By Alaina Loughridge - Photos by Wen Mcnally
I usually do not write the Food Spy, but as our intrepid food reporter
was unavailable, I had to take one for the team. So I grabbed our
photographer, Wen, and my lovely assistant, Jimmy, and we hustled over
to Agave Bar & Grill where Abraham Lara, the owner, and Luis Galvan,
the best server in all the land, served us an over-the-top extravaganza
of food, Margaritas, beer, Mojitos, Moscow Mules … but wait!!! I am
jumping ahead of myself.
I had only been to Agave a handful of times, and I am that person who
always gets the same thing. This time though, I sampled everything!
What an absolute feast! We started out with Premium Fresh Margaritas
to get the party started. First of all, yum on that! We had to follow that
up with Mojitos because that is how we roll. Freshly muddled and
refreshing, it was time to get our food started! Oh wait, one more drink -
the Cantarito: A juicy and refreshing tequila invigorated with a salt rim
and a splash of grapefruit soda.
We began with Table Side Guacamole. I love anything that is prepared
at the table because you can see the fresh quality of the food and it’s just
a different fun experience. Abraham himself was our show and knocked
it out of the park! Made with chunks of avocado, onions, cilantro,
jalapenos, diced tomatoes and lime juice, the Table Side Guacamole
is a must have appetizer to get the taste buds ready for Round Two.
Simultaneously, we sampled the Chorizo Dip and the Queso Con Carne.
30 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | NOV 2017
The chips were fresh and the dips were a delicious blend of cheese with
cheese and more cheese! Three of my favorite things!
Round Two started with a ginormous pint of Dos Equis Amber and
several bottles of Modelo. Then came the Fajitas Agave. Grilled chicken,
shrimp, steak and veggies, it was tender and moist (yes I said it, but the
word applies) and all three of us devoured it like we hadn’t eaten in
weeks! While we were working on that, Luis brought out the Seafood
Molcajete. WOW!!! This dish is grilled shrimp, fish, scallops and mussels,
marinated in a special ranchero sauce. I usually am not about mussels,
but I am telling you this right now: The Seafood Molcajete is a must not
miss! The broth is perfectly seasoned and has just enough spicy to kick
you, but not knock you off your chair. The bowl is full good stuff all the
way to the bottom, not just the presentation on top!
Round Two continued with the Bacon Burrito and Mi Dio!!! I had seen
this burrito on the menu before and was always intrigued, but my damn
diet said no. Well, my readers, I took another hit for the team and I swear
to you, this damn burrito is the most amazing thing ever!! It’s at least
a foot long and can feed a family of four! Stuffed with grilled chicken or
steak, rice and beans, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes and topped
with the house special chipotle sauce and crispy bacon, my arteries had
a coronary, but my mouth had a happy dance. You literally cannot put
your fork down. Jimmy said, “If it was legal to marry a burrito, the deed
would be done right now.” I couldn’t have put it better myself.
We were still working on Round Two when Luis came back with Fish
Tacos. The fish is Grouper and is obviously fresh. It has a very clean taste
and the tomatillo sauce is just the right balance for the dieter in all of us.
The Fish Tacos accompanied the Fajita Quesadilla. A grilled flour tortilla
stuffed with cheese, your choice of grilled chicken or steak, served
with rice, lettuce, tomato and sour cream. The chicken was in chunks,
not shredded, and the tortilla was crispy. Jimmy wanted to divorce the
burrito and marry the Quesadilla. No more Margarita for you, Jimmy!
We were fat full at this point, but dessert was coming. We started with
the Flan, which is a vanilla and sweetened egg custard with a caramel
topping. It is a plate licker. Along with the Flan, came Churros: Four
lightly fried pastry sticks, filled with caramel and coated in sugar and
cinnamon. We were so full, but fought over those sticks like you would
fight your roommate over the last beer in the fridge. It was brutal!
All of the above dishes are but just a small selection of what Agave has
to offer. Keep in mind too that many of these dishes came with rice and
beans, sour cream, lettuce and tomato, etc. Due to space constrictions,
I did cut off a few things, but have I lied about the best Mexican food
experience? NO!
There is a variety of soups and salads to choose from, as well as
combination platters of anything your heart desires. Agave also offers a
kids menu for those under 12, as well as a vegetarian menu for those
that have no life. Not to mention they also offer daily lunch specials.
The Agave menu is extensive. There are so many choices that it can be
difficult. If all else fails, throw your hands in the air, order a Mojito, and
tell Luis you want it all.
Agave Bar & Grill is located at 402 First Street (corner of Butler and
Jones, y’all). They are open seven days a week. If you haven’t been, drop
whatever you are doing and get there. If you have been before, I don’t
need to tell you anything because you are already headed back. See y’all
there with Margaritas in hand!