Pancho’s and Juanchos. 320 A Main Street. Bradley Beach. Paul Goldfinger photo while watching the staff cook our order of fine Mexican take-out.

There are about 1/2 dozen Mexican restaurants on Main St. in Asbury, but we have little information about them.   Tapatia is the best known, but it has received some bad press lately.  We stopped by tonight to have fajitas, but the parking was worrisome, and as I pulled into a space we were immediately set upon by a panhandler.  You would think that management would have some caballeros outside to make we-the-gringos comfortable.  So  we decided to move on.

In Bradley Beach is a homey small but authentic take out place called Panchos and Juanchos. They uniformly get good reviews, word of mouth, for their down home style cooking.  Here’s a typical on line review:     “Hole in the wall with great food and hip vibe. You won’t be disappointed.”     They feature burritos, tacos, fajitas, etc.

When we went there was only one table, and it was occupied.  The team backstage is well choreographed complete with a flaming cooking station.  We had fajitas, burritos, guacamole, fine tortillas, etc. The food was well packaged and readied quickly while we waited.  The service is friendly and proud.

You can call in an order. Go online for the menu.

The portions are quite large, and some can easily be shared. It is a bit pricey, but worth it.  Since the pandemic many usually inexpensive items have become expensive, and some take-outs are like that, such as this extra special Mexican and one Chinese takeout that delivers and which we will reveal soon.  With all these NY Yankees moving into the Grove, we need to tell them about the best take-outs—price is no object, just like what they are paying for 1000 square foot cottages in historic OG.

GIPSY KINGS.    “Hotel California. Spanish Mix.”