CombatCritic's TravelValue™: Fonda

Showing posts with label Fonda. Show all posts

Monday, December 16, 2019

Mesquite, NV: Go On Inn To La Fonda For Overpriced, Underwhelming Mexican Food

La Fonda
550 W Pioneer Blvd
Mesquite, NV 89027
(702) 346-0907
Website: None ... Really?
Prices: $$$$

One tiny taco and one small cheese enchilada with a smattering of rice and beans for $14 seems a bit unrealistic to me, but that was the case here. Margaritas start at $8, guacamole was $3.99 for a tiny scoop ($6.99 serves 2), and the chips were straight out of a bag. I got one small basket of tortilla chips, along with mild and spicy salsas, the highlight of a rather forgettable meal.

Hidden in the back of a strip mall, if you blink while on Pioneer Boulevard, you will likely miss the sign which is hidden among numerous other businesses. The inside lacks any warmth or charm, reminiscent of something between Taco Bell and Denny's.

The service was adequate, but unfriendly and I had to walk up to the register to pay because I got tired of waiting for the check to arrive.

What food I got tasted OK, but I walked away hungry and with $17 less in my pocket. Earth to La Fonda ... make your own chips, serve them warm, and bring an extra basket if necessary; a single taco and single enchilada dinner should top out at $10 to $11 max, not $14; a basic 12 ounce house margarita should cost $5 to $6 if you hope to draw in customers; and show your customers that you appreciate them by making us feel welcome and appreciated.

Go to El Coyote Charro across town if you want a delicious, fresh, authentic Mexican meal with a similar lack of ambiance for half the price. How this place rates 4/5 stars is beyond me unless most of the customers come from Back East or across the sea.

CombatCriticitic Gives La Fonda 3 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Three Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "Situation Normal, All Fucked Up"

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Friday, February 24, 2017

Lawrence, KS: Port Fonda's Ship Will Soon Set Sail ... Into Oblivion

Port Fonda
900 New Hampshire, Ste B
Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone number: (785) 856-2535
Website: portfonda.com
Prices: $$$$

I forgot my phone in the car, so please excuse the lack of photos. I have been wanting to try Port Fonda since they opened, but, to be honest, the menu never did do much for me. I like traditional Mexican food and am not enamored with the many Mexican-fusion menus and ingredients that have become so cliche lately. However, before I leave Lawrence and the Midwest for the Left Coast later this year, I thought I should give them a try.

I met a friend downtown and we walked over, entering a large, but mostly empty, dining room that looks more like a sports bar than a Mexican restaurant. I despise paying for chips and salsa, but we ordered it anyway ($5), coming in a small tin bucket accompanied by choice of two salsas (we got the corn and roasted tomatillo). The chips were a bit skimpy, but fresh and obviously homemade, and the salsas good. but not great. I was a bit disappointed for $5.

The "special" sounded good, a deep fried chimichanga filled with chicken, rice, pork belly and some other stuff topped with a poblano (or was it serano?) chile cheese sauce ($14). The chimichanga was quite tasty, but very greasy, feeling my arteries clogging with every mouthful. It was about half the size of your average chimichanga and came with zilch, zippo, nada, making it the equivalent of a $28 chimichanga, ale carte, no rice, no beans, at your run of the mill Mexican place. Not a great value.

Because my ratings are based on value, bang-for-the-buck, and not on just the quality of the food, I cannot in good conscience give Port Fonda even an average rating (5 Bombs Out Of 10). Let's face it, their ala carte chimichanga belongs in the $6 to $8 range max, not $14, particularly at lunch. Additionally, I detest restaurants that charge for chips and salsa and $5 is ridiculous for what we received. The highlight of our lunch was the server, who was very attentive, but then she should be as we were two of the few customers in the place at noon on a Thursday.

Now I know why the place is empty and why they have received such mediocre ratings. I doubt that this place will be around much longer and am surprised they have remained open for over a year.

CombatCritic Gives Port Fonda 3 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Three Bombs Equates To:

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Read Chris S.'s review of Port Fonda on Yelp

Title: Lawrence, KS: Port Fonda's Ship Will Soon Set Sail ... Into Oblivion

Key Words: Port Fonda, port, fonda, New Hampshire, Lawrence, Kansas, Mexican, Mexico, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, business, review, Yelp, Zomato, Tabelog

Translation for Civilians: SNAFU = "Situation Normal, All Fucked Up"

Monday, March 3, 2014

Colorado Sprongs, CO: Absence Does Not Necessarily Make The Heart Grow Fonda

Amanda's Fonda
3625 W. Colorado Ave
Colorado Springs, CO80904

http://www.amandasfonda.com

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@amandasfonda

An old haunt, I had to try it again after 6 years in the Midwest ... Tacos, enchiladas, you know the drill.   

The shredded beef tacos were OK, little meat or cheese, but what was there tasted good. The cheese and onion enchilada was decent, but the sauce was rather bland. The chips were decent, the salsa very good, but the guacamole was a bit pricey for the size so we steered away from an appetizer.  

I remembered the food being better ... I guess absence does not necessarily make the heart grow fonder. Ever been back to your high school? Disappointing, small, but you still have fond memories.  

CombatCritic Gives Amanda's Fonda 6 Out of 10 Bombs ... BOMBS ARE GOOD!  

UPDATE: After my check-in, the manager contacted me and offered a gift card and an invitation to return and give Amanda's Fonda another try. I will return next time I am in Colorado Springs and will update my review based on that experience. "6 BOMBS" is not a "bad" review, but leaves room for some improvement ... SPERIAMO (let's hope so)!

Key Words: Amanda's Fonda, Amanda, fonda, Colorado Springs, Colorado, springs, 80904, Mexican, food, taco, enchilada, chips, salsa, guacamole, CombatCritic, combat, critic, TravelValue

Monday, February 17, 2014

Manitou Springs, CO: Absence From Amanda's Fonda Does Not Make The Heart Grow Fonda

Amanda’s Fonda

3625 W Colorado Avenue

Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Phone: (719) 227-1975

Website: amandasfonda.com

Prices: $$$$

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3625 W Colorado Ave
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An old haunt, had to try it again after. 6 years in the Midwest ... Tacos, enchiladas, you know the drill.

It was only 4:30pm, but no hostess and just one server? We waited 10 minutes until she arrived, then she had 5-6 other tables to wait on, made the margaritas, and probably cooked the food. Hardly ever saw her.

The shredded beef tacos were OK, little meat or cheese. The cheese and onion enchilada was decent, but the sauce rather bland. Chips thin and tasty, salsa very good, the guacamole was a bit pricey for the size so we steered away.

Remembered the food being better ... Absence does not necessarily make the heart fonder! Ever been back to your high school? Disappointing, but you still have fond memories.

CombatCritic Gives Amanda's Fonda 6 Out of 10 Bombs ... BOMBS ARE GOOD!

Six Bombs Equates To:

"Good To Go"

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Title: Manitou Springs, CO: Absence From Amanda's Fonda Does Not Make The Heart Grow Fonda

Key Words: Amanda's Fonda, Amanda, Fonda, fonder, taco, taco, enchilada, burrito, eat, food, restaurant, lunch, dinner, CombatCritic, Yelp, Foursquare, combat, critic, TravelValue, travel

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