At 5 years old, Agave owner Lenny Garcia was already working alongside his father in the family’s Mexican restaurant. Gathering produce from the walk-in fridge and learning cherished family recipes by heart, he developed a deep-seated love of authentic Mexican cooking traditions. But it wasn’t until he studied alongside a chef in Guadalajara that he realized he could make those same family recipes without all of the saturated fats and oils.

When he took over the family business, Garcia updated the menu to bring together the best of both worlds. The restaurant promotes healthy eating while preserving the delicious tastes of Mexican cuisine, with MSG-free chipotle burritos, enchiladas a la crema, tostadas, and tacos made with cholesterol-free vegetable oils and organic ingredients. Guests feast on hearty steak fajitas, smoky chicken mole poblano, and slow-cooked pork carnitas, or sample seafood plates, such as spicy camarones a la diabla, or vegetarian mushroom chimichangas.