You Wouldn't Expect Some Of The Best Mexican Food In Southern California To Be From A Gas Station, But It Is
By Natasha Kayes|Published March 29, 2023
×
Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Some of the best things come from the unexpected. Of course, it is wonderful to enjoy something you already know and love, but when you stumble on something great that you didn’t know existed, there is something especially thrilling and memorable about it. Here in SoCal, there are endless dining options and lots of hidden gems to discover. We have stumbled on arguably the best Mexican food in North Hollywood, and it is in a truly unexpected location.
When most of us approach a location like this - a gas station with a food mart - we may very well be hungry and decide to grab a bite. Generally, though, that “bite” is at most a hot dog and bag of chips, or more likely, a candy bar and a soda.
However, if the gas station you stop at is on the corner of Whitsett Avenue and Sherman Way in North Hollywood, you are in for something way better than a hot dog. Cilantro Mexican Grill is a great restaurant that just happens to be in a gas station mart.
Cilantro Mexican Grill’s head chef, having studied at the Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute and worked at corporate restaurants for years, found himself running the gas station kitchen at this location.
For some time, Chef Adolfo Perez was only able to offer things like muffins and egg sandwiches, but his patience finally led to his being allowed to express his culinary creativity and in 2011, Cilantro was born.
Advertisement
Chef Adolfo was finally in the perfect position to make full use of his skills and bring his creative food ideas to life. He wanted to honor his roots in Mexican cuisine but also to elevate it and add creative flair to traditional dishes.
Order authentic Mexican dishes, combos, fresh-Mex bowls, and a la carte items for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And always check for specialty items that change quarterly.
A bar full of fresh homemade salsas, spicy pickled veggies, grilled jalapeños, and more let you customize your order to your taste.
This unassuming little eatery has been praised for “the best burrito in North Hollywood.” You can choose from shrimp, carnitas, lengua (beef tongue), surf-and-turf, or tasty breakfast burritos. With several options costing less than $10, this is a hard-to-pass-up lunch spot.
After enjoying what many have deemed the best Mexican food in North Hollywood, we think this may become your favorite gas station to fill up at. Have you had a chance to eat here? What do you think? We would love to hear from you! To find the menu and a photo gallery that will make your mouth water, visit the Cilantro Mexican Grill website. You can also keep up with specials and updates on Cilantro Mexican Grill’s Facebook page.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
