Sneak peek: New restaurant bringing tacos to old Saul Good spot in downtown Lexington
Lexington’s newest downtown restaurant is going to be hopping: The new Agave & Rye in The Square is set to open soon, bringing “Epic Tacos,” including kangaroo meat, and a full bar of tequila and bourbon drinks.
The new location at the corner of Broadway and Short Street will open July 21 at 11 a.m. and the Herald-Leader got a sneak peek at what to expect at the second location of the growing Ohio-based chain.
“At Agave & Rye we create an escape,” said Nich Duncan, spokesman for the restaurant. “We strive to deliver epic food and an epic experience every time you walk through the door. We create an environment for our employees and our guest to mindfully play and enjoy themselves.”
A big part of that environment is the look: Murals, many by artist Giovanni Santiago, cover the walls outside and in while elaborate chandeliers throw sparkly light over the tables. The space is divided into several seating areas, including areas that can seat large parties.
Or very small ones, such as the “love shacks,” booths with curtains that can close off the rest of the dining room.
The walls also have portraits (painted by a former restaurant server who is also an artist) of rock stars, such Lizzo and Kentucky’s own Chris Stapleton.
There’s a Britney room, under a portrait of snake-draped Britney Spears, in a room that can be reserved for a fee for large parties.
This location will be a bit unique: It has plenty of TVs for University of Kentucky basketball fans.
Agave & Rye also has developed quick service to accommodate downtown office workers, Duncan said, who can get in and out in 30 minutes.
The menu is all made from scratch, all the way down to squeezing limes for the margaritas.
“We have everything from traditional street food like Mexican street tacos and birria,” Duncan said. “Everything’s made in house. ... All of our tacos come with a crispy shell wrapped in a soft flour tortillas. You can do lots of fillings in there, all made with fresh ingredients. And you can do everything from a chicken taco all the way to kangaroo.”
There also are vegetarian and vegan options and other menu items can be modified to accommodate diners’ needs, he said.
The restaurant is in the former Saul Good spot, a prime downtown location, across from the Lexington Opera House, near the Lexington Children’s Theatre, and a block from Rupp Arena and downtown hotels, which will give it built in foot traffic now that the coronavirus pandemic is easing.
“When you look at downtown Lexington, there are so many great things going on, so much great foot ... Rupp Arena and the amazing hotels, this was really a very easy decision,” Duncan said.
Agave & Rye
Where: 123 N. Broadway, The Square
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Online: Agaveandrye.com
