Cozumel Restaurant Review: Pancho's Backyard

Pancho's Backyard is one of the most mentioned restaurants in Cozumel, Mexico, when searching for a good Mexican meal. Cruise travelers frequently visit Pancho's Backyard while docked in Cozumel, since the location is within walking distance to the port. Pancho's Backyard offers good, Mexican food in an upscale atmosphere, as well as an amazing sunset view of the water if you dine at sunset.

Pancho's Backyard Menu

The menu at Pancho's Backyard offers a variety of seafood, beef, chicken, and traditional Mexican dishes. Lunch and dinner are both served at Pancho's Backyard, with a group of mariamba players sometimes present for lunch hours. Dinner offers a more romantic setting, with candlelit tables and gorgeous patio views of the water. Pancho's Backyard is known for their strong, oversized Margaritas. The variety of Margarita flavors is excellent.

Black Bean and Tortilla soups are on the menu at Pancho's Backyard, as well as traditional chips and salsa and sampler appetizer plates. The Pescado del Dia a la Costena offers fresh fish of the day, while the Panchos Fajitas Especiales gives diners a taste of Mexico. Skewered shrimp and a Mexican Combination Plate are on the menu. A full menu is available at the Pancho's Backyard website for full descriptions of lunch and dinner options. The prices are moderate for the dining experience. This is not the restaurant for cheap Mexican food, but it can be the place to go to celebrate or have a romantic dinner.

Save room for some dessert at Pancho's Backyard. There are a number of tempting desserts on the menu, including a Platanos Susana (flambeed bananas with orange liquer) and a Pie de Margarita (Key Lime pie with a twist).

The Ambiance

Aside from excellent large Margaritas, well worth the $9 price, the ambiance at Pancho's Backyard is worth the visit. Located in the back of the popular store, Los Cincos Soles, Pancho's Backyard offers waterfront dining, with views of the water on the patio. On our visit to Pancho's Backyard, the two most memorable parts of the visit were the Margaritas and the perfect sunset we watched from the table.

Hours and Location

Pancho's Backyard is located near the port, at Rafael Meglar 27, x Calle 8, Cozumel, Mexico, 77600. The phone number is 987-22141. Pancho's Backyard is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am until 11 pm, and from 6pm until 11 pm on Sundays.

The offical Pancho's Backyard website offers a printable coupon for a free Margarita for everyone in the party, with the purchase of a meal. To visit the website for full menus and restaurant information, go to www.panchosbackyard.com.