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Name: La Fonda Latina
Address: 923 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306
Telephone: (404) 607-0665
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.77

La Fonda Latina

923 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306

(404) 607-0665
Store is closed

La Fonda Latina Menu

Appertivos Ensaladas Y Sopas (Appetizers Salads and Soups).

Artichoke Dip

Queso La Fonda Dip

Guacamole Dip

Maduros

Platos Grandes

Ensalada De Casa

Ensalada Mixta

Ensalada Pescado

Ensalada De Los Andes
Tradicion De Espana (A Spanish Tradition).

Paella

Paella Del Mar

Paella Con Verduras

Arroz Con Pollo
De La Parrilla Cubana (From the Cuban Grill).

Bistec a La Parrilla

Chuletas De Cerdo a La Parrilla

Polla a La Parrilla

Verduras a La Parrilla

Pescado a La Parrilla
Bocadillos Cubanos (Cuban Sandwiches).

Bocadillo Latino

Reuben Cubano

Bocadillo Con Bistec

Bocadillo Con Chorizo

Bocadillo Vegetariano
Al Lado (On the Side).

Frijoles

Arroz

Guacamole

Salsa

Pan

Healthy Meal suggestions for La Fonda Latina

Appertivos Ensaladas Y Sopas (Appetizers Salads and Soups).

Artichoke Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso La Fonda Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maduros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Platos Grandes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada De Casa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Mixta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada De Los Andes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tradicion De Espana (A Spanish Tradition).

Paella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Paella Del Mar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Paella Con Verduras [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Con Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
De La Parrilla Cubana (From the Cuban Grill).

Bistec a La Parrilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chuletas De Cerdo a La Parrilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Polla a La Parrilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Verduras a La Parrilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado a La Parrilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Bocadillos Cubanos (Cuban Sandwiches).

Bocadillo Latino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Reuben Cubano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bocadillo Con Bistec [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bocadillo Con Chorizo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bocadillo Vegetariano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Al Lado (On the Side).

Frijoles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Alex S.

Amazing Cuban sandwiches. The black beans are always good.
(4)
Roman K.

populus.pl
(3)
Ada N.

This is literally my favorite go to place in town, I love everything about La Fonda. The staff is super friendly and the wait it never really that long. The salsa is great, very rich and not watered down. The Texas Margarita gets the job done and pretty good. My favorite entree is the chicken burrito with yellow rice and black beans. Everything tastes so fresh and amazing. Only downside is that the parking is pretty limited but it's worth the hassle.
(5)
Heather P.

This is place is cute and serves quality casual Mexican food. They have reasonably priced food that gets served quickly. They have pretty decent margaritas and some fun alcoholic drinks. I personally love their soups. They're delicious and way better than most Mexican places. It gets pretty crowded and I don't believe they take reservations. However, I didn't have to wait very long. I think they do a lot of take out as there's always a line of people not waiting to be seated. There's a rooftop patio that's open when it's warm and that's probably the best part of the whole restaurant. However, I don't know that this place is great for groups. It's too cramped and it gets very loud. I came here with a large group. We enjoyed the food, but people on one side of the table couldn't hear the other. Overall, it's a fun Mexican restaurant with good food.
(4)
Amanda K.

If you're looking for a very casual, affordable, quick meal with delicious food - La Fonda is a perfect option. The Service: The service is SO fast and I've never had to wait for a table. You walk in, seat yourself, and as soon as you glance up they're setting chips and salsa in front of you. And I have no idea how they bring your food out so quickly, but I swear I've never waited longer than 5 minutes and my plate of fresh, piping-hot food is there. Magic. The Food: I've never had a bad thing on the menu. They have a mix of lots of different latin foods. I've had the paella, arroz con pollo, and the salmon burrito. All great, but the salmon burrito is my jam. Ever since I tried that, I haven't looked back. It's HUGE. Filled with tons of salmon, lettuce, tomatoes, and a lightly-spicy sauce. It also comes with a really generous portion of rice and beans. SO filling. Also great for takeout. We literally called while we were driving over (about 10 minutes away) and it was ready when we arrived. The Drinks: I don't typically drink here, because I don't feel like the atmosphere isn't super conducive for sitting around and hanging out for hours. But I did have some frozen margaritas here once, and they were pretty syrup-y. Not my favorite. But I'm still giving them 5 stars because I love the food and quick service so much.
(5)
Marcella G.

Everytime I went to Publix and passed La Fonda Latina I had always asked myself, why have I never try that place? Well, yesterday, I tried it, and it was awesome. I tried the mango and pork salad which is pretty big in portion. It was very good and fulfilling. Next the aroz con pollo was amazing! Fall off the bone chicken and very flavorful rice. Will definitely go there again to check the upstairs seating and some other stuffs that looked interesting.
(4)
Tessa S.

Holy fish tacos!!! I don't know if I've ever had better. I'm serious. You have to try to tilapia fish tacos. Never had them with salmon, but I'm sure they're delist that way too. Even the beans and rice on the side is the best beans and rice of any mexican place I've been too. I'm convinced it's the Latin flair. ;) Also, these guys are chips and salsa ninjas. I barely looked the other way and they had snatched up the bowls and refilled them. They like for their customers to be well fed. Fast service, amazzzzing food, cheap and strong sangritas! We love La Fonda.
(5)
Adam S.

Affordable and delicious. Love the paella and the warm fish salad. Great patio and rooftop as well for a city view. We love going here at least once a week and will be there more during the summer for the booze and cheese dip!
(5)
Diana P.

We ended up coming here tonight because the other restaurant had a long wait. We went with family and they had been there before recently and recommended the paella. Didn't read the reviews like I normally do as it was a last minute decision. Instantly the paella did stand out. 2 of us decided to order the veggie paella seasoned with curry. My hubby ordered the seafood paella and his son ordered a Cuban sandwhich. I also ordered the sopa as I love soups. The chicken vegetable soup with lime and cilantro was excellent. Hubby said seafood paella was good. The veggie on the other hand came out impressive like the others in a hot sizzling skillet but it looked dry. With curry and all the yummy veggies like squash, mushroom and eggplant...i expected more flavor. Both who ordered it were disappointed. Our grandson had the chicken quesadilla which also came with black beans. He gobbled that up. We sat down stairs at 2 tables as there were 6 of us and we had to put the tables together as the staff just said sit where you want. Our main server was nice but the other two lady helpers barely spoke any English and kept wanting to refill our water but nothing else. The chips and salsa were good but for a Latin restaurant, they had a chipotle hot sauce and th e bottle hananero. Nothing else. We didn't take our leftovers home. Maybe will try again and just stick with fish tacos.
(3)
Mary Margaret E.

This is one of my favorite spots in Poncey-Highland. Must try items included: the Reuben, el bistec, half chicken, paella, any of their tacos, and their fish enchiladas. Their margaritas never disappoint. The service is always quick. Servers are super attentive. You get served unlimited chips and salsa as soon as you sit down. I love sitting in their upstairs patio, especially in the summer and fall.
(5)
Courtney W.

I love this place primarily because they run this restaurant FLAWLESSLY! Their service is incredible. You do not wait for anything! Chips low, there's a bowl on the way...drink low, it's already at your table. Hungry? Your good will be up in minutes! Not to mention the food and flavor is delicious!
(5)
Reagan C.

This place has consistently been a high quality and delicious choice for Cubans, paellas, and fish tacos. But recently I've tried their salads and lately Verduras a La Parrilla. And they are all amazing as well. The frozen drinks and Mexican beers are also pretty decent. I don't give five stars lught ly but this place deserves it.
(5)
A.J. C.

Only 3 1/2 stars?! That's crazy talk. I love all the La Fondas. I always get the seafood paella. F**king YUM! And FYI. I don't think it's Mexican. It's Cuban
(5)
Sara M.

Sort of torn here...the food at La Fonda isn't all that great and I've certainly had better. But the service is always good, so I think I'll settle on three stars. I've eaten at various La Fonda locations over the years, but most often at this one. I usually go for the chicken enchiladas and am always mildly disappointed. The sauce doesn't taste like traditional enchilada sauce. It's heavy and a little sweet. They use tomatoes in their sauce, which is not an ingredient in traditional enchilada sauce. For some dumb reason, I always seem to forget this between visits. Rice and beans are okay. The salsa is pretty good, though. It's very mild and quite refreshing. I've also had the Cuban sandwich here, which is just okay. The horchata is decent and worth trying. As I said earlier, service is always good, whether I sit down or get take-out. Parking lot is pretty small but I always seem to find a spot. I will come in at some point to try the paella. I plan to whenever I do visit, but paella is a sacred dish to me and I get scared that it's going to turn out horrible, which is why I end up defaulting to the tomato-y chicken enchiladas. But one day, I will actually order the paella.
(3)
Kitt R.

For Cuban food, this is a good spot. Nothing fancy so don't get your expectations too high. They also have a couple healthy choices available that are tasty.
(4)
Blanche D.

this is a primarily cubano restraunt that also serves mexican. I love the vendura paella however Tonight they served me fried plaintains and tried to pass them as tostones. I only went there for the tostones so i was quite dissapointed. they did not flatten and refry the plaintain slices so it was fried plaintains essentially not tostones. I have no idea why yjey did this but theyve lost my vote due to their deception. altho the paella may make up for it.
(3)
Vanessa Z.

I love La Fonda, so many delicious options for vegetarians, even the beans are labeled on the menu as veg friendly. The restaurant is clean and the staff is friendly, the decor is minimal but the food is so good who cares about the decor. There is outdoor dining as well on the patio or upstairs. The veg boco is the best! If you haven't eaten at La Fonda it's a must!
(4)
Rachel K.

I absolutely love coming here with my bf. I come to the Highlands often & I tend to get a little lazy when it comes to driving to places. One reason why I'd seriously consider living in the Highlands is b/c of how everything is close by. I wrote earlier in my WF review, it's awesome just to walk outside to the designated areas you want to go to. Back to LaFonda! My bf and I sit at the same table maybe 8 out of 10x. We're pretty habitual. We get our chips & salsa within seconds of us sitting down. No matter how busy they are, they never fail to get our mini apps! Seating - they do have inside and outside seating. Only during the cool summer, me and my bf will sit outside upstairs. It's awesome. I know the view is normal - just roads and etc, but definitely a fun place to eat after a long work day and you just wanted to feel nature while eating. There is shade as well! I do admit, I wish they had more indoor seating. If it's rainy or super cold, I can see folks waiting to sit. But it's okay. Patient is a nice trait to have anyway haha. Food - I love their chicken tacos. I also sub the beans for extra rice. The staff has never given me a hard time. Friendly folks. I had their pan something a few times, not a big fan, just b/c I don't really like picking the meat. I just rather have boneless chicken. But it is good! PS their rice is delicious. I can probably eat 2 full bowls of it without stopping. Not a huge fan of rice anyway, but theirs is very good. Parking - sooooo, parking. It's ok. There are a few spots in front of LaFonda. There's also street parking. Keep in mind La Fonda is next to other places too, so go at a good time! However, if you live close by, I recommend you just walk on over. :D
(5)
Janos J.

Last night we stopped here for dinner and ate up stairs. We have eaton here quite a few times and have always enjoyed La Fonda. The staff here is usually friendly, but not extremely out going, if you know what I mean (no small talk). Orders are delivered fast and the food quality is overall good and consistent. Last night my wife had the fish tacos. I ordered the half chicken (so I would have left overs) with yellow rice and black beans. The chicken was nice and tender (juicy too). She had a frozen mango margarita and I had a Horchata, which was sprinkled with cinnamon. It was splendid. The La Fondaon off Ponce de LeÃ³n (named after Juan the Spanish conquistador and explorer), has a beautiful view of the west of the city when you eat outside on their upstairs patio. Interesting little fact... As people might notice that most of the La Fonda restaurants are located next to a Fellini's, why? The Fellini's Pizza chain also owns the La Fonda restaurants. If you enjoy Latin food, you should enjoy this cute little restaurant.
(4)
Tory S.

This place has the best salsa in town! I love the quesadillas too. The patio is very nice. The service is fairly attentive but sometimes gets lost in translation which can be frustrating. When I go to a franchised establishment I expect the servers to be able to understand what in asking or saying. I also think some of the ingredients are canned or "Sysco" which god these prices you can easily find a local restaurant with fresh ingredients, but I keep going for that salsa! I recommend the shrimp and spinach quesadilla because the spinach is fresh and plentiful and the shrimp are large!
(3)
DJ V.

I eat here all the time. Where the food is always good and service is always consistant. My recommendations are the fish tacos or grilled chicken salad.
(5)
David R.

Great food, the waiter was very attentive and the ambiance was perfect. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Amy H.

I am convinced there is crack in their fish tacos.... oh my god so good!!!!!! Cheap, delicious and quick. What more could you want??? I prefer this place over Taqueria Del Sol hands down any day of the week.
(5)
Kristin P.

How I haven't reviewed La Fonda until now mystifies me but here it goes. We ended up at La Fonda mostly by accident because a few years ago on Cinco de Mayo I wanted to go have crappy Mexican food and drink margaritas so we headed over to El Azteca. The place was packed and there was like an hour wait so we headed next door to La Fonda which was surprisingly empty. Man, am I glad we did - the food is amazing! Their paellas are pretty authentic and I've never had something there I didn't like. Their salsa is definitely made in-house and is delish. Their margaritas are also very good and the food portions are huge - I always end up taking some home. There isn't a lot of parking (welcome to Atlanta I know) and there isn't a whole lot of seating but it's not nearly as small as the Buckhead location. Needless to say, I've never stepped foot in El Azteca again.
(4)
Raye F.

Always a great place for margaritas! Prickly pear on the rocks is my overall fave! Took a few bites of my husbands chicken taco & it was delicious! The chicken had a great char! Black beans were seasoned to perfection & the yellow rice was yellow rice:) if you choose la fonda, you won't be disappointed! Very casual Happy eats & even happier sips!
(4)
Ericka B.

The drinks, meal, and atmosphere were great. I love the location. I had the salmon salad which was good but the dressing was the icing on the cake. It is literally the best dressing I've had on salad at any restaurant. Typically many salmon salads are served with a sweet dressing/glaze. The dressing on this salad is tangy and citrusy. Just perfect. I recommend getting a ice berg which is basically an adult ice cream float but with beer and frozen margarita! Amazing! The service was very slow and they were definitely understaffed that day but still loved it.
(4)
Jessica L.

I have been slowly treading back into eating Mexican food because me in my snobbery can't accept that queso in Atlanta is white. what? huh? IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE YELLOW. /rant Anyway, I ordered a quesadilla con pollo and it was actually quite delicious. I liked that there are unlimited fresh chips and salsa. Actually in terms of authenticity, I thought that the quesadilla at least was spot on. The side of rice and beans also didn't seem too far off from what I get back home either. It was great weather on Easter, so all the outside seats were taken :(. Looking forward to lazy weekend afternoons chomping on chips and salsa and getting my sunbathe on. I've also heard good things about the drinks.
(4)
Megan K.

I like La Fonda. I don't get mad at eating here. I'm a huge fan of their paella and their roasted chicken. It's excellent. Tacos? Meh. If you eat at La Fonda, my main recommendation is to go more Cuban, less Mexican. I can't comment on their sandwiches, except that my husband did get a chorizo Cuban once that he loved.
(3)
Jose G.

I would have provided a picture, but I ate everything before that could happen. Off the bat, the chips & salsa are pretty solid- flavorful without being overwhelming to the palate. The horchata is one of the best I've had in Atlanta. We ordered the Ensalada Andes con Pollo, and the Bocadilla Bistec, both of which came out quickly. Delicious to the last bite, I'll be coming here again.
(4)
Mike S.

First time back to La Fonda on Ponce in YEARS but it's really refreshing to see they still got it! Speaking of refreshing, it's amazing how quickly a of margaritas pitcher goes when paired with a balmy late summer day and paella. The service is polite, albeit maybe a bit absent-minded at times but unless you're rushed (when I am never at lunch time) it's not that big of a deal. It's been said a dozen times before already but it's still solid all these years.
(4)
Aaron P.

Ah La Fonda Latina, how little I first thought of you when I first came to Atlanta. I thought you were some second-rate wannabee chain restaurant that served up Taco Bell quality Mexican food. How wrong I was! While this is not the greatest in terms of food quality, La Fonda serves up some very tasty and authentic food. My first experience with you was the Arroz con Pollo. I expected disappointment because only a skilled cook can make a good paella. The Arroz con Pollo surpassed all expectations. The rice was flavored with white wine, the chicken was thoroughly seasoned, and the other vegetables helped complete the meal. The plate does contain a full half chicken. I had leftovers for 2 more meals. On my second visit, I had the Bocadillo con Chorizo. The sandwich was loaded with fixings including a spicy brown mustard. The chorizo was plentiful and spicy, though I have had better. The sandwich comes with yellow rice and black beans. Cuban beans tend to be soupy. I pour them over my rice to make a more satisfying combination. Service is attentive even though this place doesn't even pretend to be fancy. The drinks are strong. They offer a variety of frozen margaritas made with canned fruit juices. They use El Jimador tequila instead of that crap from Jose Cuervo. Chips come to the table shortly upon your arrival and are replaced frequently. A homemade salsa is also served gratis. The queso dip is a good option for anyone who doesn't care to count calories during the dining experience. The queso is creamy, tangy, and coats the thick, freshly fried tortilla chips. Give La Fonda a try. This place is great value.
(4)
JJ G.

La Fonda is a really delicious spot to check out if you're in the mood for your typical americanized latin fare. We arrived after what we expected to be the lunch rush, but were behind a few folks waiting for tables. Tables are claimed on the honor system, which involves parties hovering over the tables as the previous occupants slurp their last sips of margarita. It's entertaining to watch, but there are table vultures, so we learned that you've got to be on your A game. Today, I ordered the vegetarian Cuban sandwich, which comes packed full of squash, zucchini, broccoli, tomatoes and several other vegetables. Smashed to perfection with gooey cheese inside perfectly browned bread. It came standard with vegetarian rice and beans, but I opted to get double beans (no rice). The Mr ordered the mango and pork salad with chicken instead of pork. I sampled a few bites of the veggies and mango...what a fun salad!! Service was speedy and polite, despite the fact that every table was full. I appreciated my experience at La Fonda and look forward to coming back soon.
(4)
Jessica I.

This place is my favorite Mexican place in atlanta! They have different locations too! I believe they're owned by the same owners as Fellinis. They're opened late and the food is super cheap. So if you're craving mexican food late at night this is the place to go! They have an upstairs and outdoor seating! They give you chips and salsa and they refill it for you! I always get full off the chips while we wait for our food to come out. They're chicken quesadilla is huge and really good! And also their paella is really really good! All their foods are filling! And their Cuban sandwiches are really good as well! The parking is limited and they get packed at night and the weekends! You might have you find street parking.
(5)
Suraj M.

Enjoyable Cuban food close to Ponce city market. Parking was relatively easy but I think we got lucky. Casual fast good food at a good price. Can't complain about that.
(4)
Zahrah S.

Ok so, the service is fast and friendly and the food is GREAT. I recommend the chicken tacos. Oh, and sit on the roof. Just do it.
(5)
Jamie P.

Ordered enchiladas, but they came out cold/room temperature. It wasn't even warm enough to melt the cheese on top. The restaurant itself wasn't heated well either. The waiter seemed to disappear after the food came. So not great service either. Cons outweigh the pros on this one. Definitely won't be making a repeat visit.
(1)
Pedro M.

Just had lunch and loved the place. Pico de gallo salsa and chip are super tasty. The place I very clean, the music is great. Food is awesome. Had a good experience.
(5)
Alexander M.

Moving from the west coast down to the south it's very rare that you can find a nice authentic Mexican food joint! I know good Mexican food when I eat it and this place isn't half bad. My co worker suggested this for lunch and I was a bit surprised on how well they turned out to be. The place is a bit small and can be packed really quick around lunch time we were able to land a table luckily! The price is very affordable as well which is always a plus! I went with the Fish Burrito with Salmon and it comes with this creamy jalapeno sauce(extra) was so good! Co-Worker ordered the Veggie Tacos and they were good as well. I will return!
(4)
Nick B.

This place is a pleasant surprise for sure! Just stopped in for a quick drink last week after a trip to IKEA. When you walk in, if there is no seating you pretty much just have to stand in the doorway because there's no waiting area. Tight spaced restaurant with not much decoration makes it's impact with the important part... The FOOD! All I had was a couple chicken tacos and they were great! Best chicken tacos I've ever had. The accompanying rice and beans were amazing as well! Very well seasoned black beans and rice wasn't some random instant rice that some mexi-joints have you eating! I will be back, and I will eat more! My wife says that margaritas are fanatic as well if that's your kind of drink! Happy Eats!
(4)
Benjamin G.

Passed by this spot on Ponce so many times now and I've been wondering when I would get a chance to check it out. It's a solid lunch spot with a sizable menu, tons of boozy options, and some mighty fine chips and salsa. The salsa was rather fresh and the chips were piping hot throughout my lunch meeting. So good. Ordered the chicken enchiladas. I had read a lot of reviews about the fish tacos, so that's next up. The enchiladas, however, were stellar. I wasn't expecting anything mind-blowing, but the entire plate was scrumptious. Loved the smoky chicken. Not over-flavored or salted, the red sauce was perky and acidic with just the right amount of sweetness, and it was shotgun blasted with cheese like Mexican fare tends to be. LOVE that they were resting on a bed of yellow rice and black beans, too. A rather superior option, in my opinion. I tried to muster all I had within me, but I couldn't finish my plate. For a lunch portion of two enchiladas, it's a generous portion. Only downside is that sodas (got a diet coke. yay.) come in a can. Had I known beforehand, I would have probably just went with a water. Oh, well. The more you know. Looking forward to coming back to La Fonda for sure. Â¡Ole!
(4)
John Q.

I've had a lot of the menu, and I've never been disappointed. Some of the best yellow rice you'll find, tostones that taste like my mom's. Effortlessly crosses the line from cuban to mexican to spanish. A good primer on the Latino/Hispanic culinary world.
(5)
Felix C.

This is perfectly suited in the 3.5 star range. In my case, I give it four stars as it has been consistent for so many years. One good thing about them is that they have been willing to modify the menu over time.
(4)
Kristopha H.

I'd gone here with a friend after having seen this location and a few others throughout Metro Atlanta attached or adjacent to Fellini's Pizza and having wondered what it would be like to dine here. My wish came today, and with some reservation I say I'm glad I'd gone. Granted, with a name like La Fonda Latina, with a fonda being a lower-class eatery that one often finds attached to a hostel and that the hostel-owners would run themselves, I didn't have a very high opinion at the start. The servers at the front had invited us to seat ourselves, and my friend had elected to pick seating in the back where one could talk a little more liberally. Our server came by and asked for our drink orders. My friend ordered a water, and I'd asked if they served hot tea; they do. I started to tell my friend that I'd had to learn to say hot tea and not just tea, because they'd bring me iced tea (of which I'm not really a fan). The drink orders came a few minutes later, and I'd asked the server if she could bring half-and-half for my tea. Now, being from Jamaica and growing up in Florida, I still have some lingo and culture conversion problems, and so when a server assistant had brought an iced tea to the table we'd both thought maybe he'd brought it in error. It wasn't until I'd asked the sever if she was going to bring my half-and-half (as in the dairy product) that -- when she'd asked if that wasn't what I'd wanted -- I'd realized that this iced tea was what she thought I'd requested (a half-tea, half-lemonade drink, I think is what Georgians want when they say half-and-half). They don't end up having any half-and-half, but she put together a half-cream, half-milk substitute that sufficed. My friend ended up ordering a three-cheese rice dish, and I'd done a bocadillo vegetariano (a sandwich of vegetarian-version Cuban bread with vegetables and melted cheese inside), which included sides of vegetarian black beans and yellow rice. The food itself was flavorful, even though my sandwich ended up being a little messier than I'd hoped (and I love sandwiches because traditionally one can read and eat in having one), but it was nice. They'd provided a bowl of chips and salsa that was some of the best I've had, actually; my friend had said that first and I agreed. The place itself seemed to have mostly younger couples out on a Saturday evening date, which isn't surprising since it's right in the convergence of the Virginia Highlands and Midtown Atlanta neighborhoods with Decatur. It was relatively busy, too, with moderate parking facility. So, while the service was so-so -- especially in that the sever seems to have rung up our tickets in reverse, and then the cashier settled my bill using my friend's card, and used my card to possibly pay for someone else's ticket -- the food was good.
(3)
Marvin L.

So this is one of may fav restaurants. Excellent food. However I can't give 5 stars because I didn't feel like they made better effort to clean up after each patron. I ate in the balcony and there was stuff all over the floor while I ate. No one cleaned it. I had old dirty napkins stuck under try foot. Maybe the person doing it was a. It overwhelmed because I saw her cleaning. It they MUST step their game up. Food is way to good for the place to not be clean. I went to the one on ponce de LÃ©on
(3)
Nick R.

Good delicious Mexican food. Good salsa and queso jalapeno dip with pretty good drinks. I recommend sitting up top on their balcony looking out at the city. Can get crowded during lunch and dinner hours.
(4)
Heidi P.

I'm a super fan of their queso, chicken and rice soup (sopa de pollo) and their rice in general, but where the hell are the crunchy tacos? How did I never realize in 12 years that they don't sell crunchy tacos? I guess it doesn't matter, and just goes to show that I order other things anyway, but I could have sworn... Service is pretty good, but this is still a place where I'd recommend going when you don't want to be fussed over. Tasty delicious food at a decent price. Eat ALLLLLL the cheese dips. Go home full.
(4)
Melissa G.

I was just really expecting something different and everything had a weird taste. Wait staff was great though.
(3)
Scott D.

The food is exactly what you would expect in this price range. Its average yet satisfying. The lunch portion size is impressive and will satisfy the hungriest of customers. I deducted a star for having to listen to CNBC on the TV combined with Mexican music. One or the other please. I guess asking for the TV (three feet from my head) volume to be tuned off three times is not enough. At least turn the channel to FOX if you are going to acoustically torture me and my chimichanga.
(3)
Zewditu D.

Nuts and bolts: Came here for a friend's birthday dinner. Order: Beef tacos and chips and guacamole. Pros: They were great with accommodating our large party. Seems like the parking is plentiful enough though the place always seems packed during main dinner hours. They have outdoor seating which would be great on a warm, sunny day. Neutral: Tacos were OK. Cons: I was not a fan of the guacamole dip. So I would pass on this the next time.
(3)
Jason D.

My first time visiting here. I have heard good things about this place. Food: I ordered the quesadilla with shrimp that came with black beans and rice, and the Queso dip. Also had the vegetarian paella. The paella was amazing. It had great flavors and tons of veggies. I would definitely ordered this again and maybe try it with some other meats in there. The quesadilla wasn't anything special. There was no flavor with the shrimp. I wish they would have flavored it with sometime. It was very bland. The Queso dip was amazing. But the salsa was not flavorful at all. Venue: the inside was nice. We sat at the top and it was nice. The parking was pretty bad, but nothing you can't deal with. Staff: No one was really there to welcome us. And our waitress was nice. Didn't have to ask our waitress too much to refill anything. She was always there and very tentative. Overall: 4/5.
(4)
Christo T.

This is now the second bad experience I've had at a La Fonda. Came here with a group of 6 friends on a Friday night and waited almost ONE HOUR for a table until we were finally told they could not accommodate us. There were clearly open tables that could have been pushed together or some sort of plan made. Either way, they basically refused service unless we sat outside in the freezing cold. I wish they would have just told us up front so we didn't waste half our Friday night. Oh did I mention they were just flat out rude during all of this? Don't waste your time coming here.
(1)
Blake C.

Very fast and friendly service! Their guacamole was fresh and delicious. I ordered the paella del mar for two, and shared with my family. We were very impressed with how perfectly the seafood was cooked. My family ordered off of the Mexican menu and were very happy with their food, too.
(4)
S. E. B.

Great food. Great service. Staff always friendly and fast. Place is clean.
(4)
Amanda R.

I had the paella and a margarita. The margarita was great, and they were priced really well. The paella was a little greasy but still good. The view from the balcony made the experience worth it.
(3)
Sonny J.

Excellente service. Good Food. Nice ambiance. Great Music.Carlos Antonio is the best server U can get in any Restaurant.
(4)
Angela B.

I really like this place. The salsa is amazing! Best time to go is spring and summer. :) I love they have outside seating. I usually get the chicken and rice dish here. It's pretty yummy but can be a little greasy. Enjoy...
(4)
Richard R.

This place is smokin'. :-) As in, wow, does it have some great spicy dishes on its menu. I ordered the Bocadillo con Bistec. It was super tasty. It came with sides of rice and beans. When I added the habanero sauce they offer, my taste buds were sizzling and was it sweet! Our group also ordered the very reasonably priced pitchers of margaritas. Not only were they tasty as well, but they should helped cool me off after the habanero sauce. :-)
(4)
Mick D.

Americanized Cuban food. What's not to like? These folks are something of an Atlanta tradition now. I'm not sure what I can say about this place that 161 prior reviewers haven't already noted. My highlights: The paella is a total hit. I wish I could still eat rice, because I look at that stuff as it's being served and I want to start reaching for the diphenhydramine... The Bocadillos are also a sure set of winners. I prefer the traditional one, or the bistec variety. Good stuff. Filling and tasty. The guacamole is good. Add a little of the chipotle-hot-sauce on the table to the guac, mix it in, and you're good to go. The flan recipe they're now using is good, but it pales in comparison to the stuff they used to make years ago. Still, you will like it. Or else! :-D
(4)
P S.

I'm not sure why but I'd always been hesitant to try. This place. I finally came here this past weekend and was super surprised. Food was amazing and they have a ton of vegetarian friendly items. We sat upstairs on the patio which was really nice. Didn't give it 5 stars because our service could have been better. Wasn't horrible and he was nice, just kept us waiting 10-15 minutes after we were done with lunch and then brought the check even though we wanted to order churros.
(4)
Jourdan H.

Fish tacos....fried ice cream...churros...and whatever else is on the menu is O-mazing!! Next to El Azteca and often a great Plan B if El Azteca is too crowded. Take a table upstairs on the patio. The servers are mostly men and great! It's pretty easy on the pockets too. Perfecto!
(5)
Eddie B.

Definitely go and have the chuletas de cerdo.. The seasoning and the mojo was perfect.. To be honest it was hard to leave this place. Especially when I saw a table order an iceberg.. Whoops! sir yes a round of those please! MUST HAVE THOSE TOO! great place, great atmosphere, can't wait to come back.
(5)
Carla D.

3 stars for the salsa! Service is okay, food is okay, Its a hit or miss. Mostly a miss. Their cubans are good but they aren't mind blowing. The rest of the food is bleck. The payayas are good sometimes. The plantains are always burnt beyond a good level of blackened. The sala is awesome though, go for the salsa.
(3)
J L.

I am a huge fan of guacamole... And I believe that La Fonda has the best in ATL. It is served very cold with large chunks of avocado. And the salsa is delicious too. Everything else is decent. But the guac is AMAAAAAZINNNGGG!!!
(4)
Tiffany F.

Have been in love with this restaurant since first bite 10 years ago. A regular place for me. The paella is best at the one in candler park, and the fish tacos are best at the one on ponce.
(5)
Mike O.

This stuff is just good. Cheap and sloppy and tasty. The chips and salsa are great, but order a little queso. I got the chicken cuban sandwich (at the behest of my server, as I couldn't decide), and while it wasn't a bad cuban at all, I might have ordered a different one, or will do next time. Great location, great place to sit outside on a beautiful evening. Lots of families here on the Thursday evening I came. Apparently these are always next to a Fellini's. Same ownership? Probably. But YOUR problem will be deciding on which to eat at!
(4)
Luka S.

Great food for great prices usually get the Paella and 1/2 a picture of margarita all for under 20 bucks! now that's a deal. every dinning experience at this restaurant has been great the food always really good.
(4)
terry M.

Sure, I'll pay $11.00 to have someone other than me make a seafood paella. But just because there aren't any other good Latin places in the Perimeter of the city, doesn't mean that you get 4 or 5 stars. Come inside the Perimeter, Latin restaurants, the water's fine. Good price, OK service, and the 1/2 pitch margarita for two people was a good move.
(3)
Lauren H.

I've had the enchiladas and paella and can vouch for both. The enchiladas were tender and flavorful, and the paella had plenty of seafood. The service can be a little spotty, but mostly because they're super busy; service had always been polite. I recommend sitting outside on the balcony. You'll get a good view of the sunset and of all the drama that goes on on Ponce.
(4)
Alayne H.

Stopped in here early on a Friday evening and had to wait to be seated. Waiting for a table wasn't an issue, but figuring out where to stand while you were waiting was. Seemed no matter where, you were in the way. Once we were seated our order was taken promptly. Highly recommend the Sangrita! Really good and I probably didn't need the second one. We ordered the paella del mar (yellow rice cooked with shrimp, calamari, salmon, sea scallops, mussels, green peppers, onions, pimentos and clam juice) for two and some guacamole to go with our chips. The guac was fresh and very good and the paella was served piping hot and had great flavor. We both enjoyed it. The service was very good and price point fair. I'll be back.
(3)
ChloÃ© C.

La Fonda is a good spot for Mexican/Spanish food. They have outdoor seating upstairs, and they are next to Fellini's Pizza on Ponce. It's nice that they give you unlimited chips and salsa. The salsa is actually really good- made from real tomatoes. They have an extensive quesadilla menu- pretty much choose which toppings you want. Their signature item, I'd say, is the PAELLA. can't really get this in many other spots in Atlanta. It's on point, seafood and chicken/sausage. Around $10 for single, can get a double for around $20. Also, I'm a big fan of their drinks! They have good alcoholic drinks, but their HORCHATA and juices are also phenomenal. It can get pretty busy on weekends or busy dinner times, and it's a seat-yourself type of restaurant. I'd expect a little better service here- the people aren't too welcoming.
(4)
Leslie G.

This was the first time I went to La Fonda as it was Memorial Day & there wasn't much else open & I had been wanting to try it. It was good but not fantastic. The tables are first come, first serve & you kinda just grab one that opens up. They brought chips & salsa right away & got us some drinks (beers). It took awhile for the waiter to come get our order as the rest of the dinner crowd started coming in & the place filled up. There's Cuban & Mexican food on the menu that is really pretty large for such a small place. I got the shredded beef burrito & my friend got the vegetarian burrito. They were both flavored very well! It was a plus they had my favorite El Yucateco hot sauce on the table. Overall, this is not a fancy place but its decent food with decent customer service. I'd go back again!
(4)
Shavonia F.

As mentioned in the tips: The food is pretty good. Haven't had a bad meal. But the service SUCKS. I mean, just terrible service. They should really work on it. I only eat to-go so that I can limit my interactions with the staff.
(3)
D.L. C.

I've been here at least three times in the last three years. My boy Dillion always suggests this place. So far in my visits, I've had the awesome vegetarian paella and the AMAZING vegetarian cuban sandwich. Best sandwich I've had in ATL in all my many visits there. If you order it, ask for a side of the dressing to dip your sandwich in. Pitchers of margaritas are also boss. Really should have higher ratings...it isn't open late tho so get your butt there quick.
(4)
Scott W.

It just doesn't make sense. This is how it should go: teenage boy goes to college. Boy goes out to bohemian-approved restaurants to feel all worldly. Boy builds lifestyle out of this, branching further out each time. Boy becomes man. Man realizes old boho-friendly restaurant was in retrospect accessible place cashing in on exotica. Man looks at restaurant as rite of passage he would no longer be caught dead in. So it goes. So how is it that I just had my 15,000th meal at La Fonda today, and loved it as always? How is it that I've had just about every paella served by an Atlanta restaurant in the past 10 years, all at triple the price and quintuple the foodie swank, and I'll take La Fonda's over them all? How is it that I've eaten around at all the classic Ybor City cafes and can detect the signs of an Atlanta Cuban a good country mile away, and still I'll order it and enjoy it for what it is? How is it that the salsa is without a doubt the mildest one I've ever had on this planet, and yet it remains one of my perennial favorites? I think they just latched on to a really good thing to start off with and never changed the basics. I asked about the salsa, but I think it's just the very freshly made taste - I've seen what they serve it out of, but it feels like they just chopped everything up. The black beans and rice have a different vibe here than anywhere else too - infused with the funk of Ponce, perhaps. The quesadillas (the furthest I've ever gone into the Mexican menu) always hit that middle ground between soft and crunch, and even though that orange cheese should raise a red flag, I'll be damned if it doesn't do it's thing. Only negatives on the menu are the gazpacho - I love the stuff generally, but I remember making a rule years ago never to order theirs again and can't remember why. And I wish the veggie options weren't the unholy combos of squash and zucchini, the uninvited pair that pervades every restaurant in this town. But those can easily be avoided since there are loads of other vegetarian options. I eat at La Fonda with my kids nowadays, almost 20 years after making my first outing. I use it as a good place to eat as much as an educational lesson - life is full of natural progressions, but sometimes there are absolutes. And La Fonda is apparently one of them.
(4)
Peter K.

Awesome restaurant. PROs: - Not too packed during the lunch hour. - Service is good. They refill water constantly. - Upstairs seating with a view of the city. GORGEOUS on a sunny, clear day. - Tried the Cuban sandwich with steak in it. It was delicious. It had a mix of flavors consisting of cheese, meat, and other veggies! - The chips and salsa are awesome! They refill chips fast. The salsa is also fresh and doesn't taste too hot or too cilantroey. CONs: - Seating can appear to be cramped and the chairs aren't the most comfortable. BUT, it's not something that would prevent me from going.
(4)
Nick B.

Was not impressed with my first trip here. Fish tacos were bland and unfulfilling. Cheese dip was so so, may go back to try their Cuban menu. Service was good and staff were friendly.
(3)
Sara C.

Excuse my language, but La Fonda has fucking awesome fish tacos. I'm eating them right now (grilled tilapia, but salmon also an option), and liked them so much that I walked 20 minutes home with my to go bag (though not five miles through the snow). There is some serious lettuce, cabbage and tomatoes on the things, and the best part is the sour cream jalapeÃ±o sauce. Killer. You even get chips and salsa to go! (And free at your table as well when dining in - plus black beans and rice.) A friend of mine really likes the Cuban sandwiches and the beef quesadillas are also very tasty. They also have a brunch menu, which I'd be interested in trying, as well as some of their other items, which are all very affordable and fresh. They also get bonus points for the awesome salsa music they play. Plus there is patio and rooftop dining, paired with a mojito, it almost feels vacationy and you can pretend the sound of the cars going by on Ponce is the ocean.
(4)
Kyle A.

The best cuban/mexican fusion in town. The Paella is great but my favorite is the ruban cuban! Their Salsa is the BEST salsa I have EVER had and I love salsa!
(5)
Natalie S.

This is my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. Get the steak quesadilla and queso with jalapeÃ±os. It will change your lives. I always get the mojito pitcher because I don't like tequila but both are delicious. Also the balcony up stairs is great. It has a pretty view if the skyline up ponce and is perfect in the spring or fall.
(5)
Corine W.

I'm really wondering if I just had a bad experience. I give 1 star for the frozen pitcher of margaritas, 1/2 for the service, and 1/2 because the salsa, chips and queso were good. Not the best I've had, but edible and enjoyable. I ate from other's plates because I was more interested in the drinks but no..flavorless food was all I tasted. The chicken quesedilla was dry and my friend said he had a bone in his chicken..what?! The chicken was weird..not like any chicken quesedilla I've ever had and that's not good. I honestly think I can make better at home and I'm known to be a pretty good cook by my friends. Then I also tried some rice and beans..bland as well. As buzzed as I was from the margaritas, I still wouldn't eat that. Maybe next time, I'll try the paella. I would go back and give it another chance but I hope it would be better than the food from the first time I went.
(2)
Matthew S.

Great prices and one of best rooftop patios in East Atlanta. This has been my go to now for years. Steak Quesadilla is my favorite.
(4)
Dee Dee C.

Meh, I've definitely experienced better. However, I didn't have any high hopes or expectations for this place, so I wasn't disappointed. *sings*' Lowered expectaaaaaatttttiiiiioooonnnnssss!!!! This is simply Americanized Latino food, which simply means bland ass Mexican food. The queso dip was nothing to write home about. The salsa wasn't saying nothing, and the chips were straight from Costco. The only highlight is the drink menu. Can't argue with inexpensive alcohol. Yeah, that's about it. I came. I saw. I'm not impressed.
(2)
Dillon M.

A frequent goer of la Fonda, I've always loved their food but the service is terrible!!! Just ordering is a hassle when the servers barely speak English and constantly ruin orders!
(1)
Phuong V.

Good amount of food to fill you and have leftovers. You get Unlimited chips and salsa as appetizers. Servers come around often to check on you even when it's extremely busy. The food is mediocre.. Wish everything had a little more flavor. But otherwise not too shabby for a generic mexican place. I had a paella, and ceecee had a cuban sandwich.
(3)
Lyndsay M.

I love the tilapia tacos on corn tortillas. Their salsa is amazing, fast service, and not anything to complain about from this corner.
(5)
Brian K.

Every time I drive past this place I can't help but channel Kip Dynamite, Napoleon's socially inept older brother who enjoys talking online with babes all day and aspires to one day become a cage fighter. "Lafawnduh is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm 100% positive that she's my soulmate. Napoleon, I'm pretty sure there's a babe out there for you too". Fortunately, unlike Kip, I don't have to board the Greyhound to Detroit to indulge myself in some La Fonda. Food: The menu at La Fonda is predominately comprised of standard, no-frills Mexican, Cuban, and Spanish fare. It's by no means the best that you're going to find in the city, but it's flavorful, consistent, and sizably portioned. The menu includes an assortment of appetizers, soups, salads, quesadillas, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, cuban sandwiches, and paella. I personally enjoy their quesadillas, which are featured on the menu in nearly ten forms and accompanied by a generous portion of black beans, yellow rice, and salsa. I'm also an ardent proponent of their margaritas, which come in a variety of flavors and are never devoid of an appropriate amount of tequila. Service: Contrary to some of the other reviewers' experiences, I've never had a problem with service here. In fact, my experience has actually been the opposite; on some occasions, the busboys have been so attentive that I've almost felt compelled to ask for some privacy. Atmosphere: The interior is cramped, but the outdoor patio is absolutely stellar. It's fully covered, so you get a perfect view over Ponce without having to worry about leaving with a mild case of heat stroke. Clientele varies by the time of day, but typically runs the gamut from college kids to families with children. Cost: Inexpensive. Appetizers, soups, and salads are $3-$7, quesadillas ,tacos, burritos, and enchiladas are $7-$10, cuban sandwiches are $8-$9, and cuban and spanish entrees are $10-$15. Other: Although La Fonda does have a private lot, you'll normally be hard-pressed to find an available spot. I typically have good luck finding street parking on Linwood Ave, which is the street that runs in between La Fonda and Fellini's. Both restaurants are owned by the same company, so Fellini's lot is also a viable option.
(3)
Christy M.

Can you think of anything better than enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon in March on a rooftop patio with a cold drink? Neither could I, which is why that's exactly where I found myself this past weekend: sitting on the upper deck at La Fonda and drinking a frozen mango margarita. The cool breeze, spicy salsa, and good service were the perfect wind-down from a morning spent hustling from stop to stop as I cheered a friend through the Georgia Marathon. Cheering is thirsty work, so their many choices of margarita flavors truly hit the spot. I love love love that you can buy them by the glass or in full or half pitcher sizes. And kudos also for putting the prices right there on the menu - one of my major restaurant pet peeves! The food here is solid, and I even branched out of my normal fish taco-rut to try the reuben cubano, which was awesome. If I hadn't been starving, I probably could have saved the second half of the sandwich for Monday lunch. As it was, I skipped Sunday night dinner because I was still stuffed! La Fonda is the perfect casual spot, great for groups, easy and low-key service, and good food. Definitely check it out!
(4)
Cameron G.

They have great salsa, but the vegetarian burrito was mediocre. I'm pretty sure they're owned by the same people that own the pizza place across the street. I think your money is better spent there.
(3)
Kyle T.

Paella! Paella! Paella! La Fonda is great cuban food. The paella (del mar) is great, the reuben cubano sandwich is great, the ARROZ CON POLLO is excellent! This is my goto spot for a quick meal or take out when I'm around Ponce.
(4)
Angela M.

I've never been a fan of La Fonda in the past. I think it had more to do with me ordering poorly than anything really wrong with the food, but it could also be that I'd only been to the location on Peachtree in Buckhead and the one on Howell Mill right when it opened. We came to this location for a late lunch on a Saturday. The weather was absolutely perfect for their patio. Warm, not hot, with a nice breeze. Their patio is nicely shaded by some huge old trees, but they do have a couple of umbrellas as well, just to make sure you're covered. I really like their chips and salsa. Their salsa is chunky and fresh, probably second only to Nuevo Laredo. The chips are sturdy, which is a must for their very chunky, mostly mashed avocado guacamole. The guacamole was improved with the limes from the pitcher of Dos Equis that my dining companions ordered. Since I'd ordered poorly in the past, I just went with what someone else selected - two beef enchiladas. The plate comes with yellow rice and black beans. The enchiladas were ok. The sauce was a little on the sweet side. The beef was chopped/shredded rather than ground, which made it seem heartier to me. Interestingly enough, the cheese looked like it had been purchased pre-shredded, which seems like a waste considering the additives and extra cost associated with pre-shredded cheese. The portion was generous. The rice was pretty bland. The beans were not at all spicy. Normally these things would upset me, but that meant that I could give spoonfuls of rice and beans and mashed avocado to my 9-month old. Speaking of 9 month olds, they've got great plastic high-chairs that are very sturdy, and not the ones you usually see at restaurants. That gets brownie points for me because it was something new that kept my 9-month old entertained for a whole 20 minutes! There is a small parking lot that fills us fast at peak times. #Yelp365 - 256/365
(3)
R T.

Super Bowl RIP OFF! We've eaten here several times and gotten take this past Tuesday! Our usual take out is cheese Dip w/ peppers and large salsa and chips( which usually a full bag of chips)!!! $7.78 Today Super Bowl Sunday ...... They charged us $12.15 for cheese Dip (1/2 filled) and 2 large salsas and a 1/4 bag of chips. I asked about it and the lady said." It's normal" ! I was then charged $3.19 for a bag of chips!!! Seriously? The chips cost more than the cheese dip on Super Bowl Sunday!! Needs to be consistent pricing no matter the day!!
(2)
Micha H.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! This is the place my friend and I go when we meet up. I am always craving the artichoke dip - which we order every time and are NEVER disappointed. If you can, sit outside or upstairs, otherwise it can be a bit crowded and noisy inside. Their salsa is delicious and tastes fresh made. I always order the cubano - and it is delicious. Heads up - they put everything on one bill and don't split it so if you are with a group of several people be sure to bring cash to divvy up the check. No biggie, though, as it is TOTALLY worth it.
(5)
Heather J.

The food is good, but the customer service is so bad that I will never go there again.
(1)
Dominique P.

Love this place.....pick this place over Papis any day! Great Mojo Chicken, Cubans, Paella, Tacos.....cheap drinks, great customer service.
(5)
Joe R.

Came to this La Fonda once before and ordered the same exact steak quesadilla...it was a whole lot better last time, though. This time, it came out extra cheesy, but was still delicious. My wife ordered the Chicken a La Parilla (which was awesome!!!). I know what I'll be ordering next time! The salsa is awesome. Tastes fresh and it goes great with the chips. Service was also slower this time around. We were waiting around on our check for a while so we could leave & go home. Parking is a little tight. If you're lucky, someone will be leaving as you're driving into the restaurant.
(4)
Pamela B.

My girlfriends and I went here for lunch today and it was my first visit so I was a Lafonda virgin. I must say I was impressed, the food was absolutely delicious and we had not one, but two waitresses. So needless to say we didn't have to wait for anything, they made sure we had everything in a timely matter and our glasses stayed full. I tried the fish tacos and the quesadillas with spinach, red peppers, shrimp and three cheeses, it was Off The Chain!!!!!!!!! I know that sounds like alot but I couldn't make up my mind so I got both and kept the other dish for dinner. My total for two entree's was $13, that's not bad at all. We ate upstairs and enjoyed the nice weather outside, even though it started raining we didn't have to move because their outdoor seating was covered. Lunch at a great spot - $13 Yogurt afterwards at Yoguli Moguli (Seperate review) - $5 Afternoon with my best girlfriends - PRICELESS
(4)
Jacob T.

Great food and service. Sit upstairs and enjoy the view of downtown. They have indoor and outdoor seating so you can enjoy the nice days.
(5)
Daren R.

Best customer service for locals. They know me by name and have my regular order memorized. I eat at the ponce location at least once a week and also the one on Roswell Road. Get the pork tacos they are incredible.
(5)
M Janine B.

I was more impressed with the service than the food...I am a Californian by way of Texas, so I have not found good Mexican food in Georgia yet, not sure if I will. Loved sitting on the patio, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE replace your chairs, if you sit back in them, your back is killing you and you sit on the edge, your thighs and back are killing you....Not functional at all. I thought the food was okay, I got the Carne Asada Burrito and it was okay. Everyone else that was with me wasted their food, but since it was on ME, I ate mine. Oh! Loved the Salsa more than anything! The queso had no flavor unless mixed with the Salsa.
(2)
Peto F.

If I had to just this place just based on the FLAN, it will get the five stars. I have been coming here for a few years now. This location not as often because parking is busier. The type of food is a fusion between Cuban and southwestern. Our favorite plates are the PAELLA and also the POLLO ASADO. We love the plantains also.
(5)
JoDee T.

Tostones with garlic dipping sauce - oh, what can I say except Yum Yum YUM!! How I wish there was a location in Seattle, WA where I could munch these delightfully starchy, crunchy yellow disks of plantain goodness. And then there's the Rueben Cuban - that slaw is the kicker!
(4)
Daniel B.

If you're looking for Mexican grub in this part of town, La Fonda Latina on Ponce is not a bad option. They serve more than just Mexican food though as they offer Cuban sandwiches and Spanish rice dishes (paellas). Prices are reasonable and service is good. I ordered the paella (yellow rice cooked in a cast iron skillet with calamari, baked chicken, chorizo, green peppers, onions, pimentos and clam juice) for $8.95. It was okay. Open late (until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm every other night), which is nice.
(3)
Leah O.

I have been visiting La Fonda for like 20 years. The prices are very reasonable and the food is excellent. The chips and salsa are so great. The salsa is super fresh with chunks of tomato. The homemade lemonade is a favorite of ours too. We always order quesadillas, usually cheese or cheese and spinach.
(5)
Sarah N.

Upside: the food here is fantastic (get the Cuban sandwich). Downside: parking can be a little tricky and the waitstaff is pretty sporadic.
(3)
Betsy J.

I was really impressed with this place - cheap fish tacos, big cheap portions, great service, and an upstairs patio.
(4)
Wanda C.

When I visited Atlanta in October 2010, I was treated to lunch at this establishment. My cousin and also lunch companion and I ordered paella and fish tacos, as well as queso and chips for an appetizer. The food was incredible and we had very attentive service. I've only been here once, but I am definitely planning a eturn trip when I am in Atlanta again. I haven't had paella that good since I was in Spain.
(4)
Mary K.

La Fonda is a nice casual restaurant where the food and service are consistently good. They have self seating. I highly recommend walking up to sit on the covered balcony if the weather is nice. They start you off with chips and salsa. The chips are crisp and the salsa tastes amazingly fresh. My favorite dish is the fish tacos. You have two options: 2 ($7.75) or 3 ($9.75) tacos and choice between salmon or tilapia. I typically go with tilapia. The taco is topped with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and a sour cream jalapeno sauce. Additionally, it is served with yellow rice and beans. This meal is delicious every time. The fish burrito is also good. I especially like that they add grilled corn to the dish. Paella is delicious here and you have three options (house, seafood, vegetable) and they offer them in portions for 1 or 2. I can always count on La Fonda for a good meal!
(4)
Wesley L.

If you don't like the food here, you're either crazy or not ordering the right stuff. It's okay though, I'm here to point you in the right direction. I get the same thing every time I come. I have no reason to think. I just eat. Fish Tacos Paella Boom. Eat and be happy, they are both amazing. The fish tacos have some sort of creamy mayo based sauce that is the bomb and the paella is probably passed over for tacos way too often. It has the classic seafood (mussels, shrimp, scallops) and a big ol piece of chicken.
(4)
Jonathan H.

Came here back in the summer with a bunch of my co-workers. It was a great day outside and we took over a good portion of the patio. While not exactly a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant, La Fonda has decent Mexican food for a reasonable price. They have a small selection of margaritas and cocktails that my co-workers said were pretty tasty. They also have your typical selection of Mexican beers. I had the paella del mar and the fish tacos that many of the reviews recommended. The reviewers probably recommend either, but not both, for one person. Getting both was kind of an overkill. The paella was well-done. The rice, combined with shrimp, mussels, and scallops, made for a delicious meal. It wasn't super greasy also, which I appreciated. With the fish tacos, you have the option of either tilapia or salmon. I opted to have the tilapia. The fish was cooked to tender - super soft. The additional topping (lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream jalapeno sauce) complemented the fish well. All in all, I had a great time and end up stuffed! My meal cost about $20.
(3)
J L.

I'm genuinely not a big fan of most Latin cuisine, but I must have been eating crap all of these years. Free & bottomless chips and salsa. Seriously delicious guac. Frozen margarita pitchers. Paella (seafood & much more) Cuban sandwiches (delish) Beans & Rice (Yellow rice, fresh beans... non of that refried business) Those are the perks of this place. The set-up of the restaurant is key though, tons of outdoor seating. It is pretty loud, but overall a good spot to hang out with friends before a night out, especially since it's so close to the Highlands, El Bar, MJQ, Clermont ;) and more. And hey, you wont feel nauseated later, because the food is prepared well and doesn't smell like wet dog OR vomit! So maybe I've had bad experiences at mexican restaurants :/
(3)
Kristie C.

My thoughts were drowned by the voices of the wait and kitchen-staff who were eating oreos, ramen, and lorna doone cookies... The food was quite oily and the waiter didn't even get my order right because I guess it was too loud. Tacos instead of Salad... interesting. Horchata was SUPER sweet. All in all, for the price? Not that great...
(1)
Jake V.

Delicious food, the Arroz con pollo and steak quesadilla are exceptional!
(4)
Kimberly S.

This is one of my favorite places to go and have a bite. Parking is adequate. When you go in, you will be greeted and seated, you can choose to sit upstairs, or downstairs, there are outdoor and indoor options. They serve you chips and salsa.. My favorite dish there is the Shrimp Quesadilla without the salsa or salsa on the side. There are a lot more dishes there to try. But most of them come with rice and beans. Not sure about this location but I know the one by little five serves some really good margaritas! You will not leave there hungry that's all I have to say. *Don't forget the queso!
(4)
Theresa B.

La Fonda is one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. This particular La Fonda is not. My first visit here was in March and while the food was good, the service was extremely poor. Just the opposite of every experience I have had at the Candler Park location. Today, we went to this one simply because it was on the way home and we were tired and didn't want to drive the few minutes out of our way to Candler Park. We should have taken the time! The service was just as poor as before. You are treated as an afterthought. The food came out wrong and ice cold. My friend ordered the Mexican Coke after having eyed it up for the past few weeks. It was flat. Expired 24 of September 2011. Thanks for caring enough to check dates. We won't be going back to this location. La Fonda is still one of my favorites, but this one will never see me again!
(1)
Rick F.

Quick Lunch in and out! Chips were crisp and salsa was fresh, cold and tasty! Chicken Quesadilla was awesome side of black beans and rice were perfect taste and portion for lunch. Service was friendly, fast and he dropped the check quickly and returned the change just as quick.
(4)
Average G.

Strolled in 30 minutes for close on a Friday night... Service and food was solid. My gf and I had the fish tacos and they were pretty good, not the best I've had but solid. The rice and beans that came with were okay, nothing to holler about. And the guac was pretty good along with the chips. Lastly, the red sangria was alright...feel like I've made better but it works. The location is great though with the patio and hassle free parking so you can't beat that. So I'd have to creep the rating to 3.5 for location.
(3)
Matthew S.

Great food and awesome rooftop patio
(5)
Stephen T.

La Fonda is more of a 3.5. I do enjoy the food. It's very simple, service is quick, tasty, and priced very reasonably. It's a great casual date location with the upstairs balcony. I've had the cuban sandwich and the paella and both were pretty good. None of the food is stellar knock your socks off, but certainly left me full and my tastebuds happy without much of a ding on your wallet. I hear the margaritas are tasty as well.
(4)
Taylor A.

I really don't get why people like this place at all. I ordered the seafood paella and it was basically plain yellow rice tossed with some cooked shrimp, mussels, calamari, and salmon. Zero flavor. Definitely the most terrible paella I've had. I should have known by the $9.95 price tag that it wasn't going to be spectacular. The staff didn't help us find a table and barely told us that it was seat yourself. If you're looking for Mexican, even cheap Mexican this isn't the place to go. Check out Casa Grande on Peachtree for good Mexican and El Azteca for cheap Mexican.
(2)
Steve K.

Yo quiero La Fonda. La Fonda's one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. I've never had anything here I didn't like. The margaritas probably helped with that. But the salsa is fresh, the paella is good, and the sandwiches are also very delicious and meaty. Oh yeah, and did I mention the margaritas? Watch out for the hot sauce. As a sriracha and tobasco addict, I thought I would like their hot sauce, and I did for the first thirty seconds. But for the next thirty minutes I thought my tongue was going to fall off, and I had to bear the "Are you okay?"-s from my friends as they watched me sweat it out in pain. It's all part of the fun I suppose. The outdoor seating upstairs is really nice. Some of my favorite memories in Atlanta started at La Fonda.
(5)
Susan M.

If I want to sit on La Fonda's patio all day eating fresh salsa, they will totally let me. And I will totally sit there all day or at least until I start to get a sunburn. Then I'll move inside and order a salmon burrito, because one cannot survive on chips and salsa alone.
(5)
Sarah S.

I get it, not everyone loves this restaurant as much as I do. I usually get the paella or the steak tacos, and both are amazing. The margaritas are also awesome, as well as the guac, salsa and artichoke dip. Service can be hit or miss, but if I get a spot on the upstairs patio, I don't really mind. Great views.
(4)
Michael B.

A Poncey-Highlands institution along with its Fellin's counterpart, this particular La Fonda is the "meh" location. For a better review, check out the Howell Mill Road location. 1st - 3rd stars -- OK Cuban. The food here is OK. I never felt like it was prepared very well. The Cuban sandwiches are NOT as good as those as Mojito's Cafe in Alpharetta/Roswell or the now defunct Kool Korners over off 14th Street. I've ordered the paella here before, and it was not that good. It was a little too fishy for my tastes. I try and avoid the standard chips and salsa they provide, as the salsa is a little thin for my tastes. Lost 4th and 5th stars -- Parking, so-so service. I've never been a fan of parking here. The lot is tiny and you have to get on site early for any decent street parking. Service is mediocre too, especially if it's busy, and this location gets stupid busy. If you wanna try a good La Fonda location, head to Howell Mill Road (and read my review for it).
(3)
Nick W.

So I went to La Fonda Latina for the first time last week, and I will definitely be back again! What a great place. So if you overlook the lack of parking, you'll find a simple restaurant with good service and different food than your standard Mexican fare. My friend and I went in and went upstairs where they have an outdoor rooftop patio. While there is no view to speak of (it is Ponce, after all...) it was nice to be able to take in the fresh air and definitely was a plus. The inside feels too crowded and compact. Like any Mexican/Latin restaurant, standard chips and salsa, but the salsa was very fresh and more like pico de gallo, which I always find to be a plus. So far, so fresh! The menu does not disappoint. Unlike other Mexican restaurants, La Fonda bills itself as Latin, meaning it incorporates other Spanish-influenced foods like paella and Cuban sandwiches (I forget what they are called...) I've had the paella and the sandwiches and both are really solid. Its hard to find good paella, but they have it here. Meanwhile, the service was really solid. They constantly were there to refill our drinks and bring us more chips and salsa. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the evening, it was so calm and refreshing. A very solid place for a small, refreshing dinner.
(4)
Kelly b.

I love La Fonda! They have great food and really good prices. The portions are huge and everything I've ever had was delicious! The paella is my favorite! They have a fun little outdoor seating area upstairs when the weather is nice. The only bad thing about the place is the parking, or lack of, but thats just how it is on Ponce.
(4)
Derek A.

AUTHENTIC! Outdoor rooftop seating with an awesome view of the city. I eat here every time I'm in town and it has yet to disappoint.
(5)
Jess C.

I'm so surprised on how many people love this place. The food is mediocre at best. The flavor is no where near what Spanish food is like. I rather eat at my parents house to get good spanish food.
(2)
Don W.

Another great meal at LaFonda. Good service and good food at moderate prices. The new menu items featuring pulled pork and shrimp are a welcome addition. All locations are great.
(5)
Laura N.

I'm a huge fan of the paella del mar. My friends and I decided to come here after giggling at the name for a year (because it's also the name of the internet girlfriend of Napoleon Dynamite's brother).
(4)
Jenn S.

I had eaten at La Fonda on a previous trip to Atlanta and really enjoyed it. This past Saturday night, after a jam-packed day, we ended up swinging by to pick up some take-out. We ordered, waited about 10 minutes to get our food and went home to enjoy a late meal. My fiance and I shared the Reuben Cubano: Grilled boneless breast of chicken, Swiss cheese, Cuban coleslaw, pickles and Cuban dressing on Cuban bread. This was FANTASTIC. Served with tasty yellow rice and way-too watery black beans (we didn't eat those), this was the perfect size meal to split when neither of us was ultra hungry. My brother & sister-in-law split the Fish Tacos: Three soft tacos with your choice of grilled, seasoned tilapia or fresh salmon, lettuce, tomatoes and a sour cream jalapeÃ±o sauce. There was more than enough for both of them - she had 1, he had 2 - and we were all stuffed after! The only downside was that we ordered a side of guacamole, for $3, and they didn't give it to us!! We should have checked before we left, but it was on the receipt and it wasn't a big, complicated order, so we assumed it was in there. That sort of put a downer on it. But the food is so good, I would definitely go back despite the guacamole mishap!
(5)
Darren H.

Man I've been here a thousand times & I can't believe that I've never reviewed it before. This is definitely not one of your hole in the wall Taco joints. it's gourmet Mexican. The ingredients are always fresh, the margaritas and mojitos are always strong & the patio upstairs is great for watching the people walking up and down on Ponce and Fellini's next door. One of the better Mexican places to take a date, i'll be back again a million more times i'm sure.
(4)
Thomas B.

Great place! Service was fast. Food was excellent.
(4)
Ashley W.

La Fonda has become my boyfriend and I's go to place for late night drinks and dinner and drinks (did I say that already?) Anyway, this place has the perfect intimate, yet casual, feel that I like when I'm out with my boo. The margaritas are ON POINT. I've tried almost all of the flavors. Strong and only $5. A way better deal than Tin Lizzy's. Two will get you right. As for the food I can say that the queso dip and the chicken tacos hit the spot. On nice summer nights, sit on the patio.
(4)
Megan H.

La Fonda is definitely one of the best options for a quality, affordable meal in Atlanta. I particularly like the Ponce location specifically for its outdoor seating. Not that crazy about the chairs they use outdoors, but the opportunity to check out all the crazies on Ponce as you're hanging out with friends more than makes up for it. Service is always, salsa is always fresh and the fish tacos are OUT OF CONTROL! Also, make sure to grab a mexican ice pop on the way out.... my fave is the coconut. I have since moved out of Atlanta but will always make sure that La Fonda is on my list of musts when I go back to visit.
(4)
Tiffany T.

LOVE this place. So delicious, great service, just a perfect 10! Black bean quesadilla with yellow rice, chips and salsa- it's all so good. The upstairs seating has a great view of the city.
(5)
Jon W.

Fresh nicely chopped chips and salsa (not too liquidy like most places). Casual dining with plenty of options for a Mexican food themed establishment. I go here for a quick eat when I am too lazy to cook something on my own (which happens to be a lot of the time). My favorite dish at La Fonda would have to be the Salmon Enchiladas, I also love the yellow rice and black bean sides! The alcohol is decently priced, a pitcher of margaritas or beer seems to be the cheapest route.
(4)
Christin K.

I really enjoy la fonda.. I can't believe I haven't written a review yet. Seriously, white people who besmirch other people because they think some places are too "Americanized" and "not authentic enough"... oh lawd.... take a chill pill. I didn't realize your stomachs were so racist... The first time I came here I had their paella, which, I am not Spanish, but I've had home made paella before that had been simmered for hours, and I'm pretty impressed they can do it like this here on order. But before I get started with that, I like to start out with first impressions: 1. The parking lot. Its sort of annoying and on this awkward hill, but hey at least they have one. Usually you can find street parking too if its not bad. 2. Chips and salsa. I think they make their own salsa because it's fresh and delightful.Their chips are on the oily and crispy side, which I personally like. 3. Service. I've had mixed experiences here. Sometimes its fast and friendly, but other times, I feel severely ignored. I guess it depends on the night. All hispanic staff for "authenticity" points if that matters to you. 4. Fooooood. Well, Seafood paella, with bits of clam, calamari, shrimp, veggies, and yellow rice, top of the list, and a lot of food. They also have a vegetarian version, and some with different meats. Fish tacos are aiite, somewhere between ok and great. Enchiladas: the beef I find is the best, with the meat marinated well with flavor. Most of the plates come with heaping portions of yellow rice and beans. I've only tried one of the cubans, and I can't give a good review since I've not had many to give a good review. Vegetarians- they make a grilled vegetable plate here, they make it nicely seasoned and juicy. 5. Overall- It can get crowded, but Its worth it if you get the right time. I like that they are open later on the weekends than most places. The price is decent around 8-10 per dish. I haven't had many drinks here but I've enjoyed a few ok margaritas. I don't know about this location, but the one on the west side had a $10 pitcher in the summertime. Also they have a convenient take out counter if you don't want to stay. The bathrooms are average in cleanliness. One time I did have an experience where my brother didn't get what he ordered, but it wasn't bad. I haven't been to the patio yet, but will put it on my checklist
(4)
Lisa L.

My go to spot for reliable and reasonably priced Latin food and they have killer sangria. The service is brisk, but not in an offensive way and they keep the chips and salsa coming. My favorites are the maduros, which are always soft and sweet and carmelized just the way they're supposed to be. All the salads are excellent with veggies that are bright and fresh. The quesadillas, bocadillos and tacos are all tasty, but my favorite has to be the seafood paella. The traditional and veggie paella are quite good also.
(5)
John G.

Yummy big portions. Friendly service, chill patio scene. Great paella. and the place is clean!
(5)
Tom G.

La Fonda! Recently moved away from living two doors down from this place and damn do I miss it. The 5 stars is because for the price, this place cannot be beat. Period. To sum up the menu, the old standbys are great, and I like their take on the burrito. The enchiladas were always my go to meal, tho. The paella is a great thing to split with someone, comes out on a steaming skillet. A little oily, maybe, but delicious. As for sides, you get an insane amount of beans and rice with most orders, unlimited chips (they even give you a free bag of chips and salsa for carryout orders). The salsa is fresh and the chips extra crunchy, not overly salty - a good thing for sure. Some people knock the service, but it's always friendly, and hey, you're getting a meal for under $10, so I can tolerate a bit of a wait. La Fonda, the restaurant I miss the most.
(5)
Ivan S.

I have a friend whose default setting is LaFonda. "Where do you want to eat?" "La Fonda." Drives me nuts. There are literally thousands of restaurants within driving distance and he chooses La Fonda every time. Being an engineer, he's not big into creativity which usually limits our choices to LaFonda, Figo Pasta, and "that one sushi place near Target" which, when translated into English, means RuSans. Hey, what can I tell you? The boy's Canadian. (He's SINGLE, ladies!) Anyway, I shouldn't hold LaFonda responsible for this peeve of mine. In fact, I can see the reason for it. LaFonda, while not the best food in the world, is solid, consistent and not too expensive. And even I can (and should) be accused of lack of creativity when it comes to LaFonda since I only order one thing (paella para uno) whenever we go here. The paella has a pretty good amount of meat in it, chicken, sausage, shrimp and calamari. It's served in a cast iron skillet which approximates the crust created by a paella pan. (And before you foodies get your gauchos all in a bunch, I said "approximates.") For the price, it's perfectly acceptable. The free chips, though? Yeech. Tostitos taste better than LaFonda's chips. Then again, Tostitos aren't free. I have an affinity to this particular location because it was the second place I ever ate in Atlanta. The first was Tortilla's, the second, Fellini's. Which was here and not next door. Eh, that's Atlanta for you. So LaFonda isn't really bad, it's just not so great that I'd eat here every single time. I reserve that honor strictly for Popeye's.
(3)
Lolo H.

Very flavorful food - love their chips and salsa, which are free. Their queso is the best. Arroz con pollo and paella are my personal favorites, as are their fried plantains - maduros. My husband loves their steak a la parilla. Don't pass up the frozen margaritas - good in any flavor. Service is tolerable for the quality of food and price.
(4)
Carlos C.

Been here upteenth time. Fish tacos are good. Paiella is great. Service is so-so. Too loud and uncomfortable. But man does it fill you up at a great price!
(3)
Min Y.

I enjoy cooking, but sometimes it can be a bit annoying when i'm tired and I'm only cooking for myself. Thus, I sometimes look for the take-out meal to get my hunger satisfied without too much effort on my part. Unfortunately, I don't like to stuff myself with greasy fast food too often (though I do indulge, I must admit). After trying a few places out, I've settled on La Fonda Latina as my optimal take-out meal. I normally order the Paella here (about 8.50 for a good size meal) and just pick it up and eat it at home. Great tasting and large quantities at an affordable price! Plus, it's relatively healthy, so what can be wrong with that? I highly recommend it for anyone in the Midtown area. Oh, and it's open pretty late so it's a nice stop by for a post-night out meal.
(5)
Jenn D.

I have a work la Fonda and a home la Fonda. While I enjoy both, my home la Fonda isn't as awesome. The food is fine, but the service at this location is not as good. I find it generally surly at the ponce location. On the most recent visit it took ages to get drinks and place orders, but It was rainy and busy, so not all of the regular tables were open. On the other hand, our chips and salsa bowls were never empty. I love the food deeply and truly so I will keep going back. The upstairs seating is awesome, great for people watching and gazing out over the neighborhood. Parking sucks, but usually we find a place within a couple of blocks away in the residential neighborhood.
(3)
Chinika T.

My co-workers and I have visited this location a couple of time. Each I have enjoyed the o-so-delish paella and black beans. Maybe one day, I'll try something different. They have a great patio and I want to visit after work hours so I can enjoy a nice glass of sangria with my meal or without. Hey who needs a reason for sangria?
(4)
Ken T.

One of my favorite neighborhood spots. Not really sure what the other yelpers may have experienced, as far as slow or inattentive service, because I have yet to experience that. Actually, sometimes I wish they would slow down! They refill the chips & salsa (which are really delicious, maybe it being complimentary just adds to the overall flavor), like a cup of water - every time it gets half full (or half empty, for all you debbie downers). The paella and sandwiches here are all really good. Haven't really tried too many of the other items on the menu. If you're 21+, get a half pitcher of the margaritas. That's enough to get you a nice buzz by the time you get your check.
(4)
Wanda J.

Beef tacos... yum... they were probably the best beef tacos I've ever had. The flavor of the beef was amazing. Whoever came up with the seasoning for the beef is a genius. Yes, it was that good. Both the hubs and myself said, "Mmmm..." after our first bite. I would definitely recommend the beef tacos. The paella was tasty as well, especially left over. An order for one person was enough for two. It would've been better if it had more seafood and sausage, but I guess with tough times comes less protein and more rice. At least the rice was nicely flavored. Of the few times I've been to La Fonda I've never been disappointed. I think it's decent food for a decent price. It will now be a regular for me.
(4)
Alex C.

This place is pretty good. I can't say its authentic but the food is consistent, the service decent and the prices ok. The fish tacos will do, but aren't the best I've had. On the other hand the Paella my friend got smelled and tasted delicious.
(3)
Annie R.

The food here is good and cheap, that makes for a positive experience all around. I love the salsa, cilantro heavy, love it.... Also anywhere you can sit outside and drink a margarita is typically alright with me.
(3)
Lara R.

Had a solid, reasonably priced meal here. A little disappointed in the details- enchiladas were very dry and the paella was inauthentic, arriving at our table within ten minutes of ordering. Otherwise tastes were pretty good- enjoyed he salsa and the salmon fish tacos were delish. Pint of amber with a scoop of margarita was awesome. Will be back!
(3)
S T.

The food here is always so amazing. I love the paella and the margaritas are great. Me and the girlfriend usually get a nice buzz going after one pitcher. Well i get a nice buzz, she is usually a little sloppy by then. Which is good for me. So actually is a great first date place also. Hehe The service is always decent but most of the waiters never have a smile on there face. The busboys always have more personality than the them. Oh well it never stops me from going.
(4)
Toni V M.

I have a number of culinary before and afters, where food I wouldn't eat with someone else's mouth become new-found faves and I kick myself for the years I wasted avoiding them. It happened with mustard. It happened with buffalo sauce. And thanks to La Fonda, it happened with black beans. Theirs come in a traditional black bean sauce from where the beans have been cooked down, with perhaps a little pepper added. Love them now! And they come along with rice when I order my enchilladas topped with queso and cheese and tomato sauce. Pretty standard, but pretty damn good too!
(5)
Dio S.

When I am here I order the paella. Their version is more street food like, and very good. The rice is full of flavor and not soggy, the meat and seafood simple, delicious. I noticed though that the amount of seafood used has been on the decline. Salsa is very nice. I didn't like much else of what they have to offer, and had stale iced tea on more than one occasion. Although the patio is not pretty and faces the street, it is on the second floor and offers a view of the midtown skyline. On a good weather day it is very pleasant.
(3)
Trip B.

I really like places that fit into a week night's plans. Fellini's, Eats, the Albert and this place sure fit into that mold. It helps that it's fast and delicious but there chicken burrito is actually pretty much worth a drive. I'm a stickler for a burrito and get mad when you get something that feels like a heavy bowling ball in your hands (Moe's, I'm talking to you and Willy's and Chipolte too for that matter). On the other hand the fresh, not so stuffed nature of La Fonda's burrito is actually quite refreshing. The patio sure doesn't hurt either.
(4)
Andy H.

Lert me start by saying I've occasionally eaten at La Fonda's for years now, but have mostly moved on to greener pastures. There are so many other restaurants I'd rather eat at that I almost never think to come here, even though I live 2 minutes away. Food: The one positive about their food is the black beans. They're cooked really well and I enjoy them. Now, the last time I ate here (middle of Feb) I found a LIVE ANT in my food. The manager's response? "Oops." Nothing taken off our bill, no apology, no compensation. The food has always ranged from really good to horrible and disgusting. I think it depends on the mood of the kitchen staff. The salsa seems to have come out of a jar, but the chips are fine (if you enjoy a lot of salt on them, like I do). Booze: Very little to choose from. They serve wine to you in thimble-sized glasses, and not a lot of good beers to choose from. The frozen drinks are good and fairly inexpensive. This is a good place for frozen drinks in the Spring or Summer. Staff: Idiots. I'm sorry to be so harsh, but they're idiots. From the manager I've seen to the wait staff. The kitchen staff can't control the quality of their food visit to visit? Come on, man! Atmosphere: The location on Ponce has no atmosphere. The chair will kill your ass after 20 minutes, no decorations to speak of, but the upper deck is okay (with hard metal chairs). Final note: Don't go. I would rather you visit Moe's just down the street than eat here. If you decide to go here, good luck parking!
(1)
Shaun K.

I used to come here all the time back when I lived in Virginia Highland and it was an easy walk. Now that I live in midtown it's only an option on those rare days when I get in the car (and the new westside location has more seating, but not as good a view). The food is pretty solid. Paella, fish tacos, and chorizo Cuban are faves. I've had days where the chicken enchiladas were sublime and days when they were filled with gristle. The service is always friendly, though at certain times it can be.... unhurried. (And by certain times, I mean from when you walk in the door to when you leave.) So it's a good place if you want to linger after dinner. I guess that's part of the charm? I don't know, but it's usually packed and we all keep coming back.
(3)
Han L.

I'm so a fan free unlimited chips and dips! The establishment is small but it has an upstairs patio. The service is great; waiters were attentive to us. I have only been here twice, both times, I have had paella, original and Del Mar ( seafood). Both times, I like very much. I'd definitely come back here with my friends for late night eat ( this place opens tills late).
(4)
Martha S.

Giant glasses of creamy, cold horchata! AWESOME. Delicious grilled vegetable kebabs and yellow rice and all around excellent Cuban food on a menu with great variety: also awesome. A side order of two pieces of deliciously buttery pan for only 65 cents: astonishingly awesome. Slooow service: slightly less than awesome, but it was a busy night, so I'll cut them slack. Roof deck table on a warm Atlanta evening: perfect.
(4)
Jenny G.

Met a friend here for dinner and the outside seating patio seemed packed. Heading inside and upstairs, it wasn't as crowded as we had anticipated. However, even so, the service was very slowwww. We had to wait about 15-20 to order and then another 15 for our food. I had the paella, which was good, not great. Overall, I thought a little extra spice would have made the dish much more flavorful. The drumstick was under seasoned and the chorizos had no heat. La Fonda latina was a little too loud for me and the wait staff was far was attentive.
(2)
Kathleen M.

While I've been to Fellini's more times than I could possibly count, it took me 20+ years of living in Atlanta to make it to La Fonda Latina. It was only 11 AM but me and my dining companion were starvacious. She told me about the tastiness of the chicken soup at La Fonda and I was immediately down. We settled ourselves on the upstairs patio overlooking Ponce, ordered up dos sopas and some artichoke dip and proceeded to catch up on one another's gossip. The complimentary chips and salsa were alright: kind of the typical fare that you (okay, *I*) tend to inhale without really even thinking about it. The soup was indeed great: very flavorful, lots of rice, and surprisingly filling for such a low low price. With the chips and salsa, you can easily get a meal here under $5. Hoorah! My dining companion informed me that it's even better if you BYO avocado, and I'm pretty certain I agree. Get some avocado up in here, La Fonda, and you might get 4 stars! The artichoke dip was good and creamy: nothing Latin about it beyond using tortilla chips rather than a cracker, but it was still mighty tasty. Our service was quick and friendly and I can see why this place has stuck around for so long. It's certainly a solid option.
(3)
Jessica D.

La Fonda is one of my favorite restaurants, and, when the weather is nice, the patio is wonderful. I must admit, however, that I can only comment on the chicken tacos because It's the only entrÃ©e I ever order there. The chicken is always cooked to perfection, and the chipotle sauce is delicious. I highly recommend La Fonda and, weather permitting, its balcony.
(4)
Blake B.

Another LaFonda, second on my list of favorite locations after the one in Candler Park. This one is much bigger than any other location I've been to, as it has a whole second story, open-air, which provides a nice view of Ponce while you're eating. Mmmm, nothing like looking at Ponce to up the appetite. Did that bum just take a crap in the street? I'm not super keen on the Cuban food here. The main reason I ever come to LaFonda is for the margaritas, which they do well. Several flavors including mango, strawberry and traditional, for about $22 a pitcher. It adds up quickly, but goes to your head fast also. Definitely a recipe for trouble.
(3)
L N.

My first visit here and I have to say I will most definitely be back. Had the pleasure to try the seafood paella. It was delicious! The ratio of rice to seafood was evenly spread. The reason for the only three stars is because the dining area is very small & the tables are rather close together. I can't wait until it warms up a bit so the upper deck can open.
(3)
Erin M.

My friend and I were talking on gchat the other day and that inevitably led to a food discussion which inevitably led to Mexican. She said she was disappointed in a recent queso experience. So I, the nice friend that I am, said, "We should go to La Fonda." After a ten minute debate on Candler Park or Ponce, we opted for the Ponce location as the pet parade in Candler park might make it busy, plus, hello outside seating! I was extremely delighted to find that the chips were made from corn (didn't ask if they were Gluten Free, but figured I could splurge a little if they were mixed). The salsa is very pico-ish, which I like. And of course, we got the cheese dip, and the friend was pleased. Now I've had their enchiladas before and I'm not really a fan. In fact I always get them and am always disappointed. Really, Erin? Are you that stupid? So I tried something different: ENSALADA de los ANDES. It was awesome. However, those who aren't cilantro fans - this was chock full of cilantro - it was mixed in with the iceberg and spinach. I opted to skip the dressing and got sour cream instead, plus I poured some salsa on top. Really, really good! Of course, I'll eat anything with black beans on it. The girl got talapia tacos, which she really liked (and she's not easily pleased at restaurants - in fact she used to hate La Fonda). The friend got a burrito. Both plates came with beans and yellow rice (which unfortunately for me contains gluten). The girl couldn't finish her rice and beans and kept trying to make me eat them. Apparently she's still working on the "I can't have yellow rice," part of the equation. Now that I've covered the food... the service used to always be a little lacking. It was better this time, but that's probably because we weren't in a group. There were only 3 of us, yet trying to get a check is always difficult. I really don't understand that part. Though I'll give it to our guy - we all had some sort of special order, but everything came out just the way we wanted it. That IS the most important part, right? I had originally planned to give it 3 stars, but after seeing that our guy got all our special orders right, the food is fairly cheap, and I can get a margarita for 4.50 - well, I had to give it 4 stars. Seriously, 2 meals, queso, a margarita, a coke, and a side of sour cream (yea, he charged me) was $24.39 with tax. You really can't beat it - not in this city, anyway.
(4)
Holly H.

Best chips and salsa anywhere. The cuban sandwich was good but the salsa was the star of the show. The waitstaff left something to be desired (Me: "Excuse me, is the patio heated?" Response: "It's outside.")
(4)
Luciana Y.

I like this place. The Paella EspaÃ±ola is what makes me come back over and over again. I don't feel interested in other dishes that they have although they look good, I always go there for Paella. What I don't like about this restaurant is that the server wants you to leave too soon. Most of the time I feel rushed by them taking things off the table too soon or bringing the check when I'm half way eating. So I take longer to eat and pay on purpose =) Anyways, when a friend comes from out of town, I always talk to them into going to this place and they love it! I'm definitely coming back to this place.
(5)
Amy L.

La fonda is my favorite restaurant in town, hands down. I have been haunting this place for 3+ years and it is not uncommon for me to eat here 3 times in a week. My boyfriend and i always joke that we have to force ourselves to go other places because, no matter how much deliberating we do over where to eat, we always end up here. When you just want to chill out with a mimosa, good food and a stress-free dining experience la fonda cant be beat. You seat yourself and the complimentary chips and salsa appear, as if by magic, on your table within a minute, which is always a blessing when you show up starving (as i always manage to do). The menu is fairly extensive with separate sections for salads, paella, cuban specialties (or something similar), cuban sandwiches, quesadillas, tacos, burritos etc. I alternate between the chicken soup and veggie tacos--the veggie tacos here are my absolute favorite and consist of 2 flour tortillas stuffed with squash, zuchini, mushroom, onion and brocolli with rice and beans on the side. And as others have noted, you can have a super cheap, yet still very filling meal with the $4 chicken soup and some free chips and salsa. The only negative I can think to mention is the spinich artichoke dip, which i ordered once a few years ago and found to be overly thick and flavorless. Drink-wise, theyre a bit limited, but theyve definitely got the fruity flavored margaritas, mojitos, mimosas, a handful of beers and tequila shots for $3. They also have some really good, almost dessert-worthy latin coffees that are warm, rich, sweet and delicious. I actually find the service to be one of the highlights of this location. Most of the servers have been there forever and, while not particularly chatty, are prompt and efficient. You can witness this in full effect on a bumpin' friday night when you show up at, oh, around 8pm and its packed out, every table occupied, and youre thinking, "great. this is gonna take forever," and then youre seated within 10 minutes and going, "wow that wasnt bad at all". The food runners are typically on-point, refilling your chips and salsa before you even think to ask. I dont think I will ever tire of this place. And now that it is summer youve gotta go in order to take full advantage of that patio!
(5)
Jen S.

My partner and I were in Atlanta for a couple days and had a hankering for Cuban fare. ; ) La Fonda didn't disappoint!! We had Maduros, Paella del Mar, and Arroz Con Pollo and Flan for dessert. Everything was very tasty!
(4)
Jessica L.

Affordable, delicious and consistent. The food tastes fresh and the margaritas are pretty tasty too. I highly suggest the ensalada de los andes (with chicken) with the mustard vinaigrette. Sometimes the service is a little iffy, but most of the time it's great.
(4)
Stricky T.

Fast food Latin style, no frills and no expectations. We ordered the paella and though it was tasty, I still prefer my paella made to exquisite perfection...............
(2)
Angelica B.

I've eaten here so many times, and usually get one of three things: 1) Tilapia Tacos, 2) Paella del Mar, 3) Pork and Mango salad it's pretty inexpensive and a good place for a big group of people to agree on. The food is tasty and satisfying, comfort food. The paella has really tasty tiny octopus (squid?) I can't vouch for it's authenticity as I have no frame of reference. The greens that come in the pork and mango salad are usually just the rougher parts of whatever lettuce is around, but the stuff on the salad makes up for it. The tacos are sloppy and creamy and good . The music is annoying. There's so much good cuban music. Why do I have to hear this crap? And why is it turned up all the way? And Why have I been sitting here with an empty paella skillet, empty glasses, napkins and silverware piled onto plate for half an hour? I want my check. I think that's all I have to say.
(3)
Melinda P.

I had La Fonda for dinner 2 days ago and it was delicious, the best experience so far. I enjoyed the Beef Enchiladas... Deeee-lish. Quick and courteous service. Highly recommend !
(4)
Jennifer B.

Authentic Cuban food at its finest!! Ate here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch on the rooftop deck--so nice! I was amazed at the prices! I had the paella and hubby had the arroz con pollo. Both were sooooo delicious! Although its on the other side of town for me, I will definitely be back!
(5)
Jennifer W.

Well, I know I like Mexican food, but I wasn't sure about Cuban. So I tried it. And I like Cuban food, too. :) I met some out-of-town friends at the Ponce de Leon location. It's a small building, but they make good use of the space. There's an outdoor patio, as well as covered roof seating. There are tables downstairs in front and beside the kitchen. The place could use some fresh paint and flooring, as the walls and flooring are chipped, stained and peeling. The service was not very good. The chips, salsa and water came out quickly, but our server took too long to take our orders, then, couldn't be found after our food was served. Finally, another server took over our table. I did see our original server one more time...sitting at a table in the front, laughing with a co-worker. I didn't realize we'd interrupted his social hour. We ordered a round of margaritas, mine without salt, but somehow, salt jumped onto my glass anyway. The chips were standard, tough, yellow chips, and the salsa was more chunky and less saucy, but Ã¼ber fresh tasting. For my entree, I ordered the Bocadillo con Bistec. The beef was tender and flavorful as it was mixed with peppers and onions, and the Cuban dressing was very good. Not a great showing by La Fonda on this visit. But not so bad that I wouldn't come back.
(3)
Ben H.

La Fonda is pretty much a mish mash of different Latin cuisine that is pretty inconsistent across the board. Some things are quite good here (quesadillas) while other things are pretty bad here (Cuban sandwich). The service has not been good in my experience - slow to bring food and drinks, absent servers. The upper deck patio at this location is definitely a major plus. Overall, it's pretty mediocre. 2.5
(3)
Brian A.

Hmmmm, where to start here. Came here with my other half and we ordered drinks to start. My margarita was a bit heavy on the mixer side which I was surprised since many people on here compliment the margaritas.My other half had a beer and I ordered the chicken tacos and he ordered the seafood paella. Well when we received the food he took about 4 bites of his paella and said it was very bland that day. I tasted it and it indeed was bland. We waited for our waitress to come back only she didn't come back to our table for almost 20 mins. She was talking to other employees most of the time. We finally got her attention and told her it tasted bland. She left and then came back with I guess a manager, she nor the man ever said. Well we told him it was bland and that was not what he wanted. The manager said no one ever complains about the paella. My other half said its not that it was horrible it just was bland, very under seasoned. Well he took the dish away and they never asked if he wanted anything else. My other half was quite perturbed at this point still being hungry and thirsty for another beer. Once again waitress was no where to be found and she finally came back we decided to ask for check as it seems they were clearly disinterested in fixing the issue with the bland paella. Well we got the bill and sure enough the paella all of which 4 bites were taken was on the bill. We told the waitress we were not going to pay for that as the had only eaten four bites and they took the dish away never to ask for any other food or to return with a seasoned paella. She said she would see and manager guy came back and said well you said it wasn't that bad just bland. Well my other half said YOU TOOK IT AWAY and never came back with any food. After a minute of arguing the guy said he would take it off. The whole thing was handled incorrectly. He should have offered a different dish or offer to fix the paella that was ordered, instead we had to argue as to why it was still on the bill and argue why would we have to pay for something that they took away and never fixed or never offered another dish. Just poor customer service. The wait staff is too busy talking to each other than making sure diners are happy and management does not know how to handle problems with dishes. If one says the dish was not good, a manager should immediately apologize and try to rectify the situation, not argue with the diner that people don't complain about a certain dish and not offer to fix the issue. I won't be back....
(2)
Jenny B.

Went here for the first time a few months back and I had a good time. The margaritas were ok, the chips and salsa were great. But what I really remembered was the paella - I ordered the Paella del Mar, and MAN was it good. It was also HUGE! And it only cost like $8 or $9 bucks. I think they're known for the paella here, and I can see why. I don't care for the decor much, but in the line of restaurants on Ponce - Fellinis, El Azteca and this place, this place is by far the best.
(4)
Enoch C.

this is my FAVORITE place to eat in atlanta so i might be a little partial in my review. first off, i must say this place is an EXCELLENT place to eat in the fall or spring when the weather is nice outside. all la fondas (that i know of) have outdoor seating. this one just happens to be my favorite one. there's nothing better than sitting on the patio eating fresh salsa and chips (or queso) with a mojito (moh-heet-toh). i don't think it's girly. wanna arm-wrestle?!?!?! advice: don't overload on chips and salsa. which is hard to do cause their salsa is so good. fresh with a tiny bit of spice. just how i like it. sometimes i add a couple drops of their hot sauce to add more spice. warning: DO NOT go overboard with the hot sauce. the first time i had it, i thought it was like any other hot sauce and poured it on. man, i was in for a painful night after that. a couple drops goes a long way. now, what to order: you MUST get the paella. i normally get the original for one cause it's still pretty sizable for 2 people especially if you share another dish, and plus it still has a bunch of shrimp and squid in it anyways. but if you really want seafood, you could get the "del mar" and love that one too. with the paella, i always switch up either a cuban sandwich (con bistec is my favorite) or the fish tacos (tilapia ftw!!!) both served with rice and beans. i love going here with other people that you can share with cause as much as i love the paella and could eat the whole thing by myself, i also love cuban sandwiches and fish tacos. it's easy to share these with another person cause they cut the sandwich in half and there's usually 2 tacos unless you order an extra. their queso dip is really good, but don't let it sit too long or it'll congeal on you. get jalapenos on the side if you don't want them all up in your queso. i had their churros once. they're good. they come with a side of chocolate sauce. one of my friends said that they were the best churros she's ever had so i had to try them. they're good, but i like costco's a little better, plus for about a dollar at costco, you can't beat the price. they're worth a try at la fonda. i found the chocolate to be super rich, but i'm not a big fan of chocolate either. whenever i'm in the area, i ALWAYS try to come here. if you haven't tried this place yet, DO IT!! DO IT NOW!! seriously. do it.
(5)
Erin W.

Long wait, the waiter went missing for a good 20 minutes. They brought out the wrong order to me (veggie paella instead of veggie enchiladas). Luckily, they redeemed themselves with getting my veggie enchiladas to me super quick after making the mistake. The service was rude and spoke too fast, barely acknowledging our orders before running off. We spent about 1.5 hours at this place waiting on drinks, food and the check combined. The food is very plain and mediocre, but I do like the fact that they put fresh spinach in alot of their veggie dishes. The paella is the only thing on the menu worth ordering, IMHO. I should have just stuck with the wrong order they brought me. Everything is very affordable.
(2)
Ben O.

"It's like VeracrÃºz meets Varadero," I gushed. Our server was just clearing the empty cast-iron skillet from the table, with immaculate timing (within a minute after I finished my meal). She'd asked how we were doing, and I stand by my answer. We began with tostones, a small plate of 1/4"-thick slices of starchy, unripe plantain (plÃ¡tano) still warm from the fryer, served with a thick pink sauce that I'm sure I've tasted before but can't identify. Since I can't eat corn, I scooped up some of the fresh salsa that had already been served with chips. The salsa was excellent, spilling over with the flavors of tomato, onion, and cilantro. I ordered paella con verduras, a vegetarian version of the classic Spanish saffron-rice dish. Of the ingredients promised--eggplant, artichoke hearts, peas, squash, mushrooms, black olives, onions and peppers, seasoned with curry--only the peas were a no-show, and everything else was so full of its own flavor that I didn't miss them. The olives were juicy, pitted black olives that exuded olive oil, the eggplant and zucchini squash had their own flavors in abundance, and nothing had been cooking so long that it absorbed the flavor of another. Keeping their own identities but working so well in harmony--is it any wonder some people say America is not a melting pot but a paella pan? My wife made short work of the soft tacos filled with chicken, and left me only a tiny bit of the black beans (which are vegetarian). Perfectly cooked, subtly flavored, they were a fine excuse to heap more of that fresh salsa onto the plate. We finished with an order of churros. My wife and I, we have... a history... with churros. Okay, okay, I confess: we've had a triadic love affair with churros. I imagine they don't love us, since it always ends badly for the churros. Our gold standard is a crispy stick of fried dough, still hot and greasy, served in a paper sack with loads of cinnamon sugar so that you can shake it up to grab more sugar. La Fonda's churros are not crispy or greasy, but they're tasty, and served with a not-too-sweet cocoa sauce. Eyeballing the plate, my wife declared two of the three churros hers and one mine. I objected, and we split them evenly. They were good, we agreed, and much better than La ChurrerÃa on Buford Highway, but not as good as our beloved La Palma (in Miami). It was only in deference to my beloved wife that I did not swig the remaining cocoa sauce. An appetizer (in addition to chips and salsa), two entrÃ©es, two iced teas, and a dessert cost us 25 well-spent dollars. NOTE: The only entrance or exit accessible to a person in a wheelchair is the patio gate, which is clearly marked "Emergency Exit Only". Worse yet, the gate is tied shut with a rope. It's not difficult to untie, but emergency exits ought not to be tied shut, and people who use wheelchairs ought not to have to untie a knot in order to eat here. I deducted a full point for this problem because it is both frustrating to people with disabilities and also a fire hazard. If the management installs a ramp and unties the emergency exit, I'll be happy to give them the fifth star their food deserves. NOTE ABOUT THE NOTE: La Fonda's ops manager explained that the municipal code prohibits direct entry to the patio for any business with a liquor license, thus the rope and designation as an emergency exit. I'm still hoping there can be an architectural solution, but in the meantime, if anyone knows how to petition for a variance to this legal requirement, won't you please tell me how?
(4)
Mark D.

It's a cool place. I love the patio. Service isn't very good. Salsa and guacamole are awesome. Like the other reviews say, some things are good and some aren't. But the prices are pretty good. If you are looking for cheap Cuban/Mexican that isn't bad, then this is your place. Also, what's with serving Coke in a can?
(3)
Erica C.

Haven't been to La Fonda in awhile, but someone mentioned a Cuban sandwich in my sales meeting this morning, so now I can't stop thinking about La Fonda. How do I love thee, bocadillo latino? Let me count the ways: 1) your tender pork deliciousness, 2) the "just right" amount of yellow mustard that collects in the corners of my mouth, 3) the black beans and yellow rice that compliment you so well, 4) your melty-gooey swiss cheese, 5) the way you seem meant to be eaten with my margarita... Service is not always the best, but the food always makes up for it. Great place for brunch and salsa is always chilled, which I love. I believe the paella and quesadilla are both good, but will rarely stray from the Cuban. An absolute favorite!
(5)
Kristen H.

For some reason my boyfriend and I thought we didn't like La Fonda for almost 2 years. I think we went there once and declared it not worthy of our money. We were wrong. We went there thinking it was Mexican food, but it's not. They've got great Spanish food along with other typically Mexican selections on the menu. For an app, we got the fried plantain chips with garlic dipping sauce. Yum. So good and so cheap at $2.50 for a small order! We shared the Mango and pork salad and vegetable paella. The paella I had in Spain was better, but this is Atlanta, not Spain. I probably won't order it again, but it was good. The salad was really good. The margaritas were great (I actually don't love margaritas unless they're frozen, but we ordered them on the rocks because my bf is trying to class me up a little). A great place for a summer evening out on the patio!
(4)
Andrew F.

Good cheap eats, friendly service and a laid back atmosphere. I almost always get the tilapia tacos and the very reasonably priced margaritas (except for during Summer when I opt for the equally reasonable and considerably more refreshing mojitos). I recommend getting here early on a Friday and relaxing with some good company and a pitcher of mojitos on the balcony while you watch the commuters stew in traffic as they flee to the suburbs. To sum it up: There is better Mexican food in this city, but there's just something about those fish tacos!
(4)
Cameron L.

La Fonda is pretty much pure low-budget culinary happiness. I come back from most restaurant thinking that I could have made a better version of my meal at home; such thoughts never occur to me upon coming home from La Fonda. The cilantro-rich salsa is an absolute delight, and I have never been disappointed by anything on the regular menu. Among my favorites are the bocadillos and the veggie enchiladas. For those partial to liquor, I'll admit that the margaritas can taste a little prepackaged. You can, however, opt for a mojito (or a pitcher of said) which may be more to your liking. The staff has been universally friendly and helpful at each location I have visited, making each trip to La Fonda, no matter which one, a pleasant experience.
(5)
Kan B.

Very cheap eats. It's not fresh food but it is freshly assembled. The salsa which they have sitting in huge containers downstairs and upstairs. is spicy and good. I don't normally like salsa but I couldn't stop eating it. The chips weren't homemade or anything. He ordered the pallela. It was a good portion and zesty. I ordered the tilapia taco. with the sauce on the side. it was cubed pieces of fish. with spanish rice and beans on the side. I probably wont order it again.
(3)
Brian A.

The food is really good and extremely quick. It only took about 5 minutes for our food to come out. Great place.
(4)
Beth B.

This place is good. The food is alright but its cheap, you can get a pitcher of mojitos for $15. Thats a deal. You must sit outside on the upstairs patio, inside dining is not so hot.
(3)
Deanna J.

Picture it: 2006. My apartment. Me, cooking dinner for five friends. It's 6:48 PM, dinner to be served at 7 PM. Enter, one panic-stricken girl, huge quantities of chicken that's still raw, and lots of billowing smoke. Things aren't looking good. Did I mention I'm not a highly experienced chef? I immediately have to move on to 'Plan D' - and quickly wipe sweat from my brow, attempt to look halfway normal, and lock the door to my apartment. "Quick change of plans. . . we're going to La Fonda instead of having dinner at my place!" is the call I make to my friends in a voice that's a bit too high. I won't be chosen for Top Chef anytime soon, but I did at least get some kudos from my friends for picking a great Plan D place to eat. Aside from 'break in case of emergency' status, I'm a big fan of La Fonda. The fish tacos are my usual and also lots of plantains. The patio makes a fun place to sit - though service isn't always super speedy, you'll hopefully be soothed and relaxed by just getting to leisurely munch on chips and salsa.
(4)
Andrew Z.

We frequent the McLendon location in Candler Park. This place is the bomb! I can't believe they aren't getting better reviews. I've been going to Lafonda's for over 15 years -- Their first location in Little 5, which no longer exists, was awesome. Actually, I haven't been to any locations that weren't good. The quality of food is great, they are priced very well, and the service is super fast. What more do you want when you get out to eat Mexican or Cuban? Everyone loves the salsa, but the entree's are terrific, too. This place is authentic, so don't expect Tex-Mex. If you know food, you'll love this place.
(5)
Shawanda M.

this is another one of those Atlanta restaurants where i get stuck...i find one thing i like and i continue to order it over and over again... well today, i put an end to that. my friend and i decided to share the paella. pretty darn good besides the fact it has calamari...i don't really like calamari too much, but i can eat around it, no big deal. but the pina colada margarita has to be my fave here and because of that, i must give 4 stars. we got a pitcher and had to drink some water after we were done. just how i like it.
(4)
David H.

La Fonda is a good place for inexpensive Cuban and Spanish food. I'm surprised at the number of people who think it's just another Mexican place -- the Mexican dishes are on the back of the menu under "A Taste of Mexico". I'd say the reasons to come here are: * Cuban sandwiches * Paella (or Arroz Con Pollo) * Plantains, either Maduros or Tostones * Great salsa (probably my favorite salsa, period) and chips * During weekend brunch, the Huevos La Fonda skillet (or huevos quesadilla or burrito) If I just want Mexican standards like enchilladas or quesadillas or tacos, I'll go to a Mexican place. But they excel at their more unique dishes and those keep me coming back. Anyway, during lunch or dinner I tend to alternate between Paella or one of their Cuban sandwiches. Kool Korners spoiled me on traditional Cubans, so I don't tend to order the traditional Bocadillo Latino (although it's tasty, it has an impossible standard to live up to). I alternate between the Chorizo, the Bistec or the unique Reuben Cubano. Their Paella is also great, and it's a huge dish. On the weekend, they have brunch and I order their Huevos La Fonda skillet. It's probably my favorite hearty egg breakfast in the city -- it has chorizo, ham, peppers, onions, fried masa, tomatoes (and probably other stuff I can't remember), and it comes with toasted Cuban bread. If I come in for lunch on the weekend, it's really hard to choose between that and one of their regular menu items. As far as appetizers go, their complimentary salsa is probably my all-time favorite salsa, and I love the chips too (I'm not quite sure what they're made with, but they have a nice texture and flavor). I also like their Queso and fresh Guacamole. I've had their Artichoke Dip a few times and it was also good. I like to get the plantains, too, both Maduros and Tostones (the Tostones garlic dipping sauce is a bit too strong for me, but I like them plain). My only major complaint is that their service is inconsistent. It's always pretty languid compared to most other places, but sometimes it can be downright glacial. Also, their food can be inconsistent rarely, mostly with the sandwiches -- a few times over the years, I've gotten a Reuben Cubano with dry, overcooked chicken, and once or twice a Bocadillo con Bistec with chewy, overcooked beef. When cooked properly, though, they're great. The seating is also rather limited, especially during the winter when the patio is closed. As some other Yelpers have mentioned, they don't have a soda fountain, so if you order a soft drink you'll get a can. Order a tasty and tart home made lemonade instead (or horchata if you like it). Anyway, when I get a craving for some tasty salsa or some Cuban food, I'm glad La Fonda is close.
(4)
Pokegama C.

Great Latino food at a great price!
(4)
Malika B.

Tasty. Cheap. Fun. What more can I say? I love La Fonda. Haven't been to the other locations, but it is always a pleasurable experience when I eat here. The food is so fresh and flavorful. Service is always quick and efficient. The decor isn't anything to gush over, but that's probably why 2 can dine for under $20. La la la la la la Fonda!!!!!!!!! tip - great place to go to before or after Martinis and Imax
(5)
D E.

Never lets me down. Love the chips and salsa. The salsa is fresh and a lightly chunky. I've had the quesadilla, half chicken, enchiladas and they all are good but my fav is the paella.
(5)
Jonathan L.

I usually frequent the Peachtree Rd/Buckhead location, but this one is actually closer to my current home. My experience this time was not great. One of my favorite things about the Buckhead location is the upstairs seating. It is heated during the winter so you can still sit up there. The upstairs at this location is more open and not heated. I imagine it is wonderful during the warmer months. But not for my visit! They took my drink order right away then... forgot about me. It seams like the two servers couldn't decide who had my table. They both tried to bring me the guacamole dip I ordered. When someone returned fifteen minutes later I ordered something I'd never had before - the "Bistec a la Parrilla" - A marinated seasoned ribeye steak with tomato criolla sauce. I like my steak rare. The only options here was medium-well and well done. Barf! I realized why they insist on overcooking it - it wasn't great beef. But what did I expect for $12.50? If there is a more legit reason (I admit to not knowing Cuban food preparation) please enlighten me. I know the restaurant can be good. I'll try them again.
(3)
Erin D.

As a Spanish teacher, I have taken groups of middle school students here at least 7 or 8 times, and it's always been a great experience. The waiters are all Spanish speaking (with perfect English, too), and are patient with my students as they practice their vocab. Portions are very generous, the menu is large, prices are great, and it's definitely tasty food. The kids' menu items are also very generous portions, and each meal is only around $3.50!!! I highly recommend the paella. My middle schoolers also love the $3 churros dessert (3 cinnamon sugar donut-like sticks with warm chocolate dipping sauce). Definitely decent Latin fare for Atlanta, and my students absolutely rave about it.
(4)
stephanie m.

Stars for the Paella del Mar, Ensalada Pescada, and porch seating. Only downside is that the paella is pretty pricey at $10.
(4)
Katie W.

Yummy! I just ate here for the first time in a long time and I had the shrimp and spinach quesadilla. It was really quite tasty. And, it's huge and comes with black beans and rice. I know we are not in California and blah, blah, blah, but this quesadilla's flavor reminds me of one of my favorite California burrito stand items, the shrimp burrito San Felipe from Poquito Mas. It was really good. I also tried the fried plantains (which were good and crispy on the outside) and a banana margarita. The margarita was very good - true banana flavor (from real bananas) and not some overly sweet artificial banana flavoring. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the fake banana flavor on occasion (in things like Laffy Taffy) but I really liked the more tart, real banana in my margarita. They also had other fresh fruit flavors that sounded good, as well as a variety of daiquiris and beer. Everything was really inexpensive. I liked that a lot. The parking here is a bit rough. The lot is pretty small and, while you can park on a side street, if you go on a beautiful 75 degree late winter day, you may find your self parking several blocks away. But, if it's a nice day, who really minds the walk, right?
(4)
Chip P.

I have been coming to La Fonda for years. The reason is consistence in food and service. That being said, the food is always good but the problem is service. At the ponce location they always get it right. This location they always act like they don't know english the second you have a problem or need something. "Hey can I get a splash of orange juice in my margarita" was followed by a strange stare and then a ..."No". I was then told they didn't have OJ after asking two different people. The fish tacos are one of my favorites...at ponce I order them grilled and I get them grilled...Howell mill I order them grilled and they come out fried. I ask..."Can I get these grilled they are fried?"....response..."No only fried" now I stare off into space. I will be going to Ponce location again but will have to think twice about being told "No" twice during lunch.
(3)
Melissa B.

Here is what I love about La Fonda: 1.) Salsa- mmmmmm fresh ingredients and lots of cilantro 2.) Cuban sandwich - my biggest guilty pleasure and they make a mean Cuban 3.) Paella - The paella is very tasty. Most of the other paella's I've tasted in Atlanta have been too salty. La Fonda's is just good. (if anyone knows of better Paella in Atlanta let me know) 4.) The Off the Grill section - I usually get the chicken with rice and beans. I could make this at home so I don't normally order this but it is pretty good. What is just meh: 1.) The location - Ponce is way busy and its a pain to pull in and park during heavy traffic 2.) The patio - i don't want to look at this section of Ponce or hear it but I love sitting outside in pretty weather. If you don't look down the upstairs patio is ok 3.) The service - its better if you are downstairs and inside...they tend to forget you upstairs. All in all, the food here is delicious and solid. I do kinda miss the location they used to have at L5P eons ago. It was like eating in a rain forest. The other locations are good too but I usually end up here.
(4)
Sue B.

Awesome chicken soup! Add a little jalapeÃ±o for an extra kick and warm up for cool day! Great service and diverse menu of Cuban and traditional Mexican dishes.
(4)
Wes P.

My favorite place to go for paella. I've never actually eaten anything else here, but why bother - the paella is too good to pass up!
(4)
Lyndsay K.

mmmmm...mojitos and fish tacos! What could be better! I love going to LaFonda and sitting on the patio, people watching, the sign across the street near Fellini's that says "Go humans!" I love it all. I love the chips, salsa, mojitos, my favorite fish tacos....mmmm YUM! I haven't been to LaFonda in a few months, but I love, love, love it! Delicious!
(4)
J C.

On my last trip to southern Cal one of my dudes was like "You want some Mexican?" I'm like "No doubt". 20 minutes later we pull off the road to a small shack. Inside there are 3 cute abuelitas cooking over jerry-rigged stoves in big pots out of my moms kitchen. When all is said and done some of the best food I'd had in ages...kinda like Dio S. comment about 'street food'...it's like my passion. La Fonda reminds me of that experience. It isn't pretty. It doesn't have a 'vibe' (the last time I went I found a dead or dying fly in my tortilla chips...). But the food is consistently good and the service friendly. I'm usually in the tacos pescados (fish tacos in gringo speak) and the Paella del Mar. The portions are pretty big so you don't have to fill up on chips and salsa. Also a piggy back off Dio S...some cultures don't need to attempt sweet tea. Stuff is terrible, but that's acceptable...just like I would never order a mojito at Busy Bee Cafe : ). All in all good, filling food that I keep coming back to. Peace.
(4)
Heather S.

I think the food here is good. I have only had the sandwiches (cuban, bistec and chorizo), but think that they are really tasty. It's probably not authentic Cuban food, but it tastes good so who cares. I do think it's pretty interesting that they don't serve fountain coke at any of the locations, but Fellini's (which owns La Fonda) does. On my most recent experience there this past weekend, service was actually better than I remember and the food was great. The salsa was really good, though I really think that is a mexican thing, but since half the people reviewing La Fonda think it's mexican food, I guess that's why they do it.
(4)
Peter A.

For great general latin food, this is the place to go. It serves specialties from Spain, Mexico, and the Caribbean. This was our local hangout spot in college and I still go there occasionally. The atmosphere is wonderful, and if you sit upstairs in the summertime you get an interesting feel of the Caribbean but with a view of downtown Atlanta. The quality is usually pretty good but my only knock is that very rarely the quality can hit mediocre. I do not know if that is one chef that comes over from the Buckhead location (poor) or what. If that happens to you the first time you go, disregard it and go back. It will be fantastic 9 times out of 10. Food 2/5-4/5 Service 4/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Value 4/5
(4)
Kat C.

Average, average, average, average. Does that cover it? The service was prompt but not particularly friendly or spectacular. The food wasn't bad, but not particularly special or creative - I'm not sure if they're aware that you do, in fact, improve the taste of food by putting spices in it; somehow even the jalapenos are bland. The prices are reasonable, though, especially for the portions. I'd eat the beef enchiladas again, but I'd know if I weren't being lazy, I could make some infinitely better at home. I won't claim there's anywhere nearby I could purchase some better, though.
(2)
Jen K.

I have been here about 30-40 times in my 10 years in Atlanta. This is the only location I've ever been to, so lots of familiar faces. I think the staff are one of the best things about this place, and have never had anything but decent service here (albeit a little slower on Fri/Sat nights, which is to be expected). We love to sit on the rooftop when it is nice out, but be forewarned that those overhead heaters do not make it acceptable to sit up there when it is lower than about 55 degrees. I wish they would put up some plastic roll down windows up there so the seating isn't cut in half during the winter. And it can get packed, many times had to wait for a table on the weekend. No reservations, first come first served. The food is good, given that this is a reasonably priced chain restaurant. I have to say if I could rate their fish tacos alone I would give them 5 stars. I always order them, and they are reliably awesome. Tried many recipes to duplicate them at home, but haven't gotten it yet, so if anyone thinks they know please fill me in. The rice that comes with them is pretty blah though, and I am not a fan of black beans so oh well. Good cuban sandwiches too, but I would pass on the paella. The chips vary, sometimes perfectly fresh and other times obviously stale, but slather enough queso on it and I would probably eat the bowl they come in. Great place for drinks too, and I've got to say they make a mean mojito. Once I got one that had way too much sugar in it, but 99% of the time they are on point. Which brings me to my ultimate issue with La Fonda - consistency. Given the business they do this should be like a well oiled machine. Nice staff, cool patio, strong drinks, and killer fish tacos, but inconsistent on everything else.
(3)
Stormtrooper H.

La Fonda has great food and really nice outdoor seating, if only we could order out margaritas from El Azteca next door..
(4)
Douglas James P.

If you're in the ATL, and looking for a great 'authentic- old world Spanish cucina, La Fonda is yo place! There's NO playin' with the paella...it's perfect! The only thing that I'd do different is actually add a bit more chicken stock or pinot grigio to the base, cause there's a whole lot that can dry out in that big black iron skillet! I suggest pouring a little bit of your Dos Equis lager into the pan with a splash of fresh lime just to liven up the locals:) Finally, don't deny yourself the tacos! Every option is awesome- from the pollo to the pescoda...just make sure you only order two (unless you're eating for two) 'cause their freakin' GORDO! Nevermind the margharittas... you've probably had better in another life! After asking the manager- it's 'cause they only use pre-made margharitta mix and don't have an option for couture cocktail creation! By the way... make sure you take your valuables in...parking is in the back, between quite a few sketchy brokedown buildings. Hole'!!! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!!! Feliz Navidad!!! and ARIBA!!!!!
(3)
Phil A.

One of my favs in the Atl. Great food, great atmosphere whether sitting inside or outside. I would recommend some dishes, but so many of them are good. I especially love their cheese dip w/ jalapenos & Flan. mmm. The only reason I gave them four out of five is that the service can be lacking at times. I don't know if this is because they're always busy or just don't care enough to give top notch service, but either way I'll be back again and again!
(4)
Edward L.

Moquitos and Piaha over looking the Atlanta skyline... what else do you need? It's cuban so you can't get carne asada... but there is plenty of beef and of course did I mention the Piaha? The best in town!
(4)
Sebo C.

Been to this restaurant a few times, usually before a show at the Fox or the ATL symphony. Great little restaurant and very very cheap for the amount and quality of food you get. My wife absolutely love the fish tacos and I always get the Paella, it is very good, with large amount of squid, shrimp and Chorizo. The Chicken in the Paella is bake and very moist and tender. The Sangria is not bad either. IN conclusion, if you want some Hispanic food, but do not want to settle for a regular Mexican place, do try la Fonda Latina!
(4)
Sam C.

I love the chips and salsa.. makes me wanna do the tongue roll! arrrriba! man that stuff is the best salsa I've ever had. Very fresh, the cilantro and onion, and ripe tomatoes, gosh they really should bottle that stuff! Just fabulous! They serve you chips and salsa while you scan the menu and wait for your order. I love the tilapia burrito. I also love the con espinaca e camerones. (spinach and shrimp quesadilla) Although I like my spinach wilted they serve it fresh inside the quesadilla. I always have to send it back even though I specify I want the spinach wilted or cooked soft it comes just the opposite. I learned to just stick with the burrito. I love the atmosphere. Busy ponce traffic and lots of things and people to look at when sitting up on the balcony level. I love this place during the summer. They stay packed and you see the same faces all the time. Been going there for at least 10 years.
(4)
Josh S.

La Fonda's is the mexican restaurant I frequent. This place is alright in my book. If you want the entire La Fonda experience you have to dine outside. It's a nice view. This place has some damn good paella. MMmmmmm......paellaaaa..Your just a few squeezes of lime away from totally satisfaction. Ohhh yeah and they also have a pretty different approach to artichoke dip as well, but beware this seems really fattening.
(4)
garbanzo b.

Good strong margaritas, and great seats on the outside patio to people watch... But.. i'm a California gal, and ATL doesn't have good Mexican food...the only place I liked was Taquiera Del Sol in Decatur..
(3)
Chandu R.

I hadn't been here in a long time, but was def happy to go back last weekend! The salsa is fresh and soooo yummy, it's hard to not get full off of it before your dinner comes. I had the paella, as good as I remembered it. Def order a glass of the red sangria with it. So delicious! I also love the atmosphere of the rooftop deck. You can enjoy the beautiful weather and just hang out with friends over some yummy food!
(4)
Susan F.

When in the area, I like to stop by for a bite at La Fonda. I love eating on the top deck, especially if it involves margaritas. The chips and salsa are better than average as are the portions, so it's best to go hungry! I usually get the black bean quesadilla and plantains for dessert (if there's room). The service is generally attentive and friendly. If I remember right, they won't split checks, which can be a slight pain, but they may have changed that policy. It's been a few months since I've stopped by, but I'll be back once the weather warms up! Parking is tight, so carpool if you're coming with a group.
(4)
William M.

I'm not sure what category you would put this restaurant in, but their seafood paella keeps me coming back (the best I've had outside of Spain), and when I can find someone to drive, I enjoy their margaritas too, and occasionally their Irish coffee. Their fish tacos were somewhat disappointing, you can find better elsewhere. They make Cuban sandwiches too, but I haven't tried them, I usually go to Papi's or Las Palmeras when I'm in the mood for that.
(4)
Brittany W.

First you get free chips and salsa. Yay for that when too many restaurants charge for them! The salsa was very good and tasted fresh. We also got some cheese dip. It was a large cup and was standard but good.They have the BEST quesadillas! I had the corn and jalapeno quesadilla and asked them to add chicken. Oh my! It was soooo good. I also really enjoyed the black beans and rice that came with it. It was a huge portion and had plenty to take home for another meal. My mother had the shrimp quesadilla and said it was really good as well. My boyfriend had the paella. He had never had it before ,so I don't know how it would rate if compared to other versions. But, he enjoyed it ,and he even had enough to take home. The only reason I don't give them 5 stars is the service. They just seemed too rushed and didn't come by quite often enough to check on us.
(4)
Tracy L.

ATMOSPHERE: Very casual. Pretty crowded on a Friday night so also pretty loud. 2 floors - I hear the service on ground floor is faster. FOOD: Yay, for abundant vegetarian options including burritos, enchiladas, paella, etc. Finally, a place like this where I can eat more than just beans and rice. 1. Veggie enchiladas - grilled veggies in a tortilla topped with cheese on a bed of rice and black beans. Yum! Black beans are not my favorite but these were very good. 2. 1/2 pitcher margaritas - usually don't like margaritas because of the tequila but this was ok. I guess because it didn't have much tequila. 3. Tortilla chips - comes with every meal. Nothing to rave about. Salsa was good. 4. White cheese dip - you can get it spicy with jalapenos in it! It was good - the spicy wasn't really spicy though. SERVICE: Nothing to complain about even though I heard this place was super slow. Pay at the counter. PARKING: No problems finding a spot in the lot. CONCLUSION: They are vegetarian friendly and good! I will be back!
(4)
Vincent V.

The upstairs patio is the best part of dining at this La Fonda location. It's a great view, and the noise and fumes from the nearby cars is significantly diminished versus sitting at the street level patio at the Fellini's next door. In terms of food, it's not anything that's going to bowl you over as being great Latin American cuisine. The prices are reasonable and the service is usually very quick. The bocadillo latino is alright, and the paella is consistent if not stellar. There are better places for both, but La Fonda's got the great location and the better view.
(3)
Shonda K.

I really liked the salsa here and I am not a huge salsa fan but it was good, flavorful and not too hot ( I don't like spicy foods). The plantains were ok, though we had to send the first batch back because they were waaay too done. I had the paella with chicken I believe, it was fine, not the best I've had but fine. I will give LaFonda another chance to see what I really think.
(3)
Katherine M.

This is my favorite place to go when it comes to Mexican food (yes, I know its Cuban, not Mexican, but I still categorize it that way....). The guac is always good and fresh. The chicken burrito is my favorite. Chips and salsa are also great. SImple and good. Inexpensive, but not crappy like el azteca next door.
(4)
Walter R.

One of the best second story patios in the city. The Mexican food here never disappoints and the service is great. I especially like the quesadillas, enchiladas and paella. The sangria is very fruity and easy to drink. Much better than Fellini's in my opinion (they seem to be paired together across the city).
(4)
Sarah T.

Good food but the manager charged me extra for chips when I ordered guac and queso. Would not budge. They automatically bring chips and salsa to the table when you sit down. So a cup of queso is six dollars by the time he's done charging you, unless you get a dinner item. I asked him how people eat queso without chips. No reply. Just pointed to the menu about chips and salsa being extra with no meal-- of course, this assumes that you look to see the price of chips and salsa, which I didn't, as I never ordered them. I reiterated that it's not my fault if they bring it when I sit down. Pointed at caveat on menu again. To he clear, I was there at three in the afternoon and there were plenty of empty tables; I wasn't taking up a seat that some hungrier patron could've had. And I'm happy to pay for what I order, but I detest being ripped off, which is what this was. Anyway, I won't be going back. There are plenty of Tex Mex places in Atlanta, and-- again-- I detest being ripped off.
(2)
Rich E.

We tried La Fonda for the first time last night and I have to say I was underwhelmed. The service was good, but the food was definitely mediocre. The salsa was tasty, but it went downhill from there as our meal progressed. I had the tacos and my other half had the quesadilla. Both were topped with an odd sauce that seemed to permeate the entire dish. The rice and beans didn't seem to be as flavorful as other places, either. I don't think we'll be rushing back.
(2)
Dori A.

A neighborhood staple. I frequent the place fairly often. I would review the Candler Park location as it is more convenient. But the happy hour stroller parking freaks me out. I love kids, I just don't have one. And I don't like eating in close quarters to other people's. No offense, y'all. If you do have kids, by all means try the Candler Park location- please! Back to the food in this joint... I LOVE the tilapia salad. Grilled corn and a light and delicious dressing. Paella is standard, but good. Same with the quesadillas. Guacamole is chunky and goes great with their fresh cilantro salsa. Two thumbs up over here. Best cuban in town? Nope. But, convenient and consistent.
(3)
Andrew M.

Mohitos are pretty damn good (and big). La Fonda is always good for picking up dinner on the way home, or going out for a cheap supper with friends. I usually stick with the Bocadillo Latino (cuban sandwich), but the tilapia tacos are pretty decent as well. Salsa is of the fresh-tomato and cilantro variety (rather than stewed-to-death tomatos).
(3)
Ben R.

Yes its cheap but I'd rather pay a little more to have better food. Service is mediocre at best. Margaritas = not so good, "I've had better." Not very memorable. Honestly, the best mexican food you can get is in Coba, Mexico!
(2)
Sarah H.

La Fonda makes one of my favorites salsas ever, and it's free with your meal. Big chunks of tomatos, lots of garlic and cilantro - salsa heaven! I heart the quesadillas. They stuff them with yummy cheese that melts oh-so-gooey-like and makes your mouth happy.
(4)
Shannon H.

Tried it for the first time last week and going back for more today, which is a pretty good recommendation in and of itself! Takeout both times so I can't comment on the restaurant for dining in, but the salsa is outstanding (nice and spicy with huge fresh tomato chunks) and I enjoyed my paella del mar (v. tasty though it is, as mentioned in other reviews, on the dry side). Today I'm trying the fish tacos, which my friend says are divine, can't wait!
(4)
Karen F.

La Fonda Latina Haiku Review Big margaritas chill with great Cuban cuisine and it's cheap to boot!
(4)
Bridget U.

I love the food, especially the salsa. The strawberry daiquiris are great but the service can be a bit "eh" sometimes. In particular there is one guy who tends to be there a lot and he is ridiculous at times. He will be standing around doing nothing and you cannot get another drop of water or a check until 20 minutes go by and you go up and say something. In the mean time he is just texting the whole time. We tip well when the service is great and are not overly picky or needy but come on.
(3)
Sarah P.

I went once, looking for some good Latin food, but I was dissapppointed. The food was sub-part.
(2)
Oscar A.

Yuck, gross, gag me!!!! I will never go back. The service was good, but the food is horrible. I ordered chicken enchilladas and the chicken was full of fat and gristle.... Where do you get your chicken???? It was the lowest quality chicken ever. The only thing this place has going for it is the upstairs patio, with a view of the hookers on Ponce!
(1)
Hank T.

The positive: delicious food (queso with jalapenos, salsa, tilapia tacos, and shredded beef enchiladas) served on a covered and breezy rooftop patio. The food is simple, affordable, and consistent. The not-so-positive: aforementioned rooftop patio is popular and often crowded
(4)
Sarah B.

Frozen margaritas are good enough to satisfy a native Texan. Also the patio is a great place to enjoy the beautiful spring. I'll still be out there in the summer...Georgia wusses
(4)
Maura N.

YUM!!!!!!! I just wrote a review of La Fonda's sister restaurant, Fellini's and I have a hard time believing they are owned by the same people. I am over the moon about La Fonda. Wow, where to begin? Fish tacos? You want some fish tacos? Yay! Crunchy Tilapia fillets in a delicious, if a tad on the hot side, sauce. These things knock my socks off! You know, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu at La Fonda's. The paella is simply amazing. The portion is huge, you can definitely take home leftovers. The salsa they serve with the chips is very good. My only complaint is the chips themselves. Store-bought and bland. They should really make their own chips but I could totally see why that might be a problem--the place is always slammed with people! I used to live right around the corner from the Ponce location and we went there a few times a week. Great prices, too. Much better than the dreadful cookie-cutter crap of Moe's further down the street.
(5)
Chich S.

i love this place! i've been to the La Fonda on peachtree and the one on ponce, and i've basically had the same experience at both. i always get the paella del mar, which is absolutely fantastic with a little bit of hot sauce. margaritas are pretty decent too.
(4)
Jen B.

Yum! This is our old standby. My boyfriend and I go at least twice a month. if we can't decide on something new or don't know what we want then we go there. Most of the time we go there because we do know what we want. I'm quite partial to the salmon burrito or enchiladas, while Jet goes for the tilapia enchiladas almost everytime. The salsa is fresh and chunky. Again, I say yum!
(4)
Johnny b.

I'm addicted to the mustard vinaigrette! I come here at least twice a week; the service and food are always a pleasure!
(5)
Rilindo F.

I don't get La Fonda. I mean, the Salsa is great, but the food is not that great (it's mostly alright). I supposed that people go there more for just hangging out than anything else.
(3)
Mekaylah R.

i am currently obsessed with their black beans. why do mine never taste this way? i don't know. but, i do know theirs rock, i like the quesadilla and i also like to just get a side of them, load them up with a side of grilled veggies, cheese, sour cream, and guac and i am good to go. chips are of the corn variety and usually pretty stale, but i happily tear em down with their delightful salsa. the guac is bland, and i think i make it better at home, but, again, i happily will tear it down. can i get some fat with my fat? thank you. oh, ps, the pork salad is the jam!
(3)
Karin G.

We have lived in the area for a year now and last night was the first time we ever went to this place. And boy were we glad we did. When we walked in, wasn't the fanciest looking place, looked a bit run down but we ventured upstairs to the (heated) patio and loved it! Great view and very cozy. The chips and salsa were served right away, which were pretty good. My husband ordered the Paella and I ordered the Fish tacos which were not fried but grilled Tilapia. Both orders came within 10 minutes and both were equally delicious!!! I am not a huge mexican food fan but I'm so glad that we went there because the fish tacos were the best I've ever had. I wish we had known about this place because it would have been a frequent food spot for us. The other great thing about this restaurant is that it's Latin so you have your choice of fare... Mexican, Spanish or Cuban. Next time we visit, I'm trying their Cuban Sandwich.
(4)
YJ H.

La Fonda has incredible queso, veggie paella, tilapia salad, guacamole, and mango drinks. As for their service, I've probably eaten there more than 15 times in the past semester in part because their service is so ridiculously friendly and fast. I went there tonight and the staff refilled our salsa bowl so many times before our food came out that we didn't even eat our entrees - we just got them to go.
(5)
Elizabeth S.

I like this place...They have some sort of seafood dish on the menu with all different kinds of seafood. It's totally amazing. They have really reasonable prices, too. It can be kind of packed on weekend nights, so be prepared to wait or stop by for lunch instead.
(4)
Talib K.

i'm sure the food is good, but i wouldn't really know. i can't seem to make it past the chips, salsa, and margaritas. la fonda is the perfect early evening place to meet. whether it is a balmy summer eve in the setting sun or a crisp autumn after work hour, the upstairs patio never disappoints. you can sit, and chat, and chill, and watch the comings and goings on ponce. go here.
(4)
J. D.

I love the "Reuben Cubano" sandwich. Its grilled chicken, slaw, swiss cheese, and pickles. Delish!
(3)
natalie b.

i have loved la fonda for many years. since moving to chicago last year (and now living in los angeles), i have craved it constantly. the best salsa i have ever had--i've eaten it with a fork many times. it's a little watery, but it works. very fresh and chunky without being pico de gallo. the artichoke dip--mmmm. though i'll admit that it is very obviously microwaved and if they aren't paying attention they'll serve it to you with a cold center and overcooked edges. the guacamole is also very tasty and fresh. the queso is good, not unlike most of the other mexican restaurants in atlanta, which is fine--why mess with a good thing? as i'm vegetarian i recommend: the veggie burrito--all the veggies inside are cooked well enough that they are soft and easy to bite through, while still maintaining that fresh flavor. the verduras a la parrilla--veggie kabobs. the seasoning is awesome. my favorite: the veggie cuban sandwich!! NOM NOM NOM but if you really want to do it right, get a side of the mango vinagrette dressing (which is creamy, btw). just add a little bit of that and a touch of salsa to a bite and you will weep for the goodness of it all. this sandwich is just amazing. they don't actually have a full bar, but rather beer and wine (good sangria!) and tequila. they may have a small selection of other liquors, but they are not advertised.
(5)
Dan A.

This place is good hole-in-the-wall Mexican. They have fast service, the food is consistant and reasonably-priced. The upstairs deck is pretty cool when the weather isn't too hot or cold.
(4)
Margo R.

Bueno. I am consistently guilty of filling myself on chips and salsa and eating 1/4 of my actual order. The food is decent but nothing amazing. I don't really know what to recommend because it all tastes the same to be: beans, rice, cheese and chicken presented in creative arrangements, shifted around the plate and granted a unique name. I usually get a burrito; though I've found everything on the menu to be tasty and filling. I recommend sitting on the upstairs patio, which offers a lovely view of Ponce. The interior has a chincy cafeteria feel (the high school kind.) If you like Cuban cuisine you should give it a try.
(3)
Ansley A.

Best salsa!!! The chips are not my favorite, though. Great guac and veggie options. Try the veggie kabobs.
(4)
E J.

Yum! I know this is basically fast food, but CUBAN fast food that's GOOD and CHEAP. I like this place a lot. I wish someone would open one in Chicago.
(4)
tatyana o.

Good cheap Latin eatery. In the spring and fall pick a spot on the upstairs patio and watch Ponce de Leon Ave's colorful charecters. Very fresh salsa and chips will arrive at your table immediately. Cuban pressed sanwiched are said to be really good, but I choose this place for their tasty and filling vegetarian fare: veggie burrito, guac and vegetable paella all are a great value.
(4)
J H.

Great Cuban sandwiches and paellas. My buddies and I love this place due to its patio and great service. Food tastes great and portions are generous too. Excellent food at the price point.
(3)

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Address : 923 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA, 30306
Phone (404) 607-0665
Website https://www.fellinisatlanta.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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La Fonda Latina

923 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306

La Fonda Latina Menu

Appertivos Ensaladas Y Sopas (Appetizers Salads and Soups).

Tradicion De Espana (A Spanish Tradition).

De La Parrilla Cubana (From the Cuban Grill).

Bocadillos Cubanos (Cuban Sandwiches).

Al Lado (On the Side).

Healthy Meal suggestions for La Fonda Latina

Appertivos Ensaladas Y Sopas (Appetizers Salads and Soups).

Tradicion De Espana (A Spanish Tradition).

De La Parrilla Cubana (From the Cuban Grill).

Bocadillos Cubanos (Cuban Sandwiches).

Al Lado (On the Side).

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