TESSIE CARENBAUER photos/George Washington

TOP: Cilantros is located at 110 McFarland St. in the spot where Delish stood before being destroyed by a fire nine months ago. The restaurant serves fresh, tasty Tex-Mex cuisine. ABOVE: The burrito is the most expensive option at $6.50. It can be filled with chicken, beef, fish, pork, grilled vegetables or tofu and a variety of toppings, sauces and salsas.

Cilantros spices up downtown dining

By Tessie Carenbauer
George Washington High School

Nine months ago, the building next to Virgil Sadorra’s downtown restaurant Delish caught fire. Though no one was hurt, the restaurant’s annex, which sold wraps, was destroyed and Delish itself was forced to close.

Fans of the restaurant and its sandwich shop needn’t worry - both places will reopen in new venues soon. The new Delish will be located at 813 Virginia St., in the old Rose City Press building. Delish Express, which will feature “specialized wraps and sandwiches,” according to the Delish website (delishmenuzine.com), will reopen at 1599 Washington St.

In the meantime, Sadorra recently opened Cilantros, his new tex-mex restaurant at the site of the old Delish (110 McFarland St.) Half its old size, the restaurant promises “great food without the wait.”

There are only three entrees on Cilantros’ menu: the burrito, the taco and the shirtless. The burrito, which is served in a tortilla, is $6.50. For $6.25, you’ll get three tacos served in hard shells. The shirtless is served like a salad and costs $6.

In addition to rice and beans, “main event” options includes tilapia (fish), chicken, beef, pork, grilled vegetables and tofu. (You can add extra meat for $1.25.) Toppings include guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions and jalapenos.

To order, you simply walk down the food bar just as you would at Subway, choosing what you want. All of the meats and extras are fresh, and the workers prepare your plate to your specifications.

You can mix and match your “main event” with any of the gourmet sauces or salsas. Mango, peach, corn, pineapple and red pepper are the options for salsa, and the sauces are fiesta green chile, chipotle, chipotle barbeque, bourbon glaze, raspberry chipotle and cucumber sour cream.

Chips and salsa are available for $2.25, and drinks are $1.25. This way, you can order a burrito, chips and a drink for just $10 (all tax is included in the prices), making the food not only fast but cheap.

When I went to Cilantros, I tried a burrito with rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, tofu, guacamole and chipotle sauce. The food is simple but fresh and appetizing.

Overall, Cilantros offers fresh and savory food. It is a quick place to stop for a burrito or taco. And if you enjoy Cilantros, be sure to visit Delish and Delish Express when they open.

IF YOU GO:

Cilantros is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Fax orders are accepted until 10:30 a.m. each day at 346-9807. Call 346-4177.