Las Tablas
2942 N. Lincoln

The Basics
Where you’ll find it: 2942 N. Lincoln, just south of the Wellington-Southport intersection. (773) 871-2414. Another location is at 4920 W. Irving Park. www.LasTablas.com

When it’s open: 5-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

Reservations: Accepted and recommended on weekends or for large groups.

What you’ve heard: A neighborhood favorite that earned its stripes largely on word-of-mouth recommendations. ... A legitimate talent for cooking Colombian steaks amidst a lively atmosphere. ... Moved across the street to a larger, classier space in March of 2007.

Visual Aids
First impressions: We had a group of seven, and with three members having eaten there before and expressed it was BYOB, you can imagine the shock when we arrived to see a full bar next to the entrance. Fear not, as they continue their BYOB service despite having obtained a liquor license recently. ... White tile and wood floors, with an interesting mix of South American art and sculptures on the walls. ... A U-shaped restaurant with several large picnic-type tables that are good for large groups. ... The interior and decor are vastly better than the old place. The cheesiness of the old location is gone with a much more upscale look. ... The lights are dimmed nicely. ... There is a side room with plenty of space for large groups. There is also more space between tables, so there is no longer a cramped feel.

The atmosphere: Las Tablas is a happening place and never seemed to let up in the two-plus hours we were there. It was loud, but not overwhelming to where you couldn’t hold a decent conversation at your table. ... We noticed everything from couples to families and large groups — even a bachelor party. ... Comfortable, dim and infused with a fun and relaxed Latin vibe. Funky works of art line the walls throughout the establishment and add to its eclectic feel. ... They offer live music, dancing and other events throughout the week.

The Experience
At your service: The staff is generous and very welcoming. They openly take reservations and are friendly in the process. They even call to confirm with you the day of. When we walked in, they had tables set up for very large parties, so they clearly are accommodating for those occasions. ... The waitstaff filled water and cleared plates quickly, but they didn’t rush us at all following dinner, allowing us to casually polish off our last bottle of wine.

Get your drink on: It’s a BYOB establishment, so we were confused when we saw the full bar. Despite its $8.00 corking fee per bottle, it’s still a great money saver to bring in your preferred bottles of vino. Don’t let the “BYOB” title deceive you, however; it’s for wine only. So don’t go bringing in bottles of beer.

Menu variety and prices: The menu is similar to a lot of other South American steakhouses in that its primary focus is, well, meat, with a variety of steaks to go with chicken, pork, shrimp and even some — gasp — vegetarian dishes. ... Don’t miss out on a host of tempting appetizers like empanadas, char-grilled garlic marinated calamari or Colombian cheese-corn bread. ... Appetizers range from $2-$9, and entrees cost between $16 and $35.

Description of what you did decide on: I went with the shrimp and steak combination platter. While I am not a huge eater, I couldn’t resist the bargain of getting both for the same price that each was listed at individually. I was not disappointed. The seven shrimp were succulent and delicious, seasoned perfectly and complemented by the chimichurri sauce. I ordered my steak medium, and admittedly I would describe it as medium rare (as one friend put it, it looked like “they walked it through a hot room”), but I will say this — they knew what they were doing, because that meat was deliciously prepared. The plate was rounded off with roasted potatoes, yuca and sweet plantains. ... I ordered the churrasco, a char-broiled butterfly cut NY strip steak. It was perfectly seasoned and very juicy. The steak is served on a wooden and metal plate, so it stays hot. The potato slices were slightly crisp. I am usually not a fan of plantains, but their sweet plantain is quite delicious. ... I ordered the churrasquito, which is the smaller put still plentiful portion of the churrasco. It no doubt was one of the best steaks I’ve had in the city. ... We ordered beef and chicken empanadas as an appetizer. They were a softer dough than I have had at other South American restaurants, which is a good thing. Using the chimichurri sauce added a great flavor. ... Although in my past visit to the restaurant, the skirt steak was a “specialty” of the night, I noticed it was actually a permanent fixture on the menu this time around. And for good reason, because it is fantastic. I ordered it medium-well, and even at that temperature, it was juicy, tender and just tasty. The portion was generous, and it was accompanied by sweet plantains and potatoes. The potatoes were simple, but a perfect companion to my steak. ... The pollo relleno, another solid choice, is a tender chicken breast stuffed with cheese and spinach, served with a bed of rice, potatoes and a salad.

Something that caught your eye: The rather eclectic art collection of oversized women in various poses — the more racy renditions were saved for the bathrooms downstairs. ... It looked like mojitos were a popular choice at several of the nearby tables.

What you’ll tell your friends: There’s little fancy — has yucca passed the point of overdone? — but everything you want in one of these indistinguishable South American steakhouses. You want volume, and you get it; you want fun, and you’re almost certain to have it. ... Las Tablas is family-run and operated, and it makes for a solid and completely unspectacular option when large quantities of meat and flesh are on the brain. ... I’d say it’s a few notches short of Tango Sur on Southport, but it’s a reasonable facsimile at a decent cost. ... Dinning at Las Tablas is a great experience for a small or large group. All around the service, atmosphere and of course food keeps you coming back for more. ... All together, a great dining experience and much better than the old restaurant.

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