The Villa

By Michael Brown and Pei Ling Wu Translated by Annie Liu
Photos by Alon Kleckner

482, HeTi Rd, Kaohsiung City
(07) 343-0043
Hours:10:30 am-2 am
weekends till 3 am

For fans of General Pancho's roadside eatery here in Kaohsiung, things have gotten bigger and better. With the opening of General Panchos The Villa, erstwhile patrons and new customers alike are able to enjoy the same tasty menu items that are sold at their Minghua Road location, and savor many new additions in a completely different environment. Now, whether it is too hot, windy or rainy for outdoor dining, you can visit The Villa, a two-floor, full-scale restaurant.

When into The Villa, you have a sense that this is a soon-to-be-favorite dining and socializing option for many. The interior is somewhat surprising for a Kaohsiung establishment, authentically decorated with Mexican curios such as carved masks, colorful traditional blankets hanging on the walls, and wood-framed photos of the famous Mexican figure Pancho Villa. Adding also to the overall genuine feel is the paint scheme, with brick-red and yellow adorning the upstairs walls. And, for a nice finishing touch, owners Zeke and Erika, who brought back many of the decorations from Mexico themselves, put blue tile trim around the bar and tabletops.

Not to be outdone by the good vibes and pleasant decor, the menu is brimming with new additions and the old Mexican favorites are now accompanied by more Western food selections. Suggestions from the owners range from the Chicken Enchilada with Tortilla Chips for NT$190 to the Cheeseburger with Fries or Salad for the same price. The flavorful, yet not overpowering, Pesto Pasta is a good deal for a very affordable NT$115. Additionally, a new array of sandwiches and wraps, like the superb Honey Bacon Club Wrap (NT$120), will please many patrons. Moreover, Zeke explains that new gourmet pizzas are coming soon, and a Monday Pasta Night, Tuesday Mexican Night, and Wednesday Burger Night are all on the horizon; prices on these special evenings will be reduced 10% for the respective meals.

With all that is on offer, who can resist frequent visits to The Villa to see why they are indeed bigger and better?