Poncho's Mexican Restaurant Winnetka

honestly every time i come here i have a great experience! they never let me down... i strongly suggest this place!!!

I have been looking for a good Mexican Restaurant since returning to the San Fernando Valley in August. I have not been pleased with any of the places where I shopped over a year ago.
I used to have food from Poncho's delivered. But today I went there in person to get my tacos on National Taco Day. The counter person did not know this and had no clue there was even such a thing!! She claimed the salsa was very hot and spicy, and it was!
I ordered the three hard shell tacos combo. I was very disappointed that ground beef meat was not an option. Neither was shredded beef. So, I had 'steak' tacos. (Carne Asada) The tacos we're just OK, as I had asked for extra tomatoes. Mostly the steak was not too tough, And my dog got the tough, stringy pieces. Rice and beans were acceptable. I will continue my search for the 'perfect' hard shell tacos! I am muched grieved over the loss of Casa de Carlos, where I always had a great taco!!

I feel bad giving Poncho's only three stars, my reasoning is as follows: 1.) The food itself is a good four to five stars. Poncho's serves good portions and fresh food.. the quality is very good. They have an extensive menu and their prices are fair, though they did just raise them. Their salsa is excellent ( as in worth the trip there to have it). The girl who works the front is very friendly and helpful.. though a bit overworked as she runs the register as well as serving tables and cleaning as well. 2.) The reason I feel the need to knock Poncho's down to three stars is due to the owner and the poor state of repair and cleanliness in the restaurant. While the owner is polite, he tends to do nothing to help out in the restaurant, leaving the girl to handle everything on her own. He frequently is nowhere to be found when the restaurant is busy. The booths are torn, there are at least two windows with bullet holes and the tables are often dirty with either plates or food detritus. Either another person should be hired to help in the front, or the owner should step up and help out. Another point: if the owner has decided to raise prices.. How about doing something with some of the money and reinvest in the business? Maybe hire additional staff, or repair the booths, windows? Maybe clean the walls and repaint? It's a shame as the food is actually really good.. as is the lone girl working the front.

Decently price authentic Mexican food. Kinda hard to find if you've never been before. Not the best well kept place. However the food is great. They also deliver.

It’s a typical hole in the wall Mexican spot with amazing food. Street tacos with rice was perfect! Everything i wanted and more.

Benches in the place are torn up and need to be replaced but i know what to expect when i come to places like this. Definitely will be coming back many more times.