Cilantros Grill & Cantina — Restaurant in Van Wert

I love Mexican food, and had never been here before, but was passing through van wert on the way home from a day trip when my wife and I were getting hungry. We found cilantro's nearby with a good rating on maps, and decided it sounded good. We were not disappointed. Their service was quick, and the waiter was attentive. We loved their house salsa, which was easily one of the best we've had in a Mexican restaurant, and when we asked, we were told it was made fresh in house. My wife and I got the tacos coyote and fajitas texana, and a couple small margheritas, and the food was delicious. Our local mexican restaurants have nothing on this place. Our only complaint was that we ate way too much for our small appetites, and left stuffed (if that could even be considered a complaint). Having not eaten more than half our meals (because we couldn't stop with the salsa), we had plenty of leftover to take home with us, and they were great reheated in our air fryer at home too. I know where to go now if I'm getting hungry and headed through...

Food was fine. It was nothing special given the price is was standard food I could get at any similar restaurant. The service was atrocious. We saw our waitress twice when we order drinks and food. Someone else brought our drinks and food to the table. After the food was placed we sat there without service for over 30 minutes. I didn’t get a chance to order dessert since no one came back and looked in on us. It took me getting up and going to the front counter and the manager thinking I was going to walk out for them to bring my bill to the front counter after being there for an hour. When I got up my waitress was standing in what I assume to be the kitchen area, I tried to get her attention she simply looked and me and walked in the other direction. The bus boy is the one who had to go back and find my bill to bring it to the front after being directed by the manager to do so. I most likely will not frequent this restaurant again after the terrible...

Walking in we were blown away by how big the place is. Lots of seating and spacious tables and booths, which is important when we bring in our children (it's no fun to be crammed into a booth). We were started off with tasty chips and probably the freshest tasting salsa I have had in a while. (and perfectly chunky!) I always have a hard time choosing what to order at similar restaurants with huge menus and combo plates that kind of all end up tasting the same. I went with the Special Plate because I wanted to try it all. I was not disappointed! Wow! First of all, the plate was hilariously huge - but also every single thing on that plate was delicious! My husband ordered the enchiladas reales and was impressed too. He especially loved the cheese sauce. Our server (Wilmer, I believe?) was great too. Overall, we were very pleased with our date night choice and will be back with the...