From left, Victoria, daughter of husband and wife Luis and Tammy Chavez, center, and their son, Victor, pose behind the restaurant front counter. 

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) – Following a battle lasting more than three years, including unexpected construction delays due to a lengthy permit approval process from the county of Sacramento, Pancho Villa BBQ and Catering, 6716 Madison Ave., has ridden into town at long last.

Husband and wife duo Luis and Tammy Chavez, and co-partner Alberto Hernandez, are the owners of what was previously a mobile food truck serving the greater Sacramento and Placer counties. Over the years, the business has earned a significant following for their smoked American BBQ, with a hint of Mexican fusion cuisine.

The first “brick and mortar” restaurant officially opened to the public on Dec. 3 and a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the members of the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce welcoming the public then followed.

Their large, stenciled smoker, parked just outside the restaurant, is fired up daily, and there’s no mistaking the tasty aroma of fresh barbecue rising through the air upon arriving.

“We faced issues of getting our restrooms into proper Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance,” Chavez said. The stalls of the women’s bathroom needed to be enlarged and space from the kitchen was taken for that purpose.

The back and forth in having construction plans revised and approved by the Sacramento County Building Department added months to the overall approval process, she said.

Chock full of brightly colored western décor at almost every turn, the main dining room and brightly colored separate gathering areas are a visual feast for the senses. Family members contributed much of the interior décor which now fills the walls.

The familiar food truck is officially parked for now as the couple and their co-partner concentrate on day-to-day restaurant operations and enthusiastically greet their customers daily.

The food truck will return to the road this spring where it has been delighting taste buds at various locations in Sacramento County, including breweries, wineries, and major events such as football games and bike events.

Chavez is also looking to increase her catering business and is actively marketing the restaurant as a destination for group and special events.

“We’re very excited to welcome our regular customers who just knew us and our reputation through all the events in Sacramento County our food truck traveled to,” she said. “Now they will have the opportunity to fully experience the restaurant we imagined.”

The 4,400-square-foot restaurant was once a former Godfather’s Pizza restaurant in the Madison Village Plaza, near the busy corner of Dewey Drive and Madison Avenue in Fair Oaks.

Chavez’s adult children, Victor and Victoria, work behind a sprawling main counter, welcoming customers and quickly taking food orders at the counter.

The menu includes an assortment of reasonably priced popular appetizers, tri-tip torta, burritos, bowls and entrée plates. There’s a plentiful variety of homemade sides to choose from.

The sit-down restaurant offers walk-up counter service. Large overhead display monitors make selection of a menu choice quick and easy. Complimentary fresh chips and fresh salsa and beer and wine are served.

The new restaurant has a capacity of 180 customers and is starting with an initial kitchen staff of 10.

Once you’ve placed your order, stop by and say hello to the full-sized skeleton nicknamed “Bob” who is seated at the bar. He’s one of the restaurant’s unofficial mascots.

Once you’ve placed your order, stop by and say hello to the full-sized skeleton nicknamed “Bob” who is seated at the bar. He’s one of the restaurant’s unofficial mascots.

The restaurant also celebrates “Taco Tuesday” with Tijuana-style tacos including beans, a choice of meat, cilantro, green salsa, onions and avocado sauce. Daily happy hour specials are also featured.

“When you dine and eat with us, you’re not just a customer, you’ve become a part of our family,” Chavez said. “And whether you’re planning an intimate dinner or a grand celebration, Pancho Villa BBQ and Catering seeks to turn “moments into memories.”

Chock full of brightly colored western décor at almost every turn, the main dining room and brightly colored separate gathering areas are a visual feast for the senses. Family members contributed much of the interior décor which now fills the walls.

“Our philosophy is simple, make great food and serve it well,” she said.

 A sample tri-tip plate entre which includes garlic bread features a plentiful variety of homemade sides to choose from.

Pancho Villa BBQ and Catering, 6715 Madison Ave., Suite 5 in Fair Oaks is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For additional information call 916-510-9868 or visit: panchovillabbqfairoaks.com.