A new restaurant is bringing the vibrant spirit of Mexico City and the Riviera Maya to the West Valley. Santo Agave opens this February at Park West in Peoria, offering elevated Mexican cuisine, tequila education and warm hospitality. Owned by longtime restaurateur Damian Rangel, Santo Agave blends tradition with modern technique in a high-energy and welcoming space.

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Mexican hospitality, reimagined

Rangel brings 26 years of restaurant experience to the concept, operating successful family-owned restaurants across five southwestern states since launching his career in 2000.

His philosophy is simple: dining should feel personal.

At Santo Agave, service is designed to be non-transactional and deeply rooted in Mexican hospitality. The goal is to create a space where guests stay for two hours or more, where staff know regulars by name and where dinner feels like a shared cultural experience rather than just a reservation.

A tequila experience, not tequila shots

Tequila is central to the Santo Agave identity, with a focus on sipping and education.

Guests can participate in a curated three-tequila tasting paired with chocolate, highlighting regional distinctions and flavor profiles. The program emphasizes appreciation over speed, turning agave spirits into a storytelling experience.

The cocktail menu ranges from $14 to $22 and includes tableside presentations, from mixology carts to flame-finished steaks.

Regional Mexican flavors with modern technique

The menu showcases influences from across Mexico, including:

• Sinaloa-style seafood
• Jalisco beef
• Yucatán seasoning
• Elevated takes on traditional dishes like dry fideo noodle soup

Offerings range from raw bar selections and tacos to coal-fired steaks, bone-in tomahawks and premium ribeye tacos.

Everything is made from scratch, including bread and desserts, and cooked in a Josper charcoal oven known for its intense heat and smoky finish.

The wine list highlights Latin American producers from Mexico, Argentina, and Chile alongside California and Napa Valley selections.

Turning weeknights into occasions

Santo Agave is also leaning into experiential dining:

• Tuesdays: Prime porterhouse for two with sides, dessert, and a bottle of wine
• Mondays: Bottomless sangria and light bites
• Sundays: Happy hour with agave-forward cocktails and fresh oysters

Latin house DJs will perform Thursday through Saturday evenings from 7 to 11 p.m., curated to energize the space without overpowering conversation.

A Tulum-inspired escape in Peoria

Design details create a resort-style atmosphere.

Guests enter through a dramatic teak tree root installation encased in glass. The space features bamboo accents, woven pendant lighting from Indonesia, India and Mexico, reclaimed tree-root tables, tropical plants and earthy textures that evoke a coastal Mexican retreat.

The patio includes misters, shade and garage doors that open to create an indoor-outdoor flow near Harkins Theatres at Park West.

Santo Agave will be open daily for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

To learn more, visit elsantoagave.com.