I NEVER go to Cilantros because I prefer Mi Ranchito and my experience there when they first opened wasn't a good one but since Mi Ranchito was remodeling, I didn't have another option. The chips were like restaurant style chips you could get from the store. The steak nachos had zero flavor and again, the chips weren't actual Mexican restaurant quality. If you are in the mood for Mexican, go north on Washington street read more

Service at the restaurant was super quick. Enjoyed the food was amazing and service size more than enough. read more

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Think it's time I updated my review from a few years ago as it was when it was called El Mexicano and it was in a different location. They say a rose by any other name smells just as sweet, in this case whether its called "El Mexicano" or "Cilantros" it tastes just as good. The delicious food I wrote about in my prior post years ago is still mote than valid. Your taste buds will have a great experience eating at Cilantros! I have come several times here with family, friends or business associates and I have always come out happy and full. My favorite dish is still the Pollo La Isla. It is composed of fillets of chicken breast with bacon, Chorizo and cheese dip on the top. Served with Mexican rice and guacamole salad and tortillas. Tell me that doesn't sound good!?!? Well, it tastes better than it sounds! Its addicting! Service is of course quick and efficient, even when it gets full or you cone with a large party. I have come here several times during lunch on a workday and I am back to my desk by the hour. The place, though, is a big improvement over the old. More light, more open, the bar area looks beautiful. Definitely worth the move. My only gripe comes from the bar area. They do not sell Kahlua, which is a pretty Mexican drink, and also one of my faves. If I could have some, while here, well I would love coming here even more! Hint Hint. Cilantros is a great local place in Van Wert! If you have not tried it, you are missing out! read more

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Disappointing. Based on the reviews, I thought I was in for a real treat. The food, however, was extremely salty and lacked the depth of flavor I am used to in Mexican food. Our service was excellent, our server was attentive and prompt when asked for something. The atmosphere was pleasant and had a nice vibe. read more

The service was fast and the orders were perfect. Wide selection to choose from. I was really surprised by the decor as this was a Bowling Alley years ago. read more

I came to this place based on recommendation from locals on how good this place was, and that this was their preferred Mexican place. I came once but the place seemed to be empty. I decided to give it a try to have another option here in town. I was greeted by the host and seated immediately. The place was empty (maybe because it was the first snow of the season?), but they had service. I got a basket of tortilla chips (warm!) and salsa. I ordered the Tacos Carnitas (pork tacos) and they were delicious. They came with only one tortilla, onio and cilantro. I asked if they had a hotter salsa and they did. I would have ordered guacamole to add a bit of taste but it was already too much food for me. Tacos were huge, the carnitas were crispy and juicy... I'll definitely will come back to try a different dish to see how good all food is. So far they exceeded my initial expectations. read more

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Came in Sunday afternoon. Very clean, very polite staff, very fast service, very good portions, very good food, clean bathrooms.

Good food for a good price. The service is quick and the servers are very respectful. They have music playing but it's a perfect volume and not too loud. Overall a very good experience. read more

Never a bad meal. Everything on the menu is well prepared and delicious. Friendly, courteous, professional staff. Wonderful ambiance. Visit this place, you will enjoy it. read more

Cilantros Grill & Cantina - Chicken soup (amazing one-dish meal) and Hacienda Chicken. Even the chips and salsa are wonderful. - Mexican Near Me - Van Wert, Ohio

My family has been to Cilantros several times. It is always good in every way. Food is great, service is always fast and attentive. The atmosphere is inviting. read more

My favorite food ! No other restaurant compares. Portions are big. The frozen drinks don't have enough mix in them, usually pretty flavorless but I don't order them often so not a problem. The male servers & manager always look stuck up and irritated but anymore that's part of the fun trying to see if we can get them to loosen up. We don't mind. lol. The food makes up for all of it. read more

Went to this restaurant last night. Had been there a couple times and had good service both time. Last night not so much. Food was good but service.....we were a bother to the server. Didn't get order as we gave him and ran out of drinks, not a glance in our direction until we had to flag him down to get the bill. Won't go back. Only reason for the second star was the food was good, once they got it correct. read more

I always get the grilled chicken salad. It's hugh and so good. It's only $10. When I have gotten it in Fort Wayne it's $14 and the one at cilantros is twice as big. Their salsa and chips are delicious. Some places their salsa taste like tomato sauce. Not here, it's really good salsa. I would rather eat here than any Mexican restaurant in Fort Wayne. read more

Shit Slaps (food), in and out in 20 minutes, nice feel, really good overall vibe in the restaurant

We heard there was a new Mexican restaurant in town and opted to try it. Our family is no stranger to Mexican cuisine and we were excited to try it. Sadly, won't be coming back again. Almost everyone at our table complained about the beans -- They tasted as if they'd been burnt to the bottom of the pan and then whatever wasn't burnt was served to us -- Watery and gross. I ordered the Tacos Coyote with shrimp instead of steak and was sorely disappointed. The shrimp tasted as if they'd also been cooked in a pan caked with burnt residue and grease. Our fresh "mango sauce" was just chunks of frozen mango that were partially still frozen. The rice was okay, but just okay -- You can get better rice in town elsewhere. The salsa that was served with our meal tasted like just chunks of tomato from a can with a few pieces of cilantro and the odd pepper or two...Weird for a place called cilantro's there was oddly a lack of cilantro everywhere in our meal. The guac was also pretty bad...We added our own salt to it.... Service was also incredibly slow. I'm willing to admit that maybe this was just an off night and perhaps a less experienced cook was on staff, but I won't be taking another chance to find out. read more

Excellent. Newly opened. Huge inside eating area. Reasonable prices and portions. We split the Burrito Gigante (spelling), still couldn't eat it all. Cheese dip is kind of small compared to other places. Over a great experience. read more

Cilantros Grill & Cantina - Front seating and bar area - Mexican Near Me - Van Wert, Ohio

We finally got to have dinner at the new location. The food was great! Daniel and Wilmer were both helpful. I had chiles rellenos and they tasted wonderful. We will definitely be back! read more

The girlfriend and I moved to Van Wert three years ago and where recommended to try this place. We have been regulars ever since and typically are in weekly. Food is always excellent. We have tried nearly everything on the menus and there are very few things we would not get again. The staff is always wonderful and treat us great every time we are in. read more

Your typical small town Mexican restaurant. A good place to take friends for food and drinks.

Ordered take out for the first time at this establishment and was very impressed with the quality of food and service. I would definitely recommend this place. I can't wait to order again!!! read more

We didn't get a chance to enjoy a meal at Cilantro's due to the incredible rudeness of the staff when we were being seated. We did not want to sit directly by the front door where people were continually standing within inches of our head. When we requested a booth a little further away we were wisked all the to the back corner of the restaurant and the menus slammed on the table. This is NOT how to treat Paying customers and we will never be back! read more

I have been coming to this place since High School and it is my favorite place to eat. I have traveled quite a bit through the US but this is, by far, the best Mexican Restaurant I have ever had the privilege of eating at. The food is always top notch, they have a happy hour special between 6-8 for alcohol, and the staff is always quick. I have tried quite a bit of the menu and everything is fantastic I would be doing it a disservice to recommend any single thing. But definitely try the tamales. Even now that I have moved away from the area, any time I come home I'm always making a stop to eat or pick up some food. Do yourself a favor and come try it. read more

Great food and service was impeccable. Was traveling and looking for a great Mexican place. Will stop in again when in the area for sure.

Friendly service. The price is right. Salsa is really good. The taco meat though was bland in my opinion. The taco salad definitely needs some work. The cheese dip is really runny. read more

We have a winner! The bartender served me and the food was great! The Margarita are pretty strong, so be careful on #2... I kind of wanted to lick my plate of refried beans and rice! read more

Luv luv luv!!! The food is delicious and serving sizes are good. Hands down thee Best margaritas in the town!! Wait staff is generally on top of it...Definitely recommend read more

As a long time resident that also travels, my only complaint is this place has ruined any other Mexican restaurant I try! The food is always served quickly, and portion sizes are big. I'd come just for the chips and salsa alone! read more

I always get take out and they are always fast. They have a nice selection to choose from. They have steak dinners, which is nice...there's not many restaurants in VW to choose from. Descent proportions, the veggies are always fresh and the presentation is always on point. read more

Very slow, couldn't find our waiter. The chips were burnt, rice was very bland, and guacamole just tasted like a lime. Not a good impression for the first time at a restaurant. read more

Highly recommend!! Great quality customer service and excellent food. Full parking lot is deceiving. Stop in anyway. Cilantros seats a lot of patrons. read more

My husband loves the food, but wonders why they are not open. Sign on door says open January 7, but today is January 8 and they are still not opened. Would give 5 stars if they were open. read more

Wow. After reviewing other comments, my husband and I decided to. try this location. Was so disappointed by the total experience. Service was slow. Our. table was. not cleaned. My wife and. I had the fajitas, which were in. consistently cooked, the ingredients were not fresh. When we called our waiter to let our displeasure, he had the Manager come over who was. totally rude and basically said the food was authentic and ingredients EXTREMELY fresh. My wife and I have. visited this establishment twice! Our first and our last! read more

Festive interior, fast and friendly service, great food, and the moment of truth--squeaky-clean bathrooms. I'm picky and I would definitely become a regular here if I lived nearby. read more

Six of us found this restaurant on The YELP app and we loved the food and excellent service! Will come here again when we are in this area! read more

i got a beef taco and it was horrible the beef was watery the shell was ripping and it was just flat out horrible the meat was just sloppy and wet so i think this place is pathetic read more

The food has always been good here, have eaten many times. Chips are usually warm, and the salsa is nice and full of small tomato chunks. I had a grilled chicken breast tonight with mango salsa, and grilled peppers & zucchini. The menu said red potatoes would come with it, but got fried potatoes instead that weren't red. They were delicious, but more fattening than I would like. We will continue to eat here once every few months. The decor is also nice for a small town Mexican restaurant. read more

Rating is based in the fact that this is located in small town USA. Have I had better Mexican food? Sure. But in Van Wert this is the best you're going to get and it is pretty good. The burrito Norteno is a pork burrito and I go there specifically for this dish. There have been times that the pork was over crispy throughout but typically there are just a few crispy end pieces of pork to make it really good. The staff provide a good service. read more

Always excellent food. Service is top notch. Camarone la hacienda is a favorite, but I like to mix it up sometimes. Chips and salsa are always fresh and flavorful. A meal here never disappoints. Staff is friendly and courteous. read more

I don't know why this restaurant is shown as expensive! Nearly everything in the menu was under $10 and potion size was large. Free chips and salsa to start the meal. read more

Love the food here, probably one of the best Mexican restaurants I've been to. Good-sized portions, fast service. This is one of my very few go-to places to order takeout from in Van Wert. Highly recommend! read more