Try Tango Durham’s Nightmare Before Christmas festive menu

Not quite, but you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d followed Jack Skellington straight through that festive tree.

Tango Durham has been transformed into a full-blown Nightmare Before Christmas spectacular, lovingly crafted by Thistle & Fete—and honestly, I think Tim Burton would be proud.

After seeing the jaw-dropping makeover on Instagram, me and my burger-obsessed husband made our annual Christmas trip to Durham to tackle Tango’s nightmarishly good festive menu.

Tango is a Saddler Street staple for a reason – big flavours, American classics with attitude, enough customisation to satisfy even the pickiest palates, and recently, fantastically spectacular festive menus.

This year, Jack and the gang have taken over with a delightfully spooky Christmas menu available until January 2.

Think pigs in blankets drenched in bacon gravy, Oogie Boogie wings glazed in black garlic and maple, and a selection of dishes Sandy Claws himself would stick around for.

Naturally, December rules apply—Christmas calories don’t count, so we ordered everything.

Ben went for the festive showstopper, a nod to Ross Geller’s iconic “Moist Maker.” Stacked with crispy turkey breast, a beef patty, stuffing, mash, cheddar, and a gravy-soaked middle bun, it’s Christmas dinner without the clean-up.

I chased heat with the Diablo- cheese, jalapeños, spicy chorizo, crispy chilli mayo, chilli spread and matchstick potatoes. I was starving, so I doubled up with both beef and chicken.

The starters set the tone. The pigs in blankets were peak festive comfort, and the Oogie Boogie wings? A perfect sweet-savoury-spicy masterpiece, balanced beautifully by the blue cheese dip.

Then came the towering burgers, delivered with proper red-skinned chips. Eating these required committing a burger sin and using a knife and fork, but every bite was delicious.

The Moist Maker delivered pure Christmas joy, while the Diablo brought the heat without being overpowering—especially when paired with the leftover blue cheese dip.

We left no crumbs. Ben even found room for the red velvet cheesecake (yes, red velvet is just red chocolate cake), and it was the ideal sweet, creamy finale.

Though we kept drinks simple, it was a school night after all, the festive cocktails—Sandy Claws S’mores, Oogie Boogie Sour and Sally’s Deadly Nightshade—deserve a shoutout for any Nightmare Before Christmas fan.

The decor is an experience itself. Wander deeper into the restaurant, and you’re pulled straight into Halloween Town. Zero floats by. Lock, Shock and Barrel lurk mischievously, and Jack Skellington greets you at the door.

The bill came to just shy of £72, including a pint of Camden Pale Ale and two Coke Zeros, for two. A little steep, but absolutely worth it for the quality and the immersive magic.

If you’re ready to kickstart your festive fever or need a merry boost during Twix-mas, Tango is the place to be.

And just one last question- is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or Christmas film?

The Details
Tango, 39 Saddler Street, Durham, DH1 3NU
Phone: 0191 303 9039
Website: tangodurham.co.uk

Ratings
Service: 9
Surroundings: 10
Food Quality: 10
Value for Money: 9