Blue Agave Restaurante y Tequileria

A friend and I went to Blue Agave in Baltimore on Saturday, May 14, 2011. The dinner and service were awful. We arrived about 7 p.m. only to find that we should have made reservations. We were told that there were tables near the bar that were available, so we sat at a 2-top. We were also advised that if a reservation were canceled, we could move to the dining room. Just after we sat down, 4 other guests sat down at nearby tables. I guess it was too much for the bartender to keep up with. It took 15 minutes for him to come over to the table with the chips and salsa. I had to ask that the table be wiped - twice- because it was very sticky. In 10 more minutes he brought the menus, but only one set. I had to ask for another menu. When he came to take our drink orders, he finally wiped the table (I had to move everything off the table for him to do that). We then ordered the mixed appetizer platter. Except for one item, the platter was pretty awful. Just after we ordered our entrees, the hostess came to tell us that we could move to the dining room because a reservation was canceled. We started to gather our things but were told that since we had already ordered, we couldn't move to the dining room. I asked why our food couldn't be served to us in the dining room. The hostess said something about the 'system being old"" and the order couldn't be transfered. I asked if she could check if our orders had been placed yet since we had just ordered a minute before. The order had been turned in, (the only fast thing the bartender did all night.) Although the reasoning did not make sense, my friend and I decided to stay at the bar and not make an issue out of this ludicrous situation. The bartender said someone would be by to clean off our appetizer plates. The table had not been cleared when the kitchen staff brought out our entrees, so I moved the platter, plates, chips and salsa off the table. The kitchen staff proceeded to serve me my friend's duck entree, announcing it as my pork dish. The pork was overcooked and flavorless, and the dish was mostly potatoes with very little pork. The duck was much better. We thought we'd try a dessert, and had to ask for the dessert menu. We decided to share a dessert and have coffee, but after waiting about 20 minutes for someone to take our dessert order, we gave up. We asked for the check. When we got the check, the groupon we had was not reflected in the total. The bartender said to just deduct it from the total. (I?ve used a lot of groupons at restaurants, and never was I told to just deduct the amount from the total.) I will never go back to Blue Agave. Service was deplorable and the food (even the appetizers) was just so-so. more

I give the one star to the pleasant face at the front door. After having been greeted with a smile, everything else went downhill. I'm sure the tables and the restaurant are clean, but we did not have a reservation and sat at a table in the bar that was sticky and dirty, as were the menus handed to us. Our service from the bar was adequate at best, and I almost felt bad lying when they asked how everything was. The complimentary chips were stale, and all three salsas were bland. We ordered guacamole, which had a large chunk of fibrous avocado at the bottom that could be penetrated by neither fork nor chip. When our meals arrived, we asked the server for utensils, and while he made direct eye contact and said ok, we had to ask again of the bartender. Neither of our meals met with our expectations, and that was the most uncomfortable walk home I've had in some time, as the food was dying to get out. I'm sure every restaurant has a bad day, but after this experience I'm not willing to return for a second chance. more

I grew up in a small town called Muncy in PA. There aren't many restaurants that weren’t chains in the... more

I grew up in a small town called Muncy in PA. There aren't many restaurants that weren’t chains in the surrounding area- so when I asked my Mom wha... more

Just when we thought that the food in Baltimore couldn't get any worse we ate at Blue Agave. Our visit was kicked off by the surreally rude hostess. If she had been our server we would have just left. I don't know what her problem was but she needs to leave it at home when working with the public. Our server, on th other hand (Octavio?) was very nice. I wish I could say the same for the food. We started with chiles rellenos, which were underseasoned and literally submerged in oil on the plate. We also had the fried calamari which should have been labelled soggy, fried cornmeal mash. The calamari made up a very small proportion of the actual plate. For an entree we had the seared tuna tacos. The seasoning was better here but the plate had probably been sitting at the pass a little too long and was cold, except for the mushy beans. The tortillas felt like they were straight from the fridge and the tuna was just limp. For a $100 meal with tip the quality was shockingly low. We'll definitely not be back. Pros: our server was nice Cons: the food, the prices more

I loved it! This place was great! I would go here again.I loved it! This place was great! I would go here again. Pros: Example: best croissants in town Cons: What are the drawbacks? more

We ate at this restaurant one Saturday evening and the service was horrible. It was 2 hrs. before we were served. The restaurant was WAY unde rstaffed. They had obviously cut back, due to the economy and were not prepared for the amount of business that evening. Pros: tequila Cons: service more

Usually you have to go out west to combine fine Mexican food and tequila spirits so this a great find for... more

Usually you have to go out west to combine fine Mexican food and tequila spirits so this a great find for the Mid-Atlantic region. Especially if yo... more

I haven't been here in ages, but I was happy to see that the experience was still as I remembered. The food is tasty, the portions are good and the service is still kind of spotty. That's the only thing that keeps me form giving 5 stars. I will return however, the margaritas and salsas are too hard to resist. Pros: nice ambiance, tasty food, great margarita Cons: slow waitstaff more

I just wanted to sing the praises of Blue Agave! This past Saturday, I celebrated my 25th birthday there with 10 of my closest friends. It was AMAZING! Our food and drinks were so delicious. At first, I was skeptical of their version of jumbo lump crab cakes, but they were surprisingly tasty w/ an unexpected flavor from the jalape?o corn cake that was served along side. A great twist on a Maryland classic. I sampled some paella from my friend?s plate, which was also fantastic. The margaritas were some of the best I?d ever had. My girlfriends and I split pitchers of the Rosarita margarita, and what a deal! Their pitchers serve 8 for the price of 6. Pros: Everything! Cons: Parking- Luckily my friend lives down the street & we were able to use his parking pass. more

I must say that I was sorely disappointed this past weekend at Blue Agave. This may be the LEAST authentic Mexican food experience I have ever had. Let me say from the beginning, I grew up in Texas, home to both many fantastic Tex-Mex and pure Mexican eating establishments. My first clue should have been when asked if I had a reservation. I have grown up eating Mexican food at least twice a week and never needed a reservation. Anywhere. Pros: Many tequila choices Cons: Terrible Food more

It is hard to see a true trend-setter, change hands, and try to ride on coat tails! I am not sure what level these folks(previous reviews) set as a bar, but this is not the same restaurant. We tried is once again to see where the kitchen had gone. This is not Mexican food! This is the facade of Mexican and a jumble of quasi-Ameri/Mex-stab at gourmet, shadow of its' former self. The service was not as bad a last time, but certainly not professional! Pros: great tequila selection Cons: weak service, not Mexican food, not good food more

I returned to Blue Agave after living in Fla for several years hoping to find the ""old"" Blue Agave still there. To my surprise, the Blue Agave has undergone a spectacular emergence under the new owner. What may have been good before has improved to excellent. The new offerings-habenaro pork, crab cakes, scallops, braised short ribs, lamb chops, etc.-are without equal. New appetizers round out the menu. Our group really could not find anything to complain about. The calamari appetizer is the best any of us ever had. The guacamole was likewise perfect. (Not sure about the negative comment on the guacamole-that review sounded more like a pitch to follow the old owner) The atmosphere has been upgraded as well but still keeps the mexican cantina flavor. Service was excellent. It was easy to tell that the new owner has a hands on approach to the business. My favorite tequila was still there along with the other 100 plus tequilas including several new ones not available at other places in Baltimore. But then Blue Agave was always Baltimore's only real tequileria. If I could, I would move Blue Agave to where I live now but I will have to be satisfied with more frequent visits now that business brings me back to Baltimore more often. My hats off the the new owner and her staff for one of the best nights out ever. Pros: Value, selection, taste, service, ambience Cons: parking slightly more

authentic mexican food, unlike what you'll find at most mexican restaurants. a new owner and new chef have... more

authentic mexican food, unlike what you'll find at most mexican restaurants. a new owner and new chef have made some changes to the menu, including... more

We went to Blue Agave two weeks ago; the food and drinks were awesome! I highly recommend this place. One of our guests was a vegetarian and there was a good variety of choices; her selection was very tasty. The food was very flavorful and rich in spices. Be warned that there could be a wait even if you made a eservation. This place fills up on weekends. Elizabeth, the owner, gave me a run through of several of their tequila picks (they have over 100) and much to my surprise, tequila is every bit as fine as a good bourbon or scotch. The margarita?s are also dangerously addictive! Guacamole is not padded with the wrong ingredients and boasts fresh avocado and lime flavors--the chips are made in-house every day with the guacamole. The Calamari is the best we ever had. Our main courses were excellent with rich flavor from the moles coming through with every bite. We understand that the owner and Chef Martin have completely redone the menu to bring more choices to the customers-we salute you for a job well done. The service was second to none. This will be come a repeat location for us throughout the year. Pros: Service, ambience, selection Cons: parking more

I don't know where Hipicky is from or exactly how they ""know"" traditional Mexican food. I find it funny how they say the food is aweful and then later it's okay. Hipicky probably thinks Mexican food is best served in a taco shell. Anyway, I thought the food was very good. The atmosphere is great... uber casual and the tequilla selections are phenominal. You don't often see the phrase ""Two drink MAXIMUM"" after a selection on the menu. 'nough said! Pros: Good food great tequila more

The food here is absolutely terrible! I have no idea why anyone even thinks this is remotely authentic. The flavors are completely off. I know mexican food, and well, this is not it. Also, they are soooo not accomodating to vegetarians. The drinks are tasty, and that's pretty much it. The food is just ok, and there are more authentic places in the area that taste a lot better. Pros: Drinks Cons: Food - yuck! more

The waiter was extremely rude to us as soon as we walked into the place. He didn't bring us drinks when we ordered them and didn't bother to bring us the guacamole that we ordered. While we were deciding on dinner, we requested chips and salsa, the waiter told us that he was not allowed to bring us food while the menus were still on the table because we may get food on their ""nice"" menus. Granted, their menus were really nice (heavy wooden menus), but we were 4 adults (over the age of 30) not 3-year olds. A little while later, the table next to us was brought chips and salsa with menus still at hand! Speaking of chips and salsa, just beware that only one order is complimentary and the next ones will cost you. After dinner, we asked the waiter for a recommendation for a nice dessert tequila. He said that he didn't know of any and left the table. No offer was made to check with the bartender, or to refer us to the drink menu...nothing! This place is supposed to be a tequileria....right? As rude as the waiter was (and as much as I wanted to hate the place), the food was really good. It definitely is not your ordinary Mexican food....very distinctive. I ordered the burritos and they were full of meat. Overall, the service was horrible but the food was good. I would not return to this place because for the price I expect good service and class - both which were missing here. Pros: Food; Good portions; Parking Cons: Horrible service, only first order of chips and salsa are free - need to pay for the rest more