  
Our History
La Fonda Restaurant is the first and oldest Mexican restaurant in Baton Rouge and has been owned and operated by the same family for over 45 years. We are famous for our hospitality, our food, and our margaritas.
Why Mexican?
The founders, Despo Womack and her brother Tony Karides, of  Greek descent, were born in Mexico City and had lived in Texas. In 1960 Despo and her husband Jim moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and were shortly joined thereafter by her brother Tony and La Fonda Restaurant and Lounge of Baton Rouge was born.
 La Fonda’s original location was a rented house at 4450 Airline Hwy in  North Baton Rouge, near the intersection of Plank and Airline.
Despo, Jim, and Tony were dedicated to bringing to Baton Rouge the  finest in Tex-Mex food at a reasonable price with outstanding service, while making customers feel like family members. For example, we all remember  customers and employees celebrating Easter at Despo’s home for many years.
In 1966 Jim passed away, and in 1970 Despo and Tony’s sister, Mary Virginis, joined in the business.
The business grew, and in 1979, La Fonda moved to  its present location at 7838 Airline Highway. After Tony passed away in 1981, his widow, Panagiota, also know as Patsy, began to work at the restaurant. With Despo at the helm, assisted by her children, Jimmy Womack and Patsy Keenan, and Mary’s son Gus, the restaurant continued its fine tradition.
Mary and Panagiota worked during the day, and Despo at night. By this time, La Fonda had three generations of customers. Despo knew all of the customers’ names, and would give their children candy. Unfortunately, death again struck our families--Mary in 1999 and Despo in 2002.
 Even though other restaurants have come to Baton Rouge in competition, La Fonda continues on. The restaurant is still owned and operated by the Karides and Womack families. And now joined by our new generation of chefs to continued the traditions.
La Fonda has been blessed to have loyal customers and loyal employees. We still have customers who we have been serving for over 40 years, and we have had employees that have been with us that long too.
They have helped us throughout the years remain what we started as—a family-run restaurant with family hospitality. We ask you to join us and become part of our family and our history, and we would like to thank all of our customers, those who are with us, and remember fondly those who have passed on. |
