Popular Boise restaurant was named Idaho’s best takeout. It’s opened a new Meridian store

After 16 years, a popular Boise restaurant has expanded to Meridian.

Serving “a taste of Argentina,” Tango’s opened a second location Jan. 17 at 46 E. Fairview Ave. The empanada mecca is offering “yummy pockets of love and churros and fries,” it explained on Facebook. 

Seated dining isn’t available yet, but it’s coming. For now, the new, locally owned restaurant is doing to-go and pickup food from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. To speed things up, call or text orders: (208) 447-0701.

Since opening in 2006 at 701 N. Orchard St. in Boise, Tango’s has served Argentina-style empanadas and sub sandwiches to loyal customers. Empanadas are tasty pastry turnovers filled with vegetables, meat and cheese. (Unless you order a sweet dessert version, of course.) Empanadas not only are delicious and satisfying, they also travel well in a to-go container.

That’s probably one of the reasons Tango’s was named Idaho’s top restaurant in a guide to the “Best Takeout in Every State” from Move.org in 2020.

Another likely reason? Authenticity.

Owners Monica and Louis Bremmer (whose roots are in Buenos Aires and Mexico City, respectively) moved to Idaho 17 years ago from Mexico City. They had operated an empanada restaurant there. Tango’s offers a whopping 52 fillings for its empanadas. And the Bremmers treat customers like family. “Love you love you, Mamma Bremmer,” Monica recently signed a Facebook post.

The original Tango’s on Orchard Street remains open with its full menu and dine-in service, along with takeout. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Phone: (208) 322-3090.

Tango’s also has a food truck that traverses the Treasure Valley. 

▪ Online: tangos-empanadas.com. 

This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 2:05 PM.