36 Comments:

• The mexican restaurant was in Santa Ana. But the smorsgabord place was in Orange. Two different restaurants and memories. I only went to the smorsgabord place once or twice with other people. It was a girl in my class's birthday. The mexican restaurant was a favorite of my family. It is no longer there though. I have tried meatball soup at Mexican restaurants where I live now (Texas) and they aren't the same. I am thinking there must be a regional difference. Anyway. I loved going to the Mexican restaurant as a kid. It was a great memory for me.

  By  Anonymous, at July 25, 2007 1:20 PM  

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• I think it might be "La Chiquita Resturant" on Washington St Santa Ana just south of 17th and Lincoln

  By  The Hut Dude, at August 02, 2007 3:09 PM  

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• The Mexican restaurant in Santa Ana is called La Fonda.

  By  JoAnne Webb, at August 02, 2007 5:51 PM  

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• Anybody remember Louie's Mexican Restaurant. That goes way back when I was a kid in the 50's. It was in an old house and I think it was on Broadway near the Court house. The food was tremendous!

  By  Anonymous, at August 09, 2007 8:11 AM  

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• Louie's was on Main St a block or so south of 17th St. Right across the street was a great Chinese takeout place named Koo's. Louie's later moved to North Main across from St Joe's hospital. By the way Mr. Gonzalez the owner of LaFonda did'nt give out candy to anybody. It was La Chiquita that gave out the candy.

  By  The Hut Dude, at August 14, 2007 8:41 AM  

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• Yes, but La Fonda had that great display of candy by the register, and the best chile relleno in the world. La Hacienda, just down the street was also good.

  By  reelcurlz, at August 15, 2007 1:46 PM  

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• La Chaquita---that brings back some real old memories. We lived on Custer when I was in Kindergarden and my mother worked at the restuarant. I don't really remember if the food was good, but to this day my mother makes the best spanish rice, one thing my friends remember of my mother. There was also a little store sharing the same building also called La Chiquita. I also remember the owners always getting after us kids for riding our bikes in the parking lot behind the building. Wonder if these two placesc still are there!!!

  By  Anonymous, at August 30, 2007 12:18 PM  

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• There was also La Costa, which has been torn down....my husband worked there quite some time ago, and also La Perlita. Both were on Main St. La Costa was a big yellow house.

  By  Mojola, at September 07, 2007 8:59 AM  

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• I remember Louie's the most, spent so much time there during and after my school days. Then, our first child who is now 41 spent his first years eating there also. They had a high chair and would make special food for him....he loved it! Also, remember La Fonda...all had great food!

  By  Lynda, at September 08, 2007 2:10 PM  

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• The original Louie's was at the corner of 15th St. & Main in an old house. I used to go there for lunch when I attended Willard Jr. High in 1959. The second place was on Glassell in Orange across from Hart Park and next to Holy Family Catholic Church and is now Yen Ching's chinese restaurant (also very good)

  By  Chris, at September 17, 2007 7:03 PM  

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• Does anyone know where the Gonzalez family went after selling La Fonda? They may not be aware of the "cult following" they had! ha!! But we would sure love to have their recipes.

  By  Anonymous, at September 19, 2007 3:16 PM  

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• the smorgasbord was bit o sweden and there was a mini golf there it is now a chineese resturant

  By  Anonymous, at September 22, 2007 11:19 PM  

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• Sombrero Street? Main south of 17th, near the old Trader Joes

  By  Anonymous, at September 23, 2007 1:25 PM  

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• I remember a great mexican restaraunt on Euclid and Katella that served fried flour tortillas dusted with brown sugar and cinnamon after the meal. Also across the street from there was a small fast food chinese restaurant called Lee Canton. They had the largest egg rolls! I also remember at that same intersection one of the first Carls Jr's that I think is still there. Also a Food Giant or was it a Smith's Food King? Across from that was a Payless Drug that was huge. I remember getting one of the first LED watches there when they came out with my paper route money. I think it was $39.99 which was a lot for a 12 year old!

  By  Mike, at September 25, 2007 11:04 AM  

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• There was a restaurant called Las Palmas one block east of Main on Seventeenth, but I don't remember if that was a more recent name. I, too, remember the miniature golf place across from Hart Park. There is a Senior Living complex there now. Wow, I'd forgotten about the miniture golf place!

  By  Anonymous, at September 26, 2007 5:09 PM  

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• yeah! yes bit o sweden with the miniature golf. Still not sure about the mexican restaurant. i dont think it was in a house. seems like it was a one story stucco building. but then it was a long time ago and i was little. i remember getting the meatball soup and enchiladas. then when we would leave a man (who i assume was the owner) ran the register and would give us kids each a lollipop. He was a rather large man. but thanks everyone for the possibles. there also was a little taco stand we used to walk to it was on grand just north of 4th. we lived on fourth street across from Muir Elementary.

  By  Anonymous, at October 03, 2007 11:06 PM  

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• Sounds like "Las Palmas" like the other poster said......since your talking about a "large man" behind the counter.....they did have great food........I heard he died and the family decided to close the restaurant. Another mexican restaurant went in to that building but, it wasn't even close to as good.

  By  Anonymous, at October 16, 2007 3:29 AM  

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• la fondas was on the west side of south main in santa ana,it was run by the gonzales family in a converted house,my dad told me it was there when he moved to santa ana in 1935,the food was fantastic,they never got a beer and wine licence but you could bring in your own,they made the best salad with a oil/vinegar dressing that you ate with chips,they had a spot on the wall in the waiting area where people would post there busness cards,now its just a distant memory from another time

  By  Anonymous, at November 26, 2007 7:17 PM  

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• Super Antojitos. Probably my favorite place. We would go there for lunch when I worked at Greenthumb. Bristol and Edinger, Right next to Pops bike shop. Me and Joe used to play in the old cars behind Commonwealth VW. Anybody remember these places?
  ...Leo

  By  leogent, at January 03, 2008 8:37 PM  

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• Wow, just this morning I had a "flash memory" out of nowhere of going to La Fonda with my family as a kid. Last time I was there was probably around 1975 (7 years old), but I distinctly remember the "small house" feel, big candy display, free lollipops - they also had a large display of cigars and I remember smelling the flavored ones.
  
  There was a wishing well out front too. Yes, the vinegary salad was a big favorite of mine, but other than that all I remember eating was corn tortillas with butter :-)
  
  Thanks for sharing. I wish I could go back there and see it again...

  By  David Krull, at January 11, 2008 11:50 AM  

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• On Chapman Avenue, up in El Modena, there was once a very old church, Baptist, I think, that was slated to be torn down, but the Mexican restaurant beside it, the White Tortilla Kitchen, bought it, and made it over into a larger version of their old storefront place. I remember going there with my folks, sitting on the patio under the beautiful pepper trees, watching the tortillas being made there, while the main cooking took place inside.
  
  Does this place still operate? It would be sad to lose such an old pair of landmarks- the church and the White Tortilla Kitchen.

  By  LadyDeerskin And Her Service Dog, at January 23, 2008 2:03 PM  

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• Umberto owns la Perlita on Main Street, Santa Ana is from Chihuahua, Mexico and often sang along with visiting Mariachi who roamed Main Street on Saturday nights entertaining restaurant guests for tips. Umberto’s slow cooked Pork Carnitas were the best ever.

  By  Anonymous, at January 25, 2008 9:03 AM  

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• The Mexican restaurant in El Modena is Moreno's and is still operating--a lovely location with the Church and the pepper trees.

  By  Anonymous, at February 17, 2008 2:39 PM  

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• Definately La Chicita on Washington near Lincoln (east of Main). Family run, father would sit at the cash register take the money, give out candy, had a wall of kids and relatives pictures behind him, even patrons pictures and their kids. Louie's on Main at 15th, oh yes, went to lunch there from Willard school, so many kids' go there they made us come in the back to the kitchen to get our food.

  By  Anonymous, at March 06, 2008 10:25 AM  

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• SOME OF YOU WERE PREETY CLOSE ON THE MEXICAN RESTRAUNT ON 17TH ST, IT WAS CALLED "CASA PALMA", HOME OF THE $3.50 BIG WET BURRITO, CAN'T FIND THAT ANYMORE.

  By  JIM GILBERTSON, at March 24, 2008 1:52 PM  

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• I remember a family owned place named La Fonda. It was on Main St. in the area of 1st or 4th I think.
  Someone also mentioned eating at Kenny's Taco's on 17th near Tustin Ave. They had the BEST soft tacos in the world. I don't even remember any other place offering soft tacos.

  By  LarryHowlett, at April 07, 2008 10:07 PM  

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• I do also remember Louie's.... We eat here all the time and then they moved up off of Main near the Hospital. That was even better because we lived on River Lane, just off of Flower near Jack Fisher park.

  By  LarryHowlett, at April 07, 2008 10:13 PM  

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• We owned a Mexican restaurant on 8th and Main in Santa Ana called Sombrero Street. Our restaurant was open from May 1975 to January 1996, but we still continue on with our catering, Country Garden Caterers, in the same location. We used to win the Southern California Restaurant Writers Awards just about every year we were in business and a few years (while they awarded them) we received the top 10 brunches in So Cal award.
  We were a family owned business and we had killer albondigas soup.

  By  Anonymous, at May 01, 2008 12:19 AM  

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• I am amazed that after all of these years, people would still talk about La Fonda.
  
  My Family had ran it for approx 51 years, 1939-1990
  
  My Grandfather, Gil Gonzales passed away in 1985. My Grandmother took over, but abruptly shut it down in 1990.
  
  I started as a busboy when I was
  14 years old in 1982. Did that for about 3 years, then served for 2 years until it was closed down.
  
  For some reason I just typed in La fonda in google and came accross this blog, and was shocked to see the memories people still have about the restaurant.
  
  As a token of my appreciation to all of you I am going to create a La Fonda web site.
  
  It might take a bit of time but I will do it.
  
  It would be fun to share memories and see pictures of what used to be.
  
  Who knows maybe I will find the salad recipe that some were talking about :)

  By  B.Gonzales, at May 12, 2008 1:44 PM  

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• La Fonda Was the first Mexican food I ever had, and the best. Probably about 1960, age 7. I remeber the salad, buttered flour tortillas, Nesbitt's strawberry
  soda and the tamales. My parents said movie stars used to drive down from L.A. to eat there. The atmosphere was so cozy and the candy counter was amazing!
  So sad that it, and so many other Orange County memories are gone. Now it's just a parking lot next to the 500 Club.

  By  Gackabeedies, at June 20, 2008 10:36 AM  

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• The restaurant your recalling is definately La Fonda's.....Oh how I wish I could have one of their beef taco's right now! Their beef was amazing.
  
  I was born in 1975 and our family ate there all the time. My mother used to eat there with her parents when she was young too. I remember the tortilla's were amazing. And I LOVED getting a grape soda as a kid! Yes, I remember the wishing well too. I used to always leave a penny there.
  
  I distinctly remember getting those sunkist gummi circle shaped candies at the candy counter....cherry, orange, lemon etc. Plus, they sold blackjack gum.
  
  Does anyone remember the old cash register machine they used where you punch in the numbers and you see your bill get tallyed up?
  
  Oh and those cigars. I used to look at them as a kid and think they were for grandpa's only.
  
  One week, our family piled into the car and drove up to Santa Ana for our weekly fix. All of a sudden, the doors were shut and that was it. My mom was literally speechless. It had become the restaurant where every member of our family had our "birthday" meal each year. It was frequented by my aunts, uncles, cousins etc. I think my mom even had the Gonzales home phone number. I kinda remember her talking to someone in the family shortly after. I think she told us kids that the new woman (your grandmother?) had said it was just too much work to cook for an entire restaurant....at least that is what my mom said to us.
  
  Hey, if your digging up any recipe's, let me know how to make the beef tacos. I would DIE a happy person if I could eat your families cooking again (jenivy@hotmail.com)

  By  Anonymous, at August 20, 2008 7:47 PM  

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• La Fonda's was a institution in our extended Myrick family. My parents started going there in 1945when they moved from Kansas City, KS to Santa Ana, CA. I went from 1947 (when I was born) until 1990 when it was abruptly closed. My children grew up going to La Fonda's and it was a favorite place to celebrate our family birthdays.
  
  I can't tell you how devastated we all were when it closed! Had I known I would have crawled on my hands and knees begging for the receipe for their beef tacos!
  
  Since 1990 our entire family have made it their Life Quest to find a Mexican restaurant as good as La Fonda's -- and that includes our combined traveling to over 50 countries! We have all failed! There will never be another La Fonda's! It is but a wonderful memory.
  
  To Gil Gonzales' grandson: I remember your grandfather with great affection. He was a true gentleman with a big heart. He always had a kind word and a smile for everyone. He was also very involved in supporting the youth athletic programs in the community. I also remember his mother -- your great-grandmother fondly. She ran the cash register for as long as I could remember. And she was the one to sell you whatever you selected from that famous candy counter.
  
  Your grandfather was the one to teach me how to eat refried beans rolled up in a buttered tortilla. Oh! the memories! The salad with the vinegar dressing with the two tortilla chips stuck on the side (something I'd forgotten about until reading others' memories), those creamy, packed-with-flavor refried beans that I've never been able to find anywhere else in the world and those beef tacos. Oh! what I'd give for just one more of those one-of-a-kind tacos! My mouth won't stop watering . . .
  
  I remember Armando very well, too. He started working there while still in high school as a bus boy and ended up being the manager after your grandfather passed away.
  
  One day I stopped in for lunch right after they had opened up and ordered my usual: 2 beef tacos, all refied beans/no rice and corn tortills. My first bite of refried beans was -- terrible! I tasted it again and realized that the cook had forgotten to put any salt in the new batch of refried beans. I brought it to the attention of Armando and everyone was very grateful that the beans could be rectified before the big lunch crowd had come in.
  
  I know that there are A LOT of people that would love to make contact with the Gonzales family and get their hands on their favorite receipes. And, I've heard talk of having some kind of reunion. Wouldn't that be a hoot!And, I know that your promised web site is something that is looked forward to with much appreciation and anticipation.
  
  I remember once having a conversation with Armando and I told him that he should open up a branch restaurant in the Newport Beach area because he could make a lot of money. He said, "It will never happen!" I asked, "Why!?" And he said, "We only have one cook. It wouldn't be the same. She has been the only cook that we have ever had. When she decides to retire we will close the restaurant!" I guess she retired in 1990. And, sadly, all good things much eventually come to an end.
  
  Gloria Myrick Pedersen gloped@earthlink.net

  By  Anonymous, at August 21, 2008 12:52 PM  

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• RE: La Fonda
  To B. Gonzales and all the rest. I am the daughter of Raul Gonzales, Gil's Brother. My father ran the other La Fonda family restaurant on Beach Blvd. in Stanton and guess what I have? You guessed it - the receipes! I would love to correspond with you B. as you are my second cousin. Who do you belong to? Elaine, Cheryl or Gil Jr? Please contact me so I can contribute to your website. tinafonte@hotmail.com

  By  Tina Gonzales Fonte, at September 02, 2008 7:10 PM  

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• well I think the one post that got it right is Casa Palma. Or at least that is the name that struck a cord with me--the original poster. I know it definitely was NOT la fonda. I can still see my family sitting at a semi circle booth eating. I always got the enchiladas.

  By  Kathryn King, at September 24, 2008 1:53 PM  

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• I also ate at La Fonda's as a child in the 60's and 70's, who ran the La Fonda's on Harbor, we ate at both of the restaurants.

  By  Anonymous, at October 01, 2008 10:52 AM  

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• I also grew up at going to dinner at La Fondas. I remember Gil and Armondo, the lollipops as well as the wishing well. When my daughter was born I don't think it was 1 minute after walking in the door before she was whisked out of my arms and taken in the back to see the ladies in the kitchen. I still compare every Mexican restaurant I go to to it and would pay big money for a "Regular Dinner". If any of the family members would give up any of the reipes .. I'd love to buy a cookbook.

  By  Oscars mom, at October 05, 2008 6:43 PM  

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