Today, I'm going to feature one of the oldest restaurants in San Antonio. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll tell you up front that I work there, both as the webmaster who constructed and maintains their website, and as one of the bartenders. That said, La Fonda is an enduring part of San Antonio's history. I can say, without fear of contradiction, that folks from all over the world have enjoyed La Fonda's affordable Mexican specialties, and that you'll not find a better margarita anywhere!
La Fonda's History
La Fonda Oak Hills can lay claim, with justification, to
being the oldest continually operating Mexican restaurant in the Alamo City. Virginia
Berry, the grandmother of La Fonda's current 3rd. generation owner (Mr. John Berry) spent
her childhood years in Monterrey, Mexico, where her father worked for a mining company.
While living there, she developed a love for the tastes and traditions of Mexico. When the
family moved to San Antonio, Virginia, now a young woman, opened a small shop on Main
Avenue offering fresh tamales, tostados, and hot sauce. That small shop soon evolved
across the street into what would be the original La Fonda restaurant in 1932. For many
years, the family lived above the restaurant.
John's father, Jack, followed in his mother's footsteps and opened La Fonda
Oak Hills at 350 Northaven. At that time, the current location was still "way out in
the country". John has been operating La Fonda Oak Hills in the family tradition
since his father's death in 1982, with just a few changes; one by design and one by
serendipity. By design, the menu still offers many of Virginia's original recipes, with a
nod to "Heart Healthy" items, using cholesterol-free canola oil for cooking and
frying. Through serendipity, a 1986 break-in created an unexpected opportunity for
renovations. Burglars spent an unsuccessful night trying to open the restaurant's safe.
While bungling the safecracking, they did help themselves to the abundant supply of
tequila in the bar. Eventually, in frustration, they poured spirits around the restaurant,
and set it ablaze. Following the fire, John made the decision to add a function room to
accomodate celebrations of all types; anniversarys, weddings, rehearsal dinners, office
parties, club meetings, birthdays, etc.
In the summer of 2007, John inaugurated La Fonda's newest feature, "al fresco" dining on the outdoor patio pictured below.
Check out their website HERE
Years ago, to circumvent restrictive laws about serving
liquor, La Fonda asked that you become a "club member". The original club rules
are posted below for your enjoyment. Take a moment to decipher the script. Check out
"ARTIKEL II" It will give you a chuckle!
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