Panchero's Mexican Grill
Encyclopedia
Panchero's Mexican Grill is a chain of fast casual Fresh Mex restaurant
s in the United States
serving Mexican-style cuisine. The chain was founded in 1992 by Rodney Anderson when he opened two units: one in Iowa City, Iowa
(near the University of Iowa
campus), and one in East Lansing, Michigan
(near the Michigan State University
campus). There are currently 55 units throughout the country. Panchero's is known for making their tortillas on site, at the time the order is placed. In 2006, Sports Illustrated
voted Panchero's the most popular place to eat when bars in Iowa City close.
Panchero's serves burritos, tacos, quesadillas, burrito bowls, and salads. The salsas
, guacamole
, and queso
dips are made on-site, daily. The restaurant fits into the "fast casual" category, offering both quick service and a higher quality of food than typical fast-food restaurants. Customers start their order by selecting an entrée. Next, the tortilla is pressed fresh on a tortilla press (this is why their logo states: "It's all about the tortilla"). The customers then choose from the ingredients to be added. Pancheros' main national rivals are Chipotle Mexican Grill
, Moe's Southwest Grill
, and Qdoba Mexican Grill
.
opened the first Panchero's with capital made from the stock market. The first store was opened in Iowa City, next to the University of Iowa campus. His next 10 locations were similar in that they were all in midwestern college towns. It wasn't until 1998 that Panchero's was revamped to include the addition of a dough press, and an updated decor. In 2003 its first non-corporate store opened in Minneapolis.
Any of the following can be added:
Sides:
Beverages:
Various soft drinks, Pibb Xtra, fresh brewed iced tea, bottled water, sparkling juices and beer are offered.
iBurrito was created for Panchero's by Nolasoft Development with graphic design by The Runway Company.
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
serving Mexican-style cuisine. The chain was founded in 1992 by Rodney Anderson when he opened two units: one in Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
(near the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
campus), and one in East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 48,579 at the time of the 2010 census, an increase from...
(near the Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
campus). There are currently 55 units throughout the country. Panchero's is known for making their tortillas on site, at the time the order is placed. In 2006, Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
voted Panchero's the most popular place to eat when bars in Iowa City close.
Panchero's serves burritos, tacos, quesadillas, burrito bowls, and salads. The salsas
Salsas
Salsas is a Portuguese parish in the district of Bragança. The population in 2001 is 424, its density is 16.5/km² and the area is 25.76 km²....
, guacamole
Guacamole
Guacamole , is an avocado-based dip that originated in Mexico. It is traditionally made by mashing ripe avocados with a molcajete with sea salt. Some recipes call for limited tomato, spicy Asian spices such as white onion, lime juice, and/or additional seasonings.-History:Guacamole was made by...
, and queso
Cheese
Cheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
dips are made on-site, daily. The restaurant fits into the "fast casual" category, offering both quick service and a higher quality of food than typical fast-food restaurants. Customers start their order by selecting an entrée. Next, the tortilla is pressed fresh on a tortilla press (this is why their logo states: "It's all about the tortilla"). The customers then choose from the ingredients to be added. Pancheros' main national rivals are Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is a chain of restaurants in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada specializing in burritos and tacos, founded by Steve Ells in 1993 and based in Denver, Colorado...
, Moe's Southwest Grill
Moe's Southwest Grill
Moe's Southwest Grill is an American chain of fast casual style Tex-Mex restaurants headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.Moe's was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in December 2000, by Raving Brands. In August 2007, the brand was purchased by FOCUS Brands...
, and Qdoba Mexican Grill
Qdoba Mexican Grill
Qdoba Mexican Grill , is a chain of fast casual "Fresh Mex" restaurants in the United States serving Mexican-style cuisine. The company is owned by Jack in the Box, having been owned and expanded by ACI Capital until 2003....
.
History
In 1992, Anderson, fresh out of business school from the University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
opened the first Panchero's with capital made from the stock market. The first store was opened in Iowa City, next to the University of Iowa campus. His next 10 locations were similar in that they were all in midwestern college towns. It wasn't until 1998 that Panchero's was revamped to include the addition of a dough press, and an updated decor. In 2003 its first non-corporate store opened in Minneapolis.
Decor
Panchero's stores have a warm, industrial look. Exposed ductwork, track lighting and metal accents are softened with warm tones, colorful tile and padded booths Panchero's average seating capacity is 70, and no units have drive-thrus, which would not fit the made-to-order concept. Some stores do have patios.Menu
Main entrées:- Burritos
- Tacos
- Quesadillas
- Burrito bowls
- SaladSaladSalad is any of a wide variety of dishes, including vegetable salads; salads of pasta, legumes, eggs, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads. They may include a mixture of cold and hot, often including raw vegetables or fruits.Green salads include leaf...
s
Any of the following can be added:
- Mild Ancho Salsa
- Hot Tomatillo Salsa
- Corn Salsa
- Pico de GalloPico de galloIn Mexican cuisine, pico de gallo , also called salsa fresca, is a fresh, uncooked condiment made from chopped tomato, white onion, and chilis...
- Cholula hot sauceCholula hot sauceCholula hot sauce is a brand of chili-based hot sauce, manufactured in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, and licensed by Tequila Cuervo La Rojeña, S.A. de C.V.. The product is packaged with an iconic round wooden cap in various colors...
- Black Beans
- Pinto BeanBeanBean is a common name for large plant seeds of several genera of the family Fabaceae used for human food or animal feed....
s - Cilantro Lime Rice
- GuacamoleGuacamoleGuacamole , is an avocado-based dip that originated in Mexico. It is traditionally made by mashing ripe avocados with a molcajete with sea salt. Some recipes call for limited tomato, spicy Asian spices such as white onion, lime juice, and/or additional seasonings.-History:Guacamole was made by...
- Sour CreamSour creamSour cream is a dairy product rich in fats obtained by fermenting a regular cream by certain kinds of lactic acid bacteria. The bacterial culture, which is introduced either deliberately or naturally, sours and thickens the cream. Its name stems from the production of lactic acid by bacterial...
- Shredded Cheese
- Jalepenos
- Extra Meat
- Extra Grilled Veggies
- Fuego Sauce (house hot sauce)
- Caliente Verde Sauce (house hot sauce)
Sides:
- Chips & QuesoCheeseCheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
- Chips & GuacamoleGuacamoleGuacamole , is an avocado-based dip that originated in Mexico. It is traditionally made by mashing ripe avocados with a molcajete with sea salt. Some recipes call for limited tomato, spicy Asian spices such as white onion, lime juice, and/or additional seasonings.-History:Guacamole was made by...
Beverages:
Various soft drinks, Pibb Xtra, fresh brewed iced tea, bottled water, sparkling juices and beer are offered.
iBurrito
On December 24, 2009, Panchero's released iBurrito, their first app for the iPhone and iPod touch platform. iBurrito lets users see and create their own virtual Panchero's burrito. Users begin by pressing their tortillas and then customizing their burrito with fresh meats and veggies, guacamole, salsa, queso and more. They then use "Bob the Tool"® to mix up all of the ingredients so they get every ingredient in every bite before rolling up their burrito. Users are then able to post their creations on their Facebook wall or Twitter feed showing off what they made. The app also includes a store locator both by state and using the GPS for nearby locations allowing them to view maps and call stores directly.iBurrito was created for Panchero's by Nolasoft Development with graphic design by The Runway Company.