Randy Chandler
Pancheros Mexican Grill offers a range of Mexican dishes, including burritos, quesadillas, and enchiladas. They pride themselves on making their tortillas fresh on-site at each location, using a machine called the DP2000 (The TortillaPro) from DoughPro. In addition to their tortillas, Pancheros also offers queso, a popular cheese dish, which has been described as runny and salty. The queso recipe includes Pepper Jack cheese, American white cheese, and milk, and is served as a dip or sauce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Pepper jack cheese, American white cheese |
| Consistency | Runny |
| Taste | Salty |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Pancheros' queso dip is made with Pepper Jack and American white cheese
Pancheros' queso dip is a beloved menu item, and the recipe is a well-guarded secret. However, a former employee has revealed that the dip is made with a combination of Pepper Jack and American white cheese.
The full recipe, as disclosed by the former Pancheros employee, includes 2.5 lbs of Pepper Jack cheese, 2/3 lb of American white cheese, and 3 cups of 2% milk. The key to achieving the right consistency is to use a double boiler. After the desired thickness is reached, 3 tablespoons of pico de gallo are mixed in to complete the dish.
Some customers have expressed a preference for a thicker queso dip, finding the Pancheros version too runny. The saltiness of the dip has also been commented on, suggesting that it could be reduced for a better balance of flavors.
Creating a copycat version of the queso dip at home is possible, and some food bloggers have attempted to replicate the recipe. One blogger's version includes chilies, onion, garlic, flour, butter, and white cheese, with the option to add pico de gallo. While this recipe doesn't specify the exact type of white cheese, it aligns with the insider information that American white cheese is a key ingredient in Pancheros' dip.
Cheese Wedges: Gymnasts' Secret Weapon Explained
You may want to see also
The dip is too runny for some
While Pancheros Mexican Grill has won fans with its fresh ingredients and on-site tortilla-making, its queso dip has received mixed reviews. Some customers have complained that the dip is too runny, while others have criticised its high salt content.
One blogger attempted to recreate the recipe, which they gave as 2.5 lbs of Pepper Jack cheese, 2/3 lb of American white cheese, and 3 cups of 2% milk, heated in a double boiler. However, they found that this resulted in a dip that was "WAY too soupy".
Another reviewer agreed, saying: "I love melted cheese, but the Pancheros queso is way too runny. I want my cheese sauce to be thick. It’s also much saltier than it needs to be." This review also noted that the pricing structure of the menu could be confusing, with the final price of a meal sometimes coming out "quite a bit more than you bargained for".
In a comparison of Tex-Mex chains, Pancheros was ranked second behind Chipotle, which was praised for its commitment to using the "freshest" ingredients. The reviewer noted that Pancheros could improve by offering more clarity on its pricing, as competitor Qdoba had done by making all extras free.
Despite the criticism, Pancheros has clearly found a dedicated fanbase, with some bloggers attempting to recreate its recipes at home. The chain has also distinguished itself from competitors like Chipotle and Qdoba by making its tortillas fresh on-site, advertising the "freshest" ingredients, and offering unique menu items like the TortillaPro.
Cheese Graters at Nail Salons: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
The cheese sauce is also considered too salty
While Pancheros Mexican Grill has made efforts to distinguish itself from competitors like Chipotle and Qdoba, its cheese sauce, or queso, has received mixed reviews. The queso is made with a combination of Pepper Jack cheese, American white cheese, and milk. While some patrons enjoy the melted cheese, others find it too runny and salty.
One customer review specifically mentions that the cheese sauce is "much saltier than it needs to be." This review also expresses a preference for thicker cheese sauce, as the Pancheros queso is described as "way too runny."
The issue of saltiness in the cheese sauce is a matter of individual taste and preference. Some people may be more sensitive to salty flavors or have different expectations regarding the balance of flavors in queso. It's worth noting that other Tex-Mex chains, like Qdoba and Chipotle, are also mentioned in the review, offering a comparison for customers.
To address the concern of saltiness, Pancheros could consider adjusting the recipe for their cheese sauce. They might experiment with reducing the amount of salt added or explore using lower-sodium cheeses and other ingredients. Finding the right balance of flavors can be challenging, especially when trying to appeal to a wide range of customer preferences.
Additionally, the perception of saltiness can be influenced by other factors in the dish. For example, the type of tortilla used, the freshness of the ingredients, and the presence of other flavorful components, like salsa or meat, can all impact the overall taste experience. Pancheros emphasizes the freshness of their ingredients, including making tortillas on-site, which may affect how customers perceive the saltiness of their cheese sauce.
Best Beers for Beer Cheese Dip
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The chain's burritos contain cheese
The chains burritos contain cheese, and Pancheros Mexican Grill is no exception. The restaurant offers a range of burritos with various fillings, including cheese. Customers can choose from marinated and grilled meats or Tofurizo, whole pinto or black beans, rice, and homemade salsas, all wrapped in a fresh-pressed flour tortilla.
While the exact type of cheese used in the burritos is not specified on the Pancheros menu, it is known that the restaurant serves queso, a popular Mexican cheese sauce. This sauce is made with a combination of Pepper Jack cheese, American white cheese, and milk, resulting in a salty and runny consistency.
In addition to the burritos, Pancheros also offers other menu items that feature cheese. For example, they have cheesy, fresh-grilled flour tortillas stuffed with meat or Tofurizo and served with salsa. They also offer a bed of lettuce topped with meat or Tofurizo, beans, cheese, salsa, and their signature Cilantro Lime Dressing.
While some customers may enjoy the taste of the queso, others have noted that it is too runny and salty. Despite this, Pancheros remains a popular choice for Mexican cuisine, with its fresh ingredients and made-to-order tortillas setting it apart from competitors like Chipotle and Qdoba.
Overall, the inclusion of cheese in the burritos and other menu items at Pancheros contributes to the flavor and texture profile that customers expect from Mexican-inspired dishes.
The Ultimate Guide to Monterey Jack Cheese
You may want to see also
Pancheros does not offer a good cheese enchilada
While Pancheros does offer cheese in its dishes, it does not offer a good cheese enchilada. This is surprising, given that the chain prides itself on using the "freshest" ingredients and making its tortillas fresh on-site at each location. In fact, the only way Pancheros can really compete with its rivals Chipotle and Qdoba is by offering the freshest tortillas.
However, when it comes to cheese, Pancheros falls short. Their queso dip, for example, is often criticized for being too runny and salty. While some customers have tried to recreate the recipe at home, the results have been less than ideal, with one attempt resulting in a soupy consistency.
In addition, Pancheros does not offer a clear pricing structure, making it difficult for customers to know which additions to their orders will incur extra charges. This lack of transparency can lead to unpleasant surprises at the end of the meal.
Finally, while the chain emphasizes the freshness of its tortillas, it does not appear to have the same level of commitment to the quality of its cheese. This is evident in the taste of their queso dip and could be a contributing factor to their lack of a good cheese enchilada offering. Given that enchiladas are a favorite dish for many Mexican food lovers, it is a missed opportunity for Pancheros to not include this item on their menu.
Creative Uses for Whey From Ricotta Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Pancheros uses Pepper Jack and American white cheese in its queso dip.
The recipe for Pancheros' queso dip includes 2.5 lbs of Pepper Jack cheese, 2/3 lb of American white cheese, 3 cups of 2% milk, and 3 tablespoons of pico de gallo.
The best way to make Pancheros' queso dip is by using a double boiler.
Some people find Pancheros' queso dip too runny and salty. However, others have tried to recreate the recipe at home, indicating its popularity.
