Renzo's Argentine Steakhouse and Market

      Renzo's
      The Steakhouse even a vegetarian could love !
        Located in South Tampa 
           3644 W Kennedy Boulevard  Tampa, FL 33609 (Between Himes Ave and Dale Mabry Hwy)

 

 

 

churrasco de entrana (grilled skirt steak) with sauteed spinach and yucca

     Renzo's is located in an unassuming plaza, and is very much a "no frills" dining destination.  Very simple, cafeteria style set up.  Walls were bare except for photos of Argentina, which is where the owners are from.  Renzo's specialty is slow cooked meat dishes.  Skirt steak, flank steak, new york strip, sirloin steak, chicken, sausage, etc.  They have it all, and it is slow cooked, using traditional Argentinian techniques.

       There are a ton of red wines to choose from, all of which pair beautifully with Renzo's steaks. 

 We chose The Don David Malbec for its bold,well balanced, soft and sweet flavor.  Our server described the wine as having notes of tobacco, vanilla, and plum.  My palate is certainly not trained enough to pick up on all that, but the wine went very well with my skirt steak.  (All steaks are cooked to medium well here, unless you specify that you'd prefer something different.)  Our steak was served with a delicious green chimichurri sauce.  (The sauce contains olive oil, parsley, garlic, lemon, and cilantro and was the perfect compliment to our well cooked, juicy steaks.)

 Now on to the sides.  I have never been to a steakhouse where the side items even came close to measuring up to the entrees.  Well, at Renzo's they did.  Tradition argentinian yucca was sauteed, and served with olive oil, salt, and chimichurri sauce.  Perfect texture.  Not chewy at all.  Almost the consistency of a potato.  Packed with flavor.  The sauteed spinach was out of this world.  Not overcooked, or weighed down by excessive olive oil.  The spinach was extremely fresh, and sauteed with garlic and other spices.  Went perfectly with the steak.

   After a half of a bottle of wine, and a ten ounce steak I was pretty stuffed.  But I had been told not the miss out on the Postre Chaja for dessert.

This homemade Argentinian specialty put even the Bern's Steakhouse dessert room to shame.  The multi-layered cake contains caramel, fresh peaches, vanilla icing, walnuts, chantilly cream, and meringue.  Unbelievable, and the perfect way to end an outstanding meal.


   If you have an appetite, and are in the mood for a "no frills", fresh, and mouthwatering dining experience, I'd highly recommend Renzo's.