Whenever I heard of "Cilantro Latin Grill," it was usually followed up with "it's a version of Chipotle." It's true there is no Chipotle in Wheeling and that there are striking similarities, but if I were a local restaurant, I would not compare myself to a fast casual food chain. Just, no.

Regardless, the idea here is good. Fresh ingredients assembled in the form of a tasty burrito, bowl, salad or arepas right in front of you. Choose your protein: Guadalajara steak, jerk chicken, chipotle & lime puerco, ground chorizo, cilantro shrimp, grilled fish, or grilled vegetables. Then, rice: Mexican or cilantro. Black beans or pinto beans? Queso or shredded cheese? Corn salsa, tomato salsa, tomatillo salsa, or jalapeno & garlic salsa? Lettuce? Sour cream?

I went for arepas (pita-like flatbread made from corn maize flour prominent in South American cuisine) with jerk chicken, cilantro rice, pinto beans, shredded cheese, corn salsa, lettuce and sour cream. The rice and beans served on the side.

I like that it's made to order and the ingredients tasted fresh. I do wish the salsa had a bit more flavor. I think I just needed a bit more of a punch. Or maybe a special touch. But, overall, easy, tasty and fresh. You can't really go too wrong there.

Grade: B