Pancheros opening second Waukee location next month

Linh Ta

A Pancheros burrito. Photo: Courtesy of Eric Burson

Shelly and Tyson Robinson, the longtime franchise owners of the Pancheros locations in West Des Moines and Johnston, are opening a third store in Waukee next month at the corner of Grand Prairie Parkway and Ashworth Road.

Why it matters: Call it Pancheros or call it "Panch," the soft-pressed tortillas are a quintessential part of an Iowan diet, next to Midwest icons like breakfast pizza and pork tenderloins.

Driving the news: We chatted with Shelly about the burrito restaurant's Iowa fandom and the decision to open another location after 22 years in the business.

📍 Why Waukee: Despite a franchise already existing off Hickman, Shelly says she felt like the growing suburb could handle a second location.

And though the Grand Prairie Parkway area is still in the development stage, she expects it to grow long-term.

⏰ Biggest changes over time: Digital ordering and creating "second lines," so in-person customers don't have to wait behind a DoorDash order.

🌯 Wildest food hack: A double-pressed tortilla combining two tortillas for one "enormous" burrito.

💪 Get hyped: The burrito restaurant has a particular fan base among younger high school and college-aged students, who affectionately refer to it as "Panch," she says.

If you go: The new restaurant is opening Sept. 8 at 2980 Grand Prairie Pkwy., #100.

10:30am-10pm every day.

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Pancheros opening second Waukee location next month

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