(773) 477-5466

3763 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613 41.9501 -87.664

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Neighborhoods: Lakeview, North Side

Years in business

Established in 1996

Hours:

Monday To Thursday From 05:00 PM To 10:30 PM Friday From 05:00 PM To 11:30 PM Saturday From 03:00 PM To 11:30 PM Sunday From 12:00 PM To 11:00 PM

Price:

$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, B.Y.O.B., Private Rooms, Date Spot, Romantic Dining, Outdoor Dining, Theater District Dining, Online Reservations, Group Dining

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Steakhouse, Traditional American, Argentinean

Smoking Permitted:

No

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Tango Sur

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Candlelight flickers and tango music plays as servers in white T-shirts hustle around this low-key space, which takes up two rooms just a few doors up from the Music Box theater. The front room is no-nonsense, with white-tile floors and minimal decor; the back room warms things up with exposed-brick walls and handsome wood accents. The crowd is a casual, local mix of Spanish speakers, meat lovers and couples on dates. – – The Food – Beef is the focus of Tango Sur's traditional menu, with cuts ranging from the Argentine range-grown churrasco, a juicy…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The restaurant is B.Y.O.B. with no corkage fee; nonalcoholic beverages include South American sodas, fruit juices and Argentine specialty teas.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Great atmosphere, good looking servers who provide great service as well, just lots of fun!”
  2. “The ambience is great, each table is lit by candlelight.”
  3. “Our wait was only 30 mins so we went down the street and grabbed a drink, we were promptly seated in the back room and it was really romantic - I loved the dim lighting, candles, and exposed brick.”
  4. “Tango Sur has never failed to provide excellent service, a great quaint candle-lit atmosphere, both indoor and outdoor seating , exquisite fresh food and live music.”
  5. “The service is very good and atmosphere is great.”
  6. “excellent meats, great atmosphere, can sit outside---fun and delicious dining experience!”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “we ended off the meal with coffee and dessert which was also good.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “good company and a nice bottle of wine helps to while away the time.”
  2. “good restaurant should offer the famous Malbec wine with it.”
  3. “Loved the lively group of soccer players that bought my friends and I drinks.”
  4. “we ended off the meal with coffee and dessert which was also good.”
  5. “The BYOB factor definitely is a great incentive as you can save money on the several bottles of wine that you will go through before you get your meal.”
  6. “Our wait was only 30 mins so we went down the street and grabbed a drink, we were promptly seated in the back room and it was really romantic - I loved the dim lighting, candles, and exposed brick.”
food quality
89.61999893188477% positive
  1. “The steak there is amazing with all that flavor.”
  2. “best flank steak i've had.”
  3. “had the Churrasco, which was incredibly delicious.”
  4. “best steak for the price in Chicago”
  5. “The steak here has always been cooked to the perfect temperature!”
  6. “The food was good.”
  7. “The BYOB factor definitely is a great incentive as you can save money on the several bottles of wine that you will go through before you get your meal.”
  8. “We went here last night hoping for good steak, preparing for bad service, and were really wowed!”
  9. “We tried the empanadas & filet & stuffed steak of somekind - everything had wonderful flavor.”
  10. “I've had kobe steak at many overpriced places in many states and nothing compares to the bife de chorizo or the entra?”
  11. “The value of the food was also amazing, especially with the amount of quality meat you were consuming.”
  12. “possibly the best steak in chicago!”
  13. “am a steak girl and this place knows how to make a great steak.”
  14. “Their mashed potatoes are amazing and they have a great selection of appetizers.”
  15. “We celebrated my sister's 20th birthday here, and the food was incredible, especially the beef, and I would highly reccomend the basic filet, although the bife Vesuvio was also delicious but I prefer good meat by itself.”
  16. “The steak for two was huge and incredibly delicious.”
  17. “This place is one of my favorite restaurant to have a great meal - make sure you are hungry because their portions are big.”
  18. “The food here is great and VERY affordable.”
  19. “Excellent beef”
  20. “The meal was very good.”
  21. “Amazing meat.”
  22. “There is nothing phenominal about the food, but it's a cool place to dine with friends or your significant other.”
  23. “Food: The meat was disappointing.”
  24. “Amazing stuffed steaks”
  25. “It's a 12oz sirloin steak and the seasonings were flavorful, but not too overpowering.”
  26. “The food was mediocre (they served stale bread) and not that cheap.”
  27. “excellent meats, great atmosphere, can sit outside---fun and delicious dining experience!”
  28. “The food was very flavorful - we tried the empanadas - they were great.”
  29. “The food is delicious.”
  30. “my sister had the churrasco, which was a HUGE portion for the price ($14), but also delicious.”
  31. “The food was excellent and the place had great potential.”
  32. “the best steak i've had in a very long time.”
  33. “Great food.”
  34. “You have to like meat thou.”
  35. “We were glad we finally tried it and happy to have found a great spot for steak close to home without having to go downtown.”
  36. “If you are a red meat eater, I suggest the steak.”
  37. “The food was gross.”
  38. “Good food!”
  39. “I'm not even a steak person and this is one of my favorite places to go!”
  40. “Its pretty dark inside and the tables are close together, but the food is excellent and a great value.”
  41. “Mostly I love the chimichuri (sp) sauce and the great steak.”
  42. “The Argentine beef is beyond delicious.”
  43. “Tango Sur has never failed to provide excellent service, a great quaint candle-lit atmosphere, both indoor and outdoor seating , exquisite fresh food and live music.”
  44. “And there is an olive oil based garnish for the steak that is delicious.”
  45. “Where else can you get a fabulous steak dinner for less then $50 for two people?”
  46. “The food was excellent!”
  47. “live in NJ, so I am only able to enjoy the tender double filet mignon with spinach mashed potatoes on my visits to Chitown, which is 2X per year.”
  48. “Good food”
  49. “Tango Sur is amazing for its meat fare.”
  50. “we ended off the meal with coffee and dessert which was also good.”
  51. “Prices are reasonable, & did i mention the food was absolutely fabulous!”
  52. “Please be aware that the food is very good and the service is exceptionally poor.”
  53. “We finished up our meal with smooth, creamy flan & great espressos.”
menu variety
50.0% positive
  1. “However we could barely read the menu due to poor lighting.”
  2. “Their mashed potatoes are amazing and they have a great selection of appetizers.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Tables set so close you can hear the diners at the table next to you masticating & mmmming, fast service, dim lighting coupled with a simple candle on each table, good musica en español & the best churrasco I've had in a restaurant in Chicago make ”
  2. “great place to meet Argentine men!”
  3. “It is a great place to go on a date or out to dinner with a friend.”
  4. “Tango Sur is a great restaurant that really gives you a great value along with a wonderful dining experience.”
  5. “would rather pay decent money for good service than go to this cheap place simply to be ignored.”
  6. “This place is one of my favorite restaurant to have a great meal - make sure you are hungry because their portions are big.”
return potential
50.0% positive
  1. “would not recommend this place to anyone and I definitely do not plan to return.”
  2. “If you are going there for the first time I would recommend the filet and you will be sure to go back again in the future.”
service
70.59000015258789% positive
  1. “Tables set so close you can hear the diners at the table next to you masticating & mmmming, fast service, dim lighting coupled with a simple candle on each table, good musica en español & the best churrasco I've had in a restaurant in Chicago make ”
  2. “Tango Sur has never failed to provide excellent service, a great quaint candle-lit atmosphere, both indoor and outdoor seating , exquisite fresh food and live music.”
  3. “We went here last night hoping for good steak, preparing for bad service, and were really wowed!”
  4. “Great atmosphere, good looking servers who provide great service as well, just lots of fun!”
  5. “Where else can you get a fabulous steak dinner for less then $50 for two people?”
  6. “would rather pay decent money for good service than go to this cheap place simply to be ignored.”
  7. “The service was surprisingly pretty great as well!”
  8. “The worst service ever”
  9. “Very cute inside, but it was the worst service I've ever experienced.”
  10. “If only the service were more professional.”
  11. “Please be aware that the food is very good and the service is exceptionally poor.”
  12. “The service was UNBELIEVABLY HORRIBLE!”
  13. “our waiter was very nice, courteous and knew when to attend to us.”
  14. “The service is good and the staff is friendly.”
  15. “The service wasn't very fast but it allowed more time for conversation and was completely worth it once you took your first bite.”
  16. “This place would be a perfect package if the service would only improve dramaticly.”
  17. “The service is very good and atmosphere is great.”
value
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The value of the food was also amazing, especially with the amount of quality meat you were consuming.”
  2. “The steak for two was huge and incredibly delicious.”
  3. “Great value!”
  4. “best steak for the price in Chicago”
  5. “my sister had the churrasco, which was a HUGE portion for the price ($14), but also delicious.”
  6. “The portions were huge!”
  7. “The food was mediocre (they served stale bread) and not that cheap.”
  8. “The prices are not bad, especially considering how big the plates are.”
  9. “This place is one of my favorite restaurant to have a great meal - make sure you are hungry because their portions are big.”
  10. “The prices are quite reasonable - a great value.”
  11. “The food here is great and VERY affordable.”
  12. “would rather pay decent money for good service than go to this cheap place simply to be ignored.”
  13. “Tango Sur is a great restaurant that really gives you a great value along with a wonderful dining experience.”
  14. “Its pretty dark inside and the tables are close together, but the food is excellent and a great value.”
  15. “Oh - also the prices are so reasonable here, what you get for the price is fantastic!”
  16. “The service wasn't very fast but it allowed more time for conversation and was completely worth it once you took your first bite.”
  17. “I've had kobe steak at many overpriced places in many states and nothing compares to the bife de chorizo or the entra?”
  18. “The BYOB factor definitely is a great incentive as you can save money on the several bottles of wine that you will go through before you get your meal.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “Our wait was only 30 mins so we went down the street and grabbed a drink, we were promptly seated in the back room and it was really romantic - I loved the dim lighting, candles, and exposed brick.”
  2. “the best steak i've had in a very long time.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/15/11

Nice cezar

by ValPP at Citysearch

Nice cezar

4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/24/09

great place to meet Argentine men!

by JetLindsey at Citysearch

Loved eating outside. Loved the lively group of soccer players that bought my friends and I drinks. Mostly I love the chimichuri (sp) sauce and the great steak. I am a steak girl and this place knows how to make a great steak. The only thing that I wish they had is a bigger menu with more choices. Otherwise I could have hung out and people watched all night. Think its good to plan to wait on weekends.

  • Pros: great meat
  • Cons: short menu
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/15/09

as int. restaurant reviewer i say: Don't waste money/time

by hellochicago at Citysearch

I travel all the world as a restaurant reviewer. Been in many arg.restaurants and even in buenos aires. I know then from experience what an argentinian restaurant should be. But this isn't it. It is trying though.

Service is: hectic, and employees have no vision on details. It is just massproduction.Just too busy for them.

Reservations: is chaotic. If you go with 4 persons they go 1st then 2 persons.The don't meet the time you made the reservations.

Food: The meat was disappointing. It was full of sinews. At some point it was even tough. This is not the real arg. pampa's meat. A "Bife de Lomo" should be so soft that, with one cut, the meat will fall off.

The taste of the meat is to much coaly. I am sure they don't clean the grill before they put new meat on it. Not surprised as they are too busy. The salad is just onions, tomato and lettuce. NO taste at all.

Ambiance: romantic with candles but it is so dark that you can hardly read the menucard.

Pricing: not too high but i had better for same pricing. I rather pay more for better food and service and also have a normal conversation. The noise is just incredible.

You are wonerding why it is so busy then? Just 50 tables, and people sit too long. Also their are only 2 argentinian restaurants in Chicago. So less competition. The romantic part attracts mainly younger people and the name Argentinian have for their meat. aswell. Also the right area for younger people. Probably many live in the area. (romantic )

Waiting on food can go over 1 hour. That is way to long.

Concluding: if you don't mind this all just visit them and find out yourself. Don't forget to bring you alcohol allong.BYOB. Says enough i think about the restaurant.

A good restaurant should offer the famous Malbec wine with it.

  • Pros: see review
  • Cons: None
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/29/08

best steak for the price in Chicago

by jairoe2 at Citysearch

I've had kobe steak at many overpriced places in many states and nothing compares to the bife de chorizo or the entra?a at Tango Sur. The chef is great, the cuts are good and the taste is wonderfull. I am now a usual customer and always want to go back. All my argentinian friends go there at least once a week what speaks up for the place I think. Eat well for a fraction of the price you can pay at Morton's or Chicago fire house with very comparable quality

  • Pros: great steaks, BYOB
  • Cons: service, no reservations
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/03/07

BYOB Fabulosity...weeknight hustle

by eringold at Citysearch

Tango Sur is a great restaurant that really gives you a great value along with a wonderful dining experience. The steak there is amazing with all that flavor. Their mashed potatoes are amazing and they have a great selection of appetizers. I loved the BYOB aspect making the restaurant seem more intimate and homey. The no corkage fee is a bonus.

I went on a Monday evening at 9pm and the place was packed. There were even people waiting by the door for a free table. My friends and I loved the place so much we created a site for the place (we found out that Tango Sur has no website). Google search: tangosur.typepad

along with a little video spoof of the place on You Tube: Senor Sur - Tango Sur

  • Pros: BYOB, No corkage fee, great value, great food
  • Cons: No reservations for parties under 6, street parking can be hard

The Details on Tango Sur

Place Categories:

  • excellent fresh food
  • worst service
  • best flank steak
  • great place
  • quite reasonable prices
  • fantastic meat
  • great value
  • favorite wonderful restaurant
  • great quaint candlelit atmosphere
  • huge portions
  • favorite al filet
  • never failed tango sur
  • great meal
  • favorite tender double filet mignon
  • gross food
  • excellent outdoor seating
  • beyond delicious argentine beef
  • loved dim lighting
  • flavorful seasonings
  • incredibly delicious churrasco
  • wonderful dining experience
  • best byob resteraurants
  • friendly staff
  • awesome group dining
  • fabulous steak dinner

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