Johnny Curiel grew up in a family of chefs in Guadalajara and started as a dishwasher in his father's restaurant at 14. At 18 he traveled through Mexico, learning from street food stands and abuelas' home kitchens, before joining Richard Sandoval's team in kitchens across Washington D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Oaxaca, and Aspen. In Denver he worked with Troy Guard at Guard + Grace, Los Chingones, and Mr. Tuna before opening Alma Fonda Fina as his first solo restaurant.
The name splits the concept in two: Alma means soul, Fonda Fina describes a humble neighborhood spot for friends and family. Guests sit at tables or at a chef's counter, where the kitchen staff walk diners through the plates as they land — salsa-topped agave-roasted sweet potatoes over whipped requesón, moles that range well past poblano, and crispy-skinned carnitas served with sourdough tortillas. Avocado margaritas come rimmed with housemade black tajín.
Alma Fonda Fina holds a Michelin star, awarded in 2024, 2025, and 2026, and was a James Beard Best Chef: Mountain finalist in 2026 after a Best New Restaurant finalist nod in 2025. It landed on North America's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025, and 5280 Magazine and Westword have both named it among their city best-of picks, alongside a spot on a national best-of restaurant list.
The name splits the concept in two: Alma means soul, Fonda Fina describes a humble neighborhood spot for friends and family. Guests sit at tables or at a chef's counter, where the kitchen staff walk diners through the plates as they land — salsa-topped agave-roasted sweet potatoes over whipped requesón, moles that range well past poblano, and crispy-skinned carnitas served with sourdough tortillas. Avocado margaritas come rimmed with housemade black tajín.
Alma Fonda Fina holds a Michelin star, awarded in 2024, 2025, and 2026, and was a James Beard Best Chef: Mountain finalist in 2026 after a Best New Restaurant finalist nod in 2025. It landed on North America's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025, and 5280 Magazine and Westword have both named it among their city best-of picks, alongside a spot on a national best-of restaurant list.