New Johnson County Mexican spot opens in former restaurant space
Nearly two years ago, Salty Iguana in Olathe was filled with the sounds of chatty patrons and sizzling fajitas.
Those things have recently returned now that the space at 10478 S. Ridgeview Road has become a completely different Mexican concept. Giant letters outside the restaurant spell out A-G-A-V-E-S, its new name.
Owner Gerardo Jaime, who’s a partner in a few of the El Maguey restaurants, opened the new restaurant in the former Salty Iguana space a few days ago.
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Agaves Mexican Grill offers a large sampling of burritos, street tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and more. House margaritas include ($9.50 for a small flavored marg, $12.50 for a large) include passion fruit, guava, prickly pear, lychee, blueberry, mango, watermelon and more. They’re offered on the rocks or frozen.
On the food side, its specialties include sopes ($14), tamales especiales (tamales with sour cream, avocado, salsa verde and cheese dip for $15), agave bowl (rice, black beans, mixed greens, pico, sour cream and shredded cheese for $15.50).
Jaime said the space seats about 130 patrons and will soon add a patio.
The restaurant is still in its soft opening phase, with cooks still being trained and many servers yet to be hired, so they’re asking for grace in their initial stages. Its grand opening date has yet to be determined.
It’s open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Salty Iguana closed its Olathe space in September 2024 after having been open for 15 years. The restaurant announced last year that it would close its remaining locations (by then, Lawrence, Prairie Village, and Independence).
Prior to the final closing announcement, the KDOR seized the Lawrence and Prairie Village restaurants, saying they owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales and liquor taxes.
Local Mexican chain El Maguey, on the other hand, has been around for more than two decades. Jaime said it’s a family-run business, with each restaurant having different partnerships.
Locations include 6600 Raytown Road in Raytown, 13612 Washington St. in Martin City, and 7831 N. Oak Trafficway in the Northland.
Soon, the former Salty Iguana in Prairie Village will become Casa, a Mexican-inspired restaurant by Robin Krause, who owns Billie’s Grocery. It’ll open at 8228 Mission Road.