Cilantro's Grill, the Strip's best-kept secret, is the most enjoyable Southwestern grill around for two reasons: customization and price.
Moe's Southwest Grill has proven a college student's staple on the Strip for years, and Chipotle Mexican Grill rode into the area with much fanfare back in December.
But Cilantro's, which will experience its one-year anniversary in the area in a few months, manages to provide quality food at a price that will not leave college students' wallets hurting.
On this reviewer's first visit just a week ago, I was simply told by a friend and frequent customer, "You have to try the queso."
Indeed, if there is anything about Cilantro's that will guarantee a repeat visit, it is, first and foremost, the queso. Cilantro's has the best queso this reviewer has ever tried, a delicious, pure melted cheese.
A cursory glance of the menu might leave readers wondering, what's so great about Cilantro's? It seems to offer the usual fare that its Southwestern grill brethen provide: burritos, tacos, nachos, etc.
But the real difference is the customization. Unlike other restaurants, where the addition of one ingredient here or another there will change your purchase from one "type" of taco or burrito to another, at Cilantro's, the customer orders and then has free rein of what to include, no additional money necessary.
Admittedly this reviewer is a very boring taco eater. Tacos with lettuce, cheese and ground beef — essentially a regular soft taco at Taco Bell — is optimal.
But at Cilantro's, with such options, it's hard to resist the clarion call of trying new things. That is what college is all about, after all, right? So I added pinto beans and corn to the mix.
The result were three soft tortilla shells so full of food that they nearly burst, and at the end of the meal, the stomach is about to burst as well.
Other main entrees include a burrito or a Cilantro bowl, which is essentially a burrito without the tortilla. Choices of meat include beef, steak and chicken.
And a taco lover can pack them full of other ingredients, like sour cream, guacamole, black beans, onions, salsa and a litany of others.
Asking for a card at Cilantro's will ensure that, after buying five entrees, the sixth one is free, as well.
Cilantro's also prides itself on serving as a healthier alternative. The restaurant serves angus beef and white-meat chicken.
The local, mom-and-pop touch of the restaurant makes it stand out. There are a lot of places on the Strip that either have huge crowds or tons of loud televisions broadcasting endless sports.
But Cilantro's has just two widescreen televisions, and the owners are willing to let the customer change the channel if he or she wishes. When this reviewer went the first time, the sitcom "Two and a Half Men" played on one television, and "The Colbert Report" played on another.
In addition, the staff lets the customer even sample items on the menu before they buy. Not sure if you want chicken or beef? Sample a little.
Down-home Southern hospitality, coupled with grade-A quality food, makes Cilantro's a worthy addition to any UT student's diet.