Cilantro’s Colombian Grill Restaurant

I went back with some girlfriends for lunch. It wasn’t my idea, but they hadn’t been there and wanted to try it. I was trying to make a lunch out of empanada appetizers and the waitress was saying I couldn’t. What? My friends wanted to customize their meals too and were told they couldn’t. Now, I’m not a difficult diner. Really I’m not. I’ve also never owned a restaurant, but if I did and I had diners who were asking for something that’s already offered on the menu, but not with the exact sides that it’s offered with, I’d do it. No problem. But they were not willing to budge. I never went back. Neither did my friends. I don’t know anyone that did.
.. .. and now they’re closed.

I went back to this place two weeks ago, on a FRIDAY, surprisingly I couldn’t get the buñuelos like the previous reviewer did, you know the ones that are served only saturday and sunday! Yeah well I couldn’t get them, maybe because I’m so picky I can’t get items that as stated on the menu are only served saturday and sunday…
I do have to say that service was very good this time, I was by myself, but the server did not rush me and my food didn’t take forever! yay kuddos to Cilantros for fixing this issue.
For an appetizer I ordered 2 empanadas, gosh I love their empanadas sooo much, they were nice and crisp on the outside and the meat filling was very flavorful, the accompanying salsa was also very good.
For my entrée I had the arroz con pollo, I wasn’t impressed with it, it had a decent flavor but not the best I have ever tested. When I come back I will probably stick with the pollo asado or bandeja paisa.

To be honest, I’m pickier than most when it comes to eating out. Or at least I thought I was, until I read two of the reviews on this restaurant. I find the 1 star review hilarious, considering that it was given only because Cilantro’s doesn’t serve breakfast and not on the quality of current menu offering. Oh well. On to my review.
My wife, our two kids (6 and 9) and I, visited Cilantro’s on Friday night at about 6:30. The restaurant is your typical open floor plan; a pony wall down the middle with simple but well done Latin American décor. On our visit, the restaurant was EXTREMELY clean… including the restrooms.
I ordered #24 Pollo Asado, Arroz, Frijoles, Y Maduros (substituting the sweet plantains for green). My wife ordered #33 Filete de Tilapia Asada servido con Arroz, Frijoles, y Maduros o Tostones. We ordered the kids both the #35 Hamburguesitas con Papas Fritas (con queso). We also ordered as appetizers, two Bunuelos (freaking awesome) and an order of Arepa Rellena con Carne Azada o queso (I could have eaten two of these as my meal and been happy).
Overall the presentation was excellent. My chicken was lightly marinated and very tasty. My wife’s Tilapia was fresh and well prepared with a similar sauce as the chicken. The beans and rice were perfect. The kids burgers were made of real hamburger meat (I have to say this because I’ve seen burgers for the kids made of mystery meat before) and were kid size. Like the size of those new Burger King burgers. Believe it or not, they ate it all. The appetizers were great as well.
Service was probably over the top. We had a server who was a little «green» and we were her only table, but she did a great job. Very attentive.
Overall, as a family, we’re very hard to please. Cilantro’s was a pleasant surprise and will be added to our normal rotation. We spent about $ 48 for the whole meal. Do yourself a favor and go try Cilantro’s for yourself. Oh, and by the way… they don’t serve breakfast, but they have an excellent lunch and dinner menu.

I totally forgot to write a review of Cilatntro’s. I had very good meal at a really good price. The wait was a little too long for a lunch but the food was quite tasty. I had the tilapia and a colleague had an amazing collection of meats including a great blood sausage. The house soup was very tasty.
Don’t look for spice as Colombian food is not known for the heat and don’t go there thinking you can fit a lunch in an hour but do go and enjoy the food. I too will go here again and am very interested in going for breakfast.