LONG BEACH – Just blocks from the beach and amidst all the excitement downtown Long Beach has to offer, Pancho’s Las Maracas Mexican Restaurant opened for business on April 9.

Formerly occupied by Las Maracas Mexican Restaurant, Pancho’s Las Maracas is a whole new restaurant owned by Francisco Najera. A 21-year veteran in the restaurant business, Najera has operated the Las Maracas Restaurant in Ocean Shores for eight years.

Family friendly, inviting and affordable, Pancho’s has a variety of tastes that are aimed to please. Drop by for chips and guacamole with your favorite beer, wine or cocktail, or choose nachos, quesadillas, chicken taquitos, or Mexican pizza from the appetizer menu.

Stop in for a meal and try one of their many flavorful entrees – fajitas, tostadas, taco salads, burritos, enchiladas, and numerous beef, pork, chicken, egg and seafood dishes – or place an order to go. A children’s menu is also available for “little amigos.”

Top off your meal with an order of deep-fried ice cream or sopapillas – chopped flour tortillas, deep-fried and topped with honey, cinnamon and sugar.

Having received good responses about the restaurant’s new image, Najera says customers will find “the best Mexican food on the Peninsula” at Pancho’s. He also takes pride in using the best ingredients available, “I know that makes a huge difference and a finer product … We’re doing our best not to disappoint and be consistent with our Ocean Shores restaurant.”

Najera also owns Tonala Mexican Imports in Ocean Shores. Some pottery imports are available for purchase at Pancho’s.

Watch for Pancho’s advertisements in the Chinook Observer for coupons and specials.

Located at 601 Pacific South in Long Beach, Pancho’s Las Maracas is open from noon to 9 p.m. Their phone number is 642-8000.