Pancho & Lefty opened a new location in Melrose last year, in the space left vacant when the Sutler Saloon closed its doors. While some may have been sad to see the iconic venue close, after being in Nashville for more than 45 years, Pancho & Lefty is a welcome addition to the neighborhood, as evidenced by the people who keep returning again and again. The restaurant, which serves what they succinctly call NashMex, offers what might seem like an impossibility: excellent food at an affordable price, and with free parking.
Pancho & Lefty’s, which traded a location downtown for the spot at 2600 8th Avenue South, also offers a weekend brunch, which Everything Nash recently got to experience. Their brunch menu includes a variety of tacos, including the Yam Good Sweet Potato and Adobo Chicken, along with a hearty burrito. Big enough as an entree, but available as a side, Pancho & Lefty’s brunch menu also includes a nod to the South, with two grits bowls available, both one with chorizo and pimento cheese, and a Pork Belly Grits Bowl.
Other brunch menu items include a Mexican Pizza, the Pancho Burger, Ranchero or Chicken Enchilada Waffle Fries, and either an Avocado Bowl or a Taco Salad for those in the mood for something lighter.
Pancho & Lefty’s offers a full-service bar, which features their margarita with freshly-squeezed lime juice. It’s a libation that earned the restaurant Nashville Scene‘s distinction of the Best Margarita in 2018, 2019 and 2022. For those not driving, Pancho & Lefty’s has a bottomless mimosa option, along with a Bloody Mary bar. And, their chips and salsa, which were offered when we sat down, are some of the best we’ve had, anywhere.
It’s worth noting that most brunch items are between $10 and $12, although their portions are exceedingly generous, and even big enough to share. Also, Pancho & Lefty’s also has an equally impressive lunch and dinner menu at both locations, with a variety of unique items (like the Fried Pickle Pistols or the Chile-Braised Chicken Enchiladas), as well as a kids’ menu, with those items just $5.
Brunch is served in the Melrose location from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. That location is open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday to Thursday, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Friday, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Saturday, and from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Sunday.
The Sylvan Park location is open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Sunday to Thursday, and 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday. More information on both locations can be found at PanchoandLeftys.com.
