El Cilantro Restaurant - Puerto Rican restaurant in Matthews - 4709 Margaret Wallace Rd #109, USA

This restaurant has great tasting food! Unfortunately...there is not enough staff to bring this place to the heights it deserve. Although short staffed, wonderful dishes are coming out of the kitchen making me overlook the service being slow. Others may not. Is there not anyone out there who would bring their gift of service to others to rise this restaurant to live up to the authenticity of its great island food?

This place will definitely be a staple for Puerto Rican food here in Charlotte to come, Anyone who’s had Puerto Rican food knows that this place is nothing to sleep on.

Great tasting Hispanic food is hard to come by in the Charlotte area, but today we discovered a hidden gem. The cuisine in the Puerto Rican manner was excellent. Steak and onions, served with white rice, black beans, and either tostones or maduros, is always my go-to dinner. I got to try the mofongo as well, and it was delicious. The staff was really helpful and kind as they went over the menu and suggested things. Strongly suggested if you're in the Matthews, Mint Hill, or Charlotte region. Will most definitely return soon! Five stars all around.

Anyone in the Charlotte area knows there is a short supply of great tasting hispanic cuisine, and today we found a hidden gem. Puerto Rican style food did not disappoint. My go to meal is always the steak and onions, paired with white rice, black beans and either tostones or Maduros. Also was able to try the mofongo and was so tasty. Staff was friendly and very helpful talking through the menu and recommendations. Highly recommend if you are in the matthews/mint hill/ Charlotte area. Will certainly be back again soon! 5 stars all the way.

Delicious! You can tell the food is made with love! Hot tip... order maduros "extra done" ❤️

I am a regular here and for the most part I have had good experiences except today. I usually order the same usual vegetarian combo and I requested the manager to give me the combo with egg - whites only. It is a very simple request and most establishments are happy to accommodate it. Except here, I got a stern "No" and I was told that the owner doesn't allow for egg whites. I thought that was a tad rude.

All these bad reviews about bland. Y’all crazy 😂😂😂 The food here is excellent

I was so excited to try this location as good authentic Puerto Rican food is so hard to find. I was very disappointed, the bacalaitos were ok not as flavorful as they should have been and they were extremely skinny as well, the alcapuria was disappointing very greasy and not fully cooked inside and the meat didn't have much flavor. My main dish of mofongo with pernil was so gross I couldn't even swallow the bite I had taken the sauce on the pernil was just so gross I can't even explain and the mofongo itself was just not good. I told the waitress i didn't like it and couldn't eat it as it was gross for me she said no one else ever complains what do you want me to do. I told her take it back and I'll order something else she said I'm still charging you.. something I've never heard of in a restaurant I literally took one bite and had to pay 20 bucks for a disgusting dish. I will never go back. We were the only customers and they were still slow as well, waitress was rude.. An all around horrible experience. Don't waste your time and money coming here..disgusting!!!