Cielito Lindo in Oakland Park: Tex-Mex Done Right

This long-standing restaurant serves Tex-Mex dishes in a quaint setting that looks like a Mexican cottage. It's named after a classic Mexican tune played by Mariachi bands, not the famous Los Angeles restaurant. But what's served is nearly as timeless: On its expansive menu you'll find platos tipicos like enchiladas,...

By John Linn

September 30, 2010

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

This long-standing restaurant serves Tex-Mex dishes in a quaint setting that looks like a Mexican cottage. It's named after a classic Mexican tune played by Mariachi bands, not the famous Los Angeles restaurant. But what's served is nearly as timeless: On its expansive menu you'll find platos tipicos like enchiladas, chimichangas, fajitas, and burritos, along with Latin/Cuban dishes like masas de puerco, chicken and steak palomilla, and ropa vieja. The Mexican specialties are unilaterally draped in cheese, refried beans, and yellow rice, leading to a pleasant, semi-euphoric state of lipid and starch overload. Unsurprisingly, you'll get the same effect from the margaritas. What more could you ask for in a Tex-Mex restaurant? How about a busy weekday lunch with cheap specials, dinner prices that top out at $20, and plenty of fresh, complimentary chips and salsa?

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, New Times Broward-Palm Beach has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.