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Fonda De Paula

4.3 (50 reviews)
Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Fonda De Paula Photos

FONDA DE PAULA ATMOSPHERE

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Tacos
Sagarika G.

First, the positives: the service is fantastic. The staff is incredibly attentive, welcoming, and warm from the moment you walk in. The music and overall vibe create such a nice atmosphere -- it feels lively but still comfortable. It's definitely a great setting for a night out. The table-side guacamole was the highlight of the entire meal. It was so fresh, flavorful, and refreshing -- honestly some of the best guac I've had outside of Mexico. Perfectly seasoned, bright, and well-balanced. I would absolutely go back just for the guac and drinks. Unfortunately, everything after that was beyond disappointing. We ordered a variety of tacos -- chicken, vegetarian, birria, and pastor -- and every single one was underwhelming. At nearly $6 per taco, the price does not match the flavor profile. The flavors just didn't hit, and nothing stood out. None of us finished our food, and we didn't take anything home. For the amount we spent, we could have had a far more delicious and authentic meal elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. I'm glad we went to check it out because the service and ambiance are genuinely great. But unless it's for the guacamole and a couple of drinks, I won't be going back.

Janine A.

Stopped in for a quick lunch. The location is right downtown, and I was able to find easy parking. The restaurant is decorated pretty with nice outdoor seating. The staff was very kind and attentive. The food was okay. I have had better food. I was surprised to see that they barely gave any salsa. My burrito bowl was so watery. The flavors were good, but I disliked how watery the plate was. Overall, I may stop by and order something different from the menu, but I wouldn't get the bowl again.

Latte and cafe olla
Alicia W.

We stopped in here for lunch on Monday and it was so good! The service was fantastic! The food was amazing we are still talking about it a day later. We both got the drink flight which was so good! I had the enchiladas with chicken and mole and my husband got the steak. We also got guacamole and ceviche which also fantastic! Save room for coffee after! We didn't save room for dessert but maybe next time. We will definitely be back!

Mole chicken
Mike N.

The food was amazing. We started with margaritas which were just right. The tableside guacamole was delicious. The mole chicken was very tasty. The chile relleno was very delicious with a great tasting sauce, extra extra cheese and tasty rice. The service was excellent. Very attentive. Our waitress, Sarah, was friendly and made our visit fun. The restaurant had an open feel with great ambience. Highly recommended!

Guacamole made tableside
Pearl M.

Fonda recently opened and we thought it would be nice to try it out and support a local business. We went on a Friday evening and were seated quickly. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive. The restaurant itself is decorated and cute, very bright and colorful. The food was amazing! You could tell great care was put into all of our dishes. My husband customized his burrito to his liking, and he said it's one of the best he's ever had. We liked it so much we went back a week later and have had friends go based on our recommendation! Both times we started with the tableside guacamole, it's perfection! For two people, it's pretty filling, and the warm chips keep finding their way into your mouth. We did request the habanero salsa because we like our food spicy, and it was incredible! Everything we've tried has been well done, and the waitstaff and front of the house staff are so welcoming and do such a great job. We found out that it's the same owners as Mago in Bolingbrook. We wish them the best of luck and hope they continue to do an amazing job. We're looking forward to our next meal with them!

Salsa and queso
Erica Z.

Stopped in for a quick lunch. Very friendly staff. Several GF options outlined on the menu which is greatly appreciated. Tacos and salsa were packed with flavor. Got pretty busy which is always a positive sign!

Pollo poblano mole with plantains and rice.
Susie K.

Guacamole is fresh and delicious! Served side table. Ambiance is light and open. Food is fresh.loved the cocochata Food was very good. Chicken tinga taco was slightly salty but really tasty. Our server, Ramiro was excellent!

Chilaquiles
Christina B.

For our third visit, we tried the chilaquiles (delicious), steak (perfectly cooked), and flan. All were great! Service was friendly and helpful.

Chili Relleno
Craig L.

Went for a date night tonight with my wife to check this place out. It was excellent. Service was spot on, the atmosphere is great. The salsa and chips that you expect are there when you sit down but they also add a complimentary bean dip as well that my wife loved. Loved the cocktail menu and we tried a traditional margarita and a frozen mango that were both superb. There were a few drinks, including the non alcoholic ones, that I'm happy to try next time. My wife got the steak fajitas and was very happy. The portion size was large and will easily provide leftovers. I ordered the chili rellenos which were great as well. Overall, it was great and a welcome addition. I also will say this place seems much more "kid friendly" than the previous owners with a more relaxed and kid friendly menu options. When we were leaving, a staff member made sure to open the door for us. For a new restaurant, I was extremely impressed with how well run this establishment was. I want to try that table side guacamole next time!

Kira A.

Outstanding service and such a welcoming atmosphere! The mocktails are absolutely beautiful -- and as someone who doesn't drink, I really appreciate the creativity and care they put into them. The tableside guacamole is a must, and you can taste the love in the mole! We've already been here four times (and even ordered to-go), and it's just as delicious every single time. So happy to have Fonda de Paula right here in our town!

So glad we found Fonda De Paula! All the staff working was on point and very welcoming to their restaurant. Our server was fantastic in explaining everything and letting us sample certain items. We had the table side guacamole which was delicious ! Had chicken tinga enchiladas and the steak and shrimp fajitas and everything in the dishes had so much flavor! Will definitely be back to try so many more dishes at this modern/traditional Mexican restaurant!

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2 months ago

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5 days ago

This place has great ambience and even had table side guacamole. The tacos we got were so yummy! Definitely plan to go here again.

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3 months ago

This restaurant is amazing. The food is so authentic and so delicious! The staff is amazing. Love love this place. Don't miss out!!!

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4.6(120 reviews)
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I took V to Entourage to celebrate his birthday, and it turned out to be a fantastic evening from…read morestart to finish. We arrived on a Friday night just before 9:00 PM and had no trouble finding street parking--always a win. We were greeted by our waitress, Jennifer, who was absolutely amazing. She let us know about their late-night perk: half-price small plates and select drinks on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 PM until close, which is such a great incentive for heading out later in the evening. Jennifer was attentive without being intrusive--our water glasses were always full, she checked in after every course, and her recommendations for both food and drinks were spot-on. We started with a Mad Rose for V and a Chameleon for me. Both cocktails were delicious, and after finishing his Mad Rose, V definitely felt the celebratory spirit kicking in. For appetizers, we shared the Vietnamese Summer Rolls and Sweet Chili Calamari. The summer rolls were light, fresh, and nicely accented with mint. The calamari was sweet with a surprisingly spicy finish--delicious, though the heat was just a bit much for V. I'd happily order both again. For my main course, I had the Wagyu Beef Stroganoff, and wow--hands down the best stroganoff I've ever had. The beef was incredibly tender, and the sauce was perfectly balanced with the noodles. It even paired beautifully with my Chameleon, with subtle lemon notes that complemented each other surprisingly well. V ordered the Tomahawk Pork Chop, cooked medium well and absolutely perfect. He loved every bite. It came with a risotto that he enjoyed, even if it wasn't the standout of the dish. Dessert sealed the deal. We finished with Sandy's White Wine Cake--which reminded me of a carrot cake in the best way--and the Banana Cream Pie, which was easily the best banana cream pie I've ever had. Truly a WOW moment. Between the excellent food, thoughtful service, and great late-night specials, Entourage made V's birthday celebration one to remember. We'll definitely be back. Sorry, I wish I had pics but I left my phone behind today.

After a long final day of a conference in the Chicago suburbs, I really did not feel like dealing…read morewith traffic or going out to dine solo, so tonight called for delivery. I ordered from Entourage Downers Grove and was honestly impressed with how well everything held up for delivery. The standout for me was the lobster bisque. It arrived at the perfect temperature, which is pretty impressive for delivery. The bisque was rich and luscious without feeling overly heavy, and the basil oil added a nice brightness that balanced the creaminess beautifully. It also had a generous amount of lobster, including several large chunks, and was a very solid portion overall. The filet mignon sliders were another highlight. Each slider had a substantial piece of filet mignon topped with pickled onions, microgreens, and horseradish cream on brioche buns. The onions and horseradish added enough acidity and bite to balance the richness of the beef without overpowering it. I also tried the Vietnamese summer rolls, filled with roasted shiitake mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and rice noodles, served with both peanut sauce and sweet chili sauce. Everything tasted very fresh, and the sauces complemented the generously stuffed rolls nicely. My only small critique is that cutting them in half made for a prettier presentation, but made them a little awkward to dip and eat. Overall, this was a surprisingly strong delivery experience, and I would absolutely order from them again, or better yet, make it over to the restaurant itself next time I'm in the area.

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The Foxtail - Dip Appetizer

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4.5(283 reviews)
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SO yummy!! We first started with caviar bites - a must try! The flavors blend so well together. I…read moregot one of the flatbreads and again - super delicious! I loved the decor in the restaurant it was clean and elegant! The service was also top tier! Our waiter was very nice and even gave us a complementary twix like bar for desert (we will be reordering this when we come back seriously SO good!) because it was my friend's college grad!

I'm a pretty easy going person and try to be fair but this was a wild experience…read more First of all we walk in the check in for our reservations and have to fight to be acknowledged. The hostess looked right at me and decided not to speak with me. I almost left but didn't feel like trying to find a new spot to eat. Then we get seated at a small WOBBLY UNSTABLE table that we have to put a napkin under ourselves to stop from wobbling. We then get served the food meant for the table next to us! It sat on our table for at least 3-4 minutes while we attempted to wave a waiter down to let them know. Then they had the AUDACITY to give the plates that were in front of us for minutes to the couple next to us whom the dishes we meant for!? INSANE!! Not a sorry or any kind of compensation. That's a health code violation and they are lucky that couple next to us didn't put up a fight. Their meal should have been free or Just remake the dish for the poor folks?? You made a mistake, admit to it and make it right!! Besides the wild health code violation, the vibes are pretentious and elitist. Not worth your money. Plenty of better options in the area. Super disappointed! Getting too big for your britches Fox Tail. We loved this place years ago but they have lost their touch.

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One Eleven Martini Parlour

4.4(29 reviews)
8.2 mi

One Eleven Martini Parlour has become one of our favorite spots. The mood is laid back and the…read moreservice is outstanding. The owner is truly an artist, as are the bartenders. They have a good presence on social media and host special events from time to time. They are good at communicating changes to hours on their website. It gets busy during prime hours, and at times they do hit capacity. Given the intimate size of the facility and the truly amazing cocktails it's not surprising. 100% would recommend the pistachio martini.

One Eleven Martini Parlour is easily one of the best spots in Lemont. The atmosphere is dialed in…read moreperfectly -- upscale but not pretentious, comfortable without losing that polished feel. You walk in and immediately know you landed at the right place. The cocktails are serious quality. Their martini menu is stacked, and the Lavender Lemon Drop was one of the best drinks I've had anywhere. Everything is balanced and clearly made by people who know what they're doing. The WineStation and the half-price wine bottles on Wednesdays are great touches. They also have excellent happy hour specials, which makes it even easier to stop in after work or kick off a night out. It's honestly one of the better deals in town given the quality of the drinks. They've got gaming machines if you want to unwind and play a bit, and the old classic movies running in the background give the place a cool, unique vibe you don't see everywhere. Service is top-notch across the board. Every bartender I've had there has been outstanding, but Betty deserves a special shout-out -- she's friendly, sharp, and genuinely great at what she does. All around, this place nails it: great drinks, a strong happy hour, gaming, old movies, and staff who actually care. One Eleven Martini Parlour is a go-to spot, and I'll keep coming back.

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Pollyanna Social

4.7(32 reviews)
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A great place to grab a tasty and creative cocktail! The drink menu is extensive and they come up…read morewith fun seasonal drinks frequently. The service is also good, everyone is always friendly and professional.

This past Friday, my husband and I wanted to celebrate the Christmas season and stopped in at…read morePollyanna social before dinner. From the moment we walked in, we were one of three groups of patrons. One gentleman sitting up at the bar, one table of ladies and my husband and I up at the bar. We sat for almost 10 minutes before the waitress walked over with some water and said the bartender will be with you in a few minutes and apologized. The bartender at no point in time ever said hello, welcome in. Terrible service as far as that goes. My husband ordered two drinks and I ordered one drink and they were excellent. As we sat there waiting to be asked what we would like to be served and after we were finally served, we sat and listened to what seemed to be like lounge music. We came in because of the holiday season and we're looking forward to listening to some holiday music playing in the background in addition to the holiday theme. I was surprised by both that the holiday theme was a tree by the front door and not much else around and no holiday music. The question we ask ourselves is will we be back. I don't know and I think at this point for what it costs to have a nice cocktail and not have the right person tending bar or maybe my expectations were set high for the holidays. There's probably a 50-50 chance that we will ever be back. There are so many places within a 10 minute radius that will probably be delighted to have our business. Such a huge disappointment, but we try not to let that hamper our mood. Today's generation needs to learn social skills.

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