La Fonda of Flagstaff: A Family Tradition
Flagstaff, Arizona – La Fonda of Flagstaff is much more than just a restaurant. It’s a place where delicious food and a warm atmosphere make you feel right at home. This has been the case for nearly 70 years, as family means everything to the Garcia family.
On Fridays, the dining room is often bustling with lunch customers, which is pretty typical for the Garcia family, who have been in the Mexican restaurant business since 1958.
“I think one of the best experiences has been working alongside my grandfather for about 15-20 years,” Brandon Garcia mentioned.
Brandon’s grandparents, Stephanie Verasco and Reuben Garcia, established the restaurant before the area was officially part of Flagstaff.
“Back then, it was a much smaller community, mostly dirt roads,” Reuben recalled.
Located about a block from Route 66, the restaurant benefits from the traffic this iconic road brings.
“Route 66 really serves as the lifeline of our town, and I’m glad we’re just off that main drag. It’s been key for our livelihood,” Brandon explained.
The family-oriented vibe is another attractive feature of the restaurant.
“Being a third-generation owner feels great,” Stephanie shared. “People are often surprised to hear that.”
The restaurant employs numerous family members, including 26 grandchildren.
“I started washing dishes at 8 am, she handled the cash register at 8 am, and he was also washing dishes at that time,” Reuben said. “Now that I’m older, it’s about continuing the legacy my grandfather began.”
It’s not just the workers that have a legacy; customers often return across generations, too.
“We see freshmen from NAU bring their parents here. It’s often their first stop when they come to town,” Brandon noted.
Since the 1960s, there’s been a desire to pass down family traditions to future generations.
“If the fourth generation can take over, we might last another 100 years,” Reuben expressed. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that one of our kids will carry on the tradition.”
