Our friend picked us up Friday evening after we flew into LAX. We cruised under the Sepulveda tunnel, then west out the back door of LAX towards the beach.

We wound up at Panchos Restaurant, in the heart of Manhattan Beach. The outside disguises the cavernous tiered interior and it’s multiple levels, all built around a central courtyard giving it a feel of an old hacienda.

I’m a bit wary of enormous restaurants – to me it seems a modest size place with 15 tables will always take more time in crafting a meal than a restaurant of battleship proportions. Plus Denver is home to the infamous Casa Bonita megamexicanthemerestaurant. That scars a Denver local for life.

Pancho’s wasn’t bad though. Good corn tacos, sizzling fajita platters, (always the healthiest,) and hearty refried beans. The quesadillas were toasted to a crisp, not greasy or too bready (a reason I usually shy away from them.) One house margarita and a Pacifico rounded out the drinks. Staff was friendly, and readily available bustling about the floor.

I wouldn’t put Pancho’s in the “wow can’t wait to return for the food” category, but if you’ve been playing beach volleyball all day or just want a hearty fill up with friends its an enjoyable gathering spot.

And I found a place to watch the debate. Pancho’s is at 3615 Highland, two blocks from the beach.