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Category: Restaurants [Edit]
Neighborhood: EdgewaterBerwyn (Red)
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Holy hot delicious. I had never tasted some of the combinations of flavors that they put together here, and they were so good. And not just in a "oh, that's interesting and tasty" way, but in a "oh my god that is really good and I've never tasted anything like it before" way.
I'd highly recommend the tostada, which isn't like a tex-mex tostada but is closer to a fajita, served with a fried green plantain (which I was skeptical of, but had a great flavor and texture).
Thursday is half off margarita night! See you there.
Was in the area for lunch and decided to stop in. Was told about the Lunch Buffet special for $8.95 and since La Fonda does not have a limited-selection cheaper lunch menu, I went with that.
Nothing at the Buffet was labeled, and at least labeling the soups would have been nice. I ladeled each and surmised the ingredients just fine. The bean soup was smokey and tasty. The rest of the meal was okay. The main dish was a chicken dish with a light sauce, rice, potatoes, the vegetable was carrot and zucchini. The plantains were amazing!
It was a filling meal for the price, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. I really don't see why they charge dinner prices at lunch save for the buffet, and why they don't do a separate lunch menu. The dishes looked interesting, but charging over $20 for Mexican food better be amazing.
Our meal last night was certainly better than we have had in previous visits. The carne asada was tender and flavorful. My husband RAVED about the sea bass special. The noise at 8 pm, however, was so loud that we skipped dessert to escape to a quieter locale.
Overall, it was a lovely dinner.
The food has been Great every single time that i've gone. Their Tres Leche Dessert is DELICIOUS!! so are their entre's.. Lovely Decor.. I love the building. the staff is friendly and it's just a calm place to sit and relax.. of course EAT! this is one place that I'll make a Regular
Decent food, better drinks...how do you not have a web site in 2009!!!
Yum! Arroz con Pollo was perfect. Actually, there was a little too much of it, which I guess is a problem we have here in the ol' US of A in general. But still, I was served up a heapin' helpin' and it was good.
The mojitos were tasty, as were the empanadas (though those were a bit smaller than I was expecting). I also really liked the tortilla soup, though my girlfriend would have liked it a little thicker & less soupy.
We ate outside, and they've created the nicest ambiance they can for what they're working with. Broadway just isn't the most beautiful street at that location, so it's loud and just not so beautiful.
All in all, a good meal, not amazing.
We shared a great afternoon lunch here yesterday, and had our pick of the place, as they had winded down lunch at the time we arrived. I've always passed by this place and wondered about the decor and food inside, and I was pleasantly surprised and wowed. They offered chips and salsa, complimentary to start. The red "spicy" salsa was very good and fresh, adding a bit of a kick and heat to it. For such a small place, they really have an extensive menu, both in food and beverage choices. They also provided a specials card for the daily offerings. I had to really take my time to order wisely with so many options to nosh on.
I was hungrier than my lunching companion, so I ordered the sweet corn cake with bacon wrapped shrimp to start. It was covered slightly in melted cheese, with a light chipotle mayo sauce on top. Simply delicious! The corn was crisp and griddle tough, but opened up to a sweet, delicious, corn mash inside. The bacon wrapped shrimp was a nice add to top, with a salty sweetness adding to the corn. We gobbled it down. For my entrée, I chose the tostada with seasoned beef. The tostada was made out of a grilled and flattened plantain, a perfect compliment to the mixture of beef, peppers, and onions. I love me some plaintains!!! Did I mention that it was also huge?! It took up my entire plate! Of course, I savored it all, except for the complimentary guacamole and black bean sides, as I was stuffed!
My companion chose the chicken and rice soup and the tamale appetizer for his meal. He said both were good, but didn't wow him by any means. I would've nibbled at the tamale had I any breathing room after finishing my entire tostada plate. At the rate I was going, and as my pants grew in size and button strength, I knew I just couldn't indulge in any more. The tamales looked especially good, and as for the chicken and rice soup, can any restaurant really blow you away on that alone?! I think not.
The décor is very cantina-esque, but not cheesy and cheaply done. The restaurant extends back far, so looks are deceiving if you pass it by. I've heard that it is a good call to make a reservation on the weekends, as they were on Check Please (the show that exploits Chicago's great restaurant hidden gems and display them for all the suburbanites who make that one trek a year to see the big city). Yet, I digress.
The service was nice and friendly, helping with suggestions when asked to do so. However, I got the feeling that it would be a bit sporadic and infrequent as a weekend diner, as although our server was very nice and pleasant, my water went for numerous times unfilled and plates piling up, as we were only one of two tables there. Yet, I was unaffected by it, as my meal and ambiance were both equally satisfying. On a side note, the bathrooms are very clean and nicely decorated also, to follow with the general scheme of the restaurant itself. I'll be back soon, for dinner, and to explore their cocktail or wine list.
Cuisine like near beer
Looks like food but no flavor
Left taste buds wanting
Oh baby. I'm pretty hottttt for this place. Even though they don't have a huge selection for vegetarians, I find the quality of food every time I go ALWAYS exceeds my expectations... the drinks, staff, and atmosphere are great for friends or dates. The tostonachos caribenos are to die for --the spinach-mushroom empanadas and the black bean soup are my faves with a side of guacamole --- ask them to make you a special Chinaco Anejo Margarita and you will be dancing in their kitchen before you know what happened !
MMmmmmmango margaritas! I love going here, sitting outside, ordering appetizers and nibbling! Columbian food, used to be over on Lawrence/Clark - this new space is a big improvement! The lunch buffet is a tad overcooked, go with entrees or appetizers instead - they are delish!
This just in . . . went there last night, sat outside, DOG FRIENDLY!
A very solid South American food option for the Andersonville/Edgewater neighborhood. We stopped in for a Friday evening dinner and were very pleased with our experience. I called ahead for a reservation just in case (I have not been in the mood for waiting lately -- or ever) but it turns out it wasn't really necessary, since the place was not incredibly packed. But it really should be, because their food is fantastic! We ordered one app and one entree to share, which turned out to be a very good thing, because they serve HUGE portions. We had the arroz con pollo, which was so delicious and flavorful -- tender chunks of chicken, tons of veggies, and lots of that Latino spicy/smoky flavor-- and enough food for another meal at home. The name escapes me of the appetizer we had, but it closely resembled french fries -- but way better. It was a root vegetable of some sort, fried up into crispy goodness, sprinkled with queso fresco, and served with a delicious dipping sauce.
We both ordered margaritas, and they were shaken right at our table and tasted oh so fresh. None of that nasty margarita mix for La Fonda -- this is the real thing. I got the upgraded "ultimate" margarita, while the fiance got the regular one, and we both agreed mine was worth the $2 upgrade -- much smoother.
Atmosphere is lovely, with warm colors on the walls and no kitschy decorations. Our server was not overly friendly, and disappeared for quite a while when we wanted our check, but it certainly didn't ruin the experience. If anything, I enjoy being left alone by a server -- more Euro-style. As long as they get me what I need in a reasonable amount of time, I'm cool, and that she did.
We will be back to try more of the menu at La Fonda. And we were too full for dessert, so I will have to be back to try that as well! As far as Latin-American restaurants in the 'hood, this one gets my vote for the best. Definitely give it a try, we want this place to remain open!
We've been here three or four times. Our last visit was on a Sunday in October 2008. We have enjoyed the food each time.
My favorite dish is a special, th Salmon salad with mango and avacado. I crave this dish. I've also had the tostadas (served on mashed fried plaintain) with vegetables. They were a decent vegetarian option.
My husband has had the carne asada, a surf and turf dish, and the pork steak. He is pretty picky about how meat is seasoned, and this last time he exclaimed that the seasoning on the carne asada was genius.
My only complaint is that the margaritas have been hit and miss.
ZZZZZZZZZ This describes both the food and the service.
First, I will give them a compliment. The beer was very cold.
The food was so completely tasteless. I do not think they have a clue what salt and other spices are. Having lived in Miami prior to Chicago, this food is horrible in comparison. Yes, I know, it is South American food and is not supposed to be spicy. But , Good Lord, they use NOTHING at all to flavor their food. It was one boring dish after another.
It is like someone in Utah had an epiphany and decided to open up a Lation Fusion restaurant, but had never tasted it before. The chimichurri sauce was truly horrible, the arepa's were... well, I do not know what they were trying to accomplish here. The salad was basically a bagged iceburg lettuce variety, the guacamole was tasteless...and the service was HORRIBLE. Slow slow slow. I could have taken a siesta inbetween the times I saw our waitress or busboy.
Sorry, I do not often only give one star, but this one deserves it
Food: not amazing. Price: expensive for the quality. Service: just ok and it depends on the mood of the owner.
I very much enjoyed my dinner here! I had the Tostada and was very pleased with the quality of my food and also the quantity. I also had Lulo juice which I haven't been able to find since my visit to Ecuador. The decor is cute and cozy.
I went here earlier this week with my boyfriend and we really enjoyed it! The menu looked really good and we couldn't decide what to get, so we settled on just ordering appetizers. Not only was it very filling, but also much cheaper than getting mains (2 mains would've been around $30, while 4 appetizers came to around $20). The waiter was very helpful, suggesting that 4 appetizers were enough instead of the 5 that we were going to order - and he was completely right!
The empanadas were soooo delicious - hot and crispy. The tamales were some of the best I've had (though it has peas and carrots in it which was a little unusual but still very tasty). We also had the griddle cake (forgot what it's called) and the plantain with guacamole and both were great as well.
The place is well worth a visit. I'll definitely be coming back to try the mains!
Nothing remarkable to be found on the menu. After years in NYC, maybe I'm used to these kinds of places as they are dime a dozen in the boroughs? I just the found the experience bland and unremarkable.
The service was fine. The space itself is fine. That's about it.
Oh, I found it expensive for what you get.
The food here is delicious - I particularly love the bistec alla criolla which I get every single time I go because it's so tasty. My husband's carne asada was also really good, and my dad raved about the pollo con arroz, claiming that it was perfectly seasoned.
They have large portions and lots of tasty chips and salsa - I always get two meals out of my dish. I also like the fact that it's moderately priced so I don't feel like I'm blowing the budget if I want to go there for dinner.
I'm just a few blocks away from this place. The place is very cute. The staff is nice. The food is not my favorite but its good. Everyone has their own opinion but this place just doesn't do it for me. The plates I've ordered have never satisfied my appetite. I just can't seem to go back here after the few times I've been here.
For a place named after a Napoleon Dynamite character, this is pretty tasty. I had some delicious pork dish--sorry I can't remember the name of it, but it was yummy. I think maybe the various tasty drinks I kept ordering have something to do with my lack of memory.
I love this place! It was my secret, but then someone went and reviewed it on Check Please! Now reservations are a smart idea for Friday and Saturday nights. Try the blackberry morarrita and stick to the traditional Columbian items on the menu and you will leave happy!
I love La Fonda. Service is friendly and the food...the food is fantastic. Everything I have ordered from here I have loved. I think my favorites are the beef tostada and the plato montanero. Mmmmmmmmm! Ooo and I always order a couple of mojito's as well....best in the city!
La Fonda offers the best lunch buffet I've ever had the opportunity to try. For $7.95 you get a salad with a bright mango vinaigrette, a choice of two soups (get the black bean!!!) and a variety of authentic Colombian fare. I was impressed by the quality of food for the price and the ambiance is very fresh and tasteful in contrast to the drab-looking store front. Unfortunately, La Fonda only offers the lunch buffet Tuesday through Friday. I haven't tried the margaritas but reviewing their ingredients on the menu convinced me that I MUST have one on my next visit. I promised my boyfriend's parents we'd take them the next time they are in town because of my rave reviews and the fact that the name reminds them of Kip's girlfriend LaFawnduh in Napoleon Dynamite.
started with empanadas...very good.
tried the pechuga de pollo (grilled chicked breast)...very tasty.
it comes with fried plantains (real close cousin to bananas) which are very good.
washed it all down with a kick-ass mango juice.
modest prices for the otherwise pricy area....low key tasteful colombian decor...amiable waitstaff.
i will be back
The Spinach and Mushroom empanadas are super delicious. I heard a friend keep talking about them and when I finally checked it out I was not disappointed. The mojitos are as Rocky B. stated one of the best mojitos I have had in Chicago. The service was kind of slow as it was a busy Friday night, but still I had good food and an overall enjoyable experience. I will definitely be back again.
Two words - - Good stuff!! Went to La Fonda for lunch and had the arroz con pollo dish and it was delish! and piping hot! (although I would have liked it a little more spicy, but that's cuz I have a southern palette). The portion size was pretty sizable. I was even able to take some home. They were a little on the pricey side, but I felt like the food could demand the price. The service was great, as I didn't have to ask for water or anything. The place has an intimate feel with a quaint ambiance, which I liked. You can sit toward the front door or sit near the back of the restaurant if its lunch or dinner for two and you're in a romantic mood. The place is somewhat small, so if you're with a large group you should probably call ahead. I'll definitely be going back. Its right off of the bus line (#36) and the Blue line is right across the street as well. Street parking is available as well.
My dining experience here was okay. One of the owners from Ole Ole (in Andersonville) recommended this spot, so we decided to try it out. All I could say is that the food was average and the servings were small. I don't think I would be coming back. Ole Ole is sooooo much better.
My fiance and I love this place. We've been going since they moved here several years ago. Food is reasonably priced and very very tasty. The only downside is that their side-vegetables can often be bland.... But with the right sauce on some of the meats I have to say the vegetables pick right up so I guess they often do these right as well!!
Definitely go for their fruit shakes (either with milk or water). They are fantastic and very refreshing. They make a good mojito as well.
Very cute place inside. Nice decor, great lunch buffet and the staff is super friendly. There's always good latin music playing and the food was pretty goodl.
Really like this place - good, flavorful food. Excellent mojitos. Their desserts are outstanding!
The best lunch on the northside. A very reasonable buffet (7.95) includes salad, and several entrees along with rice, beans, vegetables and plantains (yeah!). The staff is very friendly and gracious. The food is excellent - both authentic, flavorful and pretty healthy. They serve great fruit shakes for lunch, but also have a full bar.
Menu items are reasonably priced and the food is good. Latin music plays to help create a nice ambience. The decor is nice...rather understated.
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