Juan Francisco Ochoa, known as Don Pancho to his friends and family, was in search of an opportunity to bring his love and passion of Mexican cuisine to the United States. This is how the Palenque chain was born. Originally from Sinaloa, Mexico, Don Pancho first founded El Pollo Loco, which was such a success. This led him to open another restaurant, Taco Palenque®, in 1987 in Laredo, Texas.
It has become the ultimate location to spend time with family and friends while enjoying a delicious, unforgettable and authentic Mexican food. In fact, positive word-of-mouth has led to new and loyal customers, building on to Don Pancho’s passion for providing unique dishes in a comfortable setting. There are several Taco Palenque® locations operating throughout the southern region of Texas, and the potential for more is strong.
However, Don Pancho didn’t stop there; the visionary leader who saw the idea of incorporating Palenque Grill®, an extension of his chain of restaurants with twist of fine dining. He is a friendly and generous man who continues to operate and incorporate new and innovative ideas along with his family.
Taco Palenque® cooks over 11 million corn and flour tortillas and serves over 10 million tacos a year! As for the menu, Don Pancho does not serve anything that he himself does not like and this practice has proven to be an advantageous one. If you love tacos, spicy food, true Mexican cuisine or enjoy a family-friendly ambiance, then any of our locations is the place to be.