Santo Agave, a restaurant serving elevated Mexican cuisine, is opening in Peoria this February. It will be located at 9832 W. Northern Ave., at the Park West shopping center. Owned by longtime restaurateur Damian Rangel, Santo Agave reimagines traditional Mexican dishes with a modern twist, served in a warm, high-energy atmosphere inspired by the vibrant spirit and service culture of Mexico City and the Riviera Maya.
Rangel, who lives in Avondale, brings 26 years of restaurant industry experience, having operated successful concepts with his family in Mexico and the U.S. across five southwestern states, including Arizona, since beginning his career on July 4, 2000.
“People can get food anywhere,” Rangel said. “What they remember is how a place made them feel. At Santo Agave, the experience is personal, emotional, and welcoming. The kind of place where you can relax, stay awhile, and feel like it’s your spot.”
The restaurant’s concept emphasizes Mexican hospitality that is non-transactional and deeply personal, encouraging guests to linger for two hours or more in a casual environment. The goal, Rangel said, is to create a space where staff know guests by name and dining feels like a shared cultural experience rather than a routine outing.
Tequila plays a central role in the Santo Agave experience, with a focus on education and sipping rather than shots. Guests can participate in a curated three-tequila tasting paired with chocolate, designed to highlight regional differences and flavor profiles.
The food menu showcases regional Mexican influences, including Sinaloa-style seafood, Jalisco beef, Yucatán seasoning and elevated takes on traditional dishes such as dry fideo noodle soup. Offerings range from raw bar selections, soups, salads and tacos to seafood, coal-fired steaks, bone-in tomahawks and premium ribeye tacos. All dishes are made from scratch, including bread and desserts, and cooked using a Josper charcoal oven, known for delivering intense heat and smoky flavor.
The beverage program includes an extensive wine list highlighting Latin American producers from Mexico, Argentina, and Chile, alongside California and Napa Valley selections. Cocktail prices range from $14 to $22, with tableside presentations including mixology carts, sub-zero ice cream, beef tartare, Caesar salad, and flame-finished steaks. With chefs and management staff from Mexico, the team focuses on seamless service and attending to details without disrupting conversation.
Santo Agave is turning weeknights into occasions. On Tuesdays, couples can indulge in a luxe steakhouse style experience featuring a prime porterhouse for two, paired with sides, salads, dessert, and a bottle of wine for an effortless date night. Mondays offer a more relaxed atmosphere with bottomless sangria and a light bite, making it the perfect way to ease into the week.
On Sundays, the bar sets the tone. During happy hour, guests can pair premium agave forward cocktails with fresh oysters at an irresistible price, creating a coastal meets cocktail experience. At Santo Agave, it begins at the bar and ends wherever the night takes you.
Design elements reinforce the sense of escape. Guests enter through a dramatic teak tree root installation from Indonesia encased in glass, surrounded by wine bottles from the menu. The space features bamboo accents, basket-woven pendant lighting from Indonesia, India, and Mexico, large tropical plants, and tables crafted from reclaimed tree roots. Earth tones, natural textures, and greenery evoke the feeling of a high-end resort in Tulum. Thoughtful touches include percheros to hang purses and dedicated spaces for returning guests to store unfinished bottles.
Santo Agave also plans to introduce a club membership program in the near future, offering members private cubbies, no-reservation access, and exclusive off-menu experiences curated by chefs, vendors and visiting collaborators.
The restaurant is located at a high-visibility space near Harkins Theatres, formerly home to Jalapeño Inferno, and features a patio with misters, shade and a relaxed beach-style atmosphere. Garage doors open to the patio, and Latin house DJs will perform Thursday through Saturday evenings from 7 to 11 p.m. Music is intentionally curated to enhance the atmosphere without overpowering conversation.
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.
