Las Fuentes is a good restaurant if you are in the mood for authentic, homemmade Mexican food. It is located on Vanowen Street and Reseda Street. It is open Sunday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The outside of the restaurant is plain with a small parking lot that is able to fit maximum three cars. It is right next to an auto shop which makes the restaurant not look appealing at first.
But once you go inside you are drawn in by all the Mexican inspired decorations. The restaurant is filled with artificial trees of apples and white flowers. The walls are dark blue and mustard yellow. Some walls have paintings of women cooking. They have wooden tables with red and blue chipped chairs. They have big, yellow suns hanging from the celling and against the walls.
The restaurant is cut into several rooms divided by black bars wrapped with vines. They have a patio outside as well. One room in particular differs from the rest because it has a big moon hanging from the wall. This room also has big, ceramic fruits against the wall from red strawberries, mangoes, and half-cut papayas.
For beverages they have the typical Coke Cola, Sprite, and Root Beer but if you are in the mood for something more refreshing and crisp then try their homemade sweet “Horchata” ($1.95) which is rice milk that is made out of scratch. They also serve beer, wine, and margaritas.
The restaurant carries burritos, tacos, tortas, and burritos. They have a variety of meat which includes shredded beef “machaca”, marinated pork “al pastor”, steak, lean fried pork “carnitas”, and chicken.
Their most popular plate is their “Platillo de Steak Picado” ($10.59) which is grilled, soft steak cut into pieces and tossed in with fresh cut tomatoes and later cooked in tomato sauce. The plate, like every other entrée in the restaurant, comes with fluffy rice mixed with peas and brown, refried beans. The beans are topped with melted mozzarella cheese and with three oily but crispy chips. You also get creamy guacamole that is mixed in with diced tomatoes and onions. Once you taste the guacamole you can taste a hint of lime and cilantro after.
Their tortas ($6.59) are tasty as well if you are looking to eat a big sandwich. It has your choice of meat, sliced tomatoes and spicy jalapenos, sour cream, diced onions, chunks of avocado, and melted cheese inside a feathery, soft, French bread that is spread with brown refried beans.
Their lists of desserts are good as well. They have homemade “flan” ($1.95) that melts into your mouth as soon you taste it. The flan is rich and sweet. Another great dessert is their “Jericalla” which is a creamy egg custard. The dessert is sweetened with scrumptious caramel you cannot possibly taste the egg. It is a delicious and very sweet way to end your meal.
If you are looking for a casual night out with the family then this is the place for you but come early because on the weekends it is impossible to find a seat with the kind of coordination they have. You have to pick your items from the menu on the wall and go to the cashier to order. They will give you a number and you have to pick up your food, if you order dessert or drinks then that will another separate line. The food is excellent but they should probably rethink their organization.
Las Fuentes 18415 Vanowen Street, Reseda (818-708-3344). Sun-Wed 8 am – 10pm. Thurs – Sat 8 am – 11 pm.