Fonda Rosa

This is a hidden gem with out of this world food! I had two appetizers for dinner and still had a bit leftover because the portions are very gracious. Everything is made fresh with amazing ingredients. I also tried my friend's crab empanadas and they were to die for! Will definitely get those next time!

I walked in off the street not knowing anything about Fonda Rosa and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it. Our waitress was incredibly nice and wanted us to have a great dining experience here.

Wow guys, sorry to do this...but I'm going to critical strike your sacred cow for MASSIVE DAMAGE!

I'm going to spare you the "A-word", people usually use in reviews of ethnic restaurants because really...it's irrelevant.

First thing I noticed...no complimentary chips and salsa. This made me cry a single tear, this is something I've come to expect and if I don't get it I'm like a spoiled little girl that wants a cherry on her sundae. I just...don't...feel satisfied.

I went with the "traditional Mexican breakfast" (I forget the Espanol name)...it consisted of chips...beans...and the blandest scrambled egg I've ever had. In fact, if I had to describe this meal in one word it would be "bland". I've had OATMEAL that was spicier than this glorified chips & dip setup I was handed. It wasn't "bad" per se, but it wasn't very flavorful and didn't fill my Mexico-shaped void. You know when you're watching TV/sports/at-a-house-party and you haven't eaten all day? Yeah? And you end up getting full on chips alone? You know that awkward feeling? That's exactly what I felt like after this "meal".

My server was quite nice to me, but didn't offer me any sort of salsa or hot sauce (which this dish DESPERATELY needed). I got up and found my own (Cholula) though.

I know what you're thinking: DUDE! That's because you went there for lunch, go for dinner, it's like SooOOOOoooOOOooo much better!

I'll tell you what, upon leaving I browsed the dinner menu and it looked mighty expensive...BUT I'll give it a shot, JUST for you. If anyone wants to give me specific dish recommendations, now's the time. I'm desperate for decent Mexican food in Portland at this point.

I'm kinda fond-a Fonda Rosa! Haha, cheesy, yep! We've lived just down the street from Fonda Rosa for years, but I had never been and my partner had not been in years. I don't know why they don't have bigger crowds, because the food is delicious!
The interior was very cozy on a chilly, rainy night with soft lighting and vibrantly colored walls and decor, just as a good Mexican place should have. Our server was blindingly gorgeous but also very nice and efficient. My partner's margarita was tasty, but I just had a sip as I can't handle tequila.
For a starter we had the sopitos, which are small masa corn cakes topped with beans, greens and meat. We chose the pulled pork. They are similar to small tostadas, though not as crispy. They were also completely fantastic!
I decided to try one of the daily specials for dinner, the wild shrimp enchiladas. They were amazing with very complex flavors, very bright and fresh tasting, with just enough spice. They also had plenty of shrimp and were just great. While the accompanying rice was a bit bland, it was actually needed as a balance to the very flavorful enchiladas. My partner had the carne guisada, which is a steak dish served with beans and tortillas. I tried his steak and it was terrific!
While sipping after dinner coffee and watching the street scene from out window side table, we decided we'll be coming back soon.

Been coming to this AMAZING Mexican restaurant for over 8 years and it's maintained being my favorite restaurant. They never disappoint. Great service and incredible authentic Mexican food. Not that crappy stuff covered in cheddar cheese. My favorite menu item is their chile relleno and their coconut cream brulee is to die for. I've probably been here 100 plus times and have never had a less than amazing experience.

Candlelight beckoned us in. Cavelike and warm.

They handed us a couple of menus. We gravitated to the taco menu. There are lots of taco choices at very reasonable prices. They have dungeness crab tacos!! Crab and taco.. 2 of my favorite things. Tacos were the crispy kind and the crab was flavorful. Also ordered guacamole/salsa and chips. Guacamole was of the chunky persuasion, decent. Salsa was fresh. The beans are creamy and they use goat cheese on top. Had me a couple of sangria cocktails as well. This place is not "authentic" but what does that mean in Portland with tons of mexican restaurants and their own style? It's also not a chain either. Portions were just right too. Did not feel overly stuffed but satisfied. I have absolutely no complaints.

Can't say enough nice things about this place. Many of us miss the old Taqueria Nueve that was a block away, but now I don't feel so sad anymore.

I've been coming to Fonda Rosa since they opened, and seen them keep getting better. Mexican places are so commonplace now, and so many of them are pretty similar, but this one is more unique than not. A husband and wife team run the place (they run the kitchen and front, respectively), and he makes dishes from his native area of Mexico. They feel familiar and traditional, but they are innovative as well.

I hate to say it - but I often order the same things now - they have great fish tacos, vegetarian tacos, etc. but the other dishes are great also - and not the same old things you see everywhere. The chip and guac are in the top 10% I've had. Nothing is "cliche." They have a nice selection of tequilas, with a great bartender who seems to remember everyone who ever comes in there.

I also like the fun NE 28th neighborhood this place is in; you can waddle up the block for gelato if you have any room left.

I only wish they had more tables - but if you get there early, it's no problem.

PRO: Really yummy food.
CONS: Small portions. Way too expensive for the small plates you get.

Me & my boyfriend both really enjoyed our meals but both left hungry. We asked about dessert after we completely cleared our plates for our server to tell us they were out of desserts. We don't go out to eat just to come home & open the refrigerator to look for more to eat. That defeats the whole purpose. We would have left satisfied if they gave us more on our plates & we didn't feel ripped off when leaving.

Fonda Rosa is my favorite local authentic Mexican restaurant. The owners are truly an inspiration in the highest quality and creativity in their dishes. Love Love Love!!!!!!!

I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. But it's hard to justify spending this much for Mexican food when there are so many taquerias in the area. The waitress was great and it was a nice slow night. mmmm I can't forget the chips were great, we ate so many I almost didn't want dinner.

I could see coming back with a group but for just two of us we'll probably save the money.

The food is delicious. We shared crab empanadas and enchilada con mole. The empanadas have large chunks of fresh crab in them. You can really taste the crab, unlike the skimpy shreds I've had at other restaurants. We were lucky to choose a day when the mole was on offer. It's not always available. It reminded me of the mole I had in Guadalajara years ago. Even the beans were very tasty. So often retried beans I've had locally have been pretty tasteless.

It was a quiet day so Hugo (the owner and chef) and his wife waited on us. They are really nice.

The prices are indeed higher than most Mexican restaurants, but that's because everything is hand made in house and of high quality. Not the same old ground beef smothered in cheddar cheese. I'll definitely be coming back.

Oh..they're now open for brunch. Next time I'm in the mood for huevos rancheros, I know where to go.