Lafonda

We always come to LaFonda when visiting Lafayette. Service is great, friendly host/​hostesses and wait staff. The margaritas are the best! I always get the cheese enchiladas which are wonderful. I have to be careful to not fill up on the bean dip, salsa and chips before my food arrives because it is that good!!! The guacamole is also delicious. We got sopapillas for dessert last night that were fantastic! This is one of my favorite places to eat in Lafayette!

If you want microwaved shitty Tex Mex with burnt cheese eat here. I can’t believe this place is so popular, our waiter left a tray of dirty dishes next to me in the aisle for 15 minutes until I moved it myself. He forgot to give us menus for 30 minutes and didn’t give us water, I had to ask someone else to get it. The food is awful, Panchos is like Ruth’s Chris compared to this place. Unacceptable– the absolute worst service I have ever experienced in my life. Will not ever recommend it. The margaritas will get you pretty drunk, I guess that is to cover up the nasty taste of the food.

Ok so this Mexican restaurant gets my 5 stars bc I was very pleased! I am a very picky tex-​mex Mexican food water and this is hands down my fav for this area! I lived in Texas for 23 years and then I moved to Colorado and now to lafayette and this is the first place I’ve gone to for me can that I can say made me very happy! The atmosphere was great! The wait a little long though. We had fried rabbit for the appetizer, the chips & salsa were perfect. I had a taco, enchilada & tostada plate and I was pleasantly surprised even at the taco. I will be back!

Only two stars for Lafonda? Seriously? C’mon man! Great margs, lively and fun atmosphere, and the food is just fine. I really enjoy the beef enchiladas. Best tex-​mex food ever? Maybe not, but it’s definitely better than how it appears with a 2.5 star avg review… puh-​lease! I’ve been here for a celebration or two (or 100) and have always had a good time! It’s not your quick in and out kind of place, you may have to hang out and drink a marg while you wait for your table (aww poor you!). This place is a Lafayette classic!

I ate here a few months ago, and was very surprised at good it was. Chicken enchiladas, burritos, chips, beans rice, salsa, tortillas were all pretty good. I’ve noticed that most of the bad reviews for La Fonda were written 3 – 5 years ago. It is apparent that the food has improved in the last year or two. It is also apparent that Unilocal doe not factor in the age of reviews to calculate an overall score for a restaurant so the bad reviews from five years ago appear to have equal weight with the current reviews. This should not be. Reviews from 4 – 6 years ago should be reduced in weight, or eliminated from the score of a restaurant altogether. I would eat here again.

While this might not be the best Mexican food around, nothing beats the atmosphere of fun at Lafonda’s! It has long been a tradition for celebrations and get-​togethers in my own family, as it’s been for many in Lafayette. Don’t expect to sit and have a quick meal – Lafonda’s is often packed full with a wait for a table, but relax and have a drink (or two) from the bar! If you have the time for a leisurely night out and are up for a loud and raucous experience, this is a great place.

La Fonda has been around quite a while. I remember having lunch there with my Mother and Grandmother many years ago. I thought that foid was good back then, but it is sure different now!
If you want to start your evening with a pretty decent margarita or sangria, this is the place to be. Nice festive atmosphere in the bar. But should you want really good Mexican food, go somewhere else.
However, if you must dine here, there are a few items on the menu that are worth trying; the fried rabbit appetizer is really good, the shrimp or chicken stuffed avocado has a nice flavor. For dessert try the flan.
Otherwise, everything else is just too darn SALTY! From the complimentary chips to the #1 plate. The only thing that was not salty were the rice and beans.

I was informed by my in-​laws that Lafonda’s is a tried & true Lafayette institution. They’ve been regulars for decades… my wife’s grandparents each have their portrait muraled on one of the walls so that should say something. It also goes to show how tradition and habit can blind you to mediocrity. And the adjective mediocre is being generous… this place is awful.
First, the service was horrible. Our waiter, Austin, did not seem to be able to complete the basics of being a server. He didn’t bring us menus until we asked for them (after he asked if we wanted any appetizers???). We all requested waters in addition to other drinks — he brought one water, then 2 more about halfway through the meal (there were 4 of us). He screwed up one of the orders. It was not busy, by the way.
Second, the food took FOREVER to come out. Everyone ordered the lunch special with enchiladas. If you’ve never cooked enchiladas or seen how a Mexican restaurant actually makes enchiladas… they take less than 2 minutes. Tortilla… add stuff… wrap…plate w/​cheese… throw under broiler for 45 seconds… serve. Not hard. It took at least 30 minutes to get our enchilada plates. Like I said, it was not busy at all.
Third, the food is AWFUL. I’m not a snob and I’ve eaten some crappy food with a smile on my face but I had to send back my pork enchiladas. I took a bite of one and it was fine, switched to the other and it tasted… odd. I took another bite and confirmed it indeed tasted like acrid dirt before I got fed up (already pissed from Austin, the time factor and the cost (see below)) and pushed it away. It literally left a horrible taste in my mouth which took several swigs of water to clear.
Fourth, it is overpriced. Way overpriced. The enchiladas with meat were $ 10.50…for 2 measly, small enchiladas, some crappy rice and some refried beans. They must net about $ 9.80 on each enchilada plate.
I cannot understand why people continue to go here when all the reviews say «don’t eat the food». (I read the Unilocal reviews too late). Stay away, and if you’re a socialite, go find a real bar.

So we got there at 730 pm had people come in after us in the same party size ve seated before us. They made comments that they knew the girl that picked who would be seated. The waiting area is to small for there slow service. It builds up with lafayette’s middle class drunks. We got seated around 915pm in a very dated room, paper table top, over crowded area. Table was wobbly and the wrong style chairs for the cheap 1977 carpet which they would slide across. I seen people that have been in the dining room since 730 drunk as hell and of course they keep serving them drinks. My wife ordered an margarita which came in what I would say was a shot glass. We got the nachos at the info of our waiter all I can say is cheap cheese bad! We both ordered the ribeye covered… what we got was a new york strip. It was covered in can cheese burned onions. Then we got an 128 dollar bill. Its was horrible, service bad, out dated. People of Lafayette if this is your flagship it has sunk. I would recommend this place close, staff fired, pick a style of food, remodel, take out a few tables.

Good service and excellent atmosphere here! Always a fun time going with a group and I never leave without a fun memory. Best known for their margeritas and fried chicken. However, the food is sub par at best and is not very appealing. I suggest this place for hanging out and not for the food.

Saltiest chips I’ve ever had. Couldn’t even tell you if the queso was good or not cause the chips were not edible. Ate a ground beef taco that was good. My side of Mexican rice was the worst thing I’ve ever eaten. «Famous» margaritas were okay. Won’t be back.

Had lunch on Sat. 8/​16, arriving right after opening time of 11 am. Seated promptly and drink orders taken and filled quickly. Waiter (Chris) brought chips (yum), salsa & bean dip (yum), then took our orders.
I have had the Chicken Enchiladas Monterrey many times before and always ask for the jalepenos to be omitted from the plate. Not only did Chris assure me that there would be no jalepenos, but when grilled about «anything else on the plate,» he insisted that it was ONLY 3 enchiladas with sauce.
Food came reasonably fast, considering there were only 4 populated tables in the main dining room. But, much to my chagrin, there was a large pile of lettuce, upon which sat dollops of guacamole and sour cream. I shrugged it off and focused on moving things aside to consume the enchiladas. Others in my party of 3 were splitting a large quesadilla and asked Chris for an extra plate to accommodate the share.
After Chris passed our table several times to serve an adjacent table, he finally came back to ask how everything was. I reminded him of our conversation minutes before about what I could expect on my plate, and his response was that «he had never seen anything on the plates except enchiladas before!,» passing the blame to the kitchen. I seriously doubt that Saturday was the first time they ever garnished the plate with lettuce, etc., but that was his story. There was no serious apology, nor acceptance of blame on himself… like HE’S the one who carried the plate from the kitchen to my table and certainly could have done something before dropping it off to me — like replating!
We also took the opportunity to remind him of the (now not needed) extra plate. He left the table and brought back the (still not needed) plate! I thought about taking these issues up with management, but, due to our timeline of a departing flight, I let it go… until now!
Get your act together, La Fonda. Generally, food and drinks are very good, but if your service doesn’t keep up, you’ll lose whatever following that has kept you in business for 57 years!

Lafonda is a great place with excellent service. But it’s not a Cinco de Mayo kind of place. It opened a long time ago (‘50s or ‘60s) and hasn’t changed much. The menu, manners, and dress have only drifted slightly since then. (Tip: don’t go dressed less than business casual.)
If you’re new to town or from out of town, your expectations are going to be out of sync. If you want to visit a great place that’s as crowded and popular as it was 50 years ago, then you’re in the right frame of mind.
My favorite menu items: the «Nighthawk» or beef enchiladas.

First and last time yesterday. I should have checked these reviews before going! Its obviously not just me. The food is bad. The «restaurant» has got to be a front for something else going on in the back. Maybe a money laundering scheme. Because its definitely not about the food.

It boggles my mind to see the low ratings on this hallowed establishment, but to me LaFonda will always have five stars. It has been our family’s first choice to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. and there is no other place that has the magical ambiance this restaurant offers — or the tradition. If you don’t like LaFonda, then you are doing it wrong.

I only spent time in the very cramped small area known as the bar. Barely enough room for standing or maneuvering around. I don’t understand the previous reviews considering this as «the place to be see.» You’re lucky if the people that came with you are able to see you.

If I could give it no stars I would! This place was beyond horrible. The food was outright disgusting! Having recently moved to Lafayette I am more and more disappointed each time I dine out. This will be the last time.
Worst of all the place is for some reason a social scene. It was packed on the Friday night we went. Why??? I guess the locals like to hold on to old traditions even if that means sacrificing quality and substance.
The food was absolutely disgusting. I knew it as soon as the out of the can salsa was brought out. The enchiladas were drowned in a italian: Cajun meat sauce which was way too salty. I had a bite and was sick to my stomach.
My husband had the Cuban style steak which was so dry and tasted like cardboard. I’m getting sick just thinking about it.
This place gives a bad name to Mexican food. They should either strip the tables and make it an outright club. But the food is still too crappy to be served as bar food. Sorry my stomach is making noises — i have to Go! why am I not surprised that I got sick from eating there. What a disgrace.

Lafonda is THE place to be seen. It’s Lafayette’s social mecca for some reason. Here’s what you should know prior to going here:
It’s pretentious as hell. You better look good (and damn good at that) walking in here. If not, prepare to get some dirty looks.
The food sucks. No, really, it SUCKS. I’d eat anywhere else before I’d come if I were you. I think there is a McDonalds not too far up the street.
The drinks are strong. Order a margarita and prepare to be shit hammered when you’re done with it.
Happy socializing!

I get the low ratings on LaFondas, but let me tell you why you go here.
You go to LaFondas for the DRINKS, for the atmosphere. Its a social spot to see and be seen. Old money, new money, cougars and socialites round up around the always packed bar. The margaritas are a big part of the buzz of Lafayette.
You do not go to Lafondas for the food. Is it terrible? No. But its not great either. The wait staff is great but the food is slow, probably to get you so drunk you wont notice the mediocre food.
If you’re in Lafayette, you need to go to Lafondas to experience the buzz at least once.

Is it bad? Let me count the ways.
1) horribly served food. Apparently the chefs do not take pride in what they do, or the owner has handcuffed them and won’t see that change is good.
3)margaritas that people rave about. Apparently these people are alcoholics. Because I’ve had better margaritas at chain restaurants.
4) does everything served have to be cold?
5) I skipped 2 because if they won’t make an effort to fix this place then why should I make an effort to correct my mistakes.
6) on a positive note, they do have a vegetarian meal… It’s for people who don’t like meat but still want diarrhea.