Panchos Mexican Buffet was a chain of Mexican-style buffet restaurants primarily operating in the southern United States. Founded in 1958 in El Paso, Texas, by Jesse Gamez, the restaurant chain became known for its all-you-can-eat Mexican food concept and distinctive service style. The chain was particularly notable for its “raise the flag” system, where customers would raise small Mexican flags at their tables to signal servers for service or refills. At its peak in the 1980s, Panchos Mexican Buffet operated over 50 locations across multiple states, including Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The restaurant was known for its signature items such as enchiladas, tacos, tamales, and sopapillas, along with a full salsa bar and complementary chips. The chain experienced significant decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s due to increasing competition and changing consumer preferences. In 2006, Panchos filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, leading to the closure of numerous locations. While most Panchos locations have since closed, a few independently operated restaurants continue to operate in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, maintaining the original concept and menu items that made the chain popular during its heyday.