The Spot: Cien Agaves 7228 E. First Ave. Scottsdale CienAgaves.com
The Hours: Happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. everyday.
See also: Rokerij: Happy Hour Report Card
The Interior: This Old Town Scottsdale restaurant is colorful and airy, filled with TVs and a festive bar area. Aside of Day of the Dead decorations, and taco competition trophies, there's not anything too terribly special regarding the interior but it's fun and lively.
The Food: Happy hour features half price appetizers and $2 tinga tacos. The tinga tacos stole the show. Our only complaint is that the cheese on top of the taco was not melted and in fact was cold. While this assured us it was fresh, a warmer presentation would have improved the taste.
We ordered the homemade guacamole ($3.98), which was served with fresh, warm chips and in copious amounts. It was a little on the onion-y side but that didn't stop us from devouring it. On the other hand, the queso verde ($4.48) was a bit disappointing. The pork didn't add much flavor to the cheese, and we can't imagine paying nearly $9 at regular price for this item. It redeemed itself by being otherwise creamy and very sharable.
The Drink: Margaritas are the star of the happy hour at Cien Agaves, and know we know why. Suitably strong and tasty-- it's a bit tempting to order two, but we restrained ourselves. At $3.75, it's a smokin' deal. Other happy hour drinks include $3 Dos Equis.
The Conclusion: While there's nothing too fancy about Cien Agaves, it serves a purpose in the Scottsdale scene. Happy hour for two was about $20, perfect for a quick drop in after work, or mid-day for a steal of a meal.
Grade: B
