Don Panchito Mexican Grill

Halal Restaurants in Philly Prepare for Another Ramadan in a Pandemic | Eater Philly

"In Torresdale I discovered Don Panchito Halal Mexican Grill, opened about two and a half years ago by Algerian American Mohamed Goubaa (who also owns a medical laboratory and a food cart called Goubaa Grub). He began with a soft opening expecting only about 50 people, but over 150 showed up; he describes the menu not as authentic Mexican but as “an American mix to Mexican food — that is also halal,” learning recipes from YouTube and Google before hiring a Mexican chef. The restaurant follows Islamic guidelines (for example, substituting pork with steak in its barbacoa), centers halal accessibility for the Muslim community, and makes charity a core part of its mission: throughout the year they prepare care packages, fed hospital staff during the pandemic, and during Ramadan plan to sponsor masjids with free platters of quesadillas and tacos for iftar while partnering with supermarkets to distribute care packages Monday–Thursday. Inside the space, there’s a quiet second-floor area for tarawih and prayer, the Quran sometimes plays from the kitchen, staff explain Ramadan and halal to non-Muslim customers and provide educational packets, and the restaurant hands out free desserts." - Zainab Iqbal