After a four-hour delay on a connecting flight, I arrived late and just wanted something easy nearby for dinner. I'm glad I stopped here--despite being a "chain," it exceeded expectations. Service was impressively quick. I started with the "Hot & Juicy" cocktail--excellent--and ended up ordering a second after dinner. The salsa roja had a nice kick and came with plenty of chips (easily enough for two). I made the rookie mistake of ordering two tacos--they're huge. One would have been plenty. The "Swipe Right" was the standout; the "Gangsta" was good, though the beef could've been cut into smaller, more manageable pieces. Overall, a very solid meal. Total with tip: about $70. read more

The space is really nice, and we were seated right away around 7:30 p.m. Our waiter was friendly and funny. I also appreciated that the menu clear labels for gluten-free, spicy, vegetarian, and vegan options. I ordered the vegan jackfruit quesadilla and it came out great. One suggestion would be to either add "Men" and "Women" signs to the restrooms or simply label them as gender-neutral. I wasn't a fan of using body-shaped statues to indicate which restroom was which, as I found them unclear and not very inclusive. read more

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This place gets busy, so expect a wait anywhere from 20-45 minutes. My recommendation is to reserve a table or give them your phone number When you check in and they will text you when your table is ready. Overall the service was good! The food was creative and tasty there are many options on the menu including Kangaroo, yes kangaroo! I didn't have that but what o did have was good, you'd likley be full after tacos and you likely so not need more Than two but for kicks and fun go all in you won't regret. The restaurant is creative and fun to look at it, you'll notice something different at every glance, the nose level is medium to high. All in all I enjoyed it and would go back if for some reason I have to be in Columbus again. read more

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Cute place inside however we sat at the bar and the service was so slow. The bartender spent more time talking than serving. We ordered a dip trio (guacamole, queso, pico) and all were just mid at best read more

Agave & Rye - Short North - Tacos Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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We had some good drinks and friendly conversations here! The food was just ok though. I had a huge quesadilla and for some reason the chicken seemed like it wasn't cooked all the way. It was, I didn't get sick or anything, but after that I lost my appetite and didn't finish it. My colleague three of their tacos and he could only eat 2, they're also huge. They have a nice happy hour here too so I would come back if I'm at the convention center again. read more

The Wagyu taco was so delicious and FULL of flavor, definitely worth the price. The smoked chilli-honey aioli and pickled pepper relish is perfection on this taco! And it's a BIG taco EPIC! I opted for add the garlic butter lump crab, WORTH IT! The mac and cheese on these tacos so creamy and matches well the crispy chicken. The spicy bbq jam is so good, smoky flavor and not too sweet! The service was a bit slow but friendly. Order a drink well you wait, they have mocktails. The restaurant is vibrant, quirky and loud but a vibe! read more

Agave & Rye - Short North - Waygu & Crab Taco! - Tacos Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Tacos were good but service was awful. We got there around 7:15 and didn't get a server to our table until 7:41 to ask if we wanted beverages. Bigger groups that arrived after us were served their food and beverage well before we did. Our dinner took nearly 2 hours from the time we walked in to the time we finally paid. Arianna was our server and she walked past us multiple times without asking us about beverages. I don't know if it was her having too many tables or what, but it was a terrible experience especially after being there the night before and everything was done with precision. My general belief is if the server cannot get to the table to take a drink order, someone else on staff should be taking care of that table until the server arrives. A manager should have been alerted or some acknowledgement of how long we sat there. We considered walking out several times and stuck around because so many talked about the great food. read more

Concept of this place is similar to Condado, I picked two different tacos, and they were good, but nothing to write home about. Service was also pretty quick. The ambiance is alright. Just overall not my vibe, and would rather visit a more authentic spot. This is good for a quick in and out, and for food that you know will fit a lot of different people's palates. read more

Agave & Rye - Short North - Tacos Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I love Agave and Rye! I have been to almost all of their locations in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. The most recent time I visited was this past week and I got The Rooster taco. It is my favorite, they make it perfectly every time. I also really enjoy their chips and queso. Very flavorful. The waiter was very attentive to my table and made sure we were all set on drinks and napkins, etc. I have been here multiple times and would return again! read more

I enjoyed some of their food at their brunch place in Grandview that's now gone. And looking at their menu here, I saw a ton of things I wanted to try. I ended up going for small plates. I got one Love Shack taco (you can get singles though the menu isn't clear about that and suggests flights.) Carnitas, beans, corn salsa, bacon, cheese, etc. Messy and incredibly tasty. They give you a nice tray to contain the mess. I also got a side of baked beans, not really realizing there were some on the taco. Oh well, they were tasty. Also got corn fritters, again kind of forgetting that there was corn on the taco. These things are not pretty, but they are excellent. An elevated take on what you would get at some bars. Come with an unnecessary dipping sauce. I could eat a plate full of these. Service was great. Prices are reasonable for the quantity and quality. The place is cool inside and out. It's big, and wasn't too busy at one on a weekday. The bathrooms are kind of hidden. I thought they were right in the front where there is an alcove, or way at the back where there's another alcove, but no. They are right beside the entrance to the kitchen. It's kind of hard to see the little hallway because of the decor. And you do want to look carefully at the statues on the doors to decide which one to pick. I'm gonna go five stars. I can't think of a single negative. Everything tasted good and there were many many more things I want to try. read more

I went here for lunch Saturday and it was not busy. This place is kind of like Velvet Taco with innovative tacos but operates as a more sit down format rather than fast casual. Prices are fair given that while the individual tacos are pricy, the flight of 3 tacos for about $15-17 is pretty good price to try a variety of tacos without breaking the bank. For example, the luxe collection flight is $16.50 approx for 3 tacos of your choice in the luxe collection while the individual luxe tacos are $12-14 each. I got the Mandarin Cream Margarita which features 3 oz of liquor which is basically a double shot priced at $15 which is pretty good. It doesn't drink like a margarita but more like an orange creamsicle but alcoholic, and I enjoyed it as it still paired well with the tacos. I got the luxe flight with The Bayou Baddie, The Crown Jewel, and The Big Thumper. Bayou baddie is the alligator one which is good but not my cup of tea since I don't like pickles. The crown jewel is lobster with truffle oil and Mac and cheese which is fairly hearty but it is my favorite one. The big thumper is kangaroo and is nice to try the meat out though the Mac and cheese donuts may be hard to consume with breaking it apart, but the ingredients altogether meshed well. Service is good as water refills were present. Overall good place for value and variety read more

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When I couldn't get into Southern Hospitality, I ventured over to Agave & Rye, and I'm glad I did. First off.. the aesthetics are something else. It honestly feels like you stepped into a high-end art museum, with bold and creative vibes everywhere. The staff was friendly, even though our server had some long gaps between check-ins and taking our order. We just missed happy hour (still wishing I could've snagged that $7 margarita), but let me tell you, the margarita I did get was so worth it. Strong, flavorful, and just right. Now the tacos... the list is wild. So many creative options, and I love that you can mix & match. My favorite was The Gangsta.. packed with flavor. The elote on the side was delicious, and the presentation overall was top-tier. I'll definitely be back. The food was yummy, the vibes were fun, and it's worth checking out if you're in Columbus. read more

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The ambience is definitely a vibe, and the tacos are incredible--easily on par with Velvet Taco. The servers are very kind and super helpful, which makes the experience even better. The only downside is the wait time. It can take up to 30 minutes to get your tacos, which some might find a bit long. That said, the tacos were absolutely worth the wait for me. read more

Agave & Rye - Short North - Tacos Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Unfortunately, this was not a very good experience. We arrived for a late lunch around 1 o'clock. They were busy, but not smashed at the time. There weren't any people waiting, but they said all of their tables were full so we took a seat at the bar. We ordered a couple of drinks and then put in a lunch order for some epic tacos within five minutes of getting there. Then the waiting started. It took almost an hour for our tacos to arrive. When they did arrive, they were lukewarm. The guy at the bar that was also our server was fine, but not great. There was no real acknowledgment of the wait being so long and we were never ask if the food was good or not. We could tell that he knew it had not been a great experience, but chose not to mention it. I have eaten at other Agave & Rye restaurants, and had positive experiences. I'm hoping this was just a bad day, and I would be willing to give them another shot. All of the cocktails we ordered were very good. read more

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Came in just before 6pm on a Friday and had excellent fast service. Food was on point too. The Rooster had a good little kick to it and the queso and guacamole was top notch. read more

Going to update my review. This was the second time we sat at the bar since my last review and the service from the bartenders is disappointing. They were not efficient at cleaning off the bar of dirty dishes, etc from guests that left 10-15 mins ago and or just basic customer service . Getting another round of drinks took forever to get her attention (and they were out of multiple liquors and food items). We come here frequently for volleyball tournaments and like to walk across the street for a quick bite to eat, but will be going elsewhere from here and out. Bartenders need a lesson in how to greet and treat your customers. read more

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Visited: July 12, 2025 2nd visit | Group of 3 | Dined in After bouncing between a few spots with friends, we landed here without much of a plan. And honestly? For a last-minute decision, Agave & Rye turned into a full-on experience. Atmosphere: No easing in here. The space is bold and loud from the jump -- graffiti ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and oversized animal portraits chewing bubblegum. It leans into the kitschy (yes, that fun, over-the-top decor that flirts with tacky) and fully owns it. The energy is high and theatrical, but in a way that works when you're ready for a night out. Service: Our server, Ava, was fantastic -- attentive without hovering, personable without trying too hard. She read the room, handled the table like a pro, and made it easy to relax and enjoy. Pro Tip: If you're unsure which margarita to try, she understood the assignment. Let's just say the "samples" helped us make an informed decision -- generously. Drinks: I ordered the Hot & Juicy -- watermelon purée, Tajín rim, jalapeño, lime -- and it hit all the marks: sweet, spicy, and fresh. One friend ordered a flavored margarita, the other went with liquor + ginger ale -- both came with strong pours and no complaints. Helpful tip: Ask for light syrup if you don't like overly sweet drinks. These can lean syrupy by default. Food: Birria Tacos - Visually appealing, crispy shell, solid portion -- but the consommé missed the mark. Oily, flat, and lacked the depth you'd expect. The meat was okay, but nothing that stood out. I came in rooting for it to be great, but it landed somewhere in the middle. Street Corn (off the cob) - Served over the husk with cotija and chili. Tasted fine, but a bit more citrus or salt would've brought everything together. Still, for a restaurant managing dietary restrictions and sodium-conscious choices, it's a good offering -- just could use a bolder finish. Carne Asada Egg Rolls - A friend ordered two trays so we could all try them (she's a fan). They came out hot and crisp with two dipping sauces. The brown sauce -- smoky, sweet, chipotle-BBQ-ish -- was my favorite. The white sauce leaned ranch-heavy, which I personally didn't care for. Overall, they're fun to share, though not something I'd order just for myself. Specials Worth Mentioning: (Make sure to ask your server -- they actually do help keep the bill from spiraling.) * Margarita Mondays - Half-off OG Margs + $8 Mocktails * Taco Tuesdays - Half-off margs + $2.50 domestic cans * Whiskey Wednesdays - $8 bourbon cocktails + $4 egg rolls * Happy Hour - Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri (3-6 PM): Drink + taco deals Actually Helpful Breakdown: Helpful if you're with friends and want bold drinks, creative tacos, and something way more interesting than chain dining. Helpful if you like your food with personality -- and don't mind a loud space. Not helpful if you're after traditional, quiet, or simple flavor profiles. Final Thoughts: Agave & Rye isn't trying to be everything to everyone. It's bold, flavorful, and clearly built for guests who want something fun and different. Not every dish was a hit, but the service, cocktails, and vibe pulled it all together. I'll be back to try more -- probably on a Wednesday for those egg rolls and bourbon. Was this review helpful? Save it, vote it up, and let me know what taco I should try next. read more

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Fun spot to have an interesting taco or enjoy a cocktail and a trio of dips (queso, salsa, and guacamole) with homemade tortillas. Good service, nice cocktails, fun decor. read more

Stopped in on Marg Monday with my sister who was in town and her friend. We ordered the following. Drinks Prickly pear margarita- 4/5, not strong tequila flavor Mango Margarita-4/5 delicious but a bit sweet. Hot lips (mocktail) 4/5- really good. Some zero proof spirits have an after taste so I subbed ginger beer. Food Plain Jane sub chicken-3.5/5- too many tomatoes (scraped of enough for another taco and still had enough) Snitch (2) 4.5/5- salt & vinegar chips were the perfect zing Alderman-4/5 surprisingly, good amount of spice Rooster- 4/5, good spice and filling. Plain Jane (no soft shell) 3/5- meat was seasoned but not flavorful and really oily. Chips & dip flight, I love their chips. Thick, crunchy, not overly salty. Guac- 4/5 good flavorful, but lot of fillers vs Avocado Salsa- 2, super sweet unusual for regular salsa. Desperately needed acid/citrus and/ or heat. Queso- 4, solid queso, but the cheese on top was a little weird. Overall, Agave has a great vibe between the ambience, playlist and service & Great specials (marg Monday, taco Tuesday, whiskey Wednesday, happy hour, etc.). They also have a great selection of whiskey and tequila selection. The food is not my favorite, and it's over the top... but for all of the other things I'd recommend it. Last note, the menu is chaotic. Very busy, no logical order/ flow. read more

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I came here for a lunch meeting and ther service was great from the time I hit the door til the moment I left. The bartender was friendly and checked on me often. It was sunny so I enjoyed sitting at the bar and bopping to their playlist. My food looked phenomenal but the meat in each of my tacos tasted old and didn't have any flavor. It tasted like leftover protein from the day before or something. The wontons I got as an appetizer were treat though along with my cocktail. I'd come back for happy hour but likely steer clear of the tacos. read more

Agave & Rye - Short North - Tacos Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Absolutely loved this place! The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The tacos were PACKED!! Packed with flavor, and the chips were house-made!! the guacamole was so fresh and queso had a nice kick, both incredible. The drink they made for my daughter was Virgin and visually stunning. The atmosphere really sets this restaurant apart. The combination of industrial design, chandeliers, artwork, and warm lighting created such a fun upscale vibe. Service was excellent, food came out fast and looking amazing, and everything felt thoughtfully done from start to finish. Easily a 5-star experience and definitely a place I'll be coming back to.- hands down read more

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The tacos are outstanding!! I even did the 3 tacos and they are more than enough food. The service was great too!! I hung out a while and they were so friendly and would give me my space but check regularly too making sure I was all good. read more

Agave & Rye - Short North - Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita - Tacos Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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We stopped in and split a margarita flight which was really enjoyable. We got the egg roll and did not like the texture at all, but the tacos were decent. I think this is a great spot to stop in for a drink and enjoy the vibes but wouldn't highly recommend the food. I'm sure we will return to give it another chance though. read more

A fun and colorful restaurant in the heart of short north. The wait was less than 15min for 2 on a Friday which was great. We ordered a taco flight and a side of Mac and cheese. They all had great flavors and good serving size. Our server was friendly and prompt. If you're looking for a meal with a variety of options, it's a good place to visit. read more

Agave & Rye - Short North - Tacos Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

LOVED! Across the street from our hotel. One GANGSTA taco was filling enough. We also ordered the chips with queso and they did not disappoint. Huge chips - we had to bring them back to our hotel to snack on the next day. The No Regrets 'Rita was what I was looking for after a long day at the convo volleyball tournament. I needed some liquids and didn't want alcohol to dehydrate me. It was one of the best drinks I've had. Paired well with my taco. I got a side of Mac n cheese just for giggles. Our server was nice and friendly and the decor fit the atmosphere. I will definitely go back. read more

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We were on a conference at Columbus and we ended up going twice in 4 days to this restaurant. Food is amazing. It was very delicious. Must try. Service was super friendly and good. Ambience was worth it. read more

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3 stars for the potential to be a great restaurant. The food was great, the variety and creative tacos and toppings are amazing. My first encounter I ordered "Togo"through DoorDash. It was busy when I arrived about 7pm to pick up my food. The young lady at the counter proceeded to check on my order. She returned and said they were working on it. 10 minutes goes by and she ask my name again and checks on it again. Then another 10 minutes and she needs to see the DoorDash order again. Now we both see that they cancelled my order. She checks with I guess the kitchen again and tells me they are working on it. After 15 minutes the host and possibly a manager tells me that the zip code was entered wrong in DoorDash and it was canceled. I explained that I used DD earlier and that the order is currently pending in my bank account. I asked for an explanation but he insisted that it was nothing they did. Frustrated, I left to find dinner elsewhere at 8pm on a busy Saturday night ugh. The next afternoon after finishing up the tournament at the convention center across the street we decided to try it for early dinner. We arrived about 4:30pm no crowd at all. The bright sunlight, people watching ambiance from the window seats behind the hostess booth was fine. Our waiter was nice enough but possibly too cocky not to be using pen and pad to write down our order. We ordered an appetizer that was never put in. Growing frustrated watching a table that arrived behind us starting to eat, I assumed we weren't gonna receive our fry trio app. the same manager from the night before asked if he could get us anything else after finally dropping our entrees. I explained that we ordered the French fry trio (so it didn't get added to my check) but told him not to worry about it since the entrees were already there. He insisted and told us he would comp the fries. Then brought the wrong order of fries. Received the bill and the fries were still on there. 3 strikes you're out. Way too many options in the area for me to be a repeat customer. read more

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The service was good and the food was ok. It was pretty slow, we went one afternoon before a Blue Jackers game. We sat right inside the door at a booth and the bartender served us. There are two vegan tacos available on the menu so I tried them both. I cannot really handle any spicy right now (I wish I could) and one was hard to finish. The meatball (plant ball?) taco was great though. I would have never thought the texture of the crunchy taco shell would add to the flavors of it but it is fantastic. The guacamole we had as an appetizer was decent and my husband liked his Barrera tacos. We would go back here, but I would probably modify something else on the menu instead of just getting their vegan option tacos. read more

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Went here during a lunch break from a conference with a big group. They accommodated us but wow was the service slow. It did appear they were understaffed to handle the large lunch crowd. I know this is a common issue for a lot of places right now. The food was good and they have a wide variety of options to cater to many different interests. The inside is wildly decorated but makes it kind of fun. We will probably go back again but hopefully the service is slightly faster. read more

We were seated as soon as we walked in. Then it took about 10 minutes for a waitress to come to take our order. We ordered tacos for 2 and waited 40 minutes for our food. We weren't given napkins or straws for our drinks. Food was delicious but service left much to be desired. read more

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Stumbled into a gem! Stopped in for lunch, saw the sign for tacos. Everything was tasty! I had the Ya mon and mom got the Italian sausage smashed taco. And the Mac and cheese Everyone managers and servers were super friendly and the vibe was awesome. We'll definitely be back during my visit. read more

Agave & Rye - Short North - Menu - Tacos Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Staff was amazing! The chopped salad, not so much, but my server made up for it and brought me extra chicken and black beans. The decor is breathtaking. Whoever designed this restaurant should get an award. wanted to have a momen read more

After wandering around the city, I stumbled upon this place. The decor is quirky with a lot of art and murals. I enjoyed the chandeliers. I got a spicy jalapeño/pineapple margarita and the bang bang vegan taco. I love that you can order single tacos the food was delicious and the service was fast! Shout out to Rachel behind the bar! read more

Went to a conference and Agave & Rye was conveniently located across the street from our hotel. I was there for a week and went there three times--once by myself! I love tacos and wanted to try a different variety each time but I just could not pull myself away from the carnitas street tacos. Sooooo incredibly flavorful! Loved their special strawberry margarita, too. My friends were also very impressed with the Brussels sprouts, tater tots, Hell Yeah, and Happy Meal tacos! The ambiance is eclectic, lively without being too loud for conversation, and the service is friendly and efficient. I am so glad we are heading back to Columbus next fall--I will definitely be back at Agave & Rye! read more

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I'm a little conflicted on my feelings about A&R. There were tons of positives to mention about my experience, but there were also some pretty prominent negatives. I'll start with the positives. TL;DR - most everything was fabulous aside from the service/staff. Location - GREAT! Very convenient and within walking distance of several hotels. Decor/Vibes - OMG! I loved how beautiful it was in here. The artwork, the chandeliers, the dinnerware and glasses. Everything was gorgeous! Drinks - I had the Jalapeno Pineapple Marg and it was good!! It was sweet, but the the spice from the jalapeno was a nice balance with the agave and pineapple. My colleague ordered another margarita and thought it was too sweet, which is totally preference. The agave is obviously a sweet addition, so just keep this in mind! Food - Awesome! The tacos are legendary for a reason. The Birria options are especially unique and tasty. My friend got chicken and raved over them! I really enjoyed my "Epic Tacos", too. I got the Gangsta and the Swipe Right. They were HUGE and tasty. I also LOVED the queso and salsa. The salsa was chunky and fresh, unlike any I've ever had. Prices - it's a little pricey, but the portion sizes are large ($8+ for a taco, but I think it was worth it!) Service - I think this is where they fell really flat. Look, I am super easy going and understanding. I still was in this situation, but there were just several little things that added up. It wasn't very busy when we went, but it took about 15 minutes or more to be sat. Our waiter was nice, but several things were forgotten and missed. It could have just been an off day. But overall, the staff just wasn't super friendly or efficient. I'm not sure what was going on, but it was really off putting. All this to say, check out A&R! The food and decor are well worth the trip, but maybe this location or this day was just struggling. read more

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Love love this place. The food was really good and I love all the creative tacos. The queso was really good and the drinks. The atmosphere and decor was adorable and super Insta friendly with chandeliers and painting and art. Must visit when downtown Columbus read more

Agave & Rye - Short North - Tacos Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

The menu items here are definitely creative, but the food doesn't quite live up to the hype. We ordered the chips & queso and the elote for appetizers. The queso dip was good and a decent value at the happy hour pricing. The elote was also flavorful and probably my favorite item on the menu. We both ordered the epic tacos. Our server suggested two per person, but I found that one was enough with the addition of the appetizers. My taco was fine, but I wish that instead of thinking up weird toppings to put on the tacos, this restaurant had instead focused on properly seasoning the meat. Also, the "epic" part of the epic taco is that it has both a hard shell and a flour tortilla, which is just too much shell. I would have preferred a fresh corn tortilla instead. I do feel like the prices were a bit high for what you're getting. The epic tacos are $8-12 each, and while they're certainly more loaded than the average restaurant taco, I feel like they weren't worth quite that much. The service was fast and friendly, although our server did forget one of the apps the first time around (she quickly rectified this). I have to take a star off for the bathroom signs, though. Few things at restaurants annoy me as much as ambiguous bathroom signs. This place has these weird statues attached to the doors that are actually very similar to one another. I just want to pee, not stare at a statue's genitals to try to determine which door to go through. read more

Agave & Rye - Short North - Chips and queso - Tacos Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Nice atmosphere and cool trendy restaurant. Ordered two different tacos, both had pasta shells as the base at the bottom of the taco. It's Mexican food, guacamole, queso, or rice would've all been better. I ordered guac in one and queso in the other, paid extra. I got pasta shells instead. Flavor was decent. Never like when restaurants can't do the simple things right. read more

This place is amazing. First, I'd pay an admission charge just for the decor and ambiance. It's spooky New Orleans and it looks great! They have a mezcal bar and a great selection of tequila drinks. The chips and queso are legit. I picture a Mayan woman flattening them outside between some rocks. Best I've had along with the thick, rich salsa. No Chinese restaurant i've been to ever came to within 60% of the perfection that their shrimp Rangoon achieved. Of course the tacos were a hit- so many to choose from and so many flavor experiences. They are served in flights of three and one flight is a meal and a good price- no skimping.eitherThe service was great too. I immediately checked their locations and was disappointed that they didn't have one out east. Agave&Rye blew us away-and it's on InKind network! Thanks for a great dining experience! read more

Arrived right at doors open, first to be seated. The place has a cool vibe and the decor is trendy. Food looks great as well but unfortunately service took over 40 min to just get in our drink order. Sadly we never got to order food because service was so slow. Ended up just getting drinks to go. Seems like they poorly planned to accommodate opening and didn't have enough staff to adequately serve effectively. read more