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    Fonda Moderna

    4.2 (44 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Fonda Moderna

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    ASADA TACO
    Sam R.

    If anyone knows me, they know I rarely like to eat the same thing or at the same place twice in a row. This place has been one of the rare exceptions! Easily, this has become one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Orange County. It's Fast Casual, where you order at the counter, and you can take your food to go or they will serve it at your table. There are two locations. The one we dined at is their Newport location that just opened in Summer 2026 (right next to John Wayne Airport). The other location is located in Tustin at The Flight (will be trying that location in the future). The Newport location has seating enough to fit about 30 people with some more tables outside, and I loved rocking out to all the fun SoCal/Mexican songs. The item that brought me back for a second day in a row was the Campo Grande Iberico Pork Burrito. The meat is delicious and I am a huge fan of the chihuahua cheese that comes in it. Definitely will be coming back to try their other menu items! 10/10 going to eat here again!

    Don't forget a Mexican Jarrett's soda or a Mexican Coke with real sugar!  #Organic
    Rich B.

    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

    Ribeye, surf & turf & New York Steak tacos! Delicious!!
    Michael Min C.

    I came to Fonda Moderna after my chiropractor session and I am so happy that I came! I had the wagyu ribeye, New York Steak and the surf and turf tacos and wow!! It was delicious. High quality meat and the tortillas were so fresh. Sorry Tacos Los Cholos but Fonda in my opinion is better. Service was great, the lady was very helpful since it was my first time. 5 stars by a mile!!

    Michelle Z.

    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.

    Outside
    Tiffany Y.

    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.

    Daph H.

    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.

    Jenning Y.

    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!

    Sirloin burrito
    Mandro E.

    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

    Customized bowl - Birria and Pollo
    Tony L.

    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.

    Front of the restaurant
    Laura U.

    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.

    Chicken taco and pork taco
    A P.

    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.

    New York steak tacos.

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    1 month ago

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    1 month ago

    The tacos where amazing ! Had the mushroom in adobo, Iberian pork and pastor tacos . All three were delicious.

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    3 months ago

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    3 days ago

    Gas af- excellent food with even better service. Brian was the boy. Best fish taco I've ever had

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    1 month ago

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    29 days ago

    Great creative fresh Mexican fusion! And prices are reasonable! I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys flavorful Mexican food!

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    3 months ago

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    2 months ago

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

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    1 month ago

    Wanted to like it but nah. Everything was salty. The meat portion for the burrito was not worth it at all

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    Page 1 of 2

    Fonda Moderna Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Fonda Moderna

    Chihuahua Cerveza - Adobo de rez, carnitas & mahi mahi tacos. Spirolina lemonade & Jamaica aguas frescas

    Chihuahua Cerveza

    4.6(1.1k reviews)
    5.2 mi
    •$$

    do not sleep on the taco borrachos, they were absolutely flavorful and the shredded beef were…read more*chef's kiss*. love the ambiance of the restaurant, super chill. many options for seating, either at the bar, indoors, or outdoors on the patio. you can even choose from tableside service or order and sit down. love that chips and salsa are comp, which should always be the case for mexican restaurants, even if it is built into the menu pricing elsewhere. the salsa bar is one of the best i've ever seen with plenty of spice options to choose from- my personal fave is the avo salsa. let's not forget the drinks- the strongest margarita i've had in a long while and i regret not sharing it because after having one i was basically done for- lol. i love that cc is located in a shopping plaza that provides ample of parking- now that was during the weekday, not sure how it is during the weekend but i can see it being crazy during summer weekends. can't say it's "affordable" but it was certainly a great drinks and even greater food.

    Walked to this cute restaurant for dinner. The server at the counter was pleasant and greeted us…read morein. He said open seating everywhere including patio where we would order at the counter, get a number, and delivery to the table. Or full service in a certain section. We opted to sit in the patio area so we ordered at the counter. We received free chips with our order and they have a salsa bar with a few sauces plus limes. Our orders did not take long. My fish tacos meal with a draft beer and tip was about $34. My favorite were the tacos. Fish was tasty and seasoned well. Nice crunch and sauces. Chips were good. Rice and black beans could use more flavor. The patio was nice and we able to watch sports on a big screen. We all enjoyed our dinners and time there.

    Photos
    Chihuahua Cerveza - The BIG Chihuahua Burrito for two

    The BIG Chihuahua Burrito for two

    Chihuahua Cerveza - Chihuahua Rosado

    Chihuahua Rosado

    Chihuahua Cerveza - Pup-friendly patio

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    Pup-friendly patio

    Sancho's Tacos - Federale Taco

    Sancho's Tacos

    3.9(560 reviews)
    5.3 mi
    •$$

    We loved Sancho's Tacos so much while visiting Newport Beach that we ate there three days in a row!…read more The first visit was for breakfast in the restaurant, and breakfast burritos did not disappoint. The next two were takeout trips to enjoy at the beach. On our first stop, I ordered the chicken tacos, one of my daughters had the shrimp tacos, and my other daughter got the beef burrito. Everything was outstanding. The burrito was especially impressive, and everyone loved their meal. The real star of the show for me was the chips and salsa. The chips are an easy 5 stars. They were perfectly crunchy, fresh, and tasted homemade. The salsa was authentic, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. I enjoyed them so much that I went back another day just to order a large bag of chips and salsa for the beach. If you love great homemade tortilla chips, this place will not disappoint. Beyond the food, the atmosphere was hip and welcoming, and the staff was friendly during every visit. I make it a point to try tacos wherever I travel, and Sancho's definitely ranks among my favorites. Great food, nice people, and a great overall experience. Highly recommend Sancho's Tacos to anyone visiting Newport Beach!

    We normally eat at the Huntington Beach location as we frequent HB. We were in Newport last weekend…read moreand ate here for lunch since we discovered Chihuahua had closed down in the same lot. Got the surf and turf burrito to share with my husband and also a side of chips and salsa. Seemed a bit expensive at $30 for one burrito and some chips but it was tasty as usual.

    Photos
    Sancho's Tacos
    Sancho's Tacos - Yard Bird Taco

    Yard Bird Taco

    Sancho's Tacos - O.G. Taco

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    O.G. Taco

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Lobster  Tacos

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    5.1 mi
    •$$$

    Dare I say I prefer this place over Javier's??…read more Okay okay I came here on a whim with a girlfriend and Palmilla fully exceeded our expectations. We did not have a reservation but we were able to sit at the bar, and eventually we moved to the center communal table. Honestly, I would prefer to sit there than at a private table! You are so in the mix of the whole restaurant, great place to be social. To drink I had a skinny margarita with raspberries added and my friend had the orangutan (espresso martini). My drink was SO good and SO cute. I am being serious when I say after I ordered it, the entire communal table got it too. I love that instead of chips and salsa they bring you fresh, hot tortillas with salsas and HONEY BUTTER?? to dip them in. This was so yummy and definitely unique to Palmilla. We ordered the guacamole, combo plate with a cheese enchiladas and crispy beef taco, and the filet mignon tacos. The only thing I might skip is the guac but thats just knit picking because everything else was so good. The ambiance of this place is beautiful. Think boujee beach bar in Tulum with a natural pallet and foliage. Every member of staff we met was also a 10/10! I'll be back!

    10/10 Most…read moreimportantly: Oliver @ the bar made this is most memorable experience. All of the cocktails and margs we had were delicious! The hand made tortillas with salsas was such a great and unique choice! Someone finally realized that as delicious as they are, eating that many fried tortillas in one setting can't be good ...Oh! And that honey butter. Divine. Fruit margs, spicy margs, every single one of them is PERFECTION. Make sure you upgrade to Ocho blanco (trust me it will save you a hangover)... Shared the carne plate with chimichurri with asparagus and spanish rice...so flavorful and delicious. Large portion and perfectly cooked. Seabass ceviche was spot on and the plantains were next level. Music, ambience, people and vibes were just POSITIVE. New favorite Newport spot...I mean seriously, what other place has a motorized ceiling that opens at sunset hour? Take my money.

    Photos
    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Bar and dining room

    Bar and dining room

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Ceviche Tres Maneras

    Ceviche Tres Maneras

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Inside decor

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    Inside decor

    Bear Flag Fish - Ocean to table seafood in Lido Marina Village featuring freshly caught fish and bold coastal flavors at Bear Flag Fish Company in Newport Be

    Bear Flag Fish

    3.9(2.1k reviews)
    5.0 mi
    •$$

    Took me this long to finally try Bear Flag, and it did not disappoint!…read more Got a 1/2 pound of salmon poke and 1/2 pound of ahi tuna poke., and they each came with a side of tortilla chips! The salmon was buttery and soft, while the tuna was flavorful. Honestly don't know which one I liked more, they were both delicious. 'Bear Flag Taco': this tasted really fresh and light, felt like I could have multiple! 'Pineapple Margarita': I believe this was their special drink of the day, and it was only around $12! Personally thought it was strong, so it's such a good deal! Verdict: i didn't have high expectations, but everything I tried was actually really yummy!

    One of the Worst First Impressions I've Had at a Restaurant…read more I recently moved to Newport Beach and came across Bear Flag Fish Co. while shopping. It was my first time there, and unfortunately, it will probably be my last. I ordered a sushi lobster roll that was around $35. The menu did not clearly disclose the ingredients, and nobody explained to me what was included in the roll. When it arrived, it was covered in a very heavy amount of mayonnaise and other sauces mixed together. Because I have allergies to certain ingredients, I politely asked the waiter if they could take it back and prepare one without the sauces. The waiter was actually very polite and handled the request professionally. I had no issue with him whatsoever. Then JUAN, THE MANAGER, came over. Instead of trying to understand the situation or simply resolving the issue, he questioned why I would return an expensive item after it had already been prepared. I explained very clearly that the ingredients had not been disclosed to me and that I had an allergy, which was the reason I needed it prepared differently. His response was extremely unprofessional. Rather than showing concern about a customer's allergy or acknowledging that the ingredients could have been explained more clearly, he basically told me that the issue with the ingredients was not his business. Seriously? A customer comes into your restaurant for the first time, spends money on a $35 roll, explains that they have a food allergy, and this is how the manager chooses to handle the situation? Mistakes happen. Restaurants get orders wrong. That isn't what bothered me. The way management treated me after I politely explained the problem is what bothered me. For a restaurant charging premium prices, I expect premium-level customer service and professionalism. Instead, I left feeling like my concerns were an inconvenience. JUAN, as the manager, should understand that customer service is part of his job. If a customer has an allergy concern, the appropriate response should be to listen, clarify the ingredients, and find a reasonable solution--not argue with the customer about the cost of the food. The waiter was courteous and tried to help, so I want to give him credit for that. Unfortunately, the manager's behavior completely overshadowed the rest of the experience. First impression: extremely disappointing. If you're going to charge around $35 for a roll, customers should be able to expect clear communication about what's in their food and professional treatment when they raise a legitimate allergy concern. I came in as a new customer who was simply looking for a good place to eat in my new neighborhood. Instead, I walked away wondering how a restaurant with these prices can have management that handles customers this way.

    Photos
    Bear Flag Fish - Ocean to table seafood in Lido Marina Village featuring freshly caught fish and bold coastal flavors at Bear Flag Fish Company in Newport Be

    Ocean to table seafood in Lido Marina Village featuring freshly caught fish and bold coastal flavors at Bear Flag Fish Company in Newport Be

    Bear Flag Fish - Ocean to table seafood in Lido Marina Village featuring freshly caught fish and bold coastal flavors at Bear Flag Fish Company in Newport Be

    Ocean to table seafood in Lido Marina Village featuring freshly caught fish and bold coastal flavors at Bear Flag Fish Company in Newport Be

    Bear Flag Fish - Outside seating available

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    Outside seating available

    Chronic Tacos

    Chronic Tacos

    4.1(743 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    •$

    Last night I stopped by Chronic Tacos for a burrito because it's definitely one of my favorite…read moreplaces for a delicious burrito. Jessica was so sweet, and you could literally see the love she put into making it. It was amazing, as always! This morning I woke up and couldn't find my wallet. I completely freaked out! I had been at an outdoor concert on the beach and thought maybe I had lost it or, even worse, someone had taken it. I decided to call Chronic Tacos, even though I wasn't sure it could possibly be there. I spoke with Dina, and guess what? THEY HAD MY WALLET! I am beyond grateful and happy. Not only is the food absolutely delicious, but they are also honest, trustworthy, and kind. That means so much to me! Thank you, Dina and Jessica, for your kindness and honesty. Muchas gracias, siempre! Chronic Tacos, you're officially even more one of my favorite places!

    I've been coming to Chronic Tacos for a while, but I've never tried their birria burrito, so this…read morewas my first time giving it a shot. I kept it pretty basic with white rice, black beans, and cheese, and it was really good! The birria was tender and had a lot of flavor. The rice was great, the black beans were fantastic, and everything mixed together really well. It was a good-sized burrito too with plenty of filling. The only thing I wish they had was some of that consommé that usually comes with birria tacos. This burrito would've been really good dipped into that! But even without it, I really enjoyed it and would definitely order it again.

    Photos
    Chronic Tacos - Its a Surf N' Turf kinda day

    Its a Surf N' Turf kinda day

    Chronic Tacos - Shrimp enchiladas

    Shrimp enchiladas

    Chronic Tacos - Best Tacos in SoCal! IYKYK

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    Best Tacos in SoCal! IYKYK

    Fonda Moderna - tacos - Updated October 2026

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