Fonda Lupita

LOVED this place! We stopped in on the way to Fayetteville for lunch and the food was delicious. The customer service was great and they were fast with preparing the food. We had the shredded beef torta, chicken tamale, birria grilled cheese and aguas frescas! It was all delicious! The inside is cutely decorated and clean. They have a condiments bar with toppings and salsa. We will def be back to try more food! They also have daily food specials and really good BOGO deals!

This was my first time. The staff was helpful and friendly. The food was also phenomenal. I ordered an ACP and loved it. It was a big portion so I ordered two to-go. One for my daughter and husband. When I got home and took them out of the bag, the portions looked so small. Once I dished it out, there was almost no rice. I was kind of upset. Why were the portions so different??? I was able to share mine with my daughter in the restaurant but the to-go one couldn’t be shared. Pictures are of in the restaurant and the to-go. I don’t recommend ordering to go because portion sizes are deceitful. Not worth the money.

I used to LOVe this place and would come here for the homemade chips and didn’t mind paying extra for chips/salsa/ cheese dip because it was so much better than your average Mexican restaurant. But after going there again today expecting the same product it was not the same at all. The chips now look like bag store bought chips and the cheese was just a flavorless liquid. I asked the lady if they were doing something different and she tells me they are under new management/ownership so I’m guessing that’s where the change is coming from. I will no longer be recommending this place to people or will I come back again. The chips and dips alone were $12 which is insane for the quality. The other food was also underwhelming. There was a different name on the front glass mirror so I’m guessing they’re going to be changing their name soon?? Idk but won’t be coming back to find out.

Our visit today requires an updated review. We decided to check out taco Tuesday since we had not been in a while ( Sanford Location) .. I’m not really sure what happened but the tacos were not it, you couldn’t even get the typical taco ( asada) as they are excluded however a ground beef taco was covered. We settled with carnitas ( in some type of salsa verde) Tinga and pastor. Never in my life have I had authentic mexican tacos that tasted like this, it was truly disappointing. They used to have the best micheladas in town as well but the one tonight was very basic. We used to love this place.

The location is central to many stores near by. We went during a weekday after they opened their doors.. The service was super friendly. The bathrooms were spotless! The food was amazing. Prices are fair for the portions they provide. Everything was well seasoned. We also ordered extra food to go for my family & it was still up to par with what we had when we dined in. Such a great place to eat & will be going back.

We just saw this restaurant on a reel on fb and decided to come on in. It was bomb dot com. Jalapeños and salsas had me lit up. Food had my fiance dancing! Haha.

FAIL Had hopes of a good dining experience… Had to place order at the register while standing in the middle of the restaurant and pay for before you even sit. After your flashy thing beeps you can walk back to that same place and get your food and make your own drink, self serve go back to your sticky wood table sit beside a fly covered window and eat . food was not all that great and way overpriced, especially for what you get. So after chocking down what you already paid for go ahead and buss your on table on your way out. Yeah we won’t be back nor would I recommend this place to anyone

10/10 absolutely love it!! The tacos are amazing and the Fonda Bowl is great! Don’t forget to try the horchata.

The food here is amazing! Every bit of meat is cooked to perfection with incredible flavor. The staff is friendly and helps with any questions you have about the menu.

Good food, not great. Kinda pricy for the area. I chose quesabirria combo that has 3 tacos, consume, and a rice/beans side. The tacos were well grilled (or fried?). The beef was generally not very flavorful except a few random bites. The consume could be better flavored too. Rice and beans were just okay. Kid had a chicken burrito which he liked.

I used to recommend this place often especially for their homemade chips but we went in again yesterday and the food was not the same at all. They still charge for chips/cheese/salsa but now it looks like it's just plain bagged chips like any other place and the cheese was just unflavored liquid. Way overpriced for what you're getting and the tacos didn't see to be as good of quality as they used to be. I asked the waitress if something had changed and apparently they're under new ownership/management so next time you go be prepared that it might not be like it was before unfortunately. I will not be returning after these changes.

This is a cute restaurant especially for Sanford. The outdoors is great with a play area for kids and a few tables. The inside is huge but could fit many more tables. Also I don't know what is up with the bare unfinished concrete floors. That throws off the entire place that's well painted and decorated. There is also a kids play area inside. The bathrooms weren't bad. There was a weird smell inside the restaurant. I couldn't eat inside because of the smell. I think I seen an air purifier so at least they're aware of it being smelly. The food took a while due to the weekend lunch rush. The chips and queso were delicious. It was a different type of chip and thick. My shrimp tacos were good. However, my husband and kids didn't love their chicken tacos, beef tacos and birria.

As soon as you walk in you're greeted by fun music, a stunning atmosphere and great smells! You order your food at the front before sitting down. The staff was very nice and helpful. I ordered the Birria ramen. This was the second time I've tried it and it did not disappoint. If you're looking for traditional food then order something else as this is a little non traditional but still amazing to me as a noodle lover. I hear the tacos are wonderful which I will try the next time. P.S. - Look how hot that food is

Oh my gosh! Such a cute place in a random strip mall. There's two counters - one for food and the other for drinks. Plenty of seating options from high table, bar, to booths. It's not a regular Mexican joint. Totally recommend the birria plate and to try a drink. Those drinks are SO pretty.

Ten stars! I saw a post about this place in Stanford on social media and immediately saved it on my maps app for a time when I'd be in the area. That time was today. Amazing. Delicious! Tasty! Exceeded expectations! Friendly service! Unique interior! Bar! If you are in the area I highly recommend checking out Fonda Lupita. I will be back.

I frequent this spot often, and am never disappointed. The food, decor, service and atmosphere are always incredible. The food is always flavorful, and I'm especially grateful for the many vegetarian options. The Margaritas and other cocktails are not only beautiful, but delicious. A must have in the Sanford area.

We came on a Friday night & beat the major rush of people. I love there's a play area for kids in the back. I ordered some tacos & they were good. The margarita went down very quickly & it was strong. We got chips & queso for an appetizer. The chips almost tasted burnt & too thick. I guess we're used to thin chips so it was a different taste than we were expecting. Overall, a good place with a laid back vibe.

I absolutely love this place. From the weird food for sale in the food line to the weird kids play room and awkward open space with only a couple of tables...the food is legit, the beers are cold and the margaritas are pretty. Sit at the bar for some extra entertainment.

This is not your typical Mexican place. No servers at the table. No free chips and salsa. You pay for everything. You get your own food. Chips and salsa: I love 'em. Something about the chips: thick but not too hard. Salsa has a great taste. Tacos were good but I have had better. I was there after 5pm. It was cloudy outside. Inside, I think it was a bit too dark. It felt like a fast food joint. I would not call this place a restaurant. The potential is there. I visited them at the original location a while back. I liked it much better then.

This place is SO good. I'm not into authentic Mexican so I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to find something I would like but I did and I have a few things I will get the next times I go. The cashier did recommend a few things and I ended up getting the one she recommended which was QuesaBirria and it was really good. I loved the dipping sauce. I did get NO cilantro as I can't stomach it which I appreciate being able to keep it off. I plan to go in the next week or so! The inside is soooo cute too!

Every time I go here, the food is always great. I usually order some kind of taco meal or the elotes. All the times I've gone the food has been fresh has tasted great. Once time I even did a takeout order and the food was ready to go so good way I'm glad that so far away from my house because I would eat them all the time.

Fonda Lupita is on another level! It's one of those rare gems where you don't mind driving an hour or two just to please your taste buds. I was passing by on my way back home to Chapel Hill and decided to give it a shot. The space is huge and clean too! The food is so good that you may want to arrive early to beat the rush. I ordered the Quesabirria Combo which came with 3 Quesabirrias and rice/bean which came out to be about $12-13. For the quality and quantity, the price point is right on! The best Quesabirria I've had -- I kid you not! The flavor palette was like fireworks in my mouth. Dip it in the side of soup and hot sauce and you got yourself something special. The rice and bean were delicious as well! Rice and beans! How is that even possible? I was so impressed that I went back to order more rice/beans + asada taco + cucumber lime drink. They were all a hit as well. I can't wait to come back here to fulfill my taco cravings! I'm about 40-50 minutes out and will drive to eat here! That good! Overall, A+ customer service with all smiles which I always appreciate. Made the food that much better!

Excellent food & atmosphere overall. The server at the front was pleasant and didn't mind answering my questions. They were out of a few things I wish they had but their menu is ever changing so I can't be mad. I tried several new items I hadn't had before because of this. Hope they keep the Birria torta, papusas & elote. We will be back!!!

Service was great and food made quickly. Completely out of chips and salsa or queso at 7pm was a surprise. Disappointed with all 3 food items I got. Just missing any flavor. Cold Modelo was the highlight.

You want authentic Mexican food... this is it!!! For real!!! Flavors are incredible. Our group traveled almost 2 hours to try the Our State Magazine recommendation. It did not disappoint. My 4 stars would be for the decor/facilities. It needs some TLC. To be so "new" I honestly thought it was 20 years old.

Sanford, N.C., is probably the last place you'd expect to find world-class Mexican food, but a visit to Fonda Lupita will quickly absolve you of that bias. An inauspicious, but spacious, hole-in-the-wall in a dated strip mall, this casual eatery wouldn't warrant a second glance were it not for the national acclaim it deservedly earned from a national foodie website. Dropping in for lunch a few weeks back to see what all the fuss was about, I was blown away by the flavorful and fresh Quesabirria, which necessitated a second visit to try the delicious Shredded Chicken and Steak Gorditas, which paired nicely with a fabulous, oversized, margarita. Everything about Fonda Lupita is perfect, from the friendly and helpful counter service to the crisp and tasty chips & salsa. Just soak in the low-key, self-serve atmosphere and prepare yourself for one of the best Mexican meals you're ever likely to have. Yes -- all in the quiet Raleigh suburb of Sanford, North Carolina.

Of all the authentic Mexican restaurants I have been to this one tops them all! As soon as I took my first bite I felt like I was back in Guadalajara Mexico. The most authentic tacos you will find. I ordered tacos of carne asada and pastor. Very yummy! We also ordered a chicken tamale. It was so good. Portions are small but prices are reasonable. 1 taco is about 3-4 inches in diameter. The tamale was also small but perfection. Here, you walk up and order. There is a bar separate for alcoholic beverages. The bartender is very attentive. The margaritas were delicious. I recommend the Kalo (house margarita). This place was clean, the music on point and impeccable service. If we are ever in the area again, we will be back!

Great food, friendly and helpful girl at the counter. Lots of ppl ordering stuff they saw on tik tok, which was good as heck but I enjoyed my burrito!

Eater named this one of the 11 best new restaurants in the entire U.S. in 2021. It was some of the best Mexican food we've ever had. * Quesabirria are the stars - basically a deep-fried quesadilla/taco, with a broth that you dip it in. * Asada Gorditas were excellent, with clearly homemade shells. * We got some carnitas tacos and the pork was perfect. It's pay-and-try style service, but they manage to make the interior a little nicer than a standard Taqueria. There are outside tables that look nice but it was cold when we went. Also the staff are really friendly and very hard working.

Best street tacos I have ever had, even beats tacos I have had across Southwest Texas. Not sure how they season, but it's the perfect blend of spices and taste. Had the steak, chicken, pork, and shrimp. If you only get two go steak and shrimp. Use the green sauce provided adds nice touch. If I had to nitpick the pork and chicken were ever so slightly dry. Ambiance is no frills diner like with music. Huge play area with oversized Connector Four and Jenga games for kids separated from dinners, but in sight of most tables. Service is fast and nice. No wait staff. You order at front counter, receive a vibrating puck and pick up at central location. Could get a photo, with friends and family, presentation is mouth watering.

Low key casual atmosphere. Some Latin food offerings on sale as you enter. You order at the counter and get a buzzer. Get your drink and utensils and napkins. The order process was pretty quick and I only sat down a minute or two before my order was ready. I enjoyed my meal. The food was very tasty and I'll probably be back to try something else. The price was a little more than I expected but then a lot of places and now a days.

I really like the quesabirria the consomé was really flavorful. I would recommend getting the combo with beans and rice it comes with 3 quesabirrias. I also tried the taco the tinga taco and it was good, not the best but good. This location has a cute little kids area and a bar. I'm not sure how the other location is set up but this one is very spacious. It wasn't that busy on a Saturday night. They sell Spanish snacks and candy too by the register. I would come back just to have the quesabirria.

This place is a gem in Sanford. The food is great and the staff are friendly. I will say that both the food and service have slipped just a bit since opening the Durham location. Please restore this flagship restaurant to the national best that it has always been!

Definitely one of the best restaurants in Sanford! I love the chilaquiles and they have the best guacamole. Service is always friendly and quick. Such a cool spot to enjoy food and drinks with friends and family.

Not the greatest. Food was bland. Shredded chicken tasted like it came from a can. Tried but not returning. Front desk lady was nice.

The food was okay. The torto chicken was grilled flatten and the steak burrito was pretty good. No beans and rice with the meal just the burrito and sandwich. It was made to order. Service was good, the hostess was really nice and helpful. The restaurant has good open seating area. They have a bar also. It got pretty crowed around 6pm. I would recommend trying it out.

This place is fantastic! The vibe in here feels authentic and comforting. I had the ACP bowl and was delighted the whole time. The cactus added to the pico was the right choice. I asked about non-meat options, since the menu is full of meat, and that was her suggestion. Service was a fast on a weekday lunch order, and they were all very polite and helpful.

So so delicious. Everything. The salsa, queso, tacos, and queso birria! All so good. If you have eaten better tacos anywhere else in the USA then drop the location cause yer lyin.

Delicious as it was in the old location! The menu is bigger so more choices. A bar that I didn't try on this visit but same great staff and food!

Mexican ramen was top notch! Service was great! Very spacious dining area! I would recommend!

fonda is amazing!!! great service, food and drinks. BOMB birria ramen, gorditas y tamales

New location! Lots of space and seating with the same great taste. Ordered carne asada Gorditas, Chicken Tinga tacos and a pepino/Lima agua fresca- so flavorful and delicious!! The salsa was so yummy!!! You have to stop by and check out their menu.

Literally always delivers delicious food, am always happy when I eat there! Pollo quesadillas and the chips and queso are so good!

Food had great flavor and was excellent. Server was friendly. Great place to grab an authentic meal.

We ordered the Quesabirria and the Pozole. The Quesabirria was outstanding. The shredded brisket was so flavorful and the melted cheese and griddled tortilla made it crispy and gooey. Over the top, when you dip it in the brothy sauce that comes with it. They make their tortillas to order, so the chips were hot and fresh and the salsa was legit. The Pozole was vibrant with huge chunks of pork and hominy. It was not spicy, but they gave us house made hot sauce and fresh lime to kick it up a notch! If you are in the area this is where you need to be!

Fonda Lupita combines Mexican street fare with a full-service bar. We left the restaurant disappointed with the food and what passes for customer service. It's all self service here, from ordering at the counter, to picking up your own food, then cleaning your table and throwing away the paper serving containers. None of this stops the restaurant from sticking their hand out for a nice tip. Pro tip: Pay close attention to the menu board when ordering. Despite the prominent header listing the price for gorditas and tacos, read the fine print under the fillings. Six of the 11 fillings have an up-charge of up to $1. My dining companion and I ordered tacos and a tamale. Tacos are definitely on the small side and the fillings are not very generous. The al pastor was very salty but otherwise bland. Unlike many taquerias, the filling had not been cooked to order and was served lukewarm. Likewise, the birria taco was very dry and flavorless - it was the worst of the bunch. The chicharron prensado taco was a few chewy chunks of chicharron served in a red sauce. It wasn't very good, but definitely a step up from the al pastor and the birria. My favorite was the carnitas in salsa verde. It was warm and flavorful. The chicken tamale was a dry, barely warm, flavorless disaster. When we placed our order, we were assured the tamale was house-made and steamed to order. While the tamale was obviously made in house, it was absolutely not steamed to order. It had clearly been sitting around for a while and tossed in a paper serving boat when our order came in. Fonda Lupita has a self-service dispenser for plastic eating utensils located at the counter. When I picked up our food, I noticed that the fork dispenser was taped shut. I mentioned to an employee that we would need a fork to eat the tamale. She had the gall to tell me that we should eat the tamale with a spoon. When I asked if she could check in the back for a fork, she shook her head and told me to use the spoon. This was unacceptable and the worst customer service I've experienced in a while. For a business so eager to solicit tips, Fonda Lupita needs to better train their employees and either keep an ample supply of eating utensils or go to a store to purchase an emergency supply if they run out. One and done.

This place has all the perfection you would want. The only thing is lately the wait times for food have been longer and as everyone in town knows, their chips are waaaay too hard. They are keeping the dentist in business around here.

I've had this place book marked for months and finally got the chance to stop by. We actually ended up at their old location (i updated it on yelp so hopefully it shows up) but we were happily welcomed by a huge parking lot, friendly staff, an awesome selection of music and amazing food. This place is a vibe, and I am here for it. I have been looking for an authentic mexican place ever since I moved here from California, and I am obsessed. Their food was delicious and had some really good sauce on the side. We didn't get a chance to order a michelada however we tried an iced horchata and it was really good. We'll be back, probably tomorrow.

Not only was the food Terrible but it was also overpriced. Don't waste your money here there is sm other options

Fantastic food with no fuss. You order at a counter at the front. It's good, Highly recommend.

Wow! Best tacos I've ever had. The shells are handmade and delicious, the filling was really tasty, and the two salsas were amazing. We'll be back!

Good authentic Mexican. It's a little overwhelming to order as you have to know ahead of time - it's not a sit down and order place you order and then get a buzzer while you wait for food. My complaint about this place is that it's expensive. I feel like you don't get your moneys worth for what it is. It's in a good location.

This very small, order-at-the-counter restaurant, with the daily menu on chalkboards, is on Eater's top 11 U.S. restaurants, and now we know why. Everything here is fresh and house made. After devouring three tacos (two shrimp and one steak) with delicious, homemade tortillas that held their shape (and didn't fall apart like a lot of them can), I don't think I want a store-bought tortilla ever again. My tacos were small, but packed with perfectly-cooked, tasty filling, and three were plenty for lunch. My friend got a variety of things, including a tamale and a gordita, and loved everything. Prices aren't listed on most of the items on the chalkboards, and some of the item names were unfamiliar to us. The fantastic servers, though, are there to help. Be prepared to pay a bit more than at most Mexican restaurants, but be assured that you're paying for the quality. We've read that they're opening a larger location in Sanford in January and are planning on eventually expanding into the Triangle. They can't get here soon enough!

This place was not what I expected it to be for all the hype I've been seeing. The young lady that took our order was not friendly at all. We ordered 2 Birria ramen and 1 order of quesa-birria tacos combo. The ramen was not it!!! They could've definitely used a better quality noodle. The soup was extremely spicy to the point we couldn't enjoy it and also lacked real birria flavor!! The quesa-birria tacos were basically cheese in a tortilla because the beef was nonexistent. Definitely wasn't worth the money specially for the amount of food and quality of it. Honestly I have eaten way better food from the Mexican food truck at the Bragg Blvd Flea Market and didn't spend as much as I did here! We spent over $50 for 2 people and left very disappointed and dissatisfied. Leaving this review in hopes that they care about their business and better things.

First of all, the setting of the place is AMAZING. It had such a great vibe when you walk in, the place is huge with lots of tables. It's spread out in a great way to where you don't feel like the table next to you is breathing down your neck. I ordered the guacamole and chips, I'll give it a 7/10. Looking at the reviews online I figured something simple like guacamole you can't mess up. Unfortunately, the flavors for me was lacking. Not enough salt, lime and also that hint of cilantro you get underneath. I ordered the quesabirria and honestly the flavors were still not it for me. The broth in which the meat was cooked it was okay, it was better than other Mexican spots here in North Carolina. The sauce(where the Birria tacos can dip in for more flavor) wasn't as good. I wasn't getting that chili flavor or spiciness, and the meat seasoning was underwhelming for me. I would give the birria tacos a 7/10. It's good, but these reviews saying it's the best birria tacos might be a stretch :/ Overall, if I'm including food quality plus the restaurant I would give it a 8/10. Is it authentic? Yes, but the flavors weren't as what these other reviews are saying. Would I visit this place again? Of course bc decent Mexican food out here is hard to find. It's good, but not a 5-star review good. I think the misconception is that 1, the vibe in this restaurant itself is immaculate. 2, this restaurant and it's "authentic" food is surround by other Mexican restaurants who sadly serve dishes that are below 2-star quality good. So, if you're surrounded by below 2-star restaurants then obviously people would rate this spot 5-star. It's good, so definitely give it a try if you're in the area. Great staff tho! Enjoyed their service and how they treated us through-out our meal.

one word....AUTHENTIC!! Wow...just wow. I had heard about this restaurant for a while but didn't try it until they moved to their new location. It is clean and bright, with ample seating for groups. I highly recommend the Hibiscus drink as it is delicious, but my friend swears by the horcotcha. The food is inexpensive and out of this world. The chicken gordita had amazing flavor, so order an extra. The birraqueso was crazy good, and you will be tempted to drink the dipping sauce. The refried beans boast amazing flavors. The churros were better than 6 is saying something. Amazing Ingle, all tortillas are made fresh in-house daily. If you find yourself in Sanford, this is a must stop!

The Birria tacos were very tasty and the entire family enjoyed a great dinner. We're so happy for this establishment. Ever since it moved into its new location. There's plenty of room to enjoy a good evening with friends.