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Cilantro Lime
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Cilantro Lime
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Tucked inside a Fashion District food court, Cilantro Lime turns breakfast and lunch into a chilaquiles-and-burrito playground with big flavors and playful sauces. Loved for creative plates and carne asada fries, it delivers substantial portions at accessible prices for workers and shoppers nearby.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilaquiles divorciados plate, Wet DTLA burrito, Carne asada fries
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Food-court counter turning classic Mexican plates into bold, creative comfort.
Who should go: Downtown workers craving hearty, affordable Mexican breakfast and lunch.
When to visit: Morning through early afternoon for peak freshness and energy.
What to order: Chilaquiles plate, wet burrito, carne asada fries.
Insider tip: Go early on weekdays; chilaquiles can sell out by lunchtime.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly paid Fashion District garages and lots ($5–$12). Metered street parking available but competitive during weekday business hours.
Dress code: Very casual — come as you are. Work attire, jeans, and athleisure all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate food-court buzz — easy enough to chat, but not quiet café levels.
Weekend wait: N/A — they close before dinner.
Weekday lunch: Usually 0–10 minutes; expect a short line during peak noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — chilaquiles, veggie burritos, and bean-based plates are easy go-tos.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with customizations (hold cheese/crema, ask for extra veggies), but not a dedicated vegan setup.
Gluten-free options: Somewhat — chilaquiles and plates can be made gluten-friendly if you avoid flour tortillas, but cross-contact is likely in a food-court kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you're going for casual and low-key. It’s more of a quick-bite spot than a romantic destination, but great for grabbing something flavorful before exploring the Fashion District.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s a food-court setup, so seating is first-come, first-served. At peak lunch hours, you may need to scout a bit for an open table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick meals — open seating, no long waits, and menu items kids can enjoy (quesadillas, fries). Not many amenities, so better for short, casual stops.
Best For
Better for: Creative, hearty Mexican comfort at budget prices — big portions, fast service, and customizable plates ideal for workers and shoppers on tight schedules.
Skip if: You want a sit-down Mexican restaurant with ambiance, cocktails, or dinner service — this is strictly a daytime, food-court experience.
Cilantro Lime
8.3
Vibes:
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Trendy Table Hotspots
Tucked inside Cosmo Plaza’s food court, Cilantro Lime turns out loaded breakfast and wet burritos with a playful, fusion-leaning twist that’s gone viral on social media. Expect flour tortillas packed with fillings like crispy bacon and chipotle potatoes or saucy cheese pulls alongside birria grilled cheese and other over-the-top creations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Wet Burrito, Birria Grilled Cheese
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A family-run Mexican fusion counter where burritos share space with viral mashups and colorful plating.
Who should go: Downtown workers and foodies chasing fun fusion burritos
When to visit: Weekday lunch before the fashion district rush hits
What to order: Breakfast burrito, wet burrito, birria grilled cheese
Insider tip: Go early for breakfast—portions are big enough to cover lunch, and you’ll miss the longest lines.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Cosmo Plaza has a small paid garage (usually $4–$8 depending on time). Metered street parking is available but competitive during Fashion District business hours.
Dress code: Super casual—streetwear, gym clothes, and work attire all fit in. This is a food-court counter, so come comfortable.
Noise level: Moderate. It’s a bustling food court, but you can still hold a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes during peak viral-food rush hours; sometimes longer if a TikTok crowd forms.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes, though lines grow fast after noon when the Fashion District workers arrive.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several items can be made vegetarian, including potato-forward burritos and customizable bowls.
Vegan options: Limited—most items include cheese or sauces, but you can build a basic veggie-and-salsa combo if needed.
Gluten-free options: Some fillings are naturally gluten-free, but tortillas are flour-based and the shared prep setup isn’t ideal for strict gluten-free needs.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Great for a casual, low-pressure meetup—think fun, messy, flavor-packed burritos rather than a romantic sit-down. Not ideal if you’re aiming for quiet ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—the food court is first-come, first-served. Seating turns over quickly, but peak hours may require scouting for an open table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families often stop in, and the food-court layout makes it easy with strollers. Portions are large, so sharing works well for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Loaded, fusion-leaning burritos and viral comfort-food mashups at a budget-friendly price—especially standouts like the breakfast burrito and birria grilled cheese.
Skip if: You want a quiet, sit-down meal or strict dietary accommodations—this is a lively, indulgent, flour-tortilla-heavy spot.