Cleveland Taco Guide: Cilantro Taqueria's Lengua Tacos Are Simple And Authentic

Type: Classic Mexican   
Price: $3.50

Authenticity is the main ingredient at Cilantro Taqueria. Whether it’s the salsa or a main meal, co-owner Rey Galindo has designed his menu around bringing authentic flavors and ingredients to each of the dishes. You’d be hard-pressed to find a dish on the menu that displays that authenticity more than the lengua tacos.

Preparation starts early, as the beef tongue for the tacos is cooked in a pot with an abundance of herbs and spices for three hours. After being cooked to perfection, slices of lengua are topped with cilantro, onion and salsa — three toppings that perfectly complement the soft, juicy texture of the lengua.

“This taco has a really unique flavor and texture,” Galindo says. “Everything comes together really well.” 

While there are other customization options for the taco, such as adding rice or extra salsa, Galindo recommends a less-is-more approach. “This is a taco where you really want to be able to taste the meat,” he says. “You don’t want to put too many toppings on it. It’s a simple, authentic dish.” Various locations, cilantrotaqueria.com

Click here to order up 30 of Cleveland’s best tacos. Plus, meet the Northeast Ohio restauranteurs mastering Cleveland’s new favorite dish.