You’ll find Poncho’s Mexican restaurant right on the corner of Robson and Denman. I used to live right around the corner when I first got married, and Jake and I have celebrated many a happy occasion here. I know the owners personally: Alfonso and Kaeta are very nice people who take a lot of pride on their restaurant. Poncho’s is celebrating 23 years in the West End.

We started with some of their blended Margaritas – they’re very generous with the tequila! Some of my favourite appetizers include their Jumbo nachos ($10.95) it’s a good dish to share, with tortilla chips, beans, onion, sour cream, and salsa, smothered with melted cheese.  Another good appetizer is the Sopa Azteca ($5.95) – a heathy blend of tortilla chicken soup, chipotle pepper, diced avocados, and cheese. Ask for a couple of slices of lime, it gives the soup some extra flavour. I always add lime juice to my soup.

For mains, Jake and I always share the Poncho’s Dinner for Two ($37.95). You can’t beat this deal: A cheese quesadilla to start, followed by a platter than includes rice, beans, salad, carne asada (beef tenderloin marinated in Mexican spices then grilled and topped with Poncho’s special sauce), ten jumbo prawns a la Mexicana (prawns sauté with mexican spices and tomato sauce) , two chilled rellenos stuffed with cheese and covered in salsa roja and a mole sauce chicken enchilada. There’s even dessert to share. This is one of the best deals in the city.

If sharing is not your forte, there’s Las Conbinaciones combo dinners. They range from $9 to $18 depending on what you order and there are lots of choices: flautas, tacos, chilles rellenos, enchiladas, tostadas, quesadillas and others.

If looking for something more authentic, try the Pollo en crema al chipotle ($14.95). Two chicken breasts covered with a delicious homemade cheese and chipolte sauce,  served with rice and a salad.

There are many options for sweet endings at Poncho’s. I suggest ordering their Flan Napolitano ($4.95) their flan is fantastic: a thick cream cheese and egg custard with dulce de leche sauce and just a hint of orange flavour. This is Kaeta’s own mom’s top secret recipe. It’s my favourite flan.