La Fortuna #8

Awesome authentic food, extremely nice staff and great prices! What’s not to love? Don’t forget to bring cash though!

Most authentic Mexican in the East. Caitlin is dumb and probably never had real Mexican before. Complaining for chicken tenders… seriously. Sounds like your palate (means how you taste things) should go to taco bell. Enjoy!

Amazing food.
Very real home style.
Super fresh.
Had the veggie enchiladas in the green hot salsa.
Fresh queso and cilantro on top.
Would eat here everyday if I was close to home.

We were traveling from Boone to Raleigh on a Sunday and were starving by the time we got to wilkesboro so we checked out Unilocal and the top rated restaurant was la fortuna. The atmosphere was welcoming and cozy, food was off the chain, I had the al pastor and steak tacos especiales, Mexicano style and my boyfriend had enchiladas verdes.
If you are craving authentic Mexican in wilkesboro you have to go here.

This place looks like a dive but the food is terrific. I could eat there every day. I LOVE the pork tacos, Mexican style. Make sure you have cash. They don’t accept checks or credit/​debit cards.

This is the Best Mexican restaurant in the area, we drive 35 minutes to get here. It is authentic food, just excellent.

Al pastor tacos are awesome! By far the most authentic Mexican food in Wilkes, and it’s a great value with awesome service.
[Remember to take cash, it’s a cash only restaurant but it’s worth the trip to the atm]

This place is SO good. We moved to the area from the West Coast and were sorely disappointed at the Mexican restaurant choices along 421. Then we finally hit La Fortuna yesterday. My husband and I were blown away! The salsa is excellent and the food is so fresh and tasty. PLUS they use real cheese on their nachos (not cheese goo, which seems to be very popular out here for some unknown reason. Why would anybody want «milk» on their chips? Very glad La Fortuna knows how to make nachos right with real cheese!). Plus the wait staff is very friendly. This is definitely a new favorite restaurant for us! Now I’m hungry…

Love the salsas and the radish! Had the two taco lunch special Mexican style (no cheese but with avocado) one carne asada one el pastor. Love that they do double corn tortillas and no cheese but a nice big slice of avocado and finely chopped fresh onions. Didn’t love the black hard pieces in my el pastor taco — maybe super burnt pieces or maybe hard plastic or cast iron… I know these things happen so I am probably more forgiving than most. I know better than to order steak at Mexican restaurants, I am always disappointed it rarely has any flavor and is usually tough. They did a bit better here since they cut the meat so finely. I was looking forward to the el pastor since it got rave reviews, unfortunately I didn’t really get any of the pineapple flavor. The portions were good sized. It is really a hole in the wall kind of place so don’t go looking for a sanitized chain restaurant! They are cash only so come prepared. Overall though I would go back, much more authentic than most places!

This continues to be a fabulous place for ‘real’ Mexican food. House-​made salsas are incredible. Having lived in CA for 35 years… this is one place still on top of my list.

On 03/​04/​2015, I went for lucnh aat this restaurant. To start with, as soon as I walked in the delicious smells coming from the kitchen took me back on a mental trip to my days residing at the Southwest Border with Mexico and the small gems of restaurants found there. Once I sat down the typical bowl of chips were presented at the table but with different and very authentic accompaniments: three types of salsa (Green, Red, and the usual mild salsa I ususally call «Gringo Ketchup»). This was very surprising because usually when you sit at a Mexican restaurant in the Piedmont you will only receive the usual «Gringo Ketchup» aka: mild salsa. With the chips they also served a cup with a slice of fresh cucumber and radishes (yummy). I decided to go for the $ 7.98 four taco plate. I decided to mix my selection by ordering two asada and two al pastor tacos. To my surprise I was asked by the server if I wanted my el pastor tacos with or without pineapple. Yes, authentic al pastor tacos are usually served with pineapple as the meat is roasted on a spit gyro style contramption with pineapple. The tacos were served with onions, cilantro, and avocado on double corn torillas (the only way to go NO FLOUR). The kitchen did not skimp on the protein and the flavor was very similar to the flavors I am used to. The reason I did not give 5 stars is because the cash only policy can be a hassle for some. This restaurant is the most authentic Mexican joint I have been to since moving to NC from the Suthwest Border. Too bad it is in Wilkesboro, NC. If they open a joint near the Triad it will receive my visit more often.

Great little place to have authentic Mexican food. The food is yummy and fresh. The portions ate huge at a very reasonable prices. The staff is courteous and attentive to detail. If you go you must try the guacamole and the horchata drink which is a rice based drink, delicious!

Love! Yum. I would eat here weekly if I lived nearby. Flautas are delicious! Authentic Mexican food for entire family. Try the rice water.

My brother does not like Mexican food and always orders chicken strips from the kids menu which we never have a problem with at other restaurants. After arguing with the waitress with a poor attitude they finally agreed. As if that wasn’t a bad enough experience when the food arrived it was like they had never heard of seasoning before. The food was completely tasteless and the meat was chewy and over cooked. The taco shells were extremely stale. I’ve honestly had better Mexican food at Taco Bell.

I’ve been coming here for over 10 years. The food and service continue to improve. Do yourself a favor and try the traditional Mexican dishes or the house specialties.

Was a little sketched out by the building, but seriously so delicious. CASH ONLY. Tacos were definitely the way to go. Fresh, well seasoned steak and chicken. I don’t think they have their liquor license, because we couldn’t order margaritas, but it was still worth the trip. THE REAL DEAL.

Soooooo good. I could probably eat here every day and be perfectly happy. The tacos are killer. Do yourself a favor and eat here.

I love this place! Every time I come I get something different, and every time I’m happy!
Health score: 96
I love the complimentary starters: the obligatory chips, but with three different sauces, each with it’s own flavor and heat level, limes, radishes and cucumber. So much flavor: my taste buds are happy!
This time I got Mexican Tacos with soft corn shells and Marinated Pork, topped with fresh cilantro, onions, etc. Our server asked if I wanted fresh pineapple on it, and I am so glad he did because it made the dish! They give you four tacos on a dinner plate: too much for me by myself, plus four extra tortillas. I was in heaven.
My BF had a whole grilled fish with salad and lime, which was moist and delicious, and once again overflowing the plate.
My husband had traditional Fajitas, which he loves. Great flavor with enough left over for us to make mother meal for the two of us.
The waiter was very polite, helpful & attentive.

Some of the best Mexican food I’ve eaten. I usually ask the waiter or waitress what they recommend and it never fails.
The ONLY reason I give it a 4 star rating is because they only take cash, and sometimes it means an unnecessary trip to the ATM.
I highly recommend this establishment for an authentic experience.

As already written, this is as Authentic as it gets. I’ve eaten Mexican food everywhere. This IS my only true experience. The others are just Tex-​Mex food (if you know that terminology). My family eats here quite often. It’s only 25 minutes from my house.
Ambiance: Almost non-​existent. It is truly a hole in the wall. Trust me, the cuisine will overcome the simplicity of the venue.
Tacos: Excellent
Tortas: Unmatched by anything I’ve ever seen or tasted.
I forgot to mention that these people are from Mexico City. They have Al Pastor on a vertical rotisserie with a hunk of pineapple over top of it, allowing the juice to trickle down over this marvelous piece of marinated pork!!!
If you are a true connoisseur of Mexican food, your journey isn’t even started until you’ve darkened the doorway of this restaurant. Every person I’ve brought here has told their friends about it. And, yes, they’ve also got their friends hooked as well :-)
Cash only is the only drawback!!! I forgot to mention that earlier…$$$$$$$$$$$$$
The prices are reasonable and worth it for the value of the meal.
I’ve traveled the US and Europe. This is good stuff!