Small Mexican cafe with a few influences from South America,
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Reviews
Added Oct 3, 2009 by misterchill of West End (9 Reviews) A pleasant surprise
My wife, 2 year old daughter and I checked this place out for lunch on a Saturday. It looks like a typical take-out restaurant, and has a standard ambience to it too, but the quality of food and friendly service, as well as fair prices, makes this place a great value!
The three of us ordered a trio of fried Tacos, a Torta with carnitas (pork), and Carne Asada con Chilaquiles. We shared each dish with eachother and it was really hard to determine what was the most delicious.
The Torta was fantastic -- simple yet delicious. The pork was flavourful, cooked slowly and perfectly. The bun was crusty and soft, and the vegetables were fresh.
The three tacos were a decent value for $8.50 --- not very large, but again nice and fresh with good fillings. The potato taco was interesting. I'd compate this value to any other taco joint -- from the Taco Shack to la Taqueria.
The carne asada con chilaquiles was the nicest of the surprises. We liked how it sounded on the menu but didn't know exactly what we were getting, but what it was was a large platter of tenderized steak, smokey spanish rice, refried beans and the DELICIOUS chilaquiles -- slightly crisp tortillas with a wonderful green sauce, onions and cheese. My wife, kid and I all couldn't get enough.
All this plus some nice taco chips and salsa to start, with a warm salsa that had flavour different from anything I've had before. Everything tasted fresh and homemade, and with some spicy heat but nothing overpowering. We were full but not stuffed.
And to the reviewer with many opionions, who called the cheese "feta", perhaps you should try some more traditional restaurants and stores and learn about "queso fresco". |
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| Added Sep 23, 2009 by fiestamix of Vancouver (2 Reviews) Great food, great service!
I am truly surprised by the number of negative reviews on here about this charming mexican gem-of-a-restaurant! My boyfriend and I have eaten here numerous times since it opened, and each time has been enjoyable. Firstly: the food. If you are expecting Pace Picante, or if your palate is accustomed to fast food Mexican, then you will likely be disappointed. The food here is authentic Mexican, and is always served fresh. I recommend the tortilla soup, the burritos, the rolled tacos (potato!) and the sopes. Secondly: the service. We have always been welcomed with big smiles by the friendly female servers. They are patient when taking orders (I ask a lot of questions) and provide solid recommendations. Overall, this place is wonderful - a must-try for the open-minded looking to add a great new casual dining spot to their restaurant rotation. |
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| Added Sep 4, 2009 by spunkymunky of Vancouver (1 Reviews) totally average
My bf and I tried this place out cuz everytime you walk or drive by, its full. We ate in and sat outdoors. Its not fancy but it was clean and friendly. The food was sooo bland and mediocre, nothing special and I was unimpressed. I totally don't understand all the rave reviews for this place unless its friends or family leaving reviews because the portions are small, no seasoning, not even salt, and the guacamole is disappointing if you are looking for something zesty that you can dip a chip in, this is just cubes of avacado and tomato with no other flavour, but I can see it being appealing if you just want something fresh and bland. And tripes on the menu?! not my thing sorry. |
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| Added Sep 3, 2009 by fraghag of Yaletown (1 Reviews) Totally overrated!
After all the hype of Salsa and Agave and seeing the place constantly packed, I read the reviews on Dine Here and decided that my hubby and I would do a takeout order finally! The place is small and cute enough, and the lady who took our order was friendly. Its family run so there was a child sitting on the counter and running around, which I don't mind as I like kids and gives it a family feel. We ordered sausage and chicken sopes, the grilled tacos in beef, chicken and potato, salsa and guacamole and chips. The portion size was tiny compared to every other mexican place I have been to (both commercial and authentic) so i thought it was cheeky to charge so much for tiny portions in a fast food type place. The food was entirely bland and boring. No spice, no seasoning, its more something for a senior's home to not cause digestion upset! I have also never had mexican food with feta cheese on it. As mentioned in other reviews, the guacamole is basically just chunks of avacado and tomato, no seasoning and not smooth enough to dip, I mashed it up myself when we got home and added lime juice and salt to it. The salsa was runny and hot, I have never been served hot (as in the temperature, not the spice level) salsa before, it reminded me more of a pasta tomato sauce not a salsa. The crispy tacos were teeny and bland. The sopes were also teeny, bland and didnt have enough filling in either. I do have high standards but tried to be open minded about this place, but unfortunately all I can really say its it entirely overrated and overpriced. Menu should be spruced up a bit I think as well to include pictures so you get a better idea of what you are ordering. My hubby who is not as fussy as me also thought Salsa and Agave was totally overrated and was disappointed in everything. The absolute best place in Vancouver for mexican food is Andales (on West Broadway, not the Davie st. location). Ive been going there over 10 years now and it is consisently excellent food, large portions, fun servers and good value, with yummy flavourful guacamole and homemade chunky spicy salsa, and you can get the fried stuff covered in sour cream, and also gorgeous lighter versions of things grilled and more diet conscious, lol! |
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| Added Jun 28, 2009 by Julieta2009 of Vancouver (5 Reviews) Love It
Salsa & Agave is always fresh and always delicious. Particularily like the chilaquiles and beef with the yummy tomatillo sauce. The burritos are substantial and the toastados very good. Really enjoy all of the salsas. The tres leches cake reminds me of home. Overall super value and great service. We will continue to go back over and over again - whether it is to dine in or take out. |
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| Added May 6, 2009 by sbearchell of East Vancouver (1 Reviews) Authentic, yet very affordable
I work just around the corner from Salsa & Agave- t's an absolute jewel for take-out and casual dine-in lunches. I would have to say it's the best burrito in town, and my bill never tops $10. Can't recommend it enough, not only for its great value but also amazing food. Just like Mexico, only perhaps even better. |
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| Added Mar 19, 2009 by bumblebee7 of Vancouver (28 Reviews) great place for take out....
Too small of a restaurant to eat at, but I enjoying coming in to pick up lunch etc., and prices are reasonable. This is not your taco bell type food ... and more authentic, so if you're used to the hard shell tacos or mexi fries, this is NOT the place for you, but if you love fresh guacamole and real salsa, give this a try. |
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| Added Dec 21, 2008 by maelstrom of West End (9 Reviews) Good authentic Mexican
With the vast number of new Mexican restaurants in the city I was keen to try Salsa & Agave as I had read a number of reviews extolling their authentic Mexican cuisine. I wasn't disappointed! The food was fresh, truly authentic and offered a good change from the typical North Americanized Mexican fare. The menu offers a lot of variety and a great deal of care was taken with our food. This is a great "hole in the wall" type place for down home Mexican food.
The establishment is kinda small and is really more of a Cafe than a restaurant, so you may find there is a wait for a table if it gets busy. While I was there I noticed they seemed to be doing a very brisk take out business. |
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| Added Dec 19, 2008 by eagoni of Yaletown, Vancouver (3 Reviews) New hot spot!
This place is becoming a "rendez-vous" spot for the latins who live in the dowtown area. You can see a lot of young spanish speakers packing the place. That speak out by itself! The flavour of the food is the closest to the real mexican dishes. You can try the taco pastor or the chilaquiles those are everyones (I asked) favourites! So if you looking for a place to EATwell this is the place, otherwise if you want sombreros, pinatas or zarapes for decoration go somewhere else. |
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| Added Dec 13, 2008 by contaygious of Yaletown (5 Reviews) Best Mexican Pickup in Vancouver
I pickup food here at least once a week. I always order the tortilla soup with chicken which is a must try if you have not had it. Has a great kick to it.
I also order either carne asada sopes, burrito, or tacos. I love the carne asada here and I have not had sopes anywhere else in vancouver so I stick with those. They are almost as good as I used to have them in LA which is saying a lot for vancouver.
I love the salsa too so I always add some chips on the side. If you can get a table it's a bit fresher to eat there of course, but I'm always on the go so grab for pick up. |
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| Added Nov 4, 2008 by sabormio of Unknown (2 Reviews) No good salsa here
This place is too small and is not intended for dine-in. We were given chips and salsa which was not inspiring and we did not even try it. Only few teenagers were hanging around different tables and talking loud in Spanish to each others and only waitress that was there.
We ordered tacos; dripping grease all over it, over spiced at the same time did not taste any thing. Torta (Mexican sub) was tasteless as well as their quesadilla. If you want a quick lunch to take out this is probably good alternative to Taco Bell. Quality of food is too low and flavor does not come closes to what real Mexican food is.
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| Added Oct 28, 2008 by LaurenJ of Vancouver (5 Reviews) As close to Mexican as you will find in Vancouver
My boyfriend and I frequent this place not only because we live close by, but because it is REALLY hard to find authentic Mexican food in Vancouver. This place is as close as it will get. I had the sopes, and he had the tacos and we were both very satisfied.
The place is always full, too bad it is so small. We usually end up getting our food to go because we don't feel like waiting for a table. |
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| Added Oct 24, 2008 by chikachikawow of Yaletown, Vancouver (10 Reviews) Not as good as when I first came here...
When I first discovered the restaurant about a year ago, the service was friendly, food was fresh and cooked to perfection.
These days, the nice gentleman who usually greeted me when I'd stop by the restaurant is almost never there. The last few times, our server has been a girl who seems to barely smile and is not nearly as attentive with her service. I noticed there is another female who works (or maybe helps out) there..other than the one time I've seen her serving, I noticed her taking up a table, feet up on a chair on her computer while patrons waited to be seated. Kind of unprofessional if you ask me.
It was also unappetizing to see the server wiping tables, cloth dirty, plopping it on top of a trash can then handling food without washing her hands first.
I know the restaurant has a charge on the menu for extra salsa & chips but in the past, we were never charged for an extra bowl. I went yesterday with a friend and even when we asked for just extra chips, there was a charge for chips & salsa on our bill. *sigh*
The food has also taken a dip. The pollo in my tacos has been dry, not moist and flavorful like before. Even the tortillas have tasted stale and dry on some occassions. A true disappointment.
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| Added Oct 1, 2008 by superhunkdougal of Vancouver (21 Reviews) Best and certainly most authentic Mexican in Vancouver
This restaurant works on so many levels:
1) Beautiful tacos, flautas, sopas.: The lengua (tongue) tacos here are outstanding - lovely textures that go well with the fresh accompaniments. Also the closest one will get in Vancouver to al Pastor Tacos (someday!).
2) Weekend visits here are a must for the menudo (tripe). A Mexican friend mentioned to me that this is a Mexican hangover cure, and I must admit that it always hits the spot! Unreal!
3) The mole, when available, is rich and hearty. A perfect (if not punishing on this gringo's digestive system) cold day dish that fills you up for hours.
4) Finally, the tortas (think a Mexican sub) are the best deal in Yaletown for a quick and very cheap bite to eat.
Oh for a liquor license!!!
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| Added Jul 18, 2008 by kimberley of Vancouver (7 Reviews) We're regulars
Salsa and Agave is one of our most favorite restaurants in the city. The food is always fresh and delicious. I love the fact that they run out of things, as it shows items are turning over continually. The crowds have gotten bigger here, so you sometimes will have to plan to go at strategic times. :) Have been going for the past year and have no complaints. Love it, love it, love it. |
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| Added Jul 13, 2008 by Shirbin of Kitsilano, Vancouver (7 Reviews) Fresh, Tasty and inexpensive authentic Mexican
I know - I rated ambiance rather high. But you get what you pay for and at least it's super clean!
We shared the pork tacos, and the chicken burrito. I also ordered the guacomole (more like a chopped avocado salad and I loved it!), and beans and rice. I also noticed a lot of spanish speaking diners and the food tastes very authentic.
In fact, the food is so tasty it's bordering on narcotic.
Everything we tasted was perfectly seasoned, and super fresh.
I can't wait to go back. |
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| Added Apr 16, 2008 by epicurian of Kerrisdale (43 Reviews) Yum
The food is handsdown one of the best places in the city for Mexican. Not greasy, just flavorful, clean and simple. It is a shame that the place is so small. The ambiance is a bit lacking and is more of a take out place more than anything else. The service is a bit inconsistant but it is afterall a family joint. I suggest take out! |
| Added Mar 20, 2008 by lars0564 of vancouver (3 Reviews) Kind of Disappointed
I recently visited this little place to have dinner with a few friends, the service was poor, we waited 15 mins for chips and salsa and then we got out food and the plates were cold, certainly microwaved food. The soup was ok, but had better at other mexican restaurants. The decor could use a makeover... kind of bland. Not licensed so was kind of disappointed that we drank pop with Mexican food and not a good cold corona. Waitress was kind of snotty when we asked for more chips and salsa... as if they had a short supply of them.
Over all... disappointed ... expecially reading about it!
This place needs some growing up as it is new and i think the fame went to their heads.
Wont be back |
| Added Mar 14, 2008 by phenom40 of Yaletown (3 Reviews) I never liked Mexican food until this place!
Everything tastes home made, right down to the tortillas and salsa. I've never had such good Mexican food. This place is always hopping, and I would highly recommend it. I intend to try everything on the menu! |
| Added Feb 5, 2008 by oleae of Yaletown, Vancouver (5 Reviews) Best mexican in the city (IMO)
I love mexican food (and I'm caucasian)... my biggest "food" compaint in Vancouver has always been the lack of good mexican restaurants. Tio Pepes is a good call on Commercial Drive but other than that I've always found authentic mexican food a stretch - if not impossible to find - here in Vancouver... Until I found Salsa & Agave. So good! On my first visit I ordered the Tortilla Soup... just to see how well they make this oh-so-needed comfort food. To say it exceeded my expectations is an understatement (try ordering it with chicken). The Tostados are amazing as well but I have a hard time not ordering the soup even after pouring over the menu. I don't give 5s to any restaurant so my 4 here is a 5 to most people's ratings. Owner/operator is a super nice guy who really makes it a place worth visiting over and over. Try it.. just try it! |
| Added Nov 24, 2007 by chikachikawow of Yaletown, Vancouver (10 Reviews) Yaletown's best little hideaway
When you arrive inside this small eatery (maybe seating for less than 20 patrons inside), you are promptly greeted by a young gentleman and a fresh bowl of salsa and chips. The food is fresh and authentic, layered with flavours and sure to please..not to mention, the prices are easily affordable, especially amongst the pricier Yaletown establishments I've been to.
I love the tacos. At 4 for $8, you can try one flavor or a variety - my favs: chicken, carne asada and chorizo. On weekends, the restaurant offers the pazole soup - comforting and packed with flavor, absolutely delicious. Wash it all down with a big glass of horchata. Yum!!!
Definitely my favorite restaurant in the area! Note: The reviewer has submitted a more recent review for this restaurant. This review does not affect the overall rating and is displayed for information purposes only. |
| Added Oct 17, 2007 by rebzees of Kitsilano (8 Reviews) Good lunch, if not a little small
Fantastic, fresh food at this new little Mexican joint. The meat and pork are extremely tender and melt in your mouth, and all of the food has fantastic flavour.
Only real complaint is that the servings were a little small if you're really hungry. For me it was fine for size but for some guys, lunch is a big meal.
Definitely worth going to - much fresher and tastier than most little places in the area. |
| Added Sep 30, 2007 by EatsFats of Vancouver (209 Reviews) Delicious Mexican in Yaletown
Very clean, new looking place (but tiny) right in the middle of Yaletown. Fits right in with the area, but maybe not your average idea of a Mexican place (and I don't mean the Tex-Mex chains). Nothing wrong with the service, not bad at all, but do be expecting a "fast food" type of experience unless maybe the chef comes out to have a chat. She seems like anice lady.
As far as we can tell, really authentic stuff here, so don't be expecting anything from Taco Bell. They have small little (soft) tacos like Dona Cata, but I think the tortilla's they use are better. They're at least as tasty, if not more so. Served with a very intriguing hot salsa which was not only spicy but had a very interesting smoky flavour as well that we've rarely experienced.
The pozole (weekends only) was very tasty. Slightly short on the corn flavour, but otherwise well done and texture wise, it was better than our gold standard (Chavez, 16 hrs away). Torta was delish, slightly spicy but a very good, complicated set of flavours from the chorizo version.
All the food tasted very fresh, and was not greasy at all, nor loaded up with tons of cheese that hides the flavours of the other ingredients.
The eat-in menu is more extensive than the take-out, with some other specialties (Venezuela? Columbia?) that look very tempting. Given the taste of what we had for lunch today, we will want to be coming back to try the others.
Best Mexican place in Yaletown for sure (yes they do have burritos if you must) and so far, maybe even the best in town. We'll see. Maybe you should too. |
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