La Fonda Paisa

Awesome food!! The food really tastes like Colombian food! It also remember Brazilian food very well!

La fonda paisa has the best colombian food in the area, the arepa with Carne y queso is the best, they have really taste and juicy chorizos and not the dry kind you find in other restaurants. They also have some really tasty spicy sauce that I recommend you get a couple of them. The place is also a mini mart and they have a "gift" shop too where you can buy colombian memorabilia. There is parallel parking around the place where you have to pay but there is also a local park nearby where you can park for free if there is any spots.

A small “hole in the wall” type for Colombian Taste. These are the current menu taken on July 29, 2024. I know some people want to know prices and it is understandable that prices change from time to time. I believe Quality before price and this spot may seem a little pricey for some (Chorizo con arepa $4.50 and Colombian Tamal is around $11.75), however it is an authentic taste that is hard to find anywhere around the Washington DC area. I came for a quick Colombian Chorizo with Arepa and my mom’s favorite Empanadas that are so tasty and crunchy. Some people don’t like the “Cafetria” style seating where you pick up your own food a take it to your table but it is a small location where the eating area and restaurant share half of the total location known as “La Fonda Paisa”. The other half is a mini market with dry and packed food, breads and sweets, sodas and beers, and even a freezer with empanadas that you can take home and fry yourself at home. The bag of frozen empanadas are around $10 dollars. The store also has many little backpack, keychains, and house ornaments that come from Colombia with the beautiful vibrant colors. I just know that when I want Colombia authentic cuisine, this spot is the first one that comes to mind. It’s quick, non formal, small, but full of taste. I do wish the parking and the space inside would be a bit bigger but there is no perfect restaurant and that is a small flaw I’m willing to overlook. If you come to eat some food, or take it out to enjoy it at home, or even for some Colombian coffee with Pandebono, Empanadas, or Pan dulce Colombiano well I know you will come back again and again. Enjoy…!

Overall a great first time experience to Columbian cuisine. I ended up going w/ multiple options in the menu. I tried the carne arepas and they was torch. Also tried the simple ones which tasted like a tortilla so I recommend getting meat ( NH) I also tried the chicharon which was pretty good but I don't think I'll be trying it again just because it was filling. The platano with cheese and guava sauce? Was definitely a 10/10 experience. They also have a small market where you can buy different types of Columbian food, snacks, beverages, wine, gift items, hats, you name it. They also have a buffet like menu where you pick what you want to eat

"La Fonda Paisa offers a taste of Colombia in the heart of Silver Spring, with a menu that showcases traditional Colombian dishes bursting with flavor. While I've found a few dishes that I truly enjoy, such as Sancocho or Bandeja Paisa, the overall dining experience is somewhat overshadowed by shortcomings in service and ambiance.The service at La Fonda Paisa, unfortunately, falls short of expectations, with occasional lapses in attentiveness and efficiency detracting from the overall experience. Additionally, I couldn't help but feel that the ambiance could be improved with some attention to decor. A refreshed interior design could elevate the dining atmosphere and enhance the overall dining experience.Despite these drawbacks, the authentic flavors of Colombian cuisine shine through in select dishes, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the culinary richness of Colombia. For those like me, craving a taste of home or a culinary adventure, La Fonda Paisa serves as a welcoming haven. La Fonda Paisa not only serves up authentic Colombian cuisine but also offers a delightful shopping experience for those craving a taste of Colombia.

La Fonda Paisa is a vibrant, no-frills spot that offers a genuinely authentic taste of Colombian cuisine right here in Silver Spring. The food shines, with large, hearty portions of traditional dishes like the magnificent Bandeja Paisa and comforting stews like the Ajiaco Soup and Sancocho. While the ambiance is casual and service can occasionally be hit-or-miss, the rich, homemade flavors—especially the savory meats and delicious empanadas—make it a must-visit for anyone craving genuine Latin American comfort food. A nice bonus is the small market area, where you can pick up traditional Colombian products. If you prioritize authentic, flavorful food above all else, La Fonda Paisa is worth the trip.

If you want a simple breakfast fare at a local bodega, then this is it. This is a very unassuming place where the breakfast staple is the humble egg with some rice and beans and maybe chorizo on the side. We tried the cheese arepa and it was a bit dry, but their empanadas were pretty good (chicken and beef). You can browse the rest of the market while you wait for your food to be prepared, they have a fairly decent selection of snackage. The place is clean and the staff were friendly. We tried one of the dessert pastry and it was a bit stale, yet still surprisingly delicious.

This is a review for the empanadas only. I recently got empanadas from a couple of places and this place has the best in the area. The dough was not too thick and it was crunchy. The filling was juicy and flavorful. I got the meat colombian empanadas. It wasn't super meaty, so not overly generous on the filling but for the price, they are definitely worth it!