Can I get a Shout Out for Panchos?

When I was little, the only Mexican food restaurant within 20 miles of us was a Pancho's at Long Point and Gessner.  That is mind boggling to me now since there is one in every shopping street and on every corner! It was my families favorite place to eat growing up.  I LOVED to raise the Mexican flag  which is the custom there when you want a refill of tea or seconds from the buffet.  When I was about 3 years old we were eating there & I had patiently waited until my Daddy wanted another chile relleno and when I went to raise the little Mexican flag, my brother grabbed it & raised it & I shouted out at the top of my lungs...."Shaun, you TURD!"  Needless to say my parents were mortified. 


While it was always a buffet & never fancy, it has really gone downhill over the years and is now basically only a step above Taco Bell - not that I am above Taco Bell.  That also doesn't stop me from wanting to go there - maybe is it because it makes me nostalgic, or maybe it is their spongy chile rellenos or the cheap Mexican decor (did I mention the waitresses had to wear long dresses until about 5 years ago?!  And the sopapillas!!!  I have never eaten a sopapilla as good as they make them at Pancho's.  And that gives me a reason to raise the flag...for dessert :)

For the last decade, my family would amuse me and take me for birthdays or when it was my "turn" to pick where we ate.  To my dismay, I think they are gradually going out of business.  They closed the one in Cypress about 2 years ago and Kaitlin & I almost cried!  The apple does not fall far from the tree - Kaitlin is my Pancho's sidekick.  Now the nearest location is on 45 in the Woodlands! A long trip to raise the flag :)