By Alexi Zentner
Photographs by Katherine Bish
If you’re like us, the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Argentine food—if you think about Argentine food—is beef. People who’ve been there swear that the beef tastes better, which makes it a bit of a shame that Tango isn’t in the business of importing cattle (imagine the postage). Instead, this new St. Peters spot orders peppers, spices and even the dough used for its empanadas straight from the homeland, offering a nice taste of Argentine cuisine half a continent away.
For starters: Empanadas—small pastries stuffed with cheese, onions, olives and meat or vegetables—are the only appetizer option at Tango, but you won’t need another. Each of the choices is tasty, from the spicy beef to the onion-and-cheese, but be sure not to skip the beguiling creamy corn empanada, which is slightly sweet and ... creamy.
For the main course: The milanesa, which is a thinly pounded steak covered in breadcrumbs and fried, tastes like a slightly lighter (sans gravy) version of chicken-fried steak. Order it with a side of mashed potatoes or as a sandwich. The Argentina tortilla (potato pie) was lovely, as was the tarta de jamon y queso, a ham-and-cheese torte baked inside puff pastry. There is a spinach option for the tarta as well. Fair warning for those who order the criolla salad: It is simply lettuce, tomato and onion—not a drop of dressing to be found.
For the road: If you’re in the area, check out Tango for interesting meals at reasonable prices. The food is solid and manages to taste out of the ordinary while still feeling familiar. And in case you don’t get enough empanadas at dinner, you can buy them frozen to take home.
100 N. Main, St. Peters, 636-970-2117, www.tangoargentinafood.com. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun-Thu, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri & Sat
