Fonda San Miguel Restaurant

07/10/09

Dinner experience

by LindaZ at Citysearch

We recently went here for a birthday celebration. I had heard it was pricey, but it was really too expensive for what you get. I don't like to have to ask what the price is for a particular dish and there you have to ask about the entire fish section. The food was good as far as I was concerned, but everyone else said it was just "OK". Some had the fajitas and said they were no better than any other Mexican restaurant, but double the price. We had margaritas and I was amazed that they would serve them in wine glasses!!! Get real. There were a few sips for $9 and by the way, "happy hour prices" are ONLY at the bar. I don't think we will go back any time soon, sorry to say. I had hoped for a much better experience.

• Pros: Beautiful, great atmosphere
• Cons: Price and margaritas

03/10/09

great brunch

by gourmetgirl2 at Citysearch

if you like authentic mexican food, you'll love fonda. the ambiance is great, although a little loud. the food is very good and the price reflects that and then some. Its a little pricey considering i'm not a huge fan of mexican, i probably wouldn't go back. But i enjoyed going there for brunch.

• Pros: very nice, good food
• Cons: very pricey, you have to really love mexican food to get your moneys worth

03/10/09

Authentic Mexican Food

by LincolnLogs at Citysearch

Excellent authentic Mexican (not Tex-Mex) food. Prompt curteous service and wonderful ambience. Food is on the expensive side ($18 Cheese Enchiladas) but the quality is there. Many daily specials, green choriso made in house. A dining experience.

12/24/08

Inviting atmosphere, Forgettable food

by user41 at Citysearch

While the atmosphere and decor of Fonda San Miguel are inviting, the real reason for dining at a restaurant, the food, was unimpressive, especially for one of a higher price point. It was fine and nicely arranged, though I enjoyed it no more than a restaurant for half the cost. Also, avoid ordering a mojito, as it was basically a cup of lime juice for $9 (four lime wedges in the glass) with little mint or sweetener.

Upon entering, the courtyard area is lovely and colorful and the dining room offers a pleasant ambiance, though the tables are a bit too close together as I had no room to adjust my chair. Furthermore, the citysearch provided dress code is accurate as myself and my company were in nice attire, as were most others, though jeans were worn by some and I noticed several tables with kids, though well enoughed behaved.

The environment was welcoming and nice, though the food was forgettable. A nice place to just grab a drink and sit in the courtyard, though for dinner, look elsewhere.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Decor, Service
• Cons: Price, Average Food

06/28/08

Over Priced/Underwhelming - Fonda San Miguel

by ItBetterBeGood at Citysearch

To rank them mediocre would be a compliment. You're essentially paying for the leather bound menus and expensive bricks and mortar. The food is below average for the price and you will get better service at Taco Cabanna's drive-thru. Needless to say we were extremely disappointed after all the rave reviews and recommendations. In a time like this when people are pinching their pennies restaurants should do everything they can to back up their big prices with big service and excellent food. Sorry to disappoint but save your money.

• Pros: Leather Menus
• Cons: Food/Service/Price

05/27/08

A local must!

by Jacko3 at Citysearch

This is a great local favorite! Every time my parents come to town they insist we go here. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful; almost worth going just to see the art. The service is above reproach - the servers know so much about their wines and their menu. The food is wonderful, I've been many, many, times and have never had a bad experience. The chorizo queso is amazing (almost a meal in itself), the shrimp are great, and so are the scallops. The owner is usually on the premises and willing to chit-chat with you. Definitely worth the money - amazing food, great wine list (includes hard to find Mary Edwards!), knowledgeable servers who obviously enjoy their job, and beautiful art. What more could you want?

• Pros: beautiful dining experience
• Cons: despite it's nice upscale appearnace, some people still show up wearing baseball caps and tshirts

05/21/08

Fresh food, great service

by shaft28 at Citysearch

This is fine Mexican dining, very enjoyable. I love their appetizers and most of the menu. Very fresh food and fantastic drinks.

The mole is exceptional as is any of their chicken dishes as far as I'm concerned. The fish is very fresh but you can get something "plain" once and a while. The main steak dish, unreal.

I would skip the fajitas although the claim to have introduced them to the US. Boring, not flavor. Yes fresh but just nothing exciting about the meat at all.

Expect to pay for the experience and and to wait for a table. That's ok, they have great margaritas.

05/11/08

Excessivly Expensive!!!

by conjunction3 at Citysearch

We went there for mother's day brunch, and unfortunatly didnt ask how much it would cost...we just figured it would be the normal expensive...maybe $20 each $25 at most. When we got the check, I swear I thought I would pass out! $147 for three people, outrageous! The food was good, but unless you ate absolutely everything it wasnt worth the money. Im still dumbfounded at how expensive it was, and sadly it really overshadows the lovely mothers day we had planned. On the bright side, the decor is amazing and impressive, but it still wasnt worth the money. If I'm going to pay almost $50 per person, I want baluga caviar quality, not quail and flan.

• Pros: Lovely setting, romantic yet layed back
• Cons: WAYYY too expensive! Not worth the money!

05/04/08

2 Sunday Brunches + 1 diet coke + one refill = WICKED RIPPED OFF!

by JKBM at Citysearch

While the price of gas steadily increases and I try to find other modes of transportation, I just spent $88 on brunch that was mediocre at best. That cost me two tanks of gas and I will now be riding the bus for the next couple of weeks to pay for that meal. I braced myself for maybe $20 a piece (which would still be overpriced) but $38.50 per brunch!!!!!!! And, they charged me for a refill for a diet coke! The audacity!!!!!! Everyone, go to Chez Zee for brunch instead.

• Pros: I'm going to lose weight now that I can't afford groceries
• Cons: I'm poor now

05/03/08

We will never return.....

by james01 at Citysearch

This was probably our fifth time to visit Fonda San Miguel. It has never been my favorite restaurant, but we were with a group that wanted to try it. Their first visit resulted in disaster. Everyone agreed the prices were a rip off, the service was unacceptable, unaccommodating, and inflexible. (Example: My friend asked for some grilled jalapenos to accompany his meal---waitress responded that "the kitchen was way too busy to do that" The waitress was short, dismissive, and snooty. She was really put out to serve our 8 top. The food was luke-warm and took forever....upwards of an hour. This meal was a true disappointment. I'm afraid this place has turned into a bit of a "tourist trap". I will never return to or recommend this establishment. It was just horrible! AVOID. If you must see the place--stop in and have a beverage before going to a good restaurant.

• Pros: off the beaten path--atmoshere
• Cons: service, food, and prices