Fonda on 12th | Nashville

Mexican restaurant · 8th South

Fonda on 12th | Nashville

Mexican restaurant · 8th South

3

2316 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

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Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by Fonda 12 South
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by Fonda 12 South
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null
Fonda on 12th | Nashville by null

Highlights

Step into Fonda 12 South for a vibrant Mexican feast where chef Roberto Santibañez serves up elevated dishes and invigorating tequila cocktails in a lively atmosphere.  

Featured in Eater

2316 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204 Get directions

fondanashville.com
@Fonda_12_South

$$ · Menu

Reserve

Information

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2316 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204 Get directions

+1 615 800 4899
fondanashville.com
@Fonda_12_South

$$ · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Jul 6, 2025

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@infatuation

"In the pantheon of taco stops in 12 South, Fonda is probably the fanciest. It comes from the restaurant group behind the always reliable Sadie’s and Downtown staple Adele’s. There are the aforementioned tacos—in the form of boards that invite you to assemble your own handheld—but also high-end Mexican dishes like slow-cooked pulled duck topped with blackberry mole, sliced wagyu ribeye in chipotle-hazelnut mole, and guacamole in molcajete sprinkled with chapulines." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

Fonda - Review - 12 South - Nashville - The Infatuation
View Postcard for Fonda on 12th | Nashville
@eater

"While it still burns to lose 12 South’s beloved Josephine, the former restaurant’s new occupant is quickly relieving the pain. Nashville is the latest destination for Fonda, a modern Mexican restaurant from chef Roberto Santibañez with locations already in New York City and Tokyo. The 12 South outpost is as bright and airy as its neighborhood, with menu items ranging from tacos and enchiladas to larger format options that pay homage to Mexico’s culture and cuisine. Its rotating cocktail menu will be refreshing after an afternoon filled with shopping and photo opps." - Kellie Walton, Eater Staff

The Hottest New Restaurants in Nashville, Winter 2024
View Postcard for Fonda on 12th | Nashville
@eater

"Thanks to its picturesque murals and trendy boutiques, 12 South was built for daytime dwellers. Stop in the new Fonda 12 South, a Mexican restaurant from chef Roberto Santibañez, for a weekend brunch service that offers elegant spins on Mexican breakfasts. Any regrets from the night before can be remedied with an egg, chorizo, and cheese burrito or chilaquiles and a collection of salsas — then get the fun going again with a rum-based espresso martini or a tall margarita." - Kellie Walton

The Best New Brunches in Nashville, Fall-Winter 2024
View Postcard for Fonda on 12th | Nashville

Megan Baker

Google
I can’t recommend Fonda enough. I have been multiple times once for dinner and once for brunch and both times did not disappoint. The servers are very knowledgeable about their menu options, the food is affordable, yet high quality, and the atmosphere is comforting and elevated. This is the perfect date night spot or even to grab brunch with your friends. They have street parking options and also a validated lot that is offered. Highly recommend trying the homemade guac, margs, and the taco boards! I look forward to coming back in the future!

allison perkins

Google
I went here for my birthday dinner and it was phenomenal! The food and drinks were amazing. Not only was everything about our experience and dinner great, but Jaime even called to follow up and thank us for coming! We will be back and I highly recommend!

harsha mehra

Google
We had our anniversary dinner here and honeslty this place is a must try! I love Mexican cuisine and this place doesn’t disappoint. Drinks are good too we tried the naked bandido it was really good. My must try recommendations would be the chicken enchiladas the best I’ve had 10/10 and the tamales they have this in house sauces that was so delicious.

Ross Farquhar

Google
We ventured to Fonda for a weekend brunch, impressed by the hype surrounding the relatively recent opening. The food itself was great. A carnitas bowl that was extremely moreish, a quesadilla that was way bigger than either of us could manage. And the margarita mimosa is excellent. The service and atmosphere was a little more patchy, perhaps driven by us showing up at the tail end of brunch service. We were early, so we're initially asked to wait at the bar to balance our service before being quickly moved into the (half empty) dining room... but then being seated at a table by the window. The unfortunate thing about the table was the sun shining through the window made it uncomfortably hot and was a magnet for flies, which didn't conspire to the most relaxed experience. The service beyond that was ok, but the server did give the vibe of having run out of patience towards the tail end of her shift. She warmed up and became more friendly as time went on, so undoubtedly just one of those moments in time. We'd recommend Fonda because the food was great and in a different set of circumstances we'd have raved about the experience.

Daniel Andres Vega Castro

Google
I had the arrechera bowl at Fonda in Nashville, and it was fantastic! The steak and shrimps were perfectly tender and flavorful, complemented beautifully by fresh, vibrant ingredients. The balance of spices made each bite satisfying. Highly recommend this dish if you’re looking for authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine.

Trip

Google
This week Fonda began offering breakfast and it does not disappoint. We had a variety of the breakfast tacos and each one was excellent in its own way. Moreover, they serve an excellent cup of coffee. Service was friendly and fast and the overall experience was outstanding. Their unique approach to breakfast will quickly become a go to place in Nashville.

Dianne (Little Hick)

Google
Loved our waitress. She was the best!! This food was phenomenal! We celebrated my brother and my son's birthday!!

Gabrielle Stephens

Google
We stopped by for Brunch on Sunday. I am always drawn to a place with great ambiance and this place has it no questions. The staff is SO kind, knowledgeable, and attentive. For brunch I got an amazing spritzer, kale salad to split, and the Arrachera Bowl. The bowl was so filling and the flavor was 10/10. I cannot wait to stop by and try dinner. Definitely one of my new favorite places in Nashville. Everyone needs to stop in!!

Rana M.

Yelp
If you're not vibing with Fonda on 12th yet, you're seriously missing out. This place is a great spot for trendy Mexican food done right. First off, let's talk about the mushroom enchiladas--an absolute masterpiece. The earthy, savory filling hits like a warm hug from the culinary gods, and the sauces? Don't even get me started. Perfectly balanced, rich, and just enough heat to keep it interesting. But the real fun here is in their shareable tapas. Every plate feels like it was crafted for peak Instagram aesthetics and flavor. Think modern twists on traditional Mexican dishes, all served up with impeccable attention to detail. It's the kind of menu where you want one of everything, and honestly, you probably should. And while the wine list might be short, it's all killer, no filler. Each option is thoughtfully curated to pair beautifully with the food. Plus, the vibe in here is peak chic--dim lighting, curated decor, trance music, and just the right level of cool. Whether you're on a date or rolling deep with your crew, Fonda on 12th is the move. Pro tip: Get a reservation because this spot should stay buzzing.

Mae D.

Yelp
-Food was a solid 3. A lot of it seems to be lacking flavor especially the guacamole. It needed a generous amount of salttttt! Same with the carne asada! -Now, the Arrachera was my favorite! Generous portion& very flavorful! -Mocktails were never sweet, honestly could have did without them but it was nice to see the 'Dry January' participation. -ambiance was very cute!

Steph H.

Yelp
This restaurant is pretty mid. We have come a couple times and I just don't like the vibe here for multiple reasons. I'm getting pretty tired of these soulless restaurants they keep opening on 12south & this is in that category. They barely changed anything inside since taking it over from Josephine, it doesn't really have its own identity. I find, like others have mentioned, that the service is not good here. Not only do their servers seem to hate it there, they never check on you. The first time we had the carne asada taco plate we thought it was great. When we ordered it the next time, it was nearly inedible and tough with a questionable freshness level. We didn't touch most of it but we weren't asked if something was wrong. We've also tried 2 kinds of the enchiladas and I just find them not to be good. The carnitas is better than the pollo but bland and pretty mushy. You pay for chips and salsa here (which I don't mind if they are good) and they are good. Last time we went though, when our entrees came they took our chips but left the salsas because of the giant size of their taco plates. Kinda crazy to take chips the patron paid for without asking. I didn't feel like chasing someone to bring them back. Every time we come I have to flag someone down to get the check. Over $115 for lunch for the service and food they provide isn't worth it. Probably won't return.

Kendall R.

Yelp
What a great addition to 12 south! This place is so cute and has incredible food! I met a friend here for happy hour and ordered a chicken quesadilla and pomegranate margarita duo for $15. The quesadilla was incredible and the marg was good, but didn't taste at all like pomegranate. I think this is an incredible deal for Nashville 2024! The quesadilla is not big (3 slices) since it's HH, so I also added on the Mexican street corn and it was amazing!! A little Smokey/ spicy for me but I was obsessed! I just kept coughing lol, but kept happily eating it. Also, their chips are possibly the best tortilla chips I've ever had. Imagine chipotle chips, but a little greasier and much thicker. I can't wait to return!

Mathew S.

Yelp
All in all, 3.5 stars got the round up for the impeccable service. A new place, as I understand. Found it on Eater Nashville, a solid website for finds when venturing out of town. Located in, as seemingly everywhere else in Nashville is, a trendy part of town, I guess this joint is designed to cater to the Californians who now compose the majority of Middle Tennessee. So authentic-ish Mexican cuisine designed for experienced palates. Was a tourist on this one, so the usual 'order too much' playbook was in effect. When looking just at the dishes offered, the star of the show was, honestly, the tortilla chips. I don't know what controlled substance they sprinkle on to make them that addictive, but these are the crème de la creme of corn chips. Seriously. Buttery, salty, more of a pop than a crunch, if you get my drift, it's layers of thin crisp into a satisfying thick chip. Damned good. The guacamole was good. Made by the twenty year old at a station immediately next to our table, it was done as though he'd won this garde manger position by accumulation of demerits. Nonetheless, the Guac guy turned out fresh Guac with a methodical rhythm, if not panache. The queso fundido was also good. Not sure what the cheese matrix was, but not as light and neutral driven as I've had elsewhere. A satisfying layer of chorizo rendered fat was lurking on the rims of the bowl. The tortillas, flour, were well done. The mains were a bit underwhelming. The octopus tostada, depthy and with latent muted spice of the mole, was interesting. The octopus was cooked exceptionally well- the texture of the meat was spot on. But the semi-chalky after taste (though it may have been exactly what they were going for) wasn't as much to my liking. This is probably more my misunderstanding of traditional mole than it is their variation. The birria quesadilla was the best of the mains, though not particularly different than those I had elsewhere and the portion was a bit on the short side. The consume was wonderful; this saved the dish and made it the best of the mains. The crab empanadas fell flat. This is a dense, doughy empanadas without much lamination of the shell. The density also muted the filling, which I had a hard time getting to the season in order to assess the taste. So what else was good? The parking was directly behind the store and reserved for those dining; this was hugely appreciated. The service and coordination between front and back of the house was fantastic. Our server was incredible attentive, helpful with perspective on the menu, and a delight in table side small talk. The decor presents a wonderful backdrop for enjoying a meal. A lively crowd and fast paced (attributable to the laudable efficiency of operations) environment could be mistaken for hectic, but not crowded. My take is that this is because the management is too notch and brought in from other successful ventures. And it's to their credit that they've brought about this feel. All in all, a wonderful meal.

Ashley M.

Yelp
Came in for happy hour and I'm so glad we did! We sat and the bar and the service was pretty slow. The food was all delicious but I was so glad we were there at happy hour because I'm not sure if I'd wanna pay full price, but it was delicious nonetheless. It started to fill up before we left and overall was a super fun and lively spot!

Magda S.

Yelp
Just had the BEST breakfast at Fonda! Every dish is so well thought out and all of the ingredients work so well together. It was delicious and I HIGHLY recommend once they open for breakfast next week!

Nini M.

Yelp
Must try! We came here for a Bach of 14 girls and we were seated comfortably! Our server was a delight! She was attentive, friendly and made sure we always had our drinks. I ordered the shrimp tacos and OMG they were delicious!!!! So so good. My sister ordered the Biria quesadilla which was really good too! Chips and quac for the table was a great snack while drinking. Espresso martini was good but not great. Id def recommend coming here! Music was bumping and the restaurant is just so cutely decorated!

Lindsey J.

Yelp
Had a small group (of 6) who's been trying to make reservations at Fonda for many months now and finally grabbed a decent time on a Saturday for lunch. The decor is cute and colorful and the staff were lovely. We felt the food was just OK with though - the GUACAMOLE EN MOLCAJETE was fresh, but my TORTA MILANESA CON CHILAQUILES came out with grilled chicken vs. crispy as stated in the menu. My very favorite item of the whole meal was a STRAWBERRY COLADA mocktail - 10/10!

Dayana V.

Yelp
I think this may be our new favorite Mexican spot.... Sorry bartaco. I saw something advertised on Instagram and luck was on my side because we went that same night. The restaurant was smaller than I anticipated, but very cute. We didn't have reservations and were able to get right in. I don't remember what we had to drink but I remember it being delicious. We ordered crab empanada as an appetizer; I was kinda hesitant but omg. So good. Table side guac is always a go to. So much guac and so good. We ordered the carne asada board for dinner. Perfect amount of food the two of us and hands down best food. We didn't leave anything on our plates.

Joshua L.

Yelp
When I think of an amazing dining experience, it's more than just the food! A true restaurateur knows that success isn't just about making customers happy--everything has to be spectacular. And honey, Fonda does it all. This place is exactly what Nashville needed to spice up its Mexican food scene. Picture this: vibrant atmosphere, tantalizing cocktails, and service that's not just explorative but downright fabulous. Fonda is a fiesta for your senses! We arrived just after 5 PM on a Thursday evening, right before the night's hustle and bustle kicked in. No reservation? No problem! We cozied up at the bar, which filled up quickly, as did the rest of the restaurant. Trust me, reservations were scarce, so snag one if you see it! But Nicole treated us like royalty, crafting the best cocktails, including my after-dinner special request: an espresso martini with reposado that was out of this world! Our meal started with the Taquitos de Pollo, fried to a perfect golden brown and dressed to impress. These taquitos are the star of the show! Next, the Tostada de Pulpo offered the perfect balance between a satisfying crunch and octopus wood-grilled to succulent perfection. And the Birria Enchiladas? Not your typical enchilada, darling. These will have you crawling back for more! The only miss? Desserts. But babes, you're probably STUFFED anyway. There were options, just none for me. I'd love to see a gourmet Choco Taco! Will I be back? Without a doubt! Fonda might just become my weekly Mexican spot. And to top it off, Pennington went above and beyond to make my experience exceptional. So, if you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience that's a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds, head to Fonda. Thank me later!

Amy P.

Yelp
While I usually am not a fan of Mexican restaurants that make you pay for chips and salsa, everything here was so delicious it's definitely worth visiting! First, there is tons of parking which is awesome! I got there for happy hour (which is only at the bar) and the bartender was really friendly and helpful! I tried the queso and chips which was tasty! I also got and shared the carnitas taco board and there was plenty to share with 2 people, I was stuffed by the end! All of the food was so flavorful and nothing tasted similar to another item! The drink - I tried the Saturno- was incredible!! The only thing I felt wasn't really worth it was the rice - but honestly everything else was so delicious! Definitely check it out!

Parker S.

Yelp
This place was an easy 5 star experience. Sitting where Josephines used to be on 12th south. The inside is super modern and has great vibes to it. The service we got was incredibly fast. The food came out in 2-3 minutes which blew our minds. The chips and salsa was the best we've had in Nashville by far. The chips themselves were unique and different. The taco board with chicken was incredible. Everything was nice and warm, plenty of chicken for 6 tacos between two people, and very flavorful. This place is a must-try for any foodies in town!

Elizabeth B.

Yelp
Fonda in 12S is a true gem! They offer a shared plate experience where you can exploring a variety of items with your desired taco choice. Start with table side Guac and their perfectly crispy deep fried chips. The steak tacos are a must-try. They also have creative drink options and I went with the hibiscus spritz mocktail, love that they offer non-alcoholic beverages that are equally tasty and creative . The ambiance is chic yet welcoming, making it an ideal spot for both casual dinners and special occasions. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and seemed to genuinely care about us having an enjoyable meal & evening. If you're looking for a place that delivers on both taste and style, Fonda is the place to go!

Meredith S.

Yelp
I went for dinner on Friday night. The design of the restaurant is very nice and attractive. Our waiter was great. I had put in the reservation note an allergy and he asked about it as soon as we were seated and ensured we knew which menu items had that item. We had the guacamole which was very good and so fresh as they make it to order. The chips were great too. I had the tall margarita which I enjoyed. We shared the chicken board. The chicken was in a skillet cooked with tomato and had melted cheese in it too. It came with beans, slaw, salsas, pico and corn and flour tortillas. We both loved it. At the end of the meal the waiter mentioned it was his first day at the restaurant. You would have never known. He provided us with great service. I will be back soon. The food was so good I didn't even think to take pictures.

Melanie H.

Yelp
We are from Phx/Scottsdale,AZ, but recently relocated to TN, and have been on the hunt for good, authentic Mexican food since moving. We ordered the guacamole (which is great), salsa and chips were also very tasty (had a nice balance of salt and crunch). Now where our problems started: we ordered the pollo enchilada which we were told was shareable. It was (without any leftovers) but it had multiple small chicken bones in it, as some other reviewers have mentioned. The flavor was good, however we also ordered the kids chicken, rice, and beans bowl for our young toddler, which also had bones in it. We mentioned this to our server and the manager who both shrugged it off. Essentially we are told, "it's supposed to be shredded chicken and not have bones in it". When paying over $100 for a meal (2 classic margaritas, guacamole, and one shareable enchilada, with a small kids plate), I would have expected better as this isn't the first offense of this per other reviews and no concession was made. We did enjoy the flavor of everything, however we aren't sure we want to go back until the issues are corrected.

Vivian G.

Yelp
Service is friendly and fast. The ambience/aesthetic feels fresh and welcoming. Drinks were great. I had the strawberry colada mocktail which was delicious and refreshing! But I wasn't really impressed with the food. For apps we had the guacamole and queso ... hard to mess up. They were tasty enough. But the chicken milanesa torta was a big letdown for me. The fried chicken was over done and dry and the breading had very little flavor. The bread ended up being completely waterlogged by the salsa verde that made it impossible to eat like an actual sandwich. And the house slaw was overly acidic - and as a lover of all things pickled that's saying something. Other folks at the table had the kale salad, a mole bowl, and one of the egg/breakfast dishes. Everything was fresh and plated nicely but nothing in terms of flavor or composition had the wow factor.

Victoria L.

Yelp
I love Fonda!! It's one of my fave places in nashville to grab a marg with some girlfriends and small plates to share. I LOVE the table side guac! It's perfectly seasoned, spiced and everything in between!! Their chips are nice and salty just how I like it. 10/10!

Kate S.

Yelp
All of the employees were so inviting and helpful in our experience here. This was my first time going and genuinely loved the atmosphere, menu choice, restaurant set up, and overall vibe of this place. The location is great and is in the heart of 12 south but doesn't give too much touristy vibes. Would recommend to anyone who wants authentic Mexican food and great choices!!! The enchiladas were the best thing on the menu and would actually rate my meal a 10/10. I went with my entire family and tried a variety of meals and my top three favorite things were the Birria enchiladas, Mexican street corn, and crispy fish tacos.

Lindsey M.

Yelp
Started off great, some friends and I got the queso fondido which was good. We ordered the grande quesadilla and this is where the problems began. Within the first bite, there was a chicken bone in the quesadilla. When brought up with the server, she said she's had chicken bones in her food before, and said it was because it was all natural. A friend of mine then asked to have it be removed from the bill, to which we were met with a roll of the eyes, and hesitation.

Theresa H.

Yelp
Best Mexican food I've found in TN so far! We moved here from CA and were kind of depressed that we couldn't find good Mexican food. Best chips!!! Amazing guacamole and the carne asada taco platter was beyond! The manager gave us the pro tip to spread the beans on the tortilla first before building your taco. Yes! The margaritas are amazing too! So delightful!

Sheri B.

Yelp
Made reservations on open table just before the dinner rush and upon arriving it was empty so asked for seats at the bar. Within25 minutes, the place was packed. Bartenders were attentive and made us great margaritas. Clean and nice interior, with low lighting for dinner crowd. The guacamole and chips are made to order and the star of the show (5 stars) and house Salsa was also excellent. For dinner, we had the chicken enchiladas with ranchero sauce (4 stars- really good, wish it had a bit of spice though), scallop tostada (4 stars), crab empanadas (5 stars). The manager came and talked to us twice, checking in on our experience and service. He was kind and genuine, and we appreciated that level of service. To top it off, a couple days later, we received a phone call thanking us for coming in and inviting us to provide feedback. Over all a great experience, will come back!

Elyse B.

Yelp
We showed up on opening night and were pleasantly surprised with how great everything was and how well everyone was working as a team (so rare for first month even). Been back 3 times since, slowly trying the entire menu. Everything has been wonderful. Highly recommend. We LOVED the tuna tostada and the octopus tostada. The queso and chips are delicious. The guacamole is made fresh and tastes delicious as well. Cactus salad was also great (I ate it like a taco...highly recommend as I've never had a salad and ate it like a taco before). The burrata was also really good, but out of everything, my least favorite...however; that's not saying much because we haven't been disappointed once. The crab empanadas are small, but rich in flavor! The margarita is great. Their espresso martini is a little different, not my favorite, but if you're an espresso martini girl/guy you should most definetly try it. 10/10 recommend and grateful to have them in the neighborhood.

Troll H.

Yelp
3 stars for my brunch experience. 4 for dinner. Here's the brunch breakdown. The good: Food. Fresh and tasty, although baffled as to why they serve a table of 4 such few tortilla chips with the $16 bowl of guac. Shouldn't have to keep begging for more chips. Ordered queso fundido bunever came. The Bloody Mary is the worst ive ever had. Chicken Torta sandy is solid. The bad: Service. Unforgivably slow. Came on a Saturday at 1:45pm, place is half empty, there are more workers than customers, and it somehow took 20 mins to order a drink. Couldn't order a 2nd drink til the server came back at 2:40. Place eventually got so empty the service caught up.

Stuart S.

Yelp
Really enjoyed my first time at Fonda. Tried the queso, guacamole, and salsa to start. Got the basic queso and it was great. The guacamole was really good but a little pricey at $16. It is made fresh as soon as you order it, but not sure if I would order it again at that price. There's an option where you can order crispy crickets or chicharrones with it and I decided on the chicharrones. Ended up dipping those in the queso more than the guacamole, but they were great on their own. Salsa comes with the guac and it's more liquidy than most salsa you get at the typical Mexican restaurant but had a ton of flavor. To drink I tried the basic margarita and the naked bandido. The margarita is solid and better than your average, but if you like mezcal, the naked bandido is incredible. It's sweet, spicy, smokey, and the only thing I'll be drinking next time I go. For the main part of the dinner, I got the carnitas taco board, the birria quesadilla, and the ensalada de sandía (watermelon feta salad). You get six tortillas with the taco board, three flour and three blue corn. Both kinds are some of the best tortillas I've ever had. The carnitas were well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The board also comes with two salsas, that are both amazing, and some fresh slaw as well as a small dish of refried black beans. The slaw is a little spicy but great, and the black beans are super flavorful. It is definitely a lot of food and for around $20 a pretty good deal to share with someone. The birria quesadilla was really good as well. Great flavor, and the consomme it was served with is awesome too. The ensalada de sandía is plated beautifully and tastes amazing. The watermelon is salted and pairs really well with the feta. Honestly didn't think I would like this dish as much as I did. The service was super fast and everyone was really friendly. It does get a little loud in the restaurant, which can be too much for some people. Some dishes may be a little expensive, but overall it was a great experience and I will definitely be back soon!

Meredith M.

Yelp
My husband and I decided to forgo our usual date night spot and try something new! Fonda was recommend by my sister as a great spot to try. Everything was delicious! We started out with the guacamole. It was so fresh. Also, their chips are amazing! So good you don't even need anything with them. For dinner we decided to go with the pollo tinga taco board with a side of the esquites. SO good!!! To top it off the service was great as well (we had Maria as our server). We will definitely be adding this to our list of go-to date night spots! Definitely recommend.

Betsy S.

Yelp
Fantastic service and brunch! We had Chilaquiles Divorciados and Arrachera Bowl. Both meals were delicious.

Danielle C.

Yelp
Food was delicious and our serving was awesome!! I can't remember her name but she's from Southern California (our party is from Northern California) but shout out to her! Promptly answered any questions we had and was super knowledgeable regarding the menu. Drinks were really good too.

Christi B.

Yelp
Best enchiladas of my LIFE. The margaritas are on point, the guacamole-amazing. The service is fantastic and the atmosphere is so fun! I will certainly be back many times.

Kevin M.

Yelp
We celebrated one of our friends birthday here and the food and service was excellent. Apologies for not taking any food pictures, it was more of a celebration than me documenting my dining experience. But trust me, the tuna tostada made me feel like I was sitting at a beach side restaurant in Mexico. The manager, Ryan, stopped by the table and shared a little of the chefs history and it originated from Mexico City. Each little detail in the food like the chips for the guac or cheese in the fondido leads you right back to being south of the border. Service was great and they deserve a recommendation!

Trace S.

Yelp
Fonda is outstanding! I've been twice in 2 weeks, working my way thru the menu. Chips, salsa & queso fundido are delicious. Frozen marg with pomegranate is great. The grilled octopus dish, fish tacos, langostino over elote.... all super good. I think my favorite so far though, is the pork enchilada. The sauces for it are killer and they grill/smoke the pork.

Linda S.

Yelp
Portions were small and no free chips at a Mexican establishment is not favorable! Also they do not accept cash which was not posted!

Keane P.

Yelp
Fonda had a very welcoming environment. We were looking for somewhere fun for the evening and we found it. We didn't realize it was so close to closing time and were about to leave, but Alan was AMAZING and let us order guac, crab empanadas to go (they were so good I forgot to take pics). While we waited, we ordered some mocktails which were delicious. I would definitely come back to sit down and enjoy a night there.

Cleo G.

Yelp
Pretty much everything was good, and that is saying a lot considering we ordered almost the whole menu. This is a super new Mexican spot on 12th south with a tapas-style menu as well as enchiladas and taco boards. Our server was super sweet, and even told us about new menu items that had been in the works. The tapas came out as they were ready (this is what we asked for), and we shared amongst the table. Here is what we tried: -Chips & Guac in Molcajete: 8/10 - The guac was deliciously flavored, pretty smooth, and super fresh. It came in a Molcajete which was the first sign of how good it would be. It also had jalapeños and tomato pieces in it. The chips were freshly fried to perfection, and they were EXQUISITE. They were flaky and wonderful. -Queso: 9/10 - This is a nearly flawless queso. It was warm, smooth, cheesy, and rich. No notes. -Grasshoppers: 6/10 - These are super fun. You have to wrap your head around what you're eating, but it truly is just like biting into some sort of crispy, citrusy chip. The flavor is very limey, and they flake/crunch in your mouth. I enjoyed the few I had, but wouldn't be able to eat more than that. -Cactus Salad: 8.5/10 - This was delectable. It was so fresh, and the flavor of the salad was so vibrant. The cactus itself had such a unique texture (sort of chewy or slimy, but not in a bad way), and it was all served in lettuce wraps which we thought was perfect. -Burrata with Black Beans: 8/10 - This was a beautiful plate, visually. I love burrata, but what I really adored was the addition of the sesame seeds on the outside of the cheese. The added crunch and nuttiness was genius! The bean dip was really smooth, and the whole ensemble comes with bread to dip into the burrata and the beans. -Tuna Tostada: 6.5/10 - The tuna was good, and as was the flavor, but the one qualm we had was that the tostada was too soggy/chewy. -Octopus Tostada: 7.5/10 - The soggy problem was less pertinent here, though it still could have been crispier. The octopus was divine, however. -Crab Empanadas: 11/10 - WOW! Awesome, awesome dish. The empanadas had a crispy exterior, and the inside was almost like the smooth, warm, gooey filling of a crab rangoon. So rich, so heavenly. What brought it over the top was the mango salsa that came with them. Topping the empanadas with the mango salsa added a sweetness that was GENIUS. -Wagyu Ribeye with Mole: 9/10 - I'm not normally the biggest fan of mole but this one was more on the nutty side rather than the sweet side, which I highly enjoyed. The mushrooms were also super umami and comforting to eat. The meat was well cooked (still pink), though this is definitely a small portion. Getting a bite with all 3 elements was outstanding. -Chicken Enchiladas: 10/10 - Someone at our table ordered these for themselves but after trying, we all decided they were the BEST enchiladas we've ever had. SO creamy yet still with crunch, beyond flavorful, and wonderfully cheesy. Absolutely incredible, and a must get if you want a classic meal done impeccably. -Halibut Shakshuka: 5/10 - I don't remember the name of the dish but the portion of halibut was very small, and there was nearly no depth of flavor to the dish at all. It was overwhelmingly tomatoey, and not the best. -Beef Birria Tacos: 7.5/10 - I love Birria tacos, and these were good but a bit too cheesy. A perfect birria taco should have more meat than cheese, and this was not true here. The consommé was classic and flavorful, however. -Ice Cream Brownie Sundae: 5/10 - The vanilla ice cream was average, the chocolate ice cream was surprisingly good, and the praline on top was sweet and slightly crunchy. However, the Mexican hot chocolate brownie was a MISS. I love the combination of chocolate, cinnamon, and heat when done well, but here, it resulted in a super super chalky brownie. It was like having a spoonful of straight cinnamon in your mouth (not flavor-wise, but texture-wise). We were told there was another dessert so maybe that one would have been better, but this one was a skip. In terms of drinks, I'll also highly recommend the strawberry colada as a sweet mocktail that is also both fresh and zingy.

Kristin P.

Yelp
Great restaurant with a hip vibe. As a table we had the queso fondido-with chorizo (it would be pretty bland without chorizo), guacamole, kale salad, crab empanadas, carne asada taco board, small birria enchiladas. We really liked the guac, fondido, kale salad and taco board. We were not fans of the birria enchiladas, which was disappointing as we really like birria tacos. I wasn't a fan of the flavors, kind of bland and they were very soupy--too much sauce/liquid. I wasn't a fan of the crab empanadas either. All the food was good quality, just wasn't a fan of the empanadas and birria enchiladas. My son had a strawberry colada mock tail that was very good as well. All-in-all we really liked Fonda on 12th and will definitely be back!

Scott S.

Yelp
I was excited to try a new spot in 12th South. The menu looked interesting so I went after work. While the food was very tasty, it was very over priced. I tried the beef tongue, which was great. The tuna tostada was chewy. The wagu beef was delicious but way too expensive for three little slices. I really enjoyed the guacamole but not the oily chips. The margaritas were great but the slowest items to arrive. The small plates came out faster than the drinks. Most of the dinner was spent waiting on plates or drinks to arrive. For a nearly $200 evening, I'd expect far better portions and service.

A M.

Yelp
Took over the old Josephine's spot...Wonderful makeover top to bottom! Drinks were mostly tequila based and delicious. The fresh made guacamole was next level. And every bite of food, especially the Mexican surf and turf and roasted chicken were fantastic. We're locals and will come back!

Yaneth N.

Yelp
The guacamole was great! The side of chicharrones was the perfect combination. I along with two friends shared a few small plates and a taco board, carnitas. The carnitas were not your typical kind but still full of flavor. The slaw was amazing. I only wished our server would tell us that the small plates were not ideal for a group of three. The taquitos were only two, leaving out one of us to try the amazing dish. Both green and red salsa were delicious with the chicken. I had the pomegranate margarita with Tajín, 10/10! However, my drink was half full compared to my friends which ordered the same drink.

Will S.

Yelp
While the food is pricey, it is totally worth it. Shares one plate with a friend and it was amazing and filling. Staff is super nice here too.

Baker L.

Yelp
The pork enchiladas with salsa verde might have changed my life. Best thing to come onto 12th in a while.

Daniel C.

Yelp
Great meal if you're in the mood for some higher end Mexican Cuisine. Bartender was great and prompt even though it was extremely busy.

Ally B.

Yelp
This restaurant is not it. It's way too expensive for Americanize food. It's not authentic at all. The mangers look so bummy and unprofessional. It seems like they a rookies at owning a restaurant. It's also unbearably hot inside.

The A.

Yelp
Terrible! Thais place is horrible, not quite sure why the Josephine left, but this place is a terrible replacement, service is absolute horrid. I'll give thus place 6 months and it will be gone!

Jamie F.

Yelp
We stopped in after the staff at Sewing Down South recommended it for dinner. We didn't have reservations but arrived early enough to sit at the bar. The staff were awesome and food was great. We shared the guac and chicken taco platter. Margaritas were delicious. Highly recommend.

Courtney K.

Yelp
Server Alejandro and the Managers Pennington and Ryan were amazing. Great atmosphere, delicious food and great drinks. Lovely new place!!!

Jacob W.

Yelp
The food was delicious, drinks were well done and the customer service was on par. Will definitely be back and good for large groups.

Shana M.

Yelp
The food here is very good. They had some issues with service. Our group of 4 received our meals about 20 minutes apart each. My meal was last to come out, birria quesadilla. It was yummy and the manager worked hard to make things right for us. They made several other mistakes including giving us regular flour tacos when corn tortillas were ordered. Overall the place was good and I would give them another chance because the food was good and they worked hard to correct mistakes. Ambiance was good enough but nothing fancy.

Liberty H.

Yelp
The first time was great. Second time my food had hair in it. I told Kaleb but he just said would you like more tortillas and that's it. I lost appetite and just asked for bill. It was never addressed by anyone which I was surprised, as a result I won't be back.

SomeGirl I.

Yelp
We made a 4:30 reservation on a Wednesday and couldn't believe how rushed we were the entire meal. The manager even came over about 1 hr into us being at the table and told us "we're all on a time schedule here." Mind you, there was nobody waiting up front for a table and there were plenty of open tables. Extremely rude. The food and margs were very good so that's the reason for the 3 stars, but definitely will not be back.