pancho y emiliano toronto
NOW CLOSED

Pancho Y Emiliano on King

Pancho Y Emiliano is a nighttime spot for high-end Mexican food and boozy margaritas. 

Sitting in the heart of the Entertainment District, this iteration of Pancho is making its mark as one of the first few businesses to move on to King Street's beleaguered restaurant row, post-King Street Pilot.

pancho y emiliano torontoUnlike the original Pancho in Kensington, this location focuses less on homey eats like quesadillas and tamales, and more on hefty dinner dishes. 

pancho y emiliano torontoSpacious with tall ceilings, the restaurant trends toward sparse, but makes up for it with some very cool custom artwork by an artist named Miguel Romero. 

pancho y emiliano torontoThe most notable piece is an epic six-foot-tall picture of the restaurant's namesakes, Francisco "Pancho" Villa and Emiliano Zapata, two leading figures in the Mexican Revolution. According to the restaurant, it's a licensed original. 

pancho y emiliano torontoMeanwhile in the back, corn tortillas are being ground, pressed and fried fresh every day. 

pancho y emiliano torontoThey're used to making nine different types of tacos offered here, like the delicious carne asada taco ($9.50) served with black pepper marinated grilled beefsteak and grilled cactus. 

The carnitas taco ($8) is another tasty one, served with braised pork, avocado, onion and cilantro. 

pancho y emiliano torontoGuacamole ($14) is definitely more than an add-on to your burrito. This essential order uses fresh mashed avocados with jalapenos and pico de gallo as a dip for addictive corn chips. 

pancho y emiliano toronto

The enmoladas verdes ($21) is a trio of tortillas drenched in mole verde sauce, made from tomatillo, chillis, and green herbs. Inside: juicy pulled chicken.

pancho y emiliano torontoSomewhat similar in presentation, but totally different in taste, are the delicious enmoladas, which are also filled with pulled chicken but served with in-house Mexican mole sauce made with chillies, nuts, and chocolate. 

pancho y emiliano torontoThe Dobladitas Mineras ($14) are a duo of fried tortillas made with a chilli ancho sauce and filled with potato, if you're looking for a meat-free meal. 

pancho y emiliano torontoThe camarones a la diabla ($22) is one of my favourites. Served with a side of corn truffle rice, these sautéed shrimps have a lot of kick, thanks to a generous amount of spicy red chilli pepper sauce. 

pancho y emiliano torontoAs far as Mexican desserts go, churros ($11) are a staple. You'll get four decorative, doughy sticks here, beautifully presented with dulce de leche.

pancho y emiliano torontoThe De La Casa margarita ($12) is a standard here, though there's five other types of margarita to try, including the hibiscus-flavoured Rosa ($14). If you're a Mezcal fan, there's a mystical purple drink called the Paper Moon ($16) that uses Dillon's absinthe and lavender syrup. 

pancho y emiliano torontoFusing nightlife (they're opening a lounge upstairs called Salon Mitote) and legitimately delicious Mexican eats, Pancho's second location is an evening destination befitting of the Entertainment District. 
pancho y emiliano toronto

Photos by

Herman Wong


Latest Videos



Latest Reviews

Island Foods

Cowboy Grill

Ramen Raijin

Pizzeria no. 900 Toronto

Minerva Tiffins

East Tea Can