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Salsa & Agave Mexican Grill
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
1223 Pacific Blvd1205 Pacific Blvd
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2R6
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Yaletown
(604) 408-4228
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 9 pm
Thu-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
55 reviews for Salsa & Agave Mexican Grill
Review Highlights
"I tried the rajas con crema as well as the chorizo and..."
(in 3 reviews)
"I've had the Azteca soup before, and it's fantastic."
(in 4 reviews)
"The tacos al pastor is excellent."
(in 2 reviews)
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55 reviews in English
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Review from Peter S.
Updated - 9/22/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I gotta give these guys five stars.
The staff are so friendly, and hail from Mexico (kinda scary sometimes when you see a white guy in the kitchen... just sayin...?)
The Paradillas Burrito is my go-to take out order on the way home from work. Substitute the little pepper container with the Morita sauce and grab a Mexican Coke and you're in business.
If I can make it home without scarfing it down along the sidewalk, I'll sip a shot of Bulleit on the side for dessert.
Gracias!
Their Tortilla soup, and Pozole are also fantastic on a rainy Vancouver day.
I've had some amazing Mole in the past as well.Listed in: Spicy Vancouver, Mexican
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/18/2009
Had a random craving for a burrito the other day and S&A totally sorted me out.
I kinda like their… Read more »
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Review from Scott H.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 12/2/2011
Oooo, it's on the upswing. I apparently ordered poorly the first time. The Chorizo Sope were fantastico! The wife had the enchiladas, which kept her happy, and really, that's all that matters. Great spot for people watching and sitting in the sun (even on a cool December day) which would be great for Yaletown, but most people in the area just like to sit in front of mirrors.
IF they keep it up, they're gonna get the boost to 4 stars, because that's the kind of pull I have in this town (insert eyeroll here).1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/3/2011
I so wanted this place to be awesome. It's always packed, it was a great saturday afternoon, sun… Read more »
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Review from patricia l.
Vancouver, BC
9/8/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I love this place! I've tried practically everything on the menu at least twice, as I find myself coming here on a weekly basis. The service is great, the food is fantastic and it's one of the more unpretentious places in Yaletown.
Here are the highlights:
-Azteca Soup (generous portions of fried tortilla, avocado and cheese all in a yummy soup - get the large one, the small won't be enough)
-Milanesa (it's like a Mexican country-fried streak)
-Chicken Enchiladas (with the Tomatillo sauce)
-Burritos (I always get the Mar y Tierra - you get steak, shrimp, rice and corn all wrapped up in perfect harmony)
-Pozole (only served on weekends and fabulous)
Their habanero sauce is really good as well, but they charge extra for it - hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Regardless, all is fresh and delicious. It's also one of the more authentic Mexican places in town. Go for either lunch or dinner - you won't be disappointed! -
Review from Leemor Y.
11/29/2011
Tacos al pastor were very tasty. Probably the most authentic-tasting mexican restaurant in downtown.
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 8/21/2011 4 Check-ins Here
When I'm feeling under the weather, regardless of the weather outside, it's Pazole or Azteca soup that I crave. Lucky for me, Salsa and Agave has pazole on weekends AND makes sure take away orders are filled right away.
Between burritos that stand erect on their own (read: they are stuffed), carnitas tacos and the aforementioned soups, I've got a real soft spot for Salsa and Agave.
Thank goodness for the few-and-far-between spots like this in Yaletown. No need to be gussied up, no airs about the staff or patrons, it's just good food for your soul.Listed in: Casual Dining in Vancouver, Vancouver's Cheap Eats, Vancouver's Spicy Foods, Vancouver's Take Away…, Mexican Vancouver Ole!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/5/2010
**It's Take Away Only right now**
Yummy soft corn tacos (oh, al pastor I love you and your pineapple… Read more »
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Review from Cyndi H.
Vancouver, BC
4/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
My Mexican friend Javier has been raving about S&A for ages so I figured it was time that I give it a go. I mean, if he is the real thing (you should hear him speak Spanish...beautiful) then his love for S&A's authentic eats make it legit. I was definitely not let down by his high praise--Salsa and Agave lives up to the hype!
Now, if you're expecting Yaletown swank then let's set the story straight: the space is simple. I'd go so far to call it a hole-in-the-wall but it's too polished for that title. It's a cute little find.
If you come here for lunch on a weekday expect a packed space. Everyone and their (purse-sized) dog is here... okay, no dogs, but you get the idea. It's one busy joint.
The service is great and pairs well with the complimentary fresh salsa and chips--I love to nibble while I wait. I also got my virgin strawberry margarita-on. Sweet treat on a Friday afternoon. Yay for the weekend!
My meal was solid, healthy and satisfying and I left with a full and happy tummy.
Thanks Javier! : ) -
Review from Kirk C.
Vancouver, BC
10/9/2011
Some of the better Mexican food I've had since returning from California.
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Review from Adrian V.
Richmond, BC
4/9/2011
My club was holding an event at Yaletown Roundhouse and a couple of friends and I were due to have lunch. Everyone who has gone before us were raving about Salsa and Agave so we had to try it. Plus I was craving my mexican so I was excited to hear about a good place nearby.
When we got there, the place was packed. We were lucky to secure a table within minutes. The host and the waitress were friendly and very accommodating. We were served chips and salsa right away. As much as I wish it was pico de gallo, it wasn't. It was just some kind of salsa sauce. But it was decent.
From the selection they had, I couldn't make up my mind. I finally decided on the shrimp burrito and something additional: chicken and soft pork tacos. Around the table, someone ordered the gringa (flour tortilla w/melted cheese and pastor, or their version of pork in red spice sauce) chicken and chorizo tacos, and vegetarian sopes (thick handmade corn tortillas w/ beans, lettuce, sour cream, cheese and avocado sauce).
When our food arrived, I was happy to see it was presented nicely. My shrimp burrito's tortilla was toasted, which I wasn't expecting. I quite liked it; it added a nice crunch to my burrito. The rice was filling and the shrimp was juicy; I really like how there were a lot of shrimp in my burrito. The only thing I wish my burrito had was more components instead of just rice and shrimp, because that's all that stood out to me. The sour cream and avocado sauce (not guacamole as it didn't really have the same consistency) were good. It complemented the dish well. My tacos were not on par with the burrito. The chicken was dry and the lime was so hard to squeeze with virtually no juice coming out. The pork tacos however, were fantastic. It was juicy and tender. The tacos were served with the salsa sauce and the avocado sauce.
According to my friends, the sopes were "interesting". The mushrooms and the pepper were tender and the onions added flavour. It was also nicely presented. The gringa was really filling (my buddy almost didn't finish his because of the huge portion). It was "nothing extraordinary, but it was still good". He said the chicken taco was really dry and the chorizo wasn't as tasty as he had hoped it would be. He also had an issue with his lime wedge; it was as hard as a rock and couldn't squeeze any lime juice out.
I would've liked to have given this place 4 stars but dining in a restaurant isn't all about the food; it's about the complete experience. The service, the atmosphere, and even the bathroom. Well there was no bathroom, but that wasn't a big deal. What annoyed me was the fact that the waitress wanted to put the tip in herself, and she tipped after tax. I'm not being a cheap-o, but I'M the one tipping her for her service; it should be MY decision how much I'm tipping, not hers. Really annoyed me. Because of that, I'm knocking them 1 whole star rating down.
Would I ever go back? Most likely, because I don't know of any other Mexican places around (yet). I will most likely order take out so as to not deal with such incompetency again.
Once I do find a different one, I won't be coming back here. -
Review from Ly H.
1/28/2011
I'm coming to realize late January in Vancouver means rain and more rain. I might never see sunny skies till May. I miss California. There's no sunshine here, folks say "zed" instead of "z" and I can't find a decent burrito.
Thank goodness for Salsa and Agave. I was about to give up on looking for good Mexican food after many failed attempts at other spots in the city. I stumbled upon Salsa and Agave while getting lost on the bus.
I ordered the most expensive carne asada burrito ever in my life ($8 before taxes), but it was so worth it. Not as authentic as a burrito in the Mission District in San Francisco ($5 before taxes), but close enough.
Salsa and Agave grilled the tortilla so that there were nice crispy bits to the outside. The staff were attentive and friendly. When I was there, I mostly heard Spanish being spoken by the other guest, which in my book is always a good sign as to how authentic the food actually is.
The hortchata deserves 5 stars. -
Review from C R.
Vancouver, BC
10/23/2011
This is not good quality Mexican Food!
It's a shame it's the only MX restaurant in Yaletown, as I think that is the only reason it has survived. The salsa is watery, guacamole tasteless and service is sub-par.
We will not be returning. -
Review from Rick C.
12/3/2010 4 photos
Three of us popped into Salsa and Agave for a bite to eat. It did not start out well as the place was super packed and busy for such a small-sized restaurant. We waited for over half an hour to be seated. The staff were really nice and gave us each a free beer and shot for our troubles.
We eventually sat at the bar and had a good time and great meal. I had to grab a Corona in addition to the fine tequila shots we all got.
I had the combination rolled tacos featuring one ground beef, shredded chicken and potato filling. They were mighty tasty and delicious. I liked the sauce and soft guacamole. I only wish there was more of it to eat.
My friends both got the enchiladas dish available in red and green sauces. It was the popular choice among the diners and was evidently quite good.
I think the Salsa and Agave is a cool place in Yaletown for Mexican food. The staff is friendly and cheerful and while the whole experience could have been a disaster, it ended up being a great dining experience.Listed in: Diverse Eateries, Casual Drinks
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Review from Mario M.
8/10/2011
One Word: Diarrhea...
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Review from Michelle E.
Vancouver, BC
5/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
There is no better place to go when you are craving good, home style Mexican food. I love that you can mix the rolled tacos, nothing better than variety! Well, except a fantastic margarita, which you can also get here.
You also have to try the enchiladas and the traditional mole sauce is simply to die for! There really is not a bad thing I can say about Salsa & Agave. The food, drinks and service always bring a smile to my face.
I am happy that they have a new and much bigger location, though it is still always packed. \i recommend going for an early dinner to get a good spot and they do close fairly early for the area. -
Review from Peter M.
Vancouver, BC
4/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really want to love this place but I think I just like it.
I've been in relationships like this.
Tonight, I had the shrimp burrito which was fresh and tasty, but just that.
I want a flavour explosion in my mouth and I am just not getting that here.
La Taqueria is better (although S&A has way more variety) -
Review from Kat S.
8/16/2010
I love a good taco, and this place almost does it for me. Maybe I am spoiled by La Taqueria, but it's not the best. However, Salsa & Agave is pretty good. The prices are reasonable and the service mostly friendly.
Their guacamole is probably the best restaurant guac I have tried (chunky pieces of avocado and not diluted with sour cream, yay!), and it actually came with more guac than chips (more chips, please). The salsa is nice, with a good bite, but again, not enough chips. And the dish was hot from the dishwasher, which heated up the salsa so much it tasted like a spicy soup rather than a cool sauce. When we mentioned this to the waitress she just said it was from the dishwasher, but didn't offer to bring us cold salsa, which would have been preferred, being a blistering hot day out.
I have had one of their burritos before, and they are pretty great. However, the tacos leave me wanting... wanting more flavour and sauce of some sort. They seemed kinda dry, even with the accompanying spicy sauce added on.
The trip to the bathroom left me feeling disoriented and disgusted. Don't use if you don't have to. One, it's hard to find, as you wander around a dim hallway with too many doors, holding a key on a ladle, feeling like one of the doors may lead to Narnia. And two, it's not clean, and not pretty, and shared by other businesses on the crazy hallway, in which you need your ladle key to escape from, or you can't get back to the restaurant.Listed in: Bathrooms to Avoid
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Review from Luisa D.
2/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is a solid little place with two neighbouring locations, one is mostly for take out now. I've been going here since it was just the one location and it's always super busy so it's great that they got the second spot.
The staff are super sweet, the food is tasty although sometimes a tad mild for my liking. The portions are good for the price too.
I can't say I ever had really good Mexican food at a restaurant, especially in Mexico so I can't really judge on authenticity. I make a pretty mean Mexican meal myself! I would have no problem suggesting that someone grab a quick lunch here and for sure you'll have a tummy full of yummy goodness without breaking the bank. -
Review from Aaron S.
8/22/2010
Dónde puedo reclamar mi equipaje?Lo siento mucho, soy gringo lo sjen-to mú-cho.
I've been to Salsa and Agave a few times now and I've sampled just about everything on their menu. The last time I went for the tacos. Now I'm not down with the mexican expertise when it comes to food south of the border. My special lady friend on the other hand is a taco snob and won't stand for anything less than awesomeness. I tend to base my experiences on what I like to call the Las Margaritas scale. That pretty much means anything that's not Las Margaritas gets a passing grade. Salsa and Agave makes me like them if I'm in Yaletown but not enough to make a special trip.
As I mentioned I had the tacos and I tried four kinds. The chicken and beef we really awful. The pastor and chorizo were actually pretty great. I either got it on a bad night or thats just the norm. Either way I know what i enjoyed and will swing for that next time. The guacamole should be mentioned as it's possibly the best in town and certainly the best I've ever had.
It's certainly popular amongst the Yaletown crowd with no shortage of customers stopping by for takeout. In a place where it's either fast food or fancy they need a place like this to be in the middle.
I should actually take back what I said about it being the best guac I've had. That's an insult to Alfredo who I work with. He makes the best guacamole ever. When I asked him what the secret was he said "love". Damn it Alfredo I think you're right. -
Review from Adina D.
Vancouver, BC
7/9/2010
Without a doubt my favourite place for Mexican downtown!!
Real AUTHENTIC mexican food and super friendly service. I've been delighted by everything I've ordered there, but my favourite thing on the menu is their sopes (thick mini hand-made tortillas topped with your choice of meat, lettuce and cheese). They're so tasty!
They've also recently moved to a bigger location just a few doors down. Great because there's more seating so you don't have to wait as long, but the bathrooms are pretty gross (they're shared with the other tenants in the building).....I don't recommend using them unless it's an emergency. -
Review from Faye X.
Vancouver, BC
9/20/2010
We ordered a beer and virgin pina colada to start. Then I was told the VPC was not available and if I would like to change it to a V. margarita. I said sure. Our drinks took about 10 minutes to arrive at our table. We then ordered our food which took about 2 minutes to arrive at our table. This had me a little concerned. The drinks took much longer than the food? very odd. Needless to say this was not the freshest joint in town. Our pastor burrito and enchilada pollo were not bad, but not amazing.
In addition, the chips served before dinner came out of a plastic bag and the salsa was super watery.
So we got our bill... I nearly dropped my jaw on the floor. $6.25+HST was the price of my V. margarita served in a martini glass. I questioned the waitress who replied "yeah, that is our price. our regular margarita is $8.25. I am sorry, there is nothing I can do for you. The price is set by management". I said "that is crazy and not a great way to get people back to visit this place". As I paid my bill I wrote on a piece of napkin "It is outrageous to charge 6.25 for ice and juice. It is unethical biz practise!"
I guess what I am trying to say is I hate being played like a fool!!! -
Review from Doug O.
Burnaby, BC
4/29/2010 2 Check-ins Here
After a failed attempt to get served at La Cantina (3 doors away from here), I gave Salsa & Agave a go. I was impressed.
The decor is not quite as nice as La Cantina, but the service is very good (menu was in front of me as soon as I sat down and someone took my order within minutes of that).
As others have noted, the food is very basic/rustic, but tasty and satisfying. I tried the Sasquatch Buririto (Beef, potatoes, beans, cheese). The salsa which came with it was very good. It had a nice smokey taste and was not too spicy.
The burrito was tasty and not bland. It is very common I find for mexican food to be bland when it is heavy on beans. This one was not that way.
Overall, I was very satisfied. It probably helped that they saved me from disaster I had three doors away. -
Review from Ema J.
Vancouver, BC
7/19/2010
***One of my go-to Take Out joints***
The rolled Tacos are my favourite...YUM...and they are excellent for takeout (plus they use eco friendly containers!) - $8.50 for 3 and it will fill you.
* Reasonable prices - $2 homemade Horchata and the Tacos are cheaper than La Taqueria + arguably better tasting :)
* Excellent food
* Good Service
* Ok Ambiance
Their old location is closed on Mondays but their new space, next door, is open and has great patio seating (and it's licensed!). The interior of the new location is nice and cool on a hot day.
The only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5 is that the service can be lacking at times, the waitresses tend to be a bit moody, and I am not a fan of the ambiance, it's just "normal", but 5 stars for food - YUM. -
Review from tee a.
6/28/2010
This is definitely a mom and pops type of restaurant. The menu is simple, home cooked and tasty. In my opinion, it lacked flavor and was missing some essential spices you would expect in Mexican food. The tacos were ok, but the Tortilla soup was good.
A good place to go for a quick snack if you're walking along pacific. :) -
Review from Arthur d.
Vancouver, BC
8/9/2010 8 Check-ins Here
Working in Yaletown I find myself eating here for lunch quite often.
I guess you could call me a regular as I no longer even have to place my order - they know precisely what I want the moment I walk in the door (Chicken enchiladas with salsa verde and a Coke Zero.)
This is the best Canadian pallet adjusted Mexican cuisine available in Vancouver. It has a little zest and some spices/presentation adjusted to suit the locals expectations as much as possible but is quite good.
The prices are very reasonable considering the unique offering to the area.
The staff are kind, attentive, and great at what they do.
They have opened a new dining room a few stores down from the original location and are now open 7 days a week (they were previously closed on Monday.)
The original location now functions as a Take-Out only storefront.
Another great note - they pack the take out dishes in paper instead of Styrofoam containers. This is wonderful as I can't stand eating out of styrofoam containers.
Also be sure to try the Mexican Coca-Cola products they stock (in glass bottles!) They are made with 100% sugar - no corn sweeteners (HFCS.. Yuck!) -
Review from Roanna Z.
8/5/2009
Note: *Sept 2010* S & E moved just up the street! They have the great corner spot now with the large patio! Yay ! -and now back to your regular programming.
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Cute spot. It spills out onto the sidewalk with tables and chairs and it's always full up from noon to past 3. these days That's impressive for a small fast food kind of place.
The owner/manager and cooks are Hispanic, so -YAY for that (!) because there's a star there just for authenticity. Also noted that many customers spoke Spanish!
Let's talk food. Sadly, the Torta left a little something to be desired as it was just a bit small and thin.
The rice and the Refritos were great paired up with a the Agave salad for me with the addition of Chicken for my non gluten, non dairy limitations.
Over all they were helpful and understanding which I always do appreciate.
The service was a bit disappointing in that after we placed an order our waitress ended her shift switching off and forgetting to mention that we had ordered something else, so we had to ask again.
But over all I would give them a star for effort and friendliness. *Very nice people. :-D -
Review from Anita L.
Vancouver, BC
7/28/2010
I've been to S+A a few times, and the past times have been pretty good. Fresh ingredients and fairly well executed. It's pretty much the only Mexican place I've been to because I've heard that it's fairly authentic and leans away from becoming tex-mex, which I'm not a huge fan of.
Yesterday I popped in for a quick early dinner before work, and I opted for the small Azteca soup and two tacos, one pastor and one rajas con crema. The is a simple soup of rich, spicy tomato based broth, cheese, tortilla strips, and avocado. The pastor taco is pork in some kind of chili based red sauce, and the rajas con crema are pablanos and onions in melted cheese.
I've had the Azteca soup before, and it's fantastic. I'm a big fan of both spicy and sour flavours, which they hit perfectly. My mouth waters just thinking about it. The tacos, however, were a little disappointing. The tortillas were decent, and the sauce for the pastor was great, but the pork itself was bland and a bit dry considering it was covered in sauce. The rajas were my big disappointment because I had read a great review for them, but they just didn't stack up. I think it was because there wasn't enough cheese on this particular one, which I think is the big draw. I'd like to give it another chance, though.
As for service, it was... fine. I was told by one waitress to sit where ever I'd like, but then waited for a menu from her, only to have another waitress ask if I've been helped or not. Nevertheless, the service was still good after that, and my waitress was very nice.
I did take photos, but cannot for the life of me figure out how to post them here. Oh well, on to tumblr they go! -
Review from Zee K.
Vancouver, BC
4/12/2009
I'm giving this restaurant four stars largely because it is Mexican food that doesn't suck, in Vancouver. Anywhere south of the border and I definitely wouldn't go higher than a three.
Pluses:
Not very greasy, which is a pleasant change for Mexican food
Good beverage selections - Jarritos and also juices like Tamarind juice.
Potatoes as an option for tacos and burritos.
There's pretty much only one minus here for me, but it is a HUGE one. They don't appear to have any guacamole. They have 'avocado sauce' but it appears to be mixed with sour cream or something similar and is definitely not fresh and chunky and full of avocado flavor. For me, an avocado fanatic, it's unforgivable. -
Review from Eva B.
9/10/2010
I have been here a few times and have yet to be disappointed. I am a big fan of Azteca tortilla soup and Salsa and Agave's offering always hits the spot. It's even better when you ask for a side of limes. There is definitely no shortage of tortillas and the broth is amazing. I also like the horchata, but wish is was a little less sweet.
If you chose to eat in the servers are very nice. Especially since the staff are less swamped now that the owners opened up another storefront down the street from the original. However, the take out is also fast and friendly. -
Review from Doug G.
7/28/2010 19 Check-ins Here
As close to Mexico as you get in Vancouver.
This is one of our two favourite Mexican restaurants in Vancouver. When you walk in the door, one of the first things you notice if that it's often filled with Mexicans. That's a good sign when picking a Mexican restaurant.
The Sopa Tortilla is the best in town. The tacos al pastor is excellent. The Tampiqueña is served exactly as it should with an enchilada verde, rice and rajas (grilled chilies and onions) is also top notch, . I love pretty much everything on the menu, but then again I just love Mexican food!
If you have been to their original location you know it was cramped, and best suited for take out. Recently they have opened a second location, just a few doors down from the original, which offers much more seating, and a far better ambiance. There is some outdoor seating if it's a nice day.
The only problem I have with Salsa & Agave is their washroom. They don't have one in the restaurant, you have to go outside the building, unlock a door and the washroom is in a labyrinth of hallways. If you don't mind that, you'll be fine.
It's not fancy - leave your tuxedo at home. If you like Mexican, I'd definitely recommend checking it out. -
Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
11/21/2008
Ok, I should start off by saying I've generally been disappointed with the Mexican food offerings in Vancouver. That said, for Vancouver, Salsa & Agave provides a decent rendition of Tex-Mex favourites. The dishes are definitely tuned down for Vancouver tastes, and milder than similar versions a bit more South (just even across the border in Bellingham for example). But the food is reasonably fresh and well prepared.
They do a good job with their tacos, flautas, and sometimes have a decent mole sauce available as well.
Oh, and I like their horchata as well when it is available.
I have to say, Salsa & Agave doesn't totally satisfy my tastes because it is sometimes a bit bland. But they are happy to provide some additional salsa and chopped chiles to spice things up when needed. -
Review from Sunny S.
Vancouver, BC
4/5/2009
What I love about living in Yaletown is being so close to yummy food. If you want something uncomplicated, tasty and easy on the pocket book, I suggest Salsa and Agave. They believe in home cooked specialties and they take out all the fluff.
Sopes - A thick handmade tortillas topped with avocado, beans and your choice of meat are my favorite (in photo). It's only $9 CDN for 3 so I get a variety of pork, beef and chicken.
Top that off with a bottle of "non-alcohol" sangria and you have a fast, delicious meal. -
Review from Kelsey P.
Vancouver, BC
8/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
Having one location for dining in and another location for take-out a few doors down makes ordering a quick lunch easy breezy.
The biggest gold star has to go to whoever is in charge of the sauces and salsas here. My goodness - so good! Favorites would probably have to be avocado sauce (thinner than guacamole, with a fresher, more citrus-y taste), and the habanero salsa (made fresh every day). If you find most "hot" salsa just not spicy enough, get the habanero salsa! It's all the flavor and spice you wouldn't expect from a Mexican grill in Canada. I may be slightly addicted to the stuff now, its true. -
Review from Jessie J.
Vancouver, BC
8/8/2009
Caveat: authentic Mexican food is not vegetarian. And before I became vegetarian, I had only ever had tex-mex or cal-mex food. So on a certain level, I don't know what I'm talking about.
I did, however, spend a number of years living in Philadelphia, which has a large Mexican population, and though I couldn't eat much on most Mexican menus, I was able to try enough to get some sense of what constitutes the real deal, even if I can't eat most of it. It is generally agreed that there is not much authentic Mexican food in Vancouver. To date, Salsa & Agave is the closest I've seen.
As usual, there's not a tonne on the menu I can eat. There were two veg taco options, so I ordered a plate of four, two of each. If you think tacos come in a deep-fried tortilla with melted cheese, lettuce, and sour cream, you will not be happy with these tacos. If you expect them to come in a pair of soft corn tortillas, with chopped cilantro and onion and a wedge of lime, you will rejoice!
The vegetarianos were tasty and fresh, and the rajas con crema (chili slices cooked with corn and cream) were fantastic.
I don't know if the menu has changed since April, but they definitely serve guacamole. It was so popular the night we ate there that they'd run out by the time we ordered, but I saw lots of other people enjoying it.
I was also excited to see that they had both horchata (a refreshing rice-based drink spiced with cinnamon) and jamaica (iced and sweetened hibiscus tea) "on tap".
The wait staff were a little distracted, and initially forgot to bring us menus. They made up for it with a free order of delicious flan after our meal, though, so you won't catch me complaining about the service.
All in all, a nice little restaurant, that definitely raises the bar for authentic Mexican food in Vancouver, keeping in mind that that bar wasn't very high to begin with.Listed in: The NAFTA List
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Review from Andrew S.
Langley, BC
6/20/2010
Hurray for opportunity!
Having just left the cupcake competition, I decided to wander around the big city. I was full of buttercream, sugar, cocoa, mango, lemon etc... but as I started up Pacific, I was halted in my tracks! Opportunity knocks, I giggled to myself, and I raced across the street to this little cafe style restaurant. I had been thwarted previously in my attempt to come here as it is closed on Mondays. And hey, you can only get downtown from Langley so many times....
I ordered the 4 tacos for $8, and was pleased with my selections: 2 carne asada, 1 carnitas, and 1 lengua (cow tongue). All were tast yand good, the lengua surprisingly so. And they had Jarritas pops to wash it down with, including the little seen lime variety I got to try. Tacos came with chopped onions, cilantro, some sort of chipotle tasting sauce, and a lime wedge.
I was sad I was full of cupcakes still, and with the tacos now also occupying my space and I had to get out for a walk, but I will return! I promise! And try the rest on an emptier stomach, the menu looked Great!! -
Review from Raymond O.
Vancouver, BC
5/14/2009 3 photos
I hate using this phrase, but It is what it is. It's a quaint Mexican restaurant with an uncomplicated menu and easy on the pocket pricing.
There's no fusion here. Just home-made tasting meals with the right amount of watered-down spicing. But the dishes are surprisingly tasty from burritos, tacos, wraps (burritos without the beans) as well as plate and combo specials.
Service is good and fast. They bring your menu, take your order and remove your finished plates. It's really as simple and effective as that.
Since the place is small, there is only just a few available tables and I think the most number of people they can squeeze in a rectangular table is a group of seven. And that's already from the kitchen counter to the glass window. With that I advise to definitely go off-hours or early dinner or you can wait like we did for 30 or more minutes.
My favourite drink which I would love to strongly recommend, but may not be for everyone is the Horchata. In North America at least Horchata is synonymous with a rice-based ingredient combined with milk, sugar and spices the likes of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and cocoa. The amount and strength depends on the maker, of course. This particular drink at Salsa and Agave has a good amount of sweetness and cinnamon spice. If you like both, then don't hesitate.
Three stars because there's not much fanfare left once you've gone thru the whole shortlist.
But overall, a real nice effort to introduce Mexican food in Downtown Vancouver. -
Review from Sarah G.
Vancouver, BC
7/2/2011
This is the place to go if you want authentic Mexican food. Over the past couple of years it's grown from a tiny mom & pop store to a thriving, packed restaurant with two locations. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone craving real Mexican food at a decent price.
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Review from Marlena M.
Vancouver, BC
4/1/2010
This place is such an awesome little find in the heart of Yaletown. It's small and simple, but no wobbly tables and very clean. The food is very un-texmex. When I ordered my enchiladas they asked me if I wanted them "red or green". I asked what that meant and the waitress explained it all to me (different types of sauce, different chilies, etc.). Both ways sounded delish, and I tried them "green". Really comforting, warm, the perfect thing in a tired body on a chilly evening. The refried beans were a little bland, but went nice with my saucy, steak-filled enchilada.
Do get dessert here! The crepes were light and drowning in delicious dolce de leche, and the Flan is amazing. It's not like I had previously thought of Flan; like caramel custard. The Flan they do here is like a light, creamy, subtly coffee flavored cheesecake in dolce de leche sauce. TO DIE FOR. Try it. -
Review from R S.
Vancouver, BC
9/1/2011
Best Mexican in the city. Friendly staff. They need a proper washroom though.
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Review from Zoe J.
Vancouver, BC
10/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
This location is probably the closest you will get to Californian Mexican food here in Vancouver. It's delicious, but the burritos are on the smaller side of what I would expect and the price is a little high, but seeing as they have a stronghold on the market, I still go there.
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Review from K S.
8/18/2011
Surprised at the positive reviews (including on Urbanspoon). This is mushy, mediocre Mexican food in a poorly decorated space. Of course, Mexican is hard to completely botch, so it's good enough for a quick bite, and the litre of sangria is a pretty good deal. But what kind of Mexican place charges you extra for habanero sauce????
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Review from Ory O.
Vancouver, BC
8/31/2010
I don't know how this place has survived! The refried beans look as though they came out of a can, the salsa tasted like tomato paste and my enchilada was so undercooked that the cheese was still cold. However, if you love diarrhea then you'll love Salsa & Agave.
