wedding services & supplies.

Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club

Expert Reviews of Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club

Citysearch | Ten varieties of tacos, inventive side dishes and Portage Bay views compensate for the frenzied atmosphere of this wildly popular cafe.

Vividly colored walls and a perpetually crowded entryway are the hallmarks of this casual Baja-inspired cafe. Tucked discreetly behind the University of Washington's marine biology buildings, the refurbished...
citysearch.com - expert review - 01/19/2007
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Citysearch | A good location and easy paddling make this a prime place to take to the water in a rented kayak.

Whether paddling through the waterways of the arboretum or exploring Lake Union's houseboats, kayaking offers an affordable way to see the city from an unusual vantage point. Try an afternoon paddle to Madison...
citysearch.com - expert review - 09/08/2004
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User Reviews of Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club

Fish Tacos

The variety of fish tacos is what makes this place extraordinary. Of course...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 08/06/2008
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mistaken for sure

I went to Agua Verde with my family a little before 6pm on Sunday. I didn't...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 07/21/2008
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Tacos, Tacos, Tacos!

One of the best places in town for a variety of fish tacos - salmon, catfish...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 07/15/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Mariah E.

4.0 of 5 stars. I don't think I've ever gotten excited about beans before. As a college student, I accept that they are a perfectly good form of protein. I've been known to throw black beans onto a salad or put…
yelp.com - user review - 07/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Claire M.

3.0 of 5 stars. It's usually so totally crowded that we have given up on this place! The food is good, I think I've been here twice. They need a bigger restaurant because obviously everyone in Seattle likes to go…
yelp.com - user review - 07/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Joanne H.

3.0 of 5 stars. I'll have to give it a 2nd try. I was unimpressed with my first order there. Usually I try the same thing at a variety of places which gives me a chance to really tell what I like and don't like,…
yelp.com - user review - 06/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Bri S.

1.0 of 5 stars. I visited Seattle last month and was brought to Agua Verde (on 5/25/08) by my friends. The line was long and it took a bit for our food to come, but it was worth it. I had the dorado which was…
yelp.com - user review - 06/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tim G.

2.0 of 5 stars. 2 stars for their location. No stars for their service. Its such a production to get a seat. Everytime I've been there I get rushed out of my table, even after we've spent a lot of dough. Food is…
yelp.com - user review - 06/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Megan H.

5.0 of 5 stars. we rented a two person kayak and paddled around lake union for a while then came back and ate in the restaurant. The paddle was fun and reasonably priced. The food was excellent! I had vegetarian…
yelp.com - user review - 06/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Amy A.

5.0 of 5 stars. This is my favorite restaurant in Seattle, I think. I hate the crowds, and AV isn't spectacularly child-friendly. They're not gonna give 'em crayons or a pat on the head.
yelp.com - user review - 06/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jason C.

4.0 of 5 stars. I have a perfectly good reason for now even knowing there was a paddle club associated with Agua Verde. The food is simply that good. The fish tacos are lights out good and the couple of times I've…
yelp.com - user review - 06/11/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Melissa H.

4.0 of 5 stars. I personally LOVE the food here and the most amazing thing is their dedication to using organic veggies and meat and sustainably harvested seafood. This is my favorite Mexican food in Seattle.…
yelp.com - user review - 06/10/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Marianne G.

4.0 of 5 stars. The food here is really really good. The service....meh. College kids during the day...some pro servers in the eves. Be patient, have lowish expectations of pampering, expect to do some standing in…
yelp.com - user review - 06/09/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Nicole P.

5.0 of 5 stars. If I'm in Seattle, Agua Verde Cafe is one place that I am sure to make it to. I love getting any of the tacos de la casa. The food is fresh and authentic. They serve several different types of yummy…
yelp.com - user review - 06/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Anthony P.

4.0 of 5 stars. Quality Fresh Mexican food with patio water view. Great place for summer. This is PURE mexican food, none of that commercialized shit. I will continue to keep on coming back. 4-stars because it…
yelp.com - user review - 06/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Ryan S.

3.0 of 5 stars. This place is like Hypetown USA! I went with my friends after the U-District fair this year, when it was like 80 degrees so we thought it would be a perfect place to go. There was a huge line and I…
yelp.com - user review - 06/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sam W.

2.0 of 5 stars. I've eaten here a handful of times and I honestly don't see the appeal and why the lines are so long. Actually I can see why the lines are so long, inefficiency in the service. The food is okay,…
yelp.com - user review - 06/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Natalie W.

3.0 of 5 stars. I have been here a couple of times. Any summer and spring weather make this place a destination spot for many. Don't let the three stars scare you- I still recommend that you go and try it out- Maybe…
yelp.com - user review - 06/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Josh F.

3.0 of 5 stars. Quite decent, high quality meat. but not nearly as special as people make it out to be
yelp.com - user review - 06/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Angela T.

4.0 of 5 stars. My friends and I were need of serious outdoors time while we were vacationing in Seattle. (You'll feel the same why after a couple meals at Piroshky! Piroshky!) We asked our hotel where to go for an…
yelp.com - user review - 06/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Rachel P.

3.0 of 5 stars. I kayaked there with a friend from another place around the lake. Maybe he talked it up too much but I was a tad disappointed. Long lines- slow staff. It is pretty damn cool to kayak up- park- eat…
yelp.com - user review - 05/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jeanie K.

4.0 of 5 stars. Some of the best Mexican I've ever had and I don't even like Mexican! I'm very picky when it comes to Mexican so I tend to stay away from most Mexican joints but a friend of mine told me this place…
yelp.com - user review - 05/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Annie L.

4.0 of 5 stars. If I were to rate the food - I'd give it 4.5 stars, but only because the chips could be better. Otherwise, I give it a full thumbs up. Definitely the fish taco is the best (I think it's called the…
yelp.com - user review - 05/14/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Smazz M.

3.0 of 5 stars. We had a crazy long wait on a Friday night and the staff seemed like we were putting them out. They just did not seem happy to be there. The salsa is unique and original, but the chips are out of the…
yelp.com - user review - 05/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Aaron M.

3.0 of 5 stars. I would love this place more for lunch. Skip the crowds, the long waits, the cramped tables and hopefully the higher price. The food was pretty traditional mexican fair...not American Mexican real…
yelp.com - user review - 04/26/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by preston d.

4.0 of 5 stars. Get the Tecate beer in a boot!
yelp.com - user review - 04/17/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Brandon S.

3.0 of 5 stars. I hate to do this because I once loved Agua Verde and I still really like the food, but after our last visit I just don't know how many times we will be back. The good food almost doesn't make up for…
yelp.com - user review - 04/13/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by calamity chang c.

4.0 of 5 stars. nothing to add, but totally awesome. is it weird to say that i have seen plastic fruit be used at other places to be a way of identifying tables?
yelp.com - user review - 03/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Ed K.

4.0 of 5 stars. We went here for Saturday lunch and it was just a lot of fun. Delightful place painted riotous colors with great views of the water, really fast service and lots of enticing-sounding tacos. Took a…
yelp.com - user review - 03/17/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Meagan T.

4.0 of 5 stars. Went here for dinner on a weeknight and had a bit of a wait but it was worth it. For lunch, I went to the take-out window and got served right away. The mango quesadilla is amazing and so is the…
yelp.com - user review - 03/11/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Hector L.

4.0 of 5 stars. Awesome location, great view, good food. Had the pork tamale tamale with rice and beans. Filling and excellent flavor. Definitely plan to go back and hopefully avoid the crowds.
yelp.com - user review - 03/08/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sean C.

4.0 of 5 stars. Note: I'm focusing on the restaurant here as I've never done the kayak rentals. I've been coming here, albeit infrequently, for almost 4 years and it rarely disappoints. It's definitely not the best…
yelp.com - user review - 03/05/2008
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Most Amazing Food!!

I visited Seattle in September 2007 with my mom to visit my brother. He took us to a lot of different places; a mall in Bellevue, a nice restaurant there, too. Then on a Saturday, I think it was, he brought us...
citysearch.com - user review - 03/03/2008
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mango mango mango

the mangorita (mango margarita) and the mangodilla (mango quesadilla) were...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 02/26/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Gretchen J.

3.0 of 5 stars. I like Agua Verde alot. I wish I could love it and sometimes I do. The food is really good here, as for freshness and quality I can't be so sure. I have on occasion left here feeling not so good.…
yelp.com - user review - 02/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by alex h.

4.0 of 5 stars. Okay first off I gotta say they really need make their free parking much more visible because I always end up paying at the meters. Today was great got a seat right away and got food literally two…
yelp.com - user review - 02/13/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Chira V.

5.0 of 5 stars. When I crave a fish taco this is where I go. I'm pretty much stuck on the Bagre (catfish) or Bacalao (fried cod). DELISH! Its also great to go kayaking in the spring/summer from the paddle club below…
yelp.com - user review - 02/03/2008
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Not what I expected

Maybe i expected too much due to the reviews. The food was alright but nothing jaw dropping. However, the thing that will keep me from going back (even if the food was amazing) is that there was a maggot...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Caitlin C.

4.0 of 5 stars. I love Agua Verde! For lunch you stand in line, order, and then seat yourself. You'll also be expected to bus your own table most of the time. The deck is the best place to sit, with its view of Lake…
yelp.com - user review - 01/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Miss A.

3.0 of 5 stars. This review is for the food only. I went last night for my birthday dinner (just wanted some Mexican; can a girl get some Mexican?) and was terribly disappointed. UGH. Now I understand I'm not going…
yelp.com - user review - 11/27/2007
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Hot summer evening spot

If you can score a table on the deck, it's the perfect place to be on a hot...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 11/23/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Amanda P.

4.0 of 5 stars. We had lunch with the kiddies here yesterday for the first time. I have to say I liked it alot. It was fairly empty at 11:30, so we got the pink room in the back to ourselves so not to offend the…
yelp.com - user review - 11/11/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Wanda L.

4.0 of 5 stars. I am not a fan of Mexican food but this place has some pretty good spicy catfish tacos that I like and the rice drink horchata is great. They serve tortillas with your meals and your self-serve of…
yelp.com - user review - 10/20/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by jasmine r.

4.0 of 5 stars. Nothing like kayaking for a couple hours in the summer time then paddling up to drink margarita's in a bikini! Doesn't feel much like Seattle when you got it this good. Chips, salsa, burritos and…
yelp.com - user review - 10/18/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by gary p.

4.0 of 5 stars. I would just echo the praise of this place. Good for B. fast too. Good coffee and B fast barritios only 3.50 and good oatmeal cookies. Always with the friendliness. Tacos and sides are pretty…
yelp.com - user review - 10/13/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Rachel L.

4.0 of 5 stars. If you're looking for a burrito-to-go, look elsewhere. Sure, I shoulda known better than to pay the Agua Verde price without enjoying the Agua Verde ambiance, but it was the only thing between me and…
yelp.com - user review - 10/12/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Jim C.

5.0 of 5 stars. Okay ... so it's no secret that this place has been a long standing favorite amongst locals and visitors. After reading my hundredth feature spread in yet another magazine, it was time for us to…
yelp.com - user review - 10/12/2007
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2 words: yam tacos

I love this place! I always get the yam tacos; they're my favorite. This...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 10/05/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Sunil G.

2.0 of 5 stars. You know, the food wasn't all that bad, but I was left unimpressed. The waiter mixed up our burritos while delivering the food, and needed a couple reminders to bring out replacements. Everything's…
yelp.com - user review - 09/30/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Tim O.

4.0 of 5 stars. As I'm writing this summer-end review, my mouth is drooling from thinking about the delicious fish tacos (I've tried the spicy catfish and the grilled halibut. Both are excellent.) and my pale ass…
yelp.com - user review - 09/21/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Amy H.

3.0 of 5 stars. There are a couple different things to review for this location: 1) So starting with the good stuff - The staff in the Kayak shack were very friendly and informative, they were totally helpful - I'd…
yelp.com - user review - 09/21/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Jessica A.

5.0 of 5 stars. I am from Chula Vista, CA (15 minutes away from the Mexican border) and I just moved to WA a few months ago. Anyways, I have been trying to find the best closest thing to Mexican food for a while. And…
yelp.com - user review - 09/21/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by erica c.

5.0 of 5 stars. I kicked off my amazing visit to Seattle with a paddle around the lake and lunch at Agua Verde. I've never been kayaking before so this was a really pleasant experience. The staff is super nice and…
yelp.com - user review - 09/05/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Carmel P.

4.0 of 5 stars. Good food but almost always busy so I usually end up ordering outside at the window and finding a spot outside to sit outside (tables down the stairs by the water). I usually get the quesadilla de…
yelp.com - user review - 09/05/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Frances K.

4.0 of 5 stars. I recently visited my sister in Seattle, and she insisted that we lunch at Agua Verde. She said that Rachael Ray loves it. Now I do, too! I had the fish taco: Bacalao - fried cod in a coconut…
yelp.com - user review - 09/03/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Margaux j.

4.0 of 5 stars. Kayaks, yummy yummy food and margaritas. What else do you need? A shorter wait time or a bigger bar area would be nice...The service can be spotty. I have yet to go when it's not packed. but still,…
yelp.com - user review - 08/29/2007
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Agua Verde is ALL HYPE.

The only reason to go here is if you're hungry after kayaking and desperate. Try another place because the service is so-so, and the food is dry and subpar.
citysearch.com - user review - 08/22/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by m i.

5.0 of 5 stars. I'd give the food four stars and the kayaking 5 stars. RESTAURANT...Coming from California, I don't expect much from Mexican food here in Seattle. But I'm always willing to give any place a chance. I…
yelp.com - user review - 08/07/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Nicole S.

4.0 of 5 stars. I went to Agua Verde for the upteenth time today. I work at the UWMC so it's a natural choice for work lunches (or a quick kayak run after work). The setting and view are unbeatable. The margaritas…
yelp.com - user review - 08/02/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Sarah L.

4.0 of 5 stars. delicious. good mexican food can be hard to find, and when you find it its not hard to the margaritas are great, strong but not too strong. the fish tacos are fresh and not too filling. the salsa is…
yelp.com - user review - 07/30/2007
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Packed to the rafters for a reason

I didn't even make to the meal it was so busy! But I had appetizers, beer and margaritas before stepping out and they were good. The staff here feels stressed out which you can't really blame them, but makes you feel not wanted.
openlist - user review - 07/26/2007

Yelp.com Review - by Lissa M.

3.0 of 5 stars. My brother requests Agua Verde whenever he's in town, so off to Agua Verde we go. The Mangodila is his favorite. I like the atypical Mexian menu, but my husband would have preferred his old…
yelp.com - user review - 07/24/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by rachel f.

2.0 of 5 stars. Pro: I loved the Jamaica drink Con: It was way too hot in there, yet the windows remained closed
yelp.com - user review - 07/16/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Molly T.

3.0 of 5 stars. I've been here once and have only a few strong associations that come to mind when someone mentions Agua Verde... first, a pretty view of the water
yelp.com - user review - 07/15/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Jeff G.

3.0 of 5 stars. Boats, babes and beer. The boats belong to the kayak club downstairs. The babes are the incredibly fit and attractive staff(both male and female). And the beer, is uhhm, beer. I don't think this is…
yelp.com - user review - 07/12/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Sheila Y.

3.0 of 5 stars. I want to give this place more stars because of the location and I am definitely planning on a trip here when I get back. I went and ordered the chicken tacos and they were quite middle of the road.…
yelp.com - user review - 07/11/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Won M.

4.0 of 5 stars. If you are big fan of Santa Fe style Mexican food, this place is a must go. Agua Verde food is quite innovative and interesting in that they incorporate so much fruit and herbs into their dishes.…
yelp.com - user review - 07/10/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by april d.

4.0 of 5 stars. I have been to Agua Verde a number of times. The first time we were feeding an out of town scholar/professor/author and we were all seated at a group of tables, our food was delish and the service…
yelp.com - user review - 07/09/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Mimi S.

4.0 of 5 stars. As we sat outside on a gorgeous July afternoon eating & enjoying our meal, one of my three companions turned to me and said, "Mimi, I'm surprised you didn't know about this place. You always know…
yelp.com - user review - 07/05/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Jennifer S.

3.0 of 5 stars. I love the location and the view and the food is always tasty, but more than a couple of times the service has been really bad. I was a server for 15 years, so I am one of those overly forgiving…
yelp.com - user review - 07/04/2007
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Not Like the Old Days, But Still Great

Agua Verde is a cozy spot next to the water that serves up tasty, unique Mexican food. I'm not fond of the gloppy-cheese-laden messes that normally pass as Mexican; here that is not the case. The cheese is not the main focus of the food. My favorite meal is the generously sized "Mango-Dilla" appetizer, which is a quesadilla interspersed with fresh slices of mangoes. There used to be a self-service salsa bar which was delicious but no longer exists. They should bring it back.
openlist - user review - 06/29/2007

Yelp.com Review - by M T.

4.0 of 5 stars. Within 10 feet of the doorstep, I knew the tacos would be good. It smelled just like warm corn tortillas! My dorado tacos were perfectly balanced with crunchy cabbage, a schmear of creamy avocado goo…
yelp.com - user review - 06/25/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Lauren C.

4.0 of 5 stars. Agua Verde is great Mexican food in the U-district. I personally L-O-V-E their nachos. They would get 5 stars except that once when we went the waiter forgot about our table, but besides that one time…
yelp.com - user review - 06/24/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Mira H.

3.0 of 5 stars. Agua Verde keeps going down in my books. We used to eat there like twice a week during college because it was so cheap! They have new management and the servers have no idea what they're…
yelp.com - user review - 06/18/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Danielle H.

4.0 of 5 stars. This place has excellent food, decent ambiance on the porch, and, well, interesting service. My dad works at the hospital, so I go here for lunch every so often. I think it's much better for an early…
yelp.com - user review - 06/15/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by L Eldub W.

3.0 of 5 stars. I had forgotten about this place until I caught it mentioned on... yeah, Food Network by the oh-so-perky Rachael Ray. This is an interesting place. Food is good for the price (I usually order the…
yelp.com - user review - 06/12/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Super M.

5.0 of 5 stars. Wet kayaking on a gloomy saturday morning.... Could NOT have been more pleased with the selection of activity that day. Staff was INCREDIBLY friendly, both at the desk as well as the instructors.…
yelp.com - user review - 06/10/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by E T.

5.0 of 5 stars. The Strawberry Orchata is on my list of foods I would kill for....I seriously have cravings for this and I'm not even a fan of cinnamon normally. I also love their Burrito Mole. The combination of the…
yelp.com - user review - 05/30/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by zubin l.

4.0 of 5 stars. Let me tell you the main purpose of visiting Agua Verde. We went there for kayaking in a slightly overcast weather. We were very apprehensive about that instead it turn out to be in our favour. We were…
yelp.com - user review - 05/20/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Cami G.

3.0 of 5 stars. Rachael Ray ate here. It must be gross. But!!!!! It's not. It's good, typical Seattle-Mexican fair. I like to paddle around Lake Union and then stop by the restaurant and have a quesadilla and a…
yelp.com - user review - 05/16/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by sarah l.

4.0 of 5 stars. man i love this place for their mango-dillas-oh and limeade. i was craving a little bit of both witht eh weather looking for fiiine yesterday. i was around greek row and took a leisurely walk down to…
yelp.com - user review - 05/14/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Ian S.

2.0 of 5 stars. A generous two stars. I didn't have to wait to be seated, but I wish I had as it would have given me the chance to leave. I can only assume that you have to buy chips here because of all the broke…
yelp.com - user review - 04/23/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Kate S.

4.0 of 5 stars. I just read a really bad review of this place ... which makes me sad because I love it! I always get their yam tacos - not sure what the official name is. I like the food because it's not greasy or…
yelp.com - user review - 04/23/2007
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Nice Saturday Lunch

After reading all the reviews here we nearly passed, but decided to try Agua Verde as soon as it opened on a Saturday morning (11 am). Obviously there was no crowd. We found service to be fine, especially...
citysearch.com - user review - 04/14/2007
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Good Mexican In Seattle-Believe It!

Great taco plates with tasty fillings including smoked salmon, grilled halibut, deep fried cod, grilled shrimps and the usual meat fillings. All dishes come with an unusual looking green rice that has a...
citysearch.com - user review - 04/13/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Dan P.

4.0 of 5 stars. I guess I liked this place a bit more than the others. Indeed the service can be slow (but hey, try Zagis Pizza or the Santa Fe Cafe on a Saturday night if you really want slooow service). I've also…
yelp.com - user review - 04/11/2007