Tortilleria Los Compadres

Date of Check in 4/12/23.It's a little rough, 2:30pm not crowded. The guy in the booth by the door, letting his beer get warm, was welded to his cell phone and never looked up. A couple of dudes two booths down from him, having beers and waiting on their meals. One had on safety glasses, and work clothes as if he was taking an afternoon meal break from a near by construction site. The other guy sitting across from him, in a dirty wife beater shirt with large holes, camo shorts bearing matching dirt and wearing dark blue crocks. Ignoring their "what the hell are you doing here glares" my wife walked by and slid into a booth close to the kitchen, directly under one of the few, functioning, small town Mexican restaurant air conditioners in Oklahoma. This place has to be a paradise in August. When you look up to locate the source of the frigid air blasting down your neck, the blistered, peeling, crumbling ceiling paint and plaster cannot be ignored. A heavily tattooed couple were waiting at the counter for their to-go order; soon leaving with two large plastic sacks stretched tight with Styrofoam go boxes. Three burly construction workers come in for their 20 minute, 3pm break of a Mexican coke. A Kelly-green telephone and Kelly-green colored computer terminal sets behind the counter, placed to be easily assessable for patrons needing to transfer cash south. As we were paying our check, a gentleman was doing just that. This is a "real" Mexican restaurant.Except for the scars from well over 50 years of service, the little diner looks as it did when Ponca was a thriving oil town. Then, the diner was known for its great homemade pies, large lunch plates and friendly service. I was there to reminisce.The owner delivered chips and salsa promptly. I asked for salsa picante. A cold, half full, plastic squirt bottle of it was delivered with the drinks. Beer apparently the drink of choice here. As with most real Mexican restaurants diet coke is shunned, but for some reason they did have diet Dr Pepper on tap. The chips are likely made from the restaurant's home-made tortillas. They are thick. Your teeth will feel the chips resistance to breakage. All good though.Playing it safe my wife and I both went for the Mexican flag enchiladas. Three enchiladas, each with a different seasoned, shredded chicken filling then dressed with red, white and green colored sauces. A little pico and guac on the side with a serving of rice. This was not the typical Mexican restaurant red or yellow colored rice. It was white, very well-seasoned with garlic and other spices. The rice on my plate usually ends up making a round trip back to the kitchen, untouched. This rice was unusually good.The food was attractive on the plate and surprisingly tasty. If you can get past the restaurant's rough ambiance, you'll like the food. The kitchen staff definitely has some culinary talent. For me I have eaten in far worse restaurant environments. It's just another memorable experience.

Okay....The place is literally a little dive. A hole in the wall and dated back to the 1950's or so. That aside, the food is hot and authentic. This is not the slapped out Americano concept of Mexican food. Now their chips are starting to get a little better and were once hard as rocks. The vibe by the locals is a bit stand offish. But the food is the real deal and all home made. I have been eating here since it was on South Ave. The new location is decent and the folks working here are genuine and sincere. Give them an honest try and you will not be disappointed. Well, unless your a snobby gringa from Tulsa who only consumes box prepared foods smothered in tex-mex sauces and full of cancer causing agents.

I found this great secret little restaurant searching the reviews on Yelp. It's on a quiet, safe small industrial shops street which might throw you off that you're lost. Actually it's a couple blocks from Grand and the Panca Theater. Gorditas are hand made, like an orange pita bread and i stuffed with moist carnita and chirizo/pork/onion.Jamica drink to wash it down. Food is really authentic Mex. Don't miss having a meal here.

We make it a regular rotation in our lunch stops. Very different from the TexMex of many, so don't go if that is your taste.Probably one of the best quality and values you will find on very consistent basis!

Just do it! I knew the food was going to be spectacular after I took the first sip of my horchata. I couldn't decide on one thing so I ordered El Gordo so I could try 3 items. The queso was RIDICULOUS! I'd put it on anything and everything! This was real Mexican. Sadly, I tried a different Mexican restaurant in town the next day and it didn't compare. I told my friend it was karma for cheating on Tortilleria Los Compadres. Never again! The 3rd day we returned and it was like a breath of fresh air. This time I got a torta and was literally dancing in my seat, IT WAS THAT GOOD. Do yourself a favor and grab some homemade tortillas and tres leches cake to go. You won't be sorry!

One of my favorite spots here in town. Excellent food. The Chori-pollo is incredible. Buy my tortillas, made fresh daily there too!

I'm from Tulsa Oklahoma I went to Ponca City with a friend of mine for Christmas shopping. I found this on yelp this restaurant and it had five stars how it ever got five stars I have no idea the chips were thick hard a hot sauce had no spice whatsoever, and every meat that we had had no salt no spice whatsoever it was one of the worst Mexican restaurants I have ever been to and I've been to a lot All across the country I feel sorry for the cook. There's no heart and your food one disappointed customer from out of town and I picked you. Sorry you only got one star spicy food out and get some guacamole.

We drive a ways to get here because we like it so much. I like some of the combos, and the barbacoa, gordas, tostadas, garlic shrimp, seafood soups, horchata drink. It's simple, pleasant, clean, authentic. Good service, nice people. If you go on a night when the people in the kitchen are singing along with the music, count yourself lucky indeed.

We've honestly tried two "Mexican" restaurants while staying here in Ponca City and they weren't all that great. It's true when they say "third time is the charm" , the food, the salsa everything is true AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD! It's a hidden gem within the town! Loved the food , the fast service . Definitely will be our to go Mexican place especially when it comes to menudo & barbacoa which if you haven't tried , you totally should today !

This is the most authentic Mexican food in Ponca City, if you want it. The gorditas are heavenly. Please take some time and enjoy this restaurant.