La Fonda Mexican Buffet — Restaurant in Idaho Falls

I read the mixed reviews, decided to try anyway.

4:45 p.m. on a Friday

The buffet line, yes it is limited. Included in the buffet is a drink and made to order street tacos, all you have to do is ask. Crispy tortillas available on the line, soft tortillas they will prepare for you.

The food, authentic, this is not Americanized fare. If your looking for taco bell or chipotle, you will not find it here. During my visit, the place was quiet, ambiance music but, no other customers. Some of the dishes in the buffet showed signs of not having been disturbed, light to medium layer of dried out sauce in some of the dishes.

Do not wait for someone to come check on you, ask if you would like a refill on a a drink or more tacos. The staff was friendly, they even asked if I would like to check out the buffet before I decided if I wanted to partake. Do not hesitate to let them know if you would like something, they seem like great people ready to help, when asked.

The salsa bar (empty in other reviews) was stocked.

Overall at $13, I have no real complaints. Obviously at the price point there will not be piles of asada to fill your plate with.

I will not be back as I have a preference for a bit more Americanized Mexican food. I like my cheese and sour cream.

If someone wanted an authentic experience, I would...

For a Mexican establishment, I can say by far the worst customer service I’ve ever had. The tacos were bland with no seasoning at all. I asked about the buffet since that is implied within the name, and was told that yeah it was out but the buffet was closed. I asked about shredded beef. They were out. What about shredded chicken? Were out. Okay what about steak? You guessed it! We’re out?! So I made mention that it was hard for me to want to spend more money at a place where they should close if they are out of so many things. I walked in @ 7:15 pm! Then I asked for a water for my 3 year old who is thirsty I was told that it would come out with my food!!?!?! Really!? I won’t be coming back! I can’t recommend this place to my worst enemy even if you paid me! Manager and owner should do something have a serious talking to the staff! Next time, have the items or shut the place down for the night! And btw learn that if children are thirsty, they won’t...

This is definitely authentic food with kick. The food was good. I felt like I was in Mexico. I see some people whined on here about the decor. It is like a restaurant in Mexico 🇲🇽 and it is clean. Get over it. I truly loved the family unit working the restaurant. These are good people. The family sat down and had their meal together next to my table. Loved it. I will be back.

This original review ^^^....I gave them 5 stars. I now lowered it to 2. See below:

Update Summer 2021: I got food poisoning here. They didn't keep their buffet food warm enough. My stomach got so tight from the gas that night. I was so miserable. I knew it was from one of the dishes because I tasted it all night. I decided to forgive them and go back a couple months later. I didn't get food poisoning again, but I went to see what they had at the dessert bar. I opened it and there were moldy pears....