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Alejandro Binni and Michael Flynn, known affectionately for over 40 years as the "Bandito and the Gringo", met one another in circumstances which would not suggest a long and lasting friendship. The dusty hot summer of 1946 in Tijuana brought long evenings in the local cantina, evenings filled with humorous tales of each other's past, glories of youth and conquests of love. Binni and Flynn awoke one August morning to share the somewhat less than elegant décor of the Tijuana "carcel". It seems the two upstanding gentlemen were incarcerated there following an all-out brawl in the cantina over the attentions of lovely Dolores Torres, a señorita with a fascinating past.
Repairs and reimbursements for repairs to the owners of that fine drinking establishment was in the form of hard labor - working in the kitchen and behind the bar for an indeterminate number of months. Months became years and, and years brought a great bond of knowledge, experience and friendship, with sharing of high hopes in the future. Dolores Torres moved away never to be heard from again. Michael Flynn's only Irish relative, not so recently deceased, willed Michael several substantial properties, and the partnership of Binni and Flynn was formally incorporated in 1981, far far north of the border, in Philadelphia.
Years later back in Agave, Mexico, that Dolores Somebody was in her kitchen where she lived since her disappearance. Her son, Juan Carlos, was keenly observing his mother as she prepared her family's meal while day-dreaming of his future in great kitchens all over the world. As much as he loved Mexico (and his lovely lady Isabel), stories of his "father's" adventures in the restaurant business way up north festered a fire in his belly! He wanted to try it for himself - take care of people the same way his father and compadre did for so long and make unbelievable friends along the way. So, with Isabel at his side, 8 cents in his pocket and that old American dream, Juan Carlos set his way to Philadelphia to set up shop.
So, here we are! After years of one generation offering great hospitality comes another generation that follows in its footsteps. With the great love of fresh food, awesome drinks and fabulous friends, let us gather around the music and enjoy what the Agavé Grille and Cantina has to offer.
Just relax and have fun, I promise it won't hurt a bit!
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