La Fonda de San Mateo image

La Fonda de San Mateo

Restaurant Mexican restaurant Latin american restaurant

Mexican eatery featuring rustic decor & classic burritos, enchiladas & tostadas, plus a full bar. People often mention service, Mexican, restaurant, time, friendly, delicious, good, great,


Address

2310 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States

Website

www.lafondasanmateo.com

Contact

+1 650-574-9699

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (240 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 11:30 am to 2 pm, 5 to 9 pm
  • Wednesday: 11:30 am to 2 pm, 5 to 9 pm
  • Thursday: 11:30 am to 2 pm, 5 to 9 pm
  • Friday: 11:30 am to 2 pm, 5 to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 5 to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 5 to 9 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: service (13) Mexican (9) restaurant (9) time (8) friendly (7) delicious (7) good (7) great (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Mike H. 1 year ago on Google
    Great local classic. Family friendly California Mexican food restaurant which took me back to the old days. Mole enchiladas were delicious. Loved it.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Fulldistance G. 6 months ago on Google • 328 reviews
    This is a busy family run restaurant. Make a reservation during peak times is my suggestion. The service is super friendly and fast and they make you feel special. The ambiance is warm, vibrant and reminds of Mexican hacienda. The servings are generous. The food overall is well presented and tasty. Yup, try this restaurant. You will like it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David T. 2 years ago on Google
    Been coming here for over 20 years! Food is excellent and the staff is so friendly.. Family loves coming here for any occasion.. Be back again soon!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 N S. 8 months ago on Google • 43 reviews
    This place is slowly going to go out of business. Food was pricey and not all that good in flavor l wish that the service was at least good but that was worse. I was there for the first time I had to ask the guy who cleans tables for help twice since my waitress only came by to get our ORDER and DELIVER our food, she went to all her tables skipping our table. The saddest part is that they do it to the Mexicans in a Mexican restaurant what a SHAME they have alot to learn about customer service.. I'm surprised they are STILL in business. With that BAD customer service singling people out when they own a customer service business. Would NOT go back . If I could give less then 1 star I would. Highly DO NOT recommend it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 PeterK n. 1 year ago on Google • 32 reviews
    I would order it again! From the salad section, the beef fajita salad. Great! Nice flavors! I asked myself, beer or house margarita? House margarita over rocks! Five stars!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elena S. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice cozy place! Home atmosphere and friendly staff
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 David B. 2 years ago on Google
    The food was tasty. Good sauces on the enchilada and taco. Refried beans much better than typical. Service was a bit slow as they seemed short handed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bob M. 1 year ago on Google
    I LOVE this place!! Family-owned for many years and introduced to me for the first time in 2021. How did I miss this gem with having lived within 3 miles for over 30 years!? For starters, the staff is incredibly caring and aims to please. Quite attentive to the guests and displaying a cheerful, friendly vibe. The food has never failed me, and personally, I can only speak for the fajitas and enchiladas. The bar is complete. Pretty much mixing whatever you fancy. The setting is intimate, but spacious at the same time. I love the little back patio setting. Parking is hit or miss, either on the El Camino, rear parking or the side streets. If you're hungry enough you'll find a spot! Prices are reasonable. I feel you get what you paid for and then some. The value is definitely there! Check it out!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marisa P. 10 months ago on Google • 114 reviews
    Super cute Mexican restaurant with probably the nicest waitress I've ever had. Everything we ordered was delicious. Chips were thick and extra crunchy.

  • 4/5 Flo E. 8 months ago on Google • 81 reviews
    This is a wonderful family owned business. Husband, wife, brother and children all make La Fonda feel like your visiting a family friend. I have been coming here since the late '70's. The food has always be delicious and consistent. The soup and sangria are exceptional.

  • 5/5 Alexander H. 5 months ago on Google • 74 reviews
    Super quaint, very cute. There is a smalll fire place giving the place such a cozy vibe. The bar seats about 6-7 people and looks perfect for a spot with 3-4 of your buddies. Food is great

  • 5/5 Siya T. 3 months ago on Google • 35 reviews New
    The place had beautiful stained glass all over, loved the vibe! There weren't too many people on a Thursday evening. My friend and I ordered enchiladas, they were really good. We were surprised that we were able to finish our portions. Tortilla chips were super hard and we didn't end up having any! The server was very kind and patient ✨

  • 5/5 Ivy T. 10 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    Has amazing food and I have had a great share of Mexican restaurants. Margaritas are a little strong but the food was great. If I can ask someone there I’m not from the area I would like to know the ingredients of the salad that comes with the burrito you order.

  • 5/5 Stacy H. 10 months ago on Google
    I came here for a first date and we had a lovely time. It was nice to have interesting decor to admire and chat about during those awkward pauses. The food was delicious and the service was great. And, when I misplaced my wallet and left it at the restaurant, they tracked me down so I could pick it up. Couldn’t have asked for more!

  • 5/5 Cathie C. 1 year ago on Google
    Warm and inviting atmosphere. Friendly service. Plenty of food. The bean soup was delicious.

  • 5/5 Steve P. 1 year ago on Google
    Great authentic Mexican food and great service. Definitely one of our favorite restaurants!

  • 5/5 jay b. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent atmosphere and ambience at this restaurant. The wall decoration is beautiful and very colorful. The food is absolutely delecious. They also have coctail pitcher and on draft beers. Service is great and hosts are too friendly and will make your experience really great!

  • 5/5 Paulette N. 10 months ago on Google
    We had 10 people and the service was excellent! The food was over and above, just sooooo good!

  • 4/5 Duane W. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice basic and traditional Mexican food with friendly service in a cozy, if dim, setting.

  • 5/5 Eddie G. 1 year ago on Google
    The best for many years...very particular about Mexican food and this is simply very good...Love the service and specifically Onika and her kind service ...

  • 5/5 Mark P. 1 year ago on Google
    Very pleasant atmosphere and fun dine in experience. Nice, "old fashioned" restaurant in a world of cheap, countertop taquerias.

  • 5/5 Carrie R. 3 years ago on Google
    I am so happy to be back at La Fonda. They really made the whole restaurant feel fresh and clean. New again. And of course the food was wonderfully delicious! Thank you

  • 5/5 GHISSELL P. 1 year ago on Google
    Great service, delicious food , good portions. Nice prices.

  • 1/5 Angelica S. 9 months ago on Google • 1 review
    The food there was so bad and they took forever to make your food. The not even Mexican and also the menu doesn't make no sense. The food is so exciting, like I ordered two things, and it cost $ 36. I would never go there next time.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Brenda F. 6 months ago on Google • 1 review
    We have been there 3 times. The first time we changed our mind and decided we did not want to sit outdoors. We were told by the owner too bad, now you have to wait, and we waited about 30 minutes to get waited on. There were 3 other customers only. When he came to the table and we asked questions about the menu, he said, "Do you want to eat here or not?" The 3rd time we went in, we ordered and was surprised that there was only 4 small pieces of beef in the fajita burrito and teaspoon of chicken and shredded beef on the toastada and taco. When my husband asked, when they asked us how the meal was, the comment was meat was expensive and we could go across the street if we wanted more beef. We would have paid for extra meat had we known. The Fajita Combo was good, which is what we had the first two times we were there. Those kind of comments to customers are unacceptable, and this is the first time I have written a negative review. We will not return.


Call +1 650-574-9699 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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