La Fonda Latina — Restaurant in Atlanta

My partner and I had an awful experience at La Fonda. He found hair in his food, and when we brought it to the staff's attention, the response was beyond ridiculous. One server claimed, “It’s very busy in here today, so someone’s hair who is dining here could’ve flown into the food while the waitress was trying to serve it.” I’ve never heard a more absurd excuse.

When my partner calmly asked to speak with the manager, things only got worse. The “manager” (who was also our server) came out, took one look, and claimed the long light brown hair was my partner’s—even though my partner has a short, thick black beard and couldn’t possibly have lost a long brown strand of hair. When my partner explained this, the manager became defensive and told us not to return to the restaurant—a shocking and discriminatory way to treat loyal customers who have supported this establishment frequently.

They eventually agreed to comp both of our meals, though we still paid for the margarita (which was fine), but it was obvious this was just to rush us out without truly addressing our concerns. This dismissive attitude showed a complete disregard for food safety standards:

Personal Hygiene Violations (FDA Food Code 2-302.11 and 2-402.11): Food handlers must maintain proper hygiene and use hair restraints to prevent hair from contaminating food. Food Contamination (FDA Food Code 3-101.11): Food must be safe, unadulterated, and free from physical contaminants like hair. Improper Use of Hair Restraints (FDA Food Code 2-402.11): Employees working near food must wear hair coverings, which clearly wasn’t enforced. Lack of Proper Supervision (FDA Food Code 2-103.11): The person in charge failed to ensure staff adhered to hygiene practices, including hair restraints. Failure to Ensure Cleanliness (FDA Food Code 2-401.11): Staff failed to maintain a clean and hygienic environment. Unsanitary Conditions (FDA Food Code 4-101.19): Hair in food indicates a broader issue of unsanitary conditions in food preparation areas. Inadequate Response to Food Safety Complaints (FDA Food Code 8-405.11): The establishment’s dismissive and hostile response violated its duty to address food safety concerns appropriately.

Despite everything—the disrespect, discrimination, and horrible service—we still left a tip, but we will never patronize this location again. If you value cleanliness, respect, and proper service, avoid this place...

Food was good but you can definitely tell that it has changed. COVID killed alot of things at these restaurants now days. The menu has been shortened and I've notice so has some of the quality. I mean stuffing me with chips and salsa is nice but as someone who married into the Latin culture I do have certain baseline expectations for Latin food. But definitely not bad. Will go again if I need to get my taco fix, better than taco bell.

We were seated fast but it seemed they were lacking staff. We seated fast cause we just chose a seat that was available. The only table available was one that wasnt even clean yet. So someone came over and wiped the table and brought us some chips and salsa. Took about 15 minutes to get menus. After getting menus we ordered some drink and I asked for some napkins. The able was so wobbly. Like wobbly enough for our food to slide off it with the right bump. Place those extra napkins under that table to stabilize it. I ordered some tacos and my friend ordered a steak quesadilla. The tacos were fairly good, the highlight was the jalapeno sauce they put in there but for the price I expected for filler. It was mostly tortilla and the best I could equate it to was taco bell. It also lacked a certain level of flavor. ( But like I said I'm a little critical of Latin food with my wife being Latin so my expectations are a little higher). Otherwise worth a check out. Your experience maybe different. I've learned Latin food tends to be hit or miss...

I’ve been here countless times and enough to realize the food is inconsistent. Got a sandwich=bread was stale. Arroz con pollo=funny smell and tasted old. Tostones=tasted reheated. Steak (tacos,sandwich, ribeye)=overcooked and tough. For this to be “Latin” food, they fail to give authenticity to any of the dishes lol.

There’s a tall guy that works here and he is rude and unhelpful. I’d hate to throw out the racist card, but he’s friendly to lighter folks and unresponsive if you’re his color or darker. To the point where he doesn’t speak when he first comes to the table, just asks what you want. no greeting. We speak to him and he ignores it. If you say thank you to him, he doesn’t reply. No joke. I’ve experienced multiple times. Literally see him chatting with lighter people and stand-offish with darker people.

The saddest part, one time a homeless, drunk man was bothering people on the patio and the racist employee came outside to ask the man to leave. The drunk man then cussed the employee out and started harassing the guests. My husband gets up and makes the guy leave. Do you think that was acknowledged? No! My husband stopped the paying guests from being harassed and stops the employee from being cussed out. No thank you, nothing! Came back a few nights later, the racist employee was still ignoring us. We should have minded our own business and let him continue to be humiliated in front of the guests.

Maybe it’s this location, but the staff consistently ruins...