Fonda Mexican

Surprising it’s reaaaally good am not usually a fan of Mexican food cus it’s just bake beans to me :) but the falafel black beans was filling and very yummy! Healthy was just a bonus! :) oh the F you sauce? U have to try if ur a chillie fan. Not too chillie but enough to get a reaction :)

I really liked this place. It is very big and open — and also busy even on a rainy Thursday night. It is obviously the place to go with a girlfriend as most tables seemed to be for two girls having big catch ups. I was no exception!
So a nice wine list — I had a lovely Pinot Gris and there was a good cocktail list.
Food wise we started with their sharing plate which was delicious. The guacamole was outstanding. I am very picky on the guacamole front so this is big coming from me!
Then we had the salad without any protein which was also delicious — black beans, quinoa, roasted corn and lots more guacamole.
And then the chicken quesadillas which were a bit of a sensation. A lot of quesadillas are light on the filling — these guys were heavy on it and that paid off.
Delicious, fast friendly service and a reasonable bill — I highly recommend!

I’ve long been a fan of the Fonda restaurants and from their humbled cramped-​space days in Richmond they have since gotten big, bright, fun new spots like Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn.
Fonda is easy casual dining, perfect for groups and catch ups when you want something tasty without spending a fortune. No it’s not authentic Mexican, but few places in Melbourne are! This is their modern take and all of it’s pretty damn good and a million times better than a certain Tex-​Mex chain that plagued Melbourne with popularity in the 90s. No sloppy beans and rice dishes here. Just fresh-​tasting tacos, burritos, quesadillas and salads.
The menu changes up every so often, but my current favs are the pork quesadillas and beef burrito. They salads are really decent for a lunch option too — yummy and filling.
The atmosphere is mostly couples and young groups, but we did have a 4 year old in our dining party on last visit and they took good care of her. The staff were really accommodating and also offered a plain chicken-​and-​cheese quesadilla to avoid any tears over spicy food. I wouldn’t suggest coming here with a whole hoard of children, but for the most part it’s both adult and family friendly.
All orders are taken at the counter, be it take away or dine-​in. Getting a seat can be a little tricky in peak times as it’s a walk-​in restaurant unless you’re booking for a large group. But the style of ordering makes it fairly fast turn over. They’d probably make a lot more money on booze if they did table service, but I guess it moves people through faster too.
I find the cocktails a bit pricy, but the aqua frescas are larger, delicious, and can have booze added to them if you so desire.
All in all a great easy spot to catch up with friends without any fuss.
Good for: groups, casual dining, older kids, burrito cravings.

I think I’ve written reviews for Fonda in Prahran and Richmond. Well this makes the trifecta.
I like Fonda, I like that it’s moved closer to me. My bank balance doesn’t.
There’s something about this Fonda that’s just ok. My review is on takeaway alone here, as I haven’t been brave enough to hang and wait for a table. Take away, it’s totally hit and miss. This fonda started with cutting burritos in half and then they stopped. They don’t seem to be getting the wait times right, meaning you either end up waiting for ages for your order, or it’s been there for a few minutes getting cold.
I find the register area a bit clunky and restricted as people are everywhere waiting to either order or wait for their takeaway making it appear like organised chaos.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Fonda. I visit a lot. But Hawthorn, I haven’t warmed up to you yet.

Picture this: after 4 long hours of driving back and forth between a friend’s old residence to her new apartment, loading and unloading two cars which contained most of her earthly belongings, schlepping up to the fourth floor numerous times with our arms weighed down with her things… and it’s been 5 hours since food or water has passed between my lips. My stomach started to complain from the lack of sustenance.
It was a Sunday, past 5pm in the Auburn Village and all the nearby cafes were shut or closing up. Sure there were plenty of Chinese, Indian, and Malaysian options nearby, but I knew in my heart of hearts that I wanted something else.
We ventured out into the unknown world of Auburn Village, hoping that there would be something worth our while. My friend mentioned a Mexican place that she had been to before, saying it was good. «Mexican». The word resonated within me. We made haste to Fonda and the menu seemed to sparkle in its promise before my very eyes. Or maybe it was the myriad of beautiful colours splashed all over the place in true Mexican fashion.
I ordered the chips with chipotle aioli, a braised beef taco and a mushroom taco, and my friend ordered a pork quesadilla with a drink whose spelling escapes me (horchora??). I had a sip of the rice milk and evaporated milk concoction with hints of cinnamon and vanilla, and it was a sweet treat.
The chips were DIVINE. Thin, crispy, and oh god, the chrunchiness of it! And the chipotle aioli had a beautiful smokiness to it, I just wish there was more! The tacos were full and beautifully fresh. The mushroom taco with the shredded zucchini and peas was my favourite. Despite its softness, the tortillas didn’t break from the weight or moisture of the foods it carried (something that greatly frustrates me when it does happen).
Overall, the staff were friendly (I got a kick out of the kitchen staff who were openly checking out the female customers in Spanish — c’mon guys, you’ve mastered the art of Mexican food, learn a little bit in subtlety), prompt and efficient.
Mmm, I’m definitely coming back to Fonda to try out the rest of the menu. Every. Single. Item.

Pulled pork was Stone cold
Toasted quinoa in a burrito? Really?
Tortilla chips sort of stale and really salty
$ 16 margarita that is really really really small. Like about 100 ml small.

This Mexican store is now the 3^rd Fonda to open with the Richmond one bursting at the seams they have organically grown to a great group of stores. Consistent great service, great menu offerings at fantastic prices this will be a hit too. Great parking at rear at Aquatic centre and council car park that is now free for 2hrs it is sure to be packed day in day out. Great drinks selection too. So if you miss Mexico this is the place to visit. Very addictive and worthy of a visit soon.

At the current day job, I am based near Hawthorn Village. Which is OK if you’re into white bread sandwiches, focacias and cups of chinos. I am not. Give me all the dumplings, tacos and ethnic food. Preferably served by thick-​rimmed glasses-​wearing hipsters with sleeve tattoos.
Imagine my excitement when I heard Fonda Mexican was opening down the road in Glenferrie Road. A mere 10 minute walk from said White Bread Land. So of course — as any good Elite Unilocaler would do who has a taco fetish — I immediately booked a table for 12 on a busy Friday afternoon (thanks Tim!) on the second day after opening and went for a group lunch with the team.
To be honest, I was expecting it to not be running particularly efficiently on the second day of operation. I expected some teething problems. Maybe they would spill a margarita on me? Perhaps drop some guacamole on my hair? Maybe not deliver my fish tacos?
I was wrong. It was a slick operation.
We ordered in quick succession at the bar and the food, drinks and snacks were promptly served. We all tried different things — guac, the delicious chipotle chips, mushroom tacos, fish tacos, burritos and char grilled corn. It was all tasty, generous serves and fresh.
I know it’s not 100% authentic Mexican food at Fonda but I am OK with it. Sometimes you just want quick and delicious pescado tacos that are Mexican-​inspired food and Fonda do this well. It’s not a date venue or fine dining. It’s casual and fun dining and a great place to enjoy the vibe and friendly service.
I’ll be back — especially as they are only a 10 minute stroll down the road from day gig.