Standing out in a crowded world full of Mexican cuisine is not for the weak-hearted. Luckily for the newly opened restaurant, Ancho and Agave, they are here to stay. With its big variety of food, ranging from an assortment of nicely crafted tacos and burritos, this restaurant brings a fresh Hispanic vibe to the Midwest.
Upon entrance, your eyes gravitate towards the modern aesthetic of the building. Scaled with all black and white brick, the building is classy and something that can hook your attention. On the contrary, the inside is flooded with color. What looks to be hand-painted murals and designs, as well as fun draping lights above blue and green couches, make this restaurant feel like home.
As I was seated, I was brought a sizable amount of homemade chips and salsa. The chips were so crispy with the perfect amount of both salt and lime. On the other hand, the real showstopper of this entree was the salsa. The consistency was both chunky and smooth, and it had just the right amount of sweetness, but then hit you with a kick right before indulging in another bite.
Thus far in my review, the restaurant’s cleanliness as well as the waiting staff is a 10/10, despite only being open less than a month. Food and drink refills were brought out both effectively and efficiently, which is a determining factor of a restaurant.
Next, it was time for the entree. Picking from the menu was a hard choice because everything had a well-thought-out description of what came with their meal. I decided to pick the Gringo burrito but make it into a chimichanga. This way, it can be deep-fried and smothered with queso.
The chimichanga came out hot and fresh, within the first 15 minutes of ordering, which is just enough time to let your appetizer digest. The plate had a decently sized deep-fried burrito, topped with sour cream and tomatoes, with a pool of queso on the bottom of the plate. On the inside, it was stuffed with all the fix-ins. Beef, rice, corn, peppers onions, and beans all mixed together so well for a jam pack of flavor in every bite. And the perfect showstopper was able to finish all the spicy queso with the chips from the salsa.
On the downside, the burrito is a little pricey. Yes, $15.75 may not seem like a lot, but I was expecting something bigger. Without the addition of making any burrito into a chimichanga or bowl, it could be interpreted as your average burrito. Other than that, the price for simple chips and salsa, with unlimited refills was $3, which is fair.
Overall, Ancho and Agave blew my expectations away. The restaurant was spotless and well put together. Clean and efficient with food and drinks and had a stellar atmosphere. The food and drinks were fresh and delicious which meant a favorable experience for a first-time customer.
4.8/5
