BY JOE ARCE
A landmark Mexican restaurant in the heart of Kansas City Westside neighborhood is about to close its doors at the end of the month. The owners of La Fonda El Taquito, Maria Chaurand and her sister Sandy Medina, believe they have given their all keeping their customers happy and fed for the last 47 years and now is the right time for them to retire and enjoy their retirement. Chaurand went on social media to share the news of the closing in early January. Chaurand admits the decision to close the restaurant was not an easy decision and they have been thing about it for the last couple of years, “It was a difficult decision, but mainly we are exhausted and we though it was the right time.”
Looking back over the years, Chaurand said one of the biggest hit for her restaurant was the pandemic in 2020, many restaurants and other businesses were shut down due to Covid. “We continued to work hard though Covid and we were able to keep our doors open.” Although they had to adjust their hours, adjust the days that they were open for business, Chaurand also points out how the price for food just kept going up and up and that also was a concern for her during the last several years. “People may think we make a lot of money in this restaurant business, but that is not true because the percentage is so low… we lived and we got paid as did our employees and we were able to keep our door open, but the prices for food just keeps going up,” said Chaurand.
“For almost 50 years my mom Maria and my Aunt Sandy are retiring and closing our beloved La Fonda El Taquito at the end of this month. I grew up working at the restaurant and have so many wonderful memories with family and friends. While this is very bittersweet, I am happy for my mom and aunt to be able to finally enjoy the next chapter of their lives. And like my mom said, please come see them for one last meal,” wrote Enrique Chaurand Jr. on his social media page.
The restaurant called El Taquito was founded in 1978 by Chaurand’s parents Agustin “Chino” Medina and Teresa Garcia Medina at 17th Summit in the Westside neighborhood of KCMO. They started out with tacos and tortillas. Later the name changed to La Fonda El Taquito and the menu expanded with Chaurand’s mother enchiladas and other great dishes. Over the years, live bands performed along with other entertainment. The family restaurant was known for great food and a place to enjoy the rich culture of the Mexican community.
One of Linda Reyes’ memories at the restaurant was the annual Lillis High School alumni get together on St. Patrick’s Day “since many of the Medina family members graduated from there. Lillis’ mascot was the fighting Irish and that’s why all alumni would gather on this day at the La Fonda restaurant. My husband Jimmy and I both have fond memories of those occasions. The Lillis Alumni is grateful to them for our celebrations. We also celebrate my husband 60th birthday. Plus we meet other family here at the restaurant on Sunday for Menudo. You know it’s all about the families that we got to know by being here… Maria, Sandy, Gloria, and Joe, all of them. We are going to miss them and I going to miss my favorite dish, enchiladas, because their enchiladas remind me of my mom and my grandparents that they use to make and their sauce is perfect. But they deserve there retirement,” said Reyes.
Linda’s husband Jimmy said, “La Fonda’s menudo reminds me of my father’s menudo that he cooked and that’s why I come here to have a bowl pretty much every Sunday, for decades. I’m going to miss Maria and Sandy, the most because of their warm hospitality and their great food. So many memories of my family coming here at La Fonda. Also, I’m going to miss the chicharron tacos that are not on their menu, but those tacos are fabulous. “
Jimmy added, “What I admired most about the Medina family is their togetherness and how they are united together in all their endeavors whether it’s vacation or work, that’s what I appreciate the most.”
Rita Rios told Hispanic News, “I love their carnitas tacos and it reminds me when they first started on 17th and Summit, that’s where we would go for lunch. I’m sad they are closing because we have had a lot of family events here, but I’m happy for them and it’s time for them to retire and enjoy life.”
La Fonda El Taquito will remain open until January 31, 2025 at 800 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, Mo 816-471-1675.
