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Bringing Mexican soul food to the heart of Nairobi

“So what is a Fonda, anyway?”. A question at the forefront of most people’s minds when they first hear the name of our restaurant. And no, it has nothing to do with Jane Fonda!

Fonda in Latin America means different things, depending on which brand of Spanish you know or speak. In Chile, a public gathering to celebrate a holiday is called a “fonda”. Funnily enough, the word actually originates from Arabic, meaning tavern or inn. In Mexico, a fonda is equivalent to a “bistro” in Paris or a “trattoria” in Italy. More than that, Mexicans use the word to describe a place where people can enjoy fresh food from locally sourced ingredients based on age-old recipes in casual and comfortable surroundings.

The quintessential Mexican fonda evolved out of the homes and dining rooms of women who would cook a basic three-course meal for neighbours and passers-by. The fondas of yore were homey-places serving classic food in clay plates on plastic doilies. The quality of food and value for money meant that fondas soon came to dot the streets of every city across the country.

Today, Mexico is full of fondas and just like the trattorias and bistros of Italy and France, the concept of a fonda has now broadened. The new-age fonda is a full-service restaurant offering the same high-quality classic Mexican soul food in casual but more upscale surroundings.

For all of us at Roho Hospitality Ltd, this concept completely resonated with our core values. The warmth, casualness, the freshly cooked food, using age-old recipes – there could not have been a more perfect fit. At Fonda NBO, we have specifically taken the essence of what a Fonda is and brought it to Kenya – the care, affection, and attention to detail will hopefully be evident to all our guests – in the preparation of our food, in the way we have designed the restaurant space. Our goal now is to make Fonda NBO, the best neighborhood Mexican restaurant in the city – a place you can turn up to in your sweats and a t-shirt, a place you go when you want to go out but still be at home.

2 Reviews for Fonda’s Taqueria

Suzie A

26 Reviews

SOULFUL MEXICAN

4.5/ 5

Fonda Taqueria NBO is a delightful space with super cool personnel. From the owner(s), the head chef to the waiters. You get a personal connection experience while at Fonda. The owner Yash Krishna (a very charming person) and Jay Muchai (manager) will welcome you by educating you on the Mexican Tradition and the history of Fonda. It’s incredible how diverse our life experiences are and I do enjoy listening to people’s experiences and perspectives in life, so listening to Yash on how he founded Fonda was top tier.

DÉCOR: – The restaurant captures raw Mexican adornments, full of radiant and calming colors, locally sourced pottery, locally sourced art, bursting with tradition, and chilled ambiance. The restaurant has yellow and blue walls, the blue engulfs you with a sense of calmness and relaxation, the yellow fills you with the same warmth the sunlight streaming through your bedroom window in the morning does. Upon entrance, you’re met with the beautiful art of the legendary Mzee Ojwang. The walls are lined with sugar skull lights, hanging ceramic bowls, a sisal roof, and dried preserved food ingredients. It’s all thoughtfully curated to bring a raw Mexican experience to Nairobi.

FOOD:-

(Price range Kshs.150-4000) Fonda offers a taste sensation. Flavors all rich, fresh, and authentic. 1. Starter:- Guacamole with freshly made-in-house tortilla chips with Pico de Gallo (kachumbari).The guacamole was so fresh, spicy, and zesty and the tortillas crunchy and impeccably seasoned. 2. Mains: – Mole Poblano with more than 30 ingredients, including chocolate and prepared over 7 days. And Filete De Res (beef fillet with lentils and green beans), these meals were an explosion of savory and flavorful. The portions are however not as filing as one would expect. 3.

DRINKS:

-Passion Mojito Mexicano and Strawberry Mojito Mexicano, the cocktails were refreshing and highballs for sure. What I love about Fonda the most is the show casing, you can see your food and drinks being prepared, the chef showed us how they make tortillas and taco shells from scratch. I still can’t fathom how similar the Mexican meals are to our Kenyan palate. Like the tortillas are made from maize flour and water (unga ya ugali) and the Picco de Gallo is basically kachumbari. The service is fast, personal, and effective. The waiter was kind enough to take us around all the sections of the restaurant describing every piece of art and of the artists and artisans behind their art and adornments. He was quick to suggest which drinks are their best selling and would check upon us in a pleasant way. Fonda is a hushed and serene restaurant, a nice hangout spot to unwind, with inviting and friendly staff, mellow background music, fresh food, and a memorable experience. I loved my culinary experience at Fonda. It’s well worth a try. They currently have a Special and Bulk Menu which offers you a chance to enjoy their cuisine and drinks at amazing discounted prices. 1) Quesadilla Mondays with 15% off quesadillas all day long 2) Taco Tuesdays, 4 for the price of 3 all day long 3) Margarita Wednesdays 15% off any glass of margarita all day long 4) Enchilada Thursdays at 15% off all enchiladas all day long 5) Cerveza Fridays 15 % off any beer all day 6) Vino Saturdays 15 % off any glass of wine all day long 7) Sweet Sundays 15% off any dessert all day long 8) Fonda Happy Hour from Monday to Sunday 3 pm to 6.30 pm

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1 Reviews

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4.5/ 5

The magaritas are the best! Best cocktails i have had in while! Plus the ambiance just perfect! 5 starts all the way

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March, 2024

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