Cilantro & Ajo South Side — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

I have never tried Venezuelan food, and the last time I tried Latin American food, I was disappointed. So I was skeptical when I ordered from Uber Eats. However, when I tried my food, I was blown away. I had 2 shredded beef empanadas, 2 bacon and Gouda cheese empanadas, cachapa, and quesillo.

The empanadas were incredible. They were pretty large and fairly priced at $4-5 each. The cornmeal was not too gritty or too thick. They had a great balance of softness and crunch. Fillings were great as well. The shredded beef was well seasoned and flavorful with a perfect texture. The Gouda and bacon empanada, which is quite unique, also had a smokey flavor from the bacon and saltiness from cheese. They were packed with filling and make for a substantial meal. The sauce served with it is tasty, with a slight kick and creaminess to it. If ordering online, get extra sauce!

The cachapa was an amazing addition to my meal. I could have had just this and been perfectly satisfied. The corn itself is mostly smooth, but I could taste small cooked kernels. There were three types of cheese layered on top and in the middle. The middle cheese tasted like mozzarella, while one on the top tasted a bit like a less strong cream cheese and parmigiana. An amazing balance of sweet from corn and salty from cheese! It's pretty big in size, too. Highly, highly recommend!

Finally, I ended off with quesillo. I thought it was good but would probably not order it again. I expected it to be a bit similar to custard or creme brûlée, but it was more similar to a vanilla jelly in consistency. The flavor was quite good, though, and it's not cloyingly sweet. Next time, I'll order the tres leches.

Overall, this is a great place to get introduced to Venezuelan cuisine. All of the items I tried were quite good, especially the empanadas and cachapa. Very authentic, fairly large portions, cheap prices. I'll be coming back or...

I keep meaning to take pictures of the food, but once that tantalizing aroma hits my nose, I can't wait to dig in. I've had several of the arrepas, the yucca fries, the empanadas, and the tres leches cake. My friends who have come with me have had the bowls and the flan as well as some of the food I've had. The bun for the arrepas is tender and melt in your mouth in texture while still maintaining its form while your eating. The shredded pork is unbelievable. I've never had pork so tender, flavorful and moist.

The yucca fries have an incredible texture, firmer than potato fries, and far more delicious as well in my opinion.

The empanadas are truly exceptional. The dough is light, flavorful and crispy with just a hint of sweetness that pairs incredibly well with the chorizo or the chicken option. While the chorizo is slightly spicy, it could definitely be hotter and tantalizes the taste buds in a dazzling marriage with the dough. I haven't had the chicken ones yet, but they're next on my list.

As a side note, they serve their main dishes with a green, crema type, spicy sauce. I would drink this sauce it's so good.

I don't care how much you need to stay on your diet, get a slice of the tres leches cake. This cake has been a favorite of mine for a loooonnng time. I have never had a better slice. The sauce is rich without being overly sweet, the cake is light and pleasing in texture and the icing on top is sprinkled or impregnated (not sure which) with a lovely spice combination with notes of cinnamon.

Cilantro y Ajo is simply perfection. The chef(s) clearly love what they do and put every bit of that love into the food. This is food born of love of the cuisine and careful attention to what are clearly family perfected recipes.

Eat here, smile for the rest...

BUEN PROVECHO! A foodie’s gem. AMONG THE BEST VENEZOLANO restaurants I’ve ever visited in my GLOBAL travels. Pittsburgh has the chance to enjoy AUTHENTIC gustatory and cultural delight. (Oh if you like empanadas, this is best place to savor an authentic one from South America).

This is the place to enjoy traditional street foods like Arepas, Cachapas, Empanadas and Patacones; fiesta foods like Parrilladas (grilled meats).

All the meats are very balanced seasoned. No need to add sauces. But delightfully, they have choices of sauces that further liven the palate— I’m partial to the Ajo.

My recommendations:

AREPAS - traditional Venezuelan, very flavorful well seasoned meats with cheese or veggies or plantains sandwiched between crunchy corn patties/bread. — I am most partial to the Pernil, La Rumbera, Pabellón — EXOTIC AS IT GETS!

EMPANADAS- like any other former Spanish colony, these are ubiquitous staples with many varieties. The Distinctive Venezuelan take is the corn dough pastry, tasty by itself with fillings of meat and/or veggies or cheeses. —- I am most partial to the chorizo. —- The other empanadas aré very good—-This is PITTSBURGH’s BEST EMPANADAS joint.

PATACONES— uniquely Venezuelan, flavorful meats with veggies, cheese sandwiched between crunchy textured slides of plantains (formed like patties)— it’s a wonderful savory

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