Out to Eat: Blue Agave

Sometimes I think I'm cursed with bad restaurant luck. If I really like a place to eat, it seems doomed to close. The former Su Casa in Springdale is just one of several places on that ever-expanding list.

But curses can be broken - and Blue Agave, the Mexican restaurant now occupying Su Casa's former space, is an indication my luck may still change.

HOLA HACIENDA

Located in Princeton Plaza between a UPS store and a LaRosa's, Blue Agave sports a comfortable look that may seem familiar to those who frequent neighborhood Mexican restaurants.

A clean blue color scheme splashed with white and green reflects the Mexican landscapes where the plant the restaurant is named after grows. Two HDTVs provide background entertainment in the main dining hall; the mix of families and young people helped make my friend's and my Friday night visit particularly festive.

A small bar area off to the right of the hostess stand provides a spot for those more interested in daiquiris than enchiladas. We arrived just in time to catch the end of happy hour; the two $2.25 12 oz margaritas my friend enjoyed made her quite happy that we did.

BIENVENIDOS BURRITOS AND MORE

If you like choices, you'll no doubt love Blue Agave. There are 30 combinations and 27 house specialties on the menu, plus a regular assortment of standards (such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas) and categorized dishes (vegetarian, seafood, etc.) to choose from. Fortunately, the chips and salsa are both complimentary and delicious.

My friend opted for combo No. 20 - one taco (chicken), one burrito (beef and bean) and one chile poblano (cheese and potatoes) for $8.99. She raved about the poblano and liked the taco and burrito, with the latter two dishes enhanced by generous sides of sour cream (80 cents) and guacamole ($2.50).

I decided to do something different and break out of my comfort zone by trying an interesting house specialty: the "Burro Texas," an extra-large burrito filled with grilled chicken, steak, shrimp and beans cooked with onions, tomatoes and bell peppers topped with white nacho cheese, ranchero sauce and sour cream ($11.29). Even after 86ing the onions, tomatoes and sour cream, the dish is as flavorful as it is big - and that's saying something.

Visit Blue Agave and you'll be saying you can't wait to go back.

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