Enjoyed better when it was Cilantros. Our check was insanely high our first visit to Mexicali, with the food hit or miss depending on the dish. We probably won’t be back.
John Adams
Please bring back CILANTRO's. Arrived today for lunch at 1:00 pm, maybe 4 tables occupied. Two (2) managers chatting with each other behind the bar. Six (6) servers mostly clustered around a table of 6 hispanic workers. Must have been pretty entertaining, because NOBODY got ANY service for 15 minutes while these guys related their story in Spanish. After a while, I stopped a waitress, and asked if she could help us - she wait. Finally, a waiter saunters over. Trust me - NO ONE was in ANY HURRY whatsoever. THis is in direct contrast to the staff when it was Cilantros, who were famous for fast service. We ordered SPECIAL LUNCH NUMBER A. Took almost 20 minutes for the order to come out, food was so-so. Chile relleno was swimming in a huge puddle of grease. Refried beans had no flavor. We won't be back. But don't worrry about this place because it is doomed to fail soon.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Dr. Joan Haakonstad
Delicious food and amazing Sangria Margarita!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Birria Estilo Jalisco, Cheese Enchiladas Rojas
Ssi Joe
Mexicali Fresh! What happened to Cilantros?
Atmosphere gone, Margaritas in a beer glass! Menu more limited and a bit confusing,
Prices higher! Our entrees we had were not finishabke and not deserving of any stars.
Friday nite about 6:30 place nearly empty. Word gets around quickly .
We’re going to better alternative like LaPlancha ,!Tortuga Jacks and Chili Peppers.
As old time Cilantro regulars , Was more than disappointed .!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jamie Pratt
Great Lunch Spot !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vivien Garber
I'm from out of town and staying on the island. My neighbor suggested that I pick up Mexican food for us. I got the steak tacos. The staff was really friendly on the phone taking my order. They were very specific in asking me if I wanted onion on the tacos. That's very thoughtful. I wanted the food exactly the way they prepare it so I got the onions and the tacos were very much like Baja tacos, The way you would get them if you lived in Southern California / San Diego. It was wonderful. Plenty of meat. A side of crema and salsa, rice and beans and a big bag of chips. As I was waiting for my food, I sat at the bar and I really liked the restaurant. It's like a typical cafe, not decorated inside with a Hispanic theme, but it's okay Because it was highly air conditioned which is needed in this heat and humidity in August. The guest looked very happy and their plates were filled with food. You get really good value here. I talked to the two bartenders in my broken Spanish. They were so friendly. They really knew how to ask open-ended questions and we talked about food and where I have lived around the world, in Spanish when possible. Very very nice young men. I will frequent this Mexican restaurant multiple times while I stay here for 2 months just because they're friendly, The restaurant is clean, and the food was delicious and good value. My friend got the crazy chicken plate. It look like chicken that was grilled with onions and mushrooms. I really didn't pay much attention to it because I was consuming my tacos, and get them with corn tortillas. That's really the way to eat any taco. The corn tortillas were very good, not dry. I think this would be a perfect place for happy hour and just to get a good plate of Mexican food and enjoy the community.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexis Callejas
It’s truly a hidden gem. It’s got amazing quality food. It’s authentic. Can’t speak highly enough of the place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Texas Fajitas
Ana Rojas (Anita)
This place is an absolute gem. Love the place. Will be coming here in the future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joy Bradham
Visiting from our of town. Visited tonight and it was bingo Tuesday! Walked in and the vibes were amazing. Food was great. Service was fast. Wish we could've stayed for a full card. Definitely enjoyed
We travel to SSI numerous times each year and always eat at Cilantros during our stay. Unfortunately, this will be the last time. Our server was kind but she seemed to be clueless about everything. Our chips were burnt (when we asked for non-burnt chips, she told us “we only have one bucket of chips”). The Pibb Xtra/Dr.Pepper had no syrup…she said “it must be out”, there was no offer to fix it. The cheese dip was cold and was the consistency of sour cream. My daughter ordered steak and cheese nachos, but they came out without cheese. When I asked about the cheese, she said “it comes on the side”. They then brought out a tiny side of cheese dip (again, the consistency of sour cream). We asked for more cheese, but we never got it. This was the biggest disappointment. Cilantros used to be an excellent place to eat…I don’t know what happened. The food was awful. I would NEVER recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jerry Mader
Horrible food over cooked microwaved no tasting burritos Tamale tostada all bad beans and rice $25? Really not edible for a dog
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Brenda Meeks
We were not crazy about the food and the service was on the slow side.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Tacos
Martin Webb
First time here. It's on my list to go back again! I recommend everything they serve!
Enjoyed better when it was Cilantros. Our check was insanely high our first visit to Mexicali, with the food hit or miss depending on the dish. We probably won’t be back.
Please bring back CILANTRO's. Arrived today for lunch at 1:00 pm, maybe 4 tables occupied. Two (2) managers chatting with each other behind the bar. Six (6) servers mostly clustered around a table of 6 hispanic workers. Must have been pretty entertaining, because NOBODY got ANY service for 15 minutes while these guys related their story in Spanish. After a while, I stopped a waitress, and asked if she could help us - she wait. Finally, a waiter saunters over. Trust me - NO ONE was in ANY HURRY whatsoever. THis is in direct contrast to the staff when it was Cilantros, who were famous for fast service. We ordered SPECIAL LUNCH NUMBER A. Took almost 20 minutes for the order to come out, food was so-so. Chile relleno was swimming in a huge puddle of grease. Refried beans had no flavor. We won't be back. But don't worrry about this place because it is doomed to fail soon.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Delicious food and amazing Sangria Margarita!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Birria Estilo Jalisco, Cheese Enchiladas Rojas
Mexicali Fresh! What happened to Cilantros?
Atmosphere gone, Margaritas in a beer glass! Menu more limited and a bit confusing,
Prices higher! Our entrees we had were not finishabke and not deserving of any stars.
Friday nite about 6:30 place nearly empty. Word gets around quickly .
We’re going to better alternative like LaPlancha ,!Tortuga Jacks and Chili Peppers.
As old time Cilantro regulars , Was more than disappointed .!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Great Lunch Spot !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I'm from out of town and staying on the island. My neighbor suggested that I pick up Mexican food for us. I got the steak tacos. The staff was really friendly on the phone taking my order. They were very specific in asking me if I wanted onion on the tacos. That's very thoughtful. I wanted the food exactly the way they prepare it so I got the onions and the tacos were very much like Baja tacos, The way you would get them if you lived in Southern California / San Diego. It was wonderful. Plenty of meat. A side of crema and salsa, rice and beans and a big bag of chips. As I was waiting for my food, I sat at the bar and I really liked the restaurant. It's like a typical cafe, not decorated inside with a Hispanic theme, but it's okay Because it was highly air conditioned which is needed in this heat and humidity in August. The guest looked very happy and their plates were filled with food. You get really good value here. I talked to the two bartenders in my broken Spanish. They were so friendly. They really knew how to ask open-ended questions and we talked about food and where I have lived around the world, in Spanish when possible. Very very nice young men. I will frequent this Mexican restaurant multiple times while I stay here for 2 months just because they're friendly, The restaurant is clean, and the food was delicious and good value. My friend got the crazy chicken plate. It look like chicken that was grilled with onions and mushrooms. I really didn't pay much attention to it because I was consuming my tacos, and get them with corn tortillas. That's really the way to eat any taco. The corn tortillas were very good, not dry. I think this would be a perfect place for happy hour and just to get a good plate of Mexican food and enjoy the community.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s truly a hidden gem. It’s got amazing quality food. It’s authentic. Can’t speak highly enough of the place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Texas Fajitas
This place is an absolute gem. Love the place. Will be coming here in the future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Visiting from our of town. Visited tonight and it was bingo Tuesday! Walked in and the vibes were amazing. Food was great. Service was fast. Wish we could've stayed for a full card. Definitely enjoyed
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Parking: 30 spots
Kid-friendliness: Yes
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Love it here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We travel to SSI numerous times each year and always eat at Cilantros during our stay. Unfortunately, this will be the last time. Our server was kind but she seemed to be clueless about everything. Our chips were burnt (when we asked for non-burnt chips, she told us “we only have one bucket of chips”). The Pibb Xtra/Dr.Pepper had no syrup…she said “it must be out”, there was no offer to fix it. The cheese dip was cold and was the consistency of sour cream. My daughter ordered steak and cheese nachos, but they came out without cheese. When I asked about the cheese, she said “it comes on the side”. They then brought out a tiny side of cheese dip (again, the consistency of sour cream). We asked for more cheese, but we never got it. This was the biggest disappointment. Cilantros used to be an excellent place to eat…I don’t know what happened. The food was awful. I would NEVER recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Horrible food over cooked microwaved no tasting burritos
Tamale tostada all bad beans and rice $25? Really not edible for a dog
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
We were not crazy about the food and the service was on the slow side.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Tacos
First time here. It's on my list to go back again! I recommend everything they serve!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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