If you’re searching for a Mexican restaurant that does more than traditional tacos and tortas, we’ve got the place for you! Located inside of Cosmo Plaza’s International Food Court on 9th and Olympic is the family owned and operated Cilantro Lime – forever managing to stand out from the rest.
For the Neighborhood:
“Food is an experience and I like to give people an experience they won’t forget.”
For Mom:
So much of Cilantro Lime’s success can be accredited to Leo’s mom who had a run in with cancer but wanted to make sure Leo lived his dreams before she moved on. Leo, who had tiptoed around dreams of becoming his own boss working as a manager for Bob’s Big Boy for 15 years stood firmly, at that point, to march in the direction to fulfill his moms last wish.
Mom miraculously survived and still sends Leo his Tamales.
For himself:
Leo brings this open-minded innovations to Cilantro Lime which ultimately mean his recipes are unpredictable to say the least.
“A lot of my menu items are made from stuff I used to make as a kid. My mom used to make the food and I used to just change it up.”
Leo chuckles, “Come to think about it, I’ve been a foodie forever.”
For the Team:
Team spirit at Cilantro Lime is undeniable, and the way they treat each other translates to their impeccable customer service. Clientele walk in and are greeted with smiles and hi-fives from Leo’s Cilantro Lime team, lead by manager Vanessa Munive and Chef Katya Mayte.
For the future:
Cilantro Lime’s Seafood Menu is now being offered Wednesday’s only to gain feedback from customers and make sure everything stays fresh.
Look out for Shrimp cocktails, fish tacos and fish burgers – with flaming hot Cheetos perhaps? Maybe.
For the World:
Cilantro Lime was featured on Spectrum News, Thrillist, and even on the Los Angeles television news, streaming to homes across the city. Stay tuned! There’s more to come and It’s all good at Cilantro Lime.
For the Gram:
In the second year, Leo began reaching out to foodie influencers to collaborate on his menu items. Since, the restaurant has soared to Instagram fame, accumulating 45k followers on the platform within the last 2 years and attracting some of the biggest foodie influencers who come try to create their own unique eats.
“We created “For the Gram” especially for food bloggers – but you don’t have to have a huge following. It really depends on your creativity and if your item is Cilantro Lime worthy – We’ll make it in the kitchen, take photos and post it as the special item of the month. If it sticks – it sticks.”
Leo had been inviting Downtown Weekly to create a new menu item for over two years. But chefs, we are not.
Just last week, however, we went for a visit and a legendary new menu item was made in honor of Kobe Bryant – thanks to Leo’s guidance.
We thought purple and gold and tried to build our taco with squash, corn and shredded American cheese. And it was good. But Leo took one bite and said…
“Let me teach you a little something about texture. It’s good, but it has to be bomb!”
Taking out the squash and adding sprinkled queso, Leo concocted a burnt cheese quesadilla/taco, filled with corn and your choose of meats topped with Pico de Gallo, spicy aioli and of course, cilantro and lime.
On that day, a spontaneous taco – the “Kobe Taco” was born – “Now that’s bomb.” We both agreed – Downtown Weekly and Cilantro Lime approved.
#mambaforever
So, what is constant at Cilantro Lime?
A family style atmosphere. Quick service. and $1 Tacos every single Tuesday. And now on Wednesdays, thanks to Leo’s upcoming Seafood Menu, DTLA and beyond can enjoy $1 Fish Tacos as well.
Cilantro Lime is located at 934 S. Los Angeles Street, LA CA 90015 www.instagram.com/cilantrolimedtla
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