Today we’d like to introduce you to Leo Matias.
Leo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started working in the hospitality industry as a teenager at 17 years old.
My first job was a dishwasher at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank, CA. I then moved up to a cashier, server, manager, and finally assistant general manager in the same location as I was there from 1997 until 2016.
My mentors were seasoned male and female owners, general managers and colleagues.
I learned 90% of how to run a business by my favorite mentor (who I still keep in close contact with) Mr. Mark McCabe.
He was more tough on me than my own father, but that is only because he saw potential in me.
I hated the days he would grill me, but thankful now as those lessons helped me open and manage Cilantro Lime. His advice, personal experiences and triumphs even guided me through the pandemic.
At the end of the day, those were all just lessons, but I am who took the leap of faith and made it happen as I believed in myself and with God by my side always.
When I opened Cilantro Lime in 2015, I knew I had to be different as LA has so many Mexican food restaurants.
Just a glance of our menu you will witness creative, “out of the box” dishes.
With a ton of hard work, a dash of experience, and a sprinkle of creativity, I became one of the most creative chefs in Los Angeles.
We have been featured on @foodbeast @thrillist @delish @spectrumnews @ktla @flavortownusa.
Our customers have been Nicole Richie, Byron Scott from the Lakers, @jen_ny69, musician @atari_jones, and our very lovely and regular customer @cheflovely.
Recently, our Chilaquiles were rated #1 from @lataco. They stated it was “The best chilaquiles” they had out of 13 Los Angeles restaurants they had reviewed.
Our most prized possession was being featured on the Cooking Channel with Chef Robert Irvine on a Show called “Cheat Day USA.”
We were selected for the category “EPIC SANDWICHES.”
This was extra special for me as Mexican food normally doesn’t get recognized for sandwiches but rather Tacos, Burritos, etc.
The two sandwiches they filmed were our Famous Pambazos and Birria grilled cheese.
The birria grilled cheese is a Mexican Twist on an American classic and it’s a must try!
Lastly, we won $10,000 from “Incredible Egg” live on KTLA 5 News in the Summer of 2021 from having the best egg dish.
At the end of the day, I work hard for my family, my community, and for me as I truly love what I do. I am living the American Dream and I couldn’t be here without God.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I knew it wouldn’t be a smooth road and that there would be some challenges. The hardest for me has been the transition from managing a business to owning a business. I know how to operate and manage a bushes but being an owner is a whole different ballgame. I had my struggles with trying to do too much on my own. Then the pandemic hit. It was the most emotional. Exhausting, scary, depressing time with Cilantro Lime. Thanks to my mentor and my wife who stood by me and my experience, I was able to push through and when the dust cleared, we were still standing. Even now two years later, we are still playing catch up. We are nowhere Meade we were pre-pandemic but if God got us this far, it’s for a reason. We have some big plans for our Cilantro Like brand so stay tuned.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I opened Cilantro Lime in 2015, I knew I had to be different and have the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE as LA has so many Mexican food restaurants.
When you see our menu you will witness creative, “out of the box” dishes it’s what sets us apart.
I created the Original Foodie Blogger Menu where I collaborated with Local Foodies and created dishes and we named it after them. We have the Famous @letsgogrub Cheese Shell taco, The @reach_hard Chila-dillas, @dandy.eats Tinga Flautas Burrito, @chocolateunooficial_ Taco, @therealdonniesavage “Super savage supreme fries”, @atari_jones “Sabor Chile Relleno Flautas juts to name a few. This is what also sets us apart.
With a ton of hard work, a dash of experience, and a sprinkle of creativity, I became one of the most creative chefs in Los Angeles.
We have been featured on @foodbeast @thrillist @delish @spectrumnews @ktla @flavortownusa.
Our customers have been Nicole Richie, Byron Scott from the Lakers, @jen_ny69, musician @atari_jones, and our very lovely and regular customer @cheflovely.
Recently, our Chilaquiles were rated #1 from @lataco. They stated it was “The best chilaquiles” they had out of 13 Los Angeles restaurants they had reviewed.
Our most prized possession and what sets us apart was being featured on the Cooking Channel with Chef Robert Irvine on a Show called “Cheat Day USA.”
We were selected for the category “EPIC SANDWICHES.”
This was extra special for me as Mexican food normally doesn’t get recognized for sandwiches but rather Tacos, Burritos, etc.
The two sandwiches they filmed were our Famous Pambazos and Birria grilled cheese.
The birria grilled cheese is a Mexican Twist on an American classic and it’s a must try!
Lastly, we won $10,000 from “Incredible Egg” live on KTLA 5 News in the Summer of 2021 from having the best egg dish.
We offer delivery, catering and we will soon start doing private events and full-service catering.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
It makes me really happy to look back at how far I’ve come. From high school dropout to CEO. Proving to all my doubters that I could do it. To see my Mom’s recipes getting all the high reviews and to see my Mom smile when people talk about her recipes is priceless. Seeing the customer’s reactions when they taste our food and to have customers tell me it reminds them of their grandma’s or Mom’s cooking. It’s the highest compliment you can get.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cilantrolimelosangeles.com/?fbclid=PAAab4jBZSGkngqYIE0P8kkJImwbhdlcSZtfUC64oiI9iBfvUgIydiHcXrLr8_aem_AdFHJW0xMg1Td6RiFtybe5kHfAF3drgIVSIRyVg863RQwwXAnDtUeBItl2RM3Eo8QKs
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cilantrolimedtla?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CilantroLimeDTLA?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@cilantrolimedtla
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/h9OiSFH3nw
