states of Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Overview Pancho's is most popular for having its buffet customers "raise the flag" to request more food; each table has a small tricolored flag with the three colors of the flag of Mexico. The flag, however, is sometimes missing the Mexican coat of arms and thus more closely resembles the flag of Italy but sporting the image of Pancho the mascot of Pancho's Mexican Buffet. The food is reasonably priced, and the dining area is often decorated with a courtyard motif with two sayings in Spanish on the walls "Mi Casa es su casa (My House is Your House) and "Panza llena Corazon Contento" (Full Belly, Happy Heart). Several locations also sold a limited line of products that customers could purchase and make their own sopapillas, tacos, etc. at home, as well as a small selection of piñatas that could be used for parties or other decorating reasons, as well as Sombreros de Charro and Handcrafted Mexican artisan goods such as small pottery, toys and figurines. 2 Amigos Buffet Damage caused by Hurricane Katrina forced the Metairie, Louisiana, location in New Orleans to close. On March 30, 2009, Panchos Mexican Buffet returned to Metairie, with over 600 invitation-only patrons in attendance at a private opening the previous Friday. As of January 2012, the Metairie and Baton Rouge Super Buffet locations have been permanently closed. With the closing of all Louisiana locations and knowing there was a following of this brand, New Orleans area residents Gene Usner and Roger Bolanos opened 2 Amigos Mexican Buffet located in Kenner, LA in 2013. Both were long time employees of Pancho's. The food was almost identical to what Pancho's had in their glory days of the '80s and '90s. The restaurant closed in September 2021 due to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and a hurricane. References External links Mexican restaurants in the United States Buffet restaurants Restaurant franchises Restaurants in Dallas Companies based in Dallas Restaurant chains in the United States Restaurants established in 1958 1958 establishments in Texas