Tango Market To-Go

There’s nothing like a hot bowl of chowder on a rainy day in Hawaii.

We had been looking for a late-lunch spot in the Ward area when a sudden downpour hit. Thankfully, we found Tango Market. The little cafe not only offered us some much-needed shelter from the rain but also some hot food to keep us warm. The menu is somewhat limited and includes sandwiches, salads and soups. However, the choices are fresh, healthy and affordable. Just the way we like it.

I ordered their soup of the day, which happened to be my favorite – clam chowder. Of course, I couldn’t pass up the fresh array of breads on display near the register. I got a slice of Finnish rye bread to go with my chowder. We also got the Market Salad, a mix of greens with roasted beets, goat cheese, egg, cucumber and tomato. My sister ordered the turkey avocado sandwich with a side of salad.

The food turned out to be very delicious and just the right amount for a late lunch. I liked that the soup had lots of fresh veggies in it, with each scoop full of potatoes and clam. I guess you could say this has become my way of gauging the heartiness of a soup (or any dish, for that matter). The more goodies, the better! The turkey avo sandwich is by no means an original combo, but it was really the freshly-baked bread that made it stand out.

If you’re looking for a quaint and quiet place to have breakfast/brunch/lunch, then Tango Market will definitely fulfill that. It has a similar ambiance to a coffee shop with a small seating area and soothing music playing in the background. There is also seating outside on the patio; however, most customers will order and take their food to go. As a side note, and probably for another review, Tango Market is also very well known for its Italian sodas and coffees. I have not tried either yet but definitely plan to in the near future!

I also just learned that Tango Market is actually an extension to Tango Cafe, located just a block away from the Market. That one is more of a sit-down restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and alcoholic beverages. For now, I am pretty hooked on the simplicity of Tango Market and will definitely be a repeat customer.

TANGO MARKET • Ward Center, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96814 • www.tangomarket.com • 808-596-4888

Posted by: Bruce Fisher on Feb 1, 2014