Argo Brings Tea with a Twist to Chicago

Argo Tea in Evanston

Argo Tea doesn't seem much like a tearoom: Its decor is sleek and minimalist, its baristas are young and hip, and its menu boasts such concoctions as the "Almond Mateccino" or "Red Velvet".

In fact, newbies who miss the "Argo Tea" sign above the door might, for a second, think that they have entered just another chain coffee place.

But they would be wrong: Its just that Argo infuses tea with coffee-culture. Pots of Assam or Darjeeling are replaced by fruity "Signature Drinks" in sippy cups. Scones and tea sandwiches give way to bar cookies and flatbreads. The sound of keystrokes (Argo offers free wireless access) blends with the chatter of patrons.

In addition to their tea/tisane-based drinks, Argo also sells ubër-modern teawares (think colorful teapots, infusers, travel mugs, and cups), fresh-baked snacks, as well as loose leaf teas and tisanes.

(Incidentally, the term "tisane" refers to what is sometimes known as "herbal tea", which does not include the leaves of the tea plant. For a discussion of what "true tea" is, please visit this excellent post at the Teatrekker Blog.)

Argo uses both teas and tisanes in their Signature Drinks. Standouts include the Mojitea (mint tisane and lime juice on ice), the Maté Latte (made with yerba maté and almond flavoring), and the Carolina Honey (black tea, honey, and lemon). Plain tea is also available, as is coffee.

Insider Tips

To get the most out of your visits to Argo Tea Cafè, keep these tips in mind:

• Most of the Signature Drinks are available hot or iced: Be sure to specify this when ordering.
• The Mojitea can be made with fizzy water, and in my opinion, it is better that way. Again, just ask.
• What Argo calls "red tea" is actually rooibos, an herb unrelated to the tea plant. It has no caffeine, is naturally sweet, and is very tasty, so do try it!
• Signature Drinks can be made with the customer's choice of 2%, skim, or soy milks.
• Signature Drinks are prepared from a tea concentrate (i.e. extra-strong tea pre-brewed at the store. No, it is not from a bottle!), which is also used to make plain tea. Patrons can request a freshly brewed cup, however. There is a slight wait, and it is a tad more expensive, but the tea will taste much, much better.
• The Argo Tea at 1 North Dearborn has a lovely upstairs seating area. It is quiet, and boasts some great artwork.
• Don't forget to ask for (and use) an Argo Tea Club Card, which works as a gift card and can earn you free tea and/or merchandise as part of Argo's loyalty points program.
• Argo's teawares are decidedly modern and geared toward Western tea-culture (i.e. there are no gaiwans or other traditional Asian teawares), but they do feature the Bee House teapot, which is very popular (particularly with men) and makes a great gift.