Restaurant of the Month: El Fogoncito

Each month Yucatan Today visits a restaurant in order to describe what it has to offer. This is not a review; it is a summary of the menu, service, ambience, prices, and opening hours.

September 2007

Cuisine: Mexican.  
Chef: Rene Gamboa May, Javier Solis. 
Menu: a la carte. 
Specialty dish: Molcajete. 
Popular dishes: molcajete, taco platter "Que me Ves". Ambience: contemporary Mexican. 
Settings: 3 dining areas: indoor dining w/AC, outdoor terrace, indoor terrace w/AC. Seating: 102.  
Schedule: daily 1 pm - 1 am.   
Avg. price x 2 incl. 2 drinks:  $110 pesos. 
Credit Cards: Visa, MC. 
Parking: yes. 
Location: Prolongación Paseo Montejo at calle 7, Col. Campestre. 
Telephone: 944 0315.

Mexican Independence is a month long celebration so we will showcase a true Mexican restaurant this month - El Fongoncito. This relatively new restaurant in Merida actually has a 30-year history.

El Fongoncito is the creator of tacos al pastor and gringas, two taco dishes that are synonymous with Mexico. They became so popular they franchised the restaurant, which in this case guarantees quality control and the true original flavors.

For starters, you can order several appetizers and split them with your table. Try the guacamole, chalupas Poblanas and chicharrón de queso. The chalupas are corn dough bases with savory, not hot and spicy pieces of Poblano chili and marinated beef. The chicharrón de queso is melted cheese that is poured on the grill like a pancake, and cooked till it is wafer thin.

Try the Azteca soup, a chicken broth with tortilla chips, cheeses, pasilla chile, avocado and cream. Poblana cream soup is a cream of chile Poblano - savory and smooth.

Their signature dish is the molcajete. A molcajete is the stone recipient used to grind corn. El Fogoncito fills the molcajete with cheese strips, avocado, grilled baby onions, tender beef strips, grilled cactus strips and a nice green tomato sauce. This is served with tortillas so you can make tacos. Delicious!

Or you might want to try a taco platter that has five tacos, a quesadilla, and guacamole.
 Plus, they have 17 different kinds of tacos. The quesadillas are a must.

The colorful menu has clear pictures of the dishes which is always a help. Another trick is to see what the waiters are delivering to nearby tables and to then ask about it!  

Bon appetit!