La Cueva Fonda

"Make your way inside this culinary destination to discover a cheerful vibe and smiling servers. The board lists the daily specials and you may be choosing between chuletas asada con tortitas de papa or barbacoa en salsa verde.This kitchen is almost as large as the dining space itself; and the cooking as memorable as ever. Dig into such soothing delicacies as chicken pozole, composed from supremely tender cacahuazintle kernels. This luscious creation may be followed by the likes of chilaquiles or a trio of tacos filled with carne asada, chorizo, fried fish or tripe. There's no going wrong with the mole de Puebla but if you're very hungry, go for the pambazo, filled with crumbled Mexican sausage, potato and Oaxaca cheese. And that flan? It's an expertly made finale." - Michelin Inspector

La Cueva Fonda

2021 New York New MICHELIN Bib Gourmands

"The cuisine is warming and memorable. Dig into such soothing delicacies as chicken pozole, chilaquiles, or mole de Puebla." - The MICHELIN Guide

"When your food-crazed buddy tells you the only thing that matters is what’s on the plate, you take them to La Cueva Fonda Mexicana. This tiny hole-in-the-wall Bronx hot spot is proof you don’t need much to produce honest and authentic food. The décor is beyond simple—there are maybe a handful of tables—but these cooks take their responsibility quite seriously. The bustling open kitchen and intimate dining experience will make you feel like you're part of the family. Guests feast on soft, homemade tortillas filled with heartwarming lengua, bright cilantro, jalapeños and a lick of spicy chipotle sauce; or brick-red caldo de res soup, simmering with tender beef. Don't miss the daily specials, or the excellent barbacoa, served only on weekends." - The MICHELIN Guide

Andrea K

Google

As a Mexican American that grew up on the border and well traveled, this is the best Mexican food I have had on the East Coast! It's made with heart and soul and the flavor in every bite me debating on whether or not to order more to take home. I can't wait to go back and try more because eating here and speaking to the owner, was like going home a short visit home. We had the nachos, gorditas, tlayuda, and chilaquiles.

Natalia B

Google

Definitely a must! The fish tacos 🌮 were light and crisp at the same time. Ceviche was fantastic! Really enjoyed the house made drinks in this 95F heat: my favorite was the hibiscus 🌺 Super friendly service! Will be coming back to try everything else on the menu.

Tohmi Barrett

Google

Super delicious! The fish taco is sooo flavorful and you get a nice big piece of fish. The menu is extensive so I had a hard time choosing! The staff is really friendly too :)

LaRose Garcia

Google

I really enjoy this place. Food is great and always fresh. I love the tres leches cake and the fish tacos. The mexican decorations around the restaurant are so beautiful. I also like that is a family owned business. Service is great. I like going atleast once a week.

HCTIW

Google

I had two different kinds of tamales and they were delicious just like my mom made them. I had a torta as well and a tostada and was disappointed that they weren’t more flavorful. Especially the tostada, it seemed like the beans didn’t have salt or any kind of seasoning. Their champuron and Horchata were yummy. Unfortunately it was very cold in the restaurant and it was not enjoyable to sit for extended period of time such as a date. Would go back to try other foods.

Stephen Yang

Google

This is an incredible restaurant. I happened to be in the neighborhood. Excellent tacos, tamales, and picaditas. Very good prices. Tacos came with jalapeño and cactus and grilled onion. There are so many good looking dishes I'll have to come and try ranging from the more standard fare of burritos and tacos to Barbacoa, parrillada, tlayudas. My friend had the torta and he loved it. I don't remember the last time I had such good and authentic Mexican food. Definitely worth a trip!

Cecilia Machuca

Google

The portions and prices are just awesome, my husband asked for 3 tacos and a quesadilla because he tough it would be small, we end up getting the quesadillas to go 🤣, flavor delicious, sauce on point and the service just something to apreciate. And the flavored water such as horchata and Tamarindo just delicious What makes me the happiest is that they had 2 taco options, the regular for me which is mexican original taco and the special, which is a more american taco perfect for my husband

J Santiago

Google

Yasss!! I finally found a Bronx Mexican restaurant that serves delicious food! I was tired of ordering from La estrellita restaurants. I will continue to order from here! The pozole and nachos were on point!

Dorna N.

Yelp

Pretty solid! When the salsa and chips landed on the table and the salsa did NOT shy away from some real heat, I knew I was gonna like this place! Service was extremely friendly and helpful. Will def need additional visits, but my entree on this particular day was the burrito. I must say it was a decent size, jam-packed with flavor, and delicious. One note: they asked if I wanted it with extra jalapeños since I expressed a love for spice - I was excited and immediately said yes. My main gripe - and this is purely a personal preference - the jalapeños were pickled. This added a level of saltiness to the burrito which I was not at all about. I would have loved fresh jalapeños (again, just my preference, others may love them pickled). Also would have LOVED cotija cheese over mozzarella, but hey, at the end of the day most cheese is a yummy bonus regardless. With all that said, this was extremely tasty and I will surely be back! Definitely check them out!

Courtney F.

Yelp

This Michelin Bib Gourmand list GEM! Is my new favorite--and I've been loyal to San Jose tulchingo forever (another BX gem)! My only regret is I haven't been to La Cueva in person yet! I've tried their mole enchiladas, fish taco, birria taco, shrimp burrito, carne asada burrito, tinga burrito, churros, chips/salsa, pastor nachos, esquites and most recently their pambazo. (I actually went through my orders and wow!) The ingredients at LCF are incredibly fresh and every order has been perfectly prepared. Here's what could be better in my opinion: I wish their birria tacos offered customization in the ordering app--i like mine with cheese and Jalapeño. Didn't love the esquites and i expected a bit spicier tinga--wasn't much of a tingle there. Be mindful with customizing, I asked for no rice in my burrito once and didn't get beans or rice. I didn't customize my burrito another time and got DOUBLE rice. My loves: Churros, duh Fish taco, amazing! fresh, crispy, and flavorful. Chips and salsa--wow, I've been all over Mexico and this salsa is incredible. I absolutely Loved their Pambazo, I added 2 eggs to make it a breakfast sammie and I just cannot get over how amazing this was. I ate it with a fork because the thought of picking it up seemed silly. It's enough to share, it's enough for four actually. Be mindful that sour creams and salsas cost extra--they're made fresh and this is a small family owned spot. Don't complain, you were warned. So happy I found you LCF! Can't wait to try something new!

Norman C.

Yelp

Sublime Mexican restaurant. Warm hospitality, freshly made entrees served Hot and delicious. A Bronx find!

Jackie C.

Yelp

Spontaneously decided to order food from here instead of our usual - oops. Loved everything!! My cemita was huge, tacos were tasty, chips and salsa were fresh. I really loved that the tacos came with cactus and cambray onions, not many places do this anymore. Not sure what else to say except that if you want authentic Mexican food, you won't be disappointed.

Stephen Y.

Yelp

Mora B.

Yelp

FLAVORSSSSSS... I have traveled to Mexico on 3 separate occasions I have eaten resort food casual and local meal BUTTTTT I have never had Mexican food with these types of flavors it really caught me off guard. I haven't been in personally but it's located not to far from my house and they deliver via Uber eats. My first order was birria tacos and one fish taco with a churro cheesecake, that churro cheesecake sent me to another place omggggg. The fish tacos were some of the best I've had, I can't speak to much on in person service but for Uber eats they follow the note instructions which is great. I definitely want to go in person one day to really feel it out.

Gladys S.

Yelp

Update: Now I'm just annoyed at the fact the Owner had the nerve to say because it was so intertwined it was definitely not the establishment???! Because it's So intertwined it seemed cooked in! Also you think it was pleasant to find hair in my food as I was finishing??? If I had to pick I would pick, I would choose no hair in my food, but because there was I would've preferred it being in the beginning so at least I had the option to stop eating the cooked in hair. I can't believe I've been a customer for so long & you turn around and blame me your customer for it. I'm sadden to say that They have definitely gone down hill! I've been ordering from La cueva since they were on 152nd St. They were closed for a while, and of course I was excited when I found out they had opened again. Yes, I started ordering again! Lately I've been getting my food with a side of hair. The first time I just thought, it was mine, but this time I see it as a pattern. Seems they are not enforcing any hairnets which is extremely poor hygiene in my opinion. Length is not a factor, hairnets should be worn when cooking and serving the public. Although, It's normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. I don't want to find it in my food. The worst part of all... I was almost done with my Gordita when I realized. Felt like I had a hair in my mouth for a while after.

Azarel B.

Yelp

Great Mexican food! I've ordered here multiple times for lunch and it has always been very good. It's my go-to for Bronx food. Its fresh, hot and tastes great. My only complaint would have to be that I didn't think the Birria tacos were done authentically. It was simply their signature taco and the side stew. It just wasn't the crispy, flattop taco that I was expecting when I ordered birria. It was falling apart as I lifted it out the dish so It didn't do well dipped. I just spooned the stew over the taco. Also my order of French fries weren't packed in an appropriate container so it got soggy and sort of sad. It was all clumped together. Highlights : Chicken Tinga quesadillas were awesome. Even better when I threw it in a pan to warm it up the next day. The salsa and chips were homemade and perfectly seasoned. Also the horchata was spot on. I will continue to order here

Annie Y.

Yelp

First time ordering from here via Uber and literally, this might now be my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Bronx. Pleasantly surprised. Ordered here because of the menu options. Devoured the Tamal Qaxacan. It was so flavorful with a tiny bit of spice. Very filling but I couldn't stop there even though I was full. The Mole Poblano had the most delicious mole sauce. I've traveled to Oaxaca this year and had the best culinary experiences in my life. The chef must be Oaxacan or trained there. Delicious!

Danielle K.

Yelp

The burritos here are stuffed full and flavorful. I was doing some training for work around the corner from here and I am very glad that a co-worker recommended this place to me. They have a wide variety of items to choose from. I would definitely come back if I'm ever in the area again.

Suria R.

Yelp

This is an updated review. Still five stars. Since I started working in the south Bronx, this spot has been my daily go to. I even order them from home now that they do travel farther through Uber eats. I'm just never disappointed by their al pastor tacos. Or anything with bistec. They also have corn smut and squash blossoms as an i gradient and that excites me. I'm really this establishment exists and is available to me in a place with few healthy meal options. Their food is delicious and fresh. And their staff is kind too.

L O.

Yelp

Amazing green chilaquiles with sunnyside up eggs. Like I was in Mexico again. Can't wait to go back.

Kristen F.

Yelp

Staff is friendly, food is constantly good. Ask the staff for a recommendation they never disappoint. Highly recommend

Kim B.

Yelp

Let me tell you, La Cueva Fonda was wonderful. Truly enjoy the atmosphere and friendly service. Everything that I have already tried has been pretty tasty. But I'll really emphasize that I've never had better customer service anywhere else. La Cueva Fonda is a must go, fantastic spot I am so glad to have found.

Irma E.

Yelp

Everything about this place is inviting. The staff is warm & welcoming, & the service is swift. The food is absolutely delicious. I highly recommend the chicken tinga tostada, the chicharrón Gordita, flautas con papa y chorizo, & tamales. Sometimes the masa in tamales can be dry but theirs has a savory texture that made me bring an additional two home with me. The limonada agua fresca and the horchata (which they also do really well as the consistency is just right & neither of them is too sweet) are a true delight. Make sure to stop by with an appetite because you'll want to treat yourself to a spread! The space is very clean & they have outdoor seating. Highly recommend!

Danielle H.

Yelp

So satisfying and delicious. The staff here are so kind and the food is top notch. My group had the enchiladas moles, multiple types of tacos, and the tamales. All of the food was incredible. I grew up eating mole, and living in Mexico for a bit and I was absolutely not disappointed.

Nikki M.

Yelp

I ordered the tamales and birria tacos from Uber eats, just wanted to see if their birria is good (i was craving) maybe worth $18 for two tacos is good - but MAN, i was so WRONG. I shouldve not trusted my gut this time . It was bad really bad!! And for 18$ for two birria and 16oz of consome half of oil. My stomach started to talk :/ Maybe the other food was good but the Birria was bad i wasnt happy. The Tamales is good tho. Thats all.

Cashay C.

Yelp

Solid good Mexican food. Tamales are yummy. My kid loved the steak tacos. I'll definitely be back. There were menu items that I definitely want to try!!!

Jen L.

Yelp

Love the fast delivery and even more importantly the authentic good. Everything was delicious and high quality would definitely recommend this restaurant

La Cueva Fonda

2021 New York New MICHELIN Bib Gourmands

"The cuisine is warming and memorable. Dig into such soothing delicacies as chicken pozole, chilaquiles, or mole de Puebla." - The MICHELIN Guide