La Fonda Paisa — Restaurant in Maryland

A small “hole in the wall” type for Colombian Taste. These are the current menu taken on July 29, 2024. I know some people want to know prices and it is understandable that prices change from time to time. I believe Quality before price and this spot may seem a little pricey for some (Chorizo con arepa $4.50 and Colombian Tamal is around $11.75), however it is an authentic taste that is hard to find anywhere around the Washington DC area. I came for a quick Colombian Chorizo with Arepa and my mom’s favorite Empanadas that are so tasty and crunchy. Some people don’t like the “Cafetria” style seating where you pick up your own food a take it to your table but it is a small location where the eating area and restaurant share half of the total location known as “La Fonda Paisa”. The other half is a mini market with dry and packed food, breads and sweets, sodas and beers, and even a freezer with empanadas that you can take home and fry yourself at home. The bag of frozen empanadas are around $10 dollars. The store also has many little backpack, keychains, and house ornaments that come from Colombia with the beautiful vibrant colors. I just know that when I want Colombia authentic cuisine, this spot is the first one that comes to mind. It’s quick, non formal, small, but full of taste. I do wish the parking and the space inside would be a bit bigger but there is no perfect restaurant and that is a small flaw I’m willing to overlook. If you come to eat some food, or take it out to enjoy it at home, or even for some Colombian coffee with Pandebono, Empanadas, or Pan dulce Colombiano well I know you will come back again and...

I used to be a regular customer here because I work around the corner, and it’s one of the few nearby places that offers home-style food. However, I often experienced stomach aches a few hours after eating, though I didn’t initially connect it to the food. It wasn’t until my 25 year old daughter told me she felt sick after eating there that I started paying closer attention.

Last weekend was the final straw. After eating their food, both my 8-year-old son and I had to make an emergency stop at a public restroom. He almost didn’t make it in time—something that has never happened to him before. I also became extremely ill with severe stomach pain shortly afterward.

I’m not sure what’s going on—whether it’s a hygiene issue, poor food handling, or ingredients not being properly washed (like avocados, for example)—but something is clearly not right. Having repeated stomach issues and then such a serious reaction last weekend has raised major concerns about what’s happening in their kitchen.

Please be very cautious or consider avoiding this place altogether. Our experience was terrible and completely ruined our Sunday. I also have to mention that I saw parasite hanging off the pork that’s on display. I say this because it angers me that some businesses do business just to do business and can care less about the lives of their customers who spend really good money and making...

Today is my last day going to this place day after going there for breakfast for over 3 years. They had some good and respectful waitress there before. But suddenly, they hired a bunch of punks, stupid, racist folks who have no skills of doing their job. Or they are simply ignorant and race biased.

Everyone knows me in there, and most of them are really nice people (they even sometimes try to teach me Spanish to order my food). I went today and ordered two Colombiano breakfasts (my favorite). Usually, this takes me about 5 to 10 minutes waiting. But a few few ago things have changed with the arrival of especially stupid girls. They made me wait for almost 30 minutes and serve other people (Latinos like them) not even 1 minute after they ordered their food. I didn't mind that because I know some food takes more time to prepare than others.

The frustrating thing is when I went to the counter and asked for my food. This is when they started putting it in the plates after confronting them.

AS A BLACK MAN, I MAD BECAUSE I FELT THIS SITUATION WAS EITHER RACIST OR DISRESPECTFUL AS SOMEONE WHO BEEN GOING THRRE FOR YEARS. THESE HAPPEN A LOT WITH THIS NEW GIRLS. BUT TODAY ME AND MY FRIENDS DECIDED TO NEVER BUY ANYTHING IN THIS PLACE,...