Normally, as a general practice, I try to avoid the Proctor District in Tacoma — and I’m quite aware of the fact that I’m one of the only people in this city who does so.

It’s really not because I dislike the Proctor District, quite the contrary, it’s so downright adorable with its lineup of perfect businesses and the homes that I’ve wanted to live in ever since I was a small child.

Proctor hurts my feelings because I know I’ll never be able to live there as a home owner since I’m not a believer in lottery tickets or the like.

Thus, I’ve operated on an out-of-sight-out-of-mind basis when it comes to section of town.

But that’s really not fair to you fancy readers who want to remain on the cutting edge of what’s hip and smooth about T-Town.

So, with some tissues stuffed in my jacket to wipe away the tears, I trotted through Proctor and admired places such as Chalet Bowl, The Blue Mouse Theater, and the fact that this place is so darn walkable. Everything is magic in Proctor.

To do this business district justice, since I’ve so drastically underserved it, today’s column is a jump start to a three-piece series on the glitter that is Proctor, and the businesses that help to make it shine.

This week we’ll step inside La Fondita Mexican Restaurant because they have the latest, greatest news.

Perfectly positioned, on Cinco de Mayo, La Fondita launched a new gem. They’ve expanded and now have a full-service bar. The second they opened those doors, an overwhelming flood of people poured in all day and night. Word gets around quick in this part of Tacoma.

But don’t expect it to be just any tacky Mexican cantina.

Las Puertas, which is what they’re calling the space, is more of an upscale 49-seat piece of swank. That’s nice since their eats are so affordable. Now you can get food that consistently receives star after star amongst high-end tequila and mixers.

Even better, La Fondita is staying open later. Right now the bar is running until midnight during the week and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. You can order any of La Fondita’s No. 1 sellers such as the fish taco, chicken mollet, burrito asado and pollo ranchero until 9 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. As you customers continue to shimmy in, La Fondita is hoping to serve food later and later into the night. I love eating late!

Awesome!

Most importantly, La Fondita as a whole defines cozy, and this latest extension pairs it.

It’s no wonder that everyone inside La Fondita was so happy.

They’re in Proctor.



[La Fondita Mexican Restaurant, 2620 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.752.2878]



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