Omg!!! We just stumbled into this place after a long road trip. It appears we were lucky enough to be at the grand opening of this location. It's right across from the hotel we are staying at. First off, the customer service is top tier. Everything is sparkling CLEAN, and the food is INSANELY GOOD. My daughter and I ordered bowls. I got the cabbage and Peruvian beans as a base, carne asada, salsa, pico and corn de gallo, pickled onions, and cilantro. And a side of chips. Chefs kiss. My daughter got all the bases I did including rice. She ordered carnitas and carne asada and we each got agua de Jamaica. The food was delicious, fresh, and exactly what we needed after a long drive. Not crazy heavy. The ingredients are quality. The staff was so friendly and kind and thoughtful. Such an unexpected and pleasant experience! read more

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Food was delicious, variety salsas to try. Service was great very welcoming and friendly. Surprised there isnt more people the flavor to thr food was definitely there. They played good music too, its close by the beach, would atop by before or after the beach read more

Fonda Moderna - Nachos - Tacos Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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New BOSS in New Port Beach. Chef Brian is a Master Chef who puts the chefs at Mastros Ocean Club to shame. Don't waste your time on any other restaurants in the areas. else until you have had the whole menu. It will take you several visits but if you work in one of the office buildings here you will have the best tasting month of your life. I guarantee it! Wagyu Mishima Taco for the win! Your Welcome, SteakDaddy read more

Fonda Moderna - Don't forget a Mexican Jarrett's soda or a Mexican Coke with real sugar! #Organic - Tacos Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Decided to give this place a shot due to the extensive meat selection. I originally tried to order the Wagyu ribeye burrito, but since they were out, I opted for the porterhouse. Unfortunately, the burrito was a huge letdown. After the first bite, it was clear it was mostly beans and rice. Even after a few more bites, there was barely any meat and what was there was poor quality: paper-thin strips with a lot of gristle. If you're going to charge $23 for a burrito, there should be at least 3-4 ounces of decent meat in it. As for the salsas, the red chile tasted like someone dumped way too much lime in it (sour as hell), though the jalapeño salsa was actually nice. I genuinely hate leaving bad reviews for small businesses, but I felt completely ripped off. I won't be back. read more

I'm gonna say the first thing that they could improve is the salsa it kind of tasted like it had a high amounts of vinegar in it possibly spoiled. The place itself has a cute ambience, so it was very excited to order my food and very disappointed when it didn't turn out good. The man at the front counter was nice enough but a little odd because when I asked for salsa and chips on the side, he put it right on my bowl. :/ For the price of this, I wouldn't recommend. I got my food to go so possibly it's better to dine in. read more

Fonda Moderna is an elevated taqueria. Quality meats, house-made tortillas, and salsas. The Cochinita Pibil bowl with roast cabbage, Peruvian beans, rice, marinated red onions, and guacamole is delicious. The Birria taco is flavorful. Hibiscus tea is refreshing and addictive. Free refills would be nice. Great experience and I hope they will offer the option of plates for those who prefer items spaced out individually. Definitely a must try and staff is very friendly. read more

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New spot in the Newport/Irvine/SNA business area and really caught me by surprise how flavorful everything was! They have a pretty extensive menu for a fast casual spot, offering a variety of meats in whichever form you prefer: bowl, taco, or burrito. I can definitely see this being a popular spot to grab during a weekday lunch with all the nearby offices here. Their soft opening special included a bowl of your choice, an agua fresca, and a dessert -- all for $12, which is truly a steal! I picked to start my bowl with white rice and roasted cabbage, then birria for my protein choice. I added included the toppings and it came out to be a pretty hefty amount. They also added a bag of chips with the order, perfect for dipping in any of the salsas that were available for self-serve at the salsa bar next to the checkout counter. Even though the birria wasn't served in the consommé like most places do, this had some of the better birria flavors and tasted legit. With the perfectly roasted cabbage and pickled onions, each bite was hearty and tasty. The agua fresca was a hibiscus one, which has a slight tartness to it (which i like). The dessert were bunuelos (aka churro chips) that were sweet and crunchy. The space had ample searing (indoor and outdoor) along with fun decor featuring punchy wall art, orange accents, and comfy booth seats as well. Service was really friendly (though my only comment for improvement is to have the staff speak louder because that glass panel really muffles any audio from behind!). Otherwise you may want to turn down the music just a little bit. read more

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Been meaning to try Fonda Moderna and was excited to see that they opened in Newport Beach. Came here during their soft opening and tried their $12 special - bowl (normally $18), aqua fresca and dessert - what a deal! You can build a bowl or order tacos or burritos. The bowl has three different bases (rice, roasted cabbage and beans - you can have all three) and you can split your protein between two different fillings. I got the chicken tinga and the cochinita pibil. Both were really good and flavorful, with the tinga having a bit of heat. Toppings include guacamole at no extra charge! The meal also came with a hibiscus aqua fresca and some bunuelos. My husband got a tinga burrito. The tortilla was fresh, which really makes a difference. There's a salsa bar - always a plus! Will definitely come back to get some tacos, so I can try more fillings. They have seafood and several vegan options, as well. read more

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Fonda Moderna just opened near SNA near the border of Newport Beach and Irvine, located in a small center next to a dry cleaner and what used to be an old Staples store. A pretty unassuming plaza, but once you walk into Fonda Moderna, with its clean white walls, pops of bright orange, and warm, welcoming staff, you just know you want to spend time there, relax, and enjoy delicious food. This is a quick service restaurant, yes, but the quality of the food and ingredients, and friendly service, feels more like a sit-down restaurant. The ordering process is similar to Chipotle or Cava. But unlike your typical slop bowl place, everything feels and tastes more elevated here. If you want to go through the bowl-making process, get in line. If you want tacos or burritos, head straight to order from the register. Coming for their soft opening special (a bowl, drink, and dessert), I went and ordered from the bowl line. First, build your base: white rice, Peruvian beans, roasted cabbage (select as many as you like). Second, select your proteins (up to two): I went with hanger steak asada and cochinita pibil (stewed pork). Other protein choices like pollo a las brasas, birria, and chicken tinga looked so delicious as well. Lastly, the toppings: guac comes standard!!! (not an extra cost!), tomato salsa, pickled onions, pico de gallo, guaca-salsa, and cilantro. Our soft opening special also came with chips, hibiscus drink, and buñuelos, which if you haven't had before think of it like churro chips! Salsa bar to the side has a selection of three kinds: red, green, and my favorite, creamy avocado salsa (which surprisingly was the spiciest!). I'll definitely return! read more

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Absolutely amazing meat selections here. Had the sirloin wagyu burrito which comes with a side of the organic house chips. Loved it all. Great selection of salsas at the bar. Service was great. Will be coming back to try way more items for an updated review. Inside is lively and modern. Way to go read more

Fonda Moderna - Sirloin burrito - Tacos Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I gave this place so many chances because I thought since they're new they still need to adjust or whatever right... The prices are way too high for what they offer... their meats are NOT good, the churros were horrible, the chips were stale and the fish taco had waaaaaay to much sauce on top it made the taco soggy and just horrible. I've been here 5 times and those 5 times were just not a positive experience. It sucks because it's a great location, but I prefer to wait long lines at taco stand since it has way better prices and food. read more

The newly opened Fonda Moderna, a delightful respite easily missed in the hidden corner by the Hyatt hotel and First Bank. Inside you'll find quality food and plentiful options, from customizable bowls to menu ready tacos, burritos, and more, met with energetic colors and lively music. Staff inside feel like they are happy to see you, and treat each individual with attention and care. The place is a great oasis in an otherwise desert of food options this side of the airport. read more

Fonda Moderna - Customized bowl - Birria and Pollo - Tacos Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Welcoming and clean. Tacos were not bad at all, but not great, small size for the price, just flour tortillas, first time I am in a taqueria with no corn tortilla option. I ordered a bowl since I can't have flour and it was good but not great, the rest of the party ordered tacos and liked it but no one said it was worth to come back. Nice staff, polite and helpful but I personally don't think I will be coming back. read more

Nachos are delicious! Staff was wonderful. Fresh food, fish tacos batter was wonderful and crispy , great salsa bar.

You feel welcome from the moment you walk in. Lots of bright clean white with pops of orange , the chairs, and lots of fresh green plants. Quick service style for the bowls on the menu, and then the rest of the tasty food is delivered to your table. Friendly staff, excellent service and the authentic tasting food was very good. Don't forget the home made aqua Fresca. read more

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We tried this restaurant and the staff were very friendly, the place was clean. However, we felt the food was too salty. It was a little bit of a disappointment. read more

My boyfriend and I went here for the first time tonight, and were quite disappointed. The whole premise is set up so anyone who is getting a bowl has their food already made, and anything else on the menu has to be cooked to order. So because I got a bowl and my boyfriend got a burrito, my food sat on the counter for about 15 minutes while they cooked his food. Separately, multiple items on the menu said that they included cheese, but when I asked if I could have cheese on my bowl, I was told that they did not have any. There were also only a few toppings that could be added to the bowl at all. We spent $51 for one bowl and one burrito. This was definitely not worth it for half of our food to be cold. read more

The tacos at Fonda is EXCELLENT. Easily the best tacos in OC for the price point, which is on the higher side. The guisados or stewed meat tacos were not as good. The nachos are underwhelming. Service was really slow, but we did show up on the late side so maybe that's why? Their Tustin location was very prompt and maybe the tacos were slightly better done, so I would go there if I had a choice, but that location closes too early. All in all, definitely my go-to for tacos. read more

Loved that the shells were thin and pan-pressed instead of fried -- though honestly they felt more like a crepe than a taco. The meat had a nice crispy sear but wasn't juicy. The beans and sauce were there, but they didn't tie everything together. Every element was done well on its own, but the whole thing felt like it was missing something. read more

Fonda Moderna - Chicken taco and pork taco - Tacos Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Awesome New Mexican food in Newport by the airport. High quality and great recipes. The tacos are unique and elevated. Carne Asada, Pollo las Brasas, and Pastor. New York steak tacos and Burritos, Birria and much more. So happy to have an office close by. read more

Fonda Moderna - New York steak tacos. - Tacos Near Me - Newport Beach, California

If you aren't getting a bowl do not come here unless you wanna spend the majority of your lunch time waiting for a small burrito that has very minimal protein and a half cooked tortilla at a premium price. I was waiting so long that the cook yes the cook asked what I was waiting for! Even after being told what I ordered he proceeded to make multiple burritos before mine. To stand there for over 20 minutes and see a cook have to be reminded that I was waiting for one burrito was very annoying and the outcome of my burrito was so bad it was super salty literally no other flavor but salt. For the price, portion and convenience I just can't and will not recommend this place to anybody. read more

The tortilla shell for the tacos is really fantastic. Filet and shrimp taco was very good and everything seemed quite fresh. The Birria Taco was also really good but very very rich and packed with flavor. Great spot read more

Big mistake to try this place out tonight when we needed something quick and easy after arriving into SNA. Menu looked good but unfortunately the food is not. Terrible, unacceptable quality. Out of 3 Carne Asada tacos maybe there was enough for one taco that wasn't complete gristle. Fish tacos were soggy and tasteless. The tortilla strips on the salad were completely stale. Mushroom taco and chorizo/potato tacos were so salty we didn't eat them. When I confronted the staff and showed them the meat we couldn't eat they said nothing. Can't see this restaurant making it unless they can make a drastic change. read more

Hanger Steak Burrito is amazing as well as the Baja Fish tacos! Top Quality meat/protein! Homemade flour tortillas melt in your mouth and bicolored tortilla chips are perfectly salted and delicious! I have no idea what the creamy green sauce is at the salsa bar but it is to die for! I could literally drink it, it's so delicious! We ate here on Friday night for dinner and then on Saturday went to lunch at the other location near The Hangars/The District and the experience/food was just as good! read more

Hot and fresh, all the tacos were made fresh to order, also fresh flour tortillas. Great salsa bar. I tried the carne Asada, squash and corn and al pastor read more

Incredible tacos! The birria and conchinita pibil tacos were beyond delicious. They use premium meats, fresh tortillas and hand made salsas. We can't wait to go back! read more

Best cuts of meats / home made tortillas and salsas- quality is top shelf! I got the American Wagyu sirloin, picana and shrimp taco- enjoyed all of them read more

I don't write too many reviews these days, but OMG this place is good! Easily the best fast-casual Mexican meal I've ever had . Was originally going to go to another place in the same strip center, but saw that Fonda Moderna was open and decided to give it a shot. Turns out this is day one of their soft opening, and I was customer number three. I had one of their bowls, with a rice, bean, and cabbage base and chicken, carnitas, guacamole and green chili sauce. Off the charts tasty, with the surprise star of the show being the cabbage. Very flavorful, which is not something you would normally hear when talking about cabbage. Super-friendly staff as well. My one complaint is that they didn't have my go-to drink, unsweetened iced tea. But outside of that, everything else was a total 10/10. My advice: check this place out as soon as you can. It's going to be popular when the word gets out. read more