Featured Items
Tinga Taco
Shredded chicken with caramelized onions, salsa macha, queso fresco, Chihuahua cheese, pickled red onions, and a flour tortilla$6.00Carne Asada Burrito
A flour tortilla filled with chile ancho-marinated skirt steak, pico de gallo, crema, arroz blanco, and refried pinto beans. Finished suiza-style with melted Chihuahua cheese and your choice of salsa$18.00Quesabirria Taco
Shredded beef short rib with melted Chihuahua cheese, onions, cilantro, jalapeño salsa, and consommé on a corn tortilla$7.00
Lunch
Almuerzos
Burrito Mañanero
A flour tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, roasted poblano peppers, onions, potatoes, and salsa verde$13.00Tostada Francesa
Mexican-inspired challah French toast finished with seasonal toppings$15.00Chilaquiles Verdes
Crispy corn tortillas simmered in salsa verde, served with refried pinto beans, queso fresco, crema, onions, a sunny-side-up egg, avocado, and pickled red onions$15.00Chilaquiles Rojos
Crispy corn tortillas simmered in guajillo salsa, served with refried pinto beans, queso fresco, crema, onions, a sunny-side-up egg, avocado, and pickled red onions$15.00
Tortas
Torta de Churrasco
Thinly sliced ribeye with roasted poblano peppers, provolone cheese, caramelized onions, arugula, chimichurri mayo, and jalapeño aioli on a French baguette$21.00Birria Grilled Cheese
Tender shredded beef short rib with Chihuahua and provolone cheeses on grilled sourdough, served with Fonda’s creamy tomato bisque for dipping$21.00
Dinner
SPECIALS
Starters
Guacamole
Freshly prepared guacamole served with crispy tortilla chips$14.00Ceviche Rojo
Citrus-marinated shrimp with plum tomatoes, green olives, jalapeño, cilantro, avocado, and zesty tomato sauce$18.00Aguachile De Melon
Shrimp with tomatillo, red onion, Granny Smith apple, jicama, cucumber, cilantro, avocado, honeydew melon, and a spicy jalapeño-lime marinade$18.00Calamares
Lightly fried calamari with jalapeño, chile de árbol, and lemon slices, served with tomatillo-chipotle salsa$18.00Quesadillas
A classic Mexican quesadilla made with melted Chihuahua cheese, add your choice of protein$10.00Queso Fundido
A warm blend of baked panela, asadero, and Chihuahua cheeses with jalapeño salsa. Served with your choice of flour or corn tortillas$12.00Totopos
Crispy corn tortilla chips topped with refried beans, queso, pickled jalapeños, pico de gallo, queso fresco, guacamole, and crema$12.00Flautas De Papa
Crispy rolled corn tortillas filled with potato, poblano peppers, and Chihuahua cheese. Topped with shredded carrots, green and purple cabbage, pickled red onions, crema, queso fresco, and salsa roja$16.00
Soup & Salad
Mago Chopped
Chopped romaine with crispy corn tortilla strips, black beans, pico de gallo, jicama, sweet corn, radishes, roasted poblano peppers, avocado, cotija cheese, and agave-lime vinaigrette$14.00Poblano Cesar
Romaine lettuce tossed with baby kale, Parmesan, cotija cheese, garlic breadcrumbs, honey croutons, sesame seeds, roasted poblano dressing, and Caesar dressing$13.00Taco Salad
Lettuce, Chihuahua cheese, black beans, arroz rojo, pico de gallo, guacamole, and crema served in a large crispy flour tortilla shell$12.00Chicken Tortilla Soup
Pasilla chile broth with chicken and vegetables, topped with crispy tortilla strips, sour cream, and avocado$6.00Tomato Bisque Soup
Creamy tomato soup topped with salsa macha and quesadilla croutons$6.00
Classics
Carne Asada Burrito
A flour tortilla filled with chile ancho-marinated skirt steak, pico de gallo, crema, arroz blanco, and refried pinto beans. Finished suiza-style with melted Chihuahua cheese and your choice of salsa$18.00Birria Burrito
A flour tortilla filled with shredded beef short rib, pico de gallo, crema, arroz blanco, and refried pinto beans. Finished suiza-style with melted Chihuahua cheese and your choice of salsa$18.00Chicken Tinga Burrito
A flour tortilla filled with shredded chicken tinga, pico de gallo, crema, arroz blanco, and refried pinto beans. Finished suiza-style with melted Chihuahua cheese and your choice of salsa$16.00Poblano Rajas Burrito
A flour tortilla filled with roasted poblano peppers, roasted sweet corn, portobello mushrooms, crispy potatoes, pico de gallo, crema, arroz blanco, and refried pinto beans. Finished suiza-style with melted Chihuahua cheese and your choice of salsa$16.00Enmoladas
Three corn tortillas filled with your choice of cheese or chicken tinga, baked with cheese, and topped with mole poblano, shredded lettuce, onions, and crema. Served with arroz blanco$19.00Enchiladas Verdes
Three corn tortillas rolled with your choice of filling, baked with cheese, and topped with tomatillo salsa, shredded lettuce, onions, and crema. Served with arroz blanco$18.00Fajitas
All fajitas are served with caramelized Spanish onions, green and red peppers, pico de gallo, crema, guacamole, arroz rojo, black beans, and your choice of flour or corn tortillasFajitas Mixtas 2
Choose two fajita proteins or vegetables, served sizzling with caramelized onions and peppers, plus traditional fajita accompaniments$30.00Fajitas Mixtas 3
Choose three fajita proteins or vegetables, served sizzling with caramelized onions and peppers, plus traditional fajita accompaniments.$34.00Chilaquiles Verdes
Crispy corn tortillas simmered in salsa verde, served with refried pinto beans, queso fresco, crema, onions, a sunny-side-up egg, avocado, and pickled red onions$15.00Chilaquiles Rojos
Crispy corn tortillas simmered in guajillo salsa, served with refried pinto beans, queso fresco, crema, onions, a sunny-side-up egg, avocado, and pickled red onions$15.00
Tacos
Costilla Taco
Sliced ribeye steak with provolone cheese, avocado salsa, and salsa negra on a flour tortilla$6.50Campechano Taco
Grilled sirloin steak, chimichurri rojo, chorizo verde, jalapeño aioli, queso fresco, avocado, and cilantro on a corn tortilla$6.50Quesabirria Taco
Shredded beef short rib with melted Chihuahua cheese, onions, cilantro, jalapeño salsa, and consommé on a corn tortilla$7.00Arabes Taco
Chile-marinated pork with tahini-chipotle salsa, onions, cilantro, and a flour tortilla$6.00Mole Verde Taco
Marinated chicken breast with roasted corn, poblano peppers, caramelized onions, and pumpkin seeds on a corn tortilla$6.00Tinga Taco
Shredded chicken with caramelized onions, salsa macha, queso fresco, Chihuahua cheese, pickled red onions, and a flour tortilla$6.00Gobernador Taco
Sautéed shrimp with Chihuahua cheese, chicharrón, poblano-tomato salsa, pickled onions, and habanero aioli on a flour tortilla$6.50Baja Taco
Negra Modelo beer-battered Alaskan cod with chipotle coleslaw on a flour tortilla$6.50Milanesa Taco
Breaded eggplant with crispy potatoes, salsa macha, provolone cheese, and jalapeño aioli on a flour tortilla$6.00Rajas Taco
Roasted poblano peppers, crema, roasted sweet corn, crispy potatoes, queso cotija, and cilantro on a corn tortilla$6.00
De Paula
Carne Asada Tampiquena
A 10-ounce chile ancho-marinated skirt steak with chimichurri rojo, a cheese-stuffed enchilada topped with mole poblano, rustic mashed potatoes, crema, and queso fresco$36.00Filetes En Mole
Pan-seared beef tenderloin medallions with mole verde, arroz rojo, black beans, sweet plantains, crema, and queso fresco$37.00Filetes en Crema Morita
A 10-ounce flat iron steak topped with smoky chile morita cream sauce and served with rustic mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables$37.00Salmon a la Veracruzana
Oven-roasted wild salmon topped with savory tomato sauce, Manzanilla olives, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and cilantro$32.00Camarones al Mojo de Ajo Negro
Sautéed jumbo Gulf shrimp with black garlic mojo, julienned guajillo peppers, and lemon butter. Served with rustic mashed potatoes, crema, and queso fresco$29.00Pollo en Mole Poblano
Sautéed chicken breast topped with rich mole poblano and served with arroz rojo and sweet plantains$26.00Chile Relleno
A roasted poblano pepper stuffed with Chihuahua and Gouda cheeses, coated in a light soufflé-style batter, and served with tomato sauce, crema, and arroz rojo$22.00
Sides
Desserts
Cafe De Olla French Toast
Warm, coffee-spiced French toast topped with piloncillo and served with creamy vanilla bean ice cream.$15.00Elote Tres Leches
Fresh corn sponge cake soaked in three sweet milks and finished with rich cajeta caramel$15.00MEX AFFOGATO
$8.00Churro Cart
Cinnamon-sugar churros served with cajeta caramel, chocolate sauce, and a scoop of seasonal gelato$16.00Flan
$11.00Nieves
Two scoops of refreshing, Mexican-inspired seasonal sorbet$5.00
Catering Menu
Catering Appetizers & Salads
Catering Fajita Bar
Catering Taco Bar
Catering Enchiladas
All hours
| Sunday | 11:00 am - 8:30 pm |
| Monday | 11:00 am - 9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 11:00 am - 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11:00 am - 9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11:00 am - 9:30 pm |
| Friday | 11:00 am - 10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 11:00 am - 10:30 pm |
Restaurant info
Chef Juan Luis’s philosophy is simple: meals should bring people together. At Fonda de Paula, he’s created a space where vibrant flavors of regional Mexico shine, inspired by his grandmother's FONDA in Mexico City in the '60s. Every dish is crafted with care; every drink tells a story. Whether you’re popping in for lunch, gathering for a celebratory dinner, or enjoying brunch, Fonda de Paula is more than a restaurant—it’s a place to connect.
Location
1012 Curtiss St, Downers Grove, IL 60515
