Pandita Taqueria with a Twist | Local Mexican Fusion

This place was top tier in every way. I was visiting Eugene to stay with a friend for a few nights, he said we should eat there. He got the pandarito i think its called with carntitas added, it was thier chimichanga. It was so delicious. We sat and ate on their patio around 8 30 pm. Such a cool vibe. Im glazing this place pretty hard because they definitely deserve it. Amazing spot

This place is a gem. Can’t believe it took me as long as it did to go here, but man am I glad I did. Saw a friend at a gathering with their dinner that they brought with them- and it was a burrito from Pandita. I went the next week and have no shame in admitting I’ve been back several times since. Not only is their burrito out of this world with flavor (*bonus points for its solid ingredients that I feel good about eating too) but if you also happen to have time to sit and enjoy it on their lovely little patio you won’t be sorry. This place is truly a delight. If you are a local and haven’t been, what are you waiting for? And if you are visiting Eugene, make sure you add this on your list of places to check out.

Went for a quick bite. Friendly staff. Ordered shrimp tacos, chicken tacos, avocado taco, and waffle fries nachos... the food was good, but lacked a little flavor to my taste. My fiancée enjoyed it a lot. We have different preferences when it comes to food. She gives it a 4 star.

If you want to have healthy Mexican food, this is your place! I enjoyed my food so much! It's definitely different from typical Mexican dishes I always get from restaurants. Staff are friendly, and helpful too if you're not sure what you're getting. I'd love to go back, so definitely recommended.

Wow! I can eat taco’s everyday but these I can eat every meal everyday for the rest of my life. You are missing out if you haven’t tried it!!! If you think you’ve had good food this will make you feel like you’re eating good food for the first time. Ever. And everything else couldn’t even compare. Plus the people are so caring and friendly. You can feel the love. Just. Woooooow! All around the best I’ve ever ever had here in Eugene.

The family loved the tacos here. Authentic street tacos, adobe chicken, carnitas and veggie were all good with a selection of hot sauces. The margs were super tasty as well. Plenty of outdoor seating, worth checking out!

I would have taken more photos of the place because it's absolutely adorable, but there were SO many people that it would have felt like I was invading their privacy & ruining their dining experience. The food is incredible & I will go back & get more photos. I also forgot to snap photos of the menu, my apologies. I was a bit upside down in my feels, because the person who took my order was VERY unpleasant. I am hoping that they are NOT there when I go back. However, the food made up for that persons attitude. SO many incredible flavors going on, nothing bland, nothing dry, tons of organic, incredible wonderfulness! The Beef is indescribable & I'm not even a Beef eater! I certainly am excited to go back to order other items!

I could have eaten here every day I stayed in Eugene. This is a great locally owned restaurant in the cutest setting. My husband and I shared tacos and they were were the best tacos I’ve ever had. The special drink of the night was a margarita with fresh blueberries and of course I had to have two. Try this place, you won’t regret it!

Deep fried burrito is amazing. The house hot sauce collection is also next level! 1000% would recommend. The owners are super nice and have been working every time I've visited.

Dang Pandita, you threw down and I am throughly upset that I do not live closer. We had the quest and chips to start. The queso is homemade and delicious. Braised beef and Adobo chicken tacos and the Adobo chicken fuego-rito. The carrot habenero sauce is a must on everything too.

These folks are really nice and I've been going here since they opened a few years back prior to Covid. I was a big fan of the original burrito that had melted cheese and fries in it at the time. This is no longer available, but sometimes the people at the counter know what I'm talking about and I can still get it. I appreciate that. I've eaten there often and had pretty decent experiences with a variety of tacos and burritos over the years. Unfortunately, on my last visit here, I was not so happy. I paid $9.50 for a tortilla full of rather uninspired beans and rice called a burrito. That ain't right. I will stop in for some of their tacos & a margarita again, before I dismiss it as done for me. The other detractors I'll mention is 1) bathroom outside and 2) place tends to be pretty cold because the doors are often open and it's quite chilly. Wear a sweater if you don't run hot.

This is my third review for Pandita, and I'm pleased to say that they are still killing it! One cool thing about them is their weekly specials which are consistently creative and delicious. This week they had wild salmon tacos with ginger-tamarind sauce along with a Thai-style vegan coconut curry soup. As soon as I saw them post it on social media, I knew I had to have it. It was absolutely fantastic. The soup was chock full of veggies and a subtle heat, and the tacos were delicious and beautifully presented, and the tortilla was fresh and locally-sourced. This meal was a ray of sunshine on a cold foggy day. I also appreciate the great music that is always playing whenever I step inside that just adds to the cozy atmosphere. Definitely follow them on FB/IG to catch up on their latest specials. If you want what I just had, you'll have to get there by Sunday Dec 8!

Food was ok, service marginal and ambiance - meh. I expected exceptional Mexican food based on the reviews and maybe this place works for Eugene but Seattle has a lot going for it especially for Mexican food.

I stopped by a few days ago, after an eye doctor appointment and saw this little restaurant that I had never tried before. They have a great menu and a nice assortment of beverages. They have a little board with their daily specials on it and also happy hour drinks. I ordered their taco salad with Carnitas. I have never had a better taco salad. It was full of nothing but fresh lettuce, pickled red onions, micro greens, pepitas, black beans and some of the best crispy Carnitas I have had. I ordered a mezcal lemonade that was delicious. Alexis, my server was very knowledgeable and helpful with my order. She also brought out their three hot sauces, I couldn't decide which one I liked best. They were all completely different and delicious in their own way. I can't remember the last time I had such fresh and tasty Mexican food in Eugene. I was lucky enough to have met the owner, Amy, and I will be making this a regular stop!

Food was great, very quick, large selection of mezcals and tequilas. Would definitely go back.

No clue how we missed this place apparently over and over until a thirteen year old foodie clued me into it's existence. So good! Gluten intolerant options and the food is honestly super tasty. Meat is flavored to perfection, super tender, and I'm never going to be sad to sit in the sunshine to eat. There's also inside seating but to be honest I didn't see it personally so I couldn't say what that's like. Friendly folks working there, easy menu, and food came out fast. Prices are a little high considering the portions (although said kid's burrito was inSANE), but for a splurge we really enjoyed it.

The best! Very creative, nicely curated than you and obviously the food is made with love!

Do yourself a favor and try this spot if you haven't already. The food is great & we've had almost everything on the menu this afternoon for my small birthday lunch! Didn't get to picture the Chicken Adobo or Braised beef tacos.

The staff was very friendly. The food took a while, but they were pretty busy. I think that goes to show how good they are! Mans got a beef bowl and we shared some crispy tacos. It was nice having g a quality crunchy taco in a world full of soft tacos. My favorite was the bean taco (I love beans!!!) Chicken taco was also good. They have 3 hot sauces. Pretty good. It's located on a busy street, but they had a well enclosed area on the side walk. Cute vibes and good music!

I really wanted to love this place as it was recommended by my brother, but it was just okay. The guac was alright, but the tacos that I ordered tasted like the shells were straight out of an Old El Paso package. The outdoor dining was nice, as it was beautiful out, but our table was way too close to the people next to us. I liked that they had self service water. I would love to see mocktail options for those of us who don't imbibe alcohol.

Fun little taco shack in Eugene, with Japanese-Mexican fusion style food, including hard and soft tacos, burritos, queso and chips, and homemade salsas, that incorporates a childhood nickname of one of the owners: Pandita. This is not Mexican food, and it's apparently not meant to be. Highlights on this menu include a hard taco special (my preference, over their soft tacos) and drinks. Run by a husband and wife team, and incorporating good music, a Grateful Dead bear-inspired panda logo, and featuring a cozy working fireplace on their patio for keeping comfortable on colder days and nights and with limited room in the dining room, Pandita's works best if you stick to their strengths: hard shell tacos, queso, good music & drinks.

This place is sort of a cross between a food cart and a restaurant. seating is covered and immediately adjacent to 11th St. We've eaten here a couple of times recently and loved the gourmet entrée items. But I'm mainly here to talk about the margaritas, which are the absolute pinnacle of freshness. They don't use mix that was made up that morning, like everybody else does around here. They squeeze those limes fresh. Basic Margarita is excellent, and you can upgrade with specialty blends and top shelf tequilas . Yum!

Our son goes to UofO so we were happy to find this little spot for lunches when we are there visiting. Fresh and delicious!

My husband, son, and I stopped in about 2 weeks ago for dinner. The décor is fun and relaxing, and the music in the restaurant was awesome. The service was fast and friendly. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. They do not have any high chairs, though, which would have made our visit a little bit easier. I started with a sangria, and my husband had a Coke in a bottle. We began with the Pandita fries. The fries were crispy, cheesy, and flavorful. The only thing I would change is to add more carnitas and more of the crema. Next, we had Mama's salmon tostadas. They were the best things we ordered! The salmon was fresh and savory, the avocado and green onion mixed perfectly, and the crispy wontons brought everything together perfectly. My husband and I could have each eaten our own! We split the taco three pack. We got 3 braised beef tacos. They were fresh and tasty. They were good, but not the best beef tacos that I have ever had. I enjoyed the freshness and dynamic flavor of the salmon tostadas more. Rating from F to A+++, I give it an A++. We would definitely eat here again.

First time, and now favorite taco in the Eug! Don't expect the typical Mexican taco, but do expect the best flavor! :-)

Last time we were down in Eugene we grabbed an early dinner at Pandita. We split 5 of their tacos (once of each flavor). They were all delicious and the perfect amount for the two of us. The service was friendly and the tacos came out fairly fast and were fresh and hot with so many great flavors. The ambiance is a eclectic and cozy. Made me feel like one of the cool kids. I'd def keep this on the list of places to eat in Eugene!

We were honestly skeptical if this fusion and master-of-none kinda restaurant would be a pleasant experience on our one night in Eugene, but we had nothing to be afraid of. It has all the vibes of a college/university town restaurant - relaxed, easy going kinda environment...most of the seating is outdoors. We ordered at the counter. The ladies running the service seemed very sweet. Their special of squash blossoms had caught our eye and we had that as our first pick for appetizer. It was a little on the pricey side but the dish was exotic...the filling, and the sauce were so finger licking good. We all enjoyed it. We also ordered a chips and salsa Rosa...loved the charred tomato flavor. My little one had the little panda bowl, the quantity looked sufficient. Our drinks came quickly but obviously the entrees took time to come thorough. For drinks I had the blueberry margarita and my husband had the kiwi mezcal. I loved my margarita but the mezcal was a little too sweet for my husband and very short on the quantity. My daughters lemonade was very tasty - definitely home made! My husband had the salmon tostada for his dinner and he enjoyed that meal a lot more than the drink. My son had the bean and cheese taco and carnitas taco. He seemed to like the beans taco more than the carnitas. I had the 3 tacos with carnitas and adobo chicken, and I though the carnitas were better than the chicken. A must visit if you are at Eugene.

I really liked Pandita. It was such a fun atmosphere and the food was delicious. You order at a counter and then the food is brought to you which I liked. The drinks were really good as well, they had exciting options like a strawberry margarita and a whole bar area. The menu was pretty big and had a lot of options-burritos, bowls, tacos, chips, and more. The food was beautiful too, so colorful and plated nicely. Servers were very friendly and accommodating. Definitely come here for a fun bite to eat and some drinks!

Food is similar to what I've experienced in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Prompt service. Highly recommended.

This was my first, but definitely not my last trip to Pandita! The weather was perfect for their outdoor seating, and the staff was eager to help me out in deciding which tacos to get- on top of that which drink to pair with it! Ended up with tasty tacos and two drinks off of their cocktail specials.

Great place with delicious tacos!! Wow!! We love Panditas!!. Thank you so so much for offering vegan options, we will stop here again!!

Absolutely delicious, huge flavor, super fresh ingredients. Wonderful spot!!!! Outstanding service and quick!

Fire. Food was fresh and unique. Not over the top crazy, and worth the price. We had the adobe chicken tacos, waffle fries w/ carnitas with the pickled onions (my fav) & vegetarian bowl. Had a nice cold beer and enjoyed the outdoor seating. Salsas were amazing, I am a spicy food lover and these were my addiction. The salsa verde was the spiciest, loved it. Friendly staff & definitely recommend if you are in the area.

The meat was dry in every taco we tried, but the guacamole and drinks were really good. Our kid said it taste like cat food. The service was good.

What a gem! Delicious tacos and the chips and queso are amazing. Great vegetarian options.

So, it's my birthday... I wanted a special meal, perhaps something outside of our 'normal rotation,' and since I just had knee surgery- we wanted to order delivery. I looked here on Yelp and saw so many stars, and I thought that- just maybe- I had found a new place for my favorite food... TACOS! My partner is a full-on carnivore, and he ordered the beef, I am a pescetarian who eats chicken on occasion- so, chicken tacos it is! I noticed that the beef tacos came with habanero sauce, so I ordered a side of habanero sauce for myself as I am a lover of heat & spice. Doordash made this meal very expensive with fees and whatnot, but the convenience of tacos at home without the hassle of loading into the car in the heat with a stiff & swollen knee would have been well worth it, had the food been good. Chips and salsa (they only offer rojo for delivery, but we prefer verde) Tacos for him, tacos for me, and Chips and guac in case the salsa was not good (we don't always love rojo salsa..) We received a bag of chips that was marked on the back 2x (yet it was a small bag comparable to other delivery meals we've enjoyed from similar venues.) Five tacos each, which may sound like a lot- I was imagining raiding the fridge later for a leftover bite- but worry not, as these were the smallest tacos with bland meats, minimal toppings, and nearly zero flavor. The tacos that I added habanero sauce to had some flavor, but the tiny cup was about 1/2 ounce size and I donated the majority of it to give the rojo salsa some flavor. The one bag of chips sent was apparently for the two orders, and measly portions aside- the chips were the only item delivered with any flavor. I've offered one star review for the chips alone, but even that feels generous for a spoiled birthday meal. At least I don't ever have to order from them again, and I suggest you save your time and money and just go somewhere else, too! no photos available, as we were too hungry to not eat, and they didn't look worth photographing upon arrival.

So fun. Walk up window to order. Bar - order the margaritas. A vegan burrito with guac. A veggie taco. Queso n chips. Took a number and they brought out everything nicely in order and at pace. Just enough to make it a snack without getting overloaded. Staff was awesome. Very personable. Glad my hubby found it.

Fresh and flavorful food. Cute outdoor seating. Everyone working there was super nice. My partner ordered the three pack of tacos with carnitas, beef, and veggie. I ordered a veggie tostada which had delicious beans, pickled onions, sprouts and was nice and filling. My partner also had a blueberry habanero margarita that he described as tangy, spicy, and really good. We'll definitely be back!

Excellent food and over the top customer service. Our favorite place to eat in town. We wish they were open 7 days a week! Can't get enough. The food is top tier quality and made with love. They also have the best drinks.

Cute little spot with friendly staff and great food . I'm a huge fan of their hot verde sauce , it has just the right amount of spice . There Pandita fries are always so crispy with a hearty amount of toppings . I've never been disappointed with any of my orders .

Very pleasant patio setting, highly recommend going on a nice day. Tasty mezcal margarita that went very well with the pork tacos.

Delicious! Everything we ate was so good! Fresh and flavorful! Ordered a braised beef taco (my favorite of the two), carnitas taco, hibiscus margarita, and shared rojo salsa, a large side of guac, and chips. They bring out three bottles of homemade hot sauce that are packed full of flavor and spice! Can't wait to go back! Small place on the corner of a street. You place your order at the outdoor window then grab a seat and they bring you your order. Sat outside at cute wooden picnic tables.

I just want hot sauce for my burrito. I would honestly even eat the wrong food with joy in my heart if you just gave me enough hot sauce to put on it.

This is a place where you order at the window but don't let that put you off. Great tacos, guacamole and chips. And the charred pineapple margarita was delicious.

Words cannot describe how amazing this little restaurant is; if I could give it ten stars I would. Not only is the food AMAZING, the people there made our dining experience even better! The first night we went, I ordered the vegan chili and my husband had the panda-rito. We were greeted by Alexis who was so kind and helpful about what to order. She constantly checked on us to see how we were enjoying the food. I explained that the chili was so flavorful. Let's put it this way, the food was so good we went back the next night and my husband wanted the chili too and he's not even vegan. Again, we were greeted with such warmth from Amy and Alexis that they just made our time at Pandita wonderful! I would strongly recommend this restaurant; it's full of wonderful food and wonderful people!!

Tacos with a twist. Really good food. Was not expecting the flavors. Pickled onions were good. My wife and I had the salmon tostadas. Very delicious. My only issue is I wish they gave you a larger portion. It's enough. But I really wanted more when I was done. Price for everything including my kids' food and shared guacamole was reasonable as well. It's a local spot so if you are in Eugene try it out. They also have drinks.

Was looking for something new with family in town and now we're OBSESSED! Pandita is so so delicious, you must try their carnitas (in any form, burrito, taco, or toastada!) We started with their chips and queso which had great flavor, and we tried a friend's tortilla soup. So so good! I got a carnitas burrito and another friend got 5 tacos, all with different fillings. We talked to the chef and they say some things rotate, so you've got to come back and try everything now AND later. Definitely a chill spot, with kind staff, and a good place for friends and family. Definitely check them out!

Excellent experience at Pandita. Not much indoor seating. Queso is phenomenal. Would recommend!

Service was super swift and great, but the food was just okay. The carnitas in the soft taco i had was phenomenal (they were crispy and flavorful). The chicken in my tamale special and in my husband's taco was not our favorite....But we will def try again to see if it was just a fluke with our previous choices.

Loved this spot. Took my college student and her friends there. Creative menu. Good service. Great outdoor space. Recommended!

Got there late after a Ducks basketball win. Close to closing time. Lots of places would be salty about showing up close to closing. Not these guys. Great folks. Got the loaded fries which was insane. Tacos were really good. Got the beef and chicken. Son got carnitas. Love this place.

This was our second time here, forgot to use the gift certificate the first time. Service was great, food was excellent, seating is limited but sufficient. Would definitely come back!

What a wonderful surprise to come across this place. The hostess was very welcoming, the ambience is so lovely, and the food is just fantastic. We actually came here because we had read another favorable yelp review. And I have to say they were right. Totally worth a visit if you're in the mood for tacos, and perhaps the top shelf tequila. Also, the guac is to die for.

Good food and drinks. Fun location. Wonderful staff. Definitely worth the stop in Eugene!

One of a kind place, you can't miss if you're in Eugene! Their tacos are phenomal, well balanced and fresh. Love the creative flavors drawn from international inspiration. I think about their chunky guacamole and homemade carrot habanero sauce in my dreams!! Don't miss out, and pair your meal with some cocktails- fresh homemade syrups and infusions, or an Oregon local beer on tap. Tons of Vegan, Veggie, Gluten Free and even kiddo options for everyone in the group to enjoy.

Updating my original review After a not so good experience at Pandita, we decided to give it another try. The tacos were perfectly cooked and crunchy, and the service was much better than our previous experience. I reached out to the owner and she was really receptive and understanding. She comped our meal and I arrived 20 minutes after my order was placed and the food was ready, and warm! Service was great and I truly do believe my previous experience was a one-off and just a busy night where they had a lot of orders backed up. I think the best way to go when ordering take out is to call in your order and just be super clear with the name you order to avoid any issues. Yes, the prices are bit higher than what you typically find in Eugene, but that's because of the quality of ingredients and the food itself. As a life long Angeleno and now Oregon transplant, Pandita is the only taco place In Eugene reminiscent of the high-end Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles, so it's worth the price. Pandita is the best taco place in Eugene - hands down.

Good service but not good food. The tacos were dry and needed acid of some kind. The sauces were good. Would not recommend the salmon tostadas. I love raw salmon more than anyone but it was very underwhelming.