Looking for Mate Gourd/Bombilla in Chicago

[thisthursday]

Hey all,

I am looking for a gourd and bombilla to drink Mate out of. I have tried a few local tea shops, but have had no luck. Can anyone recommend a shop in Chicago or the northern suburbs which carries such things? Thanks!

[ferret]

I've seen them at a number of places -- just have to dig through my memory to recall where. They're certainly available locally.

[leek]

What about the Argentine grocery on Southport next to Tango Sur? Also there's a place on Cicero - Buenos Aires (haven't been there myself)...

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Tango Sur
3763 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

Buenos Aires Deli
3100 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60641

[izzly]

I'm almost positive the grocery next to Tango Sur will have what you're looking for. I, It's called El Mercado, and is right on the corner of Southport and Grace . Whether or not they have your gourd, they are an awesome place to get yerba, fresh alfajores, empanadas, and a whole host of other southern South American treats. You might call ahead and check and see if they have it.

You might also check the two Brazilian stores on Western -- Pepe's Supermercado and Brasil Legal. Both are just south of Fullerton. (They drink mate in some parts of Brazil -- primarily the southern parts that border on Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, the big mate-drinking countries. And in other parts of the country, they just look at you like you're nuts. You might hit the geographic jackpot here, though, I dunno.)