In early 2016, Artango Bar & Steakhouse moved to their current location at 4767 North Lincoln Avenue, in the heart of Lincoln Square, bringing authentic Argentine cuisine, tango dancing, lively late evening milongas, and a peek into the golden age of Buenos Aires to Chicago’s dining scene.
I was also honored to be asked to write a few words about their superb live entertainment options.
Now, they have added an even more fantastic and traditional Argentine option – beef imported directly from Argentina. The first shipments of Argentinian cuts began to arrive in the United States in March of 2019.
Executive Chef Saul Roman has curated a superb menu of grass-fed, 120 day wet aged, black angus beef cuts. They are grilled on an Argentinian parrilla at a slightly lower temperature and for a longer period of time – similar to the Patagonian method of barbecuing crafted by Buenos Aires-born celebrity chef, Francis Mallmann.
Artango’s steak offerings include: filet mignon; flank; center-cut skirt; heart of ribeye; New York strip; cap of ribeye; spiral-cut sirloin; and tale of tenderloin. On a recent visit, a guest and I could not make up our minds about which of the cuts we wanted to sample. Then she pointed out that they offer a “steak flight.” What? That’s the best idea I have seen in a long time.
We decided to try their steak flight featuring samples of three different cuts. My guest grew up on a cattle farm, so her bar is quite high for good steak. Neither of us was disappointed. Chicago is a city replete with steakhouses, and I can honestly say that this is some of the best beef I have tasted in Chicago. That is not hyperbole – it’s simply the truth.
If you are a fan of steak, then you must find a time to visit Artango to sample these extraordinary cuts.
The steaks will likely come with a side of potatoes which are roasted to perfection. Dredge those potatoes through the house-made chimichurri sauce (you can thank me later). I also recommend the plantains and roasted Brussels sprouts to help round out your meal.
Artango’s craft cocktail program continues to evolve and improve, so be sure to ask your server for the latest selections. They have some inventive Latin-inspired selections. I had a particularly excellent Passion Fruit Pisco Sour and my friend sampled an excellent Mezcal cocktail. They also have a Prohibition-centric menu of classic cocktails you might have seen in a milonga during the Prohibition era – Manhattan, Aviation, etc. Honestly, you cannot go wrong with anything on their cocktail list.
The wine list is not extensive, but contains plenty of excellent options – mostly Argentine, of course – to pair with your steaks. Any of the Malbecs are a great option but you may want to sample the Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon or even the Bonarda. All of them proved to be superior pairings with the flavorful cuts of beef.
Check out the Artango website, or call ahead, to get information about the live performance schedule. We attended on a Friday evening and were surprised (and delighted) to have a front-row seat for some thrilling tango dancing. If you haven’t been able to jet off to Buenos Aires recently, this is the next best option in the Chicago area to experience the energy of a traditional milonga.
Artango is located at 4767 N. Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square. You can get more information by calling (872) 208-7441, by email at info@artangosteakhouse.com, or on their website. They are open Tuesday – Thursday, 5 – 11 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Saturday, 4 p.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Closed Mondays.
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