Our friends Amit and Michelle (who introduced us to Canada Dosa Corner) invited us to a Mexican/Colombian place in Canyon Meadows last week.
Their first message referred to “La Fonda” which immediately made me think of Lafawnduh from the movie Napoleon Dynamite. Even though I now know the restaurant is called Fonda Latina, it still makes me giggle. Anyhoo…
Fonda Latina has a small grocery area in the front leading to the modest dining room. Bigger tables are partitioned into semi-private areas and smaller tables are in the middle. The Mexican wife and Colombian husband opened the restaurant in a strip mall a year ago. Both of their backgrounds are reflected equally in the menu.
From the Mexican side, we had a huarache tampiqueno ($12), a dinner plate-sized corn tortilla topped with refried beans, spiced marinated pork, cheese, cream, and pico de gallo. I liked it as I’ve never had anything like that at other Mexican places in Calgary.
Amit recommended the picada ($18 or $34 for two people) while I chose the bandeja paisa ($17). In hindsight, I would have had one OR the other because there were similar items in both orders.
The bandeja paisa was a plate of steak, fried pork rind, beans, white rice, a fresh avocado wedge, a fried plantain wedge, a fried egg and a corn tortilla.
The picada (which we ordered for four) was a huge platter of steak, homemade chorizo, fried pork rind, and marinated chicken pieces. I enjoyed the pork rind (chicharron) the most because it had some meat left on it to balance out the crunchy skin and delicious fat layers. Amit’s favourite is the moist chicken.
I had never had yuca before but I liked the sweet, yellow pieces on the platter. There were also fried plantain slices to fill us up.
Fonda Latina serves horchata in big pint glasses. I haven’t had the sweet milk rice drink since San Francisco. It was soo refreshing.
Fonda Latina y El Super, 11625 Elbow Dr. SW, Calgary, (403) 238-8587. Open Saturday to Monday 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
Baby notes
Room for strollers: Yes
High chairs: Two plastic Ikea high chairs
Kids menu: No
Ambiance: Casual and family-friendly
Change table: No
As the name of my blog suggests, I will pretty much eat anything.
I’m partial to meats but will suffer fruits and vegetables.
I dedicate this to people who love to eat, and find art in their meals. If this blog piques your interest at least once, then I’m happy as a goldfish that eats til it explodes. 
I have to move south. Why can’t at least one cool place be in the NW? Oh well….I’ll be driving to try this for sure!
Horchata only looks like milk. Rice and water, dairy free!
Doh. I knew that! Thanks.
I tried going today…it’s closed
Looks like a new place is coming in, the place has been torn apart and says under reno’s
I think urbanspoon mentioned that they would close for renos in March. That place is so good though. I love love love their salsa.
Hi Everyone, I just wanted to give a heads-up that La Fonda Latina is now open after their renovations! They are having a Grand Opening Fiesta this Saturday Oct 8, 2011 at 7pm with Food, DJ & Dance – $25 will get everyone a choice of two delicious menus!
I went yesterday for Chilaquiles and it was just a good as I remember!
Shirley