Fonda Mexican Hawthorn — Restaurant in Melbourne

Updated review: Perhaps they're not ready for the lunch crowd? They've went to ordering at the counter (rather than table service). I'm fine with that but that means that every staff interaction is all that much more important. We arrived at noon today and there was literally no one else at a single table in the entire restaurant — first ones there. There were two of us and the server said, "take a seat anywhere you want, but only at a table for two." We sat at a table for two but the heat hadn't been turned on and the draft near the door made it freezing. We moved to a booth. During ordering the server did not make eye contact once. It was unpleasant and strange. The food was just okay. Frankly the burrito was GyG quality (if you want a great burrito, check out Bay City Burrito [though more texmex]). The fish taco was overfilled with cabbage — it's all I could taste. The shrimp taco was slathered in mayo and it overwhelmed the dish. It was as if whoever invented the dishes had never been to Mexico. I requested hot sauces and the server brought two over (phew, this server made eye contact!). The @#$%ing hot, well, isn't. It's medium at best. I slathered on a good portion just to bring some flavour to otherwise bland dishes. I don't know if I went on a bad day or too early in the day but it was a disappointment all around. When we left a majority of the tables were empty.

Previous review (was four stars): The closest I've gotten in Australia to the tacos you find in the streets of Mexico. The prices are reasonable. The staff is knowledgeable and efficient. It would be five stars but it's just not quite there. Something about the meat preparation or the sauces or something. It's good, very good, but...

Lovely atmosphere and fit out but there were a few things that missed the mark.

1. order a chicken salad with extra chicken and I got about 60grams in the end (about the size of my thumb). Naturally I enquired as to the portion sizes and the wait staff told me they had run out of chicken. VERY CHEEKY of the cook to try and get away with this - it should never have left the pass. They did rectify this but the point is it could have been avoided altogether.
2. They don't accept cash, instead you need to order by phone. This is fine but the process of ordering can be unintuitive to some. It also asks as a minimum for your phone number and also your email (lucky you can opt out of that). This is a deal breaker for me so probably won't come back. I'm just here to order a meal not give up personal info 😕
3. The service. My interactions with the wait staff varied. Mostly good but one was a little unprofessional. I enquired about paying with cash and I remarked "don't you accept this as legal tender?" To which she replied "what's that?" And then said "I'll get my manager". It wasn't what she said but how she said it that came off as a little passive aggressive - almost as if I was being an inconvenience.

If you can get past the ordering process and the mining of your personal info, then you'll like this place. The food is OK and so is the service. There's certainly room for...

Fonda's Mexican is a vibrant and exciting restaurant in Hawthorn that is a must-visit for anyone looking for delicious, authentic Mexican food. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted with a lively and welcoming atmosphere, complete with brightly coloured décor and a bustling open kitchen. The menu at Fonda's Mexican features a wide range of dishes that are perfect for sharing with friends and family. Start with some of their amazing appetisers like the guacamole and chips or the mouth-watering grilled corn. Then move onto their amazing selection of tacos, which are available in both soft and hard shells and come with a range of tasty fillings, including slow-cooked beef, grilled chicken, and crispy fish. If you're feeling particularly hungry, you might want to try one of their larger plates, such as the slow-cooked lamb shoulder or the sizzling fajitas. Whatever you choose, you're guaranteed to be impressed by the high-quality ingredients and attention to detail that goes into each dish. To top it all off, Fonda's Mexican also has an impressive drinks menu, with a wide range of cocktails, tequilas, and mezcal that are perfect for sipping on while you enjoy your meal. Whether you're looking for a quick bite to eat or a full sit-down meal, Fonda's Mexican is the perfect destination for lovers of authentic...