Whereas Tango Sur pairs well with a student's smaller pockets, Folklore is more stylish and trendy, perhaps better suited for those seeking to impress their meat-loving dates. Indeed, just like Tango, Folklore is a meat-lover's paradise. This place is all about meats. Bring a vegetarian if you wish to insult them. Folklore's menu selection is large, but to really savor the Argentine BBQ experience, one must get the parillada, which is an assortment of grilled items. Since I was with a group of people, we ordered the parillada for two. It comes with chorizo and blood sausages, short ribs, and sirloin. We also ordered the ribeye steak, along with a side of chinchulin, which is fried-and-then-grilled pork small intestines. The chorizo was delicious, though the blood sausage seemed a bit unbalanced. All the meats were great and very tender, especially the ribeye steak. My only complaint was that they were a bit salty. As for the chinchulin, it had good texture on the outside, and creamy on the inside (not sure if it can be attributed to our waiter's absolute assurance that they only serve it the 'natural' way, whatever that means). In case you are not absolutely stuffed after finishing the main course, Folklore offers a nice selection of desserts. The common theme seems to be that everything comes with dulce de leche, whether it is the cookie (with dulce de leche filling) or the flan (with dulce de leche on top). The one exception was the peach cake, which we ordered. It was light, making it a good choice after a heavy meal. We also had the flan, which was also good. The one thing that should perhaps be avoided is the coffee (either black, or with steamed milk), given that ours came out so watered down that it was almost devoid of any coffee flavor. So for those who crave tons of meat and want a nice ambiance, Folklore is the place to be. read more

Folklore Argentine Grill - Parillada para dos - Argentine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I thought Folklore was alright. Maybe the lack of stars was due to the migraine I had, making me finicky about everything. When we walked in the door, the lights were very dim, and the dining room was pretty much dark with the exception of candles on the tables. Very nice for a romantic evening I'm sure, but not very nice if you can't see well. The music was interesting. All I could hear was sharp violin sounds which were killing my head. The wine list seemed decent, but nothing caught my eye. Our server was very quiet and seemed scared to approach us and check up. I wish he had given us some ideas or told us what's good on the menu because we were lost. I did really enjoy the exposed brick walls and industrial windows. The tables were made out of this pretty wood, but ours was kind of sticky and needed a good wipe-down. We started with the Empanadas ( 2 Spinich, 2 Chicken and 2 Beef). They were good and were served with some kind of a garlic dipping sauce on the side which was never explained. For dinner my boyfriend ordered the Filet with the spinach mashed potatoes (amazing!!) Those potatoes were fantastic! Our other friends shared this fried chicken dish with these thin crispy and tasty potatoes. Is it bad that the potatoes tasted better than the chicken? Not much flavor there. I want to come back and try some other items, maybe when I feel better of course. Folklore is A-OK in my book. read more

If you bring someone here make sure you bring someone who appreciates you. You can bring your boyfriend, husband, wife, girlfriend, or your mother, but whoever you decide to bring make sure they are someone special. For me, I came here on my anniversary. I also came here when I was having a rough time looking for a new job. This is not the best place in the entire world but it is a place that means a lot to me. Sure, everyone is going to have their own opinions on this restaurant but take it from me who has been here twice.. they are VERY consist ant. First off, I need a good red. Every time I come here the servers do not disappoint with a good wine recommendation. I also always get cheese and spinach empinadas and Vacio to share. It is a plentiful and not bad for the price. You get great service and the food does not take long to prepare. The first time I came here I remember how hard it was for me find a new job. I was leaving a job I had put more than two years of my life into and moving to a new job was something I was not sure if I was ready to do. I looked for something different but was not successful. My man took me here and this place is so beautiful to me and the food was great I do not know what else could have put me in better spirits. The second time we came here for our anniversary and it could not have been better. Today, I have a new job with great people. All the hard looking and good food paid off. I appreciate coming here and that is why I said you should consider taking someone amazing here because they will appreciate it. read more

BEST SERVICE EVER! Not only is the food amazing, but my customer service experience was something to remember. I've been wanting to try this place forever now, so I ordered it take out. As I was waiting at the bar for my food it started POURING down rain outside. The bartender felt horrible for me, because I didn't have an umbrella and even offered to find me one. Fortunate for me I love running in rainstorms, so I was fine! But that really was very considerate and blew me away. On top of that, the food was amazing. (the seasoning and oils are absolute perfection!!) The atmosphere was trendy and classy. I go to a new restaurant once a week, so it's safe to say I never repeat places....but this is definitely a place I will come back to and recommend to others. read more

I've always loved Tango Sur and now I can say the same about Folklore. I used to live in Lakeview right around the corner from Tango Sur and I loved the place! So how lucky am I that now living in Wicker Park Tango Sur's sister restaurant, Folklore, is just down the street?! My friend had a steak craving on Saturday and nothing else would do. I suggested we try Folklore. So we did! And on DAMN we were not dissapointed! One thing about Tango Sur that drives me insane is the wait for a table. It's ridiculous. And I hate that unless you have a huge group you can't make a reservation. My money should be just as valuable if it's a 2 top as if it's an 8 top. We got to Folklore early on a Saturday night- 6:30 or so and we were seated right away. Absolutely no wait. I love the ambience. Its similar to Tango Sur but in my opinion more updated. It's cozy and warm and dark and I really enjoyed it. We decided to share el filet- and with that we each got a yummy side salad. El Filet was just perfect!!! Cooked just as I wanted! We also got beef empanadas- I think they have the BEST empanadas in the city- if only they were bigger! And that green pesto/garlic sauce for the empanadas- oh dang! I LOVE that you get a bread basket as well- and it's WARM dinner rolls. WARM! That's what I'm talking about. And I gotta give a shout out to the spinach mashed potatoes!!! My friend also got an order of the sweet bread- which is apparently glands of a pig or cow or some animal. He (and our waiter) loved them. They weren't my thing though. All in all the meal was really fantastic! I can't wait for our next steak craving!!! read more

Great atmosphere is what got this place the two stars. The food was absolutely lackluster compared to other South American establishments. I ordered one of the steaks well done and portions of it were cooked medium well while other portions were medium rare, and only the edges were cooked well. It was SO disappointing. And there was NO flavor! The spinach mashed potatoes is what saved my meal. The empanadas were pretty good. The sangria was ok. I was so sad leaving here because I was expecting WAY more! I think this place is a bit overrated... read more

After all the hype I've heard about this place and Tango Sur, we were sorely disappointed after a recent visit. We came in a big group of about twelve people. Our table was in a great location and we were seated right away, and that is where the good stuff ends. Our service was terrible. Awful. I can't say enough about how bad it was. Despite the large presence of servers everywhere, ours got orders wrong, was never available when we needed him, didn't refill water for hours, and on and on and on. The wine was good, and my cheap Malbec was especially good. The cocktails were bad, though- again, our waiter got orders wrong and almost nobody seemed to end up with what they wanted, but the special mojitos and daiquiris tasted like medicine. The empanadas were pretty tasty and came with a really good dipping sauce. The bread was fine. The free green salad was a nice addition to the meal. The much-hyped spinach mashed potatoes were good but nothing special. The entree salads were pretty bad, especially the mozzarella one. And the meat... nobody was thrilled with their order. My basically carnivorous fiance was completely disappointed with his big sampler plate, as was everyone else who got it. Just... overall meh. With bad service to boot. Guess I'll stick with the big-name steakhouses from now on. read more

The elusive 5-star rating. I am a huge fan of Tango Sur and live just down the street from Folklore, but hadn't been there until last night...a perfect night for their really nice outdoor seating. Reservation for 2 started and ended with great service mixed with amazing drink and food. The $4 Argentinian beer was crazy to see on the menu and was delicious. For dinner we ordered the Saint Julia Malbec...$20...for the bottle. Since I don't have a refined palette yet, it tasted really good to me and it was organic (whatever that means). We started off with the empanadas. Amazing. I am going to start coming here before going out for the night for $4 beer and $2 per empanada. I had the chicken and the wife had the spinach-filled. Both were delicious. For dinner she had a pasta dish that I didn't feel like tasting because the sauce looked a little too heavy for me, but she really liked it. I got the "For 1" dinner, which was a ton of meat with potatoes. Sausage...2 of them and both delicious. Meat on a bone...a large piece and delicious. Something fried...put in the middle of the pan and ridiculously good. How about another steak...cooked medium rare to perfection. You'd think we were full by this point, but first time a new restaurant means trying the dessert. The waiter brought out the tray of 8 options and we choose and a multi-layered white with cream cake. So good. read more

Pretty goddamn delicious. Yes I'm sitting at their outdoor seating on Division street. But instantly I felt as if transported to another land, where dinners last hours (in a good way), your servers are hunky Argentines, and the food is flavorful and delicious. The quality of everything we ordered was great, and everything seemed very un-Americanized. They made no attempt to dull-down or cater to our American eating habits - there was a ton of flavor, garlic, herbs and seasoning on everything and it felt super authentic. The drinks, by the way, were amazing. Yes, they took a bit longer than I would have expected, but they seemed to have been crafted with care and thought. Not to mention, my Caipirihna was DELICIOUS and well-portioned well above my expectations. read more

Our dining experience was the worst I've ever encountered. The waiter never came by to serve us. Instead the friendly hostess told us our waiter was too busy and she took our order but she was not trained to explain the menu. Drinks were never replenished and we had to ask for the bill twice. I will definitely not recommend this restaurant to anyone I know. Im beyond words for how horrible the experience was. I was embarrassed to show friends the neighborhood with this restaurant experience. read more

Amazing steaks for relatively "cheap". El filet - you bbasicallyget 2 steaks for the price of one! Great service to boot!

Wandered into this place on a Monday night and were pleasantly surprised. Great DJ playing at the bar, nice mellow hip-hop/lounge music. Sat at the bar and were well taken care of by the bartender. Excellent recommendations and down to earth service. With some well balanced cocktails we sampled the many appetizers instead of going after the grill. They were delicious and made for a great experience. The lengua is a must (if you can get over eating small parts of animal), sweetbreads, veal wrap, provolone cheese bake, chorizo; they were all amazing. I'll definitely be back here. It was a great experience, one of the best in a long while. read more

I feel scammed. Such high hopes for this place. Choose Folklore since the comments considered it a good date spot. Unfortunately, like most women do when you ask what kind of food they prefer, my date said anything. Of course she turned out to be a vegetarian. And of course an Argentinian grill is the opposite of vegetarian. She got pasta, which was your standard fare. Can't expect nothing to fancy from a place like this. I got the mix grill. For one the portion is smaller than you'd imagine. It may be a lot for a a small woman, but for a grown man there is a lot to be desired. The meat were all cooked unevenly. The short ribs were almost well done, the flap medium well. They were okay flavor wise, the flap was amazing but you just can't go wrong with it. The sweetbreads were gummy, it was my first time eating blood sausage and I will probably never again. The dishes came with some crappy salad and they gave a complimentary appetizer which literally consisted of a plate of melted cheese and bread. Nothing says date night like strings of protein hanging from your mouth as you talk about life. read more

Having already written a rave review for Folklore's sister restaurant, Tango Sur, I am somewhat disappointed that I can only give Folklore 3 stars. I have eaten here twice before writing this review so I am combining my experiences into this review. The great: Blood sausage (they call it "black sausage" - but yes, its blood sausage), the pollo medio (whatever they use for that sauce is amazing), and the spinach empanadas. I'm going to say that this is the best emapanada in the city, hands down. The sweetbreads that come on the parillada were small and tough on my first visit, but plump and perfect on my second visit. Having also had them at Tango Sur and knowing how delicious they can be, I'm confident in saying that they are one of the best things you can eat at both restaurants. The good: The steaks. I love MEAT and this is a full-on double-rainbow all-the-way-across-the-sky meat palace. That said, both meals were inconsistent in the quality of the meat. Some of the steaks were cooked perfectly and were tender and flavorful; others were tough, charred-tasting and, in the case of the short ribs we had on the parillada, mostly gristle and not a lot of meat. Overall though the meat is solid and reasonably priced. They also offer grass-fed/free-range and organic beef options for slightly higher prices. The bad: IT IS SO LOUD. I had a headache leaving the restaurant. There were people there on dates and in groups, and everyone had to shout to be heard over the music. On top of this the volume often fluctuated between "barely manageably loud" and "I am thisclose to walking out because I should not have to scream at the person sitting next to me." I even had my server ask me to repeat myself because it was so loud in there. Music should be just loud enough that you can't hear the conversation of the table next to you, but quiet enough that it doesn't intrude on your own table's conversation. Sadly for Folklore the overwhelming volume of the restaurant's music knocks what could have been a 4-star review down to a 3, and puts it in a category of restaurants I am not looking forward to returning to. read more

I admit that sometimes I watch British television just for its covert celebration of small-mindedness. I think in the U.S., particularly within the PhD suspenders crowd (ho ho ho!) you'd be slated for reducing a the culture of a country to the two things middle Americans knew it for in the sixties. Anyway, it still happens and always makes me feel a bit weird - like that time I asked an Indian friend with genuine interest about what kind of food he makes when he gets home from work and his wife smacked him and started telling us about how to find a recipe for butter chicken. At least on the British TV, the mockery and knowledge that we should all know better just barely supersedes an acknowledgment of something pleasant and even endearing about that imbecile who packs a suitcase of crisps when traveling abroad (think: Karl Pilkington). So, the partner and I were watching a BBC culinary travel show where the presenter decides to visit Argentina. The entirety of the show afterwards basically involves him touring various numbers of strange tourist-trappy places in search of the perfect authentic beef experience all while remaining adorably ignorant. ("Gasp! The Argentines eat feedlot cattle!") Well, since there is a $160 reciprocity fee for entering the country and I don't have the BBC backing me to drive from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, this all left me feeling somewhat hungry for meat. Flash forward to me desperately searching the interwebs for a deal and we have Folklore. 20% off on Fridays for hospital or school employees. Perfect. Parking is street here, but not too difficult to find. The restaurant is very dark, but the waiters will light a little candle for you when you are seated, creating a perfect little bubble of privacy away from the three drunk nurses at the adjacent table. This isn't to say that Folklore is a dive - far from it. The restaurant definitely has an upscale style - brushed copper and wood - the house staff is friendly and attentive, but not intrusive, and in general, I felt well-cared for, but at ease. To wit, jeans and a T-shirt, and you don't spend the entire time trying not to look like an idiot in front of your waiter. We ended up sharing an empanada and getting a parrillada for two with ALL THE CHIMICHURRI. My favorites: the sweetbreads and short ribs. So much meat. Beef needs were met. We had leftovers. When we got in the car, we were already talking about going back. Only downside: could have probably used some salad because anticipating constipation is horrible. Then again, as long as we're talking about travel, this is probably about as authentic as the experience can get. TLDR: Ye Gods of Chimichurri smile upon us once more! read more

I went to Folklore a while ago with some friends before a night out. The food was really good and filling. We ordered a shareable meat, the relleno, and we thought it was seasoned very well. I wish the place was a bit brighter. It had a very intimate vibe - def great for a date night. read more

First, the food is great - good enough in fact to give this place another chance after having a misunderstanding with the service staff. Hopefully I'll be able to update this review with a better experience. Update: Just received a very sincere and thoughtful response from the manager; I may have misinterpreted their intentions during my visit. Whatever the case, its clear they take customer satisfaction very personally! I'll be back; and I recommend you give it a try too. read more

I've frequented this Argentinian establishment three times. I'm one for trying different things when I'm a repeat customer, but the meal I've had was so good that there really is no reason to try anything else. If my heart wouldn't explode in a month, I'd eat it every other day. Maybe God's nectar (liquor) is to blame. I mean, it makes music sound even better and relatively unattractive women turn hotter than molten lava when you indulge in it...so maybe I should eat here and just drink sparkling water to see if my opinion is altered. You're going to order three-four empanadas (which are outstanding). Then you're going to order the El Filet and shower me with praise because it is quite honestly the best $57 I've ever spent ( 3 X's $29 = $57...I went to college). Words cannot describe this meal, but you cut two cuts of meat and the spinach mashed potaters are second-to-none. I even think the candles are better in this place. They seem brighter than everywhere else and that's important when you're dining in Chicago because you need a cars headlights to read any menu across town when you eat after dusk. I'd give this place 5 stars, but the waiters don't make you feel too terribly good about yourself with those fancy shmancy accents of theirs. Two of the three visits I was with three women and their husbands and it's like these voices put them in a vampire-like trance. The ladies start throwing their hair back and checking their make-up in a compact when these jokers come close to check up on the table or ask if anybody wants desert. It's completely ridiculous. I don't go into the Spearmint Rhino in front of them and start fawning over all of the young maidens trying to make their way through this world. Is there a Rhino in Chicagoland? Eat here. It's great. read more

Folklore has become one of my favorite spots to go with my girl friend. Every time we go there we embark on a romantic dinner to Argentina. From their delicious meat delicacies to their famous Pisco Sour. The staff are very respectful and courteous. Prices are fair for the quality of the food and the ambiance of the restaurant. If you happen to go there during the week you will find live music. I feel the band is a great addition to the atmosphere. One thing I would definitely change is the level of noise coming from their speakers while the live band performs. I don't even feel that they need any speakers to add since the restaurant is not enormous. Customers should be able to talk to each other and not scream while the live band plays. In addition, the instruments are already acoustically loud enough to give a good amount of harmonious sound. Besides this I can't complain at all. Food: Try the fillet minion it is phenomenal with spinach smashed potatoes. The gravy is very flavorful. Beer prices are adequate. Their Empanadas are a 6/10. Chicago has way more places that produce better Empanadas, but overall would try as an appetizer. Atmosphere: The candles by the bar gives this restaurant an Argentinian romantic Gothic authenticity. The place is beautifully constructed for a first date or for a nice classy not expensive dinner. Drinks:For a consistent Pisco Sour look for the guy with a hat on. He makes them the best out of everyone in the Chicago area. This place has the best Pisco's in all Chicago area! Will definitely be returning back. PS: Desserts are not bad at all, not sure if you will even have space after eating a grandiose meal. read more

Portions were huge, food tasted great, and the drink selection is fantastic. Great place that's a little smaller for a more intimate setting. Would highly recommend everyone give it a try! read more

I had been really excited to go to this place as I lived in Argentina a few years back. I finally had the perfect occasion and the restaurant ruined my night. I wish I had brought my out of town family to a better Chicago restaurant. We were here for dinner on a Friday night. It was kind of loud. Loud enough that you could only hear the person right next to you and it made it impossible for the 6 of us to couldn't carry on a conversation without yelling. The service was exceptionally slow. They didn't take our order until we had been there for about 45 min. They brought out only half of our drinks, and then the other half 10 min. later. We couldn't order dinner when we ordered our appetizers because our waiter rushed off. We ordered a series of steaks and pasta for dinner. Most of us got what we expected, the servings were larger than expected. One of us ordered medium rare steak and it came out medium well which was really unfortunate because if you're paying $30 for a steak you want it to come out how you prefer it. The main reason for this post is that they must have completely forgotten to put in the order for the last person (pasta with fish)! They brought out our 5 dishes and then a few minutes later came by to say that the sixth dish would be "just 3 more minutes". 15 minutes later, when they finally brought out the last dish the rest of us were finished eating. There was never any apology from the server/restaurant. This whole ordeal ruined our celebration and ended up leaving with a really negative feeling about the restaurant. I'm sorry, folklore, for the price we were paying, you should have gotten our orders right and had them all on the table at the same time. I won't be returning. read more

I just want to express my gratitude for this place. I am a Division Street neighbor and feel so lucky to have it on the block. It fits so many needs -- date night, solo dinner at the bar, family gathering, al fresco during the summer or a cold, snowy night, "spendy night" or cheap happy hour. They have an interesting wine list, and the food is well-matched to the ambiance. The vibe inside is very relaxing, with ample candlelight and low-key music. On the whole, they have knowledgeable, friendly staff. (Of course, every once in a while you get somebody who is busy.) I don't even eat meat and I love the food - the empanadas are a great bar snack or can be made into a full meal, and the eggplant appetizer is one of the most delicious dishes ever. I just think it's rare when a place can flex to whatever the situation calls for, and so just wanted to say thank you Folklore for always being there for the neighborhood. read more

I'm going to have to postpone my review of the excellent offerings at Folklore to wax poetic about the service we received here last Thursday night. Oscar E. was our server, and he was nothing short of phenomenal. It was obvious he knew the menu, and he provided useful insight and helpful tips on what we should order. He was attentive, without being smothering, and my mom and I couldn't stop talking about how NICE he was throughout our entire meal. He definitely made our experience there even better than it might have been. Now, Mahsa T. said it best below - walking into Folklore is definitely like slipping into a sexy little black dress. It has an appealingly cozy atmosphere, and the food is to die for. We ordered the beef and spinach empanadas to start, which were delicious, and shared the Vacio Rellano as our main course. This entree comes with a (pretty sad) side salad, and the menu says this is perfect for two, but I would say you could probably double that number and still have leftovers. The beef was nicely cooked and seasoned well, filled with a mix of olive oil, parsley and garlic. A side of perfectly cooked sweet potatoes completed the meal. Paired with the La Posta (a reco from Oscar - I highly recommend), there was little to complain about after this culinary experience. We ended the evening with the mil hojas - don't ask me what was in it, but it was amazing. Enough said. read more

As a Filipina woman (with a morsel of Spanish in her) who embraces and recognizes a lot of Mexico in herself, Folklore truly made me feel Argentinean as well. To call this establishment a restaurant/bar is an understatement, with its candlelit rooms and echoing Latin music, and intelligible waiters that make you swoon, you can't help but lose track of time. With previous yet failed plans to dine at Tango Sur, I dined at Folklore last night with my sister to celebrate my recent job offer, she lives in the neighborhood and walked past it during its soft opening - yes, all it took was a stroll past this joint and she immediately made reservations for last night's grand opening. I should preface this by saying that my sister and I are absolute foodies, we're not those women who order salads as entrees and steer clear of white bread, blasphemy! It may have been raining up a storm last night but upon opening the rustic, wooden door, we emerged into an atmosphere adorned with sexy lighting, beautiful people, cocktails up to par with the mixologists at Violet Hour and phenomenal steak. When you come to an Argentinean steakhouse by all means do you NOT order the chicken, though I'm sure it may be fantastic, you have to eat the steak here! We were greeted and immediately seated and our waiter, Alfredo, kindly and patiently guided us through the menu. For drinks, I ordered the Mango Picado, a tequila filled glass of amazing with a splash of Cointreau and fresh limes - there's a bit of spice to this drink and a little bite with those fresh limes but if you love tequila I highly recommend this. My sister ordered a lime mojito and let me just say that this lime mojito was so great it should be the mojito from which all mojitos are made. While catching up with one another's lives over fabulous cocktails and warm bread, Alfredo brought out our house salads (again not as entrees, but they came with what we ordered), lettuce with tomato, onion and a light coat of vinaigrette - it was a clean, well put together salad, we ate just a little though in preparation for our meat, meat, meat. I ordered the Bife Vesuvio, a grilled prime steak dish stuffed with spinach and cheese with Argentine style potatoes. Upon first bite I deduced that this is the dish I would like to eat if I knew I were about to die. It was brought out to me as the chef suggested, medium - and although I like my meat medium well, I'm glad I went with the chef's recommendation since it was a stuffed meat dish, perfection on a platter. Since the dish was also rather large I stood no chance at finishing it and brought the leftovers home with me. Awash in the memory of my fantastic dining experience last night, I can't remember the name of my sister's dish - it was a cut of prime rib, grilled over mashed potatoes. I can guarantee you that I'm not doing it justice, but she loved it. The service here is top notch, albeit a grand opening - everything flowed smoothly and if you dine here ask for Alfredo, he's soft-spoken, attentive and absolutely and effortlessly sexy. Folklore Argentine Grill will now be recommended to all of my friends and I cannot wait to return because guess what, we had no room for dessert...and dessert is always a must on my list. read more

Tango Sur's Wicker park sibling did not disappoint. I had a lovely dinner with assorted family. The menu is almost identical to Tango Sur's. However, Folklore benefits from being more spacious and having a full bar. I had a mango martini and it was wonderful. My dining companions loved their drinks as well and there were several delightful sounding options that I would have loved to sample on the drink menu. Our food was outstanding and we all sampled each other's plates. The lamb was especially good and my filet was a home run. Didn't seem to be anyone minding the front of the house when we came in, but that was the only complaint. Everything else; food, drink, service, decor was spot on. read more

I came here for my roomie's birthday dinner. Very nice ambiance. Great grilled meats. I got the parradilla para dos to share w/my bf and there was way too much food. The chorizo was yummy, and we had plenty of food left over to take home. Other peeps got steaks and salmon w/pesto - I sampled bits and they were delicious too. Interesting decor inside, nice dim lighting with candles on the tables, and great brick interior. The staff was very polite and helpful. Cool music playing, and a neat place all around. I'd definitely come back here again to try out the other dishes. If only Wicker Park was more accessible... read more

As good as it gets. Simply amazing. Can't wait to return. Had a consultant in town this week from Atlanta, and he offered to take me and my fiance to a steak dinner to celebrate our engagement. He said he preferred to stay away from downtown, and he wanted to try someplace that would be new for me too ... so that knocked Kinzie Chophouse, Tango Sur, and Las Tablas (Irving Park location) off the list. Let me also preface the rest of the review by saying in the past 10 years, I've had maybe 4 steaks. First, the atmosphere. Way less crowded then big sibling, Tango Sur. Each table is candle-lit, which I found to be the perfect touch. The lights were very dim, but with candles everywhere, a mystical glow filled the dining room. SInce the tables are more spread out, it's way less noisy as well. Wine: $5 Malbec - Best $5 wine I've had a restaurant outside of Italy. Appetizer: Bereneja de Escabahe (sp?) - basically sliced eggplant marinated in olive oil and vinegar. The strips were tender and packed with flavor, and strips of red pepper complimented the eggplant nicely. Meat: I ordered the Filet after reading the reviews. I ordered it Medium to play it safe, I didn't want something too rare but I know that the more you cook a steak the more flavor it loses. The waiter clarified if I wanted it Medium Rare and I repeated myself that I wanted it Medium. It came out Medium Rare, but I couldn't have been happier. It was absolutely the best, most tender, flavorful steak I've had in my entire life. It came with a side of spinach mashed potatoes, which were creamy and buttery. SO GOOD! Desert: The lady and I split a slice of the 1000 layer cake, and our friend ordered something like peaches and cream pie. I tried both, and they were equally light, sweet and the perfect ending to an excellent dinner. The waitstaff was patient, friendly, and they must've filled my fiance's water glass 10 times, no joke. I know this place has received some mixed reviews on Yelp, and I don't know why. Tango Sur is one of the best restaurants in the city, and Folklore instantly tops it even without being BYO. read more

This place is f*&$ing amazing. Had one of the top ten best meals our lives at Folklore last Saturday night. It was busy for sure, we had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. But we knew it was worth the wait when the bread arrived to the table hot and fresh and tasting like it was made right on site. Our server, Esteban, was perfect - prompt, efficient and had great recommendations for wine and menu. We took him up on his advice for the corn empanadas. OMG. Please do yourself a favor - don't miss out on the corn empanadas! I had the filet with red wine sauce and spinach mashed potatoes. It was incredible, the meat was swimming in the wine sauce. My husband had some other type of steak with spiced potato wedges, I don't know what it was because I was too busy stuffing my face with filet goodness. BTW, most entrees come with a wonderful light salad of romaine, fresh tomatoes and sliced onions. Afterwards we had the dulce de leche cheesecake, which was also incredible. Did I mention they make great sangria too? We couldn't believe the entire tab came to less than $100 for a meal this incredible. My only complaint is that there isn't a great place to wait for a table. The bar is too close to the seating so you can't comfortably mingle next to the bar without your backside in a fellow diner's face. read more

Highlights: -Loved the decor and design of the place. Sleek and sexy with all that mohagany wood. Absolutely beautiful. -The Latin waiters looked as delicioso as the food tasted! -Gimme some mo' of that fried cheese w/herbs please!!!! read more

Amazing food and wonderful service! Best prices for prime steaks that I've found in the city. Service is consistently great, specifically Juan! He is extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Definitely give it a try! read more

I've been wanting to try this place for a long time. Finally, I ordered delivery... first the delivery person set the food sideway, everything spilled out, second I order parillada for two... it was good but they best part was the chimichurri sauce to go with the meat... Welll.... THERE WAS NO CHIMICHURRI at all. When you're hungry and expected EVERYTHING there and it's not there. Disappointment. Like ordering tacos and didn't get salsa. -_- read more

Everytime i come here I am never disappointed. The parrillada is probably one of the best things on their menu. Along with the Greg Mojito I ordered . I recommend most of their appetizers . I truly had a feast for dinner with friends . read more

I couldn't tell the difference from Tango Sur (other than the fact this place has its liquor licence). Due to the afore mentioned liquor licence we ended up with a much larger bill than our normal trip to Tango Sur. I had a very tasty stuffed chicken leg/breast over pesto -- also very tasty the next day cold :) As with Tango Sur, portions are huge, plan to go home with lunch for the next day. The service here although better than Tango is still pretty weak. The space itself is much improved over Tango Sur, but the parking is rather difficult on the weekend... read more

I celebrated my birthday dinner here outdoors with friends and family. Fantastic food, byob with a small fee for corkage. Loved the people who worked there (very warm and welcoming). I would def. go here again! Fantastic steak. read more

Second of all the food is very good. First of all, the two slick managers at this place are extremely rude and the wait even with a reservation is unacceptable. Perhaps you are taking too many reservations...... read more

I saw this place pop up in the neighborhood a couple months back, and I kept meaning to try it out. Last night I finally went in for dinner, and I was very impressed. The interior is beautifully designed, the lighting is dim, and each table has a candlestick to provide a soft glow. The service was excellent, and our waiter kept our wine glasses full. We started with a bottle of the organic Malbec and the marinated eggplant appetizer. The Malbec was smooth, the eggplant light and flavorful. For my entree, I ordered the filet with two jumbo shrimp in a tomato-caper sauce. The steak was tender and cooked to perfection. The shrimp were very large and full of flavor.The sauce was light and incredible, and complimented both the steak and the shrimp. The entree was also served with a fresh romaine salad and a side of spinach mashed potatoes. Overall, it was an insane amount of food. My friend ordered the Para Uno, which included grilled short ribs, sausage, beef, sweetbread and black sausage. I'm not as much of a fan of the random animal parts as he is, but I did try the chorizo, and it was excellent. We both left satisfied, and agreed to return soon to try another amazing dish. I can't wait to come back! read more

The staff was very friendly, inviting and casual. The ambiance was nice except for the horrible smell in the bathroom and lack of a stall door. My order was about 15 minutes late. The first two bites of the Bife Ancho were delicious, but the remainder was flavorless. The Pure de Espinaca was interesting. The space and staff were a hit, but a simple $50 meal left me wanting to eat elsewhere. read more

Right now at restaurant waiting to be approached by waiter ... it is now 20 minutes since we sat down ... hopefully the food will be better .,,,., people around us have another server ...and are being greeted and allowed to order ... POOR service . Finally able to order - steak , vestivo papas, tomato salad - horrible I have had a better meal at ponderosa as a child ... dry steak , soggy papas , bland sauce for steak ... ... love the sister restaurant on Southport but this place is horrible - and the butter knives were sharper then the steak knives . Service thru meal again HORRIBLE . Asked for water snd salt ... never got ..Had to go to the clueless hostess to ask for the check after waiting again 30 minutes . Will NOT EVER go back ... obviously the place needs a professional to manage . read more

Went to Folklore a few weeks ago with some friends. Made a reservation which was good since it was pretty full. I had always wanted to try Folklore ever since I moved to the area. I finally made it a few weeks ago, after reading some of the Yelp reviews about this being in the Tango Sur family. I lived in Buenos Aires for a while, so when I go to an Argentine steakhouse, it better have solid classics: Bife chorizo and provoletta. they do and both were pretty good. We also tried some empanadas (which had pretty thick dough, not so good) And the best was the filet, it was perfectly cooked and super tender. They also had a good selection of beer ( I had a Quilmes for old times) and cocktails. I would definitely go back, although it is a bit pricey and abnormally dark read more

I've been here a total of 3 times and the experiences are a 10 every time. This past weekend I came here with my husband for date night and again it was amazing. We made reservations earlier that week and received a call the following day to confirm. We arrived super late and the host was still very accommodating. I sneaked a peak at the reservation list and it was mighty long. We got in and were seated right away. Let me explain the ambiance. It's dark in there. The tables aren't too close together but I will say it is packed and loud on Friday and Saturday nights. There are candles at every table. It's super romantic but also a place you can bring kids to. Not too young though. We've been here with our 13 year-old son. We were given fresh, out of the oven, bread. Warm tiny little French breads and they are soft and warm. Did I mention they were warm? Our waiter popped our wine right away. Did I mention this place is BYOB??? Yes, it's amazing . There is a $10 corking fee per bottle. Not too bad at all considering we can bring in what we want. The drinks there are delish also. They have Argentinian beer which is nice and crisp and I enjoy. Our menus were open right away and we were ready to order! We had empanadas and an appetizer...not sure the name but it's of corn. It's nice and creamy corn. The outside is nice and crunchy. A salad is served before the main entrees. The salad is nice and simple. Romaine lettuce, 3 slices of tomato, and white onion. They bring vingar and oil to drizzle over it. Simple but delicious. Our main entrees were Mar y Tierra and Churrasco. Mar y Tierra is a 8 ounce filet mignon with huge shrimp. The shrimp is so big it looks like lobster. It has a tomato sauce with veggies in it. The seal is nice and tender. Churrasco is a 12 ounce filet mignon with mashed potatoes. I asked for them to change the mashed potatoes to their signature spinach mashed potatoes which are amazing! They brought us two orders. Dinner was nice and slow. We didn't feel rushed even though we knew there were people waiting. They even served us a fabulous, rich, and delicious flan with a sweet caramel on top. Dinner was $90. Nothing too crazy. Two appetizers, tow entrees, and two bottles of wine. Dessert was free! This place is a great experience every time. I love it! read more

Folklore Argentine Grill - Churrasco with spinach mashed potatoes and chimichurri! - Argentine Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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