Although they began over the bridge, Pancho’s will always be a classic Memphis staple. The restaurant originally opened in 1956 in West Memphis, Arkansas. The idea for the restaurant began after Morris Berger had taken his son, Louis Jack Berger, on a trip to Mexico as a surprise after graduating high school. This trip would open their eyes and mouths to new flavors and taste sensations which would inspire them to bring this experience back home. When the first location opened the restaurant had dirt floors and a live tree that was saved during construction as the centerpiece.
Unfortunately the original location would not last long as 9 months after opening the building would be destroyed by an 18-wheeler accident. This would not stop Berger from opening a new location however. The family also owned a nightclub named The Plantation Inn which would be demolished in order to build the new location for the restaurant.
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