Our Story
On June 28, 1965 La Fonda was opened by BJ and Otiska Perkins, along with their son, Clif. Seating only 50 people and one dining room, La Fonda has grown to be able to seat nearly 300 and has 6 dining rooms. Clif and his wife, Selah, dedicated their lives to this New Mexico treasure for 53 years. On January 1, 2019 their daughter, Betsy Shields, and her husband Josh, bought the company and took over the task of running the business. With over 15 years of experience, Josh worked as a Chef in many Scottsdale AZ locations until relocating to Artesia. After revamping the menu, we are excited to bring a modern flair to this essential Southwestern eatery.
Many of our recipes are tried and tested for years before becoming a part of our menu. You can still find some of the original items that we have been serving for decades.
For 5 generations, La Fonda has been a staple for locals and tourists alike. Using only fresh ingredients, and portion sizes that will make you sweat -- if you leave hungry, it was your own fault!
