La Fuente
625 S 5th St, Milwaukee, WI, 53204
La Fuente Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
625 S 5th St
Milwaukee, WI, 53204 - Phone (414) 271-8595
- Website https://www.ilovelafuente.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Heather I.
Very, very nice dinner! We were looking for a great place to sit outside and eat comida Latina, and this was the absolutely perfect spot! On this beautiful balmy September night, we visited this restaurant for the first time. Surely, the ambience can make the food taste better--sitting on the gorgeous patio at dusk as the lights came on the space sparkled and, along with the white brick building as a backdrop, I was reminded of San Juan. My chicken burrito was fantastic, and our server Omar good-naturedly put up with my California questions about the meats; shredded or not, etc. My partner ordered a plato de combinación, and it was very flavorful. As others have said, the chips & salsa leave something to be desired, but the prices were right and our plates came with sides of guacamole and sour cream that made up for that deficit. Parking was convenient, too. We will definitely be back before the snow starts to fall!
(4)Jen W.
In a world where Cempazuchi exists, this place doesn't need to. I only had one margarita (with Herradura) and an appetizer (mushrooms morelos) so my experience is limited. The mushrooms were fine (nothing special, nothing terrible) but the margarita was awful. And the service was painfully slow. We each had one drink and one app and were there for 2 hours.
(2)Mark E.
So I have been going to this restaurant for easily 25 years. I saw them go from a 20 table one room place to expand to probably 300 table place going into the 1st and 2nd floors of an attached adjacent building and adding a lot of out side seating. The food was always incredible, service good, and Margaritas were tasty and very potent. This place was always full with waiting on the weekends. Probably over the last 5 years have seen a decline in food quality. We went there this summer for lunch while up there for summerfest. Had some friends in from AZ with us. The food was not great, presentation sucked, service wasn't particularly good. Order a small side of guacamole and it was just ok. When they brought out the food, the little side of guac was brown. My wife had one Margarita. In the past it would only take one Margarita for her to get buzzed. She didn't feel it at all. It was like there was no booze in the drink at all. I am not sure if this place changed ownership a few years ago but the recipe for success this restaurant had years ago has completely gone away. That was the last time I will go to La Fuente's. There are a number of good Mexican restaurants in that immediate area so will be checking them out in the future.
(2)Melissa S.
HORRIBLE SERVICE!!!!!! We waited 30 minutes for an appetizer & only received it after I haunted down our waiter through another waitress & the manager!!! No one was apologetic whatsoever!!!! This was my 2nd time here & it will absolutely be my last time!!!!!
(1)Melanie K.
Service was good. Ummmm...food? It was tasty but very sparse. Not worth the price we paid. Had better from the food trucks.
(1)Gina B.
Delicious food. Good sized portions as well. Their chips were a little bland but I really liked the mild salsa with cilantro in it. I ordered the chef special tacos that were steak with fresh guacamole. Very good flavor! Also, they had excellent service.
(4)Caleb G.
Pretty decent mexican place. The fajita plate was decent but I've had better for sure. Well designed and quiet but also very spacious. Worth a try at least once
(3)lake p.
I went here with my boyfriend for a evening of good Mexican food. The service and food was great but the forced gratuity for the service of 2 automatically included in the bill is NOT right. I always tip my waiter. A waiter is NOT entitled to a tip. A tip is earned and no customer should be forced to pay a tip. I will NOT be back!
(1)Nicole J.
Boy oh boy!! This place has CHANGED!! I know it's been awhile since I've been here but I don't remember the watered down drinks and horrible service. It took our waiter about 15 mins to take our order it took another 20 minutes to get our food. We asked for some additional salsa twice and never received it... Next time I will save my gas. I most defiantly will NOT be back!!
(2)Adam C.
The normal event planner for the big-group dinner I'm a part of really dropped the ball this week and wanted to do Conejitos with a group of eight on a Friday night. Yeahhh...that's not gonna happen. If I'd have known in advance that was the plan, I'd have tried to dissuade the group from even attempting that fool's errand. Luckily, La Fuente was near by and able to accommodate a large group with basically no notice. And the food was a lot better, too. As the night started, I was a bit grumpy, but I think this place did a fair bit to lighten me up. We were seated upstairs, overlooking the street. Sure, it's not the most picturesque view of Milwaukee, but it's probably the best seat in the house. We were able to watch the sun set over the city as we ate, which was very cool. Service started off a bit befuddled, but got better as the night went on. We were packed into the little lobby area next to the bar as we waited, but eventually a server offered to seat us as we waited for our last few people to show up. Drink orders came right away. No problems there. Our last couple party members filtered in and they took our order shortly after. Service was mostly good. Chips and salsa were refilled frequently, drinks somewhat less-so, but still at an acceptable rate. The low point was that about a quarter of the way through our night the server opted to seat an extremely loud party (seriously, these girls were hooting and hollering at the top of their lungs as they walked up the steps) at the table right next to ours when there was almost an entire empty dining room where they could have been sat so that they were not bothering people. Our server did drop a plate of food while he was serving our table, but I can look past that--it happens to anybody that waits tables sooner or later--and in any case replacements came out as quick as possible. The high point was the appetizers. They offer some stuffed mushroom caps that are very robust. The caps are stuffed with chicken, cheese, a tiny bit of avocado, and some sort of tangy sauce. They're the perfect thing for two to four people to split, as well. The chips and salsa were addictive. One great thing about this trip is that their table salsa actually has a bit of spice to it. Don't get me wrong, it's not the kind of set-your-mouth-on-fire kind of spice that I make for myself at home but it's not completely wimpy, either. It's probably at about the perfect level for general consumption--hot enough to satisfy people like me, but mild enough that it's not going to send ma' and pa' running for the faucet. The entrees were pretty typical as far as gringo-Mex goes. My super burrito was hearty, but felt a bit...well, generic. Still, I felt it was a safe dish to gauge the overall quality of the place. It was okay. As others have said, it's not authentic, but it's definitely not bad, either.
(3)Christine L.
There are a lot of Mexican food places in Milwaukee. I seem to always come back La Fuente, the original on the south side. My test to determine if the food will be good is to order the beans with the chips and salsa. I love La Fuente's beans and their food lives up to their high refried beans standard. My fave is the burritos or deep fried chimis. It's a great place to practice Spanish too, the workers live chatting with me. And it seems the more margaritas I drink the better my Spanish becomes! Coincidence? Hmmmmmm
(4)Moby M.
3 stars, not for the food. That would 2 stars at best. Worst fajitas I have ever had!how does one manage to screw up a fajitas? I don't think I m going there again. I ve had better
(3)Lisa J.
La Fuente for the win...surprisingly... It's Tuesday night, and I need Mexican food in my belly. La Fuente is suggested, at first I'm a little sad thinking about their 3 star rating on Yelp, but then I remember having a few bites of leftover chicken burrito while half asleep (are you judging me, or super jealous that I eat Mexican in my sleep?); back to the leftover burrito-it was good. Upon arrival we are greeted with warm tortilla chips and salsa that packs some heat-I'm into it. The first thing that catches my eye on their menu is that they serve CHUNKY BEEF! I haven't seen that on a menu since my CA days (maybe I'm just not going to the right Mexican joints in MKE). My fish taco craving goes out the window and the chunky beef enchiladas are ushered in. I went with the Gujillo sauce, oh my was it delicious. It was red sauce that was slightly spicy. I can't comment on the rice and beans because I was too busy devouring the enchiladas to waste time on anything else. Also-I appreciate that the enchiladas were topped with Queso Fresco and not cheddar cheese (not that I have anything against ANY cheese-it just made it feel more authentic). The shrimp diablo was also very delicious and came with potato wedges, peppers, and onions drenched in a spicy red sauce. Overall, I enjoyed it, and would definitely come back for more gujillo drenched chunky beef...and maybe a margarita next time.
(4)Bartleby F.
Decent, modestly priced Mexican food. Usually pretty busy and the place is huge and they still managed to sit us at the most awkward position right by the kitchen door. The chicken was dry and the guac was uninspired. The rice, however, was phenomenal. The burrito was okay, not great, but okay. The food veers on the bland side of things.
(3)Hannah H.
My friends and I were in the Milwaukee area and we decided to check La Fuente out as we were passing by it. The place was dimly-lit, and it seemed as if it was a popular spot among the locals. We were seated right away, and our server was very nice and friendly. A basket of tortilla chips and salsa were served; both were fine. I had #31, which came with 2 chunky beef chimichangas, served with rice, beans, sour cream, and guacamole - the chimichangas could have been fried a little longer, but the filling of the chunky beef was okay (a little dry); the rice and beans were okay, but I did like the guacamole. One of my friends had the House Enchiladas with the beef filling, and it looked very tasty with the melted cheese. Another friend had the Surf and Turf, which came with shrimp, chicken and steak, all in a spicy red sauce - the red sauce, she wasn't a fan, as it was more watered down, and the shrimp was the most pleasant piece of the platter. I am glad I was able to check this place out. +okay Tex-Mex food
(3)Tony V.
Service was good, but food has gone downhill. Used to be one of my favorite Mexican restaurants.
(2)Shannan L.
Let me start by saying or server was fan-tastic. But when the heck did this place get sooo hood? ? I'm almost positive that I saw a drug deal go down. One table the girls got up and got the numbers from the dudes from the other table, everyone in the dining room was acting like idiots.... it's like the hood crowd from jynx walked in and decided to eat. I just don't get it. Save your time and your money and go down the street.
(2)Pamela M.
It's really in poor taste to rush your diners before they even sit down at the table. It was really embarrassing for me since I had several friends in from Chicago. The server kept blaming her boss. I don't want to hear blame. And your boss doesn't get the tip - YOU DO. Try to keep it professional. And if you don't want to serve people past a certain time, change your posted hours. La Fuente - I never really understood why people always raved and I personally haven't been nearly as equally impressed. I won't go out Of my way to frequent your establishment. And the food? There was nothing classy about my Mexican pizza. There's no quality or plating detail to speak of. It's basically the cheap Mexican food ingredients vomited onto a plate. Zero finesse. Not impressed.
(2)Laura Z.
Order off of the real menu! (not the lunch special menu). La Fuente only deserves one star for their food, but I like the atmosphere, including the outdoor patio, so I've bumped it up to two. I was here for lunch during the week with some coworkers. They have a lunch special menu that I ordered off of, although I'm not sure they are really "deals" as opposed to smaller items that you might want for lunch. I ordered the enchilada lunch special because I like enchiladas. The ladies next to me decided to split the enchilada dinner off of the normal menu. The food came out ridiculously fast (less than 5 minutes fast). My enchiladas came with some red sauce, and I'm not sure what it was. It didn't look like enchilada sauce but more like plain tomato sauce. The ladies that ordered off of the regular menu got real enchilada sauce. One red. One green. I had enchilada envy. Final verdict: don't get drawn by the easy specials. I can't really say if their enchiladas actually tasted good or they just looked pretty, but I will not be returning for the food. Milwaukee has so much amazing Mexican food, and this is not it.
(2)Larry C.
Horrible, horrible service! If our server paid as much attention to our table as he does to grooming his beard and chest, this meal wouldn't have been as bad. He walked away halfway through our drink order, ignored our requests for soda refills, water refills, brought the guacamole but no chips on table, never brought the tortillas even after we tried reminding him. Food was decent, but waiters attitude and performance completely ruined this experience.
(1)Mary I.
This has always been my favorite place for margaritas. We been going there since we were 17! I love the drinks and the owner. The new food menu is great. This last time I went I wasn't so impressed with the bar tender young guy not friendly or personable. They do have great servers such as a guy named Angel he's great! Most of the regular bar tenders are awesome! I recommend this spot to everyone it's a fun place to be. Especially the beautiful patio!
(4)Nick R.
Went to La Fuente recently and while I wasn't expecting too much it was even worse than I thought possible. Amongst my order was a Burrito and it reminded me of a Taco Bell $1 Roll-up. Even better I had to pay a $1.50 upgrade for the steak to go from chicken, pork, or beef. Not kidding the "burrito" was shorter than a fork and just about as wide. Not much flavor to the meat. Enchilada sauce was off putting. Tostada was missing the meat. Margarita on the rocks was like a watered down sweet and sour substance. Waitress was friendly (Ana), but she didn't get one of our three orders right (requested something without and it still came out as on the menu). Worst of the Americanized-restaurants in the area.
(1)Jan T.
Great food. Large portions. Good service. My daughter always has fijitas. I always have chimichangas or burritos. Always fresh and tasty. Not inexpensive, but you will leave with leftovers. Parking is nuts--get there early. Appetizers are awesome as are margaritas.
(4)Jason B.
La Fuente has gone downhill, sadly. Still good service (you'll have 6 waiters anytime you eat there) but the food has shrunk, gotten more expensive, and just isn't nearly as good of quality as it used to be. It's time for me to find a new hot spot for quality Mexican in Milwaukee.
(3)Lara K.
I was told this place was authentic Mexican. It is not but this is definitely the place for you if want to experience Mexican food and don't like spicy food or spices :) I love authentic Mexican and spicy food so this isn't the right fit for me. I am vegetarian and they didn't have enough healthy-ish options like veggie burritos in whole wheat tortilla, black beans, brown rice, etc. The shrimp in the shrimp soup tasted metallic and fishy. The guacamole tasted very plain. Everything was bland for Mexican food and not spicy enough. The chips were light and crispy, and the highlight of the meal.
(2)Sascha D.
I love this place for their margaritas, chips and salsa and the fun vibe. I got to meet the owner he was incredibly nice. Will definitely be back!
(5)Crystalee M.
Not bad!!! I was told it would be a 45 minute wait and at 5 months pregnant I was not happy about having nowhere to sit. Eventually I was seated to wait and we ended up getting tended to 15 minutes later so I was relieved. Food and pricing pretty good and I like a mixed crowd. Fresh chips right away and food didn't taken too long. I loved the frozen drinks!!! I will be returning even though the service could have been better.
(3)Jen Y.
Last time we went here the place smelled like sewage really bad. Food was so bland, maragaritas so mixy. Sad.
(1)Sadie T.
I was a fan. The food was fine. The atmosphere on the patio is great. However, today's price and service brings La Fuente to 2 stars. La Fuente's menu online, from their website called ilovelafuente.com , toted an entire vegetarian section. When we arrived today, I asked about this menu. It is no where to be found. I asked the server if they could do vegetarian fajitas. She had to "go ask her manager" because apparently not putting meat in something is some sort of rocket science. She came back, and yes they could do it. Overall the experience was fine. My problem was with the server. She brought my ice tea and it tasted like dishwater. I told her it did and sent it back. Apology? Nada. She just took it and brought a new one. She never asked if everything was okay. She completely failed to ask me if I would like my left overs to go (more than 1/2 left). Frankly, I don't think she deserved much of a tip at all. The worst part about not being allowed to take my leftovers home is that my vegetarian fajitas cost $12.90. Yes, $13 for a large stack of onions, two tortillas, a bit of rice, and beans. The cost of this dish should really have been minimal. All the other entrees, including fish tacos, were nearly $4 less than my onions. Pathetic.
(2)Nancy N.
The food was dreadful. This used to be a top Mexican restaurant in Milwaukee and today the food was a big disappointment. The service, however, was very very good.
(2)Kristen H.
I had very high hopes for La Fuente, especially since my boyfriend told me that they had amazing margaritas. Their margaritas were eh, and do not ever get a daiquiri form there, you will get sick. The food was very bland and our table was on the side of the kitchen door. While I was eating, I was bumped by the slammed open kitchen door by a waitress with fajitas. The door hit my head, and she never came and apologized. I don't think I will be returning.
(2)Lisa A.
I love la fuente. It's a great was to start the evenin. Their patio is huge and lots of fun in summer. In winter the indoors usually gets busy with a fun and slightly raucous crowd. The margaritas (and daiquiris) come in a zillion flavors and are appropriately potent. Service is friendly. Food usually comes out very quick.....um.....now about that food part... The food I had was quite a far cry from the meal I had back there in 1997 when it was supposed to be the best authentic Mexican food around. It's even a departure from what I remember from takin the fam here in the early 2000s. The shrimp soup I had recently (and I love love love me some 'caldo de cameron' sp?) Was more like shrimp cocktail with a diced avocado. Sad. But why the 4 stars u ask? I'm looking at the whole experience. The atmosphere, the crowd, those margaritas....its a really fun place, just wish the food was a notch up. Still, you'll definately find me on that patio again this summer.
(4)Billy K.
Not as good as it used to be. It'll always be the go to place for a margarita on a patio on a sunny day. If you're a fan of shrimp, get the caldo de camaron. The pork flautas are never a bad bet either.
(3)Sharon O.
Margaritas by the pitcher at a decent price are a good way to start off a meal at La Fuente. The food is perfectly good and the service is perfectly pleasant with no problems experienced. The fajitas are definitely yummy and though they may seem expensive compared to other places we've been, the portion was the largest we've ever received! Free chips & salsa on the table when you arrive to keep you happy while you wait, though not for long as the food is pretty promptly delivered to your table. One of the few Mexican restaurants that serves sour cream in it's own little container so those who prefer not to eat it don't have to worry about it melting into the rice, beans, guacamole, etc. That definitely gets a thumbs up from our group! Seating is good in that you don't feel crowded with all of the other guests. Everyone in our group enjoyed themselves and the food, so I can't say anything negative about La Fuente.
(4)Amber D.
I strongly believe my credit card info was stolen from this restaurant on February 27th 2014 and then fraudulently used in Mexico on March 4th. Food and service were good but will never return and advise to pay your bill in person.
(1)Dustin C.
Went with a party of 7 recently. Got charged 20% tip and they could not split any of the bill. The service was mediocre and I usually don't care about this and am a decent tipper. To get all the party to settle our bill it took a good 20 minutes. A buzz kill if you ask me. The salsa is the bomb. You can't really mess up Mexican food. The Margs are excellent!
(3)Katie S.
I'm not going to stop going to La Fuente. It's never really been awesome, but I like it anyways. Kinda like beat up t-shirt you can't bear to part with. The food is so-so, but made better by over priced margaritas. The service isn't great, but made better by over priced margaritas. The margaritas are over priced, but made better by over priced margaritas. I do have a number of funny memories that involve a stop at La Fuente along the way, so I can't say too much that's bad, but I can't say a lot that's great, either. Either way, I like having funny memories and over priced margaritas, so I'll keep appearing there once in awhile.
(2)Kelsey S.
My husband is a super picky eater, and it's taken three years to convince him to give Mexican cuisine a go. After going to La Fuente with some coworkers, he told me he finally found a place where he was happy to go for fajitas. "At last!" I thought; I had been deprived of the abundancy of Mexican food which previously enhanced my life. I had not yet been to La Fuente myself and eagerly took him up on this offer. ...It was okay. I mean, it was pretty standard. I had a chicken enchilada and chimichanga mini-combo ($8.50), which comes with rice and beans, and it was all right. It was served hot and quickly, and our server was fantastic, but there just wasn't as much flavor as I had hoped for. I kept munching on the complimentary chips and salsa just to get some extra salt in there. Overall, among three diners, our two mini-combos, the fajitas, and a pitcher of strawberry margaritas came out to $70, which seemed a bit steep for what we got. Meh. I've experienced better.
(2)Rachel F.
I write this review with a heavy heart. I am the saddest Panda. The food. isn't. good. anymore. It used to be, I swear! It's not just the fact that my tastes have evolved. I know it. The food here used to be the jam. But not anymore. Now it's bland and boring and overpriced for what it is. Not so authentic. It's more there so you have something to scarf on while you guzzle margaritas. And speaking of margaritas... these are the sugary blended kind. I know they have a few nice tequilas that one would utilize in a more traditional, straight up version, but not like some other places around town. These are like, blue moon flavor and all that happy nonsense. I don't know when I realized it. I think last year when some friends and I and the mister went, and I insisted that I remembered that it was good. And it wasn't. And I was embarrassed. But hey... you live, you learn. I will say that the level of service adds a redeeming quality, as the servers are usually super on their game. Also, the patio is really nice, but that's about it. I have some great memories from La Fuente circa 2004-ish. Now that's all they are, since I don't plan on making new ones until this hugely popular restaurant makes a few changes to their menu.
(2)Tony J.
i've been here several times over the past ten years. Recently I went with my daughter and it was similar to the past times. First the food: slightly above average, not mind blowing but tasty and good, and they give you enough. Chips and salsa are very good. Next the service: very quick and attentive. 3rd the atmosphere, it can be ugly and cheap looking in the dining area except for the party room. I haven't gotten the chance to go outside yet, but I will review that in the summer. Margaritas are good but I havent' had one in years so I can't be sure on that. Bottom line, very fast, decent price, good service, slghtly above average food, dank/musty but beareable in the dining rooms.
(3)Kezra C.
This place has an awesome patio for the summer. The fountains in the courtyard of the patio take you out of the industrial Milwaukee atmosphere while you sip on margaritas and eat endless chips and salsa. Food is good, comparable to most Mexican places in the area. Highly recommended for a sunny afternoon!
(4)Jim D.
I am going 3 stars here. could go 3.5 if available. In general the margaritas were underwhelming... kind of syrupy sweet. The shrimp ceviche was great. House enchiladas and fajitas were pretty darn good, but both were accompanied by sad old rice and beans. I mean, come on. You are a mexican restaurant. Can you not have fresh rice and beans to serve?
(3)Paul M.
Were they bought out by Taco Bell? Because that's how fast you get your food. And what does that tell you? It's not disgusting. But a lot of people continue to rave about how great it is and I just don't see it. The food is edible, and that's about it. It's also too crowded on weekends for me to enjoy myself. It wasn't always this way. But sadly, it's too commercialized now. Good for them for their success! Truly! But it's not my kind of place anymore.
(2)Cory T.
IT IS WHAT IT "ISN'T"... It's not good, it's not bad...it's predictable. And for some people, that is the recipe for success. Having said that, this is what you can expect: The La Fuente "Magic Formula" The menu could be edited down to one page if La Fuente would just be honest. Since I have no problem being direct, let me break it down for you... Step 1, pick you meat (lengua, pork, chicken, or shrimp). Step 2, pick the shape you want it to look like. Want flat? Order a tostada. Want something you can pick up? Order a taco. Want it fried? Order it in chimichanga form. Want it to be a cheesy log covered in red salsa slop? Order it as an enchilada. Well, you get the idea. It really doesn't matter what you order at La Fuente, because you are going to end up with the same mundane end product, regardless. Step 3, set your stopwatch to approximately three minutes, because that is how long it will take the food to arrive to your table--total turnaround from waiter, to kitchen, to table. The food is pre-made, and "freshly microwaved" to order. La Fuente can be busy, especially on a weekend night. Therefore, I'd recommend that the FIRST thing you do is order your pitcher of margaritas for your group, so that you don't have to flag down the waiter. It may be some time before he gets back to your table to take your order. But that is okay, because once you have your drinks, chips, and salsa, you're set for awhile. The bus boys and support staff will fly through the place like freaky, over-animated Circ de Soleil trapeze artists, filling the chip baskets and prancing back to wherever it is they disappear. The flavors are just what you anticipate: a culmination of dairy, fat, savory, and salt. Other "Helpful Hints" for navigating La Fuente: 1. Skip the desserts. They are disgusting. Seriously, flan? It's a slice of vanilla snot pie. 2. Get there early on a weekend night. The crowds can be EXASPERATING! And things are starting to look a little ghetto-licious. A lot of loud, obnoxious talking. A lot of cell phones wrapped in hairspray-covered swarovski crystal emblazoned cases. A lot of gold "jew'ry." A lot of acrylic nails, and I'm not talking French manicures. 3. THIS IS POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE FOR SURVIVING LA FUENTE, SO DO NOT IGNORE, gentle reader: LOOK AT THE RECEIPT. THIS PLACE L-O-V-E-S TO ADD THE GRATUITY OF 20%. But they don't point it out to you. They hope you will be inebriated enough not to notice. And they've done this for tables of two or three, not just groups. What La Fuente is: Lightning Quick Cheap Loud Fun if you are in the right frame of mind What La Fuente is NOT: Inventive "Authentic" (So if you're hung up on that, either get over it or go elsewhere) Classy Three honorable stars for one of Milwaukee's original Latin Quarter restaurants that personifies mediocrity: it isn't good, it isn't bad...it's just La Fuente, and consistently so.
(3)Beth P.
This place was good, not great. You can expect traditional Mexican food with a fair selection to chose from. There is one thing La Fuente does best and that's the rainbow margaritas! Do yourself and your group a favor by ordering a pitcher of these delicious drinks upon your arrival. You'll be glad you did while waiting for a table.
(3)Denise G.
Mmmmmm I LOVE Fuentes! Blue blended margaritas and chicken/steak fajitas... Same thing I get everytime and leave happy everytime. I love sitting on their beautiful patio on warm days enjoying my food and margaritas. My favorite summertime Mexican restaurant by far!!!
(4)Pritio M.
When I lived in Milwaukee for a few years I dined at this place maybe 15 times and the food was good. My only complaint about the place is that it feels like a feeding station. Now I am back in New York, but whenever I visit Milwaukee I like to stop by La Fuente and have a few Margaritas with my meal. So honestly, the food at La Fuente is not bad; the problem is that the place is too too large and you feel like the service wants you to eat, pay and be gone. Let me also mention that my roommate here in New York who frequently dines in the most expensive restaurants around the world loves Mexican food and enjoys going to La Fuente so much that he can't visit Milwaukee without stopping at La Fuente for a meal. People in Milwaukee are very lucky to have many good choices for Mexican food, we here in New York City don't have such a blessing. If I were rating this restaurant in New York City I would probably give it a 4, but because Milwaukee has many good Mexican restaurants I am rating it with a 3. When I visit Milwaukee again I will probably stop by La Fuente. In passing let me just say that I Love Milwaukee!
(3)Chad F.
I used to live in Milwaukee 12 years ago when I went to Marquette. I've lived a lot of places and I have a favorite restaurant for everywhere I've lived... for Milwaukee, it was always La Fuente. I'm back in town now and tonight was my first trip back to La Fuente after 12 years, and IT HAS CHANGED. It's bigger (three times the size), but the food isn't as good as I remembered. I know, I know... it has had to live up to a lot of hype, but before you all get judgmental, you should know, it was still good! I really enjoyed my trip back, and I still believe it is a Milwaukee staple. I'll be back, most definitely, and so should you. If for anything else, this establishment has lasted and maintained a reputation. It may not be as glorious as it used to be, but still, definitely, worth the trip!
(4)Daniel M.
I really only started visiting La Fuente back in 2006 when the girl who would become my wife insisted that it was the best Mexican around. I hear a lot of people talk about how good it was years ago, but even in '06 I wasn't terribly impressed, but there were some good dishes that I ordered repeatedly. Unfortunately, it's gotten worse since then. Tonight was a beautiful night. 72 degrees and clear, this was the perfect setting for a sunset dinner on the patio. When we sat down I was totally jazzed to see a newly printed menu with some alterations that sounded good. The shrimp soup was, as always, freaking insanely good. I've never had better, or comparable, anywhere else ever. And that's where the good food stopped. I had the tacos al pastor, spicy pork and pineapple tacos with onion and cilantro. Dude, this was just bad! Dry pork bits, canned pineapple chunks, all wrapped up in crusty, dry corn tortillas. Come on, people, the profit margin on Mexican food is too great to accept these kind of mistakes. My wife said her steak tacos were crazy bland and came with corn tortillas by default, when she really wanted flour. This sucks that I have to write this, because the patio is dope, the restaurant is huge, the service is usually great, but bad food ruins it all!! Two stars tonight, and I hope beyond all hope that the food goes back to it's former glory. PLEASE!! P.S.: If you want some offthehook tacos, go to Taqueria El Cabrito and get the pork carnitas. They are redic.
(2)alejandra g.
I only go here when my gringo friends want to go because they don't know what delicious Mexican food taste like. The high prices aren't worth the bland flavor.
(2)Jackie H.
I have always, and will most likely always have mixed emotions for La Fuente unless they can prove me different :) Awesome out door patio for the great Milwaukee nights. Ok Mexican food. Tons and tons of room for big parties, etc. Hyped up Margaritas that you can't have more then 1&1/2 of otherwise your taste buds will go wild. (I personally make a killer home kitchen marg) I've had super fast service, and stare-at-my-watch-when-is-my-food-coming-out-of-Âthe-kitchen service I've gone there where everything looks spic n span and where the staff or bussers must not be on their A-Game I've thought their salsa couldn't get better and I've had doubts if it's even homemade or fresh My last most recent experience was my most positive yet; The best waiter I have had and also the best service so hopefully they are on the up and up! All in all, if you're a picky Mexican food connoirsseur, mine as well go down to Mexico, you won't find too great of authentic food in MKE. But if you're there for a party, catch up with friends, or just need a good atmosphere on their outdoor patio- you are in good hands.
(3)Tee G.
I feel like I have to start & end this review with this: The margaritas kick ass. They're not particularly 'authentic', but they kick ass in a "share a pitcher with a bunch of your buddies & get a nice buzz" kind of way. You can get an actual more authentic margarita, but your best bet is to just go for the pitcher. On to the food. I've had better, fresher tasting Mexican food from hole-in-the wall Mexican restaurants or the local taco truck. I've had various dishes, but nothing ever stands out as the 'must-have' dish whenever I've been here with friends. It's usually too greasy, not nearly fresh or green enough, and/or overcooked. The food is great for soaking up the tequila you'll collect in your stomach, though. One time in particular, a group of about 8 of my friends & I had dinner here on a Saturday night. The place was raucously loud with patrons who were clearly juiced up on tequila. We split a couple of pitchers amongst ourselves, and soon we were yapping loudly too. That is, until a security dude came over to our table to tell us to quiet down. Uh....what? Quiet down, as loud as the place was on a SATURDAY NIGHT? Really? GTFOH, man. Everyone in here is drinking tequila & talking/laughing at the tops of their lungs, why single us out? Stop being ridiculous. Back to the food, I can't even remember what I had the last time I ate here. It wasn't that memorable. But the margaritas kick ass.
(2)Brad F.
Aways excellent! I have been a fan since 2000, when the restaurant was half of its current size. Never once disappointed. The menu is awesome, and the prices are not crazy. I would recommend a favorite dish, but I can't. I can however recommend a margarita. Which one? Any one, but start with one, then maybe another. Stop there, then come back again. I have sampled Mexican food as far away as Healdsburg, CA, and Lake Havasu City, AZ, to St. Petersburg, FL. This is by far the best.
(5)Kathy G.
Since this is a good meeting place with a nice outdoor seating area, friends always want to meet here. The margaritas are good so I don't mind hanging out at the bar. There is no denying that. But the food is so tasteless. They serve something called chunky beef that looks like Alpo dog food. Good Mexican food does not have to be hot, but it should have enough spice to be tasty. This stuff is boring. I don't understand how it gets such high marks when it is below average.
(1)Alicia M.
La Fuente was ok. There are definitely better places to get yummy Mexican food on the South Side (especially for the price! This place is not "cheap" Mexican) but I think La Fuente is worth the trip simply for the margaritas. Yes, they are on the sugary/fruiter side but quite tasty and I like the fruity options. I was actually surprised that this place was as busy as it was but I think it's like the place the non-city folk come to when they want a city Mexican food experience (which is good for La Fuente because I think those people keep them in business). In my honest opinion you can usually judge a Mexican restaurant by the people who are dining there. I didn't see any Latino people actually there to eat. A few of the servers looked Latino but I don't think many of them even spoke Spanish. The biggest sign to me that it's not the "real deal"--the music was Enrique, and he wasn't even singing in Spanish. I could be wrong but as a resident of the South Side he is not the music I typically hear the people in my hood jamming to. Check them out but be prepared to pay a lot for food that you could get much better a few blocks away at a taco truck for a 1/4 of the price.
(3)Lacey B.
La Fuente is good, but I wouldn't call it great. And with such a huge number of Mexican restaurants in the Milwaukee area, I'm surprised this is one of the most popular. I've been to La Fuente at least five times now and it's really been a mixed bag of experiences. Slow service seems to be the only common thread. The food? Good but not nearly as good as smaller places like El Paisa or Habenero's, but better than some other places around town. I guess it falls right in the middle of the Mexican food scale of Milwaukee. I ordered the Flautas (combination #3) and they were dry and bland. But their menu is so extensive that holding their flautas against them doesn't seem fair. Since I know I'll probably be back to La Fuente again, I'll order something a little more unique like a camaron dish. I'd even like to give their mole a try. I just know that with such a large menu, they have to have something they do really really well. *Interesting story: On one of my visits to La Fuente, just as I was about to take a sip of my Diet Coke, I noticed a hair-line crack running down the side of my glass. It wasn't leaking and I showed it to my boyfriend, then proceeded to move the straw to my lips and take a drink. Out of nowhere, a server FLEW up to our table and snatched the glass out of my hand. He must have seen me show the crack to my boyfriend. A minute later I had a new glass of Diet Coke. I guess they don't like to take chances!
(3)Kris P.
If I come back here, it won't be because of the food. The space is huge - and great for large parties. We were surrounded by a party of half-wasted women in their 40s, howling at their own jokes. After 4 margaritas, everyone's a comedian. Had the tacos (beef and pulled pork) and the beef enchiladas w/ red sauce. The food was forgettable and lackluster...and consequently, so is this review. My experience just didn't inspire me to write even a remotely witty commentary. This place was subpar in food and service. Maybe if I had a few of their margaritas, this place would be bomb. But I didn't. Ergo, esta La Fuente no es La Bomba.
(2)HaileyTIffany M.
La Fuente is extremely fast, extremely loud, and it's pretty good. The food was fine. I went there with a friend who complained the whole time about it, and I came to the conclusion that it's become fashionable to complain about La Fuente. Frankly, listening to him bitch spoiled my appetite more than anything, and I resolved not to eat out with him again. The service was fast- I like that. The waitress was really on her game, like faaast & friendly. I'm not crazy about added gratuities- but restaurants sometimes do this when servers are so constantly undertipped that they have difficulty retaining staff ($1 isn't a tip). It's not the end of the world- if it is, maybe you should go to McDonald's. I love La Fuente, having tried Mexican food all over the country, I'd easily give it three stars and I'd go back.
(3)Jason M.
Authentic and good, but not great food. Service was acceptable, not exceptional. Price is fair. I would dine here again.
(3)Nicole H.
When you head down to 5th and National, you can almost smell the chips and salsa from the freeway. La Fuente always has a special spot in my heart, but is a far cry from the best Mexican I have ever had. As a connoisseur of this cuisine--I find myself rather bloated after enjoying a meal here. Maybe it's all the salt...or beans? The food is really a small step above good ol' Taco Bell. Don't get me wrong--the combo options are awesome, the chips and salsa are tasty-- and the margaritas will do a number on you. Patio is great in the summer--and they do cater to larger groups. If you attempt to eat here on a weekend night--expect to wait. And expect to wait without a seat at the bar. Don't even think about wanting a drink, because it will just make you mad that there are 30 people ahead of you with the same idea. Basically, you have a good amount of choice when it comes to your Mexican dining options in Milwaukee. If I were you--I would explore them all!
(3)Erik W.
There is plenty of parking. No matter how crowded the place is, even during peak dinner time, even if you have a group of 12, they seat you almost immediately. The outdoor patio during summer is amazing. The food comes equally as fast, but you still have chips and salsa to munch on. The margaritas are really good and strong. My only complaint is the food. It's not bad or anything, but it's not outstanding either. It could be better seasoned and a tad more spicy.
(3)Ally B.
Where will you find me on a beautiful sunny day between 1:00 and 4:00 getting my SOUP CHOCK FULL OF SHRIMP on? You betcha! Hands down it's the best shrimp soup in town and that is what I always have. I've been known to graze on some rice and beans with the salsa and chips too. And the gold margaritas on the rocks with Don Julio is just a little ray of sunshine...Take me away!
(5)Mary J.
I heard so much about the shrimp soup. When I tried it I thought it lacked flavor. Atmosphere was fantastic. Pictures were great. The new stuffed mushrooms with, cheese, chicken and shrimp topped with avacado were fantastic. Guacamole was good. I had a combo plate with enchiladas, chimechunga and taco, all pork. All were good. Beans and rice were ok.
(3)Anna W.
I honestly can't believe how low the reviews of La Fuente are. I had been here once about 5 years ago, but have been avoiding it recently because of the bad reviews. My boyfriend and I decided to go today for lunch, because we have been to a few of the other mexican places. It was great! The first big (HUGE) difference between La Fuente and some of the other places is the service. As soon as we walked in we were greeted with a smile. Our waitress was extremely attentive and nice. It seems as though most of the mexican restaurants I have been to recently have very pushy people. This was not the case. The next difference is the ambience. La Fuente just has a really cool, authentic feeling atmosphere. We sat on their patio-type area with the mural and hanging decorations. I'm not going to say that it's classy by any means, but I appreciated the authentic feel. Finally, I thought La Fuente's food was better than some of the places I've been recently. It was nice to get a generous helping of chips of salsa to start off with. The last few places I've been we have finished the tortillas before our meal even came. Their salsa was great- it had a nice, slow kick to it. My boyfriend got the enchiladas - 1 each of pork, beef, and cheese & onion. I tried the cheese enchilada and it was DELICIOUS. I got combo #5 with a taco, burrito, and tostada with chunky beef. yummmmmmmmmm. Also- my combo platter came with guac! really really good guac! It's been a while since I've left a mexican restaurant full, but I seriously don't want to eat dinner later. And I view that as a good meal :)
(5)Daniel H.
Superfast service! Directly in the middle of the gayborhood. Cheap. Great drinks. Chips and salsa are awesome!
(5)Marnie R.
I visited this old favorite last weekend while I was in town. It seems to be not as good as it used to be, but not bad. The chips and salsa are spot on great. The margaritas are missing something, but do their job. I had the tamales, which I wouldn't order again. I'll definitely come back for drinks and the salsa. I'd go somewhere else for a dinner option though.
(3)Liz A.
Love the outdoor seating area. Love the chips and salsa. Love the margaritas. Not to crazy about the food...what has happened to the quality and taste people? Also, you need bigger water glasses. Especiall when sitting outside on a hot day. I forgot to mention the wait staff...they are wonderful.
(3)Osiris V.
Hmmm...well all I have to say is that the margaritas were delicioso!!! That and the chips and salsa. Went there with 5 girlfriends, and after finishing off our own chip basket and salsas we finally had dinner. Some had chimichangas, veggie fajitas and I had the combo fajitas. The food smelled good but I gotta say, margaritas, chips and salsa is where it's at!
(4)Sarah S.
Their shrimp soup is life changing! Once you get it you're going to start craving it all the time, and beware of the margarita's they'll come back to bite you! Soup and booze alone they get 5 stars but as far as the rest of the food goes ehhh, maybe 3 stars. It's a good price if you're in the mood to get something quick, decent and get a mid week break with some fabulous strawberry on the rocks. It can get super busy on weekend nights and can be a pain if you have a large group but they run a fast ship and will get you on your way to the rest of your evening without any problems.
(5)Stephanie L.
I consider myself a connoisseur of Mexican food. I am very disappointed by the stellar reviews given to La Fuente. I have one word for those that have not experienced true or authentic Mexican fare: frozen. On my last visit there--the new location in Milwaukee/Wauwatosa--I finally gave up. I was served the worst entree of [what appeared to be] frozen food, as was my husband. It looks like prefab food (a.k.a. prepared at a general assembly plant, packaged, and frozen for shipment). I would not be surprised to see a Sysco truck parked out back. Sad. Really. Sometimes, when a place becomes too big, it loses sight of what is most important: authenticity and integrity. Even the best outdoor dining area (or force-feeding margaritas to your diners) can't save you. It is not enough to camouflage bad food.
(1)Mariah M.
I go here often. Usually lunch but I am in and out in 30 min. The combos are awesome and get the chunky beef. Oh and the margaritas are to die for. you can get a buzz off one!
(5)Stephanie P.
Delicious food, excellent service and beautiful weather...it doesn't get much better than that. Seriously, the chips were warm, salsa had a kick, my veggie tacos were perfectly seasoned and my boyfriends steak and avocado tacos were flavorful without being greasy. Our drinks remained full and our server was attentive without being obnoxious. To top it off, we sat on the patio where the warm breeze made it legitimately feel like summer. I'd return...if I lived in Milwaukee.
(4)Meena V.
The place is huge, service is fast and friendly, there's a great outdoor patio and works really well as a meeting place for big groups at the beginning of a night out -- which is how I end up here over and over, and will probably continue to. But fact is, the food and drink here just aren't that good. The warm chips are nice, but the salsa is just bland. The margaritas tend to be mix and artificial lime juice heavy, and just aren't that good. Over time, I've tried burritos, enchiladas AND fajitas here, and they are all generally inauthentic, lacking in flavour, and drowned in cheese. Still, go here if you're in the mood for a pitcher of margaritas and a big group bender, but you're better off elsewhere if you actually want a good meal.
(2)J. I.
The food was really good. As far as service,a lot of Milwaukee restaurants should take notes. Because of this,I'm giving five stars...
(5)Caley C.
The best Mexican place in Milwaukee!! I'm shocked there aren't as many five star reviews. Their rainbow margaritas are heaven on earth. I barely drink usually, but I'll always have one of those. The food is great and comes really fast. The chips and salsa are awesome too - an important aspect of any Mexican restaurant worth its salt. The restaurant is huge with a massive outdoor patio and two floors of seating. It can get really crowded on weekends but the abundance of seating helps keep things moving. I wish they took reservations, but even if you have to wait, you can get rocked on margaritas while you do!
(5)Richard N.
More of a 2.5. The food is pretty mediocre, not actually bad, but nothing memorable. I've only had a couple of dishes and I have to say that there was very little to it. If you're in the hood and don't want to search around for a more authentic taqueria, then this will do. The people who run it are nice and it is pretty spacious, but other than that... Oh well. My search for a decent Mexican joint in this town continues.
(2)Matthew H.
Decent food, great atmosphere, good margaritas
(4)Carly F.
good for groups. watch out for the drunkies on the patio in the summer. food is decent. decor is a bit hodge podge (is that even a word still?) lots of sugary frozen margaritas. i think they just cater to the gringos. i used to be a big fan. now i prefer cempazuchi on Brady street.
(3)Dan W.
Que terrible.... Food is brutal, service is worse. Never ever go here.
(1)Serena S.
I'll be the first to admit the very best part of LaFuente can only be found on a warm, sunny day when the patio is in full swing. Still I find myself heading over as my "go to" Mexican favorite. The service is fantastic. I ate there today for maybe the 10th time, and was still blown away by the promptness and politeness of our waitress. The food is good accross the board. Not the BEST south of the border fare you'll find, but satisfying in general. The shrimp soup is my favorite menu item: flavorful, satisfying, and seemingly a very healthy option. I'd recommend checking out the a la carte menu to save $4-5 per entree if you're ok skipping the rice and beans. The margaritas are smooth, but they'll knock your socks off! The great news is, La Fuente is nice and close to lots of other venues, so if you have too many and need to dance off the calories, you have plenty of options!
(4)Heather T.
I had a good amount of disdain for La Fuente for years. Besides taking business from better local Mexican joints in the surrounding area, I remembered their food only being okay. On a recent trip back to Milwaukee, I went there again (because it's my brother's favorite restaurant, and he was the guy I was lunching with). So. I had to withdraw some disdain. We went for lunch on a sunny, warm weekend afternoon (and sat out on the patio). It was marginally busy, but the service was still prompt and friendly. We were served the perfunctory tortilla chips and salsa. HOLY MOTHER OF GOD. The salsa was incredible. I'm not usually too much for salsa, but this was really something special. If they make it there, they should really bottle it and sell it on the black market. The food paled in comparison to the salsa. Not that the food wasn't alright. I had Huevos Rancheros, and they were acceptably tasty. Still, it's a huge place that feels like the Walmart of Mexican restaurants. And their table decor leaves something to be desired.
(3)Komal S.
Good atmosphere for a weekend night hanging out with friends. Margarita's are good and the price is relatively cheap. The place is always packed! Be prepared for atleast a 45 minute wait on the weekend. The patio area is the best part of the restaurant if you enjoy outdoor dining, however being located in milwaukee this can only be enjoyed 3 months of the year. The food is not one to crave for. And if you are looking for authentic mexican food try conejito's instead.
(3)David M.
Great food (love the -CALDO DE CAMARON - shrimp soup...and a great drink selection....major negatives are the NOISE....and the wait on most weekend evenings.....
(3)Jessica O.
The only reason to go to this place is the Margarita's and if you don't like Margarita's, there literally is no point. I can get better tortilla chips and fresher salsa at El Rey anyday. It's over crowded, they shove people in there like they are tetrus blocks. The food is so mediocre, it doesn't warrant the energy to type about it. And yet, this place is always packed. I just don't get it. I have noticed since they have become a Milwaukee "institution" the attitude of the staff has taken on an arrogant "we don't need to please anymore" quality about it. There are so many places in Milwaukee to get Mexican food that would love your business and a chance to please, I say give your business to them and bypass this La Fuente. They are truly the "Paris Hilton" of the Mexican dining scene in Milwaukee, they are only around because their ill gotten reputation preceeds them.
(1)Christian W.
One of the best patios in the city. Food and service are acceptable. This is my outdoor Mexican restaurant until I find a better patio.
(3)Rick S.
If you find a stronger margarita, I'll buy it for you. Tasty and cold! We ventured here during a bachelor party. I would say the food was just "OK", but the service was good and drinks flowed without fail.
(3)Evan W.
Great food, great selection, great service. Ask for Tony! Enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas were awesome...-and they have vegetarian items.
(5)Dalet Z.
i'm actually surprised that people don't care for this place much. i admit that it's the only mexican place i've been to in milwaukee, so i don't have others to compare. but i gotta admit that i LOVED this place. the first thing i thought was "man! for milwaukee, this is actually really good! almost as good as california!" :) seriously, i did think that! the chips were alright, nothing special, but not bad either. i recall them being warm, and tasty. not stale. the salsa i really really liked too. it wasn't pace or tostito salsa. it was good stuff. not too hot, but not too mild either. just right. i ordered a carne asada chimichanga with lettuce, sour cream & guacamole, and it came with mexican rice & refried beans. the chimichanga was actually pretty small, but very yummy! the steak was flavorful. i was not disappointed in the slightest! service was good. the waiter was super friendly. i would definitely go there again. but i would also like to try other mexican places in milwaukee and see how they compare to this one.
(5)Kurt L.
This place has the best margaritas and the food is pretty good. For hanging out with friends and getting drinks, this place is great. Only thing I don't like is that they don't accept reservations.
(4)Laurel W.
I thought the food was tasty and the service was great, but the decor and ambiance left little to the imagination. I thought the place was dimly lit and the decorations were way too gaudy. I am looking forward to coming back during the summer when the patio is open.
(3)Anna M.
The salsa served with the chips - every table - is hot, fresh and tasty. Otherwise the food is bland and unremarkable. This is the case every time I'm there (why do I keep going? usually to meet others who are planning to be there - the place accommodates groups well). This time I decided to order shrimp soup - it looked really good when someone else had it last time I was there. Nope. Not good. Sorry. I wanted it to be good. But the shrimp were somehow tasteless and just piled on top of warm avocado in a dish of fairly tasty broth. Ick. My partner was equally disappointed with her burrito. The chips and salsa - good. The drinks - pretty good. The service, also good.
(2)Stephen S.
I like this place for the outdoor patio. Outside of that I don't visit in the Winter. I HATE the look inside this place. Dark, dank, and unappetizing. Food is OK. Drinks are the bomb!
(3)Laura F.
La Fuente is a fun Milwaukee spot where you will receive the kind of bland Mexican food expected in a city like Milwaukee in a great location with killer Margaritas. My advice - come for the Margaritas, pass on the food. The patio is great, but there is MUCH better Mexican food to be found in Milwaukee, whether you are looking for tacos (Los Comales), a parillada (Jalisco's), mole (Cempazuchi or Rey Sol) or just about anything good at Taqueria Azteca. The latter three restaurants all serve great margaritas, and Azteca and Cempazuchi have small, but nice patios. Other than the margaritas, the seen and be seen crowd seems to be the draw for many people dining at La Fuente, but its place among Milwaukee's spots for finer Mexican cuisine is shaky at best.
(2)Jamie S.
Good lord, I dont even know if my eating there warrants a review. This has got to be the worst mexican restaurant in Milwaukee. I went there last night, and it took about 15 minutes to order a plain margarita on the rocks. The cocktail waitress was a snail. It was fairly dead for a saturday night too..i dont know if they were fermenting the agave out back or what, but it was bad. Chips and salsa here are full of mediocrity as were the chicken and steak tacos. Tacos at mex restaurants should be served traditional= onions and cilantro. not these pups-- all lettuce and tomotoe and cheese. More like taco bell. Gross. Services is way off, too. I was brought out 2 steak tacos when i ordered 2 dfifferent ones. Also, my friend ordered a shrimp mini burrito.. all she got on her plate was shrimp, inside a tiny corn tortilla, with on the side, you guessed it- lettuce and tomoto. it was a taco moonlighting as a mini burrito. i was shocked. I would never go back there again, unless its for some lame bachelorette party, and you should do yourself a favor and go someplace better, like botanas.
(1)Anne H.
Overrated. Crowded. Too long of a wait. La Fuentes run with greatness ended years ago when other mexican eateries moved in.
(2)Nancy S.
This place is disgusting. Aside from having repulsive "food", the lacking customer service it offensive. Run!
(1)Bob S.
My family enjoyed La Fuente last Saturday night. We all enjoyed our meals, but none of us were overwhelmed by the quality. Our service was outstanding, however. The never ending chips and salsa was a nice touch, and the salsa had a little hot flavor that you rarely find with salsas. That said, the unfortunate aspect of the meal was that the salsa had all the flavor. I had a combo meal with retried beans, rice, a Flauta, a taco, and an enchilada. Some of the items even had different types of meat. My dilemma was that I was unable to discern much of a taste difference between the items. They were all similar, and rather bland. Mexican food is supposed to have flavor, and lots of it. I did not find it here. Also, as a side note, we had four different Mexican meals, and not one jalepeno pepper. This is a very Americanized version of Mexican food. While I was not overly impressed with the food, the kids loved it. For this reason, and the good service, three stars.
(3)Julia M.
Good for: 1) Quick and efficient work lunches (come in at noon and you'll be back in the office for your 1 p.m. meeting). 2) Hanging out on the patio on warm summer nights. Serves its purpose.
(3)Katy G.
Just alright. Overall the food was pretty good but could definitely use a little more heat. The patio was packed on a sunny evening, though it was a little uncomfortable with the sun in the eyes of half the table. The thing that will probably prevent me from going back is their policy (stated on the menu) that returned plates will be charged at full price. Really? What's that about? It was just an instant turn off.
(2)