The first Utah location opened in American Fork and the second is the newly opened Salt Lake City location just steps from the Grand America Hotel. In addition, the business partners recently opened another new restaurant: Blind Rabbit in the Sugarhouse space that was formerly home to Pizza Volta.
According to the Sol Agave owners, “We have always believed that Mexican food should be MORE! More complex, modern, enjoyable and healthier for our bodies.” One thing is for sure – based on a recent brunch visit to SLC’s Sol Agave, MORE is what you get in terms of food. The portions are so generous that I still have frozen carnitas in our fridge leftover from brunch there.
Sol Agave has a very SoCal vibe to it – bright and airy with white chairs, napkins and plates, wooden tabletops, green plants and a vivid atmosphere and decor. During brunch, the sun lights up the spacious restaurant and bar.
Chips & Salsa
Right off the bat, chips and salsa arrived at our table as we perused the brunch and regular menus. Both are available during Saturday and Sunday brunch. Botanas (snacks) at Sol Agave include mini street-style tacos called Taquiza ($19) and are available with shrimp, carnitas, chicken or NY steak. There is also Cazuela de Queso ($15) – a cheese fondue with onions, roasted bell peppers, guacamole, pico de gallo, homemade chorizo and a choice of flour or corn tortillas.
Additional Botanas at Sol Agave are Ceviche al Gusto ($17-$21), Guacamole Sampler ($19), Shrimp Taquitos ($18), Calamari Frito ($16), Pork Belly Bites ($16), Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeños ($14), Spicy Crispy Shrimp ($26), Esquites ($12) tossed with jalapeño butter, lime, Sol Agave spices, queso and chipotle rub, Pulpo a Las Brasas ($26) – grilled octopus sauteed in guajillo sauce, and others.
Sol Agave features a full bar and serves wine, beer, tequilas, mezcal, craft cocktails and more. Brunch-specific drinks include Champagne ($32/bottle), Mimosa Flight ($21), a Brunch Old Fashioned ($16), Brunch Punch ($14), and an Espresso Martini ($15).
Huevos Rancheros
A terrific egg-based brunch menu item is Huevos Rancheros ($16), which was a plate piled high with crisp corn tortillas, eggs prepared however you’d like them, cheese, black beans, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and rich, spicy ranchera sauce. Other eggy brunch dishes include Sopes Benedict ($19/carnitas; $22 NY steak), Avocado Toast & Bacon with eggs ($16), a Breakfast Burrito with scramble eggs, chorizo, sausage, bacon, home-made hash browns, ranchera salsa, cheese, roasted onion, pasilla peppers and avocado ($16), and an Omelet al Gusto with a choice of four toppings ($16).
Carnitas for Chilaquiles
Additional brunch items at Sol Agave are Tres Leches French Toast ($15) and a killer plate of Chilaquiles ($16) which are crispy fried tortilla strips with eggs, sour cream, pico de gallo and a choice of red or green salsa, plus a side salad. For an extra $6 you can add chicken or crispy, delicious carnitas, which I did, or NY Steak for an extra $8. As I mentioned, the amount of carnitas that came with my chilaquiles was so massive that I took most of it home.
Tacos Del Mar
Seafood dishes at Sol Agave include Camarones al Gusto ($31), Del Mar Sea Bass with chile de arbol crema ($46), Enchiladas de Camarón ($26), and my wife’s favorite: Tacos Del Mar ($22). This was a trio of blackened mahi mahi tacos with mango relish, chipotle aioli, peppers, onions, shredded greens and avocado, served with Veracrus white rice and frijoles de la olla.
Meat lovers will be tempted by New Zealand Rack of Lamb ($42), Mar y Tierra – two filet mignon enchiladas served with grilled Mexican prawns ($38), Chipotle-glazed BBQ Baby Back Ribs ($38), or Skirt Steak Fajitas de la Casa ($28).
Congratulations to the Sol Agave owners who picked up a prestigious award for restaurant Concept of the Year (casual dining category) at the 2024 Utah Restaurant Association’s Awards Gala a couple of weeks ago.
Photos by Ted Scheffler
Culinary quote of the week: “When you get to my age, you don’t even buy green bananas anymore.” Arnold Palmer
