Mexican Villa and other Mexican Places - Is It Possible To Find A Salsa WITHOUT Cilantro In Springfield, MO?

In the last decade or so, I've tried like a bazillion Mexican Restaurants in Springfield. And yeah, there really are like a bazillion Mexican Restaurants. Unfortunately, I can separate them into two groups, Mexican Villa or Not Mexican Villa.

Group 1: Mexican Villa

The main reason why Mexican Villa deserves to be in a group by itself is basically because it's different from every other Mexican restaurant in Springfield. Not necessarily better, just different. MV's food seems more influenced by Texas style Mexican food rather that regular Mexican food. MV would definitely be considered Tex-Mex.  

Mexican Villa is hugely popular in Springfield, MO. There's no way around it. And I have to admit, I like it too. In fact, when I moved away some ten years ago and then moved back like three years ago, MV, or more specifically MV's Sancho, was the only food I missed from Springfield, MO. I can't really vouch for anything else on MV's menu. I love the Sancho, I like the burrito, I like the cheese sauce, the guacamole is quite good, and I especially love the mixture of the three sauces (hot, mild, and sweet). The interesting thing about MV is how much all the locals love it, while many of the newcomers to Springfield are repelled by MV, including my family. I've exhausted about ten family members, trying to find someone who will go with me to MV, and after all this, only my Dad, who will eat just about anything, will go, and my Aunt will go just to appease me. Everyone else refuses. Luckily my girfriend is totally fine with MV. I gotta get my Sancho on!

Just to be clear, this article isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of Mexican Villa. MV definitely has its issues. Even though I love the Sanchos and three sauce mixture, there are times when even the Sancho isn't that great. I've probably had a couple hundred Sanchos in my life, and I'd say about 1 out of 50 is simply NOT good. As if it's old or something. Also, MV isn't known for the greatest service in the world. I'd say most servers are good, far too many are just plain awful, so you should tip accordingly. 

Group 2: Not Mexican Villa

I've tried just about every other Mexican Restaurant in Springfield, MO, and I have to tell ya, they're all basically the same, and all basically overpriced. I get so annoyed by this. Every single time someone convinces me to try another one of these Mexican Restaurants, I'm totally put off by how similar the food is and definitely how similar the salsa is. Especially the cilantro. Is it possible to find a salsa WITHOUT cilantro in Springfield, MO?

Is it possible to find a salsa WITHOUT cilantro in Springfield, MO?

I have to get this off my chest. I HATE CILANTRO. After going to yet another Mexican Restaurant in Springfield and finding yet again, the same old bland salsa, presented in the same old way (a chilled bottle with two empty bowls), with the same old cilantro mixed in. Ugh! I can't stand it. I spend most of the time picking out the minty little leaves. Who wants a minty flavor in their food? It's like eating toothpaste casserole. I've even started asking various people at these restaurants if this is how they make salsa in Mexico, and they usually say no. They say most Mexicans don't like the cilantro in the salsa. I'm thinking, then why do you subject us to the stuff? Why is it that EVERY Mexican restaurant in Springfield serves it like this? Except of course for Mexican Villa, which is entirely a horse of a different color.

Here is a list of all the Mexican Restaurants I've tried that serve their tired flavorless salsa the same exact way and marred with cilantro leaves: El Charro, El Sombrero, La Hacienda, Cielito Lindo, Los Portales (now closed), La Mision, Los Vaqueros, El Puente, Las Margaritas, Maria's, and El Maguey. I told you it was a bazillion.

Here is a list of all the Mexican Restaurants that show some decency by NOT denigrating their salsa with cilantro leaves. Mexican Villa (although MV doesn't really have salsa but more like hot sauce, and it's incredibly hot so be careful!) and Chili's (although Chili's isn't really a Mexican Restaurant, I'm mentioning them because basically, they have the BEST SALSA IN SPRINGFIELD, MO!). A considerably shorter list, huh?

Good Food In Springfield, MO (It Could Happen) Results

This is a collective review of Mexican Villa, taking into account about 200 visits in the past 15 years. I've also included a side review, if you just get the Sancho, the best thing on the menu.
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