More than a year after Mexican eatery Salty Iguana closed its doors in Olathe, another one is soon to follow. But this one will have something that its predecessor didn’t have: a focus on seafood.
Locally owned Agaves Mexican Grill is working toward an opening in the space, with plans to open in March.
Agaves is coming to 10478 S. Ridgeview Road
- The restaurant is taking over a space at the Ridgeview Marketplace shopping center in Olathe.
- There, Agaves will operate near popular ice creamery Betty Rae’s at the shopping center.
- Though regular hours are still being finalized, the restaurant will likely be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, with potentially longer hours on weekends.
Agaves will serve Mexican dishes in an upscale space
Owner Gerardo Jaime said the menu at Agaves will have a focus on seafood.
Customers can expect dishes like mojarra (fried whole fish), surf-and-turf styled dishes, and fried octopus (a personal favorite of Jaime’s).
For those who aren’t into seafood, the menu will offer some other options like short ribs and chicken wings.
As one might assume from the restaurant’s name, there will also be plenty of tequila. Agaves will serve a wide variety of classic and specialty cocktails — including an array of margaritas.
Jaime said he’s particularly excited for guests to experience the presentation of the drinks, which he said will go beyond the standard lime-and-orange approach.
“We’ll have a (large) variety,” he said. “We’re shooting to have a margarita for everybody.”
As for the interior, Jaime said the space will have a slightly upscale feel — a “little more fancy”, but not so much so that patrons will feel the need for a tuxedo or a reservation.
Guests can expect murals and LED signs on the walls, and a designated photo area — an “Instagram-ready” space.
Jaime grew up in the restaurant world, with his family operating different restaurants in the Kansas City metro area since the early 1990s. With Agaves, he said he and his family are looking forward to stretching their restaurateur muscles with something a little different.
“This one’s our most modern concept,” he said.
Like their other concepts, though, Agaves will be a family-run operation. To Jaime, that’s a business perk.
“There will always be somebody there on site that’ll actually care and put time and dedication into what’s going on,” he said.
Salty Iguana closed in September 2024
The local Mexican eatery operated in Olathe for more than a decade before closing its doors.
Since then, closures have followed at the restaurant’s Prairie Village and Lawrence, as well as across the state line in Independence, Missouri.
In 2025, the restaurant’s assets were seized by the state following more than $100,000 in unpaid taxes.
Want more food and drink news? Caramels, chocolates, brittle and popcorn — new sweet shop debuting soon in Overland Park
