Agave Azul - Gresham, Oregon

Rating: 3  (ratings are between 0 - 5)

When I was growing up and most of my early adulthood, my father was in the restaurant business, I think that gives me a different prospective on my dining experiences.  To say I am picky is not exactly true, I just know how a good restaurant should be run.  One of my favorite things to do when my dad worked for Taco Bell, was to do "shoppers".  My high school boyfriend and I would go get food at one of my dad's places (he covered 11 states total) and then we would have to do a report on everything from the food temperature to service, and best part dad paid!  Cheap date and lots of fun, something we both still remember today.  

With Mexican food being one thing I was raised around, because of my dad's work and growing up in California, with neighbors that cooked the real deal, finding a place that meets my high expectations is really tough (and no Taco Bell isn't an example of high expectations, lol).  I have only found 2 in recent years and only one of those is in Oregon, I'll review it next week.  So anytime I review Mexican take that into consideration.

Last week I was looking for something local and family oriented to review and I decided to try someplace new.   Agave Azul is hidden away just off Powell Blvd in Gresham, if you blink you will be a mile past it.  It is right behind Dogwood Pet Hospital and has a bright blue and gold fence around it.   There is a very small parking lot in the back, and street parking as well.

It is a small place, maybe 10 tables in the dining area, and more in the bar but I didn't go in there to see how many.  The noise volume was a little loud but it was right at noon and it was nearly full.  Great place to bring a family I would say.  I would also say that if you had to bring your own food, it shouldn't be a problem.

 As you can imagine Mexican is difficult for me because most places use a ton of tomatoes, so like with Pizza and Italian food I always have to make sure I make that very clear to the wait staff.  The waitress we had did good, she knew the ingredients in the menu items without having to check with the cooks, one big advantage to a small place.   Agave Azul does not serve chips and salsa like most places, they serve a single tortilla filled with beans and a small cup of salsa for the table.  This was really good, wish I could have had more, but they did not have an option for a salsa verde (salsa made with tomatillos).  So for me there was nothing to add spice to my meal at all, very sad as I am a habanero loving type of girl.  I ordered Agave Azul Tacos $5.95 Traditional grilled carne asada or chicken breast, served with corn tortillas, diced Onions, queso fresco and avocado. Your choice of borracho beans or black beans. (I had the black beans).  It was two tacos with lots of meat, so the portion size was good, the meat was tasty just missed a little or a lot of  heat. 

Because I have a tenancy worry about tomatoes and less about flour when I am in a Mexican place it never occurs for me to ask if the corn tortillas are 100% corn, I really need to do that as either the tortilla with beans at the begin was all flour or their corn ones are dusted with flour, so BEWARE Gluten-Free people to either ask or steer clear of them.  Really hate those symptoms from eating gluten.  The food was good, but not sure I will go back as the menu is very tight for what I can have.  Food-wise 3 out of 5, Services-wise and Allergy Awareness-wise they rank 4 out of 5. 

Now the Details

Value - price:

For $12 I got 2 tacos and 2 drinks, my cousin didn't eat anything.  That is a little pricey for lunch, but the food quality was good and service was prompt.

Tipping:

I left a 25% tip, as they did take good care of us.

Best hours to go:

I'd say anytime would be good. 
Their hours are:
Sun-Mon 11am to 9pm
Tue-Sat 11am to 10pm

Tips:

Ask about the tortillas if gluten is a problem for you.

Extras or places that are close by:

Houses and that is about it.

Restaurant info:

Agave Azul
155 Southeast Vista Avenue
Gresham, OR 97080
(503) 674-0654