Agave & Rye Expands to Hamilton

Oct 2

October 16 marks the grand opening of Agave & Rye's latest location in Hamilton, Ohio, a much-anticipated addition to the city’s growing entertainment district. After overcoming multiple delays, this bold and adventurous taco concept will finally bring its unique fusion of gourmet street tacos, tequilas, and bourbons to Hamilton’s bustling Main Street. The new restaurant, located at 339 Main St., represents a $3.5 million investment in the city and will create 75 to 80 jobs.

A Long Journey to Hamilton

Plans for the Hamilton location were first announced in 2020, with an original goal of opening by mid-2022. However, unforeseen delays, largely due to issues with a former silent partner and the original developer, pushed the project back. Founder and CEO Yavonne Sarber and her husband, Wade, took full control of Agave & Rye in 2023, which helped move the project forward. After teaming up with a new developer, Mark Ayer, construction officially broke ground a year ago. Now, after years of hard work, Sarber is excited to finally introduce Hamilton to Agave & Rye's signature flair.

Unique Design and Menu at the Hamilton Location

The Hamilton location offers more than just great food—it’s an experience. Set in a former Ritzi's Body Shop, the 5,400-square-foot space combines the eclectic, artistic style Agave & Rye is known for, while maintaining some elements of the original building, such as the garage doors. The atmosphere will be a blend of lively, artistic energy and modern comfort, thanks to local artists Colleen Scott and an artist known as "Paula," who helped bring the space to life.

This location will also debut with a new fall menu, which Sarber promises is unlike anything Agave & Rye has done before. The updated menu will feature 27 new items, including creative additions like birria pizza, a birria grilled cheese, taco flights, and a fajita quesadilla. These inventive dishes blend bold flavors with fresh ingredients, delivering the adventurous dining experience that Agave & Rye fans love.

Agave & Rye: A Restaurant Known for Bold Creativity

For those unfamiliar with Agave & Rye, the restaurant first gained a following for its wildly creative and elaborately constructed street tacos. Agave & Rye's tacos are not your traditional fare—they’re built with bold flavor combinations that take inspiration from across the globe. While they offer everything from crispy Baja fish to Korean pork belly, the restaurant goes beyond typical street taco expectations. Tacos like The Crown Jewel (featuring lobster, Wagyu beef, truffle, and avocado crema) and The Sensei (Korean pork belly with Asian slaw and sweet soy) push culinary boundaries and provide a dining experience that’s both adventurous and indulgent.

In addition to tacos, Agave & Rye offers a range of shareable appetizers, epic burritos, and sides like queso blanco, tequila fries, and street corn. Their extensive tequila and bourbon selection pairs perfectly with their bold, flavorful menu, and their innovative cocktails, like the Spicy Margarita and Smoke Show, add an extra layer of fun to the dining experience.

A Key Player in Hamilton’s Entertainment District

Agave & Rye’s arrival in Hamilton adds to an already vibrant Main Street, which is home to popular spots like True West Coffee, Farmer’s Collective, Fretboard Brewing + Public House, and Richard’s Pizza. The new restaurant is expected to be a top-performing location, with Sarber confident that the energy and creative vibe of Agave & Rye will resonate with Hamilton residents and visitors alike.

Sarber has praised the city of Hamilton for being an ideal partner in this journey, stating that they’ve been “the best city to work with” and extremely pro-business. The city's support has been crucial in overcoming delays and ensuring a successful launch.

Looking Forward: Agave & Rye’s Plans for the Future

While the opening of the Hamilton location is a major milestone, it’s not the end of the road for Agave & Rye. Sarber has big plans for the future. After opening in Hamilton, she plans to focus on fine-tuning the hospitality experience at the existing locations and experimenting with new technologies like artificial intelligence to streamline operations. There are also plans to scale a fast-casual version of the Agave & Rye concept within the next year, providing diners with quicker service without sacrificing the creative menu offerings.

Experience Agave & Rye in Hamilton

With the opening of Agave & Rye in Hamilton, diners can expect an eclectic mix of artistic flair, adventurous menu items, and an expansive selection of tequila and bourbon, all while soaking in the lively energy of Main Street. Whether you're a taco enthusiast or someone looking for an exciting new dining experience, Agave & Rye promises something for everyone.

Be sure to visit Agave & Rye’s new Hamilton location, opening on October 16, and experience this unique restaurant for yourself.

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