Pancho Villa Mexican Grill: A Love Story

Here’s a love story: Eli, born in Mexico, works as a chef. He comes to the United States and goes to work at a restaurant in California. There he meets Lisa, the daughter of the restaurant owner, and they fall in love, get married and work together. Both are incredible chefs. They come to Lincoln with their four children and open up Pancho Villa Mexican Grill on the north side of town.

They opened about a month ago, and people have been telling me about this restaurant. Once I went there I found out why. Their food was to die for – authentic, absolutely incredible, everything from scratch. The only canned items they have are caned whole tomatoes. All the sauces tasted so fresh.

When I visit a new restaurant, I try to get combination plates to get an idea of the different flavors. On all their tacos, burritos, or enchiladas, they have a choice of meat: two kinds of beef, pork in green sauce, chicken in red sauce, grilled chicken, Mexican style BBQ pork, or grilled steak (carne asada).

I was in heaven. It’s one of those little hideaway places that I love discovering. They’re at 5800 Cornhusker, in the Mercantile Shopping Mall, and they’re open from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Their website: http://panchovillamexicangrill.com/
Their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pancho.villa.mexican.grill?ref=ts

Chef's Table at the Venue

Monday night I had dinner at the Venue's "Chef’s Table" with Jo Taylor, Chair of Southeast Community College's Food Service and Hospitality Program.

Travis Evans, a graduate of SCC program, is the chef at Venue, and the meal was outstanding: halibut flown in that morning, perfect portions

The Venue, located at 4111 Pioneer Woods Drive in Lincoln, holds a Chef's Table dinner twice a month. For more information, call 402-488-8368 or click here.

Lincoln has some great chefs!

Fun Restaurants in Lincoln, Nebraska

While in Wisconsin last week, I discovered a great new restaurant chain called Five Guys Burgers and Fries. It's not your ordinary burger place. Five Guys serves real food--fresh meat, with your choice of toppings for no extra charge. They cut all their potatoes fresh. Their food takes a little longer than a fast food place, but it's worth it. When I got back, I discovered we have a Five Guys going up here in Lincoln, at 13th and P Streets. The new restaurant is scheduled to open this week.

On the return flight, I sat next to Cal, who is from Lincoln. He told me about China Inn, located just north of Super Saver at 27th and Cornhusker. It's an incredible little place that serves dine-in or to-go Chinese food. Locally owned, it has a relatively small menu, which is good because they can easily keep a handle on things. I had the hot and sour soup and a spicy beef and seafood dish. It came in a bowl and was absolutely delicious. I would never have known about China Inn had Cal not told me about it. I love finding little "hole in the wall" places like that.

What about you? What's your favorite out-of-the-ordinary restaurant in Lincoln? Do you have any hidden gems you'd like to share?