Good argentine cuisine?

I looked for some argentine reviews but couldn't find any. (Probably should've searched "argentinian"). I was in Buenos Airesa couple years ago and had an amazing experience with the food there. I think I've heard of 2 Argentine restaurants in Chicago, one closing down (?) on Western and Fullerton.

Do you guys have any suggestions? I think I'm having some cravings for Argentine food. I also wanted to see if I could compare the meats.

A few threads:
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... 632f9ff379

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2064

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... d62ff6b1d0

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t= ... 2bdd679938

I think I've heard of 2 Argentine restaurants in Chicago, one closing down (?) on Western and Fullerton.

Someone tell me that Nandu is not closing down!

No- I don't believe el Nandu is in danger of leaving-

I think that the restaurant that <b>h37s3m</b> is referring to is a small storefront place- east of Quenchers, on the North side of Fullerton, across from a BP station.
I can't recall the name- always been meaning to check it out- but its IMPOSSIBLE to park over there.

Speaking of Argentinean places- is the place across from Lane Tech's football field on Addison still there- everytime I drive by- I try and rubberneck a look in that strip mall/plaza- but fail to see if its still there b4 almost changing lanes inadvertently.

Amazing how a gateway city like <b>Miami</b> has Argentinean, Uruguayan, Peruvian, and just about every other flavor of South America's continent represented (Culinarially speaking!), yet Chicago has a much more limited collection of restaurants representing our Southern Neighbors.

The Argentine place near Lane Tech closed a couple of years ago.

Hombre de Acero wrote:I think that the restaurant that <b>h37s3m</b> is referring to is a small storefront place- east of Quenchers, on the North side of Fullerton, across from a BP station.
I can't recall the name- always been meaning to check it out- but its IMPOSSIBLE to park over there.

The place you are referring to was called Tango Miel. It closed down a few years ago and, yes, it was just east of Quenchers on Fullerton.

Hombre de Acero wrote:Amazing how a gateway city like <b>Miami</b> has Argentinean, Uruguayan, Peruvian, and just about every other flavor of South America's continent represented (Culinarially speaking!), yet Chicago has a much more limited collection of restaurants representing our Southern Neighbors.

Chicago is very much a gateway city, always has been. It certainly seems to be a gateway for Poles, Assyrians and South Asians, just to name some diverse examples. Speaking as someone from Florida, I think you'll find much less ethnic diversity among cuisine in SoFL than here. That has become less true only within the past 15-20 years with more South American immigration (as opposed to Cuban and to a much more limited extent Puerto Rican). Friends and family from Tampa, Boca, Miami, agree.

All of that said, Chicago has a considerable number of Colombian and Ecuadorian places, a handful of Peruvian, Venezolano, and a smattering of Argentine, some of it very strong. I'm not completely sure about Uruguayan, but the cuisine is not appreciably different from Argentine. Brazilian is a weak spot here, but not unrepresented. Central American and Latino/Caribbean are different topics, but also relatively good in specific areas.

JeffB wrote:and a smattering of Argentine, some of it very strong.

I've lived in Chicago all my life and I really haven't heard much about Argentine cuisine here. A friend of mine is straight from Argentina and he hasn't mentioned any significant Argentine places to try out. But then again, those Argentines, bless their souls, are quite proud of only authentic argentine food.

But I do agree that Chicago has a massive presence of other International cuisine that isn't necessarily known for their "fine" cuisine, but is equally delicious.

I think I'll try out a few of these places. Maybe do my first real review.

My Mom (a Porteño) enjoyed Tango Sur quite a bit when we went, thought it was quite authentic (although I think my lengua is better if I do say so myself) - Tango Miel not so much, so if one had to close...

Oh, I had assumed that you'd read the links others supplied before responding to my post. I was thinking particularly of Tango Sur and, to a lesser extent, el Nandu and TS's subling place.

The folks behind the counter at el Mercado, which begat Tango Sur, are certainly Argentine. Indeed, the meat market proprietor and his main sidekick don't really speak any English that they let on -- only Spanish with an Italian cadence and the delightful slur of the ll in parrillada and the c in gracias. I find TS to be very authentic for what it is. The morcillas and chorizos are house made, and the mollejas very good.

I'd add the Penguin, which was similarly "authentic," but it is dearly departed.