Menu offers true taste of Mexico
Adobe Agave’s focus revolves around Jalisco
Adobe Agave uses Jalisco, a western Mexican state on the Pacific Ocean, as the center of its culinary inspiration. h The restaurant, which recently took over the former Wine Bistro at 8231 N. High St. north of Worthington, does things a little bit differently than its contemporaries, general manager Axel Martinez
said. h For starters, crispy tortilla chips are served with freshly chopped pico de gallo, which brings some heat to the table. h “It’s a little bit spicy, has a little kick to it, but nothing you can’t handle,” Morales said.
Adobe refers to the Aztecs’ choice of building materials, a dried earthen brick, while agave is a plant used in the production of tequila, the signature libation of Jalisco.
The restaurant was opened by Fernando Morales, a co-founder and partner of the El Vaquero restaurant chain, who is branching out with different concepts, Martinez said.
“They tried to make everything authentic from Jalisco,” he said.
The menu does have a few Tex-mex touches, but Adobe Agave is serving dishes that are uncommon in Columbus. There are four signature chicken plates, such as the pollo sobroso, a marinated chicken breast topped with a homemade chipotle salsa.
The bowls are of the Mexican streetvendor variety, not the newly configured plates popularized in America.
The San Poncho option offers birria, a slow-cooked shredded beef, layered on a bed of rice with chopped onions on top and lime wedges on the side.
There are 12 taco varieties, including two fish options (tilapia and mahi mahi) and campechanos, which combines multiple meats, often beef and pork, in each tortilla.
Steak eaters have a few platters from which to choose, such as the “chori” steak, a 16-ounce T-bone covered in chorizo and melted Chihuahua cheese.
Appetizers, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, chimichangas and salads round out the menu.
Most entrees cost between $12 and $17, with steaks and family-sized fajitas breaking the $20 mark.
Adobe Agave is just the latest restaurant to bring authentic regional Mexican fare to Columbus — Las Guachos, Charrito’s and Dos Sabores also have done so.
The primary dining room at Adobe Agave, which seats 68, is wide open, with a mix of four-top tables and booths and wall-sized murals paying homage to Jalisco culture.
There are a few TVS behind the bar and in the dining room. A second room is being used for private parties, for now. It will, however, become a wine bar when its renovation is complete, Martinez said.
“If they want to come and relax, they sit here,” he said of the space, which also seats about 70.
The beverage program is a source of pride for the restaurant, Martinez said.
There are 11 choices of wine, plus one sparkling, all designed to match the food at Adobe Agave, he said.
The restaurant has one of the largest selections of tequila in the city, an ample assortment of craft cocktails and several beers on draft and by the bottle.
“It’s something different from other Mexican restaurants,” Martinez said.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 614-987-5975.