First look at the mouthwatering Mexican food being served up at Sheffield's newest vegan eatery

We may be in the middle of yet another national lockdown but that did not stop the owners of Make No Bones, David Shaw and Lauren Hird, from teaming up with Sean O’Callaghan to open La Fonda on January 15.

La Fonda is located within the kitchen at The Tramshed’s premises at 53 Chesterfield Road, Heeley, and will form the popular bar’s food offering once pubs are permitted to reopen.

For now, La Fonda’s full menu – which includes Chorizo Sopes and Vegan Tinga Taco Dorado - is available for both collection and delivery from Friday to Sunday.

Sean has spent the last 10 years travelling to Mexico City, Mexico and the genesis of La Fonda came about after speaking to David and Lauren about how much he missed the food there.

"I came back to Sheffield in July 2020, and after having a conversation with them about how much I miss the food in Mexico City, we decided to team up,” said Sean, who hails from Brisbane, Australia.

He added: “I was excited about opening it [La Fonda] because there really isn’t anything in Sheffield that blends a vegan vision with authentic Mexican food, so it’s something new for the city.”

The addition of La Fonda to Chesterfield Road is helping to boost an already extremely healthy vegan and vegetarian offering on the busy main road, which includes meat-free eateries Just Falafs and Pour, and the vegan and vegetarian friendly, Delphine Fish and Chips.

Sean says La Fonda’s menu is very “typically Mexican” and while there are dishes that include meat substitutes such as seitan and faux chicken and shrimps, a sizaeable proportion of the menu is centred around vegetables, including black beans and mushrooms.

Currently, Sean’s favourite dish on the menu are the Baja Tacos which are filled with battered vegan shrimp; fresh red cabbage and house special chipoltle mayo, served with mini smashed potato.

Despite being open for little over a fortnight, La Fonda already appears to be popular with customers who have described the food as “stunning” and “delicious” in online reviews.

La Fonda are hoping to offer customers a Sunday brunch special and those interested are advised to keep an eye on their Facebook and Instagram pages for details.

While La Fonda may have opened to take-out customers under the most challenging of circumstances, Sean says it has meant that David and Lauren – who also run Saucy on Abbeydale Road – have been able to hang on to all of their staff through moving them on to new roles.

La Fonda is open on Fridays from 5pm until 9pm; on Saturdays from midday until 9pm and on Sundays from midday until 9pm and you can order through City Grab, Deliveroo and Just Eat.

For more information and their menu please visit their website here.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.