The once-mighty Pancho’s Mexican Buffet has shrunk from 55 locations in the 1980s to just five restaurants in Texas, including two in the Dallas-Fort Worth area — Arlington and Fort Worth.
The chain, founded in 1958, reflects how U.S. dining habits have shifted. Pancho’s helped popularize all-you-can-eat Mexican food and was a family favorite for value and variety. By the 1970s and 1980s it had become a household name across Texas, but financial troubles, ownership changes, and changing tastes cut into its success.
Today, only five restaurants remain — in Houston, Arlington, Humble, Fort Worth, and Mesquite. These spots keep alive a tradition many Texans remember from childhood. For some, Pancho’s was the place for birthdays or Sunday outings, known for its casual atmosphere and endless trays of Tex-Mex staples.
The North Texas restaurants still follow the classic format. The menu features tacos, enchiladas, tamales, rice, refried beans, and the chain’s trademark sopapillas with honey. Diners still “raise the flag” to summon servers for hot plates. Salad, salsa, and dessert bars also remain self-serve.
The Arlington Pancho’s is at 5751 SW Green Oaks Boulevard, and the Fort Worth location sits at 2434 Jacksboro Highway. Both offer family seating, wheelchair access, and takeout.
Hours in Arlington and Fort Worth run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and until 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Despite the decline of buffets nationwide and the rise of fast-casual competitors, Pancho’s continues to draw loyal customers who come back for the same dishes and traditions that defined it for decades.