I was here once at grand opening. The owner said the menu would be updated to reflect English. I’m here many months later and the menu is all in Spanish thereby discouraging any future visits no matter how good he food. It’s tedious having the owner translate the many choices
Angie m.
Rating des Ortes: 3 South Gate, CA
I wasn’t impressed… I had the chilaquilles and I’ve had better yall… The coffee wasn’t as good as everybody else said and when I asked for sugar the waitress was offended… I went on a Sunday and it was busy with only one waitress…
Ivan R.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Buena Park, CA
Small place with an authentic Mexican taste. Had there Menudo and Machaca breakfast plate. Will definitely come back. Also you must try there homemade Café De La Olla its delicious!
Jonathon P.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Diamond Bar, CA
5⁄5 Stars As an avid lover of Mexican food, I would like to think I have a high standard for the cuisine, having been to Sinaloa and other parts of Mexico as well. My favorite dish is Chilaquiles and so naturally I’ve been looking for the best place around. Thus far, I had been disappointed with most of the Chilaquiles in the California compared to Mexico. Fonda Maria changed that perspective. I got the Chilaquiles with Egg and Chicken and it just hit the spot. The little spicy kick was a pleasant surprise though I wish it was even spicier. The green salsa well complimented the rest of the dish and even though I don’t like beans, the beans were excellent as well. For my drink I got the Café de Olla which was also good. The cinnamon added just the right amount of flavor to the coffee and made it quite addictive. Definitely going to go back when my craving for Chilaquiles comes around again.
Jim H.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Mission Viejo, CA
This is authentic Mexican food in the center of Downey. The family is from Mexico City and has been here only three years. The recipes are true to the culture, and have not been dumbed down for the American palate. Check out the menu to see the wide variety of what they have to offer. The salsa is spicy. The dishes I’ve had are unique, but not too adventurous for the average person. The people are super cool, and it’s an outstanding value. Check it out!
Anthony C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Downey, CA
I normally do not enjoy Mexican food, but this is definitely an exception because the food is exceptional. The folks that run this place are also very genuine, warm, and friendly. I really enjoy coming here and I highly recommend it
Maria C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Bernardino, CA
Hope in the wall restaurant. You would never think that this little restaurant would ever be good. The food here is very good. They offer breakfast all day. Mexican is their specialty and they sure know how to cook. The waitress was amazing and have an amazing personality ready to answer any questions. She also let us know they had a deal that if you checked in on Unilocal you would get 10% off each person’s plate. Amazing what a great deal Their pricing is very reasonable. We ordered the following: Ham & Eggs breakfast, Carnitas Wet Burrito, and Carne Asada Huarache. The food was very good and the meat had good flavor. Overall I highly recommend this restaurant. They also do have daily specials. Service = 10 out of 10 Cleanliness = 10 out of 10 Food Quality = 10 out of 10 Pricing = 10 out of 10
Vera Marie J.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Hacienda Heights, CA
People are not exaggerating. the green chilaquiles are the bomb!!! Came in with a slight flu hoping to get some menudo, and caught a glimpse of a diner’s chilaquiles plate, and I had to have it! The green salsa is perfection. The right kind of flavorful spiciness. The cute little family who runs this place are the sweetest people ever. The lady even gave extra spicy cinammon coffee to help with my flu. I swear I left the place magically healed and revived. Haha! Will come back for sure :)
Emmanuel A.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Las Vegas, NV
I’m from Las Vegas, and we came here to have breakfast this morning. We ordered 2 order of Chilaquiles with Eggs and Carne, the food was really good. Our waitress Ruth was awesome. She explained to us the origin and why they decided to call it «Fonda Maria». Whenever I’m back in town I will definitely stop by and have another meal.
Maria S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Santa Ana, CA
Drove 30 minutes for this… completely worth it. The green chilaquiles and café de Olla is everything!!!
Ricky R.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Glendale, CA
Really good food had the enchiladas de pollo sauce is delicious however is kind of hot be warned, beans are great café de olla is good don’t worry about the small cup size since servers will top it off continuously for dessert churros con lechera and more café de o. Good service
Juan C.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Compton, Estados Unidos
La mejor palabra que describe la calidad, sazon y autenticidad de la comida en este lugar es CORRIENTE! Los chilaquiles aqui son de lo peor. Usan la misma salsa que regalan con los totopos(tortilla chips) para hacer los chilaquiles. Basicamente los chilaquiles son tortillachips remojadas en salsa sin savor. En conclucion nomas probamos la comida, pagamos por nuestros platillos y les dejamos la comida porque no valia la pena comer las calorias por comida tan chafa. En mi opinion pienso que les han hecho el favor en darles reviews positivos. La unica razon por la que fui a esta fonda fuer por los reviews pero en realidad nunca pienso regresar a este lugar.
Janeth M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Los Angeles, CA
I always come in here and try to order something new but the chilaquiles have me hooked. I’m a fool! Everything does look delicious. As for the chilaquiles, simply the best in Downey. The owners are always courteous and provide quick service. A little hole in the wall with lots of Mexican food options.
Sandy C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Downey, CA
I love they’re food! Pambazos are the best and everything is cheap and delicious! Service is great! 100% recommend!
Lorena A.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Lynwood, CA
Truly enjoy the authentic Mexican flavors… I love the chilaquiles(5 stars), & huevos rancheros. Their Carne asada burritos has good flavor but needs more meat. Beware, all of their salsa is on the hot side, but quite tasty. Will likely come back again.
Lala W.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Diamond Bar, CA
The problem with this place lies in how clean it is. It isn’t clean. However, the people are friendly, the food is okay, if sad looking small portions that tastes average fits your definition. However, the very plentiful chips and beans(and the guac we ordered) were VERY good. The main dishes may have left quite a bit to be desired but those chips were okay, and the beans and guac were really good, fresh and delicious. I feel like this is one of those places that get an inflated rating from their regulars. Overall though, it’s not too bad even if the prices are a bit on the higher side.
Ariel E.
Rating des Ortes: 5 South Gate, CA
As close to home cooking as you’re going to get. Make sure you have plenty of time during your lunch break if you come here. Also, don’t come here if you want or expect your food to be prepared in less than five minutes. All of their food is good. Customer service is great! Highly recommend eating at this little hole in the wall in Downey. It’s located next to Papa John’s pizza and Stater brothers.
Cindy B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Norwalk, CA
Okay, I think I’m in love! My dad wanted something to eat this morning so I looked up reviews on Unilocal.This place had good ratings so I told my dad that we should head over and have some breakfast. First off, this place is a bit hidden so you’ll have to keep your eyes open. It’s located in back of the Papa Johns. I ordered the chilaquiles, café de holla, mollete and a quema grasa juice. Everything was fresh and the coffee is out of this world!: no sure needed, a little creamer and your good to go. The juice was fresh and had pineapple and citrus fruits. The chilaquiles had just the right amount of heat and had just the right amount of sauce! And the service was phenomenal! If you’re ever in the mood for mexican, this place is an absolute must!
Norma Angelica C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Downey, CA
One of the best restaurants in Downey!!! Service is top-notch; prices are beyond reasonable… and the food… omigod = the food is AMAZING!!! Not your run-of-the-mill restaurants. Everything is made to order, so you might have to wait a bit, but well worth the wait. We go back again and again… The chilaquiles are the BOMB!!! My absolute favorite, tho, is the chicken breast with spinach & cheese. Chips are always fresh & the salsa is spicy = just the way I like it. Try it once & you will get hooked!!!
Brian L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Cerritos, CA
Feel like eating Authentic food from Mexico City, this is the closest thing for authentic food from the city and the region according to regular. The owner is very friendly and speak to the customers. She took the time to explain the menu to me written in Spanish. On this trip, I only tried the tortas. The tortas is very tasting with the right balance of everything. I dislike tortas with over-saturation of beans or veggies-lettuce. Stuffing a Tortas with excess cheap ingredients make less appealing as often found in other similar restaurants. I used a coupon to save money, the owner accepted with open arms. Whenever I am in Downey again with craving of Authentic Mexican food, this will be my first choice.
Miguel V.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Los Angeles, CA
Friendly owners, they go to your table and make sure everything is a-ok :) The Café de hoya is really good! :)