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A Kansas City, Missouri, restaurant built on family values, laughter, and savory food is closing its doors after nearly half a century.
After Augustine Medina retired in the late 1970s, he opened La Fonda El Taquito with his wife, Teresa, near W. 17th Street and Summit Street in the Westside neighborhood.
His daughter, Maria Medina Chaurand, was 16 at the time and recalls her parents spending endless hours in the restaurant’s small kitchen, preparing and serving dishes that had been passed down through the family. It was a drastic change for Augustine, who was a former professional soccer player in Mexico.
"He was a good cook, and my mother was an excellent cook too, we put up a little restaurant," Chaurand said. "It was very small. I don't think we could get maybe 20 people in there."
Despite the small space, the family establishment blossomed, becoming the spot for authentic Mexican food and their homemade carnitas taco.
"I think one of the reasons everybody comes back is the consistency of the food, the taste of the food, that's why they keep coming back, because it tastes the same from 47 years ago when we started to now," Chaurand says.
Over the years, their popularity attracted big-time guests, including former NFL players like Joe Montana, actress Heidi Gardner, and rock group Los Lobos. Time also brought changes to the restaurant, a new location on Southwest Boulevard and new management with Augustine entrusting his children to run, manage and deliver high-quality meals.
"Anyone can do it, and my dad's an example," daughter Sandy Medina says. "I am very proud of him and happy that he did got started, because we wouldn't be here right now."
But this Kansas City pinnacle is ready to serve its final meal after the Medina siblings announced via social media the time had come to retire. La Fonda's final day of operations is Jan. 31. Chaurand says no food will be served on the restaurant's last day, but there will be music, dancing and surprises for the entire community throughout the day.
"I am ready to retire," Maria said. "My sister, Sandy, I think she's just ready to retire her body for a little while. She needs some tender love and care for that, and so she needs to relax and take it easy."
For longtime customers like Evelyn Romero, who has been coming to La Fonda for years and lives nearby, the news is bittersweet.
“We’ve been coming so long, I don’t know where to go next.” said Romero. "We've been coming for years. It's food like my mom used to make."
Romero's sister, Josie Muñoz Bond is also a La Fonda fan and says the allure of La Fonda is centered around its food.
"I really like their tacos and I don't eat beef just any place," Muñoz says. "I'm particular, and theirs are just really good. We had my nephew's baby shower here, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, lots of good memories."
While the countdown is on, Kansas City is still finding ways to bid a treasured spot farewell. Many have braved January's bitter cold temps and lines on some days to place one final order, including Bob Eslinger from Grain Valley.
"We've been coming here for years, Sandy is a personal friend," Eslinger said. "It's super good and authentic food. Ger and Maria are good people. It's a shame we are losing them."
A final farewell to the place that made you part of the family, no matter who you are.
"Thank you for your love and kindness and keeping some business for so long," Sandy Medina said. "We'll see what brings the next chapter."
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