I dig Ponak's. It's probably something about living in the KC area my entire life. When I was little, my parents and the neighbors would drive in from the suburbs every once in a while, and so it always seemed incredibly exotic.
Is it the best Mexican food you're going to have? Not by a long shot. Especially based on location, it's almost laughable. But the food isn't bad at all. It's not real Mexican, but it's tasty for what it is. The guacamole is actually super.
I feel like they changed the margaritas somewhere along the line, or maybe it was me. I remember really enjoying them in the past, but they don't have the best taste. They are, however, as many have pointed out, incredibly strong. So if that's what you're going for, enjoy.
They do have a good selection of beers.
I'm not turned off by the interior - it is what it is, and it's been there forever. You have to respect that they've never felt the desire to change, and they still pack in the people week after week.
So. Very. Bad. How is this an "institution"?
This hole of a restaurant not only looks like a basement rec-room circa 1973, but serves slop. I firmly believe that the only reason people say the food is good is because they get tanked on the "margaritas" and will eat anything.
The margaritas come out of a tap and are unpalatably strong. They taste like bottom shelf tequila into which somebody squeezed a lime. We had already been drinking margaritas at two other places, so my tolerance for strong drinks should have muted the effect, but even then all four of us could barely choke these things down. Unacceptably bad.
The place feels dirty. Maybe it's just that old, but it just seems like it needs a good hosing out.
I don't get how people come here when there are two other vastly superior Mexican options (that are comparable in price) that you could literally hit with a rock.
Ponaks's is a KC staple! Â They were lucky enough to enjoy Boulevard Brewery's first keg of beer for sale!
Absolutely love the margaritas! Half pitchers are so great to share! The food is pretty typical but well prepared, but some of it is pretty greasy (and delicious)! Â I was pretty dissapointed in the taco salad and the fact that they dont offer "healthier" option of any kind... that would be nice!
I've only eaten there for take out. I've never had lunch at Ponak's. Today was a first.
I've seen the menu at dinner time. Well guess what? To my surprise, there was no separate lunch menu, no specials, atleast that I saw.. I mean, you might as well go at dinner. We had about a ten minute wait, and I had to par in the front on the street, which is sketchy considering the No Parking Signs here and there and not there.
We ordered off the Ala Carte. I had a taco and a flauta. A flauta is actually a taquito. It was very good. The taco was also very good. It was a ground beef taco, loaded with cheese, lettuce and a few tomatoes. The flauta was white meat chicken with a fried shell. It was served with sour cream.The server was running. I mean sprinting from table to table, just to keep up.
When he took our order, he had someone's drink, half drank, in his hands and put the glasses on our table...okay, I'm being food OCD. But that's kind of disgusting. But he kept our salsa filled, there were three with chips, and even managed to keep our drinks filled.
When he bought the check, we had 2 different table bills. That made for confusion. It was straightened out, and we left. I think they could improve things by providing a lunch menu. Maybe there is one, but we weren't told of it.
I really really enjoy the Margaritas at Ponak's. Â They are well mixed and if you drink a few of them you will need to get a cab ride home. Â The food is good, I find it quite hard to mess up Mexican food although the salsa was a little on the bland side. Â I have seen a few posts about cars being broken into but I have never had a problem.
I suggest going a little earlier or later for lunch or dinner since they tend to be packed which reduces the quality of the service. Â I can suggest any of the enchiladas and a Margarita or two since everything I have eaten there was good. Â If you can get there between 3-6 they have specials and 'Happy Hour' during that time. Â I would suggest checking it out, have a Margarita and see what you think. Â It is Mexican style covered in cheese and sauce so you really can't go wrong :)
I ate here one time and I did not care for it. Â Also they have a problem during the lunch and evening hour with cars getting broken into. Â So a word to the wise, if you go there for lunch, hid all your Garmins, laptops, and ipods, if you don't more than likely some criminal with break out your car window and take your belongings. Â
The restaurant does have video surveillance but it's just not enough.
Mother's Day is not always an emotional mountaintop for me. Yes, I did return to KC to be near my kids and yes, I am blessed with several wonderful grandkids, but my son seldom sends me a card and my daughter has 2 kids under 3, nuff said. Â So, even though when I was young I did Mother' Day up right, my children do not. And, I lost my mother 21 years ago, so I have no one to lavish affection on either. Â
Now, the Chess Player, having been hitched to me these nearly 17 years, knows this and tries to think of creative ways to make the day special. But on this MD, I was extra crabby w/ a side of meow, so when he asked, "May I take you out?", I burst into tears, then said FINE. Â
Anyway, I knew most venues would be packed so as we crossed the river from up north and headed down Broadway, I had him take a right on the Boulevard and thought we could check out the fare. When I saw Ponak's I said, THERE.
I remember Ponaks fondly from my younger days in KC and thought it a good choice. I received a carnation before being seated and then we feasted on chicken enchiladas for me and a combo plate w/some of everything spicy for the Chess Player. Â
Afterward, he took me for a walk in the rose garden at Loose Park, which was really interesting after 2 margaritas...it was really a lovely and relaxing day.
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Now, is it fab Mexican fare with top notch service, NO. But the service was decent even though it was busy and our food was quite good. Â Overall, it was a satisfying dining experience. Plus the story behind the place is wonderful.
Absolutely the worst service I've ever had in my life! One star is being generous. Â I wish I could say that the food made up for the poor service but I left before I could even get my food because our server was such an asshole. Â I ordered carne asade tacos and when I asked for a side of grilled onions he said, "no thats just being to high maintenance" I mean honestly they had to grill the meat for the tacos anyway. Â
If your looking for a place to be treated like shit ponaks is the place for you. I will never return.
From the road this might look like a small, hole-in-the-wall spot. But it's actually fairly large inside. And at lunch time, it was pretty crowded. We were lucky, though, and our party of four was seated right away.
It had been a long morning of meetings and presentations, so we had all skipped breakfast. I was starving now, literally ready to eat anything that crawled across the floor. But I didn't have to. Opted for two pork burritos instead.
And they were heavenly. Huge, generous portions of pork and tons of melted cheese. Also came with rice, beans, and shredded lettuce and tomatoes.
You might not get "shredded" yourself eating like this, but it was an excellent burrito lunch. As hungry as I was, I couldn't finish everything. And that is unusual for me.
Great service staff and friendly management here as well.
Would definitely come back next time in town.
Hands down, best margaritas I've ever had in my life. They're on tap and hoo boy they're potent. A pitcher for four people is more than enough but they are delicious. If it's someone's birthday, let them know, you'll get an extra double shot of tequila! The food is alright, you receive the obligatory chips and salsa which is pretty good. The guacamole is delightful if not a little expensive.
The parking is atrocious, this is a good place to go on off hours, for example if you've skipped lunch or something. Regardless of the day, it's always packed around prime lunch and dinner hours and on the weekend? forget it. That doesn't ever deter me however, and reservations are HIGHLY encouraged. I'll wait an hour for those margaritas, especially since you can order a pitcher while you wait. Bonus!
The food is alright, the fajitas are probably the best item I've had off the menu. The sonoran tacos are pretty good as well. But again, I don't go for the food, at least not at first :D
I have been going to Ponaks religiously every monday night for the last 9 years. Â The fact is that if you come down on a Monday night around 6:30, 99/100 I'm there. Â Now why do we have Margaritta's Monday's at Ponaks? Â it's simple. Â They have absolutely the best Margarittas in the world, ever ever ever! Â I don't want to hear your crap about the chips, the salsa, the taco meat or the mean bald manager (J/K Robert). Â We do not go to Ponaks for their fine dining. Â We go for one reason and one reason only, and that is the best Margarittas in the world. Â On a side note about the food. Â the burrito papas is usually about the best thing they have on the menu. Â add some chorizo and you're good to go. Â The new fajittas are pretty tasty as well and for my money their plain old pork burrito is pretty fine. Â I will continue to go to Ponaks on Monday nights until I die. Â End of story.
**04/24/12 Â alas Robert is at Ponak's no more. Â if the mean bald manager was the reason you stopped going, feel free to give them another try. Â He was always nice to me, but then, I'm an asshole sometimes too.**
**PS Â I just read through a bunch of reviews that think Ponak's Margaritas are a MIX. Â You are dead wrong, they are made fresh, every day, the reason they have them on tap is because they make them in a very large quantity. Â There is NO mix in the Ponak margarita. Â It's tequilla, triple-sec, lime juice, sprite. Â That's it. Â If you don't like them, that's fine, but I personally think there is no finer margarita in the world, so yes, I will drink yours.**
Do NOT go here!!!
Run while you still can!
Have a group of people? Â Be warned: there is a HIGH chance they will put someone else's tab (at the same table) on your ticket! Â At this point you mst be thinking `surely they will credit my account for this double charge. Haha you could not be more wrong! Â My poor friends called the manager and they said there was nothing they could do! Â Wow $70 bucks for some mediocre burritos and a couple of beers?! Â NO THANKS! Â I'll take my business to someone who has REAL customer service!!
The staff at Ponak's are very patient. Â Every New Year's Day, a group of us stumble in at 11:00 a.m. in sweats (and a hangover haze). Â Despite people continually coming in and adding tables/chairs and the group gradually getting louder and more intoxicated, the servers are always pleasant. Â Pitchers of margaritas are flowing and they will even accommodate separate checks if you get it organized in the beginning. Â
Do not order a Bloody Mary here. Â This is my fault since I know their margaritas are legendary, but post-NYE, I couldn't stomach them yet. Â My bloody mary was very watery, no spice, no olive or celery, just a lime and cheap tomato juice and vodka. Â
I always get the guacamole enchilada. Â It's so funny to me that it's listed as *Market Price on the menu. Â Like it's a filet mignon. Â It's just an a la carte item: Â blue corn tortilla filled with cheese, onions, and guacamole. Â Yet the price is a mystery. Â It's $4.95 this week. Â So worth it! The best thing on the menu and everyone is always jealous of my meal. :)
Decent Mexican food at a fair price. Â Very accommodating to groups of people (and they won't even judge you).
Just went here for the first time. The atmosphere is a bit odd and confused (not sure if its a bar or a restaurant) however the food is pretty great.
I would strongly recommend anything with their pork. It is cooked perfectly and well seasoned.
Definitely worth the trip if you are tired of chain places and bland food.
I want to start this review by saying that if you are looking for an upscale dining experience then Ponak's is not the place to go. Â This is not a bad thing, in fact it is a good thing for me, but I wanted to address this up front.
Ponak's is a good restaurant. Â The servers are attentive and the food comes out quick even at peak times. Â At my last visit I sat at the bar. Â The bartender promptly took my order and while I was eating my meal kept my Pepsi filled to the brim. Â He was fairly chatty and checked on me to make sure everything was okay.
The food can be a little spotty depending on who is in the kitchen. Â There are times it has been the best food I have ever tasted, but other times food has come out bland and undercooked. Â During my last visit the queso sauce was solid, but my flauta was a bit over fried. I will say that I am partial to the burrito with an egg meal.
The restaurant gets packed for lunch. I would recommend coming early or at least trying to get to the restaurant as close to the top of the hour as possible. I line will form and even though the staff does its best to keep moving tables swiftly the wait will back up.  Parking is also a little bit of an issue.  The main lot is very small, very tight and hard to see traffic on Southwest Boulevard.  There is a lot directly to the west  that offers a little more room to maneuver.
This is what I waited for? Not impressed. Â
The server was very attentive. Â Honestly he was the one plus during my lunch. The three salsas, dropped on the table by a surly person not our server, weren't good at all. The green was very sour. One of the reds had too much pepper taste (not hot pepper but black pepper) and the other was bland but ok. Â
My burrito which was labeled as "spicy" on the menu was anything but spicy. It was filled with shredded bland beef, beans with jalapenos (where?) and onions (again where?). Â Personally, I think Taco Bell's burrito is better and their fire sauce is way above the salsas I had today.
Believe it or not, I'm glad I tried Ponacks. Now I know I don't like it rather than wondering if it is a winning Mexican restaurant.
If there was a place I'd like to hold court on a weekday, it'd be here. Â The thing I like most about Ponak's is no one seems to be in a hurry. Â It's a great place to get stalked by your sister-in-law's boss or find out about a hidden relationship. Â But! Â It's an even better place to get a fantastic margarita and chips and salsa. Â
The rest of the food is not good. Â Not even the chips and cheese and cheese is my favorite. Â I also had the tacos once, those weren't for me either. Â :(
We'll all have to go and run into each other. Â The first Margarita is on me.
Spent several weeks in Kansas City for training. Â Associates and I have a tradition of doing Taco Tuesdays and we would go eat out at many Mexican joints all over the city. Â Â This is by far the best tasting Mexican food I've had since i've been here.
Everyone liked their food. Â I had the taco sonoma, which were excellent, and everyone else raved about the guacamole enchiladas!
My group of friends and I will never return here. Â We were treated with such disrespect, it was shocking. Â We put our names down for 11 people on Saturday night and proceeded to the bar to wait. Â After 9 out of 11 were there, we asked if we could go ahead and be seated. Â The host, which we also believed now to be the manager, said we couldn't sit until our full party was there. Â He was rude and surly about our situation the entire time. Â We explained that the others were on their way and would arrive shortly. Â Unfortunately, this man was a total asshole about it. Â He said no, we will not let you sit until the full party it here. Â Ok, so there is a table set up in the back for 11 people and it's ready for us, but 9 of us can't sit at it until the others arrive? Â Poor management, poor service. Â
What sense does it make to not let us sit down when we are only waiting on two other people? Â And the place was clearly not busy at all. Â It seemed to me that the man, Rob, was just not interested in serving customers. Â So, after he was an asshole to our whole group, we decided to wait it out and down a pitcher or two of margaritas at the bar. Â
When we came to the bar, the bartender was terrible and just as rude as the manager. Â First of all, it was none of his business to be interjecting in our conversation. Â We were all a little upset at the poor treatment we had just received, and the bartender decided he would interrupt us and say that it's always been that way here at Ponak's. Â So of course, all the men in our party were upset that the bartender was being a dick, so words were said back and forth. Â Needless to say we did not spend our money at the restaurant because who would give these people their money after being treated like shit? Â The bartender was arguing with us while asking how many glasses we needed, and then when things got a little more heated, he took the pitcher away from us!
The business is a shame. Â No one there knows how to treat people with dignity apparently. Â Screw this as my childhood favorite, I won't be treated that way. Â Ever.
The best thing about Ponak's? Their margaritas. The only ones I'll drink. They are stout, and not syrupy/sugary like most restaurant margaritas. It's a pretty good value to share a pitcher with friends instead of buying by the glass.
The food is not my favorite mexican, but it's decent and inexpensive. The pork chili is my favorite. My wife loves the guacamole enchilada.
The host staff is not always the friendliest, but they have to put up with large crowds, and they get the job done.
The bartenders and waitstaff are always friendly and service is quick.
This is one of our favorite places to go for a casual dinner and drinks, whether with friends or family.
I wasn't really impressed with their menu selection. Their salsa was really bad. They had one that was spicy and it tasted okay. I ordered some tamales. They needed more sauce on top. The rice and beans were okay.
We had a huge party, so I can kind of forgive that they took a while to serve us. What sucked was that we had to wait for everyone to show up before they'd seat us.
Also, parking here is crowded! Their entrance is in the back which felt a bit weird.
Let me preface this review by saying that my wife and I were bullied into this restaurant (you know, when you're out voted 13 to 2 on one of those rare gatherings of so-called wannabe foodies?) I don't think we would have ever tried going here on our own, but for the sake of not being party poopers, we took one for the team. . . and I mean a LOW blow . . . . . . .
I will refuse to elaborate on my (true) reasons for nominating this as the worst "Mexican" establishment on the planet. I feel that if I were to do as such, some of you might end up closing your Yelp accounts alltogether and moving on to blindfolded speed knitting or some other exciting nursing home game. I'll instead attempt to just give you a "rough draft" of my thoughts.
If Ponak's and Taco Hell uhh . . . . Bell were in a street fight, Taco Bell would win hands down. Ponak's wouldn't even get a lick.
The salsa was basically tomato sauce with a dash of salt and a sprinkle of some strange herb of some sort. I mean really not fit for human consumption.
The Margarita was worthless. Mi Ranchito needs to come here and give these folks a lesson on how to make them. Did I also say it was $7? If you're going to make disgusting Margaritas, charge half.
Beef fajita? What kind of meat was it? Racoon? Grade C KCMO school lunchmeat? Whatever it was, it was disturbing. I mean we almost walked out of there vegans.
In short, please spare yourself the pain of going here.
Ponak's may not be the most authentic Mexican food nor is it fancy or gourmet. Â It's simple good food that I know, grew up with and crave every now and again.
There is nothing fancy about this place. Â The food is pretty straight forward and cheesy. Â It's delivered quickly with little or no pomp and ceremony. Â The staff does its job efficintly and is pretty straight forward also. Â The patrons seem to come from all walks of life and are looking for simple, consistent, straight forward food. Â The decor is.....well it's some sort of decor. Â
The salsa is a bit fancier than watery ketchup. Â Sure, not a raving review but I grew up using this stuff and I like it. Â It's what I'm used to, it's what I know I'm going to get and yes, it makes me happy. Â FYI, I do like and appreciate other (real) salsa's, but this is one of those goofy trademarks of a restaurant that has enjoyed a long life and strong following for many years. Â If you want something different than what they slap on the table, ask. Â They are very happy to accomodate and they realize that different people like different things. Â
They make an extremely strong drink and serve an extremely fresh and tasty guacamole too. Â
Life is about having some creature comforts that bring you joy when you need it in the midst of a crazy life. Â Ponak's is one of those creature comforts that I'm glad is still around.
Two things, sort of related. 1. Ponak's is great for kids. and 2. The other day we were seated next to a man who proudly showed off his fake leg to The K Jr., age 4 when he tilted his head and stared at it with awe like The K might have stared at some dude who had the upper half of C3PO had he been sitting next to us 30 years ago.
Now, they don't have a children's menu, per se. Frankly, children's menus are BS. I remember when I was a kid, I'd be rather indignant when one was handed to me. OK, so maybe I was forced to order off of it regardless (SIGH!! I was too big for my britches as they say. I prefer to say that I had lofty ambitions). My parents didn't have much patience for me when I informed the waitress that I was *older* than the age limit as indicated on the menu.
So bravo to Ponak's for doing away with such silly contrivances. Kids can order a la carte. Or if they like rice and beans, order a pretty damn cheap entree and if there is some left, take it home. They may eat it all, because they will probably like it (no worries that any food will come out with an ounce of spice. It's just the way it is here).
This place is filled with the BEST KIND of regulars. I judge them all to be between 55 and 65. They like their drink. They like to be loud and often sit in the bar area. They are not intimidating, in fact, they are downright friendly. They aren't exactly bland beige lovin' folks either. So, the dude with the fake leg sitting next to us, despite not being a regular, but a visitor from Vermont, fit right in with this demographic. And his wife kept commenting on "what a great job they did with painting that mural" (see my previous review).
You know what? All of this is so awesome, although I am a salsa fanatic, I barely care that theirs comes in two varieties: bland and blander (to be fair, they will bring out a more spicy jalapeno type of salsa, which is passable.
Yay Ponaks! PS. Look for me here in a couple of decades.
As my boyfriend says this place is a "one and done!" No need to try it again, this place was disgusting. Not quite sure how they get away with calling themselves a Mexican restaurant. They don't use American cheese in Mexico, and that's all this food seemed to be. The margaritas people rave about are nasty. There should not be carbonation in a margarita...that tends to mean the mix went off. This place really pushes their own tequila as well. There is absolutely no soup on the menu, which to me is a big negative. The salsa is already on the table before you sit down which is a bit on the unsanitary side. Who is so trusting to think nobody is ever going to stick a finger in it on the way by. The menu lacks variety as a whole. The only good thing about this place is that they break down the receipt by guest so if you are in a group its easy to figure out each person's share. Â
Overall this place is not worth the hype. The food is greasy and has too much cheese on it. The lack of tomato use in the food along with the lack of cilantro is odd for a so-called Mexican restaurant. Â I guess this is what you get when there are no authentic dishes on the menu. This place is an expensive and less healthy version of Taco Bell.
"Number 22"
And it came on a plate and I ate it.
Ponak's was like the rating says: "A-OK". Â That was it for me, however. Â Not bad, not amazing, but ok. Â A-OK, at that.
Why was it not worth more than that? Â No real reason...I've got nothing to complain about it, but honestly, it just felt like any mexican joint I could find in the suburbs.
We did have really good, attentive service by friendly staff. Â That was the most remarkable thing. Â Other than the amazingly surreal mural on the back wall which kept me entertained for awhile.
I'd take my kids here, however, because it has a good family-vibe to it. Â Unfortunately, their choice of bad 90's music on the P.A. has me trying to cleanse my brain-pan of Third Eye Blind and Alanis Morissette (sp? Â No clue). Â
So, yeah, food was good, place was clean, staff was great. Â That's about it!
Lemme goone' ahead and break it down for ya'll, cause it's real simple:
1.) I hate, hate, (!!) haattteee (!!) margaritas. I have had many long and unsuccessful nights with tequila, and even the slightest scent of it leaves me running for the bathroom door. However, Ponak's margaritas do something fierce--in a good way. And they're terribly, terribly strong--in a good way. Be careful folks. If you're sitting on those bar stools in the lounge area after a couple of those bad boys, you're sure to land face first with the cold floor. Trust me, I've witnessed it. Last week.
2.) The portions are huge. Box it up and eat it the next day, or even later that night for your margarita induced drunken munchies.
3.) The food is just ok. Could be worse, could be better.
4.) The service is always bizarre here. I've been here a couple times now, and I always have touchy service. Our server this time around was a feisty, vibrant gay man who served us a side 'tude with our salsa.
5.) The salsa is watery. Their chips are typically tough and thicker in cut than most Mexican places I've been to.
6.) Our main goal was to order Mexican dessert. Fried ice cream or sopapillas to be exact. But we were quickly informed by our sassy server that they don't serve deserts at Ponaks. And I quote, "Baby, our desert is our margaritas!"
And there you have it folks. That's a wrap.
This place is bleh. Â For $5 you can get a lot of food and it is tolerable. Â That is the only thing I can say mildly positive about Ponak's. Â Oh, and the service was good. Â I did appreciate that.
How anyone can even pretend that "quality" is a priority at this place is beyond me. Â The food made me queasy and the margaritas were a sad combination of cheap tequila and sour mix. Â No joke. Â Feed me crappy food and I'll only complain a bit, but combine that with such a sad excuse of a margarita? Â Shame on you. Â
I will not be returning here. Â There are so many delicious Mexican options in the neighborhood that you could trip onto almost any other establishment nearby and have a better experience.
During a weekend visit to KC, my hubby and I visited Ponak's as suggested by our KC-dwelling dining partners. Â Upon arrival, I noticed the packed lot and variety of cars - hoopties to Lexus. Â This was going to be good, no doubt. Â The experience, however, was kind of a let-down.
I started with a margarita. Â I was going resist, as I was already recuperating after a wedding reception style booze-a-thon the night before, but when I saw them touting the title of KC's Best Margarita, I accepted the challenge. Â Their on tap (?!) margaritas have quite a bit of bite to them. Â I guess that's what they mean by "attitude"...? Â I don't know that I really enjoyed it, but it certainly did knock me on my a**.
We also ordered a cheese dip. Â I'm not a fan of salsa, so I MUST have cheese dip at Mexican spots. Â This was different than the typical white cheese variety you get at most spots in the STL. Â I was ok - oniony (and I love onion), but yeah, just ok.
I ordered the #18 - two flautas, beans, and rice. Â I opted for flour over corn tortillas and tried both the chicken and pork. Â My husband ordered a #1 - a taco, enchilada, and....something else. Â He seemed pleased enough with his meal. Â I was underwhelmed. Â The flautas were hella dry! Â I mean, come on. Â You're a Mexican restaurant. Â Do what all the other ones do - smother it in cheese! Â The rice and beans, however, were good and plentiful.
Not like we're in KC often, but if we were and craving some Mexican, I'd try somewhere new instead of heading back to Ponak's.
I've been on a quest for the best Mexican food in KC. I've asked my friends for recommendations, I've polled my Twitter followers and I've made assumptions based on the number of cars parked in an establishment's lot during the dinner hour (lots of cars = people like it, no cars = stay away).
Ponak's was probably the most frequently suggested Mexican spot on the Boulevard, so I came in with high expectations. The first time we attempted to visit, it was a Saturday night and the wait was over an hour. I was hungry and couldn't hang and I think my boyfriend knew the experience would be miserable if I was ravenous by the time I got my plate.
So we tried again on a random weeknight.
Our server was slightly crazy. A bit disheveled and so hurried (even though he only had one or two other tables) that he walked away while I was in the midst of asking him for a margarita recommendation.
Speaking of margaritas, I had their "Liquid Attitude" margarita. First of all, what the hell kind of name is that? Second, it was terrible. Margaritas shouldn't be available via tap. Your argument is invalid. To everyone who loves their margaritas, I implore you to try one with top shelf agave tequila, fresh lime juice and either triple sec or cointreau. Add a little agave nectar or a splash of Gran Marnier if you want to get really fancy and THEN tell me if you think Ponak's makes a good margarita. Â
So the food.
The chips and salsa were just ok. Nothing to rave about.
I have a theory that any good Mexican restaurant should be able to make a decent cheese enchilada. Ponak's didn't entirely fail me on this, though I thought the sauce was a bit too tomato-y. Beans and rice were decent and the portions were huge. I liked everything, but I didn't love it.
The boy ordered the tamales, which were enormous. He seemed content. He's not nearly as picky as I am (which is probably a good thing for the sake of our relationship).
Conclusion: okay food, terrible margaritas.
There has to be a better option. And so the quest continues.
It's a cool location, and as a bar, Ponak's is a-ok. Â Good drinks, good service, and a nice place to hang out. Â Â (Apparently a little too good, since the last time I went just for drinks -- on a Saturday afternoon -- a woman was vomiting in the restroom for about half an hour.)
Unfortunately Ponak's is mainly a restaurant, and that's where it fails.
We were seated for an early lunch on the weekend.  There were several flies buzzing about in the windows, but that didn't bother me at first  because that's not uncommon.
We were immediately given chips and salsa. Â The chips were ok, the salsa tasted like it came out of a jar. Â But even if they tasted better, Â I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the chips for long. Â Â Why? Â Because I quickly noticed they were brought over from a nearby table where dozens of chips-and-salsa baskets had been pre-made and were stacked out in the open. Â A dozen or so flies were buzzing about that table and walking around on the chips.
Then came the entree. Â It was not bad... but it was only just ok. Â Â Actually, it tasted exactly like what I make at home when I am lazy, using store bought shells and tortillas, store-bought pre-mixed seasonings, and store-bought sauce. Â Â It was not inspiring at all. Â Â I realized it would have been cheaper to stay at home and make the exact same thing from a box. Â
I might go back for drinks again sometime, but I doubt I'll be back for the food.
Went back on Cinco de Mayo with an out-of-town colleague. Â It was packed with drunk middle-agers. Â We had a quick bite with indifferent service. Â
What can I say. Â Food is not bad, 20%-30% overpriced. Â Margaritas are delicious. Â I have gone there just for the Rita, and would do so now if any of you texted me
Deuces.
The mediocrity of everything besides the margaritas is surprising considering the big crowds here on a wednesday. I get this has become a local favorite on a storied commercial corridor, but I don't get waiting over half an hour for what amounts to very sanitized Mexican for white people. I kinda thought people in Kansas City were a little smarter, but I guess Don Chilitos is still going strong (and only a few steps down from ponaks). I'm pretty sure the kind of food served here (Blander than bland salsa, GOBs of yellow cheese) can be had at the most ordinary of Mexican you'll find in the Midwest. It's clutch if you're going out for margaritas with a touch of kitsch, but somewhere like this is pretty laughable if you want real Mexican food. Â
I'm disappointed I didn't get to try El Patron--which was also very busy--where the food looked much less pedestrian and the interior almost sedate compared to the riotous cackling coming from the drunk women with Kate Gosselin haircuts in sweatshirts and bedazzled jeans at Ponaks. If there was an award for best place to get mediocre white mex and get shitfaced while wearing your  high school alma mater sweatshirt-- Ponaks is runaway winner.
Awesome margaritas. This is the truth. The rest of the truth is less awesome.
Stale chips. Salsa that tastes like a blend of ketchup and Prego pasta sauce. Greasy melted yellow cheese covering basically everything on your plate. This is "authentic Mexican food" to probably 87% of Kansas Citians, a largely gullible lot who have been misled into believing that the great and varied cuisines of the world are in fact all greasy, deep fried, covered in yellow cheese, and/or sweetened with corn syrup. Forgive us.
That said, Ponak's does what it does, and does it well. Better than a large percentage of its Kansas City area competition. If you can ignore the grody pseudo-salsa and the stale chips, and you're in the mood to punch that Saturday morning hangover in the face with grease (and maybe a hair-of-the-dog margarita) this place is near the top of the heap.
From now on, I'm going to live off Ponak's Green Diet: Their gaucamole made with magic and heaven, and their margaritas made with way too much tequila and probably a little bit of magic as well.
I'll die early, but I'll die happy.
(But seriously: huge portions, cheap prices, very friendly service.)
After stopping by Boulevard Brewery this weekend, we checked out Ponaks (thanks to the tour guide mentioning that it was close by. Otherwise we would have never known).
We weren't hungry, but we'd heard their margaritas were amazing, so of course, we had to try one for ourselves.
I wasn't impressed. I think I may be a bit too picky when it comes to margaritas, but I HATE it when they're too salty. I even asked for no salt, and it still tasted like they dumped a shitload of salt in the mix. Maybe we should have upgraded to Patron margaritas or something -- maybe it was just the well tequila I didn't like.
My friend liked hers, though, but she also asked for salt and licked it all off as she was drinking it. So that's good for her. She got two margaritas for the price of one!
The salsa is ok. It's kind of like they just took Rotel and added more tomatoes. It had a nice little kick to it, but didn't have a lot of chilis in it.
I did, however, love their tamale. They covered it in cheese and served it with lettuce and diced tomatoes. The pork was tender. An extra star just for that. Maybe I'll change my mind about the rest of their food when I go back.
The decor is nothing spectacular -- in fact, it looks pretty run down -- but the bathroom was much, much nicer than what I was expecting. So, at least they have that going for them.
There seems to be a lot of people who like Ponak's, at least judging by the amount of people who eat there on a regular basis. Â Their food is okay, but inconsistent. Â Some of their dishes are a little confusing, especially the guacamole tostada which is literally an ungodly amount of guacamole on top of a tostada shell. Â No lettuce. Â No cheese. Â I'm not kidding. Â I'm pretty sure that this is actually more guacamole than an order of guacamole off of their apps menu. Â Series.
Their Sonoran tacos are pretty good. Â Fried flour shell with pretty tender shredded beef. Â Their chicken sketches me out because I have found multiple bones in it on several different occasions. Â Their salsa is too sweet, but somehow addicting. Â Mole is okay here, but nobody who goes to Ponak's orders Mole... right? Â
Their margaritas have to be laced with something other than tequila. Â This is a warning. Â I've heard everclear, but that's just a rumor. Â I've almost gone bankrupt here after a couple of margaritas just because I suddenly feel the urge to buy more margaritas for everyone around me. Â They seriously make me happy for about an hour. Â After an hour you are hit with the worst hangover you have ever experienced. Â Yes, after just an hour. Â These margaritas also make you stupid, and will always result in a post-Ponak's trip to 5% liquor in order to buy more liquor to keep the party going. Â You will also embarrass yourself in 5% liquor, and the guys who run that place are not amused by your drunken behavior. Â
In summary. Â The food is okay. Â The place is kind of dirty. Â The service is always fast. Â The margaritas will eventually kill you. Â I'll see you there this weekend.
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