Fonda del Mar: User Reviews

I was very impressed with this place. A diamond in the rough. Excellent high-end Latino flavors. The service was also outstanding from start to finish. You should go ASAP.

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Since it's my own neighborhood, I chose this spot to try on my birthday, and talked it up to my friends - having high expectaions after all the fabulous reviews. I have had the pork sandwhiches offerered by Fonda del Mar at the Logan Square farmers market, and was VERY excited to try dinner!

Got there - the inside was kind of cute, decor-wise, and I thought the back patio was charming. Our waiter was nice; but slow, indifferent, and not very attentive. He did not mention any specials (maybe there weren't any), and only when we asked did he mention what the margarita of the day was or that they were at a special price that night. The margaritas were very fresh and good - couldn't order them frozen though (maybe they're purists?).

We started with the ceviche; it was very fresh, but overall lacking in flavor and overabundant in tomatoes compared to the fish content. The chips served with them were certainly not freshly fried (and perhaps unsalted?).

I was completely underwhelmed by my dish: 4 small-to-average-sized sea scallops, seared seemingly without being seasoned (and containing chewy sinew), sittling in a pool of bitter, one-note chili sauce (that tasted of dried chilis ground with water in a blender). The [room temperature going on cold] plantian/black-bean cake accompaniment was tasteless and of gummy texture, and the diced red pepper garnish made no sense (added color to the plate I guess). My dining partners had the "meh, I've had better" mahi-mahi, and the tiger shrimp with orange sauce - which received absolutely no comment.

We tried dessert; pineapple upside down cake (ok), lime tart (all crust, no filling, largely untouched), and chocolate maya (simple not that great).

I am really disappointed - I wanted to love this place! Maybe I will give it another try, but I tried another high-end Mexican place in the 'hood the week prior and will want to stick with that one since it blew me away.

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I checked all the reviews in Metromix and reviews from Check Please! before choosing this restaurant for Father's Day. Although the presentation of food was very good, we were all terribly disappointed at food. I do not understand how Fonda Del Mar could get so many excellent reviews. I ordered Tamales Exquisitos for appetiser and it tastes like very spicy cheesy lasgna because of so much cheese and tomato sauce on top of tiny tamale. My husband ordered passion fruit salad and that was very fresh and good. I had mahi mahi (Pescado Tikin Xic) as entree. As a fish lover, I know fish but this fish was so over cooked that it was very hard to chew and my jaw hurt after a few pieces. And the red spice that covers mahi mahi was very spicy and unpleasant. My son had shrimps (Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo). Shrimps were cooked well but there was way too much butter. All the ingredients were soaked in butter and the black beans were not cooked completely. My husband had scallops (Callos de hacha Zacualtipan) and there were only four scallops on a dark pasilla chile sauce on his plate and that was it. I thought his plate was very skimpy, reminding me of a few expensive French restaurants. He did not like the dark chile sauce. Overall we disliked our dishes so much that we decided not to try desserts at Fonda Del Mar. I expect a certain level of quality from a $20 dollar per dish and my expectation was not met. We will never go back to this restaurant.

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My husband & I went after seeing on older episode of Check please on this restaurant, we live in Logan Square so we decided to try it. The service is friendly & I like the decor of the restuarant. My husband & I were both dissapointed with the food. We had the ceviche de jaiba to start and that was o.k, nothing special. My husband ordered carne asada huasteca that came with white rice & black beans, the steak had a lot of fat, the whole dish was a bit cold, the beans were bland, & the rice was also bland. No restaurant should serve a steak with a bunch of disgusting fat on it.I had arroz a la tumbada & it was just o.k, again nothing special. However, the seafood was fresh. I also heard they made great margaritas so I ordered one & again nothing special. Overall I think this restuarant is not worth the money. We spent $70 dollars on a meal that was not worth it.

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We went with a pretty big group here, the guacamole is great, as are the margaritas and I loved the paella, very good. I'm glad we went, however, I'm not sure if it's worth the trip out there for a second visit. It's far away!

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I live in the neighborhood and have been coming to Fonda for a few years now and they never disappoint. The food is always wonderful. Service is excellent. Recently stopped by for my nephew's 16th birthday and it was awesome as usual. You know the food is good when even a finicky teen-ager picks this place as his birthday restaurant choice. Keep up the great work Fonda, I will see you again soon!! Oh if guava margarita's are on the special, have them, they are delicious!

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As a relatively recent home owner in Logan Square (2004), I have been blessed to find this establishment and what it has to offer. My brother-in-law lives around the corner from this establishment and he opened my eyes to it. First, I must stress that this restaurant is one of the best values in the city. The food is first rate and yet, not too complicated or over priced. It is ultimately a Mexican Seafood restaurant, but one that stresses high quality and excellent care in its preparedness. If you are lucky, sometimes they even offer Prix Fixes that will knock you out with their value. The outside area is a treat as well. There is a downside however. Fonda del Mar has taken a gamble on its location. Located in Logan Square, Fonda del Mar chose a location in an area that is not exactly prime. Lincoln Parkers beware you must cross Kimball to arrive at this locale. However, to the locals such as myself, get in line because if you come on the weekends without a reservation, that is where you will surely end up. If you have time to kill before or after dinner, just a block or two will take you to The Burlinton, a new bar in the area. Keep up the good work guys and I will see you soon!

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no longer BYOB, this marisqueria is serving up some amazing margaritas alongside the fantastic eats!

i am a totally dedicated fan!

check out my blog barredowl.wordpress.com for my complete review with pics!

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Superb food in a delightful setting.

Nice variety and interesting twists on old favorites. Service was a bit slow

but didn't deter from an overall very

nice experience.

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Outstanding in every way, from start to finish. The patio has great atmosphere, and the wait staff were attentive and friendly. The food was excellent. We can't wait to return.

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