Epi's A Basque Restaurant

Epi’s A Basque Restaurant is located in a historic family bungalow renovated into a cosy restaurant right in the heart of Meridian. The restaurant’s traditional setting and family-run vibe creates a homey, casual atmosphere, where diners are warmly welcomed by the owners and can relax for a couple of hours over hearty dishes of home-cooked food. The menu focuses on authentic Basque cuisine, offering tempting dishes made using fresh ingredients and traditional techniques.

If you were to trace the family lineage of Boise's most prolific Basque restaurants to its end, you would eventually arrive at a woman named Maria Epifania Lamiquis-Inchausti, otherwise known as Epi. The matriarchal ancestor of prominent local chefs Dan and Chris Ansotegui, Epi was the family cook, so in 1999, this restaurant was opened and named in her honor. Despite changing ownership in 2019, Epi's Basque Restaurant has served grilled Basque staples for 24 years, including mingaina (beef tongue in pepper-tomato sauce), tximinoiak (baby squid in leek sauce), and gateau Basque (citrusy pudding cake with raspberry).

Basque cuisine refers to the type of food that originates from Basque Country, and although the name sounds French, it is actually located in the northern part of Spain. Historically, the Basque people are one of the oldest surviving ethnic groups in Europe, predating even the Ancient Romans, which has resulted in an exquisitely formed cuisine that is inimitable. The meat is especially flavorful as the animals freely roam the Basque region feeding on beautiful grasses that in turn, results in amazingly tender meat that is bursting with flavor.

Based on Yelp reviews, it’s an absolute winner — even if it’s “not trendy and definitely not hip,” according to a reviewer, who adds that it’s “great for couple or date night or small parties,” “not necessarily kid-friendly” — “and I’m totally OK with that.”. “I can’t ever pass up the ham croquettes,” the Yelp review adds. “Warm and just yum! Every meal comes with fresh bread, soup of your choice and salad and two sides.

At night, make the short drive to nearby Meridian to eat at Epi’s Basque Restaurant, which has earned a cult following for its traditional favorites like lamb stew ($19) and beef tongue ($26). And for a late-night beer and nosh, the no-frills Bar Gernika always delivers — try the croquetas, which are fried balls of béchamel and meat (from $6), and solomo sandwiches, made with marinated pork loin and pimentos ($9).

During the Gold Rush, some 50,000 people from Spain’s Basque Country immigrated to Treasure Valley, forming the largest Basque community outside Spain. To get in touch with this unique piece of Meridian’s past, check out Epi’s, a beloved Basque restaurant. This spot opened in 1999, founded by the grandchildren of one Epi Inchausti, born in Bizkaia (Biscay) in 1903 and immigrating in 1929.

Chief among Meridian’s most noteworthy dining establishments is Epi’s, a purveyor of fresh, traditional Basque cuisine that is the city’s highest-rated restaurant on Tripadvisor. Idaho possesses the highest concentration of Basque people outside of the culture’s traditional homeland in Spain, and 12 miles down the road from Meridian is a vibrant Basque Block to explore in downtown Boise.

Set in a lovely historic home, Epi’s serves cuisine from Basque Country, which covers north-central Spain and southwest France. The culinary team places an emphasis on fresh food, serving dishes such as ink fish, slow roasted leg of lamb and oven roasted garlic chicken. Save room for the green apple bread pudding or the flana, custard with a brown sugar glaze.

Epi’s should be the go-to place to eat in Boise for anyone seeking to sample the rustic fare of Northern Spain. The restaurant’s popularity has in the recent past risen making it an ideal dining point for Boise’s large Basque diaspora community. Specialties include pork chops, ham croquettes, lamb stew, baked cod, tongue and other homespun classics.

With one of the largest Basque populations outside of the European Basque region, you can bet you’ll be able to find authentic Basque cuisine here. Named after their beloved grandma Epi, this restaurant draws on her legacy of hospitality and cooking. Now owned my her great-grandson, you’ll love the food, the culture, and the family-like atmosphere.

Downtown Meridian is a fun place to visit and grabbing dinner at the locally owned Basque Restaurant is a must. The food is delicious and so unique and the service is so warm-hearted there. The Basque cuisine comes from the Basque district in Europe located in north-central Spain and south western France.

Epis takes its name from the owner’s Basque-immigrant grandfather. If you find yourself in Boise’s neighbor to the west, Meridian, treat yourself to fresh dishes and appetizers like seafood, lamb and steak prepared in the Basque style. Try the ham croquetas, calamari, sauteed mushrooms and chorizos too.

You might enter this cozy bungalow hungry, but we guarantee you’ll leave full and happy. Epi’s serves traditional Basque food such as red bean and chorizo soup, marinated pork loin topped with roasted red peppers, and the restaurant’s famous garlic chicken. It’s a true Idaho experience.

Stop in at Epi’s Basque Restaurant in Meridian to get a taste of traditional Basque cuisine—something that is incredibly hard to find across the country. Enjoy dishes such as slow roasted leg of lamb, ink fish and pork chops with pimentos.

David Inchausti first left Basque Country to work in the United States in 1914. He earned enough money to travel back to Spain, where he met and later wed Epifania (Epi) Lamiquis. The couple then returned to the U.S. and settled in Idaho.

For an authentic, ethnic, fine-dining Basque Boise restaurant, try Epi’s Basque restaurant. This beloved spot has been serving delicious Basque cuisine in Treasure Valley for 13 years.

Lastly, treat yourself to an elegant meal at Epi’s A Basque Restaurant. This upscale eatery serves authentic Basque cuisine – a rarity in Idaho. Basque menu highlights include:

Epi's A Basque Restaurant is a charming restaurant in Meridian that serves traditional Basque food. Here's a photo of one of their specials: butter fish.

Thanks to places like Basque Market, Bar Gernika, Txikiteo and Epi’s there are plenty of delicious places to enjoy traditional Basque cuisine.