is my favorite place to have Mexican food.
Freddy Novelo
Very rich!!! And in my opinion reasonable prices!!! Good atmosphere and fast service ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pamela C
I have been to Cozumel at least 25 times in the last 20 years and this is the one place that I visit every single time. The food is absolutely delicious. The margaritas are to die for. The customer service is excellent. The owner always comes by and greets us when we were there in September 2022 he took our picture. If you go to Cozumel, you absolutely have to go to Panchos’s backyard. Even my grandson loves it there.
StefaniaPapag
We went as soon as we got off the boat from Playa del Carmen. As we were walking, a couple times we hesitated due to the construction on the road and thought of turning back. In the end we were so happy we kept on, because not only it is open, but we also enjoyed a great meal and service by Miguel, my husband told me he had the best mezcal margarita in his life and I got to do some unique souvenir shopping at the very authentic Mexican stores, that are adjacent to the restaurant.
Folks best lunch in town. Ignore the construction and what the taxi driver says. Poncho’s is open! Everyone is saying that everything in the construction area is closed! Not true. Best lunch ever. Been there 14 times and never miss while in Cozumel.
703vs
Whenever we are in Cozumel, on a cruise or vacation, we ALWAYS make it a point to stop by and enjoy the service, views and the food. Our server Felipe was awesome, and the margaritas are not for amateurs!
Danelopez
Pancho's Backyard had been our place in Cozumel, fine food, good music but the thing that made it great was the Manager. Manlolo was Panchos and Panchos was Manlolo, He was the one that made us go back . After over 30 times there, He has been release, no answers to our questions. We were there last week and lst time no Panchos Backyard for us in our group. We lost a hangout place, they lost our group and we go there 5 to 6 times a year.
Lovetotravel47405
We have visited Pancho’s Backyard whenever we travel to Cozumel over the last 20+ years. Their time in business is a sign of a great restaurant. While the taxi drivers will tell you it is closed due to road construction the original Pancho’s is open as usual. It is definitely worth the visit for authentic Mexican cuisine. We will definitely return any time we are back in Cozumel.
ElizabethEOwen
Shrimp tasted like lobster…lime soup, tuna and cream of cilantro soup …desert was chocolate flan. All amazing with beautiful surroundings. Live music. Great wait staff.
Sadly, we went to this restaurant 23 years ago on our honeymoon and it was amazing. This time it was very overpriced and the food was mediocre. We were also 1 of 2 tables with people in restaurant. I'm not sure if it's due to COVID or construction but we will not return on our next visit to Cozumel.
Nice atmosphere, fans cooling everyone off, waiter was pleasant but the value isn't there. I had the Tamales and my wife had fish tacos and it was $60.00. The food was average and the portion size good.
We are two couples who were in Cozumel for the day on a Cruise Ship. Based on the very positive reviews of this restaurant on TA and other sites, we previously had decided to eat off the Ship on this day and made a 12;30 PM reservation at the downtown location. We took a taxi into town and arrived at 12:15 PM and were promptly seated. (The restaurant opened at 11:30). Two of us ordered a "Cadillac Margarita" and 2 ordered a beer and soda. We also ordered our food at the same time. All ordered Tacos. Nothing fancy. At 1:00pm, we still did not have our drinks....45 minutes after ordering. A party of 20 came in behind us at 12:45 and all of them had their drinks and appetizers. A party of 6 came in behind us around that same time and all had their drinks and entrees. Our waiter said they were busy with the large groups when we asked about the delay. OK, but they came in 30 minutes after us. Finally, we got the drinks and the Margaritas were anything but "Cadillac". They were so sour, we added packs of sugar to them and that didn't help. Flagged the waiter down, and he said we should have ordered the Cadillac. We did. So he took them back. Said our food would be out in the next 5-10 minutes. At 1:30 PM, we still didn't have our food and the Margaritas came back exactly as they were the first time. The table of 20 had eaten their food, as did the table of 6 and were on dessert. Finally, at 2:30 -- we flagged the waiter down again, paid for our drinks ($28 for 2 tasteless Margaritas, a beer and a Pepsi) and cancelled our lunch order. The waiter apologized again for the delay saying they were busy. We pointed out that not only had table sof 20 and 6 arrived after us and were already done eating, but that many other tables arrived after us and were promptly served. He shrugged his shoulders and apologized. We suspect he never turned the order in and didn't realize it, but that still doesn't excuse the horrendous service. When you see that your table of 4 that arrived at 12:15 PM were STILL waiting for food at 2:30, you should realize something is wrong. Not just keep promising it will be out in 5-10 minutes. We took a cab back to the Ship and at our lunch there. A wasted afternoon in Cozumel.
The name suggests a fast food joint, but this is actually a very lovely fine restaurant. The staff is great; the margaritas are huge; and the food is excellent. I particularly recommend the enchiladas mole.
We enjoyed the shrimp brochette but otherwise, this food seemed very overpriced and average. Cocktails were confusing… almost like they were trying too hard to be what Americans might like. Nice atmosphere but our bill was three times what other delicious local options offered us.
FANTASTIC!!! Really nice spot on the end of the port with great food and friendly service. Very generous portion of guacamole and the Mexican sampler was tasty and fresh. Perfect break from ship food. Open air restaurant with lots of tables outside. Honestly the best part of that port!
Each visit to Cozumel brings me to Pancho’s backyard. This time 10 of us enjoyed the great food and service. Previously on a Cruise I enjoyed lunch with family there. It is my favorite place to have Mexican food.
Very rich!!! And in my opinion reasonable prices!!! Good atmosphere and fast service ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have been to Cozumel at least 25 times in the last 20 years and this is the one place that I visit every single time. The food is absolutely delicious. The margaritas are to die for. The customer service is excellent. The owner always comes by and greets us when we were there in September 2022 he took our picture. If you go to Cozumel, you absolutely have to go to Panchos’s backyard. Even my grandson loves it there.
We went as soon as we got off the boat from Playa del Carmen. As we were walking, a couple times we hesitated due to the construction on the road and thought of turning back. In the end we were so happy we kept on, because not only it is open, but we also enjoyed a great meal and service by Miguel, my husband told me he had the best mezcal margarita in his life and I got to do some unique souvenir shopping at the very authentic Mexican stores, that are adjacent to the restaurant.
Restaurantji Recommends
Folks best lunch in town. Ignore the construction and what the taxi driver says. Poncho’s is open! Everyone is saying that everything in the construction area is closed! Not true. Best lunch ever. Been there 14 times and never miss while in Cozumel.
Whenever we are in Cozumel, on a cruise or vacation, we ALWAYS make it a point to stop by and enjoy the service, views and the food. Our server Felipe was awesome, and the margaritas are not for amateurs!
Pancho's Backyard had been our place in Cozumel, fine food, good music but the thing that made it great was the Manager. Manlolo was Panchos and Panchos was Manlolo, He was the one that made us go back . After over 30 times there, He has been release, no answers to our questions. We were there last week and lst time no Panchos Backyard for us in our group. We lost a hangout place, they lost our group and we go there 5 to 6 times a year.
We have visited Pancho’s Backyard whenever we travel to Cozumel over the last 20+ years. Their time in business is a sign of a great restaurant. While the taxi drivers will tell you it is closed due to road construction the original Pancho’s is open as usual. It is definitely worth the visit for authentic Mexican cuisine. We will definitely return any time we are back in Cozumel.
Shrimp tasted like lobster…lime soup, tuna and cream of cilantro soup …desert was chocolate flan. All amazing with beautiful surroundings. Live music. Great wait staff.
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