Agora Churrascaria

I'm starting to think I should buy myself a small point-and-shoot to carry around. Why? 'Cuz. A lot of my food adventures are spur-of-the-moment while I'm driving, shopping, or visiting friends. I've failed to document a buttload of great eats!

Example 1: Agora Churrascaria in Irvine.
The family and I were only supposed to compare prices/window shop at South Coast Plaza for a bit before heading home for lunch, but we ended up having Brazilian BBQ instead.


WARNING! Pictureless post ahead. I'll try to scan some pictures off their brochure next week since I left it in LA.

Agora's salad bar covers more than just basic salads. The list is extensive and can be viewed on their website. I didn't bother with the vegetables since all that fiber would just take up precious space I reserved for wholesome and nutritious beef. I did, however, pick up quite a few of the meat/dairy items such as gravlax, tomatoes+fresh mozzarella, the cold cuts, and cheeses. They were all good enough to be eaten as my lunch. I wasn't too enthused about the tomato/mozzarella since nothing will ever beat the bufala mozzarella I had at Antonello, but it was good nonetheless.

Plenty of hot dishes are also available to distract patrons from the skewers of seared beef being paraded around the room. Again, the list is quite large and you can see them on Agora's website. These were really uneventful and I have to say...I've made better stroganoff and mashed potatoes. Clams were so-so. The black bean stew bland and unremarkable. But seriously, who the hell cares? People are here for grilled meat!

There are a total of 11 types of meat offered at Agora. For lunch, however, the list is significantly truncated but still hits some awesome cuts: top sirloin, filet mignon, sausage, coracao (chicken heart), beef skirt steak, pork tenderloin w/ Parmesan, chicken, and some other(s) that I've forgotten. Hey. YOU try remembering everything when being assaulted with skewers and skewers of the juiciest, tenderest, sweetest meats you've ever had.

Chicken, sausage, and pork tenderloin were very good, but the beef was GREAT. I still cannot wrap my head around how Agora grills their beef. How is it possible to perfectly sear hunks of meat so that the interior is a uniform perfect medium rare? I kid you not, the actual thickness of the seared surface was no thicker than 3mm. No real seasoning other than salt was necessary. These cuts of beef were so full of that beefy "sweetness" that I think they could give good steakhouses a run for their money. Honestly, I don't know how to describe the sensation of chewing on a perfect bite of beef, so I'll just say that I had a mouthgasm with each bite.

Here's a preview of what I'm raving about:

This picture doesn't even do the meats justice. They look far moister and pinker in person.

With lunch only $23, this place is totally a steal of a meal considering the amount of quality meats available for you to gorge on. I love a nice juicy steak just like any other dude and I'm willing to blow some cash at Porterhouse Bistro, Donovans, Ruth's Chris, or my SD favorite The Butcher Shop, but you know what? I'll happily settle with lunch at Agora. To hell with those steakhouses! It's always awkward and rude when I have to loosen my belt in those formal/stuffy restaurants anyway. Believe me guys, you're gonna want to wear some oversized jeans to allow for major stomach expansion after lunch here.

Oh yeah. Don't forget to order flan for dessert. It comes out as a huge mound enough for four people to share! Totally hits the spot.



Agora Churrascaria
1830 Main St.
Irvine, CA 92614
949.222.9910