Cielito Lindo – A Taste of Mexico
Friday, July 1st, 2011 | Uncategorized | No Comments
When then high schooler, Guillermo Tellez, nicknamed Memo, began working in a restaurant, could he have imagined that 12 years later he would own his own restaurant in Vonore, Tennessee. But his over decade long experience working in, and later managing, several Mexican style restaurants placed an entrepreneurial dream in Memo that he acted on late last year with his wife, and former Tellico Plains resident, Ariana.
Memo, as he prefers to be called, first selected the restaurant’s name as the title of a popular and romantic song written in 1882 by Quirrino Mendoza Y Cortes for his young and beautiful sweetheart. Cielito, which means sky or heaven in Spanish, is also a term of endearment similar to sweetheart. Lindo means cute, lovely or pretty. And Cielito Lindo is not only the name of Tellez’s restaurant, but Memo was also inspired to use the name to honor Ariana.
The restaurant is beautifully and colorfully decorated, featuring hand-carved and brightly hand-painted tables and chairs crafted in a small town in Northern Mexico. And all of the restaurant’s art, figurines and pottery were hand-crafted throughout Mexico.
“We want people to have an experience similar to what they would discover in Mexico if they were to travel there,” says Memo. “And our extensive menu represents the same foods that you would encounter if you were to travel through the various regions of Mexico.”
The wait staff is enthusiastic and attentive and most willing to assist you with your selection.
Cielito Lindo’s menu features nearly a dozen antojitos (appetizers), caldos (soups), ensaladas (salads), 25 combinaciones (combination dinners), del la parrilla (grilled beef specials), del corral (grilled chicken specials), del mar (seafood specials), burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas, chimichangas and yes, of course, postres (desserts). Their menu also features vegetarianas, or vegetarian plates, a special children’s menu, a lunch menu, a la carta menu, and an assortment of Cielito Lindo specialties.
Try the Molcajete. A hot lava rock bowl, sort of a Mexican hibatchi, heaped with seasoned steak, chicken, shrimp and chorizo with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and topped with shredded cheese. Served with Mexican rice, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole and tortillas. $12.99
Or savor the Dona Celilia. Grilled chicken breast topped with white cheese sauce and served with steamed broccoli and penne pasta. $9.75
Cielito Lindo also offers a special salsa bar that allows you to season your dinner to your own personal taste, much the same as is traditional in Mexico.
Cielito Lindo hopes that they will be serving beer by mid-July. They also cater and can host your birthday or any special event in one of their two dining rooms.
They also feature live entertainment on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Currently performing is Dream Catcher.
Cielito Lindo is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Reservations are accepted and take-outs and party packs are available. Enjoy a taste of Mexico today!
Cielito Lindo
1265 Highway 411, Suite 9
Vonore, Tennessee
(423) 884-2885
