BajaNomad

What is La Fonda Like these days

Bajatesh - 4-6-2013 at 04:35 PM

Haven't been to Baja since the drug war started. Thinking of coming down again in June. We used to love to stay at La Fonda. What is it like now? During our last trip petty crime was on the rise, what is it like now?

DENNIS - 4-6-2013 at 04:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatesh
Haven't been to Baja since the drug war started. Thinking of coming down again in June. We used to love to stay at La Fonda. What is it like now? During our last trip petty crime was on the rise, what is it like now?


Crime is where you find it, hopefully before it finds you, but La Misión isn't exactly a war zone.
C'mon down. You'll be fine.
I'll let someone else get you up to date on La Fonda along with a few other places in the neighborhood.

Ateo - 4-6-2013 at 04:41 PM

I stayed at La Fonda 2 months ago. Seemed just like the old days. You're missing out staying away. =)

woody with a view - 4-6-2013 at 04:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatesh
Haven't been to Baja since the drug war started.Since the 1980's? During our last trip petty crime was on the rise, what is it like now? Better, but it depends...

Ateo - 4-6-2013 at 05:03 PM


La Fonda January 2013.

And yeah, that drug war has been going on for 30 years. Lots has changed since then.............:lol::lol:

yellowklr - 4-6-2013 at 05:17 PM

Last few times I ate there the food was horrible but the view was awesome..........I have a Condo at La Mision so I"m there often, I now always eat at Splash or Lighthouse and they both are awesome

liknbaja127 - 4-6-2013 at 05:49 PM

We have a friend that stays there a lot! he loves it. we stayed 2 years ago,
very nice, clean, and good security.
But if you want to drive 20mins. more, Las Rosas is a great stay for 1 or 2
days, But better check for reservations, on the weekends.

Ateo - 4-6-2013 at 06:02 PM

I wouldn't eat there, not with Poco Cielo next door.

yellowklr - 4-6-2013 at 06:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
I wouldn't eat there, not with Poco Cielo next door.


that is my # 3 restraunt in the area but its very good!!!

Ateo - 4-6-2013 at 07:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by yellowklr
Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
I wouldn't eat there, not with Poco Cielo next door.


that is my # 3 restraunt in the area but its very good!!!


Well I HAVE to try Spalsh soon. Never heard of the Lighthouse -- where it at? Forgive my ignorance.

yellowklr - 4-6-2013 at 07:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
Quote:
Originally posted by yellowklr
Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
I wouldn't eat there, not with Poco Cielo next door.


that is my # 3 restraunt in the area but its very good!!!


Well I HAVE to try Spalsh soon. Never heard of the Lighthouse -- where it at? Forgive my ignorance.



Lighthouse is just to the west of La Mision restaurant.......enter the La Mision
lot and go straight and then to the left.....Great view and food!

Ateo - 4-6-2013 at 07:45 PM

Thanks Derek!!!

yellowklr - 4-6-2013 at 07:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
Thanks Derek!!!


and Modelo DRAFT for Cheap!

bajajudy - 4-7-2013 at 07:43 AM

I just read a Stuart Woods' book, "Short Straw", and the characters met up La Fonda at the end of the book. They also took the ferry to La Paz. Kinda a Baja book.....kinda

tripledigitken - 4-7-2013 at 08:34 AM

I wouldn't hesitate to spend the night there. We spent a weekend there a couple of years ago and enjoyed our stay. For meals, though, a quick walk north offers some great choices.

DENNIS - 4-7-2013 at 08:56 AM

I wonder whatever became of Dymitri, one of Baja Norte's fabled class acts??

Dennis, Dmytri

Gypsy Jan - 4-7-2013 at 09:31 AM

Moved to his house in La Jolla after he sold La Fonda.

This info is old, but the last time we saw him, he talked about his involvement a housing development in La Mision - Cherry Orchard, Cherry Hill, I can't remember exactly.

We did hear that he was not happy with the people he sold La Fonda to; he was talking about taking it back because they weren't paying him as agreed, but once again, that info is a few years old.

[Edited on 4-7-2013 by Gypsy Jan]

not what it used to be

skipowell - 4-7-2013 at 03:52 PM

We stayed over night at La Fonda about 6 months ago as we were meeting a group of friends who were staying there and thought with the amount we would drink that we should just stay there. Our room was disgusting. The sheets were stained (they were washed though) the tile cracked and bed lumpy. Some of our friends had better rooms though. Next time we will just pay for a taxi to drive us home rather than stay there. We did enjoy our dinner and the service was outstanding. We were with a group of about 25 people .

DENNIS - 4-7-2013 at 04:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Moved to his house in La Jolla after he sold La Fonda.

This info is old, but the last time we saw him, he talked about his involvement a housing development in La Mision - Cherry Orchard, Cherry Hill, I can't remember exactly.

We did hear that he was not happy with the people he sold La Fonda to; he was talking about taking it back because they weren't paying him as agreed, but once again, that info is a few years old.



I remember this stuff, Jan. That's about the last thing I heard about him.
I think Dave used to keep tabs on him, but Dave ain't here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6wV7rAKMNE




.

BooJumMan - 4-7-2013 at 06:49 PM

Go to La Fonda often for the day to surf. Stayed there a night about 3 months ago... Love it there. Good vibes. Food is horrible though for sure. Drinks are good though. ; )

BooJumMan - 4-7-2013 at 06:53 PM

Ateo -- That picture is ridiculous!!!!!!! :)

Ateo - 4-7-2013 at 06:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BooJumMan
Ateo -- That picture is ridiculous!!!!!!! :)


That was a special day. Not a soul out and no one within 10 miles. Obvioulsy not La Fonda. I was trying to post a photo of La Fonda, but the previous "cut n paste" link showed up and I just went with it as a joke.

Ateo - 4-7-2013 at 06:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I wonder whatever became of Dymitri, one of Baja Norte's fabled class acts??


Is this the guy that would've owned it in like 1995? That guy was always so welcoming and cheery.

DENNIS - 4-7-2013 at 07:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo

Is this the guy that would've owned it in like 1995? That guy was always so welcoming and cheery.


That's the man. He was a retired dentist from the states. That was my understanding anyway.

[now you got me thinking.........perhaps he was out before '95. Anybody remember? ]

elgatoloco - 4-7-2013 at 08:51 PM

Dimitri's last day at the helm was November 5th 2004. I know that because the next night we had 53 friends and family at a surprise 80th birthday party for my father. My dad thought it was just the four of us for dinner. He was truly surprised and a good time was had by all.

Terry28 - 4-7-2013 at 10:16 PM

I have friends that rent a house from him and they told me 2 months ago that he was still considering repossessing the restaurant for lack of payments. But he really didn't want it back...way too much work and he is not getting any younger....

paul r - 4-8-2013 at 10:18 AM

...dymitri,(joe)!!!, a "legend in his own mind", !!?!... wow, now there's a story!!!... I could go on for hours, but, well, people that know dymitri,(joe), know you'll never know dymitri!!!?... what a true classic!!!... the most honest, caring, lair, thief, gentle human being, I've run across!!!... hard working?, set the standard!!..., dennis, try plumber from sherman oaks, but,!!!, la jolla,?, must be a suburb of chula vista, huh?... the dearest person down here!!!, especially if you have a broken down mercedes for sale!!???.... I remember the morning after the "union" shut him down years ago, dymitri was "open" in front of his and sara's house making and selling burritos himself!!!!, I love the cat!!!... if one of you "writers" want to make a million, get dymitri to "sing the song", you'll never look back!!!... I love the cat!... oh boy, bring back the eve stockard daze!!!??!....

DENNIS - 4-8-2013 at 01:21 PM

You mean he wasn't a dentist? I'm glad I never asked him for a root canal.
How about his son? I'm in the mood to read some dirt.
La Jolla is the high rent district in San Diego....very high rent.

Plumber ??????????? Really?????????

Udo - 4-8-2013 at 02:37 PM

I agree here withe Ateo.
Poco Cielo has better food and their new rooms are fabulous.
If you really want to splurge in luxury...pick the Polynesian room.
Tell them I sent you for a special deal!
Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
I wouldn't eat there, not with Poco Cielo next door.

Yes, Joe Is Quite the Lovable Scoundrel

Gypsy Jan - 4-8-2013 at 03:03 PM

Dennis, his son has been in and out of the CRREAD drug rehab facilities in Baja for years. He would get clean, then drift back across the border and pick up with his druggie friends in San Diego and start using again. No violent tendencies, just a sad, damaged young man who has lost his way. He never grew out of his partying days.

When his kid was in residence at CRREAD (read persuaded to check in), Joe would butcher a pig from his ranch and deliver it to the kitchen at the Campito location as a thank you for the help they were providing to his family.

Friends of ours ran into Sara at the Chula Vista AAA office about five years ago and she told them that she and Joe divorced very shortly after he left La Fonda. They said that she didn't seem to broken up about it.

Now you know all I know, except the tales of the wild parties in the old days at La Fonda.

Sallysouth - 4-8-2013 at 03:08 PM

Last August my daughter, Amy and daughters, myself, stopped at La Fonda for lunch.It really is not the same,but the food was pretty good.We decided to get a room and they showed us two rooms that were available.Smelly, nasty old bedspreads, not very clean and they wanted $90.00!!There was maybe two other guests staying there and they would not budge on the price. We left, drove home. Dennis, as to Joes son Brad,many years ago my daughter, Juanita (rip) "dated" him. He had a really bad drug problem and was constantly Mia for work at the restaurant. Joe told Mija That she was too good for him and best that she dump him! She did. Whenever we went back Joe would say"he's is jail, or I have no idea where he is!". I would be surprised ifBrad was still alive. Joe was the nicest, warmest guy, making you feel special every visit.

DENNIS - 4-8-2013 at 03:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
I would be surprised ifBrad was still alive.



Hi Sal......yeah....I've known about him for years. Pretty much dead-weight for his daddy. Too bad.

I'm not sure what could be worse....CREAD or the monkey on his back. He used to live over in the valley on that Pig ranch. Good place for him.
Ohhh well......

Pig ranch?

Sallysouth - 4-8-2013 at 03:34 PM

Is that what we smelled? We spent a night there when there were no rooms at la Fonda.At least I think it was the same place?

DENNIS - 4-8-2013 at 04:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Is that what we smelled? We spent a night there when there were no rooms at la Fonda.At least I think it was the same place?



Probably so. If it smells like a pig, and oinks like a pig, it's a pig ranch.

willardguy - 4-9-2013 at 02:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I wonder whatever became of Dymitri, one of Baja Norte's fabled class acts??
LOL! fabled class act? I gotta go with jans "lovable scoundrel" but either way bellied up to the old bar with DMYTRIW (correct spelling) and old macpherson drinking a legendary banana daiquiri was something to behold.
anyone with vintage photos of the old place lets bust em out!

rdrrm8e - 4-9-2013 at 02:54 PM

We called the banana daquiris..penis coladas

willardguy - 4-9-2013 at 03:13 PM

(or penis colossus) :lol: