Tango Sur

3 friends & I often get together for dinner on Sunday evenings. This past go 'round, we expanded our group to 9. With a big group of friends likely to be a little loud, Tango Sur provided the ideal match of atmosphere, affordability, and huge chunks of meat. Of course the BYO option is a positive as well. I felt fortunate to procure a reservation for nine at 7 o'clock, and what followed was a night with great food & friends.

The Place
If you live in Chicago and enjoy the BYO experience but haven't been to Tango Sur, something is off. Tango Sur is a right of passage; it's like the BYO scene's Bar Mitzvah. In case you do happen to be unfamiliar, both rooms inside are typically crowded and music is played at liberal volumes--the ambient noise is certainly beyond a murmur. But it's not so boisterous as to prevent conversation; it's dark and intimate and loud all at the same time (like the aftermath of visiting The Hang Up). In the Summer the sidewalk is the prime seating and worth waiting for.

The Food
Question: "What can I eat at Tango Sur?" Answer: "Meat." The empenadas & baked cheese are good, but "MEAT" is all the vocabulary necessary for Tango Sur (although there was eggplant ordered & enjoyed amongst our group). The cuts aren't expensive pieces found in many steakhouses & other restaurants but the brines, marinades, and charring bring plenty of flavor & tenderness to the table. A friend said his coworkers always order the Filet or Vesuvio, but I prefer the Lomo Relleno (on the "Specials" menu that hasn't changed in at least 16 months, since I first visited). It's a giant chunk of meat filled with chimichurri and served swimming in a marsala jous. Despite serving mid-grade cuts, I have yet to accompany anyone who was let down by Tango Sur.
Meat this large cannot be photographed in an appealing way, but I'll include an image of some mushrooms & meat on my plate:


The Wine
It's South American food...drink South American wine. Especially if it's Malbec or Syrah, which are well-built for red meats. I can suggest the Zapata Malbec Alamos ($9), Vina Falernia Syrah (my pick this trip, $9 @ Wine Discount Center), or any Monteviejo Malbec ($8-$30). Or ask your wine guy for something with "dark fruit, noticeable tannins, and smokey oak". That'll do ya just fine.

The Result
My group of friends had a great time--multiple loud conversations occurred, plenty of laughter was heard, and multiple bottles of wine were consumed. I worked to split the Lomo Relleno with my roommate, and we still had leftovers...which were left on the table. That was the only disappointment in the evening, and when there are no complaints among a group of 9 I consider the restaurant a great success. If you haven't been to Tango Sur, you must go to rightfully be recognized as a mature BYOB'er. If you haven't been for a while, I suggest you find as many friends as possible and remind yourself of the fun that can come from friends, drinks, and meat. Enjoy!

Wines mentioned in this post:
2006 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Alamos - Argentina, Mendoza (8/27/2008): Nose of dark fruit, some obvious plum, and a good touch of cedar. The taste starts with the dark fruit--plums & dark berries--and ends with a good mix of acidity & spice with just a slight tannic grip that is very smooth. Just medium bodied. Did each thing pretty well and like that it displays multiple flavors. (86 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
2006 Viña Falernia Syrah Reserva - Chile, Coquimbo, Elqui Valley (1/17/2010)
Decanted an hour. Throughout, this is pretty evident to be from a slightly cooler climate and is quite enjoyable. Nose is of rich dark berry fruits, some earthen tones, and a touch of black woodsmoke. Medium-weight mouthfeel carries in those great, rich dark fruit flavors with hints of smoked herbs. Finishes pretty long, with good balance between fruit, smoke, tannins, and acid.

All in all, a great value and a great food wine. Went perfectly with fare at an Argentenian restaurant. (88 pts.)
2005 Monteviejo (Clos de los Siete) - Argentina, Mendoza (4/26/2009)
Some dark raspberries & other dark berries, a hint of plum, a touch of vanilla, some roasted meat & a nice floral undertone. Little mochaness creeping out too. Palate is mostly dark fruits--berries, plums, etc. with a bit of vanilla & smokey oak hints. Finish is mildly drying with tannins that go on for a while and good smoke, slight oak influences, & fruits. Nice smoothness overpowers the noticeable tannins to create a great texture throughout. Very enjoyable. (91 pts.)