Our Story
From Mazatlán to Citrus Heights. Serving family recipes since 2018.
The Man Behind Panchito
Panchito opened in 2018, but the idea started much earlier. Jose was the oldest of five, and he cooked for his four siblings. He started working as a busboy at 14 and dreamed of opening his own restaurant. Later, Jose Osuna came to the U.S. from Mazatlán, Sinaloa with a plan to work hard, learn English, and find his path. After more than 25 years in the food industry, he opened Panchito.
This is a family run spot. Dad runs the restaurant, Mom keeps everything running day to day and keeps the service strong, and the kids help with decorating and our online presence. Even the restaurant name is a tribute to Jose's godfather, Pancho, who passed in 2025.
Home Style Cooking & Coastal Roots
Our goal is simple. Serve food that tastes like the food we grew up with. The kind of meal you can tell was made in a kitchen, not put together from boxed ingredients.
In our kitchen, salsas are made with fresh vegetables, peppers, and herbs. Meats are marinated. Rice and beans are prepped daily. Aguas frescas are made from real ingredients like tamarindo seeds, jamaica flowers, fresh limes for limonada, and horchata made from rice and milk.
Mazatlán is a coastal city, so seafood is part of our menu, not a trend. That is why you will see mariscos and coastal favorites alongside the classics people always want like tacos, burritos, plates, and salsa.
What You Can Expect Here
When you walk in, we want it to feel comfortable and welcoming. We try to serve you the way we would serve guests in our home.
The basics matter every day. A clean space, quality food, and friendly service. Portions should make sense, and prices should stay fair. The team should feel proud to work here and feel part of what we are building.
We want it to be a place you want to return to.
Ready to Try It for Yourself?
Dine in when you have time, or order online when you need it quick.