Let's start with the positive, the restaurant was clean and peaceful. I went for lunch on a Thursday afternoon. I was seated at a booth as requested and was quickly brought chips and salsa. The chips were fresh and the salsa delicious with the right amount of heat. I ordered the El Poblano, which came with a small salad, Mexican rice and refried beans.I added the steak for a protein. I am familiar with the meal as I have made it myself at home. I'm sorry to say it was all very disappointing. The poblano had absolutely no flavor nor did the steak. I would have enjoyed the steak with a bit of a chili powered and cumin spice. After thinking about it I probably should have added some of the salsa from the chips to spice it up. You can't mess up refried beans so those were fine. The Mexican rice was extremely under cooked and some weren't cooked at all. The salad was the only positive of the meal itself. The waitress never came over to ask me how my meal was. The next time I saw her was when she brought me my bill. At that time I told her about the rice being very under cooked. He response was "ok". Now to be fair there was a sign that said under new management so I'm going to give them grace. If I lived near by I would give them another try after a couple months to see if they got all the kinks out. Maybe wait until Cinco da Mayo. They don't have a liquor license yet. read more

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I was SO hoping we had found a new "go to" Mexican place. Our server was very sweet - so she is the 2 stars. My husband had the Sopa de pollo and a soft beef taco and I had the Speedy (beef). Everything was mediocre at best. Including the margaritas. The House Margaritas were way too sweet - so I asked for a bunch of extra limes and added them. They weren't super busy for a Thursday lunch - which I would have expected them to be given the location. The decor feels new and maybe too much like the Applebees it used to be. read more

Fonda San Jose - Speedy Gonzalez - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

This restaurant is located in such an accessible area. The decor is fun and inviting. The menu is so vast and it is tough to make a decision. The chips and salsa are served complimentary and were light crispy and flavorful. I decided to order the shrimp fajitas. Fantastic! Steamy and comes out perfectly! Fabulous flavors and a colorful presentation. My server was efficient and very nice. I went between lunch and dinner so I had the staff and kitchens full attention. I really enjoyed this restaurant and I will definitely be back to explore more options on the menu. read more

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We decided to leave the office for lunch and saw a new Mexican restaurant across from Chili's downtown. They have a variety of lunch specials and I chose the pollo loco and my friend chose the burrito /enchilada. We also had complimentary chips with two salsas which I added a queso dip to go with them. My pollo loco was delicious and my friend was pleased with her meal as well. The darker salsa grew on me - was not a fan at first bite, but then the flavor seemed to develop as I ate it - quite different from the "standard" salsa you normally receive. The service was great and our waiter was knowledgeable. Great price. We will definitely go again. read more

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In town for a soccer tournament and we called asking for about feeding our huge group. The manager was lovely. They had everything setup for us, fed all of us quickly, let us hang out and the food was so good! read more

As soon as we arrived we were greeted by a woman who was so nice and helpful, we assumed she was an owner. She gave some great recommendations for our to go orders and sent us on our way. After a reasonable amount of time, another person apologized...for a wait that was under our quote and told us we'd receive a bag of chips and salsa as well. This bag was stuffed with chips to the point the salsa had to be put in the other bag. We had the chili poppers which were, I don't know if I can call them authentic because I'm not sure they're a real thing, but they were definitely delicious. The brisket burrito was missing something, but the brisket itself was good. The service, even for take out, took this place over the top. read more

Love the chips and salsa at Fonda San Jose, not to mention the cheese dip was great too. Food was great, and drinks were perfect. Love the 4.99 strawberry margaritas. Customer service was great. I will definitely being telling people to check this place out. read more

Greet Food and Great Service!!! We got the Steak Fajitas for two, plenty of food Restaurant was really nice on the inside. Give this folks a try. read more

My waiter was nice and gave good service. However, I ordered the steak fajitas and there was a hair in my fajita fixings. The waiter was nice to grab me a new one to go. ALSO this restaurant cheats its waiters out of proper tips!! As a waitress myself it saddens me to see that the bottom of the receipt gave percentage suggestions for tip and they were wrong! We spent $58.05 which 20% is $11.61 and the receipt said that 20% was equal to $10.50. I know it's a small difference but I hate that the waiters are getting cheated out of their tips if customers follow what the receipt suggests that their tip should be. read more

My son and I went for the first time on a Tuesday this past week. Everyone was super friendly and the food was seasoned great. They have a pretty large menu and thetr is a lot to choose from. The entree with three chicken , shrimp and rice was super yummy and everything was seasoned great. The lady behind me got the exact same dish but added onions and peppers , so I can't wait to try it this way next time. The cheese dip and salsa were both yummy. We will definitely go back and try more dishes. read more

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The food was fresh and still sizzling everything tasted authentic and great. The service was spot on quick and ready. The atmosphere and ambiance was ok a little darker than I prefer but for another it might be spot on. Yes I am planning on returning the next time I am in town. read more

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for Ordered large Fajitas Quesadillas. You can order 8 extra options. It was a lot of extras which I wished I had an option to order more wraps. The cheese dip was watery which was a disappointment. However, the food was very flavorful and we received the food hot. I will try again. read more

Fabulous food and service with a nice variety of menu options. Chips and salsa are on point! Margaritas never disappoint. Staff is friendly and service and ambiance are enjoyable. Highly recommend dropping by to check out their lunch or dinner specials! read more

Fonda San Jose - Excellent house margaritas! - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Great service and food. It's a large restaurant and they are very friendly. Portions are large. Margaritas are excellent and the happy hour price is unbelievable. We are moving to Chattanooga soon and this place is at the top of our list for happy hour and Mexican food. read more

Fonda San Jose - Happy hour margaritas. - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

The cheese dip and salsa was amazing- chips are light and crispy- staff were so nice and went out of their way to make sure our 3 small kids had all they needed- definitely coming back!! Food was so tasty- Manager is awesome- TRY THIS PLACE! It won't disappoint! read more

Fonda San Jose - Jackson LOVING the cheese dip and chips! - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Service was terrible on a Saturday night. Food was mediocre at best. I approached the Manager or possible owner after not receiving an item that I ordered and they seemed to care less. Definitely not authentic Mexican cuisine or wait staff. Stay away! read more

Stopped by for drinks. Sat at the bar. Chips and two versions of salsa. Had peach margaritas (too sweet after 2) and then switched to draft beer. Great for people watching. And the service was good. Mentioned we were celebrating a birthday and at the end of the night, the server brought the traditional hat and sweet dessert celebration. Truly enjoyed the evening. read more

Fonda San Jose - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Great atmosphere, friendly service, delicious food! Highly recommend dining at this restaurant!

Great service and tasty food. Will go back. Wine selection was minimal but margaritas were good.

The food is fine. Nothing special. The restaurant is advertised as Mexican but is closer to Tex mex. You won't find menudo or any of Mexico's amazing seafood. You will find passable, if not great Tex Mex. If you're looking for an affordable place in Chattanooga to get some chips and salsa and a couple enchiladas with friends, you're in the right place. read more

Fonda San Jose - Fajita nachos - Mexican Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

We had a late lunch there yesterday. Had steak fajita nachos and ordered a side of guacamole. Both were fresh, with great taste and value. Service was excellent! read more

OMG! This place is delish! We had great service, which is always welcomed! Our server - Cristian was very helpful telling us about the menu as this was first visit. He also was very attentive throughout the meal. Aside from excellent service the food was so dang good! It's been a bit since I have enjoyed a fish taco or birrilla taco as much as I did here. Thank you so much! read more

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Great atmosphere ...outstanding service and Chris the manager is way cool...ask for 10% off and tell him Mark said he should take care of you...and he will...also the Pineapple Margareta is the BOMB read more

Sat outside on 8-01-24 and ordered. Asked server to turn on ceiling fans. She went inside and later returned without fans being turned on. Asked again and was told she would ask the manager to turn them on. Nothing happened. I went inside and asked another person to turn them on. Nothing happened. Went inside and asked the manager to turn them on. He told me "when it is hot outside people can eat inside". I told him my date couldn't eat inside because it was too cold for her. He acted like he was going to turn them on, but didn't. I told him if he didn't turn them on that we would leave without paying. He told me to "go ahead and leave", which we did. I have never encountered such a non-responsive staff and have the manager ask me to leave just because he didn't want to turn on any of the several ceiling fans. read more

This is my favorite Mexican place in town. Great food and the bar is huge! The burritos are delicious.

I was visiting in the area and was looking forward to trying Fonda San Jose. I made a 6:30 reservation and then confirmed my reservation a few days before. When I showed up for my reservation there was a sign on the door that said "closing at 6 today." Why was I able to reserve a table when they were closed???? Very disappointed. read more

Food was good and the ambience was excellent. Drinks were strong and good. Waitstaff was excellent and very attentive.

We enjoyed the place. Your typical Mexican restaurant but conveniently located in downtown Chattanooga. The service was smooth and efficient. The food was good and exactly what we expected. read more

Shrimp quesadilla and shrimp tacos!! So good!! Server was great and had good recommendations. Got to sit outside on the patio, fun spot!

Came down to Chattanooga with family for the aquarium and the restaurant was great walking distance. Service was great. Waiter was friendly and always made sure we were taken care of. The owner/manager was very friendly as well, was a sweet man and made small talk. Very humble staff and amazing food. Compares to other Mexican restaurant the food was very authentic and savory. Would definitely go back if I had a chance to :) read more

The food was absolutely the best I have had in Chattanooga. The service was quick and friendly from the moment we walked it. Go...no run to this place in downtown Chattanooga! read more

i love this place! have been here many times they are all nice and always get my order right! even gave me a 10% off coupon!! everyone needs to go here read more