El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria

What a lucky find!! This place is so awesome!! I was greeted by the nicest gentlemen who served me my asada tacos and a great chips and salsa that included a warm bean dip. Everything was excellent!! If this was closer to home it would be a regular stop. By the way, he told me they have over 3000 tequilas on display and serve over 200 different varieties.

El Agave was so good that I ended up coming back a second time during my work trip, which says everything. The tacos were outstanding across the board—fresh, packed with flavor, beautifully presented, and made with quality ingredients. The house-made salsas and accompaniments elevated every dish, and the attention to detail was evident from the first bite to the last. The tequila selection is exceptional. Whether you're a casual tequila drinker or a serious enthusiast, there is something here for everyone. Easily one of the most impressive selections I've come across. Service was friendly, attentive, and professional without being overbearing. The atmosphere strikes a great balance between upscale and relaxed, making it equally suitable for a business meal or a casual evening out.

Delicious food and friendly service. Really cool building. The glass bottles surrounding the shelves and walls provide a nice glow throughout the restaurant. The salsas were delicious, the tortilla chips were hearty and not fragile, the ribeye tacos were tremendous, and mi esposa loved her fish tacos. We were charged for rice we never received, but it's no big deal. (I never told them/asked them to remove it from the bill). We'll likely go back before the end of the week when we fly back home. It's conveniently located across the street from our hotel. Side note: I LOVED that the tequila flight came with a palette cleanser.

My niece is new to San Diego and loves the restaurant scene. A few of us decided to meet up and visited her from SFO, LAX, and ORD. I love food as well. Apparently, I'm the picky one. So here we go. The plates looked amazing, but were so bland. How could a culture so rich in scents and flavor water down to this? The most flavorful things on the table were the chips and the black bean salsa in the salsa trio and the Pork belly sliders were a good taste. The drinks were ok, beautifully crafted, just ok in taste. The atmosphere is its saving grace along with the group of us all chatting away because we hadn't seen each in a bit. My suggestion to any one visiting San Diego, don't try Mexican-esque or fusion places unless it's just the vibe you are going for. If you are looking for more hardy flavors and flavorful heavy pour margaritas, go further into Old Town for all the chaos and deliciousness. Bottom line decide what your goal is and go accordingly. I can't say I'd go back, if I did, it would be to meet at the bar and enjoy the ambiance...after I ate down the street. Oh...service, polite but odd. Customers should always be approached as if this is the first time. I felt slightly rushed in the ordering process in a near empty restaurant. That could just be me, I tend to pick up on slight things but I stay polite. Tip was guaranteed as it was 6+ people. I usually add more to help the server's experience. I was not inclined to do so.

I wish I could go higher than a 5 for the atmosphere because oh my god it was phenomenal! First, they give you some chips and salsa to share as you sit down, which were amazing. And their fish tacos and mole sauce, phenomenal. The decor is breathtaking. The bottles make the room look ethereal, just so beautiful and otherworldly. If you’re in the area, to say I highly recommend isn’t high enough praise.