Pachanga Mexicana
1802 5th St, Eureka, CA, 95501
Pachanga Mexicana Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Eureka for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Eureka for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Eureka for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1802 5th St
Eureka, CA, 95501 - Phone (707) 442-2587
- Website https://pachangamexicana.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Humboldt C.
Mexican food in Humboldt sucks compared to any city w a Hispanic population. That being said, This spot may have some of the best Mexican food in Humboldt. The owner buys local grown produce from the farmers market when ever possible. The jalapeño poppers are for sure the best in town. Been here several times and have always had a good experience. Clean spot with good service. The salsa is a little different then most, made fresh w cabbage in it. Not that spicy. They are worth a try.
(4)Dee e.
The service was very friendly and I have only been here once, but I am mystified at how the food we ate could possibly merit such a high overall rating. The food was bland, tortillas gummy, and the ranchero sauce was oddly sweet and not pleasant. No one in my group made much of a dent in our lunches and we had arrived pretty hungry.
(2)Pizzle D.
I love this place!! Oh and for all of you needing spicier salsa, don't be scared just ask for some and they'll bring you a little habanero salsa. BAM! kicked it up a notch. I know some local farmers who bring them organic produce especially during harvest months, and its always fun knowing where your food is coming from. They have a wonderful staff who are friendly and on it. They also have gigantic beers on tap as well as large margaritas, very tasty. Poppers are amazing, some hot, some not, but the hot ones can be hot!. Chile Rellenos are delicious, all their burritos are big and tasty. Come to think of it I have never had a bad experience there ever, food or service. This is also somewhere that is vegetarian friendly, no meat in the rice or beans. note: try the charro instead of refried beans if you want a mix of whole cooked black and pinto beans in a light bean broth with chopped green onions and cilantro. *vegetarian*
(5)Shannon B.
As far as Mexican in Humboldt county (which is overall pretty disappointing) this had to be my least favorite spot. Their food was bland and uninspired, overall a huge let down. I went a few times with friends who love the place. Maybe it was just the items I ordered but I never went back on my own and would often try to persuade them to go elsewhere.
(2)Angela P.
I honestly think this is the best mexican food around here, and good mexican food is hard to find in this area. The staff is beyond friendly and lovely, the place is clean and airy. If you do come here, you HAVE to try the Jalapeno poppers! They are basically full peppers stuffed with cheese and fried. They are the best thing ever. I would add them to my last meal, to die for! go there if you want an excellent meal with excellent staff and peppers!
(5)April N.
We visit Pachanga probably weekly or bi-weekly. It is hands down the best Mexican food in Eureka, at least. The jalapeño poppers are the best I have ever had, and the enchilada ranchero is my favorite dish. They use fresh, locally grown mixed greens, compared to tasteless, nutrition-less iceberg lettuce that every other Mexican restaurant chooses to use. They do use a lot of cabbage on their dishes, which I am not a fan of, but cabbage is used a lot in Mexican traditions. If you don't like it you just have to ask for lettuce instead of cabbage. Their food is always fresh, and mostly from local farmers. Just ask the owner, who is always there cooking or waiting tables. Oliver, the owners nephew, is extremely friendly, always remembers what you like to order, and makes you feel a part of the family. They have a great kids corner with toys and my daughter LOVES going there. She is 2 now and knows exactly where we are going. My only complaint is that the service does at times take longer than it should but it is only when they are really busy, so give em a break. Rita's used to be good, but has gone so downhill, and they try to hard to be corporate like with their happy hours and mediocre, at best, food and margarita specials. Pachanga is the BEST Mexican food around here, hands down!!!!
(5)Janelle B.
I LOVE this place! Almost anything on the menu can be made vegetarian and all the beans, rice, tortillas etc are vegetarian. We have eaten here at least once a week since they opened. The owner's whole family works here and they put so much love into the food. Make sure you try the poppers - real, fresh, roasted jalepenos stuffed with real monterey jack cheese breaded and fried - Da bomb-diggity!!! Other faves on the menu are the veggie fajitas and chile rellenos. My carnivores in the family say the shrimp cocktail rocks, but I wouldn't know, by the looks it is very ceviche inspired.
(5)Brigid A.
Incredible!! I even got a t-shirt!!!!
(4)Haute Mis S.
Decent food, I liked the mild salsa with cabbage but was disappointed in the 'hot' salsa as it was not hot. The chips were lackluster, did not taste home made. My husband ordered the chimichanga and was shocked when it arrived - it is HUGE! Enough for 2 or a VERY hungry man. Strangely, the red sauce on it had a distinct cinnamon flavor that wasn't unpleasant but not exactly desirable. I ordered the chicken enchilada with rice and beans. It was good, nothing outstanding but better than some I've had. We both didn't regret the meal but probably wouldn't go back.
(3)Mark S.
I love mexican food. I've lived in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Tucson and San Francisco and feel like I know good Mexican food. I wanted to like Pachanga, I really did. I heard lots of good things. In my estimation, if the basics are good, (chips/salsa, rice/beans) it's all good. Pachanga has pretty good salsa, albeit heavy on the mexi oregano. Liquidy like all Humboldt salsas though, no chunk. Chips are standard. Beans are as bland as can be, but the rice is somewhat better (just barely). Ordered the basics. 2 crispy tacos, one chicken, one beef. They were boring. Why is there cabbage and carrots in my taco? Never seen that before. Sorry, but I'm still looking for great mexican food in Humboldt.
(3)Mitch L.
Best Mexican food in Eureka. If you visit, get the jalepeno poppers! Food is delicious and memorable. You will leave this place wanting to come back again soon. The waiting staff is fast and friendly.
(4)Collin C.
This was a real solid 4 stars joint. Service here was good and the guacamole was some of the best that I have ever had. Everything seemed fresh and I loved the hot sauce. The only thing that keep it from being a 5 star is that the atmosphere was boarder line fast for restaurant.
(4)Felicia C.
We wandered around Eureka looking for a place for an early dinner that wasn't shuttered or open later. Finally stumbled upon Pachanga that thankfully had its doors open. Food was decent and came in large portions. We took what we could get.
(3)Heather S.
I am aquainted with an employee there and today is my first time trying this place. The atmosphere was great with a family like style and my Fajita Burrito was GIGANTE! Well the flavor was missing something, but overall a very good meal. I will go back again... Thanks
(4)Amanda C.
Oh Pachanga, what can I say. After my friend and I arrived in Eureka late in the evening starving, tried, and freezing (my was it windy!) we decided that we wanted burritos being from Vancouver and Mexican options are limited here. I found Pachanga on Yelp, the reviews seemed good so we decided to hit it up. First of all Oliver was our waiter and he is amazing. We told him how people love him on Yelp and honestly he was one of the best waiters I've had at any restaurant ever. Funny, knows about the food, friendly, and he just makes you feel good. He seems to really love his job. We ordered a pitcher of Margaritas. I don't usually drink them so I can't compare them to much else but Michelle said it was the best margarita she had on our entire road trip. We ordered potato taquitos as an appetizer which I have never had before, delicious. Crisp with warm mashed potatoes inside and delicious spicy and mild salsas to accompany them. Then the burritos. I have never seen a burrito this size in my life. It had to be the same size of the head. Filled with local tofu from Arcata, homemade salsas and they replaced the cheese and sour cream for me with sliced avocado! I only ate about a third of the burrito which was already too much and took the rest to go. Meals for days. All in all an excellent experience. Not too expensive, friendly, delicious, and filling! Check out the Little Red Lion Bar down the street as well if you're there in the evening and there's a show going on, definitely worth it & ask for Oliver, you won't regret it!
(4)Izzy T.
My new stop every time I go up north to Humboldt County! The twist to authentic Mexican food using all organic and local foods makes this spot unique and satisfying! If your in the area you gotta check it out.
(4)Lauren G.
Easily THE best Mexican food in Humboldt County. Food is always, always delicious. Every single thing I've tried has been amazing, fresh and perfectly seasoned. I am bringing my entire family for graduation weekend. I cannot recommend this place enough. The staff are friendly and helpful, they make it a super fun environment. Love you, Pachanga.
(5)Lauren P.
One of my best friends loves this place for the jalepeno poppers so we come here a lot. The poppers can be mild or hot- it's varies, so when they are too mild it's always kind of a disappointment. They are huge too and filled with cheese and come with more cheese to dip, so that's a plus. Service is prompt and friendly. It's obvious they care about their customers. Last time I went I got a super quesadilla with chicken- it's was good and the guacamole it came with tasted very cool and fresh. My only wish is that the poppers were ALWAYS super hot.
(3)Ani N.
Yum! The nachos and burritto that my friend and I were so good! But warning...the portions are HUGE!! The strawberry margaritas and mexican coke in a bottle weren't bad either. The recommendations on yelp were dead on! Thank you for our delicious food coma.
(4)Janet L.
For a person who no longer can eat/digest/crave Mexican food, I give Pachanga 3 stars. Their service is friendly, their drinks come in GIGANTIC plastic cups that always make me chuckle, and their portions are just as gigantic as their drink cups. They claim to do everything local. From their food to their credit card processing....but who knows. My Boss is mexican and he thinks this place is great. For me it's just meh~ But the service is friendly and is a great quick spot to grab a hearty lunch. As yelp's 3 stars describes...it's A-Ok.
(3)Dexter D.
Service was fine. Restaurant was clean. Some of the food was good but none of it was terrific. The tortilla chips that were served were somewhat thick so they required strong teeth. The salsa was interesting. It was thin with a lot of cabbage in it. Not very flavorful in our opinion. We were also served what was billed as a "hot" salsa in a syrup dispenser. it had some heat but wasn't particularly hot and it didn't have any depth to it. Once our chip basket was empty, it was taken away without us being asked if we wanted any more. Here's what we ordered and how we rated it on a 1-5 scale: (3) Beef Taquitos - .We couldn't taste any seasoning in the beef. The sour cream, guacamole and lettuce were good. (3) Pork Enchilada and Chile Relleno with Rice - I didn't feel like beans so I asked for extra rice instead. I enjoyed the Chile Relleno. The cheese was quite creamy and the overall texture was very nice. The Enchilada was okay but nothing to write home about. (3) Pork Taco and Chile Relleno with Rice and Refried Beans - our friend enjoyed his soft taco. While he enjoyed the Chile Relleno, he would have prefered it to be battered more. (3) Steak Stew with Homemade flour tortillas, rice and whole beans - Not the correct menu name but i'm too lazy to look it iup now. My partner had mixed feelings about her dish. She loved the flour tortillas and enjoyed the beans that she ate. The rice covered 1/2 of her platter and was overwhelming. A smaller platter may have been a better choice. The steak was thin as advertised on the menu but it was overcooked. We like our beef medium rare and this was definitly welldone. So the meal worked but this is not a place that we could recommend nor return to.
(3)Mridul A.
We had a stop over in Eureka on our labor day road trip. we stopped here for lunch and food was good... The waiter was helpful and nice... Good food and decent ambience..
(4)Joan H.
Horrible. We were met by a hostess/waitress in a bad mood. Service was not particularly good. Food was inedible. Absolutely tasteless. There were small indications that a lot of shortcuts were being taken. Unfortunately no one asked me how the food was. I would have told them. Never again. If there is a good Mexican restaurant in Eureka I haven't found it.
(1)Lacey Jane H.
WOW! I always love coming here for the ultimate best Margaritas! Fresh squeezed lime and different fruit specials seasonally. The Jalapeno Poppers are to die for, with fresh peppers and cheeses!!!! They have great food and strive for local produce. I always feel good when I eat here and enjoy the atmosphere. The people who own this place are so genuine and are always there with their family. One the best family restaurants in Humboldt!
(4)Jon S.
A favorite mexican places in Humboldt County. The carne asada fajita burritos keep me from running down to the mission in San Francisco. Like everyone else, I love the jalapeno poppers which are made with real jalapeno peppers and come with a fantastic cheese sauce. The margaritas are excellent and they have an excellent choice I've been told (but haven't confirmed) that they use local ingredients and make their tortillas fresh everyday. It sure tastest like it. A special mention for their excellent service. Every time I've gone our server was lively, fun and friendly. I am waiting for my to go order right now and can't wait.
(5)T S.
One of the best Mexican restaurants I've been to. The empanadas are the bomb! If you want value with great taste, get the Pachanga Sampler with a strawberry marg you'll leave feeling like you just won the lotteria!!! All around bomb-diggity!!!
(5)Cliff B.
When I moved to Humboldt from so. Cal. I thought I'd have to give up good Mexican food. Not true. Pachanga is 1st class! Highlights include amazing chile rellnenos, home made tortillas, great bean (both refried and charro). If you are with someone on a low carb diet, try the fajita salad.
(5)Kes D.
Good California-ized Mexican food. They've got 'healthier' options for the hippie-esque crowd. Most memorable: the jalapeno poppers. Whole jalapenos stuffed with cheese dipped in a delicious batter and fried (great if you want to knock a few days off your life). Everything else we had was fresh, but perhaps a tinge bland. Definitely generous portions, though.
(3)Lauren T.
Yummy and accommodating Mexican joint. Not the most traditional Mexican food, but tasty nonetheless. The salsa on the table was different then any other salsa I've tasted, kind of dull...with cabbage in it for some reason. I told our waiter about my cilantro-phobia and he responded by telling me that their salsa and guac had cilantro, but he would compensate by showering my burrito with fresh tomatoes and avocado instead-YAY! Speaking of, the burrito was giant and delicious. My friend (who is allergic to pretty much every food allergen so his options are very limited) greatly enjoyed the chicken mole. My aunt ordered carnitas, and they brought her a plate full of dark brown pork nuggets. Not in anyway resembling shredded, juicy traditional carnitas, but apparently it was yummy. Also, it seemed like they made their own tortillas, which is awesome.
(4)Sparky F.
Yep, 5 stars. My husband and I were in search of a casual meal on a Saturday night with friends. My private hope was to not be served a corn syrup laden, neon green cocktail followed by a too cheesy, lard filled, iceberg lettuce posing as vegetable entree. My friends had come to Pachanga often and I saw the reviews on Yelp so off we went. I was blissfully surprised. Special of the Day: Organic melon margaritas you say? Simply sublime, balanced, good tequila, the color of - well, melon! The special entree du jour was enchiladas. Everyone had those but I'm not a big fan until I tried my husband's. Oh my gosh. Never had a chicken enchilada risen to that level of freshness and flavor. I went rogue and ordered the Grand tostada which I just finished my day old leftovers of, mmmmmm. This is not your standard lettuce, beans, shredded cheese, cup of sour cream tostada in a big crunchy bowl. Its old school meets organic, local produce and distinct, clean flavors. An order of flour tortillas were fabulous as well. Our sweet, smart, funny, server turned out to be one of the owners, Belem. I got to ask her about the premise of the restaurant and she explained that they do indeed source out local ingredients and use them wherever possible. Belem's passion for supporting and putting back into the local community is evident. Glad we had a designated driver. Those melon margaritas, oh my!
(5)Becca K.
So I've been here twice now after living in the area for almost three weeks. Being from the Sacramento Valley, I know Mexican food, and this, was great Mexican food. The service is always incredibly friendly and cute (daughters help take orders and serve). The two choices of salsas is great for people who like spicy and those who don't. Both times I've ordered the flautas. They're amazing! They are served while still pretty warm- I've burned myself by wanting to devour them too quickly. They come with sour cream (a local brand) and their house guacamole. I'm a huge lover and maker of guac (if my Hispanic friends say it's the one of the best they've ever had and their mothers cook traditional food, i know it's good) and my test to any restaurant is in their guac. I have to say, it's wonderful. All in all, my roommate and I are definitely returning to Pachanga again...again. and
(5)Just J.
If you try one thing here, you have to try their poppers! Made fresh, not the typical bar food type poppers. Always flavorful, but you never know from one to the next if you're going to get a hot one, or how hot. I've had them from mild to OMG! My wife is a big fan of their Pachangaritas. For beans you can choose from refried (average) or charro (excellent). Huge burritos. Good taco salads. I've enjoyed everything I've tried wth one exception, the chicken mole. It's a half chicken, which obviously needs to be precooked to prepare in a timely manner, and it was way too dry. That's the only thing keeping them from a 5 star rating.
(4)LawAai V.
They might have adapted their dishes for locals but it's Mexican food cooked and served by Mexicans. According to what it says on the menu, it is a family business. The waiter is impressively welcoming, the food is excellent (unless you expect sushi when entering the place) and cheap. They stay open until 10 ish, The competition must be tough for them. Burger Crap and McVomit are next to their door but unlike these two masters of junk food, Pachanga Mexicana offers real fresh food and worth a stop ...if you are hungry and don't expect any sushi on the menu.
(5)S K.
Had to give kudos to this little eatery! From out of town, and settled into the hotel a little late. It was close to closing time, however they let us place an order for takeout. Front of house staff was very polite, and full of energy, made excellent recommendations. To-go box was put together with care, with extras included! Jalapeno poppers were amazing, Chile Rellano Burrito was filling -could have ordered it alone. Regrettably, I won't likely be coming by this way again for atleast another year!
(5)Emanuel R.
Outstanding quality and tasty. Generous portions and warm service. I love the verde salsa. Ask to sit in Oliver's section, he is a great server.
(4)Joel M.
Wonderfully original Mexican food. No lard in the beans (so how can they taste so good?). Friendly service (and hilarious if your waiter is Oliver). Ask for the habanera sauce if you like flamingly spicy. Pachanga is kid-friendly, though it can be loud for those who prefer a quiet ambiance. Fabulous Humboldt County beers on tap. Oh, and it's inexpensive. What's not to like?
(5)Ava H.
Awesome Awesome and oh did I mention . . . Awesome. Gary and his wife have the menu that cannot be beat. Not your a-typical Mexican, more Meso-American Fusion (Central American) All fresh and NO preservatives in anything! A big deal for someone like me that has an intolerance to certain common preservatives. The service is always top notch, staff is friendly and always happy to explain anything on the menu that isn't familiar. The Strawberry Margarita's are very tasty and also reasonably priced. This place cannot be beat in the area for dollar value, tastes and service.
(5)Ron K.
poor food, poor service. Not sure why others rate this so high, I found it one of the worse mexican foods places I've ever visited. I tipped 20% even though they didn't deserve it, Tip should be zero equal to the service.
(1)Maurice P.
Being from So Ca I think it was a little different from the Mexican food we are used to. While I didn't like the chips and the cabbage salsa was a bit strange, the Habenero Salsa was very good. Like everyone else, I loved the Jalapeno Poppers. Taco and Chili Rellano were very good. Our server was Staci and she was great.
(3)Bear P.
The people of Pachanga are top notch, kind and attentive. Their food is pretty good as well. If you are a fan of local and organic, this might be the only place that you find in eureka that uses any of these kind of ingredients. In fact, last time we were there we sat across from the farmer who had just supplied organic peppers for the poppers and chile rellenos. I guarantee the best relleno and poppers in town, especially if you go end of summer early fall. Update: ask, for the special salsa they usually have a good one in the back that they have made fresh for the day.
(4)Hungry E.
Having grown up in the bay area, I really missed a good taqueria. The poppers as others have said are incredible; even in all of my travels in Mexico I've never had a better jalapeno popper. Pachanga is a warm, family run restaurant that always has a good vibe and great margaritas. I've been going there regularly since 2000 and its one of my favorite local restaurants. Its awesome to see the owners' kids growing up, they have always been such sweet, well-behaved, helpful little kids. This is a great place to bring your family, if you have children. Its so nice to see an actual family run business when that's becoming rarer and rarer these days. Try the empinadas and jalapeno poppers, as well as the cabbage salsa-those are a few of my favorites. If you are into spicier food just ask for extra hot salsa if available (typically it is), and they will gladly oblige.
(5)Gaye G.
Great Mexican Food cooked with very fresh ingredients. The best Chili Rellenos around. The Taco Salads are good too and my husband always gets the Chimichanga. If you don't like cabbage this is not the place for you as they use it a lot. Kid friendly, they even have a table with toys to keep them busy while the food is being prepared. Very casual and friendly staff. This is where we come for Mexican Food in Eureka. Good Margaritas too.
(4)Violet V.
Try their empinadas. Awesome.
(3)Linus R.
Excellent!! Fabulous and Amazing FRESH food. Home made tortillas that are delicious. A shrimp cocktail that is like a gazpacho but with chunks of avocado.. A fajita salad that is very filling and full of flavor. The flautas are like non other I have ever had....great! Family/Kid friendly, Wonderful wait staff, very nice owners and overall a fantastic place for healthy inexpensive food. Love it!
(5)Danielle Z.
This is one of our favorite restaurants! Not only is their food fresh and mostly local, it is delicioso!! The waitstaff is friendly and extremely accommodating, especially with our three young children! We know when we go there we will be well fed and well taken care of. Oh and you must try their poppers! They are unlike any you've ever had! Think jalapeno relleno! Yum!
(5)Mark S.
My wife and I ate here for a month straight while remodeling our home and we keep going back again and again. she will tell you that I love mexican food and I'm picky. This is a family resturaunt, so yes, as Ben said, there are usually children present. They are well behaved in my experience and if you're kids come with you, they'll keep them entertained. The food is really good. Flautas, Queso Fondito, and taco salads are fantastic. Burritos the size of your arm. Don't even think you can eat a whole one if you're under 300 lbs. The staff is great and friendly. They make fresh fruit and melon margaritas with whatever is in season. The salsa is made daily and the recipe changes so there's always something new. Watch out for the jalapeno poppers, they're freakin' hot! Lots of choices and veggie options.
(5)Ben R.
Mediocre food in a mediocre location in a mediocre town. The actual entree I ordered was really good (deep-fried meat), but everything else was just so-so (beans, rice, tortillas, chips, salsa). Nothing to write home about, that's for sure. The owner's kids screaming and running around playing with their toys didn't help the experience much either.
(3)Christina B.
This will probably be your best bet at Mexican food in Eureka. That said, it's definitely not in the same league as Mexican food from la mission in San Francisco. They have an extensive menu that covers all your Mexican cravings, but they do cater to the crowd. I, myself, got a carne asada burrito and it was pretty damn good. And humongous... You can tell the tortilla wasn't mass produced from a bag. Great atmosphere and good service. Will be returning!
(4)Vivian M.
So glad to have found this place! I had the empanada de pollo con salsa roja. It's was excellent
(5)Alyx P.
Husband and i commonly find ourselves craving the biggest burrito, and set out on our adventure to find one. We're hoping to try as many as possible in our area. I chose randomly from 3-5 star locations using yelp, and that winner was Pachanga, mostly because the photo for their Burrito Ranchero looked so good. I already knew they used all fresh ingredients, and for the most part they didn't disappoint. Next time we go there, I may just ask if i can buy some of their cabbage salsa to-go! I didn't have a clue what the other of the two salsa's were, but it was also good. However, their atmosphere could use a little love. We weren't greeted when we walked in even though there were employes working on the floor. Eventually we were invited to sit anywhere, but the first impression made me feel unwelcome. The waitress only had a couple other groups, both having beers, laughs, and generally being loud. It made things seem more comfortable, and i thought a good sign of good food. We sat for quite awhile waiting for just the complimentary basket and salsa, and she seemed to ignore us for the most part, like she didn't really care if we were there or not. I wasn't really too happy with the service and gave a %10 tip. I'm accustomed to giving %25, or more for general hospitality. She did become more tentative towards the end to clear our table of dishes and to give us our check, which just made me feel rushed. That was inconvenient since i had ordered a coffee which was served in the biggest mug with milk on the side and it was exactly how i like my portion sizes. I just wish i could enjoy it in the restaurant i ordered it in...The burrito was good, but from the photo it seemed like it would be so much better. Maybe it was undercooked here and there in the beans... salad around it made it taste better. Rice and beans on the enchilada combo plate were amazing and i couldn't stop eating them with the chips! Enchilada was undercooked, and was saved by an excess of verde salsa. Ingredients : grown with love! awesome! Preparation : cooked with tears. sad. I'd say the food deserves an okay 3star rating and i'd want to try some other things another time based on that. I'm definitely coming back to give them another shot on a different day of the week, but mostly just to get more salsa. To say that the salsa really won that extra star for this review would be an understatement.
(3)Danielle T.
My family and I came here for lunch today, my mom really enjoyed their empanada the last time they ate here and wanted to get another (and it truly is amazing). I was introduced to carnitas a little less than a year ago and have since been in love. Pachanga's has the best carnitas I've ever had. I had taco salad with carnitas; I thought it looked wonderful when our waitress brought it out..it was the best looking taco salad I had ever seen (and the best tasting). It was very flavorful and filling, I couldn't even finish it, it was so big. They use cabbage in their food, which surprised me because I've never had cabbage in Mexican food before, it was really good, and that's saying something because I normally dislike cabbage. I feel like I finally got to experience real Mexican food today. Overall I was happy with everything, their restroom was even nice and clean.
(4)Eric L.
Ok I was going to give this place 4 stars because of the F ING. Price . Lol. But everything was delicious great flavor clean and wonderful service. The pork was good green sauce not to my taste but 5 stars . .$ 71.78 for a burrito 2 quesadilla 1 tostada and flautas. Wow.
(5)bobby o.
Staying one night in Eureka and I loved the food!! It was so delicious that it rivals the best places in my hometown of San Francisco. The margaritas were strong! The food was great. I had the enchilada plate with one cheese enchilada with red sauce, one with chicken over the best mole sauce I've had and a chile relleno. I would be back in a heartbeat if I'm ever in eureka again.
(5)Tess Y.
So glad my sister thought of the place for lunch. Carnitas is my favorite and they did not disappoint . Food and Service are equally good. We can definitely recommend the place to anybody craving for Mexican food.
(4)Alison D.
Fresh, delicious food! We used their catering services for a work party, great food fabulous service and I look forward to eating in the restaurant again soon!
(5)Chris L.
Super nachos with carnitas - pretty good, decent portion Homemade tortilla chips and tortillas - decent Jalapeño poppers - creative and delicious Patron margarita - ordered but never showed up. BIG PROBLEM Chicken fajitas - good but nothing special Carnitas dinner - good, not great, little dry Service - waitress may have been new based on how horrible the service was, especially the drink not being served. My fajitas were also served a good 5 minutes before my friends dinner came out. Not good. Also we were in dire need of napkins and water and there was no help to be found. Unfortunately my experience here was sub par due to the bad service as well as the generally average food. I will not be returning.
(2)Steve G.
After a long road trip around the U.S., I was jonesing for some good Mexican food (and drinks). (I don't do Mexican East of the Mississippi.) This place fit the bill and then some. I'm not crazy about green sauce, and they gladly swapped out red sauce on my enchiladas. (They ere delicious, by the way.) Oh, and the Patron margaritas? Awesome.
(5)Laureli K.
Yummmmmmmmm I was totally surprised by this place: it is delicious from the chips and salsas that you get while you wait to the delicious food. On a cold evening, this food was exactly what I wanted. My huevos rancheros were delicious. I don't know that I have ever had beans presented in a light broth but I have been trying to recreate it since and failing! The spice blend on the beans was rich but not overpowering and went so well with the eggs, rice, corn tortillas, and sauces. I snagged a bit of a carne asada burrito (woah!) and a chicken enchilada (yum). When we walked in, I was almost surprised that everyone seemed happy there from the staff to the other customers. And, after I had my first bite, I knew why.
(4)Lani W.
The sopes were amazing. So hard to find authentic ones. Had the carne meat and sauce. Waitress was very helpful. We were just traveling thru, so glad we stooped. Would gladly order again. Ordered Two!! Not sure what I was thinking. Could only eat one:)
(5)Kimberly C.
There is a reason this is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Humboldt County. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is made from scratch and from organic ingredients when available. From the cabbage salsas and to tortillas made daily, the chili poppers (accompanied by an amazing cheese sauce) to main entrees, they consistently satisfy my taste buds. One word of caution, servings sizes are HUGE!!! Food and drinks. Be prepared to share, or better yet take some home!!!
(5)Genevieve M.
Large plates, good service. Had chili verde and carne asada dinners and it was pretty good.
(4)Laura S.
I've been coming here for years with my family and we reckon it's the best Mexican food in Humboldt. I always order the fajitas. The portions are huge and the waitress is vigilant to always stock you up on chips and salsa. If you're passing by, definitely check this place out.
(5)Eric K.
My coworker and I came here based on the yelp review. I ordered the layered enchilada and it was absolutely delicious. It was a very generous portion. The meat was delicious and rice and beans were too.
(4)tyler W.
I was pleasantly surprised! After eating at the other TERRIBLE Mexican places here in Humbo, I had written off any good Mexi here.... This place rocks. Great service and great food. Luzmillas and Ritas should take note on how to properly prepare a good Mexican meal. I never in a million years thought I would live somewhere in California where people Considered food like that served at the afore mentioned locals as edible. Thanks for changing my options guys. I'll be back
(5)Adam P.
Love this place. The customer service doesn't get any better. The food is very good, the servings are big, and the ingredients are great. I've never been disappointed with anything from here.
(5)Holly G.
This is the cleanest restaurant!!! The bathrooms were spotless. :) We had good service, but she seemed a little shy. But no big deal. The food was pretty decent, although quite ample servings. I have yet to find a Mexican restaurant where the food was outstanding. I will give it another try.
(4)Kirk S.
I have a theory that the people giving this place more than 3 stars have just never had good Mexican food. I just moved here from a city with a 50% Hispanic population. Maybe I've been spoiled but I like to think there should be a certain standard in making something as basic as a burrito or even salsa for that matter. The chips and salsa come out. I look at this small dish of tomato water and cabbage and wonder what the fuck that's about. The waiter puts down a bottle of brownish green sauce in a syrup container like you get at IHOP and says "this is the HOT sauce" Oddly, It's kind of a theme up here to use syrup containers for salsa in mexican restaurants. anyway, it wasnt bad, but definitely wasnt hot. The cabbage soup salsa was totally worthless. But later we found out that this place has a thing for cabbage. I paid $9.75 for a Pork Chimichanga. and Meg paid the same for a Chicken Rachero Burrito. Dude, burritos cost $6 in real life. $8.50 for a super burrito. Not $10 are you crazy? They were both good sized but lacked in just about every other category. Lets start with the cabbage. As I mentioned before they love cabbage here. Both of our meals were covered in liquidy sauce and what appeared to be out-of-the-bag chopped cabbage. And to go with the cabbage flavor, everything was very bland. We ended up pouring salt and "hot" sauce on every bite. Then as I was about 1/4 of the way through mine, I notice there's no beans. "no beans?" So I asked the waiter and apparently I missed the part in the menu description that said the chimichangas didnt have beans in them. Really, so I had a plate sized fried burrito filled with huge flavorless chunks of pork and water flavored rice. Meg's was filled with the typical ingredients but everything seriously lacked flavor. As we chew with astonishment that someone we knew up here actually recommended this place, we notice the tables start to fill with the lunch crowd. All pasty white people, raving about how good it is. You need to get the fuck out of eureka and get some normal mexican food. So enjoy your over priced vanilla mexican food white people.
(1)Kelly W.
Loved the food and was really impressed that they offered tofu as an option. The enchiladas, tacos and fajitas tasted like they were made from fresh ingredients. Margaritas were great, as was the service. Downside was the salsa, which was made with shredded cabbage and had no flavor. Better bet is to go with the "spicy" salsa which really wasn't that spicy. Prices were also a little high for a smaller-town Mexican joint.
(4)David S.
Very good home style cooking, como su Tia se hace para el almuerzo. The husband cooks & the wife, a vegetarian, keeps it healthy. They use no lard, not too much salt, make an unusual style of pot beans & salsa that I prefer to the standard stuff you get at every other Mexican restaurant.
(4)Paul K.
Service was very good and the place is clean. But the food was mediocre at best. The waiter recommended the combo fajitas which were dry. The tortilla chips were cold and lifeless and salsa lacked any pop. We had the combo appetizer. Quesadillas can be made at home, jalapeño poppers had soft thick batter, taquitos lacked oomph, and the bowl of cheese dip is useless. The refried beans could use more salt. The tamarindo juice made in house was the highlight. There has to be better Mexican food in this city. The predominantly gringo clientele should have been our first clue to expect less.
(1)Kaitlin T.
I have been going to Pachanga since I was a baby, and have loved it ever since. Having tried almost every item on the menu I can say that I have never had a bad meal there. All their food is FANTASTIC especially the chili rellanos and anything made with their mole & enchilada sauces. The waiter is super friendly and always greets our family with a warm smile. The prices are great ,($7-$12 average meal price range) and you can just tell that every ingredient use is very fresh by the happy feeling that is left in your tummy when you walk out the door :)
(5)Mario N.
The food here is incredibly lacking in flavor. Its greasy and bland and un-astonishing. The service is good though.
(1)Sophi V.
Great everything It's a local family restaurant and I know the owners the staff is nice and the food is always homemade some people don't like the salsa but the cabbage in it gives it a nice fresh flavor The flan is by far the best you'll ever get and it's great after whatever you order the fried I've cream is delicious and it's a great place to take your family or a date
(5)Sarah G.
So goooodd. Carne asada burrito was flavorful and huge. The nachos were yummy and the beer was cheap. Pitcher for 9.75
(4)rob w.
I have had good experiences in the past sitting in the dining area and enjoying a solid meal. The advantages were fresh ingredients, friendly service, and two menu items in particular: the friend ice cream and the poppers. These are worth trying out for sure. I don't think that the food is supposed to be authentic, as we already have dozens of Mexican food joints doing the "gringo-authentico" and all serving the same set of three flavors from a can. I think Pachanga is in fact honestly going forward with American-Mexican food and doing a good job at that. However....... why not five stars? Well one star goes because I have never been a huge fan of their flavors. While they get kudos for setting themselves apart, it has not been in a way that excites me to return. And the other star..... recently we ordered food to go and were so disappointed. During the waaayyyyyy toooooo loooonnngggg of a wait I had time to read the yelp reviews. Much of what was said negatively came true in our meal. The burritos were undercooked to the point of being soggy and raw. I made the mistake of putting the cabbage salsa on mine and the taste of vinegar kept reminding me of bile. And the potatoes in meal where crunchy and 'green' tasting. Now I am glad that they were busy but the sun was high on the horizon when we ordered and had set before we left the parking lot. So much for a romantic meal at the beach. I am sure I will try them again, mainly for the poppers and ice cream, and will update my review then. However in the meantime I am in no hurry to return.
(3)Dominic O.
Very impressive. Love the burrito ranchero and when the cheese dip is made correctly and isn't runny, omg! Very nice owners, favorite Mexican food in the area
(4)Terry O.
I have lived in Eureka for over 9 years and I stopped in for a late lunch at this restaurant. Overall, it's not the best Mexican food in Eureka. Pros: Atmosphere. It's like stopping into a chain Mexican restaurant. I liked the décor. The colors stood out and it had a true Mexican presence. Cons: My server didn't care. She seemed uninterested. No excitement. The place was nearly empty but she seemed more interest in getting my money than serving me as a customer. The salsa is terrible. They use to much cabbage. There was no hospitality. The cook while doing his job seemed depressed and not be happy to be in the kitchen. The food was okay. Again to much cabbage. The presentation of my food was runny. I wonder if some of my "fresh" ingredients were from a can. Overall, this place has amazing potential but the staff doesn't seem to care whether you are there or not. In fancy restaurants you get bread and water while deciding what to order. Here I received disappointing salsa and chips that had a strong grease taste more than flavor. Mediocre food, poor service. Much better Mexican food in Eureka. I would spend your money somewhere else.
(2)Lisa B.
I like the feel of a family restaurant that it has. But the drinks could be cheaper.... Or have a good priced happy hour would be great. And the jalapeño poppers used to be spicy but not anymore. It's a shame
(3)Andy K.
Decent Mexican food, ruined by poor wait staff. I asked for a semi crunchy taco, got a crunchy taco. Getting a soda refill was like pulling teeth, and don't get me started about getting chips! The food was okay at best, my chimichanga was over fried, and had to much cabbage. The flavor was decent, and it did have a nice sauce. It's not bad if you're desperate, but I would try and find another place to eat.
(2)Joe T.
The chubby critic is tough as most of you who follow him know;)! This place is good great service with locally sourced food! Great poppers and drinks and generous portions ! The chubby critic gives it a high ( and rare) 2 chins!! Check it out!!
(5)Thomas D.
Good food with local ingredients. Love the poppers!
(4)Chris J.
I got the burrito ranchero. it had very little tasty beef and a huge salad of flavorless rice, beans, and cabbage. I also had a chili rellano that was equally flavorless. the poppers were good, though very expensive. my gf got nachos which she disliked. she said they needed cheese. we got take out but watched the server rudely send away customers 30 mins til closing. then she took in the next customer. we were both on the toilet this morning in agony and our stomachs are upset. so overall, would not recommend.
(2)Naiyana S.
Def my favorite Mexican restaurant in Humboldt County. I can't even go to Rita's anymore, after eating at Pachanga it just tastes bland. The mole is delish, i always order the layered enchilada with mole which comes with a mixed green salad. They use local organic chili's when in season from a farmer friend of mine and the food just tastes like it's made with quality ingredients. A fan for sure!
(5)Susanna Z.
Such excellent service! Friendly servers and always attentive. Recommend the nachos, best in town. Share with a friend, seriously. The poppers are also amazing.
(4)Scott W.
My wife and I frequent Pachanga for many reasons, one of the top ones being that we really enjoy the family owned feel. We always have great service, no matter how busy they are. Pleasant, helpful and personable, especially the waiter (I feel bad that I don't remember his name!) but he is the best. I'm a little surprised by some of the negative reviews from other people because we have never felt anything but welcome. The food does taste different from most Mexican restaurants that we've been to and I'm pretty sure that's due to the region of Mexico where the recipes originate. True not as much in-your-face seasoning, but delicious nonetheless. Portions are always huge, enough leftovers to eat as an entire meal the next day. The salsas are not our favorite, very different, but once again, I think a difference of region and not enough to take the rating down. One thing I should mention is that many of their dishes are smothered in one type of sauce or another, some of which are excellent (the green) and others that are not my favorites (darker brownish/red-probably mole?) but that's just me. I recommend asking for the sauce on the side so you can add your desired amount, at least until you find your favorite dishes and sauces, especially for the chimichanga so it stays crunchy. One thing I definitely recommend everyone who has as much of a love affair with cheese as I do should try is the queso fundido...holy YUM! So flavorful with delicious chewy melted cheese (a great suggestion by our favorite waiter, glad we listened!) The food is not the only thing with large portions, we love their GIANT soft drink glasses, no refills required, but they happily give them anyway. One last thing, they have amazing homemade flour tortillas which you can buy separately and take home to use with your own cooking. Do it! It'll take your own Mexican grub up a notch.
(5)david m.
Nothing special (skip it). The salsa was a cabbage bomb and not edible. Chips were ok. I had a chile relleno and it was runny wet and not really cooked for half the pepper. The beans were bad with a lack of flavor. Enchilada was smothered with sour cream. Ambiance was converted Taco Bell.
(2)Tula T.
Excellent food and even better service! The chimichanga are amazing, so much food for your money! A+++
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