A second shot at Gran Agave

Kids know everything, right?

At the end of the school year, in Year 1 of my project, my students had frequented Gran Agave, the closest Mexican restaurant to our school, not to mention the most easy-to-access.  I had kids write about it being the "best Mexican food they had ever eaten" and how they "love Mexican food now" because of their visits there.

Not that they went to other places, though.

The first time that I went to Gran Agave, I was not impressed.  Not in the least.  I had the Mole Poblano, and after having the Mole Poblano at Las Velas, there was no comparison.  The flavor just wasn't there at Gran Agave - it wasn't gross or inedible, but it was just not as good as the dish I had at Las Velas.

Everything's relative, right?

On the very last day of school for us teachers, several of my friends from the middle school asked me to go to lunch with them - and they were going to Gran Agave.  Despite my past experience, I figured it would be worth a second chance, as in any restaurant.  Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing last time.  Maybe they had changed things.  Maybe I was just so impressed with Las Velas that nothing could come close to their food.  

Gran Agave Menu Cover

 I arrived first and got a booth for the 6 of us in the back.  While I waited, I ordered what they called on the menu the "Orange" Jarritos, a popular brand of Mexican soda.  The flavor is actually "mandarin", but I understand that the common gringo knows "orange" more commonly than "mandarin".

At the same time, people will never learn anything knew unless what they already know is challenged. 

"Orange" (Mandarin) Jarritos

This is not "orange" like Sunkist Orange - the flavor is more subtle, and not as sweet.  It is more like orange-flavored soda water, so in my opinion, the flavor is more sophisticated than that of a kid's-marketed soda.

I even held off on eating any of the complimentary chips and salsa until everyone else arrived. Willpower is a tremendous thing, when it exists.  I do like the chips and salsa, even if the salsa is very runny - it has just enough spice to satisfy without being overpowering.  The chips are crispy with a good corn flavor.

While others decided upon quesadillas (some with just meat and cheese - really?), taco salads, and tacos, I decided upon an entree to try a few things on one plate.  The menu at Gran Agave is enormous, and it's too complicated - if you want people to have options, offer a mix-and-match menu, not a huge menu with about every food combination imaginable that makes it impossible to be decisive in a timely manner.  

I finally came to the conclusion that I wanted some basic Mexican foods, so I ordered "La Favorita": One special burrito, one tostaguac (basically a tortilla covered in guacamole, lettuce, tomato, and cheese), and one chicken enchilada.  

"La Favorita": Tostaguac, Special Burrito, Chicken Enchilada

 The best part of the meal was again catching up with my middle school friends.  Even though the middle school now sits on the same campus of the high school where I teach, I still rarely see them, as our school hours are not aligned. 

My opinion on the food at Gran Agave remains at "Meh".  It's not bad.  It's not great.  I cleaned my plate, but there is something about the flavor - basically, it lacks flavor.  On the menu, it reads, "Not all Mexican food is hot.  All our dishes are meticulously prepared with authentic yet mild flavor.  For those who like it hot, we put a dish of hot sauce on the table.  Let us introduce you to real Mexican food."

Um.  Yes, most people think that Taco Bell, Chipotle, and Moe's are examples of "real" Mexican food - but, I'm sorry, David Montanez's version of Mexican food at Las Velas remains to me a better example of "real" Mexican food.  

I trust him.  He's Mexican - for real.

So kids, I understand that Gran Agave is a CLOSE example of better Mexican food, but really, downtown Pittsburgh isn't that much farther - and a good meal is never not worth traveling for.  Popularity and proximity should not be determiners of what is "good".  

When something is truly "good", it's worth the extra effort.

Gran Agave

152 East Bridge St.

Homestead, PA 15120

Web (picture of menu available): http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/23/1505587/restaurant/Pittsburgh/Waterfront/Gran-Agave-Homestead

El Proyecto: Year 1

Another school year is in the books.

This was the first year for my big extra credit project, and I think for the first year, it was successful.  Some tweaking and adjustments will need to be made, but I feel as if the overall goal was achieved: To have my students try foods that are native to Hispanic/Latino culture.

I did have to make a few compromises - not too many, but a few.  I'm not happy about that, and that is definitely one of the adjustments that will be made for next year - no compromises.

Here are the stats on which restaurants were visited:

Gran Agave (The Waterfront): 24 visits

La Hacienda (Century III Mall): 13 visits*

Emiliano's (multiple locations): 7

Mad Mex (multiple locations): 7

Smoke BBQ Taqueria (Homestead): 5

Patron (multiple locations): 3

Antojitos (McKeesport): 1

Mallorca (South Side): 1

Don Pablo's (Monroeville): 1

El Campesino (multiple locations): 1

And the one that I'm not proud of - Chipotle: 1

* - La Hacienda closed due to "kitchen problems" at the end of April. 

What were the determining factors for which restaurant each student visited?  The number 1 factor was location - the closer the restaurant was to school, the more frequently it was visited.  Gran Agave is less than 10 minutes from our school, and it is located in the most popular shopping complex in our area, so it was far more convenient to go there.  La Hacienda was located in Century III Mall, which sits at the other end of the borough.

Students were devastated when La Hacienda closed.  I wasn't.  I never ate there myself, which goes to show how much of a priority it was for me to get there.

Smoke BBQ Taqueria is also in Homestead, a stone's-throw away from the school, but 2 factors kept it from creeping into the top 3: Location (not located IN The Waterfront, but on 8th Ave., with metered parking and not far from a high-crime area) and Price (their prices are far higher than Gran Agave's for what you get - although I argue that the QUALITY of the food is far, FAR better). 

Having multiple locations also helped determine where a student went to eat.  I had students visit the Emiliano's in the South Side, as well as the one in the North Hills - it just depended on which relatives they visited, or which direction they were headed in at the time.  Some students visited the Mad Mex in Shadyside, while others ate at the Oakland location.

That "multiple location" thing also helps with the popularity of the chain itself - which is why Mad Mex seems to always win "Best Mexican Restaurant" in Pittsburgh.  I have my own opinions.

Of course, my project was met with some criticism - despite it being "extra credit".  One of the most difficult aspects of teaching a foreign language in Pittsburgh is having the students connect with the culture in their own community - Latinos exist in Pittsburgh, but because so many other ethnic groups are dominant in the area, their culture here is often overlooked.  I wanted my students to discover the culture that exists - some did, some did not...some did not try.

Given the $1664.69 that was spent by my students and their families at these restaurants this year, I'm happy with those who gave it a shot - those who tried something new or different.

2011-12 School Year Receipt Collection

I would love to make this project a requirement, especially since "Communities" is a national foreign language standard, but I cannot because A.) it requires money, and B.) it requires travel.  

On the money end, my argument is that everyone has to eat - why not spend your money by challenging your normal eating habits?  The worst thing that you may discover is that you do not like a certain food - but the foods of the entire culture do not have to be judged on one meal alone.  Next time, try something different.  

On the travel end, I don't have much of an argument.  Most of my students do not have their driver's licenses yet, and even if they do, their parents sometimes - sometimes - regulate when and where they drive.  Challenging adults to change their habits is a challenge in itself; while I am a firm believer that you CAN "teach an old dog new tricks", not everyone is so liberal.

The students themselves made it clear that their eating habits were challenged as a result of this project - an accomplishment that makes me very proud of what this project has done for them:

 "I would definitely go back to Emiliano's.  I never expected to really enjoy this food because I really only eat tacos once in awhile, no other type of Mexican or Spanish food.  This experience made me want to experiment with new foods." - Kevin G.

"Gran Agave has to be one of my favorite restaurants.  I love Mexican food...it is starting to get really busy down there because of their very delicious foods." - Zach F.

"...there were people of Latin descent working there [at Gran Agave].  They were all speaking Spanish to each other, and I actually understood a little bit of what they were saying." - Tyler S.

"...Antojitos had the most appetizing foods I ever had in Pittsburgh.  This trip made me consider going back again real soon." - Cato R. (moved to Pittsburgh from Michigan last year)

"I would go back for the foods [at Smoke BBQ Taqueria] as well as I like the restaurant style.  It is very comfortable, feels like you're in your house - it's just very warm and inviting." - Breela D.

"My [fajitas] arrived to my table very quickly and was hot and steaming...it had a lot of different spices and was something I had never tried before...I would definitely come back [to Patron] because I enjoyed the food and the service was wondeful." - Sade S.

"...everything was delicious...I would go back [to Smoke BBQ Taqueria] again to try their other things like the chili and their Frito dipper things.  I now know why [Miss Cibulka goes] there all the time and hope to go back next weekend." - Nate R.

A few pictures students took at the restaurants (this is not all of them, and this part was optional)

 Hasta el 29 de agosto, mis estudiantes.  Buen provecho.

If you have any ideas or suggestions for this project, please comment below or email me at senoritacibulka@gmail.com.

...Project Update: 1st Nine Weeks

Do my students really go to these restaurants that I recommend?

The answer: Yes.  Some go just because they want/need extra credit, but others go because they like the idea of trying something new.  

For some, it's both.

In the first quarter of the 2011-12 school year, here are the restaurants that were visited, along with some quotes directly from the reports that the students wrote (I only used initials to refer to the students, for privacy reasons):

La Hacienda (West Mifflin): 5 Visits

Not surprisingly, the only Mexican restaurant in the school district got the most visits.  Here is what some students had to say:

"I would recommend this restaurant to everyone because the food is really good, they give you a lot, and it is inexpensive." - C.S.

"...I looked through the menu and saw unfamiliar foods, so I asked my waiter about them...I wasn't shocked about my [taco salad] - I should have went for something different." - A.P.

Emiliano's (South Side/North Hills): 3 Visits

"Overall, I enjoyed Emiliano's!  I liked it a lot because it was very different from the usual restaurants I go to...I would definitely go back to this restaurant because I liked how nice all of the workers were, the inside of the restaurant was very unique, and most importantly, I thought the food was great!...I think I will being to try more Mexican foods because of my experience here." - C.V.

"...this was a different experience of eating at a [Hispanic] restaurant, rather than Eat 'N Park." - D.B.

"I had never heard of the restaurant before, but my aunt suggested it...the salsa was different than any kind I have ever had.  It was a little spicier than I am used to, but it was still very good...I would most definitely recommend this restaurant to anybody that likes Mexican food." - R.K.

Gran Agave (Homestead): 2 Visits

"I would definitely want to go back.  The service, scenery, and food were excellent.  That was the first authentic restaurant that I have been to...After trying the chalupa and enchilada, I would definitely want to have some more." - Z.F.

"In all, the food was good, well-priced, and had a different taste." - R.A.

Mad Mex (Shadyside/Oakland): 2 Visits

"The restaurant itself was so cute!  It had interesting paintings on the wall that reminded me of the Day of the Dead.  There was also Spanish written on them, which we attempted to translate....Since I am used to the taco meat from Giant Eagle, this definitely was a delicious change..." S.A.

Patron (Monroeville): 1 Visit

"[My meal] was served on a platter and looked very delicious - I couldn't wait to dig in...I was very pleased with my meal.  To drink I had a Mexican pop that I never had before.  It was something different and tasted like a flavored fruit punch...I enjoyed the food and the service was wonderful." - S.S.

Mallorca (South Side): 1 Visit

"I chose to go with my mom for lunch because we both wanted to try something new...When I was looking at the menu, I had no idea what to get because I wanted to try something new...I asked our waiter what was the most authentic thing on the sandwich portion on the menu...I got the Sandwich de Jamon Serrano, Manchengo, y Berros...I really enjoyed this meal at Mallorca.  It was very different and something new that I never tried before.  There is always a first time for everything." - P.F.

Smoke BBQ & Taqueria: 1 Visit

"I liked both the Agua Fresca and the chicken tacos very much.  I liked the Agua Fresca because it tasted like pure strawberry juice...I didn't think I would like the chicken tacos, but they were surprisingly really good...I would go back to Smoke because the food was awesome, especially since I don't like Mexican and Spanish food." - M.E.

I am hoping that more students try restaurants, whether they need to or not.  Most of the complaints that I have gotten are that places are too far (most of my students don't drive) or that they don't have money to go.  I keep telling them - you've got to eat!  Why not kill two birds with one stone?  (Pardon the cliche).  

I am always open to feedback, good or bad (but respectful), so please feel free to comment!  

A big thanks to my students and the restaurants that have been so supportive of my project! 

...Gran Agave

Everything’s relative. 

Albert Einstein was a genius for saying that.  Well, Albert Einstein was a genius, period.  However, those two words are true even without his scientific knowledge.

You may think that what you once had was fantastic – until you have something that is even mind-blowingly better.  One of the greatest quotes I’ve ever heard is, “What if what I think is great, really is great – but not as great as something…greater.”

Oh, that Matthew McConaughey.  That quote is from “The Wedding Planner”.  Not exactly a cinematic marvel, but great wisdom, nonetheless.

I think that if I had eaten at Gran Agave when it first opened, or even before I started this project, I would have thought that it was great.  The prices are reasonable, and you get a lot – a LOT – of food for what you pay.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the food itself. 

My mother talked my brother into taking me to dinner on my birthday, since we were not celebrating as a family until the weekend.  He asked me where I wanted to go, with the request that we not travel too far from The ‘Miff.  Of course, my mind is always on eating somewhere “authentic”, so I tried to think of someplace that wasn’t too far, but still related to this blog.  Where to go…where to go…?

Oh yeah!  I still hadn’t tried Gran Agave, and it’s at The Waterfront!  10 minute drive!

I was met with some resistance, however, since as it turns out, my brother had eaten at Las Velas for lunch (Ugh!  So jealous!), and Mexican food twice in one day could be a dangerous situation for his stomach.  But, it was my birthday, so off we went.

The great thing about Gran Agave’s location is that there is ample parking.  We parked in the big lot behind Barnes & Noble and walked over.  We were seated right away and were given menus.

Holy cow.  There was a LOT on the menu!

And then I looked over to my right – 2 former students at a table not far away.  I waved, said hi noted the coincidence of running into the Spanish teacher at a Mexican restaurant, and continued to peruse the menu, all while chomping on the chips and salsa, which were pretty good.

My brother had heard that the queso sauce for the chips was really good, so we ordered that to go along with our chips.  I had decided to go with the Mole Poblano, which, if you recall, is what I ordered at Las Velas when I went (I’m obsessed with mole now.)  My brother thought that the Enchiladas del Barrio sounded interesting, since they were enchiladas topped with…a steak – an entire steak.

We waited for our food, still eating the chips and salsa….and wondering where our queso was.  Minutes passed….more minutes passed….

Then out came our meals.  No queso.  My brother was not a happy camper.

Like I mentioned earlier, you get a LOT of food with your meal.  Tons of rice, beans, and chicken in mole sauce, lettuce…only one piece of tomato, though, and only 3 homemade corn tortillas.  Oh, and guac – yay, guac!

My brother had to dig under that steak for his enchiladas.  He had no idea where to start, but he found them eventually.

After eating for a few minutes, I asked my brother what he thought about his food.  I know what I thought about mine, but I was curious to see how he felt, especially since he had had Mexican food earlier in the day.  Amazingly, we both agreed.

Meh.

The food wasn’t terrible.  It could have been much worse.  However, the flavor of my mole in no way compared to the flavor of the mole at Las Velas.  I ate it all, but I would be lying if I didn’t say that I was disappointed.

My brother said that his enchiladas didn’t have a lot of flavor, either – the steak was the best part of his meal.  He ate the steak, and could not finish about half of the enchiladas since he had eaten a big lunch – and he didn’t even want to take them home.

Luckily for our waiter, when the bill came, the forgotten queso was not on the bill – it was originally, but it was scratched out, since it was never brought to us.  My brother was ready to scream if it was on there; however, our waiter never acknowledged that he forgot about our queso, which caused his tip to suffer. 

Overall, Gran Agave is close, reasonable, and authentic, but there are much better options in the area.  It counts toward the extra credit, but trust me – what you think is great isn’t as great as something greater…but you won’t know until you venture outside of the area yourself.

Gran Agave

152 East Bridge St.

Homestead, PA 15120

Web (picture of menu available): http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/23/1505587/restaurant/Pittsburgh/Waterfront/Gran-Agave-Homestead