Eat-N-Write is the Daily’s bi-monthly restaurant review column, written by two college students, Zach Calef and Tim Paluch, on the lookout for affordable meals under $10. Despite what they may write, they are not actual food critics and their culinary expertise is little to none. All restaurants reviewed are local, non-chain establishments.

This time around, we were in the mood for some authentic Mexican cuisine. Word on the street told us the place to go in Ames was La Fuente, 217 S. Duff Ave. After some extensive research, we found out “La Fuente” was Spanish for “The Fuente,” although the verdict isn’t out on what exactly a fuente is. It was a Sunday night on the first week of classes, so the parking lot was full. Despite this, there was no wait to get a table. We’ve heard nothing but rave reviews from this place, so the expectations were quite high.

Restaurant Atmosphere

Tim: Hola! Me llamo Tim. That’s about the extent of my Spanish vocabulary, and I’m not sure I even spelled llamo right. (Just thought I’d get into the mood of the restaurant).

We were immediately given a window seat with a great view of a construction site on the other side of Duff Ave. The scent of freshly grilled fajitas filled the room. First impression – two floors of authentic Mexican bliss.

Zach: Se¤or Tim, se pone sus pantalones. While Tim enjoyed the luxurious view, I was actually checking out the restaurant. The decor was great, with beautifully painted walls giving the appearance of a Mexican palace.

Tim: I will give the place credit, the authentic murals on the walls were a nice touch, but let’s think about this, Zach. We were in an authentic Mexican restaurant.

I certainly wasn’t expecting Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar with a playplace out back.

Zach: Enough with the walls. I have walls at my house. What was a nice touch, though, was the green and red light bulbs on the ceiling every 15 feet or so.

Tim: Another bonus with the atmosphere was the lack of cigarette smoke, although we can thank the Ames smoking ordinance for that. This marked the first time in recent memory I’ve been able to enjoy a meal in Ames without developing a chronic lung disease in the process. A thumbs up for me, but not an enthusiastic one.

Zach: Hey man, are you saying it is right to not spark a Cuban while visiting a Mexican restaurant?

Don’t get me going on that topic. Atmosphere gets a thumbs up from me.

Service

Tim: The service was no bueno. It took quite a bit to get some nachos and salsa, and even longer before we finally placed our drink order.

I understand the place was hopping, but it shouldn’t take ten minutes to get a Coke.

Zach: Correctamundo, Timmy. I absolutely hate it when my pop gets to me the same time as my water because the server apparently forgot about me.

How am I supposed to choose what to drink? And the refill situation was a joke.

Usually they hound you like a rabid dog. Tonight was just the opposite. Thumbs down here.

Tim: I agree. We were there almost an hour, and I was only refilled once. Thumbs down from me.

Food Quality

Tim: La Fuente’s menu was chock full of enchiladas, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, tortillas, tostados, chalupas, various refried things here and there, and all sorts of other delicacies ending in -illa or -ada. I decided on the No. 15 combination plate ($5.75) – One beef taco, one enchilada and one chalupa. I’m not sure, however, if that’s what I got. But again, I’ll get to that later.

Zach: I ordered some cheese dip for our chips that was quite good. For my meal, I went with mixed fajitas – tender sliced beef and chicken with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions and a bunch of extras on the side that resembled dog food just a bit too much. I think they call it frijoles and guacamole. The cost was a mere $9.

Tim: Before I go and actually talk about my meal, let me just let everybody know my views on Mexican food. You can call it a tostado; you can call it a chalupa; you can call it a margarita for all I care, but in the end it’s just meat, cheese and tortilla.

When my food arrived, it certainly didn’t appear to be one beef taco, one enchilada and one chalupa. I think they gave me two tostadas. I guess that just reinforces my theory. The food itself wasn’t filling enough, despite the three pounds of chips we polished off before the main course. And the taco was small and lacked taste, substance and texture.

Zach: The food was brought out to us fairly quickly. I thought the fajitas were about average until I saw they put something in there that was definitely not on the menu.

I mistook a dark brown, crusty, crinkle-cut french fry for a piece of sliced chicken. I noticed it when I stabbed it with my fork to put it on my fajita. The thing broke right in half. They didn’t even have ketchup on the table.

Tim: Zach, I believe you are referring to “El Fry del Crinkle,” a dish native to the Southern regions of Mexico. I also thought it was quite amusing to watch Zach separate out all the onions and green peppers. He’s so cute when he’s being picky.

The food was bad. Period. If you are looking for some fine Mexican cuisine and La Fuente is supposedly one of the best, I suggest either stick to Taco Bell or Taco Time.

After all, it’s all just meat, cheese and tortilla anyway. Thumbs down.

Zach: Yeah Tim, I pick that crap out. What’s your point? Everyone told me when I was little that onions would put hair on my chest, but that’s not something I’m too concerned about in my life right now.

The food was OK. However, I have had better. So, thumbs down.