Lacto
Ovo
Beer/Wine
Mexican
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Mexican restaurant in the Shinsaibashi covered mall, at 中央区心斎橋筋1丁目10-1. Reported offering several dishes that are vegan suitable, but vegans should specify to be sure. Live music on weekend evenings. Open Mon-Sun 11:30am-10:30pm.


Venue map for El Pancho
© OpenStreetMap contributors

63 Reviews

First Review by Tory

lisaperrett22

Points +25

Vegan
21 Oct 2024

Great food, very busy

This restaurant is on the 8th floor and when we got there it was very busy, so I would recommend making a reservation. It also took a while until they came to take our order once seated.

Overall, this is a great option, and they are able to make vegetarian options (of which there are many) vegan on request. I had a vegan version of the vegetarian combo burrito, and it was very hearty and tasty.

Great option when eating out with non-vegans, and it was nice to find a Mexican meal.

Updated from previous review on 2024-10-21

Pros: Delicious , Mexican food, Large portions

Cons: Slow service

millymwah

Points +193

Vegan
03 Oct 2024

loveeee

massive portions of amazing food made easily vegan, and I love finding a restaurant in japan that doesn't use super bright overhead lighting! highly recommend☆☆☆☆☆

English menu available.

Updated from previous review on 2024-10-03

Pros: soooo good, moody lighting, happy hour

Cons: a bit....sticky feeling

Jerryberri

Points +48

Vegan
06 Apr 2024

Wish I could give five stars

Incredible mexican food and able to make many items vegan. I got the Enchiladas and my friend got the Vegetarian combo without dairy and both were great

Eleallen

Points +36

Vegan
21 Feb 2024

Best Burrito

Honestly one of the best burritos I’ve ever eaten!! Was super easy to make things vegan here and the margaritas are so good!

meltymints

Points +133

Vegan
29 Nov 2023

My go-to

My go-to Japanese Mexican place. It is easy to veganify the menu here—just ask the server. They will usually replace items like cheese quesadillas with a bean filling, etc.

The atmosphere is always fun, too. I would avoid coming during peak meal times on weekends and holidays though as the restaurant can get packed.

Updated from previous review on 2023-11-29

veganStill

Points +47

Vegan
20 Nov 2023

Delicious food!

Delicious food, superb value & staff are very accommodating for vegans! Ordering vegan was very easy

AshKenyail

Points +2483

Vegetarian
04 Sep 2023

Ok food, great live music and vibe

I visited here in 2019. The vegan options were a bit limited. The food I ordered was basic, and barely had anything on it or inside of it due to the limited vegan options. The live music was nice and the atmosphere was great.

Prathna

Points +591

Vegan
25 Aug 2023

Great Mexican food!

After two weeks of Japanese food, it was awesome to stumble upon some authentic Mexican food in Osaka! Huge portions and so flavorful. Great margarita selection as well!

CenturionLuke

Points +45

Vegetarian
16 Aug 2023

Delicious, awesome atmosphere

I have the veggie combo with fajitas, it was amazing, really good quality of food and super filling! Service was quick, we ate around 8pm. If you love Mexican cuisine then its a mist visit.

Pros: Food, Choice, Atmosphere

Cons: Busy, A little pricy

ShontellSmith

Points +46

Vegan
04 May 2023

Great place

Cocktails great! I had kiwi coconut and lyche! So many to choose from!
Food was also good! I had nachos and guacamole tacos. I asked for no cheese and cream and they asked if I was vegan, they knew!

Pros: Drinks, Atmosphere

omersh

Points +96

Vegan
03 May 2023

Really good margarita

A lot of option, took the veg combo, it was OK, kind of weird filling (French fries and broccoli?). The margarita though was really good and only 390 yen on happy hour. Good portions of food.

Prady

Points +259

Vegetarian
07 Apr 2023

Amazing mexican food

Incredibly good food, best meal I've had in Osaka. I need to go back to this place when I visit Osaka again.

lenaaleew

Points +148

Vegan
05 Jan 2023

Asked for vegan, received vegetarian

As mentioned above, I asked if the set menu could be made vegan. Unfortunately, it arrived with loads of cheese though. Since I do not support food waste, I ate it anyway.
I assume you should reassure and be very very clear about your order to really be vegan.
To be fair, the taste was good and the portion was very filling (probably also because of the cheese lol).

Atmosphere is great, the place is really beautiful and individual.

I do not recommend getting ginger ale there though, I am pretty sure they added extra ginger or even soaked some chili in it because it burned like crazy lmao

Updated from previous review on 2023-01-05

Pros: Vegan options available on request, Beautiful place

Cons: You need to be VERY clear that you want vegan, No free water

itsrinokt_

Points +4463

Vegan
16 Dec 2022

Lovely food and ambiance

As soon as the lift door opens, you’ll feel totally different vibe! Food was incredible, and the lightning was just perfect. Not much space between seats but I think it’s a good place for a dinner date or a night with friends.

MillieCrompton

Points +200

Vegan
11 Dec 2022

MEXICAN MAGIC

gosh as soon as you walk in the door BOOM completely new world. the time and effort of the decorating is another level. vibes music 10/10. staff friendly attentive great english and understood everything !!
food delicious and soooo filling, the portion sizing my god HUGE but worth every bite and bloated belly 100%.

Updated from previous review on 2022-12-11

MelonCrumble

Points +254

Vegan
05 Dec 2022

Fresh, great tasting food

We went on a Saturday night, so it was super busy, we ended up having to wait for about 49 mins for a table, but it was worth it. They have slow turn over, I think because a lot of people come for the margaritas. I had the vegetable set because it came with lots of different things and chose fajita as my main because they work well without cheese etc. It was so large I couldn’t finish it, but the wraps were fresh and soft,, the corn chips crispy and everything wasn’t overly seasoned and tasted freshly made.

julialamour

Points +127

Vegan
03 Aug 2022

Mediocre food

I got the vegetarian set made vegan with the burrito option. The burrito was the worst part, not only was it soaked in what tasted like canned tomato sauce, but it was filled with the most random veggies like broccoli etc. Everything else was edible, just severely lacking any flavor or seasoning. Not even the “salsa” could save it, if anything it made it worse because it tasted almost sweet?? It was pricey and definitely not worth the visit unless you are absolutely craving a bland meal.

Cons: Not good

AnitaDollar

Points +3594

Vegan
10 Jun 2022

Cute atmosphere and delicious food

The atmosphere is super cute and cozy and the food is yummy! I went for a lunch set that was very carb-heavy but absolutely delicious.

Pros: Great atmosphere, Long opening hours

BethS76

Points +348

Vegan
18 Dec 2021

Great atmosphere

Mexican food is hard to find in Japan, especially veggie friendly , but this really hits the spot. It's super well located, right next to Shinsaibashi station. It's very popular so I'd recommend booking on a Friday or Saturday night.
The interior is really cool and atmospheric, and there is live music on a Saturday night.
Unfortunately it does serve meat, but there is an extensive vegetarian menu, which can be easily veganised by omiting the cheese and sour cream. The drink/cocktail selection is very good, and there's even a vegan certified beer!
This place is very popular with foreigners, so staff are good at English and used to accommodating dietry needs.

Updated from previous review on 2021-12-18

Pros: Great location , Lots of veg options, Atmosphere

Cons: Serves meat, Quite expensive, Usually busy

sarita.p

Points +435

Vegan
28 Mar 2020

Go for the Burrito!

Super flavorful! Best burrito I ever had, I was surprised! Also very nice atmosphere at this place.

Pros: Outstandingly good taste, Nice atmosphere

Cons: quite pricey

EmmaCebuliak

Points +1866

Vegan
04 Jan 2020

Japanese-Mexican Food in Osaka

El Pancho is a super popular Mexican restaurant located in the centre of Shinsaibashi. It's been around for years, and in my experience they are consistent in their service and menu items. They're accommodating of vegan food requests if you state them clearly. Don't expect fully authentic Mexican food - they sort of throw a random mix of veggies (like potato and broccoli) into their burritos and aren't big on the spice; but for what it is, it isn't bad.

Updated from previous review on 2020-01-04

SamanthaMayo

Points +42

Vegan
01 Jan 2020

Burritos, fajitas, vegan platter.... yum!!

There were so many options, and it was absolutely delicious. I had the vegan burrito and it was a large size for only 1000yen. Friends had the vegetarian chimichangas and the vegetarian platter, and my husband had a meat enchilada and loved it.
Frozen margaritas were yummy, a little too much tequila for my liking but good all the same. We all walked out content and satisfied.
Depending on the direction you come from the building can be a little confusing to find, it is on the 8th floor of the hexagonal building(if that helps). Large signs out the front downstairs once you get to the building. Well worth the confusion though, all of us would go back

Pros: Vegan options, Decent size, Good price

Cons: Slightly confusing to find

isehanami

Points +25

Mostly Veg
05 Nov 2019

Great food and interesting interior design

Went here to meet with a friend for lunch; we both went for the same menu, which was easily customized from being vegetarian to vegan upon request. The staff was very friendly and immediately knew what „vegan“ meant.

Pros: Plenty to eat/Big portion sizes , Delicious

alarkin

Points +49

Vegan
25 Oct 2019

Very filling!

I had a great meal in this restaurant with my non-veggie dad. They had sufficient options for both of us. Has the usual Mexican mains - burrito/fajita/enchilada which can be with beef, chicken, shrimp, vegetarian or vegan. Staff understood not to serve cheese and sour cream when you requested vegan and made substitutions as necessary. Portion size was very big and filling, which was just what we needed! I had the vegetarian combo vegan burrito which came with lots of different bits (guacamole, refuted beans, salad, tortilla chips, potato chips etc) as well as the burrito. Shrimp fajita reportedly delicious according to my dining partner, for those who eat fish. The kiwi margaritas were also very tasty! Staff were very friendly and there was great live music!

Pros: Several vegan and vegetarian options , Live music, Tasty margaritas

ayamalb

Points +20

Vegan
20 Oct 2019

A great place

A wonderful escape from the city's noise and confusion with the restaurant's unique atmosphere and great food. There's an english menu and the vegan/ vegetarian options are easy to find and are very delicious.

Pros: Good food, some vegan options

Cons: Spicy, the service is a bit slow

JamesKelly

Points +42

Vegan
15 Oct 2019

Great food, slow service

Incredible nice food. My partner had the veggie burrito and I had the veggie mix platter. Burrito much better than the platter.

You had to grab the attention of the waitresses, beyond the normal tactics. But other than that, food was great, atmosphere great and easy to find.

Pros: Good food

Cons: Poor service

BerniBear

Points +57

Vegan
22 Sep 2019

Great Mexican Food - Vegan!!!

It was very easy. Just tell the staff that you are vegan and you will get a VERY VERY delicious plate!

Pros: Very cool mexican atmosphere!




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