Fonda Lupita — Restaurant in Durham

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I recently had the pleasure of dining at Fonda Lupita, a new gem in our local culinary scene, and I must say, it was a fiesta for the taste buds! From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted by the inviting atmosphere and bustling energy of the restaurant.

Despite visiting on a Sunday evening at 7pm, I was impressed by the ample seating available, although the bustling crowd indicated its popularity. I'm curious to see how the seating options fare during the weekdays, but the lively ambiance only added to the dining experience.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the food. Oh, where do I begin? The dishes were not only mouthwatering but also served promptly. I indulged in the quesabirria and consomé, and let me tell you, it was love at first bite. The flavors were vibrant, the meat tender, and the consomé rich and comforting. And let's not forget about the Gordita I couldn't resist taking home. It was devoured the moment I walked through my door, leaving me with no regrets, only cravings for more.

One aspect worth mentioning is that the menu was presented in English, which is great for anyone hesitant about a potential language barrier. Overall, my experience at Fonda Lupita was nothing short of fantastic. The combination of delicious food, efficient service, and welcoming ambiance has me eagerly anticipating my next visit. If you're in the mood for authentic Mexican cuisine that will leave your taste buds dancing, look no further than Fonda Lupita. ¡Viva la...

Last night's dinner was @fondalupitanc! A really good friend of mine took me out to dinner for a late birthday dinner. The only location they have avaliable to tag is the Sanford location. We went to their Durham location.

Drinks: BERRY PINEAPPLE Tequila, strawberry, pineapple, and citrus.

OLD FASHIONED This was mine, I bet you never would have guessed. 😂

Mains: BIRRIA RAMEN (mine) Ramen noodles cooked in our consome, shredded beef, topped with onions and cilantro.

FONDA BOWL There is no description of this online, lol. It had chicken, lettuce, rice, black beans, guacamole, sour cream, tortilla strips, and cilantro. I am probably forgetting something.

The old fashioned was really good! I loved the ice. 😂 The birria ramen was all I was hoping it to be. Super flavorful, had spice, and really hit the spot. The beef was so tender. I always love it when resturants top theor food with the onion cilantro mix! Ever since I have been seeing it online and social media, I have wanted to try it. It is worth the hype. I took some of the broth home and I can't wait to drink it later. The bowl was pretty good, but there was a lot of juice from the black beans in the bottom of the bowl making it pretty soggy. The chicken tasted good, though! I WILL be back for the ramen.

This is located in a really cool spot in Durham. There are lots of little resturants all around. It would be a cool spot to do a...

For me, this is definitely a big step up from other "Mexican" restaurants in the area. So happy they exist. Despite their recent opening, the execution is relatively close to that of their location in Sanford which has been around for several years.

The menu is extensive and some items are better than others:

The tacos/gorditas/quesadillas are excellent. Nixtamal for sure!

The pozole is up there.

Good chips, salsas, and the guac is fresh and of good quality.

The elotes are a bit one-note and re-purpose the pepper-sauce base (chamoy?) used on other items - so it can taste a bit too familiar to other things you may order (e.g. Michelada). The burrito I had was super messy and pretty much fell apart. And while the flour tortillas they use (in burritos - tacos, etc. are masa) are better than the local average, they fall short for my tastes.

Parking can be tricky, and as others have noted, the music is too loud!! But the service is absolutely friendly. The food may not come out as quickly as other local "Mexican" restaurants, but considering the level of quality I wouldn't expect otherwise. The prices are also a little higher, but considering the quality and execution I have zero problems.

Tip: Reference their Toast Tab site as it often includes more items than the menu...