Pancho Villa's

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2009 – in the shops now or buy online.

Despite being a Merchant City fixture for more than 10 years, with its pleasant Mexican-style décor and traditional music playing in the background, Pancho Villas is still an inviting prospect. More than most chains, Pancho strives for an authentic feel, and here you will find a bright, friendly, lively atmosphere. The sopa de tortilla – tomato-based soup with strips of tortilla and grated cheese mixed through – is full of fresh, tangy flavours while a small bowl of mushrooms, chorizo and heaps of melted cheese (queso fundido) is great for sharing and has a nice chewy consistency to it. The waiting staff are helpful and efficient and you don’t have to wait long for your nosh. There are a great number of traditional dishes on offer, burritos, quesadillas and so on, but the fajitas are undoubtedly the most popular with options ranging from chicken to rump steak, king prawn and a vegetarian option. The meat options are excellent, the beef seared but tender, the chicken cooked to perfection and the prawns plump and juicy. Each is accompanied by a spicy salsa, sour cream and guacamole with plenty of jalapenos to hand for those after a real chilli kick. While Mexican food can be very filling, you should leave room for dessert - tequila sticky toffee pudding is a cheeky twist on the original and warm chocolate pudding will leave you stuffed but happy.

• High point: Filling spicy food and good service
• Low point: Not enough vegetables with the fajitas