SAN PANCHO

From the wife-husband team behind nearby Cielo Rojo comes my new favorite burrito spot inside the old Cielo Rojo space in the heart of Takoma Park, Maryland. Popping in for lunch around noon, the line showed how much people already love San Pancho. Here's my experience.

1) Food: There are many options from chips and guac to a salad, but stick with one of their eight burritos. They come inside a perfect flour tortilla imported from Mexico. The California burrito comes with fries inside and it's so so good. It's $19 and is a little small for someone hungry so get chips too. They have a kids burrito too!

2) Drinks: They have many options, but go with the frozen margarita or the passion fruit aguas frescas.

3) Service: Staff are always focused, but kind and efficient. The wait time for my meal was around five minutes despite a crowd.

4) Space: It's small, but inviting. There are tables throughout, including on an outdoor patio out front, and a few bar seats. Two restrooms are in the very back.

5) Area: There's paid parking along the street and a few unpaid spots in the nearby neighborhood. Nearby are lots of local shops and restaurants also worth supporting like People's Books and Takoma Bev Company.

Delicious burritos. The tortillas are so good and nicely toasted. Tasty seasoning on the chicken. Their pinto beans are so good. The chocoflan is soooo good!!!! Everything was excellent. Great options for dairy free and vegetarian/vegan. They are a higher priced burrito, but they use premium products and are delicious.

My kid and I got quesadillas. The tortillas are actually significantly better than I've had elsewhere, and it made for pretty great car food on the go. The chicken mole were especially delicious. My partner got the spicy shrimp burrito and said it wasn't very spicy, BUT he was really impressed that the tortilla didn't get soggy or gummy at all.
The NA maracuya (passionfruit & lime) slushie was tangy and refreshing, highly recommended.

I was lucky to try San Pancho for their soft opening and really enjoyed the food and drinks. I ordered the super vegetarian burrito with vegan chorizo and a passion fruit frozen margarita, my partner ordered a regular burrito with carnitas and a side of fries. All the food was high quality and well prepared! I also thought their veggie and vegan options were solid.

The menu does lean toward the more expensive end, with the price point ranging from about $14 to $19 for a burrito, which may make it inaccessible for some people.

But, the team has done an amazing job refreshing the old Cielo Rojo space and adding something new to the Takoma Park food scene. I have no doubt there will be a long line for this place once it officially opens!

Quality ingredients, great people, great price point and so fast and easy. The tortillas were perfection! Chewy yet crisp in all the right places. California burrito w the carne asada and shoestring fries inside was comforting and satisfying. Baby burrito was a hit w my two year old and don’t think I won’t be back to have a baby burrito myself! Excited to try the vegan burrito next time too.