Los Agaves Mexican Grill opens in Sisters

Los Agaves Mexican Grill opened their doors last Friday to great anticipation and growling appetites.

Sporting the flowering green agave plant on signs and menus (the famous plant from which the magical tequila nectar is derived) owner and head chef Jimmy Fernandez welcomed old friends and customers with a bright smile and warm hospitality.

Fernandez owned

El Caporal Mexican Restaurant in Sisters. The restaurant closed last summer in the face of challenging economic conditions that made the large space on Hood Avenue non-viable.

This new gastronomic venture is not El Caporal II, but an entirely different enterprise with hand-selected recipes and food celebrating the simpler fare of Jimmy's childhood.

"This is the cuisine cooked and eaten in Central Mexico, near Mexico City, with more masa corn, dried chiles, shrimp, pork carnitas, carne asada and mole sauce," explained Fernandez. "It's what I ate growing up, watching my grandmother and mother cook in the kitchen. I started making up my own spicy soups when I was around 10 years old, experimenting with meat and vegetables. It's a good skill to have when you're hungry."

Fernandez began working at El Caporal in Bend in 1997, graduating up to head cook before moving to the new Sisters restaurant in 2007 as part-owner.

"I always had the idea of my own little place where I could share this food with all my friends. I love food and I love people and want them to feel comfortable and relaxed, like they're at home," he said. "It's nice to have many friends, in business and in relationships you need to be friendly."

When Divine Earth Natural Foods vacated the corner spot on Cascade Avenue, an opportunity arose. Fernandez and his wife Laura gathered a team of friends and family to do some redecorating and painting, bringing a more authentic South of the Border style to the building.

Diners lucky enough to walk in to Los Agaves this past weekend were treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet sampling of the new restaurant's favorites, including a fresh fruit platter, shrimp cocktails and bakery layer cake decorated with delicate edible flowers. Saturday afternoon saw a full house sipping icy margaritas and plates stuffed with enchiladas, mini chimichangas, taco salads, rice and beans.

Jim and Marti Rollins rose from a satisfying lunch and gave Fernandez a hearty congratulations.

"We've been watching this unfold and think this is a really good start," said Jim. "The buffet was a creative way to introduce people to his food. Jimmy is such a great cook and we're very happy for him."

A regular from El Caporal, Joe Gunterman was amazed at the change as he perused the newly printed menus.

"I haven't eaten yet but this sure smells good," he said. "We were so sad when El Caporal shut down. We all used to call it 'Jimmy's Place.' And now Jimmy's back!"

Los Agaves will serve lunch and dinner, including a generous happy hour. Desserts are still being tested. There's a full bar - and Fernandez intends to take full advantage of Sisters' food purveyors.

"I also wanted to incorporate lots of the local businesses in town by selling micro-brew beer from Three Creeks Brewing Co., coffee from Sisters Coffee and bread from Sisters Bakery," said Fernandez. "That was important to me. This is a friendly neighborhood grill where everyone can come and enjoy my food, and we wish to be a regular part of the community and its dining network."

Los Agaves Mexican Grill, located at 291 E. Cascade Ave., is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information call 541-549-0777.