The sound of Latin music filled the brightly painted room as a light afternoon breeze escorted customers into Howdy’s, a restaurant that opened in Agoura Hills on Wednesday, March 3. In the space formerly occupied by Jinky’s Kanan Cafe next to Trader Joe’s, Howdy’s has opened their second location in Agoura Hills, with the first located in Malibu, bringing a mix of Mexican and Japanese cuisine to the area.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with dishes varying from burritos and sushi to tacos and ramen. Howdy’s extensive menu stands out from other local spots in the area and gives restaurant-goers a chance to experience something new.
As I walked to the counter, I was greeted by the friendly woman working there, who gave me plenty of time to scan the menu. I was indecisive, but she recommended the sushi burrito. She was also excited to give me samples of the spicy mayo as well as all of the available drinks, including the horchata, and their agua frescas, like hibiscus, watermelon and ginger turmeric.
In addition to the sushi burrito, we ordered the shrimp and halibut tacos, the classic vegan ramen, the key lime pie and horchata. This horchata was delicious, sweet and refreshing. The texture was smooth and light, neither too rich nor too watery. Served in a 16 ounce plastic cup, there was enough to last me through the whole meal.
Moving to the food, when I first bit into the shrimp taco, I was immediately hit with flavor. Each shrimp was juicy and perfectly cooked, and the various sauces and spicy mayo made the taco burst with tang. The lettuce, microgreens, lime and diced tomatoes added a savory crunch to each bite. The halibut taco was equally delicious, with perfectly seasoned fish and the same mouth-watering toppings. The tacos had an artful drizzle of spicy mayo over them. They were served on a beautiful blue ceramic plate that had a handmade vibe to them which I really enjoyed. Nothing like any other typical sterile white restaurant plates.
After the tacos, I tried the veggie ramen, which personally wasn’t my thing. If you prefer something more plain and simple, this would be a great option for you. However, I personally felt that it lacked depth. The noodles themselves were a perfect thickness and texture; they were a bit chewy, but still had that melt-in-my-mouth feeling. There was also a variety of veggies submerged in the broth like broccolini, mushrooms and baby corn.
Next – and my personal favorite – I had the famous salmon sushi burrito. Before coming to Howdy’s, I never enjoyed raw fish and
I was nervous for my first bite—I ended up loving it. The burrito wasn’t too heavy, and I wasn’t stuffed after a few bites. The salmon was perfectly soft and easy to chew, and the avocado and lettuce wrapped inside added an extra boost of flavor and complemented the fish. The item was wrapped in rice paper and aluminum, and the foil was twisted at the ends in a way that made me feel like I was unwrapping a gift.
My only critique is that the sides of sauce were stored in clear plastic containers with lids. I would’ve preferred if they were in some sort of reusable dish or natural ceramic bowl unless the customer chose to take the food to-go.
For dessert, I tried their take on a key lime pie, which I personally did not love. The pie itself tasted a bit like cheesecake and lacked any substantial flavor. The crust, however, was perfectly crumbly and not too sweet. It was presented on the same blue ceramic plate as the tacos and garnished with a slice of lime and a purple orchid to complement its green colors.
As for the restaurant itself, the interior of the building felt open and airy. The doors to their outdoor seating and patio were open, letting a cool summer-like breeze inside. Natural light from the restaurant’s many windows, as well as their bright, pastel color scheme gave Howdy’s the coastal, summery feeling I was looking for when I walked in.
This past week, Howdy’s has brought exciting new food to Agoura Hills, and I’m sure they will continue to do so. I am eager to try their various breakfast options as well as other lunch and dinner selections in my upcoming visits. If you’re looking for a fresh, delicious bite, I couldn’t recommend Howdy’s more.
