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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery
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Hours
| Friday | 7 AM–2 AM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–2 AM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–12 AM |
| Monday | 7 AM–12 AM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–12 AM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–12 AM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–12 AM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1285 E Madison Ave, El Cajon, CA 92021
Phone: (619) 312-1141
Website: http://www.elcilantroelcajon.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
El Cilantro Mexican Grill – Authentic Cuisine in El Cajon
Discover El Cilantro Mexican Grill in El Cajon! Enjoy delicious, authentic Mexican dishes made from fresh ingredients. Visit us today!
Order El Cilantro Mexican Grill – El Cajon, CA Menu … – DoorDash
Get delivery or takeout from El Cilantro Mexican Grill at 1285 E Madison Ave in El Cajon. Order online and track your order live.
El Cilantro Mexican Grill – MapQuest
El Cilantro Mexican Grill is a casual dining establishment in El Cajon, CA that specializes in serving authentic Mexican cuisine.
Reviews
Katherine Calderon
The only thing we get from this place are tacos. They’re pretty good, especially their taco Tuesday special. The wait in the drive thru tho is insane. Probably 20 minutes for 5 tacos last time I was there. There where only two cars. I would come more often if it wasn’t for that wait.
… moree n
Food is sincerely very fantastic. I highly recommend that chicken quesadilla with white cheese. My only disappointment is they have a difficult time with honoring their own sales and promotions. Today is Wednesday and should’ve been 10% off my total and that was not the case as you can see on my receipt. Is it a dealbreaker? No. Am I annoyed? Yes.
… moreDhruv vemulapalli
Flavor in San Diego
El Cilantro Mexican Grill is one of those places that reminds you why simple, well-made food always wins. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warm, friendly service that makes you feel like a regular—even on your first visit.
The food is outstanding. The carne asada is tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned, the tacos are fresh and generously filled, and the burritos are packed with bold, authentic flavors that hit just right. Everything tastes freshly prepared, from the meats to the salsas, and the portions are more than satisfying for the price. This is comfort food done the right way.
What really sets El Cilantro apart is its consistency and heart. It’s not trying to be trendy or overcomplicated—just honest, high-quality Mexican food made with care. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or feeding the whole family, this spot delivers every time.
If you’re in the San Diego area and craving real Mexican food with great service and excellent value, El Cilantro Mexican Grill is a must-visit. Easily a five-star experience.
… moreEl Cilantro Mexican Grill is one of those places that reminds you why simple, well-made food always wins. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warm, friendly service that makes you feel like a regular—even on your first visit.
The food is outstanding. The carne asada is tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned, the tacos are fresh and generously filled, and the burritos are packed with bold, authentic flavors that hit just right. Everything tastes freshly prepared, from the meats to the salsas, and the portions are more than satisfying for the price. This is comfort food done the right way.
What really sets El Cilantro apart is its consistency and heart. It’s not trying to be trendy or overcomplicated—just honest, high-quality Mexican food made with care. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or feeding the whole family, this spot delivers every time.
If you’re in the San Diego area and craving real Mexican food with great service and excellent value, El Cilantro Mexican Grill is a must-visit. Easily a five-star experience.
Cabray Scott
El cilantro has a decent fish taco they serve, and that’s why I come back.
Tonight I ordered my taco Tuesday special, but the special part was not applied. Furthermore, I did not receive the entirety of my order. I probably confused the cashier when I gave my order and had her repeated to me, but it seemed like she understood. It would have been nice if she had have taken a A few seconds to double check the order because simply put it was a hot Mess. I had two different orders which were all tossed in the bag in various quantities in extra boxes. Finally, I don’t feel like I could go back and raise too much trouble because I did not receive my receipt, so I can’t go back and point to it.
I took my bag of disappointment. Home made my apologies for the mess, next time I will put my car in park, shut my motor off as sit right at the window and verify what I ordered is what I received just like I have to do at any other apathetic fast food place like I do at any given KFC (used to be good).
My heart goes out to the owner who has to deal with this circus daily. You’ve got a good product not a good system and often times questionable employees. I guess this is how food service goes in today’s fast paced life style.
… moreTonight I ordered my taco Tuesday special, but the special part was not applied. Furthermore, I did not receive the entirety of my order. I probably confused the cashier when I gave my order and had her repeated to me, but it seemed like she understood. It would have been nice if she had have taken a A few seconds to double check the order because simply put it was a hot Mess. I had two different orders which were all tossed in the bag in various quantities in extra boxes. Finally, I don’t feel like I could go back and raise too much trouble because I did not receive my receipt, so I can’t go back and point to it.
I took my bag of disappointment. Home made my apologies for the mess, next time I will put my car in park, shut my motor off as sit right at the window and verify what I ordered is what I received just like I have to do at any other apathetic fast food place like I do at any given KFC (used to be good).
My heart goes out to the owner who has to deal with this circus daily. You’ve got a good product not a good system and often times questionable employees. I guess this is how food service goes in today’s fast paced life style.
Aaron Jackson
I am so upset that I give this place a chance! I feel like I wasted 53 dollars on food that was not seasoned or good. I ordered adobado/ carnita fries being charged 4 dollars extra for the meat, menudo, 12 piece wings half lemon pepper and buffalo, 3 tacos, etc. All portions were extremely small and my fries were basically all fries. The cashier that took my order didn’t have any kind of happy personality or could give us answers to questions. I am a first time customer and never experienced horrible food like this. Once I got home and start eating, the food didn’t have seasoning and my fries were awful. Im upset I spent so much money for awful service and food. I want management to know how this restaurant is operating and make appreciate changes. I am a big fan of carne asada fries and usually go to my spot twice weekly in lemon grove. I decided to give this place a chance listening to my wife and boy did I make the wrong decision not to stick to what I know. I love to give restaurants chances but I made a mistake coming here. Something needs to be done about this place. I am angry!! I have to throw this food away, can’t even finish it it’s sobad.
… moreAdrianne Nirvana
I’m not one to be complaining and confronting in person at food places and absolutely expecting perfection but I feel like they just slapped everything on :/ I went in the drive thru and waited about 13 mins, its not a fast food place so its normal. Although I was handed the container in a bag but lopsided it shouldn’t have made two of my tacos look like flautas from mexicali with barely any meat… I ate it just to see if it could have just fallen and not have to put a review up out but sadly no, the meat out side of the tortilla is from the other tacos. I paid for 6 tacos and got 4.5 tacos and four tortillas. I kinda of just regret not going to chipotle or McDonalds for lunch. I didn’t get any lime, have never asked for any prior but have received it along with chiles. Just plain sad tacos today
… moreLatonio Teeus
If I could give this place zero stars I would, I’ve ordered birria ramen from quite a few places and it was always consistently good, there’s however was horrible. Bland and unflavorful, literally looked like they took top ramen noodles and threw them in with some beef with a bunch of fat on it. Not even the broth tasted good, worst ever, two big thumbs down
… moreTalitha Walker (Faye Enchantress)
Edited to add more photos since we’ve decided this is our new regular spot when we come all the way to town from Julian.
The food was absolutely amazing and budget friendly. Unfortunately they didn’t have any high chairs or booster seats so we had to hold our toddler between us to eat which wasn’t awesome. That part definitely took away from the experience as well as the music blasting so loudly.
We will definitely be back despite those things because the food is so worth it.
… moreThe food was absolutely amazing and budget friendly. Unfortunately they didn’t have any high chairs or booster seats so we had to hold our toddler between us to eat which wasn’t awesome. That part definitely took away from the experience as well as the music blasting so loudly.
We will definitely be back despite those things because the food is so worth it.
Dyana Davis
It was recommended by a colleague and they look great, however all the meat was pretty bland, barely any onions or CILANTRO which IS the name of the establishment AND key for good tacos. Super oily but not the good flavor lard, instead a bland tasting oil, but the worse part, their buche tacos they don’t chop at all which will literally make you choke as you’re trying to chew it. The texture is very gammie… Tacos El Gallo up the street blows them away by miles! They’re a little bit more expensive but oh so worth it!
… moreSamer Sh
I normally don’t leave negative reviews, but I had a really bad experience this time. I placed a to-go order and was disappointed with the quality of the food. I ordered the tongue tacos, and one of the pieces still had the black outer skin on—it clearly wasn’t cleaned properly. It made the texture and taste really unpleasant. A few hours later, I ended up with an upset stomach. I was really looking forward to the meal, but unfortunately, this experience left me very disappointed. I hope the restaurant takes this kind of feedback seriously.
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