Pancheros Mexican Grill is known for its delicious burritos, tacos, bowls, and quesadillas. With customizable options, it’s a favorite for many. But with so many tasty choices, it’s important to understand the nutritional content of what you’re eating.
This article will provide up-to-date Pancheros nutrition information, help you make healthier choices, and explain how to enjoy your meal without compromising your diet.
Why You Should Care About Pancheros Nutrition Information
In today’s world, staying informed about what you eat is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Whether you’re watching your calories, carbs, or fat intake, understanding the nutritional value of your meals is crucial. Pancheros offers many fresh ingredients, but some menu items are higher in calories and fat than you might expect.
Being mindful of nutrition information helps you:
- Make informed decisions
- Balance your diet
- Stay within your daily calorie goals
- Enjoy your favorite meals without overindulging
Let’s dive into what you can expect when ordering at Pancheros.
Breakdown of Pancheros Menu Items
Pancheros offers a wide range of Mexican-inspired meals. Each dish can be customized, so the nutrition information varies based on your choices. Below is a general breakdown of some popular menu items.
Burritos
Burritos are one of Pancheros’ most popular items. Each one starts with a flour tortilla and can be filled with your choice of rice, beans, meat, cheese, and other toppings.
- Flour Tortilla (Standard Burrito Base): 320 calories, 8g fat, 52g carbs, 7g protein
- Brown Rice: 160 calories, 2g fat, 33g carbs, 3g protein
- Black Beans: 130 calories, 1g fat, 23g carbs, 9g protein
- Chicken: 160 calories, 6g fat, 1g carbs, 24g protein
- Carnitas (Pork): 210 calories, 10g fat, 1g carbs, 29g protein
- Steak: 190 calories, 10g fat, 1g carbs, 23g protein
- Cheese: 110 calories, 9g fat, 1g carbs, 7g protein
- Sour Cream: 90 calories, 7g fat, 1g carbs, 2g protein
- Guacamole: 160 calories, 15g fat, 7g carbs, 2g protein
A standard burrito with rice, beans, chicken, cheese, and guacamole totals around 1,070 calories. If you add sour cream, that pushes the total to over 1,150 calories.
Tip: To reduce calories, opt for less cheese and sour cream. Choose leaner protein like chicken, and load up on veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions for added nutrients without extra calories.
Tacos
Tacos at Pancheros are a lighter alternative to burritos, offering the same range of customizable options.
- Flour Tortilla (Taco Shell): 120 calories, 3g fat, 20g carbs, 3g protein
- Corn Tortilla (Taco Shell): 70 calories, 1g fat, 12g carbs, 1g protein
- Chicken: 160 calories, 6g fat, 1g carbs, 24g protein
- Steak: 190 calories, 10g fat, 1g carbs, 23g protein
- Beans (Black or Pinto): 130 calories, 1g fat, 23g carbs, 9g protein
- Cheese: 110 calories, 9g fat, 1g carbs, 7g protein
- Guacamole: 160 calories, 15g fat, 7g carbs, 2g protein
Two tacos with chicken, black beans, and guacamole will total about 720 calories. By choosing corn tortillas and skipping cheese, you can easily reduce this number.
Bowls
Bowls are a fantastic low-carb option if you’re looking to skip the tortilla but still enjoy all the flavors Pancheros has to offer. You can fill your bowl with rice, beans, and toppings just like a burrito.
- Base Bowl (No Tortilla): Calories depend on ingredients, but removing the tortilla cuts out 320 calories right away.
For a bowl with chicken, rice, black beans, cheese, and guacamole, you’re looking at around 850 calories. Again, reducing extras like cheese and sour cream can bring this down.
Tip: If you’re watching carbs, skip the rice and go for extra beans and veggies instead.
Quesadillas
Pancheros quesadillas are indulgent, with melted cheese between two grilled flour tortillas.
- Flour Tortilla (Two for Quesadilla): 640 calories, 16g fat, 104g carbs, 14g protein
- Cheese (Extra for Quesadilla): 220 calories, 18g fat, 2g carbs, 14g protein
- Meat (Chicken, Steak, etc.): 160-210 calories
A chicken quesadilla with cheese comes to about 1,020 calories before adding extras like sour cream and guacamole.
Chips and Sides
Pancheros offers chips and other sides that can boost your calorie count quickly.
- Chips: 570 calories, 28g fat, 67g carbs, 8g protein
- Queso: 150 calories, 13g fat, 5g carbs, 6g protein (per serving)
- Guacamole: 160 calories, 15g fat, 7g carbs, 2g protein (per serving)
- Salsa (Mild, Medium, Hot): 25 calories per serving, low in fat and carbs
If you’re enjoying chips and queso with your meal, you’re looking at an additional 720 calories.
Tip: If you love chips, consider sharing them with a friend or limit your portion size to avoid overloading on calories.
Healthier Choices at Pancheros
With a menu full of tempting options, how can you make healthier choices at Pancheros? Here are a few strategies:
1. Choose Lean Proteins
Go for chicken or vegetarian options like black beans or pinto beans, which are lower in fat and calories compared to steak or carnitas.
2. Skip the Extras
Limit high-calorie add-ons like sour cream, cheese, and guacamole. While tasty, these ingredients add significant fat and calories to your meal. Consider salsa or pico de gallo instead for flavor without the extra calories.
3. Control Your Portions
Pancheros portions are large, especially the burritos. If you’re not too hungry, consider a taco or bowl. You can also save half of your burrito for later.
4. Watch Your Carbs
If you’re following a low-carb diet, opt for a bowl without rice or tortillas. Beans and veggies will provide you with plenty of fiber and nutrients while keeping carbs in check.
5. Load Up on Veggies
Fill your burrito, taco, or bowl with veggies like lettuce, onions, and tomatoes. These are low in calories and add essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your meal.
Calorie-Conscious Combos
If you’re looking to create a meal that’s filling but won’t derail your diet, here are some lower-calorie combinations at Pancheros:
Combo 1: Chicken Bowl (About 540 Calories)
- Chicken
- Black beans
- Lettuce
- Salsa (no cheese, sour cream, or guacamole)
Combo 2: Steak Tacos (About 420 Calories)
- Two corn tortillas
- Steak
- Lettuce
- Pico de Gallo
Combo 3: Vegetarian Burrito (About 640 Calories)
- Flour tortilla
- Brown rice
- Black beans
- Lettuce
- Salsa (no cheese or guacamole)
Customization is Key
One of the best things about Pancheros is the ability to customize your meal. You have full control over what goes into your burrito, taco, or bowl. This means you can easily adjust your order to fit your dietary needs.
Whether you’re counting calories, carbs, or fat, the flexibility to choose your ingredients allows you to enjoy your favorite flavors without guilt.
Conclusion
Eating at Pancheros can be both delicious and healthy if you’re mindful of your choices. Understanding the nutritional information of each ingredient helps you make informed decisions and create a meal that fits within your dietary goals.
By choosing lean proteins, limiting high-calorie extras, and watching portion sizes, you can enjoy your Pancheros meal without going overboard on calories. Whether you’re dining in or taking it to-go, a little awareness goes a long way in maintaining a balanced diet while still indulging in your favorite flavors.
