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El Agave

Name: El Agave
Address: 2304 San Diego Ave., San Diego, CA, United States, 92110
Telephone: (619) 220-0692
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.8

4.8

1783 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Top Tags:

Experience the true flavor of Mexico at San Diego’s premier Mexican cuisine destination.
Established in 1996, El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria offers its patrons a unique dining setting within
the largest tequila museum in the United States – with over 2,700 tequilas on display – also
repeatedly voted the #1 tequila bar in the country. Nestled in historic Old Town, San Diego, it is the
perfect place to enjoy a business lunch, romantic date, rehearsal dinner or to simply relax and
unwind sipping find tequila with friends.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jun 25, 2022

June 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

7:00 PM

Booked 25 times today

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Delivery

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Mexican, Contemporary Mexican, Traditional Mexican
Hours of operation
Lunch Fri–Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(619) 220-0692
Website
http://www.elagave.com/
Payment options
AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Juan Carlos Gomez
Catering
Please call the restaurant for details.
Private party facilities
Deposit required. Please call the restaurant for details.
Private party contact
Gimel Torre: (619) 220-0692

Location
2304 San Diego Ave. San Diego, CA 92110
Neighborhood
Old Town
Cross street
Old Town Ave
Parking details
Street parking also available.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Liquor, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

The Most Famous Restaurants in San Diego

Popular dishes

Sopes Surtidos$12.00
Homemade Flat soft tortilla shells with black beans, shredded chicken, chorizo and shrimp in a chipotle sauce, topped with lettuce and Mexican Cream
Quesadillas$12.00
4 mini quesadillas stuffed with, manchego cheese, roasted poblano peppers, sautéed mushrooms and shredded chicken, served with chipotle crème-fresh
Enchiladas de Mole Verde$12.00
Shredded pork enchiladas in our outstanding mole verde sauce, served with black beans
Enchiladas Verdes$12.00
Tender chicken enchiladas in the traditional tomatillo sauce, under fresh cheese, onions and cilantro, served with black beans
Enchiladas Rojas$14.00
Chicken enchiladas in a red Mexican sauce, layered with cream and cheese, served with black beans
Enchiladas de Mariscos$16.00
Seafood enchiladas stuffed with lobster, shrimp and calamar, topped with a tomatillo and chile poblano sauce, served with rice
Enchiladas de Pato en Mole Negro$18.00
Shredded duck enchiladas topped with the traditional Oaxacan black mole
Enchiladas Vegetariano$14.00
Four corn tortillas stuffed with sautéed mushroom, carrots, zucchini Squash and asparagus, served with agave rice and your choice of any of our delicious moles
Queso Fundido$12.00
Manchego Cheese Melted with your choice of: Chorizo, Mushrooms or roasted poblano pepper

Ceviche

Ceviche del Mar$16.00
Octopus, shrimp, cherry tomato and baby corn, onion and grill red pepper, lemon and olive oil, flavored with herbs and with a touch of chile morita sauce
Aguachile de Camaron (Verde)$16.00
Raw shrimp, cooked in fresh lime juice, with chile serrano, tomatillo, cilantro and cucumber

Ensaladas/Salads

Ensalada de Mariscos$16.00
Mixed seafood salad with lobster, calamar and shrimp, in an olive oil and orange juice dressing
Salpicón de Pollo$13.00
A great combination of a crisp lettuce, onion, tomato, jalapeño chilli, orange juice, and virgin olive oil topped with tender grilled chicken breast strips
Ensalada Cesar$12.00
The authentic recipe from Tijuana
Ensalada Mixta$12.00
Baby mixed greens tossed with tomato, red onion, green olives, avocado and fresh lemon-lime oregano vinaigrette
Ensalada de Nopal$12.00
Cactus paddle salad with freshly diced tomato, cilantro, onion, oregano, avocado, Mexican cheese and olive oil
Ensalada del Huerto$12.00
Baby mixed greens tossed with red and gold beets, pistachios, figs, cherry tomato, goat cheese and pomegranate dressing

Sopas/Soups

Gluten free

Sopa de Cilantro$11.00
A delicate soup of fresh cilantro, cream and spice
Sopa de Mariscos$14.00
Prepared with red snapper, shrimp and squid, lightly dusted with a touch of cascabel "chili" and a dash of El Agave's signature spices
Sopa de Tortilla$11.00
Traditional "Azteca" soup infused with avor of pasilla "chili", and layered with tortilla strips, shredded chicken, manchego cheese, sour cream and avocado
Crema de Chile Poblano con cuitlacoche$14.00
Creamy chile Poblano and cuitlacoche blended and enhanced with our species

Gourmet Burritos

Now offering a Fresh new alternative traditional burritos!

Burro de Atun$14.00
Yellow Fin Tuna cooked Baja style with Jalapeno and Agave nectar, wrapped in a spinach tortilla
Burro de Langosta$14.00
Sauteed Lobster in a light fresh cheese and chipotle chili sauce and pimiento, wrapped in jalapeno tortilla
Burro de Filete y Ave$14.00
Tomato tortilla stuffed with Filet Mignon and Poultry marinated in a citrus sauce
Burro de Camaron Florentina$14.00
Shrimp sauteed in butter, garlic, spinach, red pepper and Mancheco cheese
Burro De Salmon$14.00
Grill Salmon with Vegetables, Soy sauce, cream and lemon
Burro Vegetariano$12.00
Grill Portobello mushroom, Italian squash, asparagus, spinach and Mancheco cheese

Gourmet Tacos

Mexico City Style! Hand Made Tortilla. Made with a fresh and unique flavors!! (3 tacos)

Tacos

Al Pastor$12.00
Pork meat marinated in chile guajillo, pineaple, cilantro and onions
De Carnitas$12.00
Tender roasted pork "Michoacan style"served over homemade tortillas and garnished with a tasty pico de gallo sauce
Gobernador$14.00
Grilled shrimp tacos, accompanied by pico de gallo, melted oaxaca cheese
De Cochinita$12.00
Cochinita pibil tacos topped with habanero chili cream
Tacos de Arrachera$12.00
Carne asada taco with onions and cilantro served with guacamole
Tacos de Barbacoa$13.00
Braised Lamb Shank, Guacamole, Mushroom sauce, roasted red peppers and corn
Taco de Pollo$12.00
Grilled marinated chicken with mole poblano puree, Banana plantain rice and sesame sedes
Tacos de Carnita de Pato$14.00
Tender Roasted duck in a Spinach flour tortilla, with fig and chile de arbol marmalade, carrot crean and beets
Taco de Mariscos$14.00
Shrimp, octopus squid, onion and red pepper
Taco de Pescado$13.00
Grilled Local Seabass with adobo sauce, cabbage, beets and cream
Taco de Atun$14.00
Seared Yellow fin Tuna in panko, parsely, cabbage, habanero and agave néctar dressing, red onion with agave rice in poblano sauce
Taco de Pulpo al Pastor$14.00
Grilled Octopus in Achiote with Guacamole, pineapple, red onion, beets and cilantro pesto
Taco de Camaron Enchilado$14.00
Shrimp chunks sauteed in garlic, Arbol chili, cheese and a touch of mustard
Taco de Betabel$12.00
Grilled beets with queso fresco, orange, celery and cilantro pesto
Agave Veggie Taco$12.00
Roasted Oaxaca Cheese, mushrooms, poblano pepper, spinach grilled with olive oil

Sides

Black Beans$3.00
Agave Rice$3.00
House Salad$3.00
Guacamole$6.00

Entrees

Salmon Cholula$16.00
Baked Salmon toped with a Chile poblano, sauce, agave rice
Local Sea Bass$16.00
Grilled local sea bass topped with a Chipotle and Citrus sauce, Agave rice and mixed green salad served alongside
Tampiquena de Arrachera$18.00
Grilled tender flat fillet with poblano chili strips, guacamole, black beans and red enchilada
Filete al Tequila$20.00
Fillet Mignon in a tequila, red wine reduction sauce, topped with cambray onions and musrooms served alongside potatoes and medley of grilled vegetables
Pollo Costa Chico$16.00
Chicken breast stuffed with fried plantains, then served with Agave rice and vegetables in sweet adobo (guajillo and ancho chili, garlic and tomato)

What 1,783 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Mexican
San Diego
Mexican

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CC
CarrCarr
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was fabulous as always. Service is always top notch and we love the ambiance.
S
Sherry
Kansas City
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The restaurant is really nice and very clean. Our server was extremely welcoming, friendly and helpful. Our food was excellent and at a very affordable cost point. This is definitely a revisit on our next trip to San Diego.
EG
ElenaG
San Francisco
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous! Amazing! Fantastic! I never was a fan of Mexican food, but this restaurant made me change my opinion about it. You must try! Especially Duck Burrito!
TD
TheDudeAbides
Seattle
30 reviews
vip
2.0
30 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall2food1service2ambience1
very strange vibe, seemed like I wasn't supposed to be there and was annoying the staff by asking for some food and drink...food was pretty average and might have been in the window a bit too long. Plenty of other spots to dine, will not be back
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had been here on our last visit to San Diego and fell in love with the food and the Tequila choices. So it was a must go place this trip to come back. And the food was as amazing as we remembered it. The Shrimp a la Tequila are fantastic as it their Mole. We will be back on our next trip!
DR
DavidR
San Diego
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great, unique Mexican food. Can't beat the tequila selection. Good service and nice atmosphere. Have been here a few times and haven't been disappointed.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall4food4service5ambience5
Father’s Day
LS
LenS
San Diego
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience4
The food is really good, and that’s something you can get in other Mexican restaurants. The mole dishes are very special.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Pretty nice place. From the outside it doesn’t look very exciting. But the inside the the restaurant is really cool. We sat on the patio and it was also nice, but the inside really cool….food was amazing, service was excellent….but drinks are kind of expensive ….but drink are expensive everywhere :(
FC
FionaC
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
There really is no comparison between El Agave and the other restaurants in Old Town San Diego - this is the real deal with real Mexican mole and excellent margaritas. Perfect for a sophisticated dinner with family, friends or a date. You generally need to book in advance.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
55 reviews
vip
5.0
55 reviews
Dined on June 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our waiter was as lovely as the setting, it’s truly amazing what a thousand bottles of tequila can do to cast light on a room. I found one of my favorite yet difficult to find Sopes , three thick discs of corn masa each topped with a different and delicious carne, Chicken, beef or chorizo. Super good. BF ordered the steak tacos and Blood Orange Margarita, pronounced it all wonderful . Fast and friendly, a few loud parties having fun and business travelers too from out of town. High volume but festive!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful! Service and food was great!
E
Ethan
San Diego
13 reviews
vip
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on June 10, 2022
overall4food3service3ambience4
Food was bland. Margaritas were good. Service very slow! I wouldn’t go back.
RS
RSHa
London
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on June 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Charming interior with hundreds of bottles of tequila. Waiter very helpful and efficient. Delicious mole.
Y
Yellowcat
San Diego
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on June 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
El Agave was delightful. We were greeted warmly on arrival, and the ambience of the bottle-lined walls was pleasing and colorful. The menu is interesting and varied, and Tacos al Pastor were simply delicious. I'll be going back again.
L
Luckylady
Washington DC
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on June 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Visiting for college tours. We loved this restaurant. Great experience all around!
TS
ThomasS
Phoenix
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and service! Thank You. See you again soon.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Las Vegas
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food was very good . We had the short rib and the sea bass. The palenta was great. A find at the end of old town in San Diego
TA
TonyA
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time dining here and had a wonderful experience. Great selection of unique dishes, great service and ambience. We will definitely be back!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
El Agave is fabulous. In a world of samey Mexican restaurants, this place really stands out. The moles and ingredients are excellent. Every dish was stunning actually. 3000 bottles of tequila on the walls if that floats your boat. Gray place. Check it out if you want the real deal done well.
RO
ReneeO
New England
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is my new favorite spot. It's like a total hidden gem. I'm fearful to write this because then it might be forever booked but its really that good.
J
Jake
Milwaukee
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
All the way around, El Agave is a wonderful resteraunt. The professional service from the staff stands out in 2022. This was our third visit to San Diego over the last 12 years and each time we look forward to the next.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We love this restaurant, the incredible food, and ambiance!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent experience
LW
LindaW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We love the staff! Nicest group of people. Service is fabulous and the food is delicious!
H
Havefundswilltravel
Jackson Hole
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on May 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Javier was a great waiter and the food was spectacular! I really liked my short ribs poblano on cheesy risotto!
FL
FLAVIO
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great ambiance and service. We highly recommend the pulpo a las brasas.
JW
JohnW
San Diego
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Best food and drink in San Diego Great dining experience
BF
BrigFan
Palm Springs
51 reviews
vip
5.0
51 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this restaurant. It's up-scale Mexican food, not Tex-Mex style. Presentation was beautiful. Every mouthful was so delicious. Wait staff was efficient, knowledgeable about the menu, and each had a fun sense of humor, Can't wait to go back!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Mother’s Day
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wow. First time here, it was amazing. Everything from the place, the service and the food was simply perfect.
J
Jess
San Francisco
123 reviews
vip
5.0
123 reviews
Dined on May 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
No Cal-Mex here, this is authentic Mexican cuisine, as fine as one experiences at upscale Mexico City restaurants.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall3food4service2ambience5
It was good I loved the place, however they did take a very long time serving our table others that arrived after us received their food way before we did.
CL
CieraL
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely incredible food! And Jorge was an exceptional waiter. We will definitely return. The atmosphere was also noteworthy. 👍
LW
LaurelW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Food is delicious. Great atmosphere. Perfect for meeting up with friends. Bar very small, but quaint. Will definitely come back.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food4service4ambience4
First time experience. The service & food was fabulous. A little in the high side $$$ though. Will be back soon
TA
ThadA
Washington DC
36 reviews
5.0
36 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent margaritas and food
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience5
Nice evening visit with my daughter. Hard to find parking when lot was full. Opened up when liquor store closed at 7.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Houston
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Agave excelled our expectations. Food was as Mexican as you can only get in Mexico and, although a little pricy, it’s worth every bit of your money. The place is unique, cozy and with lots of pizzazz! Our server, Alberto, was superb and the rest of the staff super nice and attentive. We highly recommend this place!
R
Raylynn1
Palm Springs
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Food was fun and delicious. The mezcal drinks were inventive and really tasty although we had 3 each and felt nothing, they could do better with that. Definitely a place I would go again, great vibe.

FAQs

El Agave does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. El Agave also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 220-0692.

El Agave is rated 4.8 stars by 1783 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.